Seminarian - Poland - Poland Seminary High School

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TO INFORM, TO PERSUADE,
TO INSPIRE, TO AMUSE
Vol. LXII, No. 1
Poland Seminary High School
Friday, Oct. 23, 2015
What’s new for you this year...
PSHS students now move
to beat of different bell
By Ellie McDanel and Claire Morris
Seminarian Staff Writers
With an earlier start to the school year
came an earlier start to the school day.
It is not just an earlier start, though; it
is a whole new schedule.
Periods are shorter, the day starts
and ends earlier, and there is no early
release. Those are just of the few adjustments that the students and staff
of PSHS are getting used to this year.
The principal of Poland Seminary
High School, Kevin Snyder, was motivated to create this new schedule due
to the redistricting of the schools, and
consequently the new transportation
paths.
Snyder is very happy with the new
schedule, and even claims that he
loves the early start. Contrary to what
some may think, he has not had any
major complaints about the new start
time.
Another major aspect of the new
schedule is the shorter periods. When
asked why the decision was made to
shorten the periods, Snyder said that
he wanted to allow the time for after
school “office hours” and shortening
the periods would do just that. These
office hours were important for Snyder because nothing like it was ever
set in stone. He wanted the students
to have a period of time every day
when they are sure that their teachers will be available if they need help
with anything.
The teachers this year have to arrive at the school at 7:40 a.m. and
stay until 3:10 p.m. This gives 30
extra minutes for assistance. If you
do not like getting here at 7:45 a.m.,
do not get any detentions because
then you will have to get here at 7:15!
Due to the positive response of the
staff, students and community members, Snyder foresees this schedule
continuing next year.
As for the parking lot issue, it has
improved greatly in the past weeks.
Parents of students that need picked
up are getting into the routine of
coming closer to 2:45 p.m. to pick up
their children, helping the issue a lot.
“Change doesn’t always equal
progress, but progress always encompasses change. Small change,
big impact,” concluded Snyder.
Six full-time teachers join staff
By Cailey Barnhart and Tessa Snider
Seminarian Staff Writers
Madison Gessler
Nichole Blaze
Nichole Blaze has been a teacher for five
years. Prior to teaching at PSHS, she taught
at Youngstown Christian High School. She
teaches American history and psychology,
and her favorite part about teaching “building relationships with the students.” She got
her teaching degree at Rutgers University.
A life-long Poland resident, Madison
Gessler graduated from PSHS in
2010. She was graduated in May from
Youngstown State University, having
completed her student teaching assignment at Campbell Memorial High
School. In addition to being a member
of the girls’ soccer coaching staff,
Gessler teaches College English 9,
College English 11 and Composition
and Research.
Chris Martin
Chris Martin has been teaching
for a total of four years. He previously taught science and 7th grade
history at Poland Middle School,
and is currently teaching modern
world history here at Poland Seminary High School.
Pat Williams
Christy Mitch
Susan Holub
Biographies continued
on Page 4.
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Staff editorials:
Sem urges passage of bond issue Nov. 3
Voters in the Poland Local School
District will determine the future of
the Poland Schools in the voting
booth on Tuesday, Nov. 3. On the
ballot Nov. 3 is a 4.5-mill bond issue,
the NEW SCHOOL proposal put forth
by the Poland Board of Education.
We urge passage of this bond issue
to ensure the safety, quality and efficiency of our schools for years to
come,
Our schools throughout the district
are showing their age despite being
well maintained.
as well as failing heating, cooling,
and electrical systems.
The Poland Middle School, built
in 1897, has a deteriorating foundation, as well as a failing heating and
cooling system which will cost $2.8
million to repair. The school also has
failing plumbing, sewer, and electrical systems.
The school district’s insurance carrier has raised the district’s deductible from $1,000 to $10,000 due to
the declining condition of the buildings.
Middle school students and staff
will have to move to McKinley in
the middle of the school year if the
heating system stops working in the
middle of the winter.
Passage of the bond issue would result in a brand new, 138,000-squarefoot K-8 building built close to Poland
Seminary High School. More than
$7 million would be provided by the
State of Ohio for the new facility,
which would offer an optimal learning
environment including new furnish-
Dobbins, North, and Union elementary schools have failing roofs
Yes!
ings and efficient heating, cooling,
and lighting. Plans call for separate
learning spaces for grades K-5 and
6-8 as well as fenced-in playgrounds
for student safety.
The building would also offer 21stcentury security, fire, phone, camera,
and building entry systems.
The Seminarian agrees that the
NEW SCHOOL proposal is the only
permanent fix for the school district’s
deteriorating buildings and urges
passage of the 4.5-mill bond issue on
the November ballot.
for Poland Schools
It’s all about time
The tides of change rise slowly, especially in the field of education. So
when change does occur, it is like a
fall breeze wafting through a musty
closet.
So it is with the new bell
schedule here at PSHS. For the first
time in at least forty years, there is
change.
tage of that homework-help time to
teach for the entire 50-plus minutes.
This, in turn, resulted in very little
time for individual student help.
One of the advantages of the new
bell schedule is the time set aside
for teachers to be available to the
students who need extra help. There
is now also time for teachers to talk
not only with students, but also with
each other. We at the Seminarian
applaud the decision by the Poland
Board of Education to approve the
new bell schedule as submitted by
PSHS Principal Kevin Snyder.
The previous bell schedule, boasting 53-minute classes, was based on
the outdated and erroneous assumption that teachers would teach for 40
to 45 minutes, assign homework, then
have the remaining time to help students with their homework.
