January 2013 Issue - the Montrose Area School District
Transcription
January 2013 Issue - the Montrose Area School District
Mete r Chronicle Produced by the students of the Montrose Area Junior/Senior High School Volume 29, Issue 2 INSIDE January 2013 Montrose Area School District Teachers Who Really Rock By Meghan Spellman News and Features Co-Editor and Arts and Entertainment CoEditor Turn to Page 12 to see how the Wizard of Oz play went for MAHS Drama Club. PHOTO COURTESY OF LONNIE GRIFFITHS Turn to Page 8 to see how the community donated stuffed animals to the families of the Connecticut shooting. Many high school students are very passionate about music. Whether they are involved in choir, marching band, or a band outside of school, teenagers are usually directly connected with music. However, MASD holds some musicians that perhaps you didn’t even know about. Physical education teacher Ellen Mulligan and chorus teacher Scott Zimmerman are in a band, along with Lonnie Griffiths, called the Lonnie Griffiths Band. Miss Mulligan plays the drums, Mr. Zimmerman plays the bass, and Lonnie plays the guitar and sings. The band plays at several gigs every year, including the Chocolate and Wine Festival, private parties, at the Montrose Inn, and others. They have also done gigs like opening for Dana Fuchs and playing with Ryan Leckey, a broadcast reporter for WNEP. Miss Mulligan has been playing the drums since she was 10. She joined the Lonnie Griffiths Band about eight years ago. “Lonnie had a group and was looking for a drum- Miss Mulligan (left) plays the drums as Mr. Zimmerman (right) plays the bass at the Chocolate and Wine Festival . mer, so he asked me to try out. After the first night of playing, we all clicked. It was a good fit,” Miss Mulligan said. Mr. Zimmerman joined Miss Mulligan and Lonnie about four years ago because he “hadn’t done much gigging and was looking forward to it. “I played bass for about a year in eighth grade, but didn’t have time to keep up with it, due to other activities, like band, choir, swim team, yearbook staff, scholastic bowl, and academics during high school,” Mr. Zimmerman said. “About six years ago, my wife got me a bass for Christmas after I picked up her acoustic guitar and started playing along to the bass lines on Fleetwood Mac’s DVD “The Dance” while watching it with her.” The band doesn’t have a particular style of music, it depends on their audience. The crowd they are playing for is really what gauges their music style. Mostly though, the Lonnie Griffiths Band plays a combination of classic rock, funk and jazz. But, according to Miss Mulligan, they pretty much “play it all.” Each member of the band has a different view or personal favorite part of being in the band. “I really like that I am able to have an outlet to express myself musically. It is also an See Teachers Page 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Dates to Remember .................................. No School- Martin Luther King Day January 21 No School-Presidents Day February 18 Junior High and Senior High Band Concert March 1 Class of 2014 Fun Fair March 8 Scholastic Bowl Team Still Going Strong By Courtney Kimmel Editor in Chief Despite losing three fourths of their starting line-up, the MAHS scholastic bowl team is going strong. The four graduating seniors were succeeded by new members, some with previous experience on the team and others who are playing for the first time. Seniors Jacob Kerbaugh, Courtney Kimmell, David Koloski, Alex Woodward, and Adam Wurth comprise the main team. Their season began as usual with the WVIA Scholastic Scrimmage. While the results cannot be published until the footage of the competition airs in spring, one could ask any student currently attend- ing MAHS and learn the results. Following the WVIA Scholastic Scrimmage is the NEIU Scholastic Bowl. In this competition, teams that had previously participated in the Scrimmage faced each other once again. This tournament differs significantly from others the team attends. In most competitions the team attends, toss-up questions are asked and any individual member from either team may answer, and a correct question earns the team a bonus question. In the NEIU Scholastic Bowl, three teams compete at once but a question is directed towards only one team at a time, and there is an opportunity for the other two teams to earn bonus points if the first team answers incorrectly. This format has traditionally been challenging for the team. “That format does not favor us. We do better in the buzzer competitions. I’m not sure if it’s the pressure or something else,” scholastic bowl club advisor John Koloski said. The team played two initial games, but was not able to advance to the semifinals. With David Koloski the only remaining scholastic bowl participant who saw significant game play last year, the team has had to start from scratch. Seniors Sean Regan and Courtney Kimmell played in a single match last year and seniors Jacob Kerbaugh, Alex Woodward and Adam Wurth had never competed before joining the team. For Adam Wurth especially there was little time to adjust and learn the ropes. While most new members learn the basics at a small, low pressure event, Adam began his scholastic bowl career at the televised WVIA Scrimmage. The team will be participating in The WATS/WAVR Radio Tournament and the Mountain View Tournament this January. The WATS/WAVR tournament will be a live radio event featuring competition between teams from schools from as far away as New York. Expectations are high for that event. “We are the defending champions. We have to take the trophy back with us because it’s a traveling trophy. We have to defend our win,” Mr. Koloski said. JANUARY 2013 PAGE 2 (Teachers continued from page 1) drummer,” Miss Mulligan said. Mr. Zimmerman, being a chorus teacher, is a little more expected to be involved in musical activities outside of school. But, students still are taken by surprise to hear he is in a band. “The students who have me in class or don’t know me at all tend to be a bit surprised, wondering, ‘he doesn’t just do chorus?’” Mr. Zimmerman said. At a first glance, Montrose Area has a chorus, band, and student bands, typically what you would expect of a high school. But with a little bit of exploring and word of mouth, bands like the Lonnie Griffiths Band can be discovered, and can show different sides of the teachers at the school. Both Miss Mulligan and Mr. Zimmerman share the unique characteristic of breaking the typical status quo of student bands, marching to the beat of their own drum, and perhaps to their very own band. ............................................................................................. Opera-tunity of a Lifetime By Angela Russell Elementary Co-Editor M.SPELLMAN/METEOR CHRONICLE Spot lights, dancers and professional singers are all the pieces that bring the Tri- City’s opera in Binghamton together. “Being able to be around the dancers and singers during the production of the show was my favorite part,” eighth grader Kyra Ricci said. With Kyra auditioning for the part in the children’s choir and receiving the part, she was practicing two, three, and on occasion four times a week. Practices were located at the Forum and the Opera House where Kyra was practicing and rehearsing for her part in the show La Boheme. The show was put on in October after a lot of rehearsing. “Lots of singers and dancers were always around me and I met lots of people while being in the show,” Kyra said. With the Opera House performing two more shows, there is still a question if one of the shows will have a part for Kyra to participate in. “Being in the opera production helped a lot and gave me more experience with being Glinda the good witch in the school play the Wizard of Oz,” Kyra said. It’s not a flash mob, but Kyra was part of a flash mop-era. The flash mop-era consisted of the cast of the opera going to a local restaurant where they sat down at tables with a piano in the room to play. When the pianists started playing, the cast started singing one of the songs that was going to be in the opera. This was just one of the ways that the crew found very effective to advertise for the event. Although Kyra played Glinda the good witch in the high school play, dressed in a big pink dress, a tiara, and a sparkly wand, this was very different to the role that Kyra played in the show La Boheme, a boy. “Yes I was a boy, but not having all of the sparkles and glamour of that in the wizard of Oz was nice to be able to dress down for a change,” Kyra said. Operas, school plays and juggling school work are just a few of the many things that Kyra is involved in. Junior High Students Play a Key Role in the Drama Club’s Wizard of Oz By Maddy Pasteka News and Features Co-Editor “Quite a bit of time and work As most people know, the was put into set and costume students at MAHS recently put making,” Bethany said. on a musical, The Wizard of Oz. All the shows costumes and One fact many people don’t know sets were hand built by though is that many the cast and crew. of the students in“It was pretty hard volved were junior work. We actually starthigh students. Seved working on the set in enth and eighth grade July,” Kyra said. students played roles When it was time for as Munchkins, Lullaroles to be cast before the by League and other play started, Kyra didn’t various small roles. want the role of Glinda. One of these out“Originally I didn’t standing students want to play Glinda, but I even landed one of ended up really enjoying the big roles as Glinthe part,” Kyra said. da, the good witch Many of the junior of the east. Eighth high cast involved really grader Kyra Ricci enjoyed the experience took the honor of and hope to be in more playing the part. plays again. “It was a real High Students play parts in the Lullaby League “I really wanted to join honor to be in junior Junior and Lollipop Guild in the Wizard of Oz. the play because at my high and get such a big Montrose Players Club by particiother schools they did a role in the play,” Kyra pating in The Wizard of Oz. lot of plays and I was nervous to said. “It was really cool to be a part try out, but it was really fun and While Kyra casted into the play as one of the big roles, oth- of the cast, and it gave me experi- inspired me to audition for more plays,” Katelyn said. er students were just as happy ence,” Katelyn said. While playing a Munchkin With this play a success, the to consume smaller roles, such as Munchkins. Seventh graders was one thing these girls got out junior high students at MAHS Bethany Wayman and Katelyn of the play, set building and cos- hope many more plays come their way in the future. Henry got their first dose of the tume making was another. M.FREETHY/METEOR CHRONICLE amazing experience to collaborate with other musicians. It provides great stress relief too,” Miss Mulligan said. “One of the great advantages of being a local band is being able to give back to the community, like the library and local businesses.” “The advantages of being in this band are that it is fun, and helps me to keep my chops up on the bass. I also enjoy seeing people have a good time while we’re playing,” Mr. Zimmerman said. When students hear about the fact that two of our teachers are in a band, reactions vary. But, being in a band is a great way for students and these teachers to connect. Music is a passion that almost anyone can have, and anyone can connect with someone through music on every level. This can be a strong connection, especially for teenagers. “When students hear that I’m in a band, they are pretty surprised. They think it’s pretty cool though when they find out I’m a METEOR CHRONICLE .............................................................................................................................................. MAHS Holds First Annual Buddy Walk By Maddy Pasteka News and Features Co-Editor The Montrose Area Junior/ Senior High School held its first annual Buddy Walk on October 25 to help benefit the National Downs Syndrome Society as well as its very own life skills students. “For the first year I thought the turnout was very good; there was about 300 students involved,” Principal Jim Tallarico said. The event helped raise over 1,000 dollars to divide between the National Downs Syndrome Society and our very own life skills students, two of which are affected by Downs Syndrome. The money raised for the life skills classroom is used by the students to take field trips around the community and area places. Every Thursday the students get together and decide where they’d like to go. Whether it’s Sam’s Club or a coal mine tour, every week is a new adventure. “The money raised goes into the classroom and helps with different community activities. We take a field trip every week. It was five dollars to register for the walk which helps the National Downs Syndrome Society and our students Gregory and Desiree,” life skills teacher Dave Shank said. “My favorite part was walking; it made me really happy,” life skills student Gregory Kerner said. Gregory is one of the two students in the class affected by Downs Syndrome, and he very much enjoyed a day outside walking with friends and classmates to support his