#ThrowbackChristmas#Connect

Preparing forBreak by Kelf

Dec. 2013/Vol. 5 Issue 2

HowSussman

StoleChristmas

Photo by Molly Campbell

Smoke Signals

Boys SoccerWins

WPIALSSports

FestiveFashion

Life & Style

Happy Holidays

from...

Volume 5 Issue 2Peters Township High School264 East McMurray Road

McMurray, PA 15317724-941-6250

www.ptmedia.net

Happy Holidays

from...

Smoke Signals

Layout by Kristin Slomiany

Josh Glicksman Editorial Team Leader

Cassi DelucaLayout Editor-in-Chief

Kristin SlomianyLayout Editor-in-Chief

Shane DazenPrint Editor-in-Chief

Jenna Taimuty Print Editor-in-Chief

Jesse Eby Section Editor-Student Content

Andrew StroudSection Editor-Student Content

Rebecca PerrymanWeb Editor-in-Chief

Casey KirwanWeb Editor-in-Chief

Andrea SalizzoniWeb Editor-in-Chief

Nicole Torchio Business Editor-in-Chief

JC BrushSection Editor-Sports

Kelsey HunterSection Editor-Sports

Elise Jozwiak Section Editor-Entertainment

Meet

the S

enior

Edit

ors

Kassianna Politis- #connect EditorNatalie Rihmland- Business Editor-in-Chief

Nicole Spindler- Business Editor-in-ChiefNicole Folino- Section Editor: Life and Style

Maria Hoge- Section Editor: NewsMadi Start- Section Editor: PT Focus

Vanessa Scoulos- Section Editor: Student Content

Meet the Junior EditorsNicole BeichnerNaomi BurkeEmmaLee DucoeurBailey FinkOlivia GlodAlana HinerJill Kovac

Maddy LampertEmilou LandasNatalie LevenKourtney MartinValerie MikecDeidra MoranTori Piscatelli

Joanna PollockKaren RichtarMaddie WoodrowBrenna Woodside

Staff

Sports:

Entertainment: PT Focus:

Life and Style:

Student Work:

News:

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Table of Contents

Mission StatementSmoke Signals is produced six times a school year by the students of Media II, III, IV Journalism Staff at Peters Township High School.

The staff adviser is Mrs. N. Sitler. Commentaries, reviews, and opinion columns are the expressed opin-

ion of the author and not of Smoke Signals, its adviser, or the Peters Township School District.

#Connect:

12-13

16-17

Athletes of the Month

Boys Soccer

Festive Fashion

Holiday Bucket List

Nicco and Mario

Mastrangelo

Dr. Wecht

Holiday Instagrams

Kelf ’s Gift Giving Guide

Sussman Stole Christmas

Past School Teacher FeaturesPeople Features:

14Subject to Change:

Extreme Winter

Sports

pths PT Focus // December

04 Layout by Val Mikec

CoffeeHouse, the annual variety show sponsored by Thespian Troupe 185, was a great way to enjoy the talents of other students while enjoying hot beverages and pastries.

CoffeeHouse 2013 had all of the legendary bottomless mugs while hosts Savannah Brooks and Rachael Ferraco provided lots of laughs.

“CoffeeHouse was a great op-portunity for my band to perform in front of a live audience,” said senior

A.J. Clark, a member of the band FYFS. This year’s theme was Bean There… Done That. It was held in the cafeteria from December 12 to December 14 at 7:00 each night. “I participated in CoffeeHouse last year and it was such a cool experience. I was so excited to see how the show came to-gether this year,” said sophomore Nikki Wall. CoffeeHouse is sponsored by Ms. Wilmus, the director,

Bean There…Done That; CoffeeHouse 2013BaileyFink|StaffWriter

Most athletes symbolically refer to their teammates as family members, rather than just other competitors who help them score goals or win games. However, in some particular cases, teammates are actually siblings. The WPIAL champion boys soccer team contains three sets of brothers including junior twins Mario and Nicco Mastrangelo. The Italian duo began playing soccer at the age of four and have not lost touch with the ball since. “Every parent signs their kid up to play soccer when they’re little,” said Mario, the older twin by thirty minutes. “As soon as we joined the grass hopper league we immediately loved the sport and we love it even more now.” After playing on travel and cup teams their entire childhood, the twins are proud to admit that their most memorable soccer experiences have been with the high school varsity squad. Within their first three years of high school, Mario and Nicco have not only played, but also started, for a team that has faced rivals for the past two years in the WPIAL Championships. This season, the team won WPIALs due to a goal scored by Mario. Just like the twins in the notable Will Ferrell movie “Kicking and Scream-

ing,” Nicco and Mario constantly are hearing, “Pass the ball to the Italians!” “The most memorable on-field moment with Nicco was when I assisted him a pass with 58 seconds left in the second half and him scoring the game winning goal in the WPIAL semi-final play-offs against our rivals, Canon Mac,” stated Mario. “He and I always know where the other is on the field at all times without even realizing.” “It’s awesome,” Nicco says when describing living the life of a twin. “There’s always someone to joke around with or get help from. On the field, we know what each other are thinking and our chemistry is strong.” The Mastrangelo brothers prove that twin telepathy is not a myth through their numerous accomplishments. They hope this superstition can help the team improve and reach even greater suc-cess next year. The season may be over for this year, but the duo is already ecstatic to play together for possibly the last time next season of their senior year.

Get It To The Italians: Mastrangelos Clinch WPIALs

OliviaGlod|StaffWriter

Artwork by Ms. Wilmus

and Mrs. Kuhn, the tech director. Both teachers are veterans and have 23 years of CoffeeHouse experience between them. Spon-soring CoffeeHouse is not all bottomless mugs and cheesecake; choosing acts and hosts that the majority of students will enjoy. Picking an appropriate leadership team that helped CoffeeHouse run as smoothly as possible was a major responsibility. “Choosing the acts is not easy! Ms. Wilmus and I work together after auditions to make the final decisions. It was espe-cially difficult this year with all of the variety and talent,” said Mrs. Kuhn. This time of year, most people think of hot chocolate and Christmas carols that will not get out of your head. The students that participated in Coffeehouse shared these holiday favorites with their audience. CoffeeHouse is always a highlight of the holi-

Photos by Olivia Glod and Samantha Abraham

Artwork by Diana Sarnicke

05

Miss America, Mr. PTHS, what is the difference? This year the PTHS cheerleaders will bring back an old tradition, the Mr. PTHS competition, set to occur on Friday, April 4, 2014 in the high school gym. The competition will involve senior boys that will be chosen by the student body. The ballots to choose which boys will compete will be similar to those of the homecoming court. The actual competition will include a talent competition, a dance (in board shorts of course) performed with the cheerlead-ers, and a final question and answer for the five runner-ups. The judges will be personalities from outside of the school. The cheerleaders are hoping to get television personalities as well as some other well-known local celebrities to judge the competi-tion. As for the winning prizes, donations such as gift cards and prizes from businesses around the community will be gifted to the winner and runner-up.

