Hallams Help t Hallams Help to Rebuild Liv ebuild Liv ebuild Lives

Mete r Chronicle
Produced by the students of the Montrose Area Junior/Senior High School
Volume 21, Issue 5
Students
of the Month
Montrose Area School District
Hallams Help tto
oR
ebuild Liv
es
Rebuild
Lives
in Af
atrina
Afttermath of K
Katrina
By Elizabeth Davenport
Photography Editor
Khayla Shearer, Grade 12
Rotary Student of the Month
“[Khayla is] a class officer and is
characterized by her adviser as being a ‘dynamo.’ She doesn’t wait
to start a project—she dives right
in with efficiency and spirit. This
is the same way she tackles her
school work.”
Mrs. Mary Beth Ohmnacht
Guidance counselor
Kimberly Stetson, Grade 7
All-American Team
“[Kimberly] is very dependable.
She is always happy and smiling,
and her mood is contagious. She’s
always prepared, and she works
hard.”
English teacher Gretchen Bell
You awake to find yourself far
from home. As you look around, you
become aware of the small space
you inhabit. The trailer that is hardly
large enough to house you and your
family has become your home. It’s
all you have.
As you dress in donated clothing
and straighten your make-shift bed,
you realize how fortunate you are to
be alive. You open the door and step
out into a parking lot and get ready
to face yet another day of hardship.
Peering into the distance, you are
faced with the rubble, the
demolished buildings and the
realization that this is not just a nightmare—its life after Katrina.
Imagine such a routine day after
day. For the people of New Orleans
and neighboring towns, this image
is not far from reality. Less than
seven months after Hurricane Katrina
devastated the Gulf Coast, volunteer
workers have hardly made a dent in
the wreckage.
Former MAHS secretary Carol
Hallam and her husband Hal, a
substitute teacher, have seen this
wreckage for themselves and like
many others have donated their time
and skills in hopes of helping the
people of Kiln, Mississippi, regain the
part of the lives which they lost in
the devastation.
The Hallams are volunteers with
Samaritan’s Purse, an international
Christian relief and evangelism
organization. The Hallams first went
to Mississippi in November and then
returned in February.
“Our day begins at 6:30 a.m. with
breakfast in the church with all the
Co-editor in chief
Photo Provided
Kiln, Mississippi, is just one of the sites of staggering devastation that
Hurricane Katrina left behind. Volunteers like Carol and Hal Hallam
of Montrose work through organizations like Samaritan’s Purse to
offer assistance to victims, many of whom were left with nothing.
workers. Before heading out to
work, everyone prays. We are then
given complete work orders, and our
job is to follow up after the
Samaritan’s Purse team has finished
their work,” says Mrs. Hallam.
“[Workers] are mudding out and
gutting out houses that were flooded.
This means everything in the house
is moved out to the road, including
all furniture, rugs, appliances...everything. Drywall or
sheetrock and insulation are
removed. Floor tiles are removed.
Tarps are put on roofs that are
leaking, and workers remove fallen
trees and are constantly collecting
and moving debris.
“We are staying in a church
parking lot about 10 miles north of
the Mississippi Gulf coastal area,”
writes Mrs. Hallam in an e-mail.
“Here we see mostly wind and
tornado damage. But less than two
miles away moving toward the coast,
houses have been submerged by a
surge of water that was as high as
35 feet,” says Mrs. Hallam.
There is evidence of Katrina
everywhere to be seen, from the
flooding that remains to deserted
houses that are no longer suitable for
living.
“Houses have been swept off
their pads and off their piers or have
(See Hallams, Page 3)
..............................................................................................................................................
MySpace Dangerous, Addicting
Co-editor in Chief
Gladiator Team
“[Shelbie] is an excellent,
conscientious student with a
great personality.”
Math teacher Janeen Miller
Sammie Fowler, Grade 8
Patriot Team
“[Samantha] combines a great
attitude, hard work and a sense of
humor.”
History teacher Joe Festa
Graduation
Events
Revamped
By Matt Douglas
By Melinda Zosh
Shelbie Gorton, Grade 7
March 2006
“[I put] MySpace in the same children [just as my job as a teacher]
She goes home every day after
school, grabs a snack and checks category as drinking….There are so is to warn my students.”
the latest comments from her many dangers out there, and this is
MySpace was initially created by
schoolmates, looking to see if just one more danger,” said Mr. Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe
anyone has remarked about her Collins. “I’m constantly reminding in 2003. The original purpose of the
newest black and white photo of [my] students, ‘Why would you put site was solely musical (to introduce
yourself on something that’s bands) but has expanded to include
herself.
But before she can do so, a potentially dangerous?’”
comments from people the user
Mr. Collins first learned about accepts as “friends,” according to
bulletin catches her eye: “10
problems with Montrose.” MySpace after watching Dateline the Web site, photos (anything but
Immediately, she posts a rebuttal, NBC and the Nightly News last nude pictures), rankings (anyone can
which will go to all 212 people on January and learning about a girl from view/rank a photo from one to 10),
West Virginia who was murdered blogs (online journals) and many
her “friends” list.
other features.
Later that night, she
Concerns about MySpace
checks her mail again, this
time accepting four new people “I put MySpace in the same category arise from the fact that
as her “friends.” She doesn’t
as drinking.”
Mr. Ron Collins anyone can communicate
with a user unless he (or she)
think twice about whether she
sets his age to under 16 on
actually knows all four people.
“What’s the harm?” she thinks. after a predator learned her his profile. In addition, users may
misrepresent their ages without
“You can never have enough whereabouts via MySpace.
Mr. Collins said online predators discovery, and predators may easily
friends.”
The next day the routine need only one’s name or school to identify teens within 250 miles of the
continues. She can’t go a day stalk a child and even abduct him/ predators’ residences.
without checking her comments. her.
Technology coordinator Craig
After watching the tragic story Owens said the site is supposed to
It’s an addiction.
The above scenario does not of the young West Virginia girl, Mr. be blocked at all times during school
describe a girl postmarking a letter Collins became pro-active and because it has no “educational or
via a mailbox nor a student who can decided to search the site himself. personal enrichment value.”
visit a center for help with this type The results he found were shocking,
Several students said they have
he said.
of addiction.
accessed MySpace at school in spite
“There were young people of the supposed block.
