Smoke Signals

FLU SHOT MYTHS AND

FACTS – page 4Fe

ATUr

eS

SpOr

TS

New

S

OpiN

iONiS THERE A

TERRiBLE CURSE?– page 11

THESPiAN TROUPE PRESENTS

“COME BLOW YOUR HORN” – page 3

iS gREEEN THE NEW BLACK?

– page 8

InsIde

peters Township ranks Silver in Academics

Ap German Students Bake “Buttergebaek”

Change in parking policy: Junior permits Available

Photo By: Rachel Sunday Photo By: Matt Sikora

January 2009 • volume 40• issue 03 • Peters townshiP high school

This year, parking has been an ongoing issue that the administration has been trying to resolve and satisfy student drivers. At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, the school board decided that only seniors would be allowed to have parking privileges. In the fall, an honors lot was created outside of the gate. The spaces were offered to captains of sports teams, class and student council officers.

In order to fill the thirty vacant spaces in the student lot, superintendent Dr. Nina Zetty established a student parking committee. Zetty wanted to receive input from the student body before declining on how to distribute additional parking permits. In order to

participate at the parking meeting, the students had to e-mail Dr. Zetty in advance and receive an invitation. As a result of that meeting, junior parking spots became available. All juniors had the opportunity to apply for a parking pass. However, they would have to meet a rigorous list of requirements. “I thought it was unfair that only seniors were allowed to park at the beginning of the year. But now the criterion is ridiculous for juniors to get the chance to park,” said junior Dara Hoelle.

To get parking pass, a student must earn points, which can be obtained by having a GPA of 3.8 or higher, a job directly after school, being active in

Peters Township High School has earned the silver ranking for academics, according to U.S. News and World Report. Only one Pennsylvania school, located in Philadelphia, received a gold designation. Regionally, some of the other silver award winners included Upper Saint Clair and Mount Lebanon. Local schools receiving bronze awards were Charleroi and Monessen. “The teachers are always trying new things, sharing ideas and working with each other to improve their own classes and departments; we all support each other,” said English teacher Mrs. Kuhn. “The combination of hard-working students and well-educated teachers is what makes our school special.” The researchers utilized current standardized test scores as well as how students were prepared for college-level work. School Evaluation Services, a division of Standard and Poors, developed the method to rate

the schools. Over 21,000 public high schools were analyzed using a 3-step process. This process included analyzing reading and math scores taken from each state’s standardized testing (for Peters, the PSSA). Advanced Placement courses that were offered and subsequent test success along with the performance of disadvantaged students (minorities and low income) rounded out the other two benchmarks. First place went to an Alexandria, VA high school. Thomas Jefferson High School, located in a suburb of Washington D.C., offers unusual high-tech classes, which many other schools do not offer, such as DNA Science II and Advanced Optics with Research Applications. Currently, the United States ranks 25th in math and 21st in science among thirty industrialized countries. Raising our rank will be a challenge to educators if we are to compete with our global competitors.

clubs, fall and winter sports, or holding a position as club/class officer. The main problem with the point system is students who have jobs, clubs, and sports need a pass, but if they don’t have a 3.8 GPA, then they will be down a point and most likely not get a pass. “This doesn’t make sense, because they are the ones that truly need the pass because of the amount of after school activities,” said junior Rachel Sunday.

Overall, the administration is experimenting to come up with the best and most effective solution possible. Additional changes will be implemented during the second semester.

AP German Students stayed after school on December 12 to translate German cookie recipies into English. Their grades were to be based on the quality and taste of their baking. “It was really fun,” said senior Brian Hayes (pictured), “and the German cookie turned out great.”

renée wunderlich

editor-in-chief

Monica paterra

staff writer

Briget Stasenko

Features co-editor

1

Super Bowl Sunday

2

Groundhog Day

3 4

1913Rosa Parks

Born

5 6

1895 Babe Ruth

Born

7

8 9

Arbor Day

10

Umbrella Day

11 12 13

No School

14

Valentine’s Day

15

Singles Awareness

Day

16

President’s Day

No School

17 18 191968

Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

Debuted

20 21

22

World Thinking Day

23 24

Mardi Gras

25

Ash Wednesday

26 27

International Polar Bear

Day

28

PublicSleeping Day

February 2009

January 200918 19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

No School

20Inauguration

Day

21

Nat ional Hugging Day

22Answer

Your Cat’s Questions Day

23 24

25 26Chinese New

Year No School

27 28 29 30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

reference� January 2009 Smoke Signals

Puzzle courtesy of: www.ActivityVillage.co.uk

Directions

Find the number

“2009” as many times as you can

in this puzzle. The numbers can go across,

backwards, up, and down.

New Year’s Word Search

Smoke Signals is produced eight times during a school year by the students of Media II, III, IV Journalism and extracurricu-lar staff at Peters Towship High School, 264 E. McMurray Road,

McMurray PA 15317. Tele-phone: 724-941-6250 x.5379.

E-mail: sitlern@pt-sd.org.Commentaries, reviews, and opinion columns are the ex-

pressed opinion of the author and not of Smoke Signals, its

advisor or the Peters Township School District. Member of the

Pennsylvania School Press Association.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFRenée Wunderlich

ASSISTANT EDITORAndrea Briggs

LAYOUT EDITOREmily Correal

MANAGING EDITORKatie Ellis

NEWS EDITOR

Stephanie Cotugno

FEATURES EDITORSDana Hoelle

Bridget Stasenko

OPINION EDITOREmily Estep

SPORTS EDITORTaylor Relich

MARKETING EDITORSShelby Miller Paige Burris

STAFF WRITERSGabrielle Brinsky, Amy

Burzotta, Averi Clements, Conor Jackson, Ian Jack-

son, Colleen Lugar, Monica Paterra, Kaitlyn Richert,

Matt Schilling, Matt Sikora, Bethany Suchy

LAYOUT TEAMShelby Miller, Paige Burris,

Taylor Miller

ADVISORMrs. Sitler

Smoke SignalS

what in The world...?A woman in New York has been accused of biting a man at a high school basketball game. Shaquana Beamon, 20, claimed that a teacher pushed her to the ground and began to kick her as she tried to approach her brother on the court. Reports show that the teacher was bitten in the arms and legs, and that someone else punched him in the head. The district’s physical education director says that the teacher was working as security at the game, and he was trying to break up a fight. The teacher’s name has not been released

Qinling Wildlife Park in Xi’an, China is looking for three human volunteers to share a pen with 36 wild wolves. The volunteers, aged 22 to 45, are to spend three full days in a tree house equipped with a walkie-talkie and will be monitored around-the-clock. They’ll each be required to “write three 300-word articles, take eight pictures and film two video clips per day, as well as answer questions from the public online.” Over 600 men and women have volunteered for the experiment, which will be broadcast live on local TV.