Then teachers began to take advan-
It’s about time.
The Seminarian Editorial Policy 2015-2016
The Seminarian’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events
and issues of the school and community as well as those of national or
international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population. The Seminarian will provide a public service, a channel for student
and community comments and a source of entertainment.
Opinions expressed on the editorial (Voices) pages do not necessarily reflect
the viewpoints or official policies of the school administration. Signed editorials, columns, editorial cartoons and reviews reflect the views of the author
and not necessarily those of The Seminarian editorial board. All unsigned
editorials represent a majority opinion of the editorial board.
Letter to the seniors
This is it, guys. We’re almost done. We have around eight months left of
high school. Eight more months of sports practices after school, of staying
up all night cramming for the test you forgot about, of also cramming in the
Sparknotes of that book you also forgot about, and of being known as the
sum of your choices over the last four years.
We tend to dismiss the overstated saying that senior year flies by, but it
really, really does. Whether you love it here or not, it’s rapidly drawing to
a close, and you probably can’t wait for what’s ahead. But what’s ahead
shouldn’t get in the way of what’s right now.
While college is on the horizon, we still have this last year of high school,
an entire year to make the absolute best of. If you’re not sure how to go
about doing that, consider this a little senior year bucket list:
Stay involved! Don’t quit your clubs and extracurriculars your senior year.
It’s great to have something to do and something to be involved in, and
you’re definitely going to miss all of them once you graduate!
Go to everything! Football Games! Basketball Games! Soccer, Baseball!
Dances! It’s the little things that accumulate to make these four years memorable.
Be sure to thank your teachers and all of the other adults who have
helped you throughout high school! Your parents, teachers, coaches and
mentors have been with you this whole way! Make sure they know you definitely appreciate all that they’ve done for you.
Have fun with your best friends! You still have eight months’ worth of
inside jokes and memories to make before you have to focus on saying
goodbye.
Visit the colleges you’re considering attending! Don’t base where you’re
going to spend the next four plus years of your life on other people’s opinions
and experiences!
All in all, just realize that your days here are limited, but the memories you
make here are not.
the Sem
editor-in-chief:
Connor O’Kane
managing editor:
Cailey Barnhart
business manager:
copy editor:
staff writers:
Ellie McDanel
features editor:
Claire Morris
entertainment editor:
Steve Massarelli
Heather Peloza
News Editor: Tessa Snider
Matt Duran
Jaden Rogers
George Rumberg
sports editor:
Beau Weaver
advisor:
Sue Van Meter
Cailey Barnhart
This newspaper is a publication of the Poland Seminary
High School Seminarian staff. Opinions expressed in the
Seminarian are those of the staff, and are not necessarily
shared by the advisor or the administration. Letters should
be addressed to the Seminarian, c/o PSHS, 3199 Dobbins
Road, Poland, Ohio 44514. The Seminarian is printed by
J&S Printing, Inc. of Birmingham, Alabama. All layout
and design is done using InDesign CS4 and Adobe Photoshop CS4.
voices
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Page Three
(Wo)Man on the Street
How do you feel about the new bell schedule?
By Heather Peloza and Claire Morris
Seminarian Staff Writers
Gina Cooper (left): I like it. Boom.
Sydney Frost (center): I like the rest of the
bell schedule, but I don’t like the morning
because I’m always late.
Jordan Downie (right): It’s nice to get out
earlier, but early release would be even better.
Lea Fabrizzi: It’s all right. It starts a little
early, though.
Officer Kent: I think it’s really good!
Heather Ramsey: I like it,
but I must use my time
more wisely.
Ryan O’Kane: I wouldn’t
really know since I’m a
freshman.
Victor DiTommaso: I
think it should be longer than 40-minute
class periods. I have
mixed feelings. I like
it the way it was last
year.
Jeremy Castro: *shrugs*
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Nov. 3 election: What’s in your future?
By Matt Duran and Jaden Rogers
Seminarian Staff Writers
For many students at PSHS, November 3 may not be a significant
date. However, it may affect many of
you more than you’d like to believe.
This date next month, those over 18
will be voting on three issues which
will likely affect Ohio for years to
come. The issues being voted on deal
with creating a bipartisan redistricting
commission to draw state legislative
districts, prohibiting initiatives that will
create market monopolies, and the
legalization of recreational marijuana. Now, some of these issues may
seem more self explanatory than others, but allow us to elaborate.
The Ohio Bipartisan Redistricting
Commission Act, more commonly
known as Issue 1, is a proposed
amendment that establishes, upon
voter approval, a bipartisan redistricting committee. Translating to English,
the voters are deciding on whether or
not they would like a board, consisting of seven members, to establish
standards for new state legislative
districts. The members of this board
will consist of: the Governor, Secretary of State, one person appointed
by the House of Representatives,
one person appointed by the largest
political party in the House of which
the speaker is not a member, one
person appointed by the President
of the Ohio Senate and one person
appointed by the legislative leader of
the largest political party in the Senate of which the president is not a
member. To approve a redistricting
plan for 10 years, a bipartisan vote of
four members, two from each major
political party, would be required. If
the commission fails to pass a plan
Teacher Biographies
(Continued from Page One)
Christy Mitch is a Spanish I and
II teacher. She has been teaching
for three years, previously teaching at Jackson Milton High School.
She previously attended PSHS,
Duquesne for her bachelor’s
degree, and Kent for her master’s
degree. Her favorite thing about
teaching at Poland is that “the kids
are great!”