According to history teacher
Ron Collins, who recently advised [especially girls] communicating
“MySpace is not considered an
his sophomores to delete themselves with [what appeared to be] people acceptable use of the Internet or
from Myspace.com, the site can be twice their age,” Mr. Collins said. technology resources owned...by
classified in the same category as “That’s the reason why I find it this school district and if accessed
other addictions, such as drugs or strange. I have two daughters, and would be considered a violation of
(See MySpace, Page 3)
my job as a parent is to protect my
drinking.
You’ve waited for this
moment for 13 years. You have
only to suffer through a threehour ceremony in the packed,
stifling auditorium, a ceremony
that is devoted mostly to awards,
not to your diploma, and you’ll
be free.
Concerned about the length
of previous graduation ceremonies, the school board recently
asked high school principal Jim
Tallarico to make some changes.
Mr. Tallarico and a committee of approximately ten
teachers, community members,
administrators and award
presenters came up with a plan
to make graduation “shorter, to
the point, [and] more about
graduation,” said Mr. Tallarico.
The graduation process has
been split into four parts.
• A new addition is Class
Night, which will be held Friday,
June 2, at 7 p.m. in the
auditorium. The night will be
exclusively about the graduating
seniors and will highlight the
students’ 13 years as a class.
Events for the evening are still
being planned by Mr. Tallarico
with input from the seniors, he
said. However, a slide-show and
awards that spotlight the seniors’
talents, academics, and athletics
will be included. The public is
welcome.
• The Academic Awards
Night will be held in the
auditorium on Saturday, June 3,
at 6 p.m. All scholarship and
award winners and their families,
along with presenters, will be
invited. A reception in the
cafeteria will follow the awards
ceremony. The reception will
allow the recipient to “get to
know the person that gave [the
senior] the award(s),” said Mr.
Tallarico. “Now students that
win scholarships get to meet and
appreciate the presenters.”
Other students and members of
the community are also
welcomed to attend the presentation.
• The traditional Baccalaureate service is open to the
community and will be held
Sunday, June 4, tentatively at 7
p.m. Local clergy will participate in the service.
• Commencement is tentatively set for Saturday, June 10,
(based on snow days) at 10 a.m.
in the football stadium (or in the
auditorium in the event of bad
weather). The ceremony will
include speeches from the
administration and school board,
the senior class president, the
valedictorian, and the salutatorian along with musical
selections from the senior class.
An insert in the commencement
program will list all scholarship
and award winners. Mr. Tallarico will also briefly recognize
each award winner during the
ceremony.
“One of the things for me as
I went through [the graduation]
(See Graduation, Page 4)
MARCH 2006
PAGE 2
METEOR CHRONICLE
News
Ex
tudents No
tice Man
Excchange S
Students
Notice
Manyy Cultural Dif
Diffferences
By Carly Hull
Staff Reporter
In the fall, three foreign
exchange students came to
MAHS, to experience life in a
different part of their world. They
definitely found differences.
Gabriela Herrera from Quito,
Ecuador; Maria Juliana Piedra
Cardenas from Cuenca, Ecuador;
and Siwa Oosuwan from Thailand
have experienced a lot of things in
America that are different than
what they are used to.
Siwa has found that in
American families, the children
help out with the chores more than
in Thai families.
“[At home] my family had a
maid [to do the work],” says Siwa.
Gabriela (also known as
Gabby) and Juliana said that
American families are different
because they don’t seem to have
as close of a relationship with each
other as in Ecuadorian families;
they spend little time together.
“The American families are
different because here the job
schedules are different, so the only
time to be together is in the night,”
says Gabby.
In Ecuador kids go home from
school for lunch, and families get
together and eat during the day.
“I think that American families
are really nice, but they differ from
Ecuadorian families in the way that
they live. In Ecuador we are more
close to each other,” says Juliana.
Thai people have a lot of the
same living habits as Americans
do. When they marry, like the
majority of people in America, they
move out of their families’ homes
and into their own houses. In
Ecuador, however, when family
members marry, many live in the
same house as one of the spouses’
parents. If they don’t live in the
same house, they usually live very
close to the other family members.
Educational methods and
schools in these countries also
vary from America.
“[In Thailand’s schools we
have] one-hour periods each day
and eight periods a day,” says
Siwa. “Homeroom is fifteen
minutes long.”
Juliana’s and Gabriela’s
schools have forty-five minute
classes like in America, but in
Juliana’s school the students stay
in the same room, and the teachers
move at the end of each class.
English is a mandatory class
in both Thailand and Ecuador.
Other subjects are similar to those
at MAHS.
School rules are basically the
same as in America, Juliana says.
She says that their punishments
depend on what they do.
Being from different cultures
has made it hard for the exchange
students to adapt to American
ways of life, they say. For
instance, the eating habits of
Americans are different than
those of Ecuadorian and Thai
people.
“Americans eat the same
things we do, but we prepare them
in different ways,” say Juliana and
Gabriela.
In Ecuador the food is prepared
with different varieties of spices,
say Juliana and Gabby.
S. Elbrecht/E. Davenport/Meteor Chronicle
“[We eat a lot of] rice and all
Seniors Siwa Oosuwan (left) from Thailand and Juliana Piedra (center) kinds of vegetables,” says Gabby.
and Gabriela Herrera (right) from Ecuador are exchange students through
Gabby and Juliana say the food
Rotary International, PEACE and AYA respectively.
they eat in Ecuador is less fatty
than in America. Obesity is not as
Life As We Know It...
prevalent in Ecuador as in
America, they say.
“We like to eat real food
[instead of] snacks and
sandwiches,” says Juliana. “We
like the food that [our] moms
prepare at home.”
“Thai food [is more] hot and
spicy [than American food],” says
Siwa. “[American food is not for
me. Common foods that we eat a
lot of in my country are] rice,
noodles, fish, pork and chicken.”
Gabby and Siwa also say that
Americans eat food in greater
quantities than they are used to,
another adaptation that they had
to get used to.
“I think that American people
eat [a lot of food],” says Siwa.
Other differences in culture
that the students have experienced
include religion, manners and
rules, and traditions.
“[…] we take religion more
serious,” says Juliana. “Religion
is one of the biggest topics.”
Gabby agrees that in her
country, religion is of a lot more
importance to the people than in
America.
There are also more kinds of
religions to experience in America
than in Ecuador, Gabby says. The
main religion in her country is
Roman Catholic, so that’s the only
religion she had experienced
before coming to America.
“Ninety-eight percent of the
people in [Ecuador] are Catholic,”
says Juliana.
“Here the religion is more open
in the way that you can know all
kinds of religion, and my
experience in the U.S.A. in religion
is good, to have had the
opportunity to know [different
kinds of religions],” says Gabby.