Vascular surgeon David Nott helped to save the life of a 16-year-old African boy whose left arm had been ripped off by a hippopotamus and was badly infected by gangrene. However, Mr. Nott had never performed that kind of surgery before, so he contacted a colleague at Charing Cross Hospital in London, who gave him step-by-step instructions… via text message.

A married couple in Cambodia has gone their separate ways… literally. The unidentified couple split their house down the middle and the husband picked up his half of the house and moved to the other side of the village to start again. The chief of the Cheach village, Vorng Morn, tried to convince the couple to stay together because they had been married for 40 years, but they did not listen – they claimed it was easier to split the home than to hire costly divorce lawyers.

Compiled by Katie Ellis

Stephanie Cotugno

News Editor

news �Smoke Signals

College Students illegally Use Drug ritalin

Would you take an illegal drug such as Ritalin, if the drug would help you concentrate on school-

work?

International tests, including TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), tested 425,000 students across 59 countries. Pennsylvania participated in the international tests by testing fourth, eighth, and eleventh graders with the PSSAs (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment).

Of the total grades, 56.2 percent students qualified on grade level. 81.5 percent of fourth graders, and 52.7 percent of eighth graders scored proficient or advanced. However only, 35.7 percent of juniors scored proficient or advanced.

Test results Show Students Lack Science SkillsGabrielle Brinsky

The Illegal drug Ritalin has become the latest drug of choice among sleep-deprived students struggling through term papers, homework, and final exams. Ritalin, an amphetamine drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), treats patients by controlling their hyperactivity, stimulating the central nervous system to help them focus. However, for users who do not have ADD, Ritalin can have the opposite affect. In those without ADD, lower doses of Ritalin can create feelings of alertness that fall somewhere between those produced by caffeine and cocaine. Using Ritalin at higher dosages can lead to not only depression, but psychosis as well.

Along with Ritalin, college students also take Adderall to improve performance and boost concentration. Students think of these substances as steroids that help one study better, harder, and longer. According to a 2005 study by the University of Michigan Substance Abuse Research Center, 10% of college students use stimulants illegally during their years of college. Between 2004 and 2005, the number of emergency room visits from

illicit use of pharmaceuticals jumped 20%. Senior Steph Bozic expressed her opinion on Ritalin by stating, “I believe the drug should only be used for people who have ADD. For the people who do not have ADD, the drug is dangerous and can lead to many severe consequences.”

When twenty-six students were asked the poll question, ‘Would you take the illegal drug, Ritalin, if the drug would help you concentrate on schoolwork?, ten students answered yes and sixteen students answered no. Out of twenty-six students, 38.46% of the students would take the drug. The majority of the students that were asked the question justified their reasoning by explaining that they would only use the drug in cases like taking standardized tests like the SATs and ACTs.

College students do not understand the relationship between the effect of Ritalin and its dosage. They are risking their health. Common side effects of Ritalin include difficulty sleeping, irritability, nervousness, headaches, nausea, cardiac arrhythmia, hair loss, anemia,

heart palpitations, anorexia, and hypersensitivity. Rare Ritalin side effects include abnormal liver functions, cerebral arthritis, leucopenia, and death.

State Education Secretary Gerald Zachorchak said, “The state needs new high school graduation requirements and qualifications because students are being sent out without the science skills needed to survive the science-rich world.” The test showed that 77 school districts 88 percent of seniors scored C or better in biology, a change from 2007, which was 41 percent. Students in higher grades are encouraged to memorize information, whereas younger children participate in hands on activities. Therefore, more than 95 percent of fourth graders scored at their grade level.

Hysterical Comedy Brings winter LaughsLooking for something to chase away the “winter blahs”? Then purchase an inexpensive ticket to the famous Broadway comedy “Come Blow Your Horn”, by Neil Simon which will open soon on our stage under the direction of Mr. Barry N. Wood. This hysterical comedy tells the story of the comic mayhem which occurs when a “younger kid brother” moves into the apartment of his “swinging bachelor” older brother and tries to adjust to his lifestyle. This funny play delivers comic performances from Ben West as Alan, John McGovern as Buddy, Melissa Jarrett

as Peggy, Annemarie Hall as Connie, Hardy Kern as Mr. Baker and Chelsea Sweeney as Mrs. Baker. Assisting Mr. Wood will be Assistant Director, Evan McIntyre, Stage Manager, Sarah Leech, Technical Director, Mr. Dave Walsh and Thespian Troupe Sponsor Mrs. Caryn Kuhn. The comedy will be staged “in-the-round” on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 P.M. and again on Friday and Saturday, January 16th and 17th at 7:30 P.M. Due to limited seating, it is suggested that you purchase your tickets as early as possible or plan on arriving at the theatre!!

Also, a racial achievement gap has been noticed. 29.2 percent of black students scored along their grade level, this including the 8.2 percent of juniors.

These tests showed the differences throughout the state, everywhere has different teaching styles and techniques. The United States has very high expectations for students. U.S education Secretary Margaret Spellings even stated, “Today’s TIMSS results reconfirm what we have long known—if we set high expectations, our children will rise to the challenge.”

Mr. Barry N. Wood

Staff Writer

From left to right: Melissa Jarrett, John McGovern, Annemarie Hall, Ben West, Chelsea Sweeney, and Hardy Kern

Guest Writer

January 14, 2009

features� January 14, 2009 Smoke Signals

SpeakOUT

“To not get a concussion.”

- Eric Zalewski Senior

“To get better grades.”

- Ryan Tingle Junior

“To eat healthier.”

- Hayden Edmunds Sophomore

“To be nicer to my brother.”

- Reed Elleshrosh Freshman

wHAT wAS YOUr New YeAr”S reSOLUTiON?