Mrs. Holub
Mrs. Holub is no stranger to the
Poland school district; she taught all
art levels, ranging from Intro to Art
to Art IV, at the high school for nine
years before switching to middle
school for five years. She is now
back at the high school and ready
to teach the older students.
Mr. Williams
Mr. Williams has been teaching an
array of courses for eighteen years.
Previously teaching at the middle
school, his classes have included
math, science, language arts,
computer classes and technology
classes! He is currently teaching
both digital media and multimedia
production at the high school level.
He attended Poland Seminary High
School and went on to Youngstown
State University, Ashland University
for his master’s degree and Kent
State University for his teaching
degree. His favorite part about
teaching is getting to know all of
the students. by a bipartisan vote, members would
pass a plan by a simple majority vote
of any four members. However, this
plan would only last four years. The
amendment, if passed, will go into effect in 2021 when the next redistricting will occur.
The Ohio Initiated Monopolies Amendment, or Issue 2, is to
appear as a legislatively referred
constitutional amendment. This will
require voter approval, like Issue 1,
on two questions pertaining to citizen initiatives establishing economic
monopolies. The Ohio Initiative Monopolies Amendment is simply a response to the Marijuana Legalization
Initiative, which creates 10 facilities
with exclusive rights to commercially grow the drug. The Initiated Monopolies Amendment will require the
Ohio Ballot Board to decide whether
an initiative will create an economic
monopoly or special privilege for any
nonpublic individuals, corporations
and organizations. If the Ohio Ballot Board determines any initiative
would create an economic monopoly
or special privilege, then the board
shall provide two separate ballot
questions. The first question would
ask, “Shall the petitioner, in violation
of division (B)(1) of Section 1e of Article II of the Ohio Constitution, be
authorized to initiate a constitutional
amendment that grants or creates a
monopoly, oligopoly, or cartel, specifies or determines a tax rate, or confers a commercial interest, commercial right, or commercial license that
is not available to other similarly situated persons?” To simplify, if the voters decide to allow such monopolies,
a specific tax rate will be determined,
or special right or license will be assigned to such monopolies. The second question will be the ballot initiative. If both questions are approved,
then the amendment would take effect. If only one question is approved,
then the amendment would be defeated.
The Ohio Marijuana Legalization Act, or Issue 3, is easily the
most controversial issue on the ballot
this year. This act is an Ohio initiated
constitutional amendment, appearing
on the ballet by its 385,000-signature
petition. The act would allow recreational marijuana use by anyone at
least 21 years old, permit any patient
with a prescription to use medicinal
marijuana, allow marijuana to be sold
at about 1,100 licensed locations
across Ohio and create 10 special
centers for commercial marijuana
growth, cultivation and extraction,
or MCGE facilities. To manage the
state’s marijuana industry, the governor would appoint a seven-person
commission. The legislature and local
governments will have limited ability
to regulate marijuana use, manufacturing, sale and distribution. The act
will decide, vaguely, where marijuana
establishments will be located, prohibit most state or local laws from affecting those establishments, create
a marijuana “incubator” to develop
the industry, legalize marijuana-infused products and implement special tax rates for MCGE facilities,
retail marijuana stores and marijuana product manufacturing facilities.
State lawmakers are concerned Issue 3 may amend the constitution to
create commercial economic benefits
for some (the 10 MCGE centers),
while excluding others. The Ohio
General Assembly added the Ohio
Initiated Monopolies Amendment, or
Issue 2, as previously mentioned, to
the November 3rd ballot, alongside
Issue 3, to stop it. Issue 2 prohibits
monopolies, oligopolies and cartels.
Issue 3’s official wording describes it
as a monopoly, so Issue 2 would invalidate Issue 3. If both Issue 2 and
Issue 3 pass, Ohio Secretary of State
Jon Husted said Issue 2 would take
effect first, invalidating Issue 3. Issue
3 supporters will likely challenge this
in court, because the Ohio Constitution states that when two competing
amendments are on the ballot, the
issue with the largest majority vote
becomes law.
Now, hopefully some of the fog has
lifted in regards to 2015’s ballot. But
what does any of this really mean?
Basically, Issues 2 & 3 are tied hand
and foot. If recreational marijuana
does not pass, then Issue 2 will become insignificant, consequently.
However, if Issue 3 does pass, its effects can be made irrelevant by Issue
2, but this is not entirely certain. If it
does not pass, marijuana distribution
and sale may become heavily monopolized. Issue 1 will likely not affect
us until 2021, as redistricting is not up
until then.
We hope our information helps
with your voting decisions, but for the
non-voting population, let this article
inspire you to stay informed on the
issues that’ll affect your future. Stay
knowledgeable, my friends.
Fall play debuts Nov. 19
By Ellie McDanel
Seminarian Business Manager
What would you like for Christmas?
Well, if you answered the Poland
Players putting on the play Miracle
on 34th Street, you will be excited on
Christmas morning, or opening night,
rather.
Miracle on 34th Street is the story
about how a Santa at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade claims to be the
real Santa Claus himself.
This story follows him throughout
his adventure while he gets tested
about his sanity and his authenticity.
Director Candy Fonagy and the Poland Players are extremely excited to
be putting on this play, and excited for
you to see the play. Fonagy intends
to make the play look the best a play
has ever looked, just as the Poland
THANK YOU
TO
OUR
PATRONS
Players intend to make the characters to be the best they have ever
been.
Opening night for the play is Nov.19,
with additional performances Nov. 20
and Nov. 21. The curtain will go up at
7 p.m. for all performances.