Gabby says she is glad to have
had the experience in America
because it has helped her to
appreciate her home more.
“[Now that I’m in America], I
really appreciate how valuable my
country is,” says Gabby.
Siwa says the American
experience has shown him how
much he loves his country.
“[If I were to choose between
living in America or Thailand], I
[would] choose my country
because I think that it is better for
me,” says Siwa.
Juliana, on the other hand, has
a different view. She says she
would choose America for its
opportunities.
“[I would choose to live in
America] because here I have
more chances to get a better
education,” says Juliana.
In Ecuador one can go to
school only if he/she can afford it.
If a person can’t, he/she stays
home and helps his/her family
work for money.
“I like how the [American]
government protects and makes
sure that [its people] have a good
education and can go to school
even if they are poor,” says
Juliana. “In Ecuador some families
are too poor to send their kids to
school.”
“[When I go back to Ecuador,
I will describe Americans] as good
people who received me with their
arms open, [and] polite people that
respected me and the place I came
from,” says Juliana. “I’m very
happy I picked America, and I’m
glad to be here.”
..........................................................................................................................
“Life As We Know It” is a year-long series devoted to informing teens and
the community about some of the issues teens face.
Cheating: Gat
eway tto
o Be
tt
er Grades or Bad Morals?
Gate
Bett
tter
By Autumn Carpenter
WHO CHEATS?
Lathrop Street Editor
In the four minutes between
classes, a crime is occurring.
Chris has a chemistry lab due
in two periods. He spots his
friend Joe at his locker. Chris
approaches Joe.
“Hey, Joe, can I borrow your
chem lab? I have a study hall
this period.”
“Sure. Just get it back to me
before class.”
The hand-off occurs.
Webster defines cheating as
the practice of “fraud or
deception.” The MASD
Academic Integrity Guidelines
calls it “the deliberate use of
unauthorized …materials.…”
Jolene, a junior, defines
cheating as anything from
copying another’s homework to
obtaining information on a test
prior to taking it.
“My definition of cheating is
using someone else to gain
information,” says the junior.
Senior Frank, who admits to
cheating on tests, quizzes,
essays, current events, and
homework, says cheating is
copying a peer’s work with the
intent of passing the work off
as his/her own.
English teacher Eileen
Baessler says the definition of
cheating is not as cut and dry
as one might think.
Mrs. Baessler poses the
question, “Is ‘helping’ cheating?” For example, if a student
shows a peer how to do a math
problem from the homework,
are the students cheating
because the one gave the
answer to the other, or are their
intentions pure, and therefore
they are not committing the act
of cheating?
According toplagiarism.org,
the number of students who
allowed someone else to copy
their work in 1969 was 58.3
percent. By 1989 the number
had jumped to 97.5 percent.
Both Jolene and senior Anna
agree that they learned their
definitions of cheating as they
grew.
Jolene says she asks
classmates who have taken a
test earlier in the day what
material is covered on the exam.
According to Jolene, history,
her worst subject, is what she
asks about the most. However,
she says, she has never cheated
during the test.
“When I was younger, I
didn’t think [asking other
students about a test] was
cheating,” recalls Jolene.
Anna says she has copied
homework on more than one
occasion. However, Anna says
she understands that by
copying, she loses the knowledge gained by completing the
homework herself.
According to “Exclusive
Poll: Cheaters Win,” an article
published by U.S. News in 1999,
a survey conducted by Who’s
Who Among American High
School Students found that 80
percent of high achieving highschoolers admit to having
cheated at least once. Another
study done by ethics.asusd.edu
shows that 74 percent of 4,500
students “reported one or more
instances of serious test
cheating.”
According to the Academic
Integrity Guidelines, consequences of cheating include a
zero on the assignment, parental
notification, detention, an
“unsatisfactory” citizenship
grade or even suspension.
Assistant principal Russ
Canevari says cheating is
brought to his attention “at least
once every two weeks.”
“I deal with [cheating] how
it is stated in our handbook,”
says Mr. Canevari.
So if the consequences of
cheating can be grave, why do
students do it?
‘“I really don’t care [about
the consequences],” says Julian,
a senior.
According to the Web site
ethics.ascsd.edu, 32 percent of
students say they are just too
lazy to study, 29 percent say
they want the good grade, and
12 percent say pressures to
succeed push them to cheat.
Julian says teachers don’t
understand that a lot of students
have jobs or other obligations to
tend to besides school work.
Jolene says she asks about a
test as a way to calm her nerves.
Anna says forgetfulness is
what pushes her pencil as she
copies someone else’s work.
The girls say they are not
worried that cheating may
become a habit for them even
after high school.
“I don’t think my cheating
habits are going to escalate at
all,” says Jolene, “but there is
always the chance I might ask
someone what the test consists
of.”
Anna says her cheating
won’t become habitual because
she actually likes to do her best.
“[If you try and fail
honestly], at least you still have
your morals,” says Jolene.
Editors’ Note: Names have been changed to protect identities.
U.S. News polled a randomly-selected group of
1,000 adults, including 200
college students. Answers
labeled “general public”
represent the 800 respondents not currently in college.
Percentage of general
public who believe these
people cheat:
Politicians
89%
Lawyers
78%
Journalists; media
76%
Fortune 500 co. execs 73%
High school students
72%
Government employees 72%
Large co. employees 69%
Rich people
69%
Student athletes
68%
College students
64%
Business owners
60%
Husbands
58%
Accountants
55%
IRS agents
55%
Poor people
45%
Wives
45%
Doctors
40%
Parents of youth
31%
Computer programmers 28%
Teachers
25%
Senior citizens
15%
*Information taken
from www.usnews.com*
PAGE 3
Rela
or Lif
e
elayy ffor
Life
Making a Dif
Diffference
By Alek Anderson
Staff Reporter
“My aunt died from cancer,” said
freshman Kaylinn Heron. “[Her
sister’s] death really impacted my
mother, so she joined the Relay for
Life organization several years ago.”
To support her mother and help
people with cancer, Kaylinn joined her
mother’s team in the Relay for Life
program in 2000.
Relay for Life is a national
organization that raises funds for
cancer research, patient support
programs and education, according
to Kaylinn. It is a team event with 10
or more people per team, who hold
fundraisers to earn money over a
period of time. After the fundraising is
completed, all the teams in the
community join together in one big
event to celebrate the money raised
and honor those with cancer.