Averi Clements

staff writer

Magazines are definitely an essential form of printed media for many teenagers. For consistent readers, there is just something so enthralling about reading your horoscope for the month, catching up on the latest celebrity gossip (Are Brad and Angelina adopting another kid?) or even taking a glimpse at some pointers to make your crush notice you. While I subscribe to at least three magazines per year, I often flip through the colorful pages of Seventeen and wonder how many teens read it like the Bible, absorbing every ounce of information as if their lives depended on it. These magazines are not only sending the wrong message to readers, but also successfully dragging them into the expensive world of glamour and luxury. Readers are multiplying for the wrong reasons, so put down this month’s issue of Teen Vogue and digest the reasoning behind the industry’s captivation and success. Have you ever witnessed an older child skimming an issue of a magazine she was too young to read? This is the colossal reason for the sudden increase in the reading of teen

Kaitlyn richert

staff writer

The Trauma of Tabloidsmagazines. Girls around the ages of eleven and twelve will see their seventeen-year-old sisters drenched in thought reading Cosmopolitan. When she sets it aside, the younger girl grabs the issue and reads it cover to cover. These girls are too young to understand the concepts in these addictive magazines. The magazine is called Seventeen for a reason. Also, younger girls that get a hold of the magazine are learning information not only too early for their development, but they could be considering false information to be accurate. When I typed in the keywords, “Star Magazine” in the CNN search engine, I was a little surprised to notice the second part of its tagline: “Users can post rumors about their favorite celebrities on the message boards.” As it turns out, Star is among many magazines to use this controversial tagline for their website. This evidence makes me wonder about the amount of truth included in magazines focusing on celebrities.

Of course, you can’t always believe what you read – especially when it comes to the media. In the summer of 2006, Star Magazine produced a tabloid claiming Reese Witherspoon was pregnant. Defending herself and her integrity, she sued the magazine for the false allegations, claiming

that the article was a “series attack on her credibility and reputation as an actress.” The false accusation from this popular magazine is just one example of the lack of credibility the magazine industry is demonstrating to the public. It’s common to witness the media embarrass themselves behind these almost intended rumors, but it’s not acknowledged that the writers have to deal with the consequences. So why do teenagers pick up their weekly copy of Star and indulge in the fake “truths”? To me, I see the writers to be back in high school again, demonstrated in their stereotypical tabloids. Not only are readers of teen magazines multiplying, but hope to become part of the Hollywood world is evolving into a vision that readers believe they can easily attain. Reading about celebrities and their luxurious lives in People represents the shortcut to fame, which is absolutely the worst message the industry could possibly send. The writers uncover the message that being famous requires no work ethic or motivation, just the rewards of glamour and money. Sure, we all want a little bit of luxury. However, you must understand that reading about glamour is essentially different from living it – that is what readers need to comprehend.

Because it’s right Particularly during the holiday season, the importance of giving to others is heavily emphasized. Undoubtedly, there is a unique sort of thrill that overcomes the giver when their meticulously wrapped gift is finally discovered and enjoyed by its recipient. But why is it that we voluntarily spend so much money and time for people who really aren’t in need of anything else, yet we hardly lift a finger for those that are truly in need of our generosity? Forget the latest Coach purse – for countless numbers of people in the world, a warm winter coat is placed much higher on their wish list. We all know it’s cold outside, and we are able to bundle up accordingly (sometimes excessively) to keep our external body temperature at a comfortable level. The very idea of stepping into this winter wonderland without a coat is absolutely unthinkable. But when it came to helping those who do not have protection from the elements, we at PTHS had to be bribed with a muffin breakfast to bring in coats for the less-fortunate. The idea of helping those that are unable to help themselves was obviously not enough incentive. Granted, the enticement was effective, and

hundreds of coats were collected, but the same number should have been achieved with pure generosity. Even outside of the school, extra encouragement is often needed for nonprofit organizations to receive voluntary funds. Many charities offer a small gift, such as a free t-shirt, in exchange for monetary donations. Even the government gives tax deductions to those who donate to most charitable causes. Again, the bribery does draw in more donations, but the fact still remains that the greatest reward of all should be that of helping fellow human beings who cannot necessarily help themselves. Donations don’t always have to involve giving away your last paycheck, either. In many cases, they can merely entail offering something that wouldn’t normally be used anyway: Giving away unused cans of cat food to a local animal shelter, getting rid of a few toys from your childhood, or simply raising awareness for the cause of your choice can be of great help to others. It really doesn’t take much. Even though the “official” season of giving may be over, it is always a good time to give to those in need… even if you don’t receive a muffin in return.

As the weather gets colder, it is no wonder we find ourselves catching colds and feeling a little less than comfortable trapped inside. The flu is expected to be on the rise from December to March, but not everyone is excited about getting the shot. Few are aware of how productive it is. Any doctor or physician would not think twice in trying to convince you to take the shot, but are they really being honest with you about how necessary it is? Don’t bet on it.

Each year, the flu virus mutates. Therefore, new vaccines have to be made and administered, we can only hope that the doctors provide us with an appropriate mixture. Plus, ensuring that the shot gives you the appropriate dosage has been a problem in the past.

Among your typical flu shots, ninety percent has a small chance of mercury in it used as a preservative. Mercury is the second most toxic element after plutonium,

is the Flu Shot worth it?Colleen Lugar

staff writer

and is 500-1000 times more toxic than lead. Although you can ask to receive the flu shot mercury free. The health field simply does not make enough to go around for everyone.

If you were already sick, the flu shot would not be an appropriate option. The dead virus just might push your already weak immune system to its limits.

Whether you are afraid of shots or just don’t think they are necessary, no one wants to get sick, so here are a few tips that will help you stay on top of your game: 1. Always wash your hands before eating and after you go to the restroom because nothing else works as well to kill the germs. 2. Vitamin C is a great defense for our immune systems. 100% Orange juice is a great idea for providing yourself with the recommended daily value. If your feeling like you might be on the break of a cold, chug one-cup of juice down. You will be amazed

at the difference. 3. Blueberries have an enormous amount of antioxidants that will have a similar effect. 4. Dark green vegetables like spinach or peppers have all the iron that your body needs in order to fight off fatigue. 5. Drinking a warm coke or ginger ale soda is said to be a great remedy for an upset stomach. 6. Gatorade provides electrolytes and sodium that helps keep our bodies hydrated as well when water just isn’t enough.

It is important, even in the winter to drink plenty of fluids. Your body still needs to keep hydrated with all the cold dry air around us.

So if you’re thinking twice about the flu shot or your still confused on if it is necessary, try to keep healthy by using these natural alternatives.

�Jaunuary 14, 2009

Smoke Signalsfeatures

FA

sh

ion

Bethany Suchy

staff writer

Taylor relich

sports editor

A Tale of Two Cities: pittsburgh and San Diego

At first glance, Pittsburgh and San Diego have about as much in common as a rusted-out Lumina and a brand new Mustang, but in my travels to both cities, I have learned they are more comparable than they appear. One is the sun-drenched California metropolis, while the other is the blue-collar “big little city” of western Pennsylvania. One of the best ways to compare two cities is by their physical attributes. San Diego is a city that sits right beside a bay sharing its name. It is the second largest city in its state with over a million people. Pittsburgh on the other hand, the city with the three rivers, is also the second largest city in its state, but is much smaller than San Diego, having about three hundred and twelve thousand people. Both cities have similarly brilliant skylines, but by a partial vote, Pittsburgh’s is more magnificent.