The cast includes:
Kris Kringle--Justin Tremonti
Doris Walker--Abbey Lea
Susan Walker--Rachel Mowad
Fred Gayley--Brendan Gage
Shellhammer--Kate Landry
Dr. Pierce--Seth Hammond
Judge Harper--Frank Castro
Bailiff Finley--Bryce Edison
Atty. Mara--Krista Nolfi
Bag Lady--Sarah Swogger
Rich Person--Heather Peloza
Blue Patrons
Beau and Dianna
Weaver
Steven and Carmel
Massarelli
Drunk Santa--Noah Landry
Sharon’s parent--Ellie McDanel
Johnny’s parent--Sydney Frost
Dutch Girl--Toni Wardle
Foster Mother--Meredith Lea
Megan--Julia Snyder
Sawyer--Jessica Weetman
Mr. Macy--David Robich
Mr. Bloomingdale--Mark Pompeo
Elves: Claire Morris, Aubrey Bodendorfer, Bryanna Fabian, Bella Bury,
Kasey Valentini, Brooke Dinopoulos
Newscaster--Marina Mediati
Halloran--Grant McConnell
1st Pedestrian--Gavriella Constantine
2nd Pedestrian--Vic DiTommaso
3rd Pedestrian--Elise Cowles
Duncan--Connor O’Kane
Al--Julien Diaz
Lou--Richard Bailey
Gray Patrons
Moose and Sally
Almasy
White Patrons
Tom and Donna
Morris
Laura Rumberg
Brandy McDanel
features
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Page Five
Happy Halloween!
Area offers lots of creepy haunts
By Cailey Barnhart
Seminarian Managing Editor
It’s nearly Halloween and most everyone is in the spirit! It’s the biggest time
of year for haunted houses, ghosts,
and all things eerie. Whether you
believe or not, below is a list of local
haunts close enough to check out for
yourself, but do so at your own risk
(and with permission, of course) !
Struthers, Yellow Creek Park:
The spirit of a black man killed before the Civil War haunts this park in
Struthers, Ohio. A runaway slave, he
was lynched from a tree by bounty
hunters from the South as an example rather than being taken back
to the plantation, and now his shadowy
form is seen walking through the park,
head down, or sometimes coming up
through the waters of Yellow Creek
itself. Jim Williams from Struthers took
a photograph which seems to show a
face emerging from the creek, and says
he’s seen the silent slave walking the
New Springfield, Lipply Road:
The cemetery that sits in a group of
trees in the middle of a hayfield along
this road is said to contain the graves
of three witches. Legend says their
stones are the ones written in German.
Ghostly figures have been seen in the
trees and passing vehicles have been
known to have problems.
pathways near the playground.
It seems that there are no cemeteries in tiny Struthers, which means
that the nameless slave--who was
cut down and buried on the spot by
sympathetic townsfolk--occupies the
only grave in town.
Boardman, First Covenant
Church:
Boardman’s First Covenant Church
is haunted by voices, cold spots,
and, most interestingly, the sound
of chainsaws. Sometimes a blurry
figure is seen sitting in a corner.
Boardman, Hopkins Road
House:
Residents of the home have reported
hearing music and laughter coming
from the first floor as they lay in bed,
as well as footsteps. The home was
a stop on the Underground Railroad.
In the 1950s, Youngstown police
shot and killed a man on the edge
of the pond.
Austintown Log House:
There have been reported sightings
of the apparition of a headless soldier
in the historic log cabin. He is seen in
various rooms of the house, as well as
by motorists driving past the house in
an upstairs window.
‘Tis the season for scary attractions
By Cailey Barnhart
Seminarian Managing Editor
Canfield Scaregrounds, 7265 Columbiana Canfield Road, Canfield.
Hayride, haunted house and the Maze
of Mist; food and drinks on interactive
midway. 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and
Sundays, 7 to midnight Fridays and
Saturdays, through Oct. 31. www.
canfieldscaregrounds.net.
Family friendly Haunted Hayrides,
Boardman Park, 375 BoardmanCanfield Road, Boardman. Hours:
dusk to 10 p.m. Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23,
29 and 30. Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for
children 12 and under. Family rates:
$12 Boardman resident families; $15
non-residents. Family based on two
adults and up to four children. Proceeds benefit 4-H Club of Mahoning
County, 4-H Alumni, PANDA and Key
Club of Boardman High School. 330726-8107.
Fear Forest, Route 45, behind Dairy
Queen, Lordstown. A one-mile ride
through the forest and the “Insaneatarium” haunted house. Open weekends
through Oct. 31. 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Sat. and 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $14. Not recommended for
Horrorscopes
under age 12. Hayride only, $8, children
$6. www.fearforest.com.
Ghost Lake, Conneaut Lake Park,
Pa. Eight levels of fear: The Amityville
Horror, Dr. Rot’s Funeral Home, Terror
Down Under, The Black Vortex, Ghoster
Coaster, The Fox, The House of Evil and
the Haunted Hotel. 7 p.m. to midnight
Fridays and Saturdays; 7 to 11 p.m.
Sundays, through Oct. 31.
Ghoul Mansion, 66 N. Main St., Sharon, Pa. Hours: 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday
and Sunday; 7 to midnight Fri. and Sat.,
through Oct. 31. www.ghoulmansion.
com.
HalloWeekends, Cedar Point, Sandusky. Four haunted houses and Halloween shows, with many rides open.
Hours: 6-midnight Fridays; noon to
midnight Saturdays; noon to 9 p.m.
Sundays with special hours Oct. 10, 10
a.m. to 10 p.m. through Oct. 31. 419627-2350 or www.halloweekends.com.