After five years as a member of
her mother’s team, Kaylinn decided
last fall to form her own team. She met
with Principal JimTallarico for approval
to start a Relay for Life team at MAHS.
“Kaylinn came up and asked me
one day if I’d like to join her team,”
said freshman Rick Buckley, cocaptain of Kaylinn’s team called the
Ricardo’s.
The mother of one of Rick’s friends
has cancer, so he was eager to join, he
said.
“I like the Relay for Life because I
can help people who are victims of
cancer,” said Rick.
Freshman Chelsea Hall said she
joined Kaylinn’s team because she
has worked with community organizations before, such as Read Across
America, and she thought Relay for
Life would be a good opportunity to
get involved.
“I want to learn through the
program what people with cancer go
through,” said Chelsea.
Kaylinn’s team of 22 freshmen
meets once a week to plan events of
interest to the community. The team
hopes to raise $1,000 or more.
Currently they are selling ring pops
and raffle tickets, and they are
planning a car wash. The prizes for
the raffle include gift cards to the
Oakdale Mall. First place wins a $500
gift card; second place, a $200 gift
card and third place, a $50 gift card.
The Relay for Life main event will
be held June 16-17 at McAruthur
Elementary School in Binghamton. It
will include opening and closing
ceremonies, the Survivor’s Walk and
a candlelight ceremony, which
remembers those who have been lost
to cancer. The event is for all ages
and is open to anyone in the community who would like to form a team.
Montrose will hold a Relay for
Life main event July 21-22 at MAHS.
The format will include the same
activities as the event in Binghamton.
There will be entertainment, camping
facilities and games. The program is
open to all ages and anyone in the
community who would like to form a
team.
“Other kids should get involved,” said Kaylinn. “It helps you
build organization skills [and]
communication skills and teaches
you how to work as a team.”
............................................................................................
(MySpace continued from Page 1)
the Acceptable Use of Technology
Policy,” said Mr. Owens.
Junior Samantha LaMont said the
creativity of MySpace immediately
drew her in.
“I heard about MySpace on the
radio, [and] I thought it was
something different fromAOL Instant
Messenger to show personality,” she
said. “There’s so many people [on
the site that] you can see their profiles
and see how creative they
are….That’s why [it’s so easy to be
on the site] for an hour or two a night.”
Other students, like juniors
Angie West andAndrew Bookin, said
they don’t have time to have a
MySpace account, nor does it bother
them that most of their friends have
accounts.
“[I have a] MySpace account,
but the last time I was on was
September,” said Angie. “I don’t live
for the Net. I work a lot and stay after
school….I have access to the
Internet, but I don’t really use it....I
prefer talking to people face to face.”
Andrew said he doesn’t need a
Web site to express himself.
“I don’t need a Web site for
people to know about me,” said
Andrew. “[I understand why kids
have one] because they get
satisfaction from it….It’s nice to make
something your own.”
After the discussion with his
sophomores, Mr. Collins urged his
students to tell their parents about
MySpace. Some students said they
didn’t want their parents to find out
about their accounts, while others
were surprised that they “hadn’t
thought about the dangers,” which
led still other students to ask how to
delete their accounts.
“We care about students’ safety,
and we don’t want to see them hurt,”
said Mr.. Collins. “Everyone thinks
‘it’s not going to happen to me, but it
could happen to anyone.”
Mr. Owens believes technology
is important, but communication
between students and parents is just
as important.
“The problem is that children
today have much more capability to
METEOR CHRONICLE
MARCH 2006
use technology than their teachers or
their parents,” said Mr. Owens.
“Therefore, while the utilization of a
site like MySpace can be perfectly
appropriate...and create a creative
outlet,...it has the capability to become
a negative influence on young
people...like providing too much
information about themselves.”
Angie said MySpace has the
potential to be dangerous only on one
condition.
“[Putting personal information on
MySpace] is no different than going
into a chat room and giving out your
credit card number,” she said. “Putting
out personal information is someone’s
own stupidity.”
Posting of online information may
have serious repercussions.
According to recent articles from
eSchool News and the Student Press
Law Center, students in both
Nebraska and Colorado were
suspended for talking openly on
MySpace.com about alcohol and
other topics related to their high
school.
What students post online now
could significantly affect their futures,
said the eSchool News article. Science
teacher Patty Smith agreed.
“Colleges [look at] perspective
students online…[and the same is
true] for prospective employees, “You
have to be careful.” said Mrs. Smith
Recently Mrs. Smith attended a
conference at Dallas (Pa.) Middle
School about the dangers of the
Internet. After this meeting Mrs. Smith
and Mr. Owens decided to host a
similar meeting at MAHS April 3.
“Too many parents are unaware
of MySpace….[The] risks are out
there,” said Mrs. Smith. “Children
[especially] sixth, seventh, and eighth
graders are too naïve….Parents think
their kids are safe, [but] they’re not.”
There are safer ways to
communicate with one’s friends, said
Mr. Collins.
“[There are] more secure ways to
keep in touch such as e-mail, instant
messengers, [and] phones,” he said.
“Why make it easier [for predators] to
find you?
News
County Librar
o Ge
w Home
Libraryy tto
Gett Ne
New
By Eleni S. P
onstas
P.. K
Konstas
Staff Reporter
When a patron steps into the
Susquehanna County Library, he sees
large rooms with space to easily walk
in and find what he wants. Some may
wonder then why the library needs
more room, said administrator/librarian
Susan Stone.
“We are filled to capacity,” said
Mrs. Stone. “For every book that is
new, another one comes down [to
Outreach].”
Much of the activity that keeps
the library running occurs in the
Outreach Department located in the
basement of the library. This space also
serves as a storage area for books that
have no place on the main floor,
Blueberry Festival supplies, Summer
Reading Program materials, and
outdated magazines and files.
The Technical Services staff works
at processing all new books for the
library, sharing the same space as the
librarians who are working on sending
books to teachers and library patrons
through the Books-by-Mail program.
“We find storage in every
conceivable area of the building,” said
Mrs. Stone.
Books that are being collected from
the community for the book tent at the
annual Blueberry Festival in August
have to be stored in a building at
Montrose Motors. There is simply no
more room at the library.
The library is currently housed in
a building built in 1907; since then there
have been only two additions: the
children’s room and the elevator lobby.
“The state library recommends you
have one square foot [of library space]
per service population,” said Mrs.
Stone. The three libraries under the
jurisdiction of the county library cover
10,000 square feet in comparison to the
42,000 people in the county.