Specific areas or neighborhoods of cities ultimately are what make them whole, and therefore they are worthy of examination. In Pittsburgh, these areas of interest include the South Side, the North Shore, and the Strip District. In San Diego, such hot spots include the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Coronado Island. The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego’s primary shopping and entertainment hotspot, and is much like an upscale version of Pittsburgh’s South Side Works. Little Italy is obviously an Italian area, but it comes woefully short of the Burgh’s Strip District when it comes to that ethnic feel. Coronado Island is a place completely different from anything Pittsburgh has to offer. It is complete with a

rather ritzy historic hotel that has hosted many a president or celebrity, the Hotel del Coronado, a US Marine base, many small shops, and two spectacular golf courses. Although Pittsburgh is considered a city of neighborhoods, San Diego has Pittsburgh beat hands down here.

Culture should also be taken into consideration when comparing urban areas. San Diego has a vibrant culture, with Spanish, Mexican, and American influences. San Diego is a very multicultural city that draws diversity to itself through its tourism industry. Pittsburgh also has a unique culture with many Irish, Polish, Italian, and African- American influences. Pittsburgh’s culture has always been based upon its blue-collar attitude derived from its steel industry of the past. San Diego has more of a stereotypical California attitude, where being on time is something people are not too worried about and most of the people have no idea their city has a baseball team. Sports in Pittsburgh are clearly more important than they are in San Diego. Although the Chargers have a strong following, it is nothing compared to Steeler Nation. Pittsburgh’s culture has more of a clear identity than San Diego’s does, which gives Pittsburgh the nod in culture.

Both of these great cities present their own unique features. Two places so far removed from each other don’t seem so different when compared so closely.

Andrea Briggs

assistant editor

As the after-school specials will tell you, high school is an emotional roller coaster, whether it’s stress over grades, family troubles, or relationship issues. However, sometimes the most overlooked factor is the realization that while you have friends, you don’t have a single person to go to talk to about your problems. Telephone helplines have been around since the 1970s, but many people don’t realize they can offer you that person to talk to. While they were initially created to provide help to those contemplating suicide, today there are helplines that cover a variety of issues, from youth-specific problems to domestic violence. Not only do they offer a listening ear, they can also refer you to other ways to get help, such as local shelters, relevant websites, or free counseling services in your area.

For Help, Just Say “Hello”

There is no point in trying out all of the new fashion trends and clothing of 2009 without having the most important fashion statement you wear everyday- your hair.The hairstyles of 2009 will be all about the extremes, whether it’s extremely girly, extremely angled, or extremely sleek. Attention-grabbing, the cropped bob is a simple cut that is just above the chin with a heavily shortened blunt cut fringe. Those who have a lot of confidence can wear this cut easily. Fashion icon and model Agyness Deyn is currently sporting the cropped bob.

The pixie crop is similar to the cropped bob, only much shorter. According to www.fashionising.com, “This cut offers a young and funky look when done right.” Stylish celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes, and Elisha Cuthbert are all wearing this cut.

For those who are not ready to chop their hair off, don’t worry. With the right angles and correct cut, long hair is in style for 2009. Long hair can give you the advantage of trying out many different hair trends for this year.

Some of the most popular trends of this New Year are 1940’s mermaid waves, milkmaid braids, and straight and sleek hair. Whether you choose to curl, straighten, or add a braid to your hair, don’t be afraid to take a risk. The extreme is in, and creating a bold look will set you apart from the crowd.

The Bold and Extreme:

Hairstyles of 2009

renée wunderlich

editor-in-chief

Beyond the Bubble: washington City Misson

But what do you do if you’re not on the extreme end of the spectrum? The hotlines are there if you need to ask a question anonymously, get something off your mind, or talk to someone about an issue you might not feel comfortable discussing with your parents. If you need a sounding board to straighten out your thoughts, helplines can offer that sort of support as well. At the end of the article is a list of hotlines that are available 24/7. Someone will pick up no matter if it’s three in the morning or two in the afternoon. On the other end of the line are trained counselor volunteers, who have gone through an extensive training program to prepare themselves to handle any sort of situation. Sometimes, just talking to someone can make life easier. All it takes is for you to pick up the phone, and help will be there when you need it from people who care about you.

Student and Young Adult Hotline – CONTACT Pittsburgh 412-820-4353 For teenagers dealing with issues such as suicide and depression, child abuse, peer relationships, dating violence, self-injury and eating disorders, as well as those in need of reassurance during times of crisis.

The Trevor Project Helpline 1-866-4-U-TREVORA nationwide crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-621-4000Provides support for youths who are considering or have run away and their families.

While the holidays have gone with the last of the mall sales and dollar store candy canes, the spirit of “peace on earth” and “goodwill to all” is still in high gear. The Washington City Mission is known for bringing food, shelter, medical attention/treatment, educational resources, and loving guidance to numerous families and individuals in the Washington County area all year long.

Recently, the National Honor Society collected 624 winter coats from the generous students and teachers for the Washington City Mission. Mrs. Wentzel’s homeroom gathered 114 jackets, parkas, and windbreakers, earning them the top spot among the coat-collecting classrooms and free muffins for a first period-breakfast.

In December, the Mission held a Christmas Dinner for those homeless and struggling to make ends meet, complete with baked ham, potatoes, salad, cranberry sauce, and a slice of cake or pie. The meal only cost generous mail donators $2.41 per person.

Beyond soup kitchens and church dinners, the Mission provides shelter for the homeless men, women, and children of the Washington county area, as well as educational resources, life-skills training classes, and relief for the victims of natural disasters. The Mission is currently planning for the construction of a Women and Children’s housing center to provide shelter and guidance to the hundreds of hurting young mothers and their families.

One of the City Mission’s most influential programs is the Arbuckle Medical Clinic, which provides preventive, primary, and emergency health care for free to the many homeless and uninsured citizens of the area. The Clinic also works with addiction treatment centers and assisted-living nursing homes of the surrounding community.

Though relief for those suffering around the globe is crucial, there are individuals still in need not just within the United States, but also within the immediate area. With the state of the American economy declining into a recession, it is now more important than ever to support those organizations that have given relief and hope to the less fortunate of this country. To donate to or get involved with the Washington City Mission, log onto http://www.citymission.org/

What do YOU Remember from High School?“I can remember

what a shock it was the day the [Berlin Wall] came down. We were sitting in class and I can re-member discussing it in German class.