Mr. PTHS ReturnsJennaTaimuty|PrintEditor-in-Chief

Do people still eat these? For the Smoke Signals faithful, you may recall egg nog from part I of Overrated Holiday Traditions. The ham falls into a similar category. Wouldn’t you rather have a turkey or something else? Ham is just so nasty after a while. Maybe it’s because there have been no classic movies about turkeys. The same can’t be said for pigs. After my second plate of ham, I just envision Babe or Wilbur crying out for help. Too much? Very possibly. Is this a pitch to make you ditch the ham? I won’t tell.

A light covering of snow on the ground is perfect. That’s all we need. Just enough to cover the ground. For those who want the mass snowfall: are you crazy? Who wants to spend Christmas Day shoveling? Wow, opening presents was fun, now let’s go shovel for hours on end. Perfect. My shoveling job is going to turn out worse than Janet Jackson’s performance at the Super Bowl. I just want eat a lot of food and do nothing. Christmas is like Shabbat—it should be a day of rest. Don’t make your kids work. Please.

Let me start by saying that this one doesn’t apply to long-time couples. But for the rest of us: ugh. Another good idea in theory. It’s really cute, right? Look who found themselves stuck under the mistletoe? Teehee! In reality, it just ends up creating an awkward situation. Now both parties are stuck looking at each other wondering who’s going to make the first move.  Everyone happens to be watching and tensions increase by the second. It feels more awkward than a middle school dance. Or a high five/fist-bump mix-up. Or watching Kristen Stewart try to act. Pass. 

In theory, this is a good idea. Unfortunately, it almost always goes downhill when people start opening gifts. Why can’t people just follow the spending cap? There always has to be that one person that needs to go above and beyond. Suddenly, my creative yet inexpensive gift looks mediocre in comparison to your assortment of pricey gifts. Thanks for making me look bad. Thanks for making us all look bad. You know those compliments

that we’re giving you about how generous you are? They’re laced with anger and envy. The whole night just went down the tubes.

It’s always interesting to see the various poses and creative ideas from the different families on holiday cards each year. However, that’s not the issue. The problem is that some people want to tell everything (AND I MEAN EVERYTHING) that happened in the past year. Even a few major events are acceptable. But when I start hearing about the daily eating habits of the kids, it starts to drag on. When it comes to holiday cards, there should be a specified word limit for everyone. 150 words or less. No exceptions. Go.

AP Images Mead, Burkaty, Ano and Rubra

POWER RANKINGS: Overrated Holiday Traditions, Part II

DISCLAIMER: I’m a Grinch JoshGlicksman|EditoralTeamLeader

5. Christmas Ham

4. A White Christmas

3. Mistletoe

2. Secret Santa

1. Holiday Letters

The cost of admission to this event will be five dollars. All proceeds will benefit the Watchful Shepherd and the Moz-ingo family in West Virginia. The Watchful Shepherd provides the Washington County Child Protection Services Unit with an electronic monitoring device that enhances efforts to increase the safety of children in possible threatening home environments. The Mozingo family’s house exploded earlier in October because of a natural gas outburst. The explosion killed their eighth-grade daughter, Hannah, who was a cheerleader, the mother, Tracy, and the family’s other daughter, Haley. The family is left with nothing and a donation fund for the family has been set up at Progressive Bank at 744 Charles Street Wellsburg, WV 26070 to accept dona-tions. The details are subject to change and more are to come about this fundraiser. Don’t forget to vote for your fa-vorite senior boys during homeroom in March.

06

pths Sports // December 2013

PT has been known for its terrific soccer teams over the years. While both the boys and the girls teams have been very successful, the girls have stolen the recent spotlight from the boys by winning states three years in a row. This season both teams advanced to the WPIAL Championship game, but it was the boys turn to shine. After many years of disappointing playoff losses, it was the boys who captured the gold, beating rivals Canon-Mac and Upper St. Clair during their playoff run, making their success that much sweeter. Going into the championship, PT was an obvious underdog but was able to outplay the St. Clair Panthers, winning 1-0. The team’s great season came to an end after losing in the second round of the state playoffs to those same Panthers. This loss did not diminish a well- played season. “Winning WPIAL’s was a great feeling, but going into next season our goal as a team is to win states,” said junior Rylen Faloni. The 2014 team has a chance to replicate this year’s suc-

The Boys Turn JCBrush|SportsEditor

Layout by Kristin Slomiany

cess and hopes to win the state title, as well. The boys strive to match the dynasty like play the girls exhibited over the last few years. With their success, it is safe to say they are on the verge of a dynasty themselves. The team has many key players returning next season. Anything short of a WPIAL and state title would be a disappointment.

Photo by Caitlin Pendergast

“Second place is not a defeat. It is a stimulation to get better. It makes you even more determined,” said former base-ball player Ty Cobb. The hockey team has made the Penguin Cup finals for the past three seasons only to succumb to their opponents. “It’s painful to come that close every year and watch as the other team steals your trophy,” said senior forward Evan Opeka. The Indians last won the Penguins Cup in 2005 and are looking to reverse their misfortune this season. “It is tough for every-one, but it is particularly tough

Tired of Second PlaceAndrewStroud|StaffWriter

for the seniors,” said senior forward Keenan Witmer. “Being a senior, you want to win it.” Reaching the Pen-guins Cup in three consec-utive seasons is something that happens very rarely. The team started the streak in 2010, when it fell to Bishop Canevin while play-ing in class AA. The follow-ing year, the team rode its

strong goaltending and senior leadership all the way back to Consol to face Bethel Park. An unlucky late goal gave Bethel Park the win and left the Indi-ans devastated again. Not much was ex-

pected of the Indians entering the 2012-2013 campaign, but the team proved their doubters wrong. Behind senior captain Trevor Recktenwald, who now plays for the Johnstown Toma-hawks of the NAHL, the squad finished the regular season atop the standings in Section 1 and swept through the playoffs to make their return to Consol. They eventually fell to power-house North Allegheny when a late goal sealed a 2-0 victory for the Tigers. The dream of gold has been cemented in the players’ minds, and it wouldn’t be sur-prising to see them return to the cup this season for a fourth try at the title. The team has arguably the best goalie in the state (senior Brian Baker), not to mention junior Adam Alavi who was one of the league’s top scorers last year. They also have senior Evan Opeka who is one of the fastest skaters in the whole country. In addition to talent, the team has been preparing for this season since the summer by participating in intense on

and off ice workouts. They are hungry and aren’t intimidated by the challenges that lie ahead of them in one of the toughest sections in Western Pennsylva-nia. “We’re ready,” said junior Gaven Reboltz, “A lot of teams are aiming for us, but we’re not backing down.” Canon Mac, Bethel Park and Upper Saint Clair are expected to have strong teams and any one of those clubs have a realistic shot at capturing the Penguin Cup. At the same time, Peters desperately wants to break the “Consol Curse” and finally bring home the cup. Good luck boys!