After four years of searching for a
location for a new library, this past
January the Susquehanna County
Historical Society and Free Library
Association received from the
Montrose Area School Board a
transference of 3.3 acres of land
adjacent to the softball field across from
Patrick Bayer/Meteor Chronicle
The Susquehanna County Free Library will find a new home on High
School Road when construction of a new facility is completed within
five years.
the high school. The new building to
be constructed on the site will increase
the total square footage of the
county’s libraries to 20,000 square feet,
according to Mrs. Stone.
In addition there will be a large
parking area; only three library parking
places are available presently.
Meeting rooms, a young adult
room including a lounge and
computers and more space centered
on children’s resources and activities
will comprise the new library.
One of the initial concerns to the
library staff concerning the location
of the new library outside of the town
limits was whether the new location
would be inaccessible to people who
walk to the library. However, the
librarians found that the distance will
not be a problem.
“[The library staff] did a survey
and said, ‘How did you get to the
library today: drive, walk, etc.?’ and
eight out of ten said they drove,” Mrs.
Stone said.
One of the other advantages of
the library’s occupying a separate
building in the area will be that the
Susquehanna Historical Society,
which shares the current facility with
the library, will be able to use the entire
present building.
“Right now the museum is a hidden
gem,” says Hilary Caws-Elwitt, public
services librarian/systems librarian. The
current library is home to both the
Susquehanna County Historical
society and its Genealogy Research
Center.
The process will take several more
years to complete, said Mrs. Stone. At
press time there are several
architectural plans drawn up that are
“wonderful,” according to Mrs. Stone.
The costs are estimated to be around
$4 million dollars. The drawing process
will take several more months to
complete, and at that time the cost will
be more precise.
Funding will come primarily from
private benefactors and also the
community. The library is also looking
into foundations and grants, according
to Mrs. Stone. Though the cost of
building has gone through the roof
since [Hurricane] Katrina, said Mrs.
Stone, the architect has told the library
board that now is the time when
building will cost the least.
The deadline given to the library
by the MAHS Board to break ground
is five years from the date of the deed
transfer at which time if there is no
construction the land will be
transferred back to the school district.
..............................................................................................................................................
(Hallams continue from Page 1)
been moved across roads and railroad
tracks,” says Mrs. Hallam. “Some
buildings are mere skeletons of steel
girders.
“People are staying in FEMA
trailers [and] tents or have gone to live
with relatives or friends,” says Mrs.
Hallam. “People still have mortgages
to pay on their homes, but their homes
are gone. The insurance companies are
fighting with each other over whether
the losses were due to flood damage
or wind damage, and the people are
caught in the middle. The insurance
companies are often paying pennies
on the dollar. Many people are
overwhelmed and depressed.”
The Hallams work with other
volunteers, offering victims a shoulder
to cry on and an ear to fill.
“The goal of Samaritan’s Purse is
to help people spiritually and
physically,” says Mrs. Hallam. “As
chaplains with the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association, we work
with the Samaritan’s Purse volunteers,
following up the persons in the homes
they have cleaned out. We receive
calls to visit people in their homes and
even in the hospital.”
The Hallams say they have faced
many dangers along their way and are
constantly at risk of taking ill or being
bitten by poisonous snakes.
“We have been told that there is
a lot of contamination in the ground
and in the air from the deadly black
mold and from the flood waters,” says
Mrs. Hallam. “The oil, chemicals and
sewage in the flood water have now
dried into the ground. Many people
have become sick with what the local
people call ‘the Katrina crud.’ We
ourselves have gone and also taken
several people to the hospital
emergency room or a local clinic
nearby for treatment of respiratory
problems. Workers are warned that
Photo Provided
Most houses in Kiln, Mississippi, are uninhabitable and will be bulldozed and removed. A little farther inland, houses stand empty; windows and doors are missing, and houses’ contents cover the sidewalks
in piles from eight to 10 feet high.
there are water moccasins and other
poisonous snakes and deadly spiders,
including the brown recluse. But the
most common hazard is the toxic black
mold. Workers wear special suits and
respirators.”
Despite the efforts of volunteers
like the Hallams, it will be years before
the damage of Hurricane Katrina is
reversed.
“The scene across a 600-squaremile area cannot be described in words
or pictures,” says Mrs. Hallam. “You
must see it to believe it. Huge live oak
trees were uprooted. Steel poles were
snapped in half. Casino barges were
tossed onto land and had to be
dynamited. We are working in the lower
three counties of Mississippi, but the
devastation in neighboring New
Orleans was three times as bad because
of the density of population and close
proximity of homes.
There the levees broke, and the
homes in entire communities were
wiped out. The levees are being
repaired, and the target date for
completion of that work is June 1. In
just one county there is an estimated
200 million cubic tons of debris. Large
trucks are picking up debris 12 hours a
day, seven days a week, and taking it
to landfills, but there are still tons of
debris everywhere.”
Victims look forward to visits from
groups such as Samaritan’s Purse and
respond with overwhelming
appreciation and thanks, according to
Mrs. Hallam.
“The people are very appreciative
of the work of faith-based organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse,”
Mrs. Hallam says. “In fast food lines,
gas stations, if people see any
identification, they say ‘thank y’all for
coming down and for all y’all have
done. We couldn’t have made it without
your help.’”
News
From Indian R
eser
o Montr
ose
Reser
eservvation tto
Montrose
Sophomore Finds Period of Adjustment
By Katheryn Rypkema
Staff Reporter
Often when one thinks of
Alaska, he thinks of a dark, cold
place with Eskimos and igloos.
“Alaska is actually a rainforest
[in the Southeast],” says sophomore
Phil Black.
Phil called the Metlakatla Indian
Reservation home for five
“wonderful” years, he says.
Originally from California, Phil
and his mother moved to Alaska for
his mother’s career.
“My mother is a clinical social
worker for the Annette Island
Service Unit (a drug and alcohol
treatment center),” says Phil.
“Where I lived [we] didn’t have
six months of darkness and six
months of light, and we definitely
didn’t have igloos,” says Phil.
Metlakatla is the only federal
Indian reservation in Alaska. The
village sits on the western coast of
Annette Island at the far south end
of the southeastAlaskan island chain,
about 20 miles north of the borders
of the United States and Canada,
according to History of the
Metlakatla Indian Community–
2004 prepared by Ellen Ryan.
“Although the majority of natives
are Tsimshian [Indians], I do have
Yupik (Eskimo) friends,” says Phil.