Haunted Hayride, Lazy Dazy Farm,
2061 Atkinson Ave., Youngstown (East
Side). 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; 7 to midnight Fri. and Sat., through
October. Cost: $7. 330-743-2162.
Haunted Lake Trail, Lake Milton State
Park, Grandview Road, Lake Milton.
Hours: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 15, 16, 22,
23, 29 and 30. 330-654-4989.
Hayrides to the Pumpkin Patch, Catalpa Grove Farms, 41473 state Route
14, Columbiana. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct.
9, 16, 23 and 30. 330-482-4064.
Giant Eagles. 412-461-0500 or www.
phantomfrightnights.com.
Springfield Haunted Hayride, 11511
Springfield Road, North Lima. Bands
and bonfires 8 p.m. Saturdays, cost
$5. Hayrides: adults, $10; 11 and
under, $5. Dusk to 10 p.m. Friday
and Saturday; dusk to 9 p.m. Sunday,
through Oct. 31. www.springfieldhauntedhayride.com or 330-921-1383.
Phantom Fright Nights, Kennywood
Park, West Mifflin, Pa. Ten haunted
houses and midways, thrill rides, roller
coasters and ghoulish food. Friday and
Saturday, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., through Oct.
30 and 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. Not
recommended for children under 13.
Cost: $25.99 or $22.99 at participating
Columbiana Maze Craze, 45107
State Route 14, Columbiana. Has a
Safari theme. Three corn mazes with
more than five miles of trails. Find
all 12 checkpoints and become a
maze craze master. Play FSI (Farm
Scene Investigation). Other activities
include corn box, straw maze, corn
hold, swingset, food concessions and
animal cut-outs for pictures. Hayrides
and barrel train rides for an additional
charge on Sat. and Sun. only in Oct.
Cost: 12 and older, $8; 5-11, $6; 4
and under free. Military personnel free
with ID. Special group rates available.
Open through Nov. 7. Hours: 5 to 8
p.m. Tue.; 5 to 10 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m. to
10 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun.
330-0482-9904,
away. Definitely start new projects and
expand your knowledge.
Libra - Love pursues you and will find
you. Use your attractiveness to your
advantage.
Scorpio - Health and energy are fantastic this month, take advantage of them.
Find love through spiritual experiences.
Sagittarius - Give extra attention to your
family and well-being this month. You
will receive some well-deserved good
karma.
Capricorn - Personal independence
becomes stronger this month. Focus
on your interests, and learn more about
yourself in the process.
Aquarius - You will receive mental clarity
this month, however, be wary of your
physical health. This is a romantic opportunity to find someone new.
Pisces - Progress toward your goals will
be achieved more quickly. However, do
not risk taking on stressful responsibilities.
The Original Haunted Hayride sponsored by Hartford Optimist Club,
Storeyland Christmas Tree Farm, 5148
state Route 7, Burghill. Haunted hayrides 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 16, 22,
23, 29 and 30. Non-haunted hayrides
from 5:30 to 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit
Hartford Youth Groups and organizations. 330-772-8733 or www.storeyland.
com.
By Heather Peloza
*DISCLAIMER: These horoscopes
were taken from an astrology website,
not made by the writer of this article.
Take them with a grain of salt; you
control your own destiny.*
Aries - Focus on your social skills to
determine success and failure. This is
a wonderful month for personal rejuvenation and transformation.
Taurus - This month represents a
psychological shift for you. Clear out
unnecessary burdens to make room
for new benefits.
Gemini - Take advantage of work opportunities, employers will notice your
willingness more easily. In the aspect
of love, concentrate more on quality
than quantity.
Cancer - Take note of your own interest
but also the interest of others. You will
learn a lot from children this month.
Leo - Have fun towards the end of this
month, do what you love most. Make
sure you get enough sleep.
Virgo - This month will be good for you,
but be mindful and don’t get too carried
entertainment
Page Six
This, not that: A review
By George Rumberg
Seminarian Staff Writer
Mixtapes
Young Thug
Slime Season
7.2
This
Slime Season is not visionary, not
a classic, not even cohesive for that
matter. Some of the mixtape’s 18
songs feel like random studio scraps.
Where Season lacks in its production, Thugger more than makes up
for it with complex lines as well as
layering his screeching voice creating distinctive sound and some of
his best rapping in recent releases.
While the tape has a few duds, it
also has more than few great Young
Thug songs. “Best Friend” features a
stripped down Thug at his best, carrying the entire song. The last quarter
of Slime Season is its most redeeming, especially for hard core Young
Thug fans, featuring “U dig what I’m
Saying,” arguably the tape’s best record.
Drake/Future
What A Time To Be Alive
6.2
Not That
What A Time To Be Alive really should
not exist but it does and it’s surprisingly
good given the circumstances. Future
and Drake do not really make sense
together and it shows in all songs that
they’ve collaborated on prior to this
mixtape. Drake seems out of place
next to Future who commands most
of the tape with better lines and more
airtime. The two just do not have the
chemistry for a full length project. Two
of the tape’s best songs are the last two
solo efforts, “Jersey” by Future and “30
for 30 Freestyle” by Drake. The only
collabs on What A Time To Be Alive
that truly click are “Diamonds Dancing” which feels like the most complete
song presented and “Jumpman” which
absolutely bangs.
New films will excite
By Steve Massarelli
Seminarian Entertainment Editor
The newest installment to the Bond
films is Spectre which premiers Nov.
6. This will be the twenty-fourth Bond
movie produced by Eon Productions.