Photos by Emilou Landas, Jake Augenstine and Erin Pakela

Senior Saoirse Paulu-Benson spends almost as much time in the water as she does out of it. Paulu-Benson is confident that her team will be successful in many meets this year. She, along with the rest of the team, is anticipating meeting personal goals that will result in overall team suc-cess. “Gliding through the water and feeling the com-petition race beside me is one of my favorite parts about being a swimmer,” said Paulu-Benson.

Paulu-Benson grew up swimming and enjoys being in the pool. The pool is her second home and gives her the opportu-nity to hang out with friends, most of whom she has been swim-ming with since middle school. Swimming also serves as a stress reliever. She maintains focus during each race by concentrating only on that race. The swim team is very close and supports each other during their practices and meets. Paulu-Benson typically leads the team in cheers to pump them up before meets. “Swimming is a very competitive sport. You can always see the competition next to you during the whole race,” said Pau-lu-Benson. Along with swimming, she puts a lot of time and effort into her academics. “Although swimming is important, academics take first priority in my life,” said Paulu-Benson. Paulu-Benson’s personal goal for this season is to place in the state competition. She plans to continue swimming through college. Best of luck to Paulu-Benson in pursuing her goals and in her senior year on the varsity swim team.

07

Athletes Of The Month:Brian Baker

Photo by Molly Campbell

Saoirse Paulu-Benson Senior Brian Baker has spent a large part of his life involved in hockey. He continues to make a name for himself as the starting goalie on the hock-ey team. His personal goal is for the team is to win the coveted Penguin Cup. After three straight seasons of finishing second, the team is determined to earn it this season. In order to make his dream a reality,

Baker has made it his personal goal. Following his lead, the team has dedicated themselves and will work harder than ever before. Although it is a challenging task to achieve, it is possible for the team to win it all. The team is off to a great start, with a 5-1 record in a tough division. They have already beaten North Allegheny, who they lost to in finals the previous year. With this much success already, they have high hopes for a triumphant season. Like most teams, the boys have their own superstitions. “We have pasta dinners at people’s houses where we get to enjoy a nice meal and be with the boys before the game,” said Baker. Along with the pasta dinners, there are other perks, ac-cording to Baker. “My favorite thing about hockey is that there is never a set outcome, that anything can happen and any team can win. Sta-tistics are worth nothing in the game of hockey,” said Baker. Baker became interested in hockey at a young age. Be-ing raised in Pittsburgh, his favorite NHL team is the Pittsburgh Penguins, and more specifically, his favorite player is their goalie, Marc-André Fleury. “As a young goalie, I always used to watch Fleury and go to Pens practices to see him,” said Baker. Although this chapter of his hockey career is closing, his deep-rooted passion for the sport is not going away anytime soon, as Baker plans to continue his hockey career through college. Best of luck to Baker and PT varsity hockey as they progress through the season. Bring home the Cup boys!

NicoleTorchio|BusinessEditor-in-Chief ToriPiscatelli|StaffWriter

With the fallout of the Jonathan Martin scandal concluding, it has become evi-dent that sports, and football, in general, will have to raise its standards of maturity if it hopes to avoid another catastrophe like the one that is unfolding in front of their eyes. Rookie hazing has been common practice in lock-er rooms across the country for decades. Players, notably vet-erans, ostracize younger play-ers by making them perform degrading tasks that stem from cross-dressing to covering lav-ish dining expenses. Martin’s humiliation has exposed the severity of this practice in a

Editorial: Crossing the LineShaneDazen|PrintEditor-in-Chief

league that is supposed to be “professional?” Is it a responsi-bility as a teammate, and, more importantly, as a human be-ing, that the best environment be provided to anyone who is willing to expose and sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the team?

The degradation of Martin, a current Miami Dol-phins player, who was threat-ened on several occasions by teammate Richie Incognito with the use of racial and sexual epithets has lead to discussion over what is going to be accept-able and unacceptable in the NFL going forward. However, what is far

more disconcerting is the in-ability of grown men to solve their problems in a professional manner. These players are role models for society, whether they want that responsibility or not. The example that has been set here is clearly short of moral stability, and the profes-sionalism, or lack thereof, both players displayed is inexcusable. There are countless hazing and bullying victims everyday whose pleas for help are un-heard, and the way the situation was handled does not serve as a forum for them. Incognito, who described his relationship with Martin as ‘brotherly,” failed miserably as a leader, as a team-

mate, and, most importantly, as an individual. Martin should have said something to authori-ty in order to avoid the situation that unfolded. The ability to talk to someone about his problem may have helped ease his mind and the toll bullying was taking on him. No one is ever too old to ask for help.

The NFL is not a class-less league. It is full of richly intelligent and genuinely re-spectful individuals, but the counter-culture that exists beneath the spotlight must change. Threats and violence are not solving any issues; they’re aiding them.

08 Layout by EmmaLee Ducoeur

pths #connect//December 2013

#holidaythrowback

JoannaPollock|StaffWriter

Holiday gift for a girl: Not sure what to buy that teen girl on your list? What does she like? Do you know? Do they know? (Clothes are dangerous; wrong size, wrong style, and wrong decade). Here are my top five gift ideas for teen girls on your list.

• Scarves • Shoes • Perfume • iPhone cases • Makeup

AP Images Lee

Last Minute Shopping Ideas

These throwback photos were taken at McMurray Elementary School when we were in grades four to six. Every holiday season the PTA held parties for us where we participated in festive games and activities. My hope is that these pictures don’t embarrass you, but remind you of our enjoyable time in elementary school.

Holiday gift for a guy: not sure what to buy for a teen guy on your list? Here are my top five gift ideas for a teen boy this year. Perfect for your boy-friend, brother,

cousin, or friend.

• Video games• Cologne • Gas money• New pair of shoes • Headphones

Holiday gift for a parent: You are down to the most difficult people on your holiday gift list: mom and dad. Even if you have already blown through your holiday gift budget, you can still get your parents a unique, thoughtful gift without spending a lot of money. Here are my top five gift ideas for parents for this year.

• Homemade pic-ture frames

• Homemade bas-kets of gifts

• Family photos • Homemade card• Chocolate

For the holidays, Pinterest is the perfect website that gives you resourceful ideas. It is well equipped with some creative last minute gift ideas for girls, guys, and parents.

AP Images Kaster

AP Images Pedroncelli

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#holidayinstagram

Paul Marchky, 10 Gina Vilsack, 12 Jake Augustine, 12

Sarah Heeter, 11 Olivia Miller, 12 Ryan Page, 10

At this age, everyone is confused on where they want to settle down. Some have an idea of their future lifestyles, but most high school students have no clue as to what their future holds. Hopefully this quiz will point you in the right direction for your future lifestyle.