cause. Another big hit at the walk besides, well, walking, was senior Kayla O’Brien’s concession stand. Kayla sold all healthy snacks while students had fun walking and supporting our school. “A lot of people showed up, and I sold fruit snacks, water and all healthy snacks,” Kayla said. Along with running the stand at the walk, Kayla also manages her own “store” right in the life skills classroom selling healthy food and snack items to MAHS students. The store is even complete with a working cash register! “The walk was an important event to our school because it helps our kids to always remember that there are kids with great challenges in our school and we must always help and support them,” Mr. Tallarico said. The school hopes to participate in the fundraiser next year and keep the tradition going to help benefit the life skills students and the National Downs Syndrome Society. METEOR CHRONICLE JANUARY 2013 Principal’s Perspective Remembering Doc Golden Our district recently suffered a very big loss with the passing of Dr. Don “Doc” Golden. Dr. Golden was the Director of Special Education for the Montrose Area School District. This has left a tremendous void in our district, most especially the countless students that Doc helped educate in all three of our schools. I miss him forever moving through our halls on his way to so many meetings. Doc Golden's signature, without question, was the stacks and stacks of folders and papers he carried with him to each and every meeting. Doc was a friendly fixture in the halls and always ready to tell a story ( usually about the Pittsburgh Pirates or a local high school sports team ) or to give an update on one of his kids. For they were, his kids. In education we, as teachers, hope that we will in some way have an impact on each of our students. Doc Golden had a profound impact on each and every one of his kids. I have been in this business for a very long time and I don't know if I have ever worked with anyone who cared more about his students. He worried dearly about his students’ progress and their success both in and out of the classroom. He was kind, compassionate and trusting. All of his students and their families are truly blessed to have had him in their educational lives. Doc came to work each day with one goal and that was to make sure every one of his students were given the opportunity to succeed. He will be forever remembered for his tireless work and dedication to his profession. It was an honor to have been his colleague and friend. We will miss you Doc! Have a Merry Christmas and Good New Year! Mr. Tallarico ............................................................................................................................... Life As We Know It... “Life As We Know It” is a year-long series devoted to informing teens and the community about some of the issues teens face. By Courtney Kimmel Editor and Chief Many students can claim that they have experienced juvenile taunts such as “shrimp,” “fatty” or “bean pole.” While this sort of behavior seems something that would be out grown along with notion that girls have cooties, it persists in some individuals, throughout adulthood, as sizeism. Sizeism is discrimination against an individual because of their physical appearance, most commonly associated with weight but it can also be because of height. Sizeism can take many different forms. The most visible form would be insults and taunting, but stereotypes associated with various body types can be just as harmful. There are those who believe obese individuals are just lazy and lack will power or that thin individuals are health nuts or anorexic. Males can be discriminated against if they are viewed as too large or not large enough; the former condition leading to some of the labels Teacher of the Issue: Mrs. Miller PAGE 3 By Ashlea Wilson Staff Reporter There’s no better way for a teacher to find out that they are being noticed than to be crowned teacher of the issue. At least, that’s what algebra teacher Janeen Miller said when she found out she was teacher of the issue. “I feel flattered and honored,” Mrs. Miller said. Since Mrs. Miller was very good at math in high school, she had always wanted to be a math teacher, and she was able to achieve that goal once she earned her Mathematics Secondary Education degree at the University of Scranton. Other degrees she has is a Master’s degree in 21st Century Teaching and Learning from Wilkes University and a Bachelors of Science. Having worked hard for 19 years, Mrs. Miller is very excited for getting this title. Being teacher of the issue can be easy to achieve when you are teaching a subject you know, love and were good at in high school. Freshmen and sophomores are easy to teach because Mrs. Miller believes they are willing to learn and are fun to teach. “She always comes to class with a plan. She always does problems on the board if you have any issues,” sophomore Joe Vaccaro said. Mrs. Miller makes the students feel welcomed. “I like teaching because I want to share my knowledge with the younger generation,” Mrs. Miller said. Being teacher of the issue means that a teacher is not only recognized, but they get a little spot in the newspaper. Mrs. Miller does believe she deserves this title, thanks to her hard work with students and helping them to understand what she’s teaching. Other students believe so, too. “Her smile everyday [makes her stand out].She’s always in a good mood and happy and ready to teach us something new. “[She’s] amazing,” freshman Bently Shmidt said. .................................................................................... “Sizeism” is the New Sexism listed above, the later leading to beliefs that they are weak or feminine. Those stereotypes benefit no one and just allow an individual to be judged on appearance alone. A Montrose Area High School student claims that she has been a victim of this type of sizeism. Sue* says she has encountered everything from snide comments to snap judgments. “You’re judged more harshly when someone first meets you,” Sue said. These stereotypes can be about height also. Just because an individual is tall does not mean they are a great basketball player or have any interest in the sport. These sorts of assumptions and abuses directed towards tall individuals have been encountered by students at MAHS. Petunia*, a high school senior, says she has experienced sizeism first hand. “My nickname is ‘Too Tall’,” Petunia said. Sizeism can also occur when an individual receives discrimination because of their physical size. This is most often encountered when a qualified person is denied a job because the employer does not like their physical size or associates various derogatory stereotypes with it. Sizeist discrimination can also come from those that feel an individual who has proven themselves capable in the past cannot do their job because of their size. An example of this would be Jennifer Livingston, a morning news anchor from a local station in Wisconsin who made headlines recently for defending herself against a letter written by a viewer regarding her weight. Sizeism can be unintentional. When a door frame is too low so a tall individual has to duck entering a room or a seat is too small to comfortably seat a large person, this is unintentional sizeism. This can be deadly if medical equipment cannot be adapted to suit the needs of a larger or smaller person. Living in a world that does not make accommodations for individuals’ needs can be challenging. One of the most harmful manifestations of sizeism would be physical abuse and bullying. Most often encountered in a school setting, a student may be beaten and abused for no reason other than their physical size differs from that of their peers. As one can imagine, sizeism can have serious consequences. It can lead to poor body image and self-esteem, cause eating disorders, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Sometimes these criticisms and stereotypes can become internalized by the victim, causing them to isolate themselves and blame themselves for the cruelty of others. For those who are suffering from sizeism, it may seem like the only thing they can change is their own body but that is not true. If one is experiencing this type of discrimination, talk- ing to a parent, close friend or a teacher can help one address the issue and find comfort. Increased self-esteem and self-acceptance can go a long way towards countering the harmful comments. The best way to reduce sizeism seems to be increasing awareness of how harmful it is. Calling someone a ‘smelly whale’ seems to be more socially acceptable than telling a female she should ‘get back in the kitchen,’ but both comments are unacceptable and spread harmful stereotypes. Compassion and a change in attitudes towards those who are different than yourself can make significant changes. Those who are treated differently because of their physical size are not so sure any changes can occur. “I think it’s just a mindset; you can’t change that,” Petunia said.. * Names have been changed for privacy. PAGE 4 METEOR CHRONICLE JANUARY 2013 Education in the ‘Real World’ By Maria Ingaglio Opinion co-editor On October 9, Malala Yousafzai, a fifteen-year-old girl from the Swat Valley of Pakistan, was shot twice by a Taliban gunman while on her way to school. News reports stated that Yousafzai had been a target on the Taliban’s hit list for years because she publicly supported girls’ rights to education. Taliban officials say that she deserved to die; however, I say that someone as courageous, acquisitive and daring as she deserves to live in a better, more just world. What strikes me the most about Yousafzai’s story is the fact that the voice of a single person can make a profound difference on the world. Instead of living everyday of her life in tremendous fear, Yousafzai chose to speak out not only for herself, but for the rights of all girls and women in her country. Now, in the aftermath of her attack, political leaders and celebrities led by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown are rallying together to create a petition entitled “I am Malala.” The petition supports better educational opportunities for girls in Pakistan, and will be presented to the United Nations and Pakistan. Nations such as India and Afghanistan are also pledging to support Yousafzai. We are incredibly lucky to receive an unparalleled academic experience here within the United States. None of us face the possibility that our school might be shut down at a moment’s notice by terrorists; none of us are denied access to education and books because of our genders; none of us might encounter gunmen seeking to harm us as we ride the bus to school. We all should be profoundly grateful that we are not among the 61 million children, especially girls, who do not have access to education. Most girls in the developing world are not shot on a school bus. Yet they continue to face high barriers that keep them from school and make education an uphill struggle. Women still comprise two thirds of the world's illiterate. But over the last few decades, research has shown that girls and their families accrue significant benefits when they are educated. Just one extra year of schooling beyond the average boosts a girl's eventual wages by 10 percent to 20 percent, and women who are educated are more likely to have healthy children. Low- and middle-income countries where women are under-educated compared with men pay a significant price: about $92 billion a year in economic loss, according to Plan International. Education is liberating. If a generation of Pakistani girls were educated, perhaps they might grow up to challenge the Taliban. I implore the school community to find ways to extend our aid to girls beyond our borders and into the global community. We will need to do more than merely collect funds to build new schools in Pakistan; unfortunately, history has proven that buildings are all too easy to destroy. We must raise awareness of Malala’s story within our own community and endeavor to solve the educational and social issues these girls face in their lives, if there is to be any hope of change. Yousafzai survived the attack and is expected to recover as she receives treatment at a hospital in London. No one will ever be able to take back the evil that the Taliban has done to Malala Yousafzai. If we support her and help spread what she so passionately believed in to Pakistan and to other countries, then perhaps we may do something far more powerful than the Taliban ever could. MAHS Students Speak Out Poll: Do you believe education is a right or a privilege? *Roughly 150 students participated in this poll. Meteor Chronicle What do you think? Montrose Area Junior/Senior High School Editor in chief............................ Courtney Kimmell News/Features editors................ Meghan Spellman Callie Curley Maddy Pasteka The Chronicle is a student publication researched, written and Opinion editors...........................Callie Curley produced by members of the staff named here and printed by Maria Ingaglio Lindsay Darrow the Mulligan Printing Corporation. All unsigned editori- Arts & Entertainment editors....Meghan Spellman Samanntha Poole Elementary editors......................Erica Reeves Angela Russell als within this publication were written to reflect solely the opinion of the entire newspaper staff. Letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as space allows but must be signed and include contact information. Names will be Junior high editor........................Kayleah Trecoske withheld upon request. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject Tatiana Sangadzhieva Ashlea Wilson Sports editor............ ..................Nicki Lewis Meghan Gilhool Editorial cartoonist.....................Frank Fruehan to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy, and disruption of the school process as are all contents of the newspaper. The Chronicle’s editorial policy is available upon request. Staff Briana Johnson, Taylor Teed, Katelyn Breslin, Laura Brink, Holly Andre, Morgan Updyke, Michaela Pike, Taylor Boswith, Samantha Santora, Dan Zapolski 75 Meteor Way Montrose, PA 18801 Letters to the editor are always welcome! [email protected] (570) 278-3731 “I believe education from K-12 is a right and college is a privilege.” “It’s being treated as a privilege, but it needs to be a right.” “A right..especially with the taxes we pay.” “Its a fair, inclusive privilege.” “It would be a privilege if it was handed to us. We pay to earn our education, so it’s a right.” METEOR CHRONICLE PAGE 5 JANUARY 2013 HE SAID She Said Students explore life’s issues through the eyes of the opposite gender. How does gender affect a person’s role in modern society? By Sean Regan MAHS Senior Gender roles, like most things in this world, are unbalanced. There is always one side favored for every situation. The world views women on a lesser level, that men are superior in almost every way. I for one, disagree entirely. Men think that they are stronger and more intelligent than women. They believe we are meant to be kept in the kitchen ‘where we belong.’ I say no more, that all these blasphemous ideas must be eradicated from modern society. Anyone who thinks that women aren’t important should get taught a lesson. First off, we are the ones who birth the babies of the world; therefore, we directly create the future of the entire planet. We also make up more than 50 percent of the population in America, so since we live in a democracy, our vote is extremely important! Our importance is just as significant, if not more important than the men of the world. Our capacity for intelligence is just as good as any male’s. We attend higher education in waves more than men today. We have the education and the intel- ligence, but get paid less for what we were taught to do. This topic is inexplicably wrongful, because we are just as entitled to the same pay due to the fact we were taught the same skills, and have retained such information just as well as males. We should have the same pay as males, and have equal opportunities to obtain any job that we are entitled to achieve. Any male who believes women are not strong or cannot be strong should ask the Women’s National Soccer Team. They are the #1 team on the planet and do not lose very often. They won the Gold at the Olympics this previous summer. Their speed, strength, teamwork and dedication win them their games. Another example of greatness from women is our superior Gymnast team. Their work ethic and spirit simply cannot be compared to. They also won the Gold Medal, and they certainly deserved it. Also, at the Olympics, our women’s beach volleyball teams were in the finals. Yes, the finals of the Olympics had TWO American teams in it. So, where were the ‘strong’ men? They were nowhere to be found, at least, in the finals, that is. These three cases show that American women are dominating forces in the entire world and they are nearly unstoppable, so who’s to say we can’t do anything worthwhile as far as strength and athleticism goes? Another topic that deems importance: the sandwich ‘jokes.’ No, they are not jokes; they are slanderous to every single woman who hears it. Yes, we may be able to cook, but that’d be because we are not lazy like the average male. So just because we can make a sandwich, it doesn’t mean we should have to listen to your demands for nourishment and act them out. Men, I say go get your own darn sandwich. I will guarantee it won’t taste as nearly as good. By Alex Woodward MAHS Senior Montrose Area students look at gender roles through each other’s eyes. Gender roles are assigned for a reason. Men have usually been the breadwinner and protector while a woman’s duty as the weaker sex is to cook, clean and take care of the children. Most people, in my opinion, are quite happy with the paths assigned to them. Feminists, however, are not complacent with their statuses as homemakers. Women should be grateful that they are treated as well as they are. As men, we have to keep up the appearance of being masculine. Were a man to show any signs of weakness, it would immediately be attacked. Women, on the other hand, are taken care of and can show whatever emotions they please even though a happy woman is more attractive. When it comes to attractiveness, women look better physically when in their proper role. To me, they are better when femininely dressed. The trend of runway models looking like prepubescent boys is not appealing to most men that I know. I think that I am most appealing to women when dressed in jeans. I do not think about my appearance much when I am interested in a woman. I think that as long as I am confident, I can attract any lady that I want. Men are physically stronger than women; there is no denying this fact. Another thing that I believe that I, as a man, am better at is overall comprehension of mathematics and the sciences. I accept this as a truth due to the fact that women tend to do worse than men in the math and science fields. Women rarely go onto a math or science-based career path. They tend to do better in nurturing roles such as teaching or childcare. These careers also allow for more time off which is good for most women. Women are unable to cope with long hours of work. Emotionally speaking, men are stronger. Whether this is due to genetics or how each gender is raised is unknown to me. Women are better at multitasking. Taking care of children, finding food and cleaning over the centuries have enlarged the corpus callosum in women. This allows the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate more effectively. While this skill is beneficial, it is not necessary to succeed in life. In a working environment, men earn more money annually than women. Men are more capable of handling stress and have a more commanding presence than most women. Over time, women can indeed go up the career ladder, but it is more difficult. They are expected to be submissive which sets a precedence of being underappreciated. Although it is unfair, I would not change it because currently men have the upper hand in most work environments. Were women to receive fair wages and be treated equally in work, it would be considered a threat to me and other men. Gender Roles continued on page 6 METEOR CHRONICLE JANUARY 2013 PAGE 6 Main Editorial: An Epidemic Affecting Us All There’s an epidemic fac- small, red ‘1’ on your priing today’s youth. It has vate message inbox. You the power to demolish, feel a flutter in your stomcorrode, debilitate, and de- ach. Is it Mike, that boy stroy. Much like gangrene from third period Spanish? left untreated, it spreads Maybe he’s finally matched quickly and has the un- your face with the name you nerving ability to overturn were given on the first day anything and everything in to ‘enrich your cultural exits path. You won’t see it perience.’ However sadly, on the six o’clock news or this is no time for budding featured in the New York romance. The message isn’t Times, but believe it or not, from Mike, but from your you are probably more fa- best friend’s brother’s cousmiliar with this than with in’s sister who you haven’t your own daily schedule. seen since the homecoming Some will say it’s harmless, dance of last year. She has while those affected call it a bit of a reputation at her poison. One thing to be sure own school for being less of is that there is no escap- than honest with her ‘flavor ing it. For those found in of the month,’ but strangely the path of this destructive enough, this fact slips to the agent, humiliation, howev- back of your mind as you er unfounded, is a most cer- read the message on the tain and disparaging fate. screen in front of you. The evil I’m referring to is “Erin’s mom found none other than gossip. text messages between her Picture this: it’s around and Mr. Jackson, the Eng8:30 on Sunday night and lish teacher at West High? you decide to log into They’re running off to get Facebook to get caught up married after graduation? on all the big news of the Oh, I just knew she couldn’t weekend. There, almost be going all the way over lost between the picture of there for ‘extra help’!” And what that kid who starred with one quick click of the in last year’s play had for forward button, you’ve lunch, your mother post- sealed the fate of your classing about how her kids do mate and teacher without so nothing around the house, much as a second thought. and the vague and mildly It doesn’t end when you worrisome quote posted by shut down the computer. a junior high girl about how Let’s fast forward to the hard it is to be in love is a week after you decide to ............................................................................................. tell not the superintendent or the principal about what you heard, but the kids at the table next to you in the cafeteria. Who wouldn’t want to be the one in the know about something as juicy as this? It seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but things spread quickly until they were out of your control. Now, rumor has it that Mr. Jackson will be asked to resign in the spring and Erin’s family, humiliated by the lies, have moved out of state for a fresh start. This habit isn’t one that only applies to students. Adults too are guilty of disassociating things done and said on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and the archaic Myspace with the person they consider themselves to be in ‘real life.’ Because there is no immediate accountability for the things we post online, it is sometimes not until much later that we recognize the severity of our words and actions. Studies from several recent national surveys show that almost 30 percent of teens in the United States (that’s about 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved er port e R g n i v Ro “I learned to be a better leader and to treat everyone fairly.” Brett Shelp 11th Grade “Live life to the fullest.” Brianna Thompson 11th Grade in school bullying as either a bully, a target of teen bullying, or both. This number includes those who spread gossip and other hateful rumors like the completely fallacious one you’ve just read and forwarded to everyone on your friends list. Long story short, rumors ruin lives. Teen bullying can lead those targeted to feel tense, anxious,and afraid. It can affect concentration in school, and sometimes lead to the avoidance of school altogether. If teen bullying continues for any extended period of time, it can begin to affect teens' self-esteem and feeling of self-worth, as well as increase their social isolation, leading them to become withdrawn and depressed, anxious and insecure. In extreme cases, bullying can be devastating for teens and carry with it longterm consequences. Some teens feel compelled to take drastic measures, such as carrying weapons for protection or seeking violent revenge on their attackers. Others, in desperation, even consider suicide. Researchers have found that years later, long after the bully- ing has stopped, adults who were bullied as teens have higher levels of depression and poorer self-esteem than other adults and are four times more likely than nonbullies to be convicted of crimes by age 24, with 60 percent of bullies having at least one criminal conviction by that age. (Gender Roles continued from page 5) Many people are content with their roles in life because it is easy. When people are forced to accept new ideas or do new things, they are often scared. Gender roles are there because that is how each gender stereotypically acts. Men are stronger physically, emotionally and are more successful in a workplace environment. Women, while being able to multitask well, are weaker physically and sometimes emotionally. They require protecting and enjoy being protected. While some people have trouble accepting them, gender roles are in place because of just that; they are roles that people unconsciously decide to stick to. When forced to accept new ideas or do new things, they are often scared. Therefore, we all must just stick to what we know and keep the roles in place. ................................................................................. “ALWAYS be brutally honest.” Ceara Hartman 12th Grade What is one thing you learned in 2012? “When you think you’re in a bad situation, it can always go downhill from there.” Kosta Konstas 10th Grade JANUARY 2013 METEOR CHRONICLE PAGE 7 Teacher of the