“[Metlakalta] is really muggy, but
it’s the most beautiful place I have
ever seen,” says Phil. Metlakalta is
the only permanently inhabited area
of the 86,741-acre island. The island
is a thickly forested mountain top
accessible by water and air, Ms. Ryan
says.
Phil says his high school on the
reservation looked much like MAHS
but smaller—only approximately 120
students. The population on the
reservation numbers about 1,500
people.
“[Metlakatla
High School]
doesn’t differ
much from
M A H S ,
excluding the
fact that there
isn’t
any
extracurricular
activity
besides
basketball,
[and there is]
no homeroom,” says
Phil. School
starts at 9:05
a.m. and ends
Elizabeth Davenport/Meteor Chronicle
at 3 p.m.
Sophomore
Phil
Black
talks with Ecuadorian exchange
P h i l
student
Juliana
Piedra
in the auditorium during Formoved
to
South Mon- eign Language Week March 8.
trose in June
Dealing with prejudice has been
2005.
“I wanted to go to school here,” a challenge since moving to
says Phil. “The education is better, Montrose, Phil says. Although he
and there are more opportunities. I has many friends, Phil says he has
had a hard time adjusting to some
also have family here.”
“[My first reaction to Montrose people, or they are having a hard
was], ‘Wow!’ I saw people driving time adjusting to him.
“Prejudice has taken a toll on
tractors on the road,” says Phil.
Annette Island has only a few me,” says Phil. “I thought that being
primitive roads and trails crossing the on an Indian reservation would be
the hardest place to live. I thought
interior of the island.
While most of the foods Phil ate people wouldn’t like me because I’m
in Metlakalta were no different than white.…No, that’s not the case. I
what he eats here, he did try a few have lots of friends up there. [Here]
some people go out of their way to
more unusual foods.
“[When I was in Alaska], I tried ignore me—it’s obvious. It’s really
weird foods like Muktuk (whale immature because I’m a very
blubber) and Eskimo ice cream, judgemental person, but I keep my
which is like Crisco,” says Phil. “It comments to myself. Most of the
is made from seal fat and fish people who get to know me get
grease. Although it sounds gross, it along with me.”
Phil says he is unsure of whether
wasn’t too bad with berries and
sugar. The weirdest thing I’ve ever he will move back to Alaska or
California at the end of the year.
eaten is Athabascan fish head.”
...............................................................................................................................................
PSSA Preparation in Place
By Sarah Leonard
News and Features Editor
Sitting in neat rows stretching
to the back of the room, MAHS
juniors and eighth graders hunch
over their desks, pencils poised.
They read the question:
“At a candy store, there are 200
pieces of bubble gum in a bubble
gum machine. Forty pieces are blue,
35 are red, 30 are green, 50 are yellow,
and 45 pieces are white. The machine
randomly distributes each piece of
bubble gum that is purchased. If one
piece of bubble gum is purchased,
what is the probability it will be blue?
Explain how you know your answer
is correct.”
This sample Pennsylvania
System of School Assessment
(PSSA) test question illustrates one
of the weaknesses of last year’s testtaking students: open-ended math
problems. Questions like these
helped to place the high school on
the state’s warning list for last school
year because it did not meet
Adequate Yearly Progress
standards in math.
“If a school does poorly—does
not meet the AYP (Adequate Yearly
Progress) guidelines consistently
for a number of years—the state
could eventually take over the
school,” said math department chair
Janeen Miller.
Superintendent Mike Ognosky
and principal Jim Tallarico plan to
avoid that.
“The high school, through the
work of the high school
administration working with the
math and English departments, has
put together a number of changes
in procedure and preparations for
METEOR CHRONICLE
MARCH 2006
PAGE 4
this year’s PSSAs,” said Mr.
Ognosky.
“All the English and math
teachers have put aside time in their
classes to talk about the tests,” said
Mr. Tallarico.
The math department prepares
both seventh and eighth graders for
the test. Mrs. Miller, who teaches
seventh grade, assigns one openended question to her students per
week and grades their answers
according to PSSA guidelines.
“I have looked over the material
on the PSSAs, and I’m trying to make
sure that I go over what is on the
test,” said Mrs. Miller. “The more
[the students] write, the more
comfortable they will be on the
PSSAs.”
Trigonometry and Algebra II
teacher Andy Weller has made
PSSA preparation a regular feature
of his class.
“[Trigonometry students] have
a workbook,” said Mr. Weller. “They
are assigned two pages per week. If
they do it, they receive extra credit.
In Algebra II, we are working in the
book exclusively for the next
month.”
Although he is committing
significant class time to the PSSAs,
Mr. Weller does not feel that he is
“teaching the test.”
“I am reviewing concepts that
are on the test, but they are also on
the SAT, so I feel that it is beneficial
to them,” said Mr. Weller.
Another way the administration has
prepped students for the test is
through a math workshop. Juniors
met with members of the math
department Feb. 24 to work on openended questions.
“The kids tried some sample
tests so when they take the
[PSSAs], they will have a better
understanding of what needs to be
done,” said Mr. Tallarico.
“I think [the workshop] will
probably help because it refreshed
my memory,” said junior Mitchell
Robinson.
For the future, the math
department has proposed that the
school district establish a required
class for all juniors that would focus
on the PSSAs, said Mr. Weller. The
proposal has not yet been
submitted to the school board.
“We feel it’s important because
there are a lot of concepts the
students haven’t seen in a long
time,” said Mr. Weller. “It would just
be a refresher [course].”
The separate class would allow
the teachers to focus on their
standard curriculum, said Mrs.
Miller. Because the class would be
mandatory, the total number of math
credits required for graduation
would be increased from the current
three to four.
Thus far, the district has no
plans to hold students accountable
for their test scores, such as taking
away driving passes for poor
scoring.
“We’re just trying to focus on
getting kids to be responsible and
serious about the test,” said Mr.
Tallarico. “We’ve got a good group
of kids that understand that things
have changed, and that we are trying
to succeed.”
(Graduation continued from Page 1)
“was now on graduation day,
every one of my seniors feels
equal, everyone gets [his/her]
diploma.
“[Graduation] is not about
how many awards or
scholarships you get,…or if
you’re number one in the class
or 150. [It’s about every
senior] accomplishing the
ultimate goal—[a diploma].”
“I like the changes,” said
senior Meghan Hewes. “I think
it’s a good, positive change for
the school. Graduation will be
nice. Each student will be
recognized. It won’t be the
same students getting the
awards, and everyone at one
point in [his/her] high school
career will be equal.”