1. Where is your ideal vacation spot? A. Colorado B. Los Angeles C. New York City D. Beverly Hills

2. How do you relieve stress? A. Working out B. Sleeping or watching TV C. I don’t have time for stress D. Shop till I drop

3. What is your ideal holiday gift? A. Skis or snowboard B. Car C. Computer D. Clothes

5. What is your most fond memory of high school? A. Sports B. Late nights with friends C. Clubs/activities D. Prom

6. What did your childhood summers mostly consist of? A. Playing outside with the neighborhood kids B. Playing video games or on the computer C. Coloring or reading books D. Vacation after vacation

4. What do you look for in friends? A. Adventurous B. Good sense of humor C. Honesty D. Good Listener

Mostly A’s- You are bound for a life of taking risks and chances. You love living life on the edge and your ideal dream home is a sweet house in the mountains where you can live your dicey lifestyle to the fullest.Mostly B’s- You put the “chill” in “chillax.” You love spending long, endless days on the beach not worrying about a thing. A pristine beach house would work great with your relaxing lifestyle.Mostly C’s- Hustling and bustling is definitely your thing. Face it, a city apartment with a breathtaking view is basically made for you. Mostly D’s- The life of luxury and riches is calling you. You love being pampered and what better for that than a gorgeous mansion with your name on it?

NicoleFolino|SectionEditorDream Life Quiz

10 Layout by Naomi Burke

pths Life & Style // December 2013

Subject to Change: 4 Winter Sports you Didn’t Think Were

PossibleAndiSalizzoni|Online-Editor-in-Chief&EliseJozwiak|EntertainmentEditor

All winter sports have one thing in common: facing the bitter cold to participate in something you love. Some winter sports push people past their freezing point, just for the fun of it. The question is, are you brave enough to try these yourself?  E: Shovel Racing-If you think sled riding is extreme, try traveling down a hill on a shovel hitting speeds as high as 60 mph. Shovel racing is actually a worldwide sport that began in the 1970’s when slope workers were look-ing for a quick way to get down a hill. This sport doesn’t exactly qualify as an Olympic event, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eye out for it every once in a while on TV.A: Polar bear swimming-Some call it polar bear swimming, some call it “The Polar Bear Plunge.” This treacherous sport, usually lasting just under a minute, is considered a once

in a lifetime experience. Imagine hopping into a body of water that can make your internal body temperature drop several degrees in just a matter of seconds. Make sure a steamy cup of Starbucks Coffee is waiting for you after you decide to participate in this “bucket-list” worthy experience.  

E:Speed Flying- If skiing wasn’t hard enough, try parachuting out of a helicopter on skis while avoiding trees and rocks looking to take you out. This crazy winter sport rightfully earned its name of ‘speed flying.’ A skier is usually flown to the top of a mountain and proceeds to click his/her skis on, say their last words, and jump. If the skier comes across a tree or rock in their way, he/she better pray they have the clearance to sail over it. If not…good luck.A: Ice Yachting- Alright everyone, time to get your yachts out early this year, the Annual

Ice Yacht Race is underway. Racers control the direction of their yachts much like directing a sail boat--by getting ahead of the wind. This competitive sport is making its debut throughout the northern U.S. and is taken very seriously by its participants. Just don’t wreck your yacht, kids. Your parents would be disappointed.

Would you try these wacky sports? Double-dog-dare you.

AP Images Crowe

Staying healthy during the holidays is always a tough task. There’s the candy, pie, cookies, and other large amounts of food. Eating some unhealthy food is unavoidable, however, it is easier than you think to find the healthiest option. Surprisingly, holiday beverages could potentially pack as many calories as a full meal, if you are not careful. Opt for the tall Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha at Starbucks instead of a ven-ti. This will cut out almost half of the calories while still letting you

indulge in one of your holiday favorites. Dinner is considered to be the main course of the day. It’s hard to change family traditions just to be healthy. Although, there are healthy choices you can make. One option you have is to pick white meat over dark meat. Dark meat contains more fat, cal-ories, and cholesterol. No one can pass

up mashed potatoes, however, they can be loaded with fat when the potato is full of butter, cream cheese, bacon, and cheddar cheese. This holiday season go for a baked potato with a small amount of butter. And who could forget about the crescent rolls? This delicious treat should be limited to just one, not four. Finally, stop yourself from getting thirds. It can be a difficult task resisting all of the tempting des-serts. Instead of depriving yourself of these tasty treats, learn how to make your choice a healthier one. Have pumpkin pie without any whipped cream. Also, choose sugar cookies over the stuffed cookies containing icing. Once you are finished with your meal and have some time to recover, go shopping to burn off some extra calories. By this point you will probably be exhausted and out of money. It’s a good idea to sleep away the resent of eating yourself sick and spending all of your money for the next twelve hours.*Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist

Healthy for the HolidaysMaddieWoodrow|StaffWriter

AP Images Montoya, Heisenfelt, Bilow, and Faber

Caution: CarcinogensMadiStart|PTFocusEditor

Who knew delicious peanut butter could lead to something as awful as cancer? Carcinogens are hidden in items that we use everyday. Items that seem so harmless that we would never think twice about them being potentially dangerous to our health. Besides

peanut butter, some of these culprits include deodorant, sunscreen, and cell phones. A fungus called Aspergillus flavus grows in peanut butter stored at room temperature. It releases

a cancer causing metabolic product called aflatoxin B1, which is officially recognized as a carcinogen. Researchers recommend refrigerating peanut butter or buying organic peanut butter so this fungus can-not grow.

Unfortunately, peanut butter is not the only everyday item that may lead to cancer. Just because you wear sunscreen while having fun in the sun does not mean you are safe from skin cancer. People often think that sunscreen is the ultimate shield for skin cancer. Too much sun is harmful, even if you are wearing SPF 50.

Interestingly enough, the FDA states, “there is no assurance that the specific values themselves are in fact truthful…”

Regarding that higher SPF sunscreen is not in fact safer then lower SPF sunscreen. Junior Alex Pacich said, “Sunscreen com-panies should be more honest about what their products actually do.” Sunscreen is not the only product we use that may be harmful to our health. Everyone wears deodorant to stay odor free but some scientists have experimented and discovered that deodorant may be harmful. Some scientists have suggested that the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer. These compounds enter the body through nicks and cuts caused by shaving.

Everyone loves browsing their twitter feed before bed, but falling asleep by your phone might actually be extremely harmful. Dr. Devra Davis, author of Disconnect--The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, has been researching the safety hazards of radiation emanating from your cell phone.

The truth is, cell phones have a similar frequency to microwaves. Dr. Davis suggests that people should not talk on their phone for thousands of minutes each month and not sleep by them to prevent radiation exposure.

“This is shocking to me but I don’t sleep by my phone or talk on it a lot so I don’t really have to worry,” stated Zach Jaap.These are just a few of the items researchers have found out to be potentially dangerous. Although this research hasn’t been

substantiated by other studies, it is still a sobering thought that common everyday items could be harmful to our health.

Festive FashionNicoleSpindler|BusinessEditor-in-Chief

AP Images Crowe

As the holidays round the corner, every girl wants something fashionable this year, and here are some teachers to help design that perfect holiday outfit.