Literally, the day be-fore, we believed it would NEVER come down. The next day,

the footage with hammers dominated

the news.”

Mr. Bastos

“Bonfires

at South Park.”

Mr. Sussman

“We had to get parental

permission to see the original

movie version of Romeo and

Juliet, and we wore bell

bottom and hip-hugger pants.

[Later,] the Beatles broke up,

Charles Manson was found

guilty, A Clockwork Orange

was released, and the

Watergate scandal

occurred.”

Mrs. Gunther

“My fondest memory was walking the

quadrangle in the rear of Catholic

Central High School after lunch. It was

mandatory for students to “walk the

quad” no matter what the weather and

you weren’t allowed to stop walking. I

hated it at the time because we would

freeze in the winter and if you forgot

your coat, you weren’t able to go back

to your locker and retrieve it. I forgot it

once and that’s all it took to never

forget again. As torturous as this

sounds, I met many friends that I still

have today and had some of the

greatest conversations during that

walk.”

Mr. Perotte

“Having my dad in

class was great!! If I

ever needed a ride

home unexpectedly

or forgot money I

just ran down to the

gym to see my dad!

Plus, I never had to

ride the bus because

I went with him in

the morning!”

Mrs. Vollmer

Mrs. Lane

11th

Grade

Mrs. Gunther

1973

Mr. Wilkinson

1987

Mrs. Vollmer

1994

Mrs. Deliere

1970

“My fondest memories are our

Friday night ‘slumber parties’

with my best friend Susie. We

always ate tons of pizza and had

her mom’s famous homemade

Jubilee Jumble cookies.”

Mrs. Lane

“I remember Mr.

Jennings blowing

stuff up for our

Chemistry Class.”

Mr. Wilkinson

What do YOU Remember from High School?

1992

Mrs. Sitler

“I remember acting the role of Peppermint Patty in [PTHS’s] production of You’re a Good Man, Char-lie Brown. It was the first time the play had been

done in any U.S. high school.”

Ms. Hamilton

“My sophomore year, the seniors

had a riot because

their senior trip

was cancelled. We

went into lockdown

and after that we

had security guards

in the school.”Mrs. Morriston

“I loved sweaters with shoul-der pads, Sixteen Candles, Ghostbusters, Breakin’, and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, and big curly hair! I actually had a pick that had a hair spray dispenser on the other end of it!”Mrs. Boni

“My fondest memory was walking the

quadrangle in the rear of Catholic

Central High School after lunch. It was

mandatory for students to “walk the

quad” no matter what the weather and

you weren’t allowed to stop walking. I

hated it at the time because we would

freeze in the winter and if you forgot

your coat, you weren’t able to go back

to your locker and retrieve it. I forgot it

once and that’s all it took to never

forget again. As torturous as this

sounds, I met many friends that I still

have today and had some of the

greatest conversations during that

walk.”

Mr. Perotte

“Having my dad in

class was great!! If I

ever needed a ride

home unexpectedly

or forgot money I

just ran down to the

gym to see my dad!

Plus, I never had to

ride the bus because

I went with him in

the morning!”

Mrs. Vollmer

Mrs. Boni

1993

Mrs. Bockstoce

1994

Mrs. Sekely

1969

Mrs. Deliere

1970

“My favorite memories

include doing all of the plays. I was an actress for WBMS TV where we did ‘reality shows’ like The Judge and Traffic

Court.”Mrs. Deliere

“Right around my graduation date, OJ Simpson made a run for it in his white Bronco, and I will never forget watching as the cops chased down his car at [my] friend’s graduation party! At least he has finally been found guilty for something!”Mrs. Bockstoce

opinion�January 14 2009 Smoke Signals

He SaidiAN JACKSON

What do you do when its snowing?Go sledding

What’s your favorite winter drink?

Pumpkin Spice Latte

What’s your favorite winter activity?

Going to a Pen’s game!

What’s your favorite winter movie?A Christmas Story

Amy burzottAWhat do you do when its snowing?

What’s your fa vorite winter drink?

What’s your fa vorite winter activity?Ice Skating

What’s your fa vorite winter movie?

Sit by the fire

Vanilla Coffee

The Holiday

She Said

Britney: For the RecordBethany Suchy

staff writer

Amy Burzotta

staff writer

Someday Syndrome: How to Overcome it Does this phrase sound familiar? “Oh, I’ll do my English paper tomorrow, I’m going to watch the Steeler’s game in-stead.” Procrastination is a word almost all high school students are extremely familiar with. In fact, I’m writing this article just now, and it’s due at the end of the period. This is called “someday syndrome.” Nearly all high school students suffer from this hor-rible sickness. So what is the cure? How do we overcome this deadly disease? Follow these four tricks, and you’ll be good to go. 1. Get Motivated. You may find that lately you have felt lazy and unmotivated to get off the couch and stop watching reruns of your favorite show. First, clear your head by taking a short walk or exercising for fif-teen to twenty minutes. According to psy-chologymatters.org, exercising can help wake you up and do the work you need to accomplish. 2. Get Organized. Figure out what it is you want to complete and decide how you are going to accomplish it. Be sure you give yourself enough time to finish your project. Imagine you are writing an English paper. First, pick the topic you are going to write about, then brainstorm ideas for each para-

graph and put the ideas into an outline. “I always make an outline before I start writing any paper because it helps me become focused and organized,” says junior Kelsey Boze. 3. Go to a Quiet Place. Your room, the library, or any other comfort-able, quiet place in your house is a great place to get work done. It’s much easier to focus on your work if you are able to solely concentrate on the one thing you are trying to get done. 4. Take Breaks. Reward your-self. If you finished half of your paper and your brain feels like mush, take a break. Go get some Starbucks with a friend, or take a quick walk. Taking breaks will give your brain time to rest, but be sure they aren’t too long. You don’t want to forget about the project completely, so give yourself about twenty to thirty minutes to do what you please.It’s hard to stay motivated in the winter, but always remember your goals and the things you want to accomplish. Remem-ber to always get plenty of exercise be-cause it will help the creativity flow. Fol-low these four things, and the summer will be here before you know it.