Spectre is the fourth film starring
Daniel Craig as James Bond. Rumors are also circulating that this will
be the final film for Craig as the infamous Mr. Bond.
A big change for the cast is the
replacement for M which will be filled
by Ralph Fiennes who is probably
best known for his role as Lord Voldamort in the Harry Potter series.
the perfect movie.
The three lifelong best friends join
each other for their annual Christmas reunion in New York City.
Figuring that this may be the last
reunion that they ever will get to enjoy together, they decide to do the
only sensible thing: party. This wild
adventure will take you through the
Big Apple as the boys try to enjoy
one last night before their lives and
careers send them in different directions.
Bond faces the infamous Spectre
organization which is a worldwide
criminal syndicate. This is the first
time Bond faced off with Spectre
since Diamonds Are Forever, which
premiered in 1971, starring Sean
Connery. As Bond dives deeper and
deeper into the syndicate, M tries to
keep MI6 afloat as the British government closely examines the organization’s previous actions. To unravel the
webs of deception surrounding Spec-
Albums
Kurt Vile
b’lieve i’m goin down…
8.5
This
Kurt Vile’s first two albums feel very
middle rock. Very few people besides
Vile focus on this type of sound and
on his new album, b’lieve i’m goin
down…”, Vile introduces more banjo
and piano to his music and tones down
the distortion creating a folkier sound
without losing his signature lead guitar driven sound. Vile’s songwriting
improves drastically with this album,
digging deeper into his offbeat introspective personality producing a much
darker set of songs than he has previously released. One of the album’s
highlights is its lead single “Pretty
Pimpin”. The song is funny, dark, and
features the best of what Vile has to offer on the guitar.
‘Ghostbusters’ remake set
By Heather Peloza
Seminarian Copy Editor
An upcoming remake for the hit film
series Ghostbusters has recently
been announced for release in
summer 2016. The exact date is
unknown, but it is scheduled to hit
theaters around mid-July.
The reboot centers around four
female Ghostbusters, played by
Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy,
Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones.
Also starring in the movie is Chris
Hemsworth, famous for playing Thor
in the Avengers series.
Not much is known about the
movie, other than a bit of the plot. It
supposedly centers around a pair of
young authors who publish a book
A highly anticipated movie that is
being released this year is the final
installment of the Hunger Games
series, Hunger Games: Mockingjay
- Part 2.
If you are in the mood for a feel
good comedy then The Night Before
starring Seth Rogan, Anthony Mackie, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, will be
declaring ghosts are real. When
the book is not taken seriously, the
pair disbands, only to be reunited
by ghosts running wild through
Manhattan. The plot of the movie
seems to be similar to the plot of
the previous installments in the
series.
It is rumored that Bill Murray and
Dan Aykroyd, two of the original
Ghostbusters, may make cameos
in the film. Sadly, the third original
member, Harold Ramis, passed
away in early 2014.
The Ghostbusters reboot looks
to be shaping up into a reminiscent
homage to the original movies.
Best Wishes
to Mrs. Van Meter and the staff
of the
Poland Seminary High School
Seminarian
Moose & Sally Almasy
tre, Bond must protect the innocent
daughter of an old enemy and chase
the trail of the syndicate across the
world.
Mumford & Sons
Wilder Mind
1.5
Not That
Mumford & Sons have received far
too much credit for their first two albums, both of which are fairly average folk albums, the second of which,
Babel, being an improvement. In their
latest release, Wilder Mind, the band
ditches the banjo for electric guitars
and it’s pretty bad. The most redeeming quality of the English quartet was
the banjo. Now there is no banjo, just
Marcus Mumford’s poorly written love
song lyrics and boring repetitive guitar
sections. The first song,”Thompkins
Square Park,” uses the line “Oh,Babe”
in the chorus multiple times, riveting
stuff. Hopefully Mumford & Sons pick
back up their bluegrass instruments
and ditch the lyrics, or at the very least
have someone else write them on their
next effort.
This movie promises to be action-packed as Katniss Everdeen
and the rest of District 13 rise up
and launch a full scale assault on
the Capital. With the government’s
fierce opposition, the movie looks
to be a tooth and nail battle over
the control of the city.With this vivid display of computer generated
graphics and heart pounding action, there will not be a dull moment
as the oppressed and oppressors
fight for control.
Tom and Donna Morris
sports
Page Seven
Poland football stays perfect through seven
By Beau Weaver
Seminarian Sports Editor
The Poland Bulldogs are off to a
7-0 start. Out of those seven wins,
five have come against conference
opponents.
Before the season, Coach Mark
Brungard told the Youngstown Vindicator, “The strength we have returning on the offensive and defensive
line, that’s definitely our strongest
units. If you can be strong there and
control the run game on either side,
you have a chance to play beyond
Week 10.”
Although some injuries have hit the
line, it still remains a force. Poland
hasn’t allowed their opponents to
score more than 20 points all year.
They have held teams to as low as
6 points. That is largely thanks to
the aforementioned strong defensive
line. The defensive line has stuffed
the run, rarely allowing teams to get
into 3rd and manageable range.
They have also generated a great
deal of pressure on 3rd downs, generating 3 sacks and many hurries.
The secondary has taken advantage of the pressure up front, securing 5 interceptions in the season. Although the strong defense has been
key, the offense has been a juggernaut.
The Bulldogs have averaged a
ridiculous 289.8 rushing yards per
game and 8.1 YPC. They have
gone past the century mark in rushing yards and have hit double digit
touchdowns already. The offensive
line has been dominant this year
to say the least. The running backs
have been great and running behind
this line only adds to the potential of
this offense.