Mrs. Pinto: “My style is all about being classic with a little sprin-kle of trendy,” stated Mrs. Pinto. She believes that a bold necklace or scarf can complete any outfit. Pinto is inspired by Piperlime and Polyvore, two online fashion sites. The perfect gift Pinto wishes to receive is a tab collar leather jacket. She believes that a holiday outfit should pair something neutral with some sparkle or velvet.

Ms. McKenna: While trying to keep up- to- date on what’s in, Ms. McKenna’s style is always classy with a touch of trendi-ness. “The best holiday out-fit should have something se-quined, a sequin dress or skirt, with thick black tights and boots,” stated McKenna. Her fashionable gift ideas are a pea coat and combat boots. McKenna’s inspirations and fashionable outfits come from Kate Spade and J. Crew.

Mrs. Polard: “A comfy and styl-ish outfit such as a sweater dress with leggings and boots is the perfect holiday combination,” stated Mrs. Polard. Polard’s two favorite stores, Banana Republic and Nordstrom, are her places to go when looking for the latest fashion. Of all the expensive and beautiful accessories out there to buy, Polard thinks that you do not have to look far to find something; your smile will complete any outfit.

Señora Miller: Señora Miller walked the runway with her fashion tips in the October is-sue and now she is back to talk about the holidays. “For the holidays the essentials: shim-mer, sparkle, and shine and for the winter cold weather, nothing is better than cozy and comfortable sweaters, booties, and leggings.” Miller’s best fashion-able gift to give this season is a scarf; it is a great accessory when completing an outfit. The inspiration for the season is to keep boots and heels in heavy rotation.

Photos by Nicole Spindler

The holiday season is full of delicious cuisine, so why not start early? Instead of packing a boring PB&J for lunch, expand your

horizons with spaghetti topped with poptarts, chocolate, choco-late syrup, candy, and don’t you dare forget the maple syrup!

Although, you should’ve started months ago, it’s never too

late to decorate. Tinsel and holly are great but my favorite

decorations are snowflakes! Grab some paper and scissors and get cutting!

Don’t let those grinches (Mr. Sussman) and scrooges bring

your spirits down. You can take them on in a snowball fight.

Remember two things; pack them tightly and speed is key.

Looking for the perfect gift? Fresh-baked cookies are the perfect answer. Yummy and warm and OH MY GOSH they

are just so good! You can add chocolate chips, M&M’s, candy, candy canes, or any other treat you enjoy. Always serve with

milk and maple syrup for dipping!

Preparing for Break by Kelf

Don’t let those grinches (Mr. Sussman) and scrooges bring

your spirits down. You can take them on in a snowball fight.

Remember two things; pack them tightly and speed is key.

Looking for the perfect gift? Fresh-baked cookies are the perfect answer. Yummy and warm and OH MY GOSH they

are just so good! You can add chocolate chips, M&M’s, candy, candy canes, or any other treat you enjoy. Always serve with

milk and maple syrup for dipping!

Having a hard time getting through school? I know just the cure. Delicious, yummy, chewy gum! Whether fresh out of the pack or recently chewed, gum will keep you awake dur-ing those long lectures. There seems to be a stash under the entrance doors.

Whether you’re a soprano or a baritone or anywhere in

between we all know “the best way to spread holiday cheer is

singing loud for all to hear!”

Preparing for Break by Kelf

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14

Elementary and middle school teachers have molded our student body since the first day of kindergarten. A few of these teachers include the humorous gym teacher Mr. Shaw from McMurray, the enthusiastic seventh grade social studies teacher Mr. Maiolo, the caring and com-passionate Mrs. Gropp from Pleasant Valley, and the comical eighth grade science teacher, Mrs. Palko. They shared insights, advice and what they learned from the Class of 2014.

What has changed over the years teaching at your school? “The biggest change in my 21 years at Pleasant Valley has been in technology. We have gone from writing lesson plans by hand to typing them on the computer in files that can be shared electroni-cally throughout the district and stored on the N drive. Also children spend more time in front of technology rather than creatively making projects or running and interacting with friends,” said Mrs. Gropp.

What are your best memories teaching? “I have so many great memories teaching science. I love what I teach and couldn’t ask for a better curriculum. More so, I really enjoy teaching middle school students. They are always very excited to com-plete the hands-on activities and ask off the wall questions,” said Mrs. Palko.

What did the class of 2014 teach you? “[The Class of 2014 taught me] the value of having a good sense of humor in the classroom,” said Mr. Maiolo.

Do you have any advice for the graduating seniors this year? “I would simply say [to the graduating seniors] to give 100% of yourself in everything that you do and you will end up with no re-grets. Don’t accept failure; strive to be the best. Good luck to you on your journey ahead,” said Mr. Shaw.

Past Teacher FeatureRebeccaPerryman|WebsiteEditor-In-Chief & KelseyHunter|SportsEditor

Hello! Or should I say guten tag? PTHS welcomes junior Kirsten Rieper, a foreign exchange student from Germany.                 Switching schools can be difficult, but moving from one country to another and trying to fit into a new school can be even more challenging.“I really like it here at PTHS and it is what I imagined an American high school would be like,” stated Kirsten Rieper               One way new students make new friends and get to know their fellow classmates is

Guten Tag! From Kirsten BrennaWoodside|StaffWriter

by getting involved in a school sport or activity.“I joined cross country, I like it a lot because I’m not use to competing and being with a team, and will probably join indoor track too since I enjoy running,” said Rieper                        Everyone adjusts to new situations differently, however, Rieper’s transition from speaking German to the English language was no problem for her at all  “I took an English speaking class while living in Germany since middle school,” stated Rieper. “We listened to American music all the time

so we can just adjust to it. Learning the language overall was a little difficult but not too hard.”                              With the holidays approaching Rieper shared her thoughts about celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. “I am  excited to celebrate my first Thanksgiving and Christmas here, I feel like you celebrate these holidays more here than we ever did back in Germany,” stated Rieper. “I will probably be sad on Christmas, as my family will not be here with me, but I am excited to see how you guys celebrate it.”

pths People Features// December

Photos by Brenna Woodside

Photos by Kelsey Hunter and Rebecca Perryman

Mrs. Gropp

Mrs. Palko

Mr. Maiolo

Mr. Shaw

Gifted artists are usually a rarity in high schools, where the focus is not placed on art theories and techniques. Senior Krissy Rhen is one of these unique art students. Rhen has taken numerous art classes over the past four years, but has been most involved in painting.

“Painting would be my favorite art class because of the watercolor and acrylic mediums used,” Rhen stated. “There are a wide range of experimental techniques that can be used to create abstract art pieces as well as realistic painting.”

Rhen prefers to work with watercolor while painting. To no one’s surprise, her favorite piece out of those that she’s created is a watercolor masterpiece.