Senior Amanda Lass agrees.
“[The changes] keep
graduation shorter,” said
Amanda. “I do believe that
graduation should be about
equality—about all seniors, not
just for one to shine.”
Not all seniors, however, are
happy with the graduation
changes.
“[Mr. Tallarico] changed too
much,” said senior Steve
O’Malley. “I don’t like how
graduation is at 10 in the
morning and how there [are] so
many nights we have to go to.”
“I think in one aspect,” said
senior James Welch, “[the
changes] are a good idea
because it gets people to relax
in between [events]. A way it’s
not good is, what if on some of
those nights, people can’t make
it?”
“Not everyone has been
supportive,” Mr. Tallarico said
about the changes, which were
approved by the school board in
January. “That’s because, in my
opinion, change is difficult for a
lot of people. But if it’s good
change, it makes [MAHS] a
better place, and there’s no
question that this is a good
change.”
.........................................................................................
Senior Second in State
By Caroline Jones
Choconut Valley Editor
“The girly girl type is not me,”
said senior Amber Lattner, so the idea
of entering a fair queen contest was
the last thing on her mind. Besides,
life was hectic at the time.
“I had been really busy that
summer with soccer and hadn’t had
time to think about the fair much,”
said Amber. “When I did [think], I
thought it’d be fun to give it a shot.”
So Amber submitted her Harford
Fair queen essay at the last possible
date it would be accepted. “What my
Fair Means to Me” was judged on
content, structure and grammar,
Amber said.
From the time she was eight years
old, Amber has attended the Harford
Fair and shown her sheep. For the
past four years, she has shown her
market hogs as well.
“I started with one market lamb
and one ewe,” said Amber. “Now I
focus mainly on the market aspect of
livestock.” Among other awards she
has won, Amber was National Junior
Showmanship Champion in Louisville, Ky., several years ago.
The Monday morning of Harford
Fair week (Aug. 21-27), three judges
interviewed Amber.
Monday afternoon found her
dressed in business attire, giving a
five-minute speech about why people
should attend the fair. The judges
critiqued Amber’s stage presence,
content, and delivery.
Monday evening, contestants
delivered a second speech in formal
attire. Each girl was asked an impromptu question following the
evening speeches.
“My relationship with Jesus
Christ and the foundation it has
provided for me,” said Amber in
response to a question about the most
important value her parents have
instilled in her. She was evaluated on
her personality and her communication skills.
After these questions, the judges
conferred and announced the
decision.
“I wasn’t nervous at all through
the entire [contest],” said Amber.
Finally, the names of the queen and
runner-up were announced.
“[People] took lots of pictures, and
[I] started being queen!” Amber said.
A prize of $500 was awarded to
Amber, which she put in the bank for
college, she said.
Throughout the week of the fair,
Amber visited every vendor on the
fairgrounds, drove a tractor in the
tractor pull and “went to nearly every
event during the week,” she said.
While she walked around, people
would question Amber about the
crown and who she was.
“I’d introduce myself, and we’d
talk about things I had to do to be
queen…,” said Amber.
The fair’s end did not conclude
Amber’s queenly duties.
“…I met with Senator [Rick]
Santorum at Glenwood Stone and
spoke at the annual Farm City Feast at
Mountain View High School Nov. 19,”
said Amber. “I also attended some fair
board meetings and the State Fair
Convention in January.
At the state queen competition in
Hershey Jan. 19-21, Amber competed
against 54 contestants from counties
across the commonwealth. She was
named runner-up.
During her competitions, Amber
met a lot of people, she said.
“[Running for queen] gave me the
opportunity to talk,” she said. “[It was]
a fun role.”
Photo Provided
2005 Harford Fair Queen Amber Lattner, a senior, poses Aug. 24 with
(from left) Brett Hepler, 8, Adam Roe, 5, and Abigail Roe, 7, who
visited the hogs Amber showed at the fair.
PAGE 5
MARCH 2006
METEOR CHRONICLE
Students Learn Hist
or
ough R
oo
ts
Histor
oryy Thr
Through
Roo
oots
By Gena Rapisardi
Staff Reporter
Fifth grade “immigrants” from
Choconut Valley Elementary School
embarked on a journey to America
Feb. 3. Some were dressed as Polish
dancers and others as immigrants in
rugged clothes, but they all shared
the same goal: to make it to Ellis
Island alive.
The immigrants carried with
them family recipes such as pierogies
(whipped potatoes in folded pasta
shells), pigs in a blanket (stuffed
immigrants came to America.
She talked of the potato famine
in Ireland, war, and advertisements
people had heard about what
America was like. One of these ads
told children that they could look
up, and candy would fall from the
sky into their waiting open mouths.
Others told of people being able to
shovel gold off the streets in
America.
When they finally reached Ellis
Island in New
York City, the
“immigrants”
disembarked
from the boat
they had once
called home.
They
were
pushed and
shoved but
finally found
their way to
“the doctor,” a
volunteer
dressed in a
white shirt.
With the help of
an inspector
dressed in a
blue shirt, the
passengers
were inspected
for illnesses.
Photo Provided
Once they had
Fifth graders (from left) Casey Thorne, Courtney Kimmell, Megan Hinds, Amber Villanella p a s s e d
and Whitney Cranmer sport costumes similar to the dresses that would have been worn by inspection, the
immigrants who came to America between 1870 and 1924. The costumes were worn for the i m m i g r a n t s
drank apple
celebration of Immigrant Day in Mrs. Carol Palmisano’s history classes Feb. 3.
cabbage rolls), and chips and salsa
for their perilous voyage to a new
home. Some also carried family
treasures such as pictures of Ireland
from a past vacation, an old pocket
watch, and an old passport from the
1800s.
Their leader, English and social
studies teacher Carol Palmisano,
told the travelers stories about past
immigrations between 1870 and
1924 when most of the European
cider and ate ginger snap cookies.
These weren’t real immigrants,
of course; they are students in Mrs.
Palmisano’s history classes. And it
wasn’t a real ship taking them to Ellis
Island either; the “ship” was made
of students’ desks arranged in the
shape of a boat, and they were
headed toward finishing their unit
on immigration to America.
Mrs. Palmisano’s students
dressed as immigrants, brought in
food, and told about their heritages
as part of a homework grade. But
why go through all this trouble?
“I wanted to make this
experience more personal for each
student,” said Mrs. Palmisano. “It
lets them know they have a
connection to history.”
Students said they enjoyed their
“journey.”