Issue: Mrs. Blaney By Kayleah Trecoske Junior High co-editor For most students it’s an alien experience to see their teachers outside of school at the grocery store or a public gathering of any sort. Imagine then, seeing your teacher at a concert, rocking out to The Zac Brown Band or Taylor Swift. Then, imagine what runs through a student’s mind when they’re at a concert with anywhere between 10,000 and 30,000 crazy screaming fans all singing the songs and dancing and having a great time and they see a teacher. Anyone who has ever had Choconut Valley’s first grade teacher Mrs. Blaney as a teacher knows she is notorious for being seen at concerts, upon concerts, near and far. Through telling stories, bringing in pictures and memorabilia, Mrs. Blaney involves her students in a passion of hers that she is involved with outside of the classroom. Along with being backstage, meeting the band members and traveling crazy places with her husband to hear and see her favorite singers, Mrs. Blaney has also won numerous contests through concerts, earning her too many things to mention them all. [To name a few, she has received a guitar signed by The Band Perry and a Bison leather guitar strap by Zac Brown’s personal strap maker.] “I have too many autographs to list them. I also have many picks and drum sticks from the artists too,” Mrs. Blaney said. Her attempts at winning aren’t just limited to personal prizes though. At the beginning of the school year, Mrs. Blaney entered a contest to get Taylor Swift to perform a concert for the Montrose Area School District. Through posting on Facebook and telling close friends, Mrs. Blaney tried to get the word around to get members of the community to vote for MASD to win. Although this was an unsuccess- ful attempt, this isn’t the only contest she has entered and she plans on entering many more. “I enter every contest I see! I have won many con- point in the next two years. The camp will be a place for children of diverse abilities, socio-economic backgrounds, races, and religions Photo courtesy of J. Blaney Mrs. Blaney with her autographed guitar. Photo courtesy of J. Blaney Mr. and Mrs. Blaney having photo taken with Trace Adkins. cert tickets, had multiple meet and greet opportunities, and even received an autographed guitar,” Mrs. Blaney said. The objects Mrs. Blaney has come across may be a great memory for her, but nothing compares to the bond she has created with a group of Zac Brown Band loving members know as her “Zamily.” Through her “Zamily,” she has created friendships and bonds that are irreplaceable. “The Zac Brown Fan Club is an amazing group of people. They call themselves the “Zamily” and we have Zamily gatherings before each show to raise money for Camp Southern Ground,” Mrs. Blaney said. CSG is a camp that Zac Brown is going to open in Fayette County, Georgia at some to come together to learn life skills and encourage personal growth in a positive, healthy and organic environment. “You can learn more about the camp at www.campsouthernground.org and if you would like to donate to the camp you can text CSG to 50555,” Mrs. Blaney said. She continued by saying, “We also save our loose change in “dream jars” to donate to the camp. The camp has always been a dream of Zac Brown’s, and the idea of the jar is to save money for our own dreams, but most of the time the jar of money just gets donated to CSG.” Mrs Blaney also plans to place some jars around town so that anyone who would like to contribute can do so. It is easy to see Mrs. Blaney supports the Zac Brown Band and her Zamily quite a bit. She says that any Zac Brown concert with the other Southern Ground label artist opening is fantastic, in her opinion. Zac, from the Zac Brown Band has his own label and the artists travel around with him as the opening act or acts. They include Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan, Levi Lowrey, Blackberry Smoke, The Wood Brothers, and The Wheeler Boys, who are all other singers and bands she enjoys. “In October I was able to attend the SGMFF in Charleston, SC where I again helped to raise money for CSG. The organizers sent home a big bag full of pins, tattoos, and other treasures for my students,” Mrs. Blaney said. Surprisingly enough South Carolina wasn’t the furthest Mrs. Blaney has even traveled. “We have traveled to Cheyenne, Wyoming to Frontier Days to attend shows, which is the furthest I think we have gone to date,” Mrs. Blaney said. Distance has nothing to do with crazy experiences though! Mrs. Blaney said the craziest travel they did was an unplanned one. “My husband called me at alumni band practice telling me that I needed to come home because he had just purchased tickets to attend the Nashville Rising benefit con- cert the following day in Nashville, TN,” Mrs. Blaney said. She said they left that night and drove 15 hours straight to attend the show. “It was an incredible show featuring many country stars and all proceeds went to the flood victims,” Mrs. Blaney added. Then after it was all over, they slept for two hours and headed back the other way all 15 hours until they had reached home. Sometimes it’s hard to think about or assume teachers may do things or appreciate hobbies similar to their students when they’re making rules and handing out homework, but Mrs. Blaney is a perfect example of a teacher with a passion outside of school that she is not afraid to share with her first grade students. “I love to hear the kids sing the songs with the artists. We even made a music video for “No Hurry” when ZBB had a contest,” Mrs. Blaney said. So not only do the kids love to hear about the concerts she has attended but they also often listen to country music in the classroom, listen to the song “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band on the days they eat chicken nuggets for lunch, and have an active role in the contest she takes place in. It’s safe to say that by doing this Mrs. Blaney has shared a big part of her life with her students. PAGE 8 METEOR CHRONICLE JANUARY 2013 Buck Fever Teddy Bears Help Console Connecticut By Kayleah Trecoske Junior High co-editor It’s safe to say that, for most, Black Friday is not the only postThanksgiving outing that people look forward to in northeastern Pennsylvania. On Monday, November 26, students at Montrose Area do not have to be in the classroom bright and early to learn something. Instead many feel a day in the woods can teach them just as well. This isn’t a new concept for members in the Montrose community though. For years students, along with teachers, are shimming into their camouflage attire, slipping on an orange hat and heading for the great outdoors from before sun up all the way until the sun goes down, hopefully with a deer or two as a product of a hard day’s work. A newer concept for many students of Montrose though is the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. It was in 2006, that the Pennsylvania Game Commission launched the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. The objective behind this program is to create expanded youth hunting opportunities while maintaining safety in the woods. This gives younger students, even at the elementary level, a more active role in those developmental trips out hunting with mentoring adults. These outings are the ones that will influence the rest of the child’s hunting career and how they handle themselves in the woods, clearly making it important to imprint a good influence. This program helps to increase the hands-on use of handling guns and can also promote a better understanding and interest in hunting and conservation of wildlife in a way that will help assure hunting's successful and safe future. Most importantly, this program will work to reinforce the principles of hunting safety through the close supervision provided by devoted mentors, such as parents and other family members. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission web page, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual 21 years of age or older, who serves as a guide to a mentored youth while engaged in hunting or related activities, such as scouting, learning firearm or hunter safety and wildlife identification. Also, the mentor must have a permit. Any child age 12 and under is eligible for the mentor program and it is encouraged. The child, aged 12 or under, does not need to take and pass the Game Commission's mandatory Hunter-Trapper Education, which is required for all first-time license buyers. However, it is the responsibility of the mentor to ensure that each youth is trained in firearm and hunter safety before heading afield. Choconut Valley’s principal Christopher McComb, who has been hunting for 30 years now, is thankful for a program such as this to have come about. “It puts the decision as to when a parent can hunt with their child where it belongs,” Mr. McComb said. Although he believes it is up to the parent and child to choose when he/she is ready to hunt, because nobody knows their children better than a parent does, he whole heartedly encourages the participation in the program if the parent feels the child is ready. He does say though, as with most things, it is not a wise idea to push your child into something such as hunting just because you want them to. “I think the new mentor program is a great idea; when children grow up and want to hunt on their own, they have the knowledge and understanding of the safety behind gun care and handling,” sixth grader Liam Mead said. Mr. McComb used to hunt at his uncle’s cabin with his father as a boy. Now, starting off just as his father did, Patrick McComb, Mr. McComb’s son who is currently six years old, got a six point buck during archery season. “My son has been interested in hunting as long as I can remember. He has always picked up the Cabella’s catalog around Christmas time and put hunting toys on his list for Santa. As he grew up, he has spent countless hours playing “hunting” with those toys on the living room floor. Now we are now “playing” for real, thanks to the Mentor Program,” Mr. McComb said. To Mr. McComb, it is not just about the killing and trophy of a big buck. “I always tell my son that a successful day in the woods does not always end with getting an animal. If it did, the sport would be called “killing” and not hunting,” Mr. McComb said. Hunting isn’t always an on the edge of your seat activity and any elementary school student explain how difficult it really is to sit quietly and still while up in the stand. “This year I was so jittery and impatient my dad had to give me a hand warmer to keep me occupied while I sat and waited for a deer,” sixth grader Ben Hoal said. The safety behind a responsibility of handling a gun is a serious matter to any parent who is ready to send their child into the woods. Ben, along with the rest of his family, had to be at least 12 years of age and taking the hunting safety course before stepping foot in the woods during hunting season. “In my opinion, the most important thing for any hunter to know is how to handle the gun. If you fall with the gun, make sure you toss it off to the side out of your range in case a shot is fired,” Ben said. With the responsibility of being safe while hunting also comes the need for sensibility. Although there are many important tips to remember and rules to follow, Mr. McComb feels it is vital to always be 100 percent absolutely sure of everything you do while hunting. If there is even a one percent chance that something could go wrong, then don’t do it. It is just not worth it. By Kayleah Trecoske Junior High co-editor On December 14, 2012 in with first grade teacher Mrs. Newtown Connecticut, 26 people Blaney and stressed that even lost their lives, 20 of them be- though she and her family and ing student’s fourth grade and friends are from a different part under. It’s safe to say everyone of the world, it affects them. “We all care and share the felt the effect of the heartbreak and devastation that no one ever grief; we also send our love. wants to feel when it comes to Any child is so innocent and to the loss of a loved one; after all, see this happen, really makes nothing can compare to the loss you love and appreciate what of a child. It is in these times of you have. But also feel for the crisis that brings not only a com- victims and want to offer any munity together, but sometimes a kind of support,” Smith said. nation, or even the whole globe. This is not the only collection After seeing President Barack being placed for the teddy bears. Obama wipe away a tear as he As a whole the Choconut Valley School stood bet o o k hind the collecpodium tions feeling d u r just as eving the ery Amerschool ican did at d a y . home, it’s “ I safe to say think he wasn’t a presiof the dent at the s a y moment, ing ‘it he was takes a father a vilwhen he lage’.” addressed I bethe situalieve tion, just that - in as evhelping ery other o t h American ers and sitting at Photo courtesy of J. Blaney helphome was as they listened. Now, ing children. It also means helpit’s not only parents who are feel- ing others through grief and ing the need to do anything they letting them know we as a nacan to honor and commemorate tion are grieving with them,” the students and teachers