“This year I created

Painting a Picture of Krissy Rhena watercolor painting in Advanced Art Honors. It is an up close image of the rib cage of a skeleton,” stated Rhen. “The bones were painted in a magenta color against a contrasting blue and purple.”

In addition to the watercolor techniques incorporated throughout the painting, sharpie details were drawn in the background. A viewer examining the work might wonder how long Rhen has been developing her incredible artistic talent. The answer is further back than she can remember.

“I created art at such a young age I can’t remember the first thing I made,” Rhen stated.

Other than creativity, natural talent, and practice, the key for any artist is inspiration. For Rhen, inspiration is an abundant resource.

KarenRichtar|Staff Writer

The anticipation of senior year begins the minute you walk into the doors freshman year. For senior Ted Elattrache, freshman year was like yesterday to him. “I remember my first day of freshman year and looking up to all of the seniors and wanting to be in their position. Time goes by so fast,” said Elattrache. The senior benches grant upperclassmen the au-thority that comes with se-niority. “The senior bench-es are definitely a place for sociable seniors. It’s a place where we share stories, laughs, and share other ex-periences,” stated Elattrache. Although school has its negatives, senior year has its positives. “What I like about senior year is that it is the year that

Behind the Bench: Ted ElattracheNicoleBeichner|StaffWriter

you practically plan out the rest of your life. You have an idea of where you’re going and what you’re anticipating the rest of your life,” said Elattrache. Students may see high school strictly as a place to learn,

but there are also life lessons that are ac-quired that can really come in handy later on in life. “I love high school. I’ve learned so many life skills that I never thought I would learn. I learned how to be a good friend and to take as many opportunities as pos-sible. Knowing how to interact with people will get you further than any other skill,”

said Elattrache. As much as we all love high school, the journey must come to an end for everyone. “High school goes by so fast. What I will miss most it is being in the same building with hundreds of people that I grew up with. Goals that I have for the end of senior year are to meet as many people as possible, to do

everything I can, and to take any opportunity that approaches me,” said Elattrache.

“My inspiration can come from almost anywhere,” Rhen said. “Music, nature, and even other artists’ pieces have inspired some of my work.”

Different art forms require new sources of inspiration and some are more challenging than others. This year Rhen is exploring Ceramics, a class that is new to her.

“I find the art form much more difficult than other art forms because it is very ‘hands-on’; it requires lots of practice,” Rhen said. Outside of art classes, Rhen enjoys designing and sewing clothing. She has decided to attend Kent State for fashion design next year.

“Experimentation is important in creating artwork. Don’t overthink!” Photos by Rachel Campion

Photos by Nicole Beichner

How Mr. Sussman Stole ChristmasJillianKovac|StaffWriter

Every Indian down in Peters liked Christmas a lot…But Mr.Sussman who taught in room 214, did NOT!

Mr. Sussman hated Christmas! The whole holiday season! Now please don’t ask why.  No one quite knows the reason.  It could be that he liked math way too much and the whole holiday season just didn’t add up.   But I think the most likely reason of all, May have been that his heart was pi sizes too small. But, whatever the reason, his heart or the math,  He stood there before break, planning how to carry out his wrath. Staring out at his class full of chatty teens with a sour, Suss-man frown,He planned and he plotted on how to bring their spirits down.

“I know just what to do!” Mr. Sussman laughed about his trick,As he prepared his costume to look just like St. Nick“All I need is a reindeer or two,” Mr. Sussman looked around,But since we live in Western Pennsylvania there were none to be found. Mr. Sussman didn’t let this problem stop his plan.“A student shall do,” as he searched for a nice young man.That’s when he spotted Max walking in the hall,He said, “If you help me I will award bonus points to all.” He couldn’t resist. He couldn’t refuse, Max agreed to help no matter what he had to do.

How Mr. Sussman Stole ChristmasJillianKovac|StaffWriter

The morning of the last day before break,Mr. Sussman thought, “This is going to be a piece of cake!”On this very morning the fire alarm he did pull,Forcing all of the students, besides Max of course, out of the school.

Max led the way from room to room,They had to work quickly and swiftly “ZOOM, MAX, ZOOM!”Mr. Sussman took phones and iPads and computers, He took pictures and decorations from every teacher, even the tutors There was one last stop they had to make,The janitor’s keys Mr. Sussman would take.

As the students filed in, down the hallway floor,Mr. Sussman locked door after door.The students were trapped with nowhere to go,They didn’t have phones to play on or pictures to show.

Mr. Sussman only left two things in the classroom nooks,Some bright yellow calculators and torn up math books.

Mr. Sussman chuckled and laughed with glee,“Mwahaha,” he said, “Christmas was stolen by none other than me!”

Layout by Cassi DeLuca

18 Layout by Natalie Rihmland

pths Entertainment // December 2013

There are currently 718 Pokémon in existence and people everywhere are still try-ing to catch them all. October 12, 2013, Pokémon X and Poké-mon Y were released all over the world for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS. According to Gameinformer.com, in just the first two days that the game was released, over 4 million copies were sold. That is the same number of iPhone 4S’s that were sold during its weekend release. This game is the most revolutionized Poké-mon game thus far. Now with three-dimensional graphic, customization, and special ef-fects, this sixth generation in the Pokémon game franchise is an enormous success.

It has been nearly 20 years since the very first Poké-mon game was created for the GameBoy and it is impressively, after all these years, keeping its spot as the second most popu-lar gaming franchise behind

Keep Catching ‘em AllCaseyKirwan|WebsiteEditor-in-Chief

Nintendo’s own Mario. Despite the original main target audi-ence of young kids, Pokémon is extremely popular among teen-agers and college students. The release of Pokémon X and Y has already made an impact here at PT as kids on the buses and in the cafeteria are trading poké-mon back and forth. People are

very pleased with the new graphics and goodies of the new games.

“I like the friend safari the most,” said

junior Jacob Simmons about one of the new features in the games. “It gives you the ability to find pokémon with rare abili-ties and many other secrets.”

Senior Tristan Snyder said, “My favorite thing about the new pokémon is the trainer customization because there are a lot more choices than just a stereotype trainer, plus, your character is in cut scenes and they use your trainer as they

are.”This game pair also

brings about a whole new sto-ryline for players to enjoy and venture through.

Junior Garrett Mur-ray commented, “The plot is the best thing. It is very dark and emotional unlike the other Pokémon games.”

It is evident that there are many new pokémon to look forward to. The designs and looks have improved much since the last pair of games.

Simmons said, “[My favorite new pokémon is] Mega Alakazam because it put a nice new twist on one of the old pokémon.”

“[I like] Aegislash. He’s a possessed sword!” enthused Murray. “His design is a sword sheathed in a shield. His hilt looks like a crown and he can change form in battle to switch his defense to his offence.”

There is definitely a lot of hype over the new “fairy type” pokémon that has been released with the game as well.

With less sunlight and freezing weather, it is easy to catch a case of the winter blues. Instead of laying on the couch watching Netflix for hours on end, try something new. Try one of the ideas below if you want to have an exciting winter break.