Green is the New Black: Realistic Look at Recycling

Matthew Sikorastaff writer

Think about all of the garbage you discard in a single day. In fact, the Grand Canyon would only take 300 years to fill up with garbage if the United States dumped into it. To put this in real terms, each citizen disposes of almost one ton of garbage per year. This really adds up over time. Some of this garbage decomposes quickly, but most of it takes years and years. A paper bag takes one month to decompose, but a plastic bag takes twenty to two thousand years. A plastic jug will not break down for at least one million years, which is at least thir-teen thousand human lifetimes. Trash is a very big problem in the United States, and we need to start recycling. Small everyday steps can make a big im-pact on the welfare of the environment. If you want to start recycling, alu-minum cans are a great first step. Recycling one 12-ounce alumi-num can saves the amount of en-ergy equal to six ounces of gasoline. To manufacture an aluminum can from

recycled materials, it will take twen-ty six percent of the energy used to produce a can from scratch. If every house in the United States installed water-efficient products, it would save three trillion gallons of water and about 18 billion dollars per year. If you follow these steps, you could help save your wallet as well as the environment.Recycling is not the only way to stay green. When you are not using your MP3 player, phone, or camera char-gers, keep them unplugged. Try to develop a shopping list that focuses on a healthy meal using organic, local produce. Use your car only when you need to. If you are driving, keep car tires inflated and do not idle the car for more than thirty seconds. Turn off the shower while soaping up; a four-min-ute shower uses about twenty to forty gallons of water. “Everybody is going green these days, and that’s never a bad thing,” said senior Taylor Relich.

With a talented voice and dance moves to match, Britney Spears has been an idol for many of us since our early elementary school days. Born in southern Mississippi and raised in Kentwood, Louisi-ana, this pop sensation launched her first hit in 1998 with her debut single, “Baby One More Time.” A decade after its release, she is still on top of her game, as shown by the release of her sixth album, “Cir-cus”, in December. Yes, Britney has had her struggles, but she is still a musical icon adored by millions. On December 10, an MTV special on the life of Britney was pre-miered; her first official biographical appearance on television. If you haven’t seen it already, Watch the hour and a half long documentary. It allows viewers to catch a glimpse of the stressful life of Britney and the challenges she must endure everyday; the paparazzi constantly

following her wherever she goes, the conflicts with her past, and keeping her family life as normal as possible. The human side of Britney is shown, and you learn more about her troubled past. Al-though her actions in the past led many people to believe she was crazy, the woman has definitely mellowed out. In her interview, Britney states in the documentary, “I’m a smart person. What the hell was I even thinking?” “I would have to say that after watching this documentary, it is clear that Britney has definitely matured and grown up a lot in the past few years,” said Sophomore Alex Lavella.Britney’s success is still on the rise as she continues to shine in the spotlight. Make sure to see her March 27 when she comes to Pittsburgh in concert.

Junior Steve Magreni rewards himself with a break from his english papers.

�opinionJanuary 14 2009 Smoke Signals

Fishtank: The Aftermath renée wunderlich

editor-in-chief

Academy Antics: Oscars ‘08emily estep

opinion editor

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not the holi-days: Oscar Season. From No-vember to January, dramatic, criti-cally-acclaimed films are cranked out by movie studios anticipating the Oscar season. This year is no different, whether it be an under-the-radar film like The Reader or a big-budget wide release like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It must be noted that the favorite films of the average movie goer tend to differ dramatically from what critics choose. This occurs for a multi-tude of reasons. Number one: limited release movies. A consid-erable amount of movies that tend to win awards do not go wide release, and thus would not be playing anywhere near Pe-ters Township. For example, The Wrestler, one of the Crit-ics Choice best films of the year, is playing nowhere near here. There are occasionally exceptions to this rule, with blockbusters like The Dark Knight, which was seen by more people in theaters than almost any movie ever made in the United States, but this is extremely rare. Another rea-son is subject matter. Movies that deal with serious subjects, like politics or war, are more likely to receive nods than those surround-ing trivial ideas. (I guess my hopes for Pineapple Express are shot). A final, and probably the most im-portant reason, is “awards poli-tics”, which has an enormous in-fluence on nominations and wins. For example, Meryl Streep wins an Oscar roughly every five years. This year, she is in a respected drama, Doubt. Therefore, she is almost guaranteed a nomination. Another example: In the 2005 Oscars, Philip Seymour Hoffman, for Capote, beat Heath Ledger, for Brokeback Mountain, in the

best leading actor race. If both are nominated this year, which is likely, there is no way they will give the award to Hoffman over Ledger for a second time, espe-cially since Ledger’s death last January. So with these factors in mind, one must realize the com-mercial films that he or she has been seeing all year are unlikely to win awards. But don’t take this as a reason not to pay attention, because there are a surpris-ing amount of exceptions. One such exception is a film that will no doubt go down as one of the greatest movies of our genera-tion, The Dark Knight. Not only

does The Dark Knight have a de-cent shot at best picture and best director, it is almost a shoo-in for best supporting actor, Heath Ledger. This category has a his-tory of being the most commer-cial at the Oscars. It is one of the few categories that ever grants awards to comedies, a lá Alan Ar-kin winning for his performance in Little Miss Sunshine. Following suit, in addition to the very widely seen Heath Ledger role, there is a serious possibility that Robert Downey, Jr. will be nominated for his controversial role in Tropic Thunder. This comedy, directed by none Ben Stiller, is in no way a typical Oscar-movie.

Another one you may have seen that’s getting serious attention is Wall-E. I personally didn’t like it. I found parts of it to be cute, but overall, I thought it was somewhat boring. I guess I’m just spoiled by other Disney/Pixar movies like Finding Nemo, which are more fun and are less underlying-political-messages-about-the-environment-y. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for brain-washing America’s youth and drowning people in messages about how they’re destroying Mother Earth, but it just wasn’t what I was expecting from the studio that brought me Monsters, Inc. and Ratatouille. But going

back to what I said before, critics love these kinds of themes. Consequently, Wall-E will certainly win best animated feature, and may even be nominated for best picture of the year. Although the Oscars doesn’t actually premiere until February 22, there is a slew of awards ceremonies prior to it that give some insight to the year’s best films. Besides the more well-known Golden Globes,

Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Critics Choice Awards, there are also many top 10 lists compiled by critics. My best of 2008 list (alphabetically, not in order of best to worst), currently stands as follows: Burn After Reading, Changeling, The Dark Knight, Doubt, Frost/Nixon, In Bruges, Milk, Pineapple Express, Rachel Getting Married, and Slumdog Milionarie.. Keep in mind there are still movies I have yet to see, my dreams of best picture going to Pineapple Express are uncalled for, and Bill Maher’s Re-ligulous would be in my list if it had made the cut for best docu-mentary.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

M o v i e R e v i e w s

By: Emily Estep, Opinion Editor

Benjamin Button is based on the 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is about a man, played by Brad Pitt, who is born around the age of 80 and ages backwards. Despite the obvious gap in time since 1922, the story translates well in the modern world; the themes of age and time will always be relevant to audiences. Benjamin Button explores the topics through a tragic love story between Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Flawless in cos-tume, acting, and storyline, what is the movie’s downfall? It’s runtime. The movie is two hours and 47 minutes long, but one can’t help thinking, that the length of the movie may be a character itself,

further making a point about time.