affected Julie Grady, another member of by the catastrophe, various mem- the Zac Brown “zamily,” said. bers of the community are supAt the end of the day, some porting the children and family may call it humanitarianism members, including country sing- or human nature; others may er/song writer Zac Brown and just feel the distress of the famhis Band, along with their “Zam- ily and friends and are reachily” that first grade teacher, Mrs. ing out to do what they can. Blaney is a part of. With the help “It's not really something of the “zamily” and members of that we have to think about, the community who believe “you it's just something we do. If get what you give” 160 plus ted- the roles were reversed, I am dy bears and other stuffed animals sure others would be reaching have already been collected. Each out to us,” Loretta Sword said. bear will soon be in the hands No matter the rhyme, reason of a boy or girl at Sandy Hook. or the cause sometimes someStacy Smith, who is a Zac thing as small as a new teddy Brown Band fan club member bear may go a long way in showfrom England, got in contact ing how much someone cares. METEOR CHRONICLE JANUARY 2013 Elementary Athletes Shine in GBSA By Maddy Pasteka Elementary and Junior High co-editors By Erica Reeves Elementary co-editor the candidates as much as it was the voting process. The students had the opportunity to count and recount ballots,” Mrs. Fruehan said. “A Romney supporter and an Obama supporter would work together counting ballots to ensure the integrity of the count. A third and then a fourth person would recount the votes, and then initial them to "certify" the count.” For some students they enjoyed counting the votes just as much as the voting itself. “I liked counting the votes,” fourth grader Devin Sanguinito said. “It was neat to learn how much counting went into it. I ended up counting them three times.” After a lot of hard work went into counting the votes, Mrs. Fruehan’s class found out who won the election. Mitt Romney ended up winning this election with a final count of 149 to 108. Through this experience, students got to not only put in their opinion on who would be a good president, but also the full experience that goes along with having an election such as this one. Although the students might not be politically savvy, they still are taught and know what a good leader should be like. “A good president would be one that is nice, but gives good rules that aren’t too harsh,” fourth grader Abby Rebello said. This wasn’t the first mock election that Mrs. Fruehan’s class has put on, but for many students this was their first. Even though some students might not have been happy with the outcome of the election, the process of it was still a valuable learning experience. “I think it went great and almost everybody seemed pleased with the process,” Mrs. Fruehan said. “Mrs. Bistocchi because she is a great teacher and I think she would make a great president. She is really nice and takes care of us.” Elisha West and Mallory Thompson ChoconutValley 3rd grade “Myself because I have plans of how I can lower gas prices and help the earth.” Destinee Thompson Lathrop Street 5th grade PHOTO COURTESY OF ERICA REEVES “The Pink Panther because he is very sly.” Matthew Williams Choconut Valley 4th grade PHOTO COURTESY OF ERICA REEVES Choconut Valley Casts Their Vote If You Could Choose Anyone to be President, Who Would You Choose and Why? PHOTO COURTESY OF ERICA REEVES teams around, the girls also enjoy a little down time and being able to explore the places they visit. “One of the best parts about traveling is when we aren’t playing we get to go sightseeing and eat some place new,” Davis said. Whether its eating someplace new or sightseeing, these girls always think of creative ways to have fun. “One of the best memories so far is when we had a birthday party for one of the girls and we all had icing on our faces. Also we were supposed to be in bed at a tournament and we were all in one room partying,” Spence said. GBSA not only teaches these girls how to play soccer and the love they share for it, but it teaches them the importance of teamwork and that there is always fun times no matter where you travel. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERICA REEVES “The best part about playing GBSA is getting to see my friends while doing something I love at such a high level,” Davis said. To be on a select team, the girls have to work hard not only in games, but also practices. The girls practice three nights a week, with two normal practices and one foot-skills practice as well. On one note, all three girls agree that their coach is one of a kind and is the best of the best! “I love my coach; he is fun and caring and the best coach I’ve ever had,” Spence said. Spence and Gilhool started this team about a year ago, as Davis has been playing for about two years. “I love my coach. Our team is like a big family; we’d do anything for him, and he’d do anything for us,” Davis said. Among traveling the country to play soccer on one of the best ........................................................................................................................................................................... It isn’t always about who wins or loses, but sometimes it’s about the experience that comes from what you do. That was what fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Fruehan had in mind when she set up a mock election at Choconut Valley Elementary school. Mrs. Fruehan’s class had direct control over the election with each student being given a certain job that must be completed in order for the election to run smoothly. The main jobs were delivering the ballots and ballot box to different parts of the school to collect votes from anyone wishing to vote. Every student and teacher was given the opportunity to cast their vote for who they thought was the best candidate. But since not many elementary students know many facts about the candidates, it that wasn’t really the main purpose of holding the election. “Our focus wasn't really on Little Voices By Erica Reeves and Kayleah Trecoske News and Features co-editor Three local elementary athletes Madison Gilhool and Brianna Spence, sixth graders at Lathrop Street, and Gabrielle Davis, sixth grader at Choconut, are all part of a local select soccer team. The team is called GBSA which has games held every Saturday up at the Binghamton Dome. The team is 19th in the nation and gets to travel the country for tournaments and games. “I like playing GBSA; I am making a lot of new friends and learning new skills,” Gilhool said. Some of the places the girls have traveled to are Lancaster, Baltimore and New Jersey. “I like traveling the country because there is better competition and you get to see new things,” Spence said. Since it is a select team, the girls were chosen due to their athletic abilities and love of soccer. PAGE 9 “My sister because she is awesome. She is smart, intelligent, and funny. Allison Roses Lathrop Street 5th grade PAGE 10 JANUARY 2013 Junior High Students Join FBLA By Lindsay Darrow Staff Reporter Most people wouldn’t think of joining a club like FBLA, also known as Future Business Leaders of America, while in junior high because they are still getting their bearings of the high school. However, there are four junior high students that have decided to join, Lauren Andre, Lizzie Bennici, Ashley Miller, and Kyra Ricci. Their reasons for wishing to participate may differ, but they all agree that joining FBLA will be beneficial. “I plan to run my dad’s business [Andre and Son],” Lauren Andre said. “I want to be more educated in business. That’s what I want to do when I’m older. Be an accountant maybe,” Lizzie Bennici said. According to junior Myra Lattimore, one of the FBLA officers, the junior high students are doing well. “The junior high members participate in all the meetings and activities so we interact with them a lot,” Myra said. Mr. Benedict runs FBLA and has for six years now. He started out with 12 students and now has between 35 and 40. He has hope for the club to continue to grow as time progresses. For the middle (junior high) level, there are about 24 competitions the students can compete in. Some examples of possible areas they can compete in are American Enterprise Project, Business Spelling, Computer Concepts, Desktop Publishing Application, Internet Concepts, Outstanding Middle Level Member, and Web Page Creation. Those are only a few of the contests offered and there are so many more offered at the senior high level. The four students are excited to be in FBLA in senior high because of the opportunities to do more advance and competitive things. While FBLA is composed of different people starting at different ages and joining for multiple reasons, they all join for one main thing… opportunities. “I joined FBLA because of the opportunities to compete, to learn more about business and to build my leadership skills,” Myra said. .............................................................................................................................................. ‘Pay it Forward’ Project Assists Troops By Briana Johnson Every year, seventh grade reading teacher Mrs. Charlene Kempa challenges her seventh grade students to complete a project called “Pay it Forward,” The Pay it Forward project focuses on doing something nice for someone and asking them, in return, only to pass another good deed to someone else. This system, called ‘Pay it Forward’ would end in a chain of giving and service to others without self-benefit. This year seventh graders Searra Muller and Katelyn Henry are working together on their project and they are collecting items to donate to the troops. “My cousin and I wanted to do something no one has done before and Christmas for troops was our best idea,” Katelyn said. Searra’s uncle is a commander, so it was a good opportunity for her and Katelyn to help their uncle’s troops. Photo Courtesy of Brianna Johnson Staff Reporter Seventh graders Searra Muller (left) and Katelyn Henry took on this project as a way of helping our troops during the holiday season. “I feel that ily comes first,” Searra They currently have large box full of items. are hoping to have two famsaid. one They box- es filled with items to donate. They are planning on presenting these items to the troops around the first week of January. METEOR CHRONICLE In the Spotlight: Louise Thompson By Briana Johnson Staff Reporter While many students enjoy music, and some learn to play an instrument or join choir, very few can say they write and perform their own works. Eighth grader Louise Thompson is an exception. She has been writing and singing her own songs since sixth grade. Lousie is not shy about sharing her voice with the world and regularly posts performances of her songs on YouTube. She started composing and performing the songs because of things happening in her life. Her everyday life and conflicts provided material for the songs just as much as the songs provided a release and an outlet for her. “I started writing and singing songs because of things happening in my life. Every time something happened, I wrote them down and then later turned them into music,” Louise said. At the beginning of this year, her seventh grade reading teacher, Mrs. Charlene Kempa, had her classes give a speech about themselves so that the class had a better idea of who they are. When Louise found this out, she asked if she could sing for them. In shock, Mrs. Kempa agreed and received a surprise when Louise began singing for them. “My first reaction was her voice was beautiful and unique. Her songs were filled with feelings and emotion. When she started to sing, she sure grabbed the attention of her audience,” Mrs. Kempa said. Mrs. Kempa stated that she wasn’t expecting Louise to be a singer and writer. She was surprised by the confidence she has. “Usually seventh graders are good at poetry and singing and to find someone who can sing and write is very unique,” Mrs. Kempa said. Two of Louise’s classmates had the opportunity to hear her sing; eighth grader Randi Sperry was one of those lucky classmates. “When I first heard her sing, I was a little bit shocked and a little bit glad. When a person has the talent to sing the way she did, they should be heard,” Randi said. Randi also said that she expected to sing and write songs because Louise is in chorus and “Keep your head held high and your voice out loud. Now think to yourself, who are you helping? Not yourself, you just keep moving on, Not your friends or family, they just keep suffering too.” -Louise Thompson she is always writing her songs. The second classmate that had the opportunity to hear her sing was eighth grader Brianna Baker. “I was really surprised when she started singing. Her voice was amazing and her songs, had a lot of meaning. If in the future she continues to sing and write songs there is a possibility of her becoming a writer or singer,” Brianna said. Her school work does not affect her singing or writing. She makes sure she does her school work before she writes anything. Singing is not only a past time, but something Louise genuinely loves to do. It is no surprise that with all her interest and talent is singing