Star RB Dylan Garver has been
very efficient with his touches, generating 678 rushing yards on just
80 carries. He has rushed for 169.5
yards per game. The Bulldogs do
not pass frequently, but have limited turnovers so far this year.
Though the Bulldogs wore gray alternate uniforms Friday night, it was
the same story it has been all year.
The Bulldogs crushed Edgewood in
a 42-7 blowout win. This one wasn’t
really close as the Bulldogs jumped
out to an 28-0 1st half lead and never
looked back.
Running with the lead for most of the
game, Garver delivered once again
for the Bulldogs. It was a good opportunity for Coach Brungard to try out
different some personnel and plays
due to the huge lead. The Bulldogs
used a few unique looks in the red
zone, dialing up running plays for QB
Nick Buccieri and even running the jet
sweep. The defense was as good as
it has been all year, consistently stuffing the run and creating turnovers.
The Bulldogs look ahead at Lakeview
and Hubbard. They will close the season with their rival, the Canfield Cardinals. They will look to make a run
at an undefeated season. As long as
they remain efficient and stay solid on
defense, it would be an upset if they
didn’t.
NFL teams that surprised in 2015
By Beau Weaver
Seminarian Sports Editor
The NFL season is underway
and there have already been many
surprises.
Many running backs have
surprisingly disappointed. Among
those who have disappointed at the
running back position are big names
like the league’s leading rusher in
the 2014 season, DeMarco Murray,
and 2014’s shocking superstars,
CJ Anderson and Justin Forsett. Of
course, it is way too early to panic,
but it’s not looking good for several
running backs so far.
Many teams have shocked the
nation, in both good and bad ways.
Everything went wrong for the
San Francisco 49ers this offseason.
Star pass rusher Aldon Smith was
popped for his third DUI since 2012
and was promptly released following
the news. Budding rookie star Chris
Borland retired due to concerns
about his health and the violent
nature of the sport. Long-time 49er
star lineman Justin Smith announced
his retirement from football. Multiple
reports came out about tension
between coach and management.
Finally, the team agreed to part ways
with head coach Jim Harbaugh. The
team also lost booth coordinators and
most of the coaching staff. Offensive
cornerstone and long-time 49er
Frank Gore ditched the dumpster
fire and headed to Indianapolis.
Mark Trolio’s
Ram
Shocks & Struts-Tires-Batteries
Brakes-Starters & Alternators
Custom Pipe Bending-Oil Change
One of the best linebackers of the
decade, Patrick Willis, announced
his retirement from the NFL. A key
piece of the 49er offensive line, Mike
Iupati, signed a deal with the Arizona
Cardinals. Perrish Cox and Chris
Culliver moved on from the team,
leaving the already thin secondary
even thinner. Stevie Johnson and
Michael Crabtree bolted, leaving the
team thin at wide receiver behind
lead dog Anquan Boldin.
The team did seemingly nothing
to improve the team in the offseason,
adding Torrey Smith in free agency
and Arik Armstead in the first round
of the NFL draft. Smith owned one
of the worst drop rates in the NFL
in 2014 and Armstead was widely
considered a raw player by many in
the draft community. That was the
49ers offseason, not a single bright
spot.
The 49ers thumped the Vikings in a
week 1 Monday night shocking win.
They consistently generated pass
rush with a unit that was consistently
getting shelled by the media all
offseason. Carlos Hyde showed the
potential that justified the Frank Gore
release. Most importantly, they asked
QB Colin Kaepernick to do less.
The team overwhelmed “Kaep” in
2014, asking him to step outside his
comfort zone and he failed to deliver.
The team simplified the playbook this
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offseason and Kaepernick now looks
like he belongs on a football field.
However, it may only be a matter of
time before Kaepernick gets exposed
again. This team doesn’t look great
but it doesn’t look bad for a team that
struggled in 2014 and lost almost
all of its key pieces this offseason.
The Jets started their offseason with
a bang. The team hired aggressive
defensive coordinator Todd Bowles
as their head coach. The team
made a huge splash in free agency,
acquiring the best cornerback in the
league, Darelle Revis. They acquired
aging stud, Brandon Marshall, from
the Bears in a trade. The team drafted
Leonard Williams in the 1st round of
the NFL draft. Williams was widely
considered the best talent in the draft.
The team drafted ideal deep threat,
Devin Smith, in the 2nd round to join
an already solid receiving group.
In July, the offseason of dreams came
back down to earth. Star defensive
lineman Sheldon Richardson, was
suspended four games for violation
of the league’s substance abuse
policy. A few weeks later, Richardson
was arrested on very mysterious
traffic violations and resisting arrest.
Richardson was allegedly driving
as fast as 143 miles per hour and
attempting to elude law enforcement
officers. Starting quarterback Geno
Smith was “suckerpunched” in
the locker room by teammate IK
Enemkpali. Smith suffered a broken
jaw in the altercation. The team has
rolled to 2-0 under Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The aggressive defense has forced
many turnovers under new head
coach Todd Bowles. The team’s
bellcow running back, Chris Ivory,
has run the ball extremely well when
healthy. That has been the case
his whole career but he is now the
centerpiece of this offense. The team
will only get better with Devin Smith
returning from a rib injury. The team
is much different from last season but
the new pieces appear to be clicking
early on and will only get better with
time. This team could be even better
than the Mark Sanchez-led Jets that
made a deep playoff run.
The Eagles have surprised with
a woeful start to the season. The
offensive juggernaut from a year
ago added several key pieces this
offseason. Those pieces include
last year’s leading rusher, DeMarco
Murray, and first round wide receiver
Nelson Agholor. The team exchanged
quarterbacks with the Rams, acquired
the injury-prone Sam Bradford.