Rated PG-13

Valkyrie

Rated PG-13

Tom Cruise stars in this thriller based on true events about a group of high ranking Nazis who tried to take down Hitler. It offers some amazing insight into the minds of many Germans during World War II. The film’s outstanding feature is its supporting cast, who give riveting performances, making sure you are completely absorbed in what is happening. Cruise also acts excellently, although his American accent among British actors is kind of jarring, as the film is set in the middle of Germany. Valkyrie does surprisingly well at holding your attention be-ginning, middle, and end, even though you know

the outcome from the start.

Gran Torino

Rated R

Gran Torino is about a lonely WWII vet, played by Clint Eastwood, who befriends his foreign neigh-bors, and gets mixed up in a local gang. In other words, this film has one of the most unique story-lines, not based on a book, perhaps all year. Upon viewing Gran Torino, fans of Clint Eastwood will re-joice, and non-fans of Clint Eastwood will become fans. Despite poor acting from the supporting cast, his character keeps the audience laughing and in-terested. Gran Torino includes a learning experi-ence, a really cool car, Clint Eastwood being awe-some, and in all seriousness, a message about

tolerance.

“not only does The Dark Knight have a decent shot

at best picture and best director, it is almost a

shoo-in for best supporting actor, heath ledger.”

sports10 January 14, 2009 Smoke Signals

“The delicious coating on a cake that everyone has to try.”

Jim Rotella ‘09

UNDerreview What is “icing”?

“The best stuff on top of cakes. The only good part.”

“The threat of passing over two blue lines in hockey.”

Steve Magrini ‘10 Ryan Schafer ‘09

This year has been the revival of PT boy’s basketball team. The team is full of talented and hard- working players. “We are a very athletic team, and as a senior, I am ready to be a WPIAL contender,” said senior Nick Wilcox. The team has many key starters, such as senior Steve Radke and three-year starter Craig Wolcott. The team works hard everyday at practice to match the hype and to accomplish their goals of being a winning team.

“This year our goals are higher, and we know we have to work hard in practice and in games to accomplish them,” said Steve Radke. In hindsight, their goal is definitely attainable. The team has come a long way from last year. Their record last year was 18-8, which concluded in a WPIAL playoff

Breaking the recordConor Jackson

staff writer

loss to Franklin Regional. A big game for the Indians last year was their win against Canon Mac, which knocked them out of the playoffs. This is a game that showed that things have

changed with now three-year coach Gary Goga. There has been a change in directions when it comes to rivalries. Now the rivalries are against backyard opponents, such as Upper St. Clair, whom they play January 30th, and Canon Mac, whom they play January 13th and February 6th. So far the Indians are

9-1, riding the success of a seven game win streak and hoping to keep improving their winning record. This year’s team hopes to build on the success to go far in playoffs. “ No matter who we play we just have to play our hardest and come out on top,” said sophomore Brian Legowik.

The University of Pittsburgh has had some great basketball teams over the years. They had the stellar teams in the Eastern Eight Conference during the seventies and eighties, Jerome Lane and Charles Smith were leading the way in the late eighties and early nineties, and the Brandin Knight led teams in the 2000s, and the Big East Championship team in 2008. They have been crowned National Champions twice, though haven’t achieved such success since the 1930 season. These teams were all great, but in the national polls, which weren’t created until 1948, the team had never achieved a number one ranking. That all changed in a single weekend

Pitt opened the 2009 season in a familiar fashion. Beginning as the sixth ranked team in the country

pitt is Finally itian Jackson

staff writer

and starting the season with a 13-0 record. On Saturday, January 3rd, they prepared for what promised to be one of their toughest tests of the season when they arrived in Washington DC to play the eighth- ranked University of Georgetown Hoyas. Pitt, then ranked third in the country, came out early and maintained a three-point lead at the half. The second half was all Pitt. Guard Levance Fields, center Dejuan Blair, and forward Sam Young took over the game, and Georgetown looked like they were playing on their heels. The Hoyas were completely overmatched by the Panthers, and Pitt cruised to a 70-54 win.

The win over Georgetown was special, but little did the team know what else the weekend would hold. The following day, the top-

ranked University of North Carolina Tar Heels were set to play the unranked Boston College Eagles. Everyone expected the Tar Heels to dominate another inferior opponent, but Boston College held a six-point lead in the first half and never looked back. They had upset the “best” team in the country, with a final score of 85-78. Add that to the fact that the second ranked Connecticut Huskies had already lost to Georgetown earlier in the week. Luckily for the Panthers this meant one thing. Pitt men’s basketball was set to become the first Pitt squad to be number one since the 1982 football team.

The NCAA polls are released every Monday around noon, and the Panthers waited anxiously to see themselves at the top of the rankings. When the Associated Press released the rankings, it was official: The Pitt

Panthers are the best team in the country! Whether you agree with it or not, the Panthers will be the ones playing with that beautiful one next to their name, but the road doesn’t end here.

“We have the ranking, but now we want to hold on to the ranking. We still have the same goals and want to achieve the same things,” senior forward Sam Young said. “Nothing has changed at all. We just have more people believing in us now. We feel like in the past we haven’t made history. Now we’re feeling like we’re continuing to make history. This is only the beginning for us. It’s a long road, a long season. We still have a long way to go. I think we’ll continue to make history down the stretch.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

“”

This year’s team hopes to build on the success to go far in playoffs.

Since its invention in 1975, the Terrible Towel has been a symbol for the Steeler nation. Indeed, one can hardly call himself a fan of the Black-and-Gold if he does not hold one of these iconic pieces of fabric in his possession. So when LenDale White and Keith Bulluck of the Tennessee Titans were caught on camera stomping on one of Myron Cope’s creations after their 31-14 win against Pittsburgh, it is only fitting that Steeler fans everywhere were furious. This anger only intensified when Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse used one of the towels to blow his nose during the same game. When the Titans lost to Baltimore in the Divisional round of the playoffs, many Pittsburgh fans laughed, crediting Tennessee’s elimination to bad karma resulting from their desecration of the Terrible Towel. They justified their reasoning by referencing the 2006 game against Cincinnati, in which Bengals wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh used a Towel to shine his shoes as he walked into the locker room. The Bengals went on to finish the next season with an unimpressive 7-9 record. Does insulting the Terrible Towel really bring bad luck? Or is it just a superstition? So far, it appears that more evidence is needed before the idea can be confirmed (after all, the 0-16 Detroit Lions didn’t seem to have anything against Pittsburgh). While some Steeler fans may warn other teams of the consequences of their towel-insulting habits, it is unlikely that they will listen; Unless the ghost of Myron Cope is hard at work, it is hard to see an age in which square pieces of cloth will determine the outcome of NFL seasons.