she wishes to pursue it in the future. METEOR CHRONICLE PAGE 11 JANUARY 2013 Arts & Entertainment Commentary by Courtney The Year in Review By Courtney Kimmell Editor-in-chief When any decade from the past hundred or so years is mentioned a single definite image comes to mind. Whether this image is jazz and flappers for the ‘20s or hippies and hallucinogens in the ‘60s, these images are a pitiful and inaccurate attempt to distill ten years of history into a Halloween costume. Looking back, thirty years from now, I sometimes wonder how the 2000-2010 decade will be remembered. Will it be Brittney Spears and Kim Kardashian or Facebook and internet memes? Then I realize it doesn’t really matter how future generations interpret the decade, what I do care about is how our literary contributions will be judged. I do not want to be the generation remembered for Twilight. My only hope is that these sort of books having success is not a new phenomenon and it will pass with time. Take penny dreadfuls, for example, the cheap sensational books of the 1800’s are very much comparable to the young adult (YA) literature of today. They were marketed primarily towards teenagers, with slight crossover among adults. They also helped establish the gothic genre, just as a certain YA book helped establish the paranormal romance genre of today. Highway men were a popular protagonist, comparable to the anti-heroes in many modern novels. Penny dreadfuls were often cheap, formulamatic books about vampires; does that sound familiar? Not only may we be the generation remembered for Twilight, think of the literary movements and genres we will be remembered for creating. Instead of symbolism, we have steampunk. While we still have worth-while literary movements progressing and perfecting, they are not as visible as recent literary trends. One successful book can spawn not only some poorly veiled copies, but its own genre. While these sorts of trends have always existed, they seem much more prevalent. Young adult literature in particular seems to magnify any passing trend. While literature marketed towards adults will certainly bend and sway with passing fads, authors will still feel comfortable enough to publish innovative and unconventional books. I don’t want to see, years from now, that one of the largest literary movements of the 2010-2020 decade was one I can’t even mention in a school newspaper (hint: think of a certain color and 50 shades of it). With that said, I cannot help but remember that many well respected genres today had less than respectable origins. One of the best examples of this would be science fiction. For the longest time it was just easy on the brain entertainment, for twelve year old boys or the pre-computer equivalent of computer nerds. Even when serious works of great literary value were being produced, they would not receive the consideration they deserved because someone decided they belonged to that particular genre. Please let this be the case for books today. Book Reviews: Top Books of 2012 Reviews By Mrs. Fischer, Librarian The best books of 2012, chosen by YALSA(Young Adult Library Services Association), are here! Come check out one of the year’s hottest books to read during these cold months. All books on the following list can be found in the Montrose Area Junior Senior High School library. COME CHECK THEM OUT! EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS by A.S. King - Overburdened by his parents’ bickering and a bully’s attacks, fifteen-yearold Lucky Linderman begins dreaming of being with his grandfather, who went missing during the Vietnam War. During a visit to Arizona, his aunt and uncle and their beautiful neighbor, Ginny, help him find a new perspective on life. STUPID FAST by Geoff Herbach - Just before his sixteenth birthday, Felton Reinstein has a sudden growth spurt that turns him from a small, jumpy, pickedon boy with the nickname of "Squirrel Nut" to a powerful athlete, leading to new friends, his first love, and the courage to confront his family's past and current problems. LEGEND by Marie Lu - In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy. WHY WE BROKE UP by Daniel Handler - Sixteen-yearold Min Green writes a letter to Ed Slaterton in which she breaks up with him, documenting their relationship and how items in the accompanying box, from bottle caps to a cookbook, foretell the end. STAY by Deb Caletti – Clara and her father travel to a remote region of Washington State when she notices that her boyfriend, Christian, is developing obsessive behaviors. After arriving, Clara meets two brothers who captain a sailboat, a lighthouse keeper who is hiding something, and a friend of her father who knows the lighthouse keeper’s secret. BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys – In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother, and brother are pulled from their Lithuanian home by Soviet guards and sent to Siberia, where her father is sentenced to death in a prison camp while she fights for her life. Lina vows to honor her family and the thousands like hers by burying her story in a jar on Lithuanian soil. Based on the author's family, includes a historical note. HOW TO SAVE A LIFE by Sara Zarr - Told from their own viewpoints, seventeen-year-old Jill, in grief over the loss of her father, and Mandy, nearly nineteen, are thrown together when Jill’s mother agrees to adopt Mandy’s unborn child but nothing turns out as they had anticipated. THE BEGINNING OF AFTER by Jennifer Castle - In the aftermath of a car accident that killed her family, sixteen-year-old Laurel must face a new world of guilt, painful memories, and the possibility of new relationships. BRONXWOOD by Coe Booth - Sixteen-year-old Tyrell, accustomed to being the man of the family, has mixed feelings when his father comes home from jail. He knows he cannot just go back to being a little boy, especially after losing his younger brother to foster care, getting involved with drug dealers, learning about his mother's infidelity, and developing a relationship with Jasmine. QUEEN OF HEARTS by Martha Brooks - Shortly after her first kiss but before her sixteenth birthday in December, 1941, Marie Claire and her younger brother and sister are sent to a tuberculosis sanatorium near their Manitoba farm. PAGE 12 JANUARY 2013 METEOR CHRONICLE Arts & Entertainment The End of the Yellow Brick Road By Sam Poole Arts & Entertainment Co-editor “My favorite part is curtain call because everyone hears the applause and the audience can react to what they have seen,” Mrs. Winn said. As individuals, each person had to face and overcome the challenge of memorizing lines and delivering them on time. As a group, they struggled because it was hard to have a full rehersal with those who also participate in fall sports having practice and rehearsal at the same time. As a group, they also suffered a very specific challenge: sets. “This play was very difficult. There Here, students dance the Jitterbug, a musical number that was not were many included in the original movie and was cut from the play adaptad i f f e r e n t tion in most showings. This dance number required careful chosets to move reography and timing from every dancer. In addition to the dance behind the moves, actors also had to sing a song as they performed the moves. scenes and a lot of opportunities for mistakes to happen respond to commands using the ard and Professor Marvel said. The cast and crew were also though everything was name Toto, giving the perfordone right and no mis- mance an even stronger effect. congratulated individually on Many people who attended their performance and many were takes had happened,” Mrs. Winn said. the play or those who have per- told that it was a magnificent show. When asked if the plays per“Though we had a formed in it rated the plays overfew pieces I was still all success about a 9 out of 10. formance lived up to the expecta“I would rate the plays suc- tions, many people had felt that nervous about, I think we overcame it. We cess a 9.8. Mrs. Winn picked an it exceeded their expectations. “It passed my expectahad a spinning house amazing cast and we all acted after all!” eight grad- perfectly together and it was a lot tions in all honesty. The play er Kira Karpov said. of fun. There wasn’t really that was really good and the charThe play cast and much that could have perfected acters were portrayed very crew had also faced our performance. Overall, we did well,” junior Jennifer Reed said. “It was better than my expecanother difficult chal- amazing!” senior Ryan Brown lenge of adding a who played the role of Uncle tations. Some scenes showed a live dog to their per- Henry and an Oz doorman said. lot of hardware and lots of time “As a group we succeeded be- that was put into it. The set was formance. The dog yond what we thought we could also amazing,” Donnie said. was originally named Dorthy (Marisa Vanness) and Toto (Eli the dog) encounter the possibly do! I rate it a 10 out Scarecrow (played by ninth grader Kira Karpov) . The Scare- Eli, but was trained of 10,” junior Evan McNaught (See Play, Page 13) crow is singing the well-known “If I Only Had A Brain”, just by sophomore Marisa one of many musical numbers performed throughout the play. Vanness since June to who played the part of the Wiz- The cast and crew of The Wizard of Oz have finally reached their destination at the end of the yellow brick road, with a wonderful performance and nearly 1,100 people total following them on their journey. The fall play, The Wizard of Oz took place Friday November 16 and Saturday November 17. They performed both Friday and Saturday to the best of their ability, earning a standing ovation from the pleased audience when it was all over. “I would rate it a 9. I was very impressed,” senior Miranda Dunne said. The performance of the play was based off of the movie, but each character added their own interpretation with the way they had chosen to act their part, and each individual added a type of energy that was just radiating making certain parts exceptionally well liked. Improv was also a very well-liked aspect to the play’s performance. “My favorite part was the land of Oz. It was very well put together and magical. It was happy and just fun for all ages,” junior Megan Geisler said. “My favorite part of the play was the part referencing The Lion King. It was delivered completely unexpected and funny. It was perfectly delivered also,” junior Donnie Arnold said. “My favorite part was when the cowardly lion jumped out of the trees and said “ROAR.” I couldn’t stop laughing,” Miranda said. As director, Mrs. Winn favored a different part of the play. METEOR CHRONICLE JANUARY 2013 PAGE 13 Arts & Entertainment Album Review: Two Door Cinema Clubs’s Beacon By Maria Ingaglio Opinion Co-editor Following the overwhelming success of 2010’s Tourist History, it’s hard to imagine the amount of pressure Two Door Cinema Club had been under to create an album worthy of its predecessor. It’s unfortunately not uncommon for any band with a wildly successful debut album to fizzle and fade with the release of the dreaded sophomore album, a curse that’s arguably titled the “sophomore slump.” Anxiously awaiting the release of Beacon, my only hope was that the album not just fades into the pile of countless other onealbum-wonder alternative bands. Sept. 4, Beacon was released, and shortly after, I had the opportunity to give the entire album a listen. Forty minutes later, I was more than pleasantly surprised that Two Door Cinema Club wasn’t just fitting the mold. Beacon is everything a sophomore album should be. The Irish trio, consisting of Alex Trimble, Kevin Baird and Sam Halliday, has seen the world since their last album so naturally, fans are looking for a little heavier and a little deeper. The album opens with the line, “I don’t know where I’m going to rest my head tonight” (“Next Year”) and closes with frontman Trimble repeating during the title track, “I’m coming home.” Homesick lyrics flow into lovesick ones, like on “Spring,” which gives us, “If I follow you then/ I will need you closer/ One more day is not enough.” The emotion in Beacon is kicked up, although the music is still dancefriendly overflowing with energy. Try sitting still through the tracks “Sleep Alone” or “Handshake.” The Irishmen have clearly let a little Los Angeles into their blood, as Beacon then grooves through a number of curiously sunny tunes. “Wake Up” and “Sun” languish in their own generic beachiness before “Someday” rides in on a wave of arena influences. The second half of Beacon maintains its predominantly one-note nature with two memorable exceptions. On “Settle,” Beacon stops beating you over the head with proven pop formulas for four brilliant and controlled minutes. Here, Trimble draws listeners into his own isolation: “This isn’t home / this isn’t home / I couldn’t feel more alone.” The last standout is “Pyramid,” a low, creeping song that features TDCC at their most ominous, which is admittedly still pretty peppy. It’s reflective, somber and a certain departure from the rest of the album. Lastly, the ethereal title track banishes, closing the record on a bright and hopeful note: “the beacon is calling me / the light that never dies / reflections thrown above the sea / cast shadows in the sky.” In one sense, Beacon is not entirely dissimilar to its predecessor, and in another, it feels like the work of a completely different band; although still undeniably Two Door Cinema Club with a more mature sound and a greater attention to detail. Beacon proves TDCC’s success in creating the trio’s effortlessly catchy and engaging melodies. How Beacon may age has still yet to be determined, but at the very least, the dreaded sophomore slump has been successful averted. Sean Regan, 12th grade Emily Guinane, 9th grade Roaming the Halls: Fashion at MAHS With the winter season upon us, the school uniform for many students has become jeans and a sweatshirt. But there are always some who defy convention, for one reason or another, and show up for school in some very fashion forward outfits. .............................................................................................................................................. (Play continued from Page 12) (From left to right) Senior Ryan Brown in the role of Uncle Henry, sophomore Alysa Cutri in the roll of Aunt Em, Eli in the role of Toto and sophomore Marisa Vanness in the role of Dorthy. The set, requiring such complex items as a house, was built almost entirely by MAHS students. The house, seen on the left side of the picture, could be rotated 180 degrees as the scene change required. The majority of the costumes were also created by a student, senior Amanda Rucker, as part of her senior project. Kyla Ross-Riely, 12th grade Michael Vanness, 10th grade PAGE 14 JANUARY 2013 METEOR CHRONICLE Meteor Sports Bad Luck Broken SPORTLIGHT Commentary By Nicki Lewis Blood, sweat and tears are the cliché components to victory. Although this is not always the case for the Montrose Area High School varsity football team, the road to victory included all of those things and many more. No matter how hard the boys worked, how often they worked, and how much they prepared for each and every game, the Meteors just could not seem to pull off a win for the past three and a half years of football. This season changed everything. 35 games were each the same. Go out positive, only to have the game end in the other team’s favor. But this season saw a new light for the MAHS varsity football team. Their hard work finally started paying off when the Meteors claimed their first victory in more than three years against Holy Cross on October 20, 2012. “We go into every game preparing to win, so we believe that we can win each and every week,” head football coach Russell Canevari said after the team’s first win. “We realized early in the season that we had a competitive team with games against Tunkhannock and Susquehanna,” Coach Castellani said. Although the game against Holy Cross was not played at their home field, the team had many supporters that got to witness the win. As anyone would be, after so many games of heartbreak, the team was ecstatic for the win. “Everyone was so incredibly excited,” senior football player John Lawson said after their first win. “Initially, their reaction was outstanding,” Coach Canevari said of the team. “They were very excited about the win. As time passed the team began to realize their ability and potential and got the confidence they needed.” As a coach, seeing the team win would give some personal satisfaction. The MAHS football coaches more than anything were just happy for their team. “I was very happy for our players; they worked very hard for each and every game and it was great to see their hard work pay off,” Coach Canevari said. “It felt great to see the kids’improvements show up on the score- board,” Coach Castellani said. Although winning their first of the last 35 games was great, the Meteors weren’t satisfied with that one and didn’t just stop there. For their last home game and also their Senior Night, the football team hosted Northwest at their home stadium. With the confidence gained from the win just weeks before, the team pulled another win against Northwest, kicking them out of their chance at play-offs. “We thought we could run the ball effectively against them and we did that,” Coach Canevari said when it came to pulling off the second win of the season. When asked how the second win felt, senior Will Ely said it felt like they had been there before, which they had! “It was even better than the first one because it was senior night,” Lawson said. Unfortunately for Ely and Lawson, the two wins of this season will be their last of their high school football careers. As with any team for any sport at any school, memories were shared. “My favorite memory of the season was breaking the losing streak,” Lawson said. When it comes to graduating and moving on, many things will be missed by each of the seniors. Both Lawson and Ely agree spending time with their team and creating the memories will be missed most, along with playing under the lights every Friday night “with the boys.” “This season was one of the most enjoyable with this group of players,” Coach Castellani said. “They committed themselves to improving and their hard work paid off.” “[This season] we as coaches began to see the players develop like we knew they could,” Coach Canevari said. When asked if his senior season was all he had hoped it to be, Lawson answered yes. “I couldn’t have hoped for a better bunch of guys.” After so much hard work, dedication and yes, blood, sweat and tears, the Meteors broke the losing streak, improved as a team and as players, and had fun while doing it. MEGHAN SPELLMAN/METEOR CHRONICLE Sports co-editor By Nicki Lewis Sports co-editor The dictionary defines a sport as “a physical activity engaged in for pleasure.” A game is defined as “an activity engaged in for diversion or amusement.” So what about the game of golf? It has been a very controversial subject from day one, whether or not golf is considered a sport has been an argument fought over for who knows how long. Well, this is the sports section, so obviously the topics that we discuss within are considered sports. We write stories on the golf team. That settles it then, right? Although many would settle for that argument, many may still not be convinced. Some argue golf is just a hobby older men in retirement play for something to do while at their Florida houses. True, many kids today may in fact have grandparents who do something similar to what I just described, but what about everyone else who plays? Many kids ranging from about seven or eight to seventeen or eighteen take part in the junior golf program at the Montrose Golf: Sport or Hobby? Club each summer. Tournaments are held for certain age groups and awards are won based on performance. That sounds like any other kind of athletic competition to me. The members of the Montrose Area High School golf team face this controversy on a daily basis. When sophomore golfer Kory Morrison was asked if his sport was very unappreciated and ignored, he agreed completely. “Golf is a boring sport,” Morrison said. “Nobody wants to watch it.” Those words being spoken by a member of the sport himself may surprise people. But when it comes to other sports besides golf, other athletes may think they are also boring to watch. After joining the team for the love of the sport, Morrison says the only bad thing about playing is getting frustrated after a bad shot. This is certainly an emotion that all other athletes feel at one time or another. Given that, one may be more convinced as to the game of golf being considered a sport. When it comes to sports, there are many different types as we can all agree. Let’s focus on the main two: contact sports and nocontact sports. Many times people who play contact sports feel inferior to those who don’t because of well, the name. Although each type takes just as much work and dedication, many can assume athletes of contact sports sustain more injuries than athletes of non-contact sports. This, however, is not necessarily true. You would think a football player who is hit, bumped and tackled continuously would have overall perhaps a larger injury record, but many swimmers, runners, baseball players, and yes, golfers, would argue that that is not true. Many non-contact sport athletes are hurt from not stretching right or well enough, over working and things of the sort. Although most of these injuries can be prevented, just like any sport, unexpected things can happen. According to studies, about 88 percent of professional golfers suffer injuries each year. Now I am assuming that the injuries are sport-related. Many people argue that golf is not a sport because of the fact that it can be played while one is injured in a certain way. In the 2008 United States Open, famous golfer Tiger Woods played with a broken leg, if that tells you anything about the capability of playing while hurt. But golf is not the only sport that can be played with an injury. Broken, fractured, and bruised arms do not hold back soccer players from playing. I personally have never heard of anyone questioning whether soccer was a sport or not. Obviously, when it comes to sports such as basketball and field hockey that require all four limbs, playing with an injury is just about impossible. The fact of the matter is that golf relates to many other sports, whether one wants to admit it or not. “I say that golf is the same as any other sport,” Morrison said. “We practice like any other sports team would.Just because golf isn’t a sport that you have to run five miles for does not make it not a sport.” METEOR CHRONICLE JANUARY 2013 A Team’s Journey to States By Angela Russell Girls’ Tennis Vollies to Districts By Erica Reeves Elementary co-editor “With the nerves being all bottled inside of me waiting for the release of the gun. I just wanted to be going through the finish line with the crowd going crazy,” junior Allison Lewis said. The Montrose Girls Cross Country Team made their way through the mucky district course placing second as a team, and moving forward to race at the state course. The varsity team consisting of senior Emily Blachek, juniors Samantha Bennici and Allison Lewis, sophomores Angela Russell and Emma Washo, and lastly freshmen Taylor Warner were all heading to the state course. With having the Foundation Race as a little sneak peak of what was to come at the state race, the team was most certainly ready for what the course was going to give them. “The state race along with districts was a little different than previous years,” Bennici said. The girls were now racing in the single “A” race, meant for smaller schools, compared to previous years where the girls were PAGE 15 Elementary co-editor classified as a double “AA” school. The state race held on November 3, 2012 at Hershey, PA in one of the largest spectator events in the state with about 10,000 parents, runners, watchers, and many more people out for the event. With the girls performing their regular warm up to prepare for the race and a little pep talk given by the coaches, all that was left was the official to shoot the starting gun. The spectators got quiet and the coaches vanished into the crowd with only the feeling of eagerness and nervousness going through the runner’s bodies. As the runners stepped onto the line and saw all the other runners to the right and left of them, it looked like thousands. Five, four, three, two, one, the gun was shot and the runners were off; the quietness had suddenly turned to screaming fans, teammates and excited coaches. “The environment [was] quite nerve racking; I tried to stay as calm and relaxed as possible so I could run my best,” junior Courtney Harding said. “The conditions of the course have been the best that I have seen in the last three years,” Coach Dean Brewer said. As girls started coming through the finish line and the Montrose team was heading back to the tent, results were being thrown out to the coaches. “The girls were predicted to come in eighth place as a team, and they didn’t let the coaches down. Receiving eighth as a team and the top five runners in the top 110 was much of an accomplishment,” Coach Brewer said. Elk Lake received first place as a team and Kennedy Weisner received first place as an individual in the Single “A” race. “With the Montrose girls team recruiting some of their junior high team that is moving up to the varsity level, the girls team will be even stronger and even more ready to race at the state course,” Bennici said. For the junior high girls moving up to the varsity level next season a lot of advice was given by the runners. “Work as hard as a team as you can because going to states as a team is much of an accomplishment,” Lewis said. N. LEWIS/METEOR CHRONICLE .............................................................................................................................................. The Montrose boys’ basketball team played against the Tunkhannock Tigers on Dec. 14 winning the game in overtime. The team is playing this year under a new coach Sean Madden, who is a substitute teacher at MASD. The boys are working hard towards a successful season under the leadership of Coach Madden. It has been about seven years since the girls’ varsity tennis team has made it to team districts, but this