They also paid Byron Maxwell stud
cornerback money. The team made
a blockbuster trade for Kiko Alonso.
The team looked set to take a huge
step forward this year. That has not
been the case so far. Quarterback
Sam Bradford has looked completely
lost on the football field. Bradford
has been a Mark Sanchez clone
to this point, rarely throwing to the
outside and making brutal mistakes
under pressure. The team has been
unable to get anything going on the
ground. DeMarco Murray has been
a complete disaster, looking like
a player who maxed out last year
behind the best offensive line in the
league. The Eagles offensive line
has been terrible this year. Byron
Maxwell has been routinely burnt
this season, looking overwhelmed as
a number 1 corner. Star linebacker
Kiko Alonso seemed liked just about
the only one who could cover the
opposing team’s receivers and he
now has a partially torn ACL. The
Eagles went from a playoff contender
to last in their division. It is probably
way too early to panic. The Eagles
have not looked in sync at all. Not
every team can get new players to
move together in perfect harmony
by week 3. Head coach Chip Kelly
brought in these new pieces. It is his
responsibility to get this team together
and winning again. If things don’t get
better by the middle of the season,
it shouldn’t come as a surprise when
the impatient Philadelphia fan base
starts calling for a coaching change.
sports
Page Eight
Fall sports teams in post-season
Compiiled by Cailey Barnhart, Claire Morris, Connor O’Kane, and Heather Peloza
Tennis sends two to state
Boys’ CC wins AAC
The Poland Boys Cross Country team has very high expectations for this
year.
After starting the season at the
OHSAA Pre-Season Invitational, held
at the state championship course, the
boys have put in multiple strong performances at many meets against strong
competition.
The team recently finished the regular
season by winning the team’s first AAC
Championship in many years, where
Andrew Comstock, Charlie Dwyer, Peter Koulianos, and Connor O’Kane were
four of the eight individuals selected for
First Team All Conference Honors.
The PSHS doubles’ team of Marissa Ricciardi and Audrey Schweers captured the Sectional girls’ tennis title, then finished fourth in District competition
to qualify for the OHSAA state tournament in Columbus last weekend.
The post-season honors capped a highly-successful 18-3 dual-match record
during the regular season which saw Ricciardi at first singles and Schweers at
second singles.
The regular-season lineup had Sophiia Delatore at third singles.
Lauren Pepperney and Laura Zurru teamed up at first doubles, while Kirsten
Appel and Mary VanSuch comprised the second doubles team.
Golf advances to District
Poland Seminary High School’s
girls’ golf team compiled an 8-8
record during the regular season,
then placed fourth in the Sectional
tournament to advance to District
play.
Maggie Sebest was first in the AAC
Championship race, while the girls’
team finished third.
Andrew Comstock
Now, the teams are looking toward
the post season, starting with Districts,
which will be held at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds Oct. 24.
Led by senior captain Nia Spencer, the team also included juniors
Gina Ungaro and Baileigh Black,
sophomore Julianna Blangero, and
freshmen Jenna Jacobson and
Marlie McConnell.
Soccer Dogs enter
post-season play
The boys’ golf team is made up
of seniors Isaac Miller, Brian Velasquez, Brendan Glosser, Justin Waterbeck and Dylan Kurcon, juniors
Zach Jacobson and Michael Mastoris and freshmen Jacob Snyder and
Alex Rapp.
Poland Seminary High School’s boys’ soccer team capped a 9-1-5 regularseason record with a 4-2 win over Canfield.
Seeded second for the post-season Sectional tournament, the Soccer
Dogs will face either Hubbard or Ursuline in their tourney debut. The game
is set for Oct. 24 at 3:30 at home.
Nine seniors provided the nucleus of this year’s team including Jake Boccieri, Joe Shields, Bryan Montgomery, Matt Holsinger, David Watson, Izzac
Lange, Steve Massarelli, Shane McCreary and Pat Modelski.
The team finished seventh in
sectionals and Zach Jacobson advanced as in individual. Their home
course is Knoll Run.
The 2015-2016 girls soccer season is underway, led by their captains
Claire Testa, Lea Fabrizzi, Sophia Harakel and Jessica Miller,
The team had a rough start right out of the gate, but as the season progressed, the team has improved and has been doing a lot better.
The most memorable game for the team was when they surpassed their
expectations and tied the championship game even though they were
expected to lose.
The girl’s biggest win this season was against Edgewood. They won 10-1
and played great together during the game! Eight seniors are playing their
final season with the Soccer Dogs.
Nia Spencer
Bulldogs
in
Action
Volleyball posts winning season
The Volleyball team, with captains Krista Nolfi, Bryanna Fabian, Cordray
Sundstrom, and Connie VanScoter, is wrapping up its season with an impressive record of 12-8. Tournament week begins October 19th, with sectionals. The Volleyball team also participated in a Breast Cancer awareness
game on October 1st, raising money to donate to the cause. Junior Shelby
Berend said, “We’ve had so much fun this season, we feel like a family. We
will miss the seniors so much.”
At bottom left, freshman quarterback Cole
Kosco gets O line protection from Drew Davies and Even Montgomery as he drops back to
pass in action against
the Youngstown East
Panthers. At right, Pad
O’Shaughnessy brings
down a Panther ball
carrier. The Bulldogs
won the Saturday afternoon contest 16-7
to remain unbeaten
through seven games
this season.
Photos by Mike Audi