Averi Clementsstaff writer

A “Terrible” Curse

11January 14, 2009 Smoke Signalssports

W h a t d o y o u e x p e c t f r o m t h i s s e a s o n ?

G i r l s B a s k e t b a l l

H o c k e y

S w i m m i n g

I n d o o r T r a c k

S p o r t s B r i e f s

The Peters Township Girls Basketball team has experienced a great amount of success the past couple years. They began the season with the number one ranking in the WPIAL Conference. Pete Serio is the new head coach of the Lady Indians, and he brings a cornucopia of experience and leadership to the young team. Over Christmas break, the girls were invited to play in the prestigious Kroger Classic Tournament. Emily Correal was named to the All-Tournament team. She, along with Emily Matthis, led them to a 1-2 record against some of the toughest

Sinking the Competitionian Jackson

staff writer

The 2008-2009 NFL season was a season where historic records were set and Hollywood story lines took place. Surprising teams surfaced, allowing seven new teams to make the playoffs. From the curse of the loser of the Super Bowl not going to the playoffs to new divisional champions, the 2008-2009 NFL season was an exciting year.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees held a 96.2 quarterback rating throughout the season because of his amazing offensive weapons including Marcus Colston and Lance Moore. Brees threw for 5,069 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was on pace to break Dan Marino’s record of 5,084 passing yards in a season, but fell short. Brees became only the second quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a regular season. His amazing statistics earned him the Offensive Player of the Year award.

An equally impressive historic event was Peyton Manning’s three-time MVP Award. Becoming only the second player to ever win three MVP Awards, Brett Favre was the first. Manning threw for 4,002 yards and 27 touchdowns and Manning had a 95.0 quarterback rating which leads many to believe that he didn’t deserve this award by comparison to Drew Brees’ stats.

Yet again, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson ran his way to Hawaii, with 1,760 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s on his way to becoming the best running back to ever play the game, gaining over 3,000 yards in his first two seasons. Overcoming a sophomore slump, Peterson averaged 4.8 yards per carry and proved that he can be the most dynamic running back in the NFL.

After being voted to the Pro Bowl and named the Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers led the team with a team record 16 sacks. With 101 tackles, seven forced fumbles, and an interception, Harrison terrified quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.

Noticeable rookies of this year include quarterback Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan and running back Chris Johnson. NFL analysts believe that Ryan has the qualities to be an elite quarterback in the NFL; qualities like a rocket arm, accuracy, and the ability to sense the pressure in the pocket. Ryan threw for 3,440

reflections of the regular SeasonMatt Schilling

staff writer

yards and 16 touchdowns. He led the Falcons from a 4-12 record to an 11-5 record.

Tennessee Titans’ Chris Johnson rushed for 1,228 yards and scored 9 touchdowns. He is the only rookie going to the Pro Bowl. With teammate LenDale White, the Tennessee Titans had a fearsome running attack.

Finally, the Super Bowl Champions went under the radar when Brett Favre decided to return to the league. Favre was traded to the Jets, and Miami signed Chad Pennington. Tom Brady went down in week 1 with a season-ending knee injury, which made the AFC East very competitive. The Dolphins ended up winning the division at 11-5, beating the Jets for a fairy-tale ending for Chad Pennington.

teams in the state. The team didn’t just improve on the court. They also bonded

off the court.“The Kroger

Classic was a chance for us to bond as a team, and we certainly did,” senior Center Emily Correal stated. “We shared a ton of laughs on the bus rides and during our down time in the hotel.”

The girls own a 6-5 record overall and are currently 3-2 in section play. They are currently tied for second in the section and plan on climbing back up the rankings to compete for another shot at the WPIAL Championship.

(11-1-0)

“We definitely hope to win the Section and reach our potential in the playoffs.”

- Stephen Radke ‘09

(6-6-0)

“I expect us to beat tough teams and get a good seed in the playoffs.”

- Emily Correal ‘09

(9-4-0)

“We expect great things from our season. A State Championship or maybe a Penguin Cup is a pos-sibility.”

- Riley Moore ‘10

(17 WPIAL qualifiers)

“I expect a successful season with a perfect or close to perfect record.”

- Casey Dunleavy ‘09

(0-0)

“ I want to get in shape.”

- Chris Malencia ‘12

B o y s B a s k e t b a l l

James Harrison voted AP Defensive Player of the Year streatches beforte a game.

Photo by: Rachel Sunday

Emily Correal, Maddie Miller, Sam Higgins, and Ellie Hanlon

What will you do over Spring Break?

Go golfing Are you going on a trip?

Yes, to FloridaWhat do you enjoy doing when

it snows?Watching football

Any New Year’s resolutions?To have a better attitude

What sporting event are you most excited for?

Steelers!

Teacher MinuteWith TEACHER

The PT MinuteWhat do you enjoy doing when it snows?

SnowboardingWhat sporting events are you most excited for?

SteelersWhat do you want for Valentines Day?

Any presentsWhat do you plan on doing over Spring Break?

Hanging out with friendsAre you going on any trips soon?

No

Sophomore Justin Gregg

What is your New Year’s resolution?Be nicer and gossip less

What sporting events are you most excited for?Steeler games

What are your plans for Valentines Day?Hanging out with my boyfriend

What movie are you looking forward to seeing?Yes Man

What sporting event are you looking forward to?Volleyball

What are you plans for Spring Break?Hanging out with my friends

Sophomore Natalie Hauck

What was the best part of 2008?

“The Steelers’ fantastic season” “The summer” “The parties” “Turning eighteen”Freshman Clayton Evans Sophomore Kari Hartbauer Junior Rachel Martin Senior Sarah Cichowicz

What are you most looking forward to in 2009?

“New baseball season” “Helping save the environment” “School being over” “Going to college”Freshman Matt John Sophomore Luke Cellini Junior Max Conroy Senior Jake Nowe

What do the Teachers think?

“Boys soccer winning WPIALs” “My vacation to Disney” “Getting engaged!p” “Going to Disney World with my wife and kids”

Mr. Luxbacher Mrs. Fecher Ms. McKenna Mr. Bastos

Voicesin theHall