year’s team broke that streak. The one through seventh seed participated in team districts where singles player senior Megan Hinds, juniors Jennifer Reed and Anna Ruseski competed, and the first doubles team of senior Ceara Hartman and freshman Victoria Hinds and the second doubles team of senior Lizzy Escobar, junior Erica Reeves, competed against Valley View for the first round of districts. This match was played at Birchwood, which is an indoor tennis area that had enough courts for all of the matches to begin at the same time. Every doubles team closely lost their first set and went back out with determination. The girls needed to win three of the five matches to advance into the next round of districts. The girls were not able to pull through with the win. Both Hinds and Reed were coming back in their matches, but had to stop because Valley View had gained the other three wins necessary to advance into the next round. “We had to fight our way into the tournament, so it was (See Tennis, page 16) ............................................................................................. Great Things Expected from Lady Meteors By Meghan Gilhool Sports co-editor “Offense wins games, but defense wins championship.” – Becky Novacek. These are the words that are pounded into the girls’ varsity basketball team every day at practice. After last year’s playoff season, both district and states, everyone has high expectations for this year’s team. “It was an amazing season. The best part was seeing the team work together and accomplishing great things,” varsity Coach Al Smith says about last season. “Last year’s season was a huge success for our program and an amazing experience that I’m happy to have been a part of. I think that last year’s play-off run has given our returning players the experience to do well this year,” junior Myra Lattimore says. The team lost four seniors last year two of which were in the starting line-up. Sophomore Morgan Groover says, “This year won’t be the same because we will miss the girls that graduated. We loved having them on the court and just as friends.” The team’s first official practice was November 16 and they are working hard. Coach Smith says this team is going to be different because they have a lot of experience. Lattimore says that there will probably be new offensive sets to adjust to the players the team has added this year. The pre-season for the Lady Meteors has also changed. They have a very difficult exhibition schedule consisting of Valley View, Wallenpaupack, Honesdale, Scranton Prep, Abington Heights, and North Pocono. The pre-season will help the team get ready for the league and playoffs. After the teams undefeated regular season last year, they have high goals for this year. “This season would be great to win league and to also take the District Title,” senior Sam Dixon says. Coach Smith wants to compete for the league title and also get the district title. Not only does the team have goals, but every player has their own individual goals whether it’s scoring a certain amount of points per game or trying to get a starting position. “I would like to start. I would also like to improve my personal play,” Groover says. “My goals this season is to have a memorable, non-regrettable season with a group of girls that I love to play basketball with,” Dixon says. The Lady Meteors are ready to begin another successful season and are not going to let their guard down and listen to what people have to say. They are going to improve with each practice and game! JANUARY 2013 PAGE 16 METEOR CHRONICLE Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity Soccer Fall Just Short By Meghan Gilhool Sports co-editor Playoffs have been key to sports programs at MASD. Over the years, sports teams have had tremendous success, and this past year’s soccer season for the girls’ and boys’ varsity team was no different. The team ended the regular season with a finally record of 7-3-1 and made it to the district semi-finals before their season ended. The boys finished with a 9-3 regular season record. The first round of playoffs the girls’ faced Dunmore who they faced earlier in the season and won 1-0. The team knew they needed to come out ready to play and they did just that posting a win over the Lady Bucks, 6-1. Varsity coach John Cherundolo’s comments about the game were all positive. “We probably played some of the finest soccer of the year that game. Our passing and overall team play was our best of the season.” Senior captain Sarah Lundy adds, “It was probably our best game of the season and it was the first time every position connected with each other.” After the win against Dunmore, the team worked hard at practice to face Lakeland a team they also played earlier in the season. This was one of their three losses, and they were looking forward to facing them again. The team traveled all the way to Western Wayne to face Lakeland on Nov. 1. Sophomore Hannah Dieck scored within the first two minutes of the game. The team let one ball by in the first half and it was tied 1-1 at half time. In the second half, Lakeland scored two and the Lady Meteors were defeated 3-1. “I thought we played well, but we had a lot we could’ve improved on and it just showed up that game,” sophomore goalie Anna Churco said. Senior captain Sammie Porier said, “We scored in the first two minutes, which was awesome, but then we just couldn’t seem to get back in that groove.” The boys’ varsity team had a different playoff schedule. They had to play in order to claim a spot in the playoffs; therefore, they had to play a series of games before they got to the district quarterfinals and semi-finals. Their first play off game was against Western Wayne at home. Western Wayne scored first and Montrose came back with two goals to win. They scored their second goal with 12 minutes left in the game. The Meteor defense kept the ball out of their end to post the win 2-1. “I was very proud of our boys! They never quit and fought back to win the game in the final 12 minutes. That tells you a lot about their character and desire to succeed. Without a doubt, the game was one of the most exciting games I have been a part of,” Coach Dan Cherney said. The team then traveled to Valley View for their next play in game. The boys played hard, but fell short losing 3-0. ................................................................................................. “Again we played outstanding and never gave up. If one or two things went our way, we would have won the game as well. But improvements we made as a team throughout the year were evident when we played against The Cheerleading Hero By Tatiana Sangadzhieva Staff Reporter After searching for weeks, the wrestling cheerleaders were getting nervous about the possibility of not having a team this year. Fortunately, Rebecca Rose stepped up and agreed to coach. Rebecca, who is a stay-at home mom, heard about the need of a coach and agreed. “[I agreed] in support of the wrestling team and all the young ladies that love to cheer and show school spirit,” Rebecca said. The cheerleaders are relieved and excited about the next season. “I’m really happy that we have wrestling cheerleading this year because it is my senior year and it’s the only thing I enjoy during the winter,” senior Mary Kate Robinson said. A lack of wrestling cheerleading would have been a great disappointment to seniors who have been with it for years. “It would have been disappointing because I have done wrestling cheerleading for three years and I was looking forward to this season,” senior Caitlyn Daly said. The girls were afraid that they wouldn’t be able to have a team this year after their former coach Kelly Robinson left. “She would love to come back, but she had many prior engagements to attend to,” Caitlyn Daly said. Rebecca, as she has never coached before, looks forward to being a coach. “I expect a safe and awesome cheer season, with lots of school pride,” Rebecca said. Though she doesn’t know yet what changes are going to happen this season, Rebecca hopes to bring a lot of positive energy and prior cheering experience to the cheer squad. The most important aspect of the squad is teamwork, trust and respect. “Trust and respect [are the most important.] The two easiest things in life for someone to lose and the hardest to get back,” Rebecca said. a high caliber team like Valley View,” Coach Cherney said. Lundy was sad to see the season end. She says the team was always fun to be around and it brightens up your day. Coach Cherundolo agrees and has nothing but positive things to say about the team. “In my 32 years of coaching soccer, I can honestly say this had to be the most fun I ever had with one of my teams. These were the nicest, hardest working group I’ve ever been associated with. The upper classmen leadership was unbelievable. The team camaraderie and the lasting friendships they made will be in their hearts and memories for a lifetime. I was sad to see this season come to an end,” Coach Cherundolo said. Although the season ended differently than what the players had expected; members of the team are already thinking about next year. Freshman Emma Griffiths is playing club soccer on the off-season. As for Churco, she is doing indoor soccer as well. She’s going to a Penn State camp in the summer, and has a private trainer she works with. Although the season has ended, everyone is looking forward to next season and waiting to see what it will bring for the Lady Meteors! The boys were sad to see their season end as well. It was hard for all of the boys to say good-bye to their seniors. “We were an unbelievable team, and that is how we played, as a team. The boys became a family and that was because of the leadership of our captains and seniors. I was very saddened that the season ended with a loss, but overall just sad that the season had to end. This is a special group of boys with a lot of talent, heart and a love for the game that is unrivaled,” Coach Cherney said. The boys will not being missing soccer as many of the members of the team are playing indoor soccer up at the Dome in Binghamton, New York. Freshman Todd Lattimore is playing on the team and has goals for next year. Lattimore wants to work on advancing his skills so he can go further in the next soccer season. Both teams are working hard to improve for next season by playing indoor soccer or playing another sport to stay in shape. Everyone was sad to see both the boys and girls season end, but everyone is excited to see what will happen for the girls and boys next season. .............................................................................................................................................. (Tennis continued from page 13) great to make it,” Coach Anne Hoopingarner said. “We had to play a tough team, but I thought everyone played very well.” Even though the girls didn’t continue further in districts, they still took advantage of their opportunity and made the most of it. “Team districts was amazing! It was the first time since any of us have been on the team that we got to go,” Reed said. “I only got to play one set of my match, but it was one of the best matches that I had played all season.” Team districts wasn’t the only opportunity that some members of the team got. Each school can enter two players into the singles tournament, and for MAHS they were Hinds and Reed. “I think that singles districts went really well. First round went great; I was on and off the court really quick with a nice win,” Hinds said. “Second round was great too. Even though I lost, I felt that it helped me improve so much because I played an excellent tennis player. Singles districts was a lot of fun and a great learning experience.” Two doubles teams also made it to doubles districts. The first team consisted of seniors Hinds and Hartman, while the other was juniors Reed and Ruseski. In the first round of doubles districts, Hinds and Hartman lost a three set match that was played against the seventh seed. Reed and Ruseski won their first match, but after advancing, lost their second match to the fourth seed. “I think that [doubles] districts went well,” Hartman said. “We tried our hardest and I don't regret a minute of playtime.” During practices and matches this team didn’t just play together, they grew closer to one another and, according to players, that really affected how they performed at a match, in a positive way, of course. “Playing alongside friends made me feel comfortable and confident,” Escobar said. “There are too many great memories to count.” “Playing right next to your friends is awesome,” Reed said. “They’ll cheer and encourage you right in the middle of yours and their match, which really keeps your confidence up.” The entire team felt that they had worked hard and accomplished as much as they could during their season. “It feels great to go as far as we did, both as an individual and as a team,” Ruseski said. “I am definitely looking forward to next year.” “I am amazed at how far we went this year,” Victoria Hinds said. “I am going to miss all of our seniors who are leaving and miss our team.” “It [the season] went very well,” Coach Hoopingarner said. “I inherited a talented group of girls.”