Beating the Winter BluesVanessaScoulos|PeopleFeaturesEditor

Bake Cookies: Invite your friends over, gather ingredients, and whip up a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies. You’ll enjoy spending some quality time talking over freshly baked desserts. The best part is

that you get to eat cookies.

Ice Skating: Spend a lovely Saturday afternoon skating at one of our local rinks. The Iceoplex and South Park skating rink are popular choices for many local

kids, but if you are looking for more excitement, try the PPG rink. It is located in downtown Pittsburgh and is open until midnight on

the weekends.

Build a snowman: You cannot let this winter season pass by without playing in the snow. Embrace your inner child and get outside! Put on your snow pants and boots and head out to the back yard. Invite your younger neighbors and siblings. This doesn’t appeal to

you? Try building an ice sculpture instead.

Ginger bread house competition:

When it comes to building ginger bread houses, everyone feels like an architect and this is your chance to prove it. Instead of going out with friends on a Friday night, share some quality bonding time with your family. Whip

up some icing and have a contest to see who can make the best house. Prizes can be awarded for the winner. Kits are

available for purchase at Giant Eagle and most convenient stores

at a fairly low cost.

Read a book: Sometimes you have

to just chill out and have some quiet time. Pour yourself a mug of hot cocoa and curl up with a good book. Some of this season’s best sellers include Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, Doctor Sleep by Stephen King, and Sycamore Row by

John Grisham.

Fans find this new breed of pokémon to be very refreshing after so many years of the same types.

“The new fairy type adds something new to the game and finally gives dragons something to worry about,” Snyder said.

“The fairy type, while it seems weak, the type is very strong,” explained Murray. “It’s very annoying to fight if you don’t have a poison or steel type.”

This new release is clearly a must-have for any gamer. Pokémon X and Y are here and it appears that they will be highly in demand all the way until the next pair of games reaches the shelves.

Photos by Casey Kirwan

Photos by AP Images Mead & Dunham, and Vanessa Scoulos

19

Gay marriage is an ongoing debate in the United States. The country seems to be going in circles instead of resolving the issue. While some states have made gay marriage legal, other states are vehemently fighting for it to be banned altogether. Although the government plays a key role in deciding the legality of it, the people also have an impact. Significant people protest in forms of marches, lectures, and movies. Bridegroom, directed by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason tackles this controversial issue. It tells the heart wrenching story of Shane Bitney Crone and Tom Bridegroom. The happy couple has been committed to each other for six years and has done everything together. Tom was a brilliant photographer who had a successful business going. One day, he decided to go on the roof of a high story building when he tragically slipped off the edge and fell to his death. Shane was completely crushed and turned to his family for support. The day the funeral arrived, Tom’s family forbid Shane to attend and would not even allow him to see his body one last time. Shane was devastated, distraught, and confused; it left him wondering what kind of people would go to that length to ruin someone’s life. They completely shut Shane out, financially and

KourtneyMartin|StaffWriter

As the holiday season nears, adults scurry to find the most effective prices for the best gifts while students are piled to the sky with homework and tests. This year, take some of the stress away by knocking out one or two of the holiday activities listed on the Holi-

day Bucket List.

1. Choose, cut, and buy a real Christmas Tree What better way is there to open presents than to open them under a real Christmas tree? Gather your family and head to Candle Tree Farm in Washington County. Here the full experience is provided. You can walk or ride a wagon into the field, choose from thousands of Christmas trees, and even cut it down yourself. Afterwards, come inside and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate or coffee. This is quality fun for the entire family as a real tree will complete the Christmas experience, imprinting the senses of smell, sight, and touch that will create lasting family memories.

2. Bring back childhood memories We all remember those days when the first snow fell and everyone rushed outside to play in it. Bring back your childhood memories this holiday season. Gather your friends, and start with the old classic snow ball fight. Afterwards, change gears a little and get ready to build and decorate a snowman. Although it may not come to life, do not forget to add a top hat! Save the best for last, and end the outdoor

adventure by sledding. Wrap up this fun filled day with a warm cup of a hot chocolate and a holiday movie.

3. Downtown at PPG Bundle up, rent some skates, grab your friends, and head down town for a fun filled evening at PPG. First, stop at the amazing PPG ice rink and surround yourself with the ones you love, a 65-foot tall Christmas tree, and holiday themed songs. Then, warm up in the PPG Wintergarden as you enjoy the breathtak-ing “Spirits of Giving from Around the World” exhibit. This exhibit features a 32-foot tall Christmas tree and sixteen life-sized Santa Clauses representing sixteen different countries. PPG Ice skating and the Santa Clause display is the perfect combination for a delightful holi-day packed day.

4. Times Square for News Year’s Eve Where is the craziest, noisiest, and most amazing place to celebrate the New Year? You guessed it, Times Square. Enjoy six hours of live music performances, celebrity guests, and time in New York City. As the anticipation of thousands wait for midnight, do not forget to set your resolutions for the new year. And as the countdown comes to an end, the famous ball drop occurs exactly as the clock strikes midnight.

KassiannaPolitis|#connectEditor

Holiday Bucket List

emotionally; Tom’s family removed all memories of Shane from Tom’s estate, including pictures of them. They refused to give Shane even a penny of the money that they had saved together over the years. This prompted Shane to make Bridegroom so his voice could be heard and give people without legal protections the help they need. Bridegroom opens a window into the issue of marriage equality like no speech ever could. It shines a light on the important lessons in life, such as fairness and equality. Bridegroom was a hit in the theaters and is now a popular documentary on Netflix. The movie has also won numerous awards for best documentary of 2013.This movie is a highly recommended must see by the NY Times.

Photo by AP Images Vogel

Bridegroom

Photos by AP Images Franklin II, Kaster, and Srakocic

20 Layout by Maddie Lampert

pths News // October 2013

There are too many kids that face the challenge of obesity everyday and too few schools that are able to meet each state’s physical education requirements. Medgar Evers High School was not able to meet the necessary requirements until they turned the basement hallways into an indoor track. This may seem crazy but it allowed the

students to break a sweat and to receive credit for the necessary eight semesters of gym. In 1990, a group of tourists decided to endure the cold conditions and stay in the Icehotel, located in the small Arctic town of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. Little did they know, this hotel turned out to be a popular tourist attraction today. En-tirely made out of snow and ice, the Icehotel has always experienced some difficulty rebuilding itself every year. This year has not been any different, especially with a new demand for the placement of fire alarms. When dealing with food recipes there are basically two types of people: those who do not like to

try new recipes and those who live for it. If you are the latter, then Zucker’s Bakery, located in New York, is the perfect shop for you this holiday season. They made a new concoction: Thanksgivukkah donuts. These donuts are supposedly a mind-blowing combination of the favorite foods of both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. A few of the different Thanksgivukkah donuts offered include a sweet potato donut with a marshmallow filling or a donut filled with slices of turkey and cranberries. Unsure of the public’s reaction to these treats, the bakery plans to continue selling the usual donuts as well. You can never practice something too much, right? Laia Martin, a 27-year-old concert pianist, thought so too. That is until she was confronted with the possibility of serving jail time due to her downstairs neighbor filing a complaint. The prosecutor claims that Martin’s constant practicing has caused her to suffer from a lack of sleep and panic attacks. The indicter is asking that Martin is not only jailed for 16 months, but also banned from performing as a professional pianist for six months.

What in the World?MariaHoge|NewsEditor

AP Images Perlman, Funick and Green

In 2004, four teachers from McMurray Elementary (Mr. DiFilippo, Mr. McGough, Mr. Cygrymus, and Mr. Lovett) decid-ed to work together to assist with the school’s talent show. After receiving praise on their show performance, the teachers were motivated to form the band called “No Tune Left Behind.” Since then, NTLB has greatly contributed to Peters Township’s charac-

ter education program.   As a result of their contributions and successes, the band traveled to Washington D.C. this October to perform at the annual National Character Educa-tion Conference.

“Dr. Freado is a big reason that we found out about the CEP,” said Mr. DiFilippo. “He has helped us to establish and continue Charac-ter Counts here in Peters Township.”   

Unfortunately, the combi-nation of challenges presented by both mother nature and the trans-

portation of equipment caused a delay in the band’s arrival. How-ever, They were greeted by the exceptional audio and video crew, giving them the luxury to focus on perfecting their set.

“Musically, we performed well and the audience we had appreciated our hour-long show,” stated Mr. McGough, the drummer and one of the singers in the band.   

“No Tune Left Behind” Rocks Out in D.C. MariaHoge|NewsEditor

The set included songs the teachers felt had clear posi-tive messages, such as “Under Pressure” by Queen and “Instant Karma” by John Lennon. “My favorite song that we are perform-ing right now is Under Pressure by Queen.   I really like this piece because it has a great message and I love a challenge,” stated Mr. McGough.   

Although there was not much time to spare, three out of the four members had the chance to sit in on former principal Dr. Freado’s presentation on establishing a good character counts program.

“In the past couple of years, we have been focused on our live performances, but, as we approach our ten year anniver-sary, we are looking to create more videos,” said DiFillipo.        

“No Tune Left Behind” plays at the National Character Educational Conference in Washington, D.C. “Musically, we performed well and the audience we had, appreciated our hour-long show,” stated Mr. McGough.

21

Just think back to the middle school days of walking to Farmhouse Coffee. It was the hot spot for every student after school. Sadly, this lo-cal coffee house closed on November 1 of this year. Farmhouse Coffee was not only popular with students, but also with many groups such as book clubs and communi-ty members that met there over the years. Farmhouse started to lose business three years ago when Starbucks Coffee opened across the street, causing many students and residents to rethink their hang out spot. In addition to the obvious competition, Farm-house was in a less convenient location for customers, which was a huge drawback.

Farmhouse Closes Deidra Moran|StaffWriter

Photo by Deidra Moran

The Unresolved Assassination Kassianna Politis #connectEdtor

During the 2013 ca-reer fair, students were given the opportunity to listen to a remarkable speaker and well-known forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht. Dr. Wecht has performed autopsies on our nation’s toughest cases. In 1968, he was called to consult on the results of the autopsy of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Dr. Wecht spoke at our school on November 21,

2013, coincidentally the eve of the 50 anniversary of the JFK assassination. The offi-cial government report states that Lee Harvey Oswald was

the lone assassin that shot both Kennedy and Governor John Connelly with a single bullet. However, Dr. Wecht has a dif-ferent theory. “75-85% of the Ameri-can public does not accept the Warren Commission Report. I think that Americans should learn about this case and con-template what is owed to all of us and what we in turn owe to our country, the pursuit in what I consider to be an unresolved case, the assassination of the president, and most important-ly not by the Russians, Cubans, or Chinese, but by people here in America. That’s really what it’s all about,” stated Dr. Wecht.

He reiterates the fact that in order for the bullet to pass through Connelly’s ribs and then hit President Kennedy in the head, it would have had to turn at a 90 degree angle, which is impossible. Therefore, Dr. Wecht ultimately believes that there was at least one other shooter involved.

The notoriety he re-ceived from challenging the

official Warren Commission report on the assassination led him to be called in to consult on many other high profile cases such as the Robert F. Kennedy assassination, the Charles Man-son killing of actress Sharon Tate, the death of Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones, and Elvis Presley. These cases have made him the most successful medi-cal examiner in the nation. However, to achieve his success, Dr. Wecht put in many years of hard work. Not only does he have a medical degree, he ob-tained a law degree as well.

Dr. Wecht has put his degrees and experience to good use. He has served as Allegh-eny County Coroner, Medical Examiner and County Com-missioner. He has been the president of both the American Academy of Forensic Science and the American College of Legal Medicine, and currently heads the board of trustees of the American Board of Le-gal Medicine. In his name, Duquesne University School of Law established the “Cyril

H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law.”

Dr. Wecht said, “Speaking realistically, prag-matically, and perhaps regret-tably the college diploma isn’t worth a great deal. You have to think that you are going to have to get a masters de-gree and in many fields you will need a PHD. Wecht has plenty of advice to share with high school students begin-ning their career paths, “My advice is to think about what you want to do, find a school that has good programs and post graduate programs, study hard, make good grades, learn as much as you can, and in the summer time look for posi-tions in those fields to acquire more knowledge and informa-tion about it.”

Photos by Shelly Belcher

This unfortunate combination along with limited hours of opera-tion caused customers to choose faster service at the drive through over a cozy, relaxed environment. “I am going to miss Farm-house. I used to go there with my friends before band practice,” stated junior Kayla Damazo. The students will miss some of farmhouse’s unique beverage choic-es not offered at other coffee shops. “I’m upset because I have nev-er had their frozen hot chocolate,” said junior Julia Kuehn.

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Keep Calm and Clay On AndreaSalizzoni|OnlineEditor-in-Chief

With the hectic holiday season upon us, ceramics students are relaxing with some mug-making and pottery-painting. Enjoy this display of the student body’s impressive talent, original ideas, and personal masterpieces.

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Layout by EmmaLee Ducoeur

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Teachers

Photos by Samantha Abraham

Evan Lantry, Adam Jaworski, and Greg Serena

Elena Haynes, Niki Lester, and Olivia Bondi

Blake Dickey, Crystal Ecker, and Rachel Hino

Gabby Quarture, Demi Blair, and Megan Kinney

Jordan Harakal, Alanna Weiss, and Alyssa Watkins

Jennifer Holcombe, Alyssa James, and Abby Marnik

Anna Cocco, Parker Delaney, and Abby Strennan

Nicco Mastrangelo, Connor Pike, and Lindsay Pendergast

Seana Soika, Lexi Rhoads, and Jane Fitzgerald

Home Sweet Home These delicious Gingerbread houses were on display at PPG Place

during the holidays made by Foods I students.