“It was fun because we got to
learn about different countries and
their customs,” said Taylor Teed.
“We got to learn how different
people got to the United States and
the difficulties they faced,” said
Makayla Dearborn.
Coleman Hansen learned that he
had ancestors from Sweden. He
shared a story written by one of his
family members about going west
during the pioneer days. Samantha
Poirier learned that she still has
family members living in Canada.
“We are a nation of
immigrants,” said Mrs. Palmisano.
“I think it’s important to learn about
our roots.”
Little
V
oices
Voices
March weather is
often described as
“coming in like a lion
and out like a lamb.”
What does that
mean to you?
“When it comes in like a
lion, it’s all rainy and
snowy. When it goes out
like a lamb, it’s all sunny.”
Megan Monteforte
Kindergarten
Lathrop Street
...............................................................................................................................................................................................
Practice Minimizes Test Tension
By Emily Adams
Staff reporter
Decorated doorways, a pep
rally, and breakfast are not
things normally associated with
test taking. However, at
Lathrop Street Elementary
School students are participating
in these things and more in order
to relieve stress and help them
approach upcoming state tests
more calmly, according to
Lathrop Street teacher
Gretchen Warner.
According to Choconut
Valley Principal Chris
McComb, Choconut also has
programs after school to help
the students prepare for the
upcoming test.
Sometime between March
20 and March 31, third through
sixth grade students in the
district will take the
Pennsylvania System of State
Assessments test (PSSA).
According to Lathrop Street
Principal Greg Adams, each
school may decide which days
between the twentieth and the
thirty-first it wants to administer
the test. The test is taken as part
of a state system to ensure that
students in Pennsylvania are
keeping up on student
curriculum and education.
The third and fifth grade test
scores will become part of the
school district’s determination
of Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP). This is the state’s
evaluation for making sure
schools maintain certain
standards of achievement
among their students. If scores
fall below certain levels, those
schools are put on a warning list,
because they teach strategies students, “Give us everything
says Mr. Adams.
The fourth and sixth grade on how to relax, says Mrs. you have. Be proud to be a
scores are not counted by the Warner.
Lathrop Street kid.”
“[We tell the students] ‘if
state this year but are helpful
The students take the PSSA
for the teachers and you get stuck, close your eyes, in their homerooms. On the day
administrators, according to Mr. take a deep breath,’” she says. of the test they are served a
According to fifth grader breakfast of bagels and fruit
Adams.
“Just because the state Emily Swingle, in her PSSA with milk or juice provided by
doesn’t count [fourth and sixth class the students are told to food service director Betsy
grade scores] in AYP doesn’t stretch and take deep breaths. O’Malley.
mean we can’t look at them to They discuss the answers to
According to Mr. McComb,
see where the students are sample questions as a group. Choconut students are also
Emily says the PSSA class is given a breakfast every
academically,” he says.
In order to help the students beneficial to her because she morning before the test.
do well on the test, two classes can get help before the actual
If a student has special
began in January, according to test.
needs, he or she may be taken
“When [I] get the PSSA from homeroom and allowed to
Mrs. Warner. One class is for
third grade and has 45 students [I’ll] know what to do with take the test in a smaller group,
in it. It is taught by Mrs. some of the problems,” says says Mrs. Lee.
Emily.
Warner and
Whether taking the test in a
Lathrop Street
small group or a large one,
teacher Diana “[We tell the students], ‘If you get stuck, the students say the
Huff. The other close your eyes, take a deep breath.’”
preparation is helpful to
is for fifth
Mrs. Gretchen Warner them.
grade and has
“We learn new stratThe test for the third through egies,”says third grader Caleb
10-12 students, says Mrs.
Warner. It is taught by sixth graders includes reading Hoal.
substitute teacher Teresa and math sections. In addition,
Caleb says his after schoolfifth graders took a writing class learned about probability
Thorne.
Both groups meet for two section Feb. 21-24. Students in a fun way. Using a jar or a
hours on Tuesday nights to go are allowed as much time as hat of Starburst candies, the
over practice questions in they need to finish the test, says students each got to reach in
reading and math. They also Lathrop Street guidance and pull one out. Before they
discuss the components of a counselor and standardized did so, Mrs. Warner informed
good written answer and then testing coordinator Susan Lee. the students about the different
practice writing one.
The week before the test colors of the candies and how
Fifth grader Brittany students will decorate each many there were of each color.
Fassett enjoys the PSSA after- other’s doorways and make Then the students were asked
school class because she can signs and write skits for a pep what the probability was that
learn new things with her rally.
they would pull out a certain
At the rally Mr. Adams will color.
friends.
“[I like the class] because talk to the students about doing
A goal of the PSSA
you get to study with buddies,” their best and working hard.
preparation is to prepare the
Mrs. Warner says the pep students in a way that will be
she says.
The programs are important rally is a way to tell the fun for them, says Mrs. Warner.
“It comes out bad at
first, and then it comes
out good like a lamb.”
Rachel Zona
Second grade
Lathrop Street
“If it comes in like a lion,
it comes in really roughly,
and if it goes out like a
lamb, it goes out really
smoothly.”
Ben Robinson
First grade
Choconut Valley
MARCH 2006
PAGE 6
METEOR CHRONICLE
Opinion
EDITORIAL CARTOON
Editorial
Librar
riting Lab
Libraryy, W
Writing
in High Demand
Recently some students
have expressed frustration
when the library or writing
lab was closed for general
use, and they needed to do
research or use computers.
During study halls or free
periods, students say they
have been unable to use the
library because it was either
reserved for classes or
closed for other reasons.
Librarian Jean Allen
confirms that sometimes
teachers reserve the library
for entire classes as part of
their curriculum. When this
happens, other students are
prevented from accessing
the library. This year, Mrs.
Allen says, more classes
than ever have requested to
use the library.
“It would be lovely if we
had another room [for use]
by classes,” says Mrs.
A l l e n . “ I t ’s a c a s e o f
space.”
Due to the layout of the
library, classes must use the
main room, which leaves
other students with nowhere to go. However,
Mrs. Allen says that another
reason for student frustration is procrastination.
“People wait until the
last minute [to do their
research],” Mrs. Allen says.
For various reasons,
there have been a number
of days when Mrs. Allen
has been working alone in
the library without an aide.
On these days, she is forced
to close the library during
her lunch and free period.
“It’s hard for a [regular]
sub to take over the
library,” says Mrs. Allen,
because of the somewhat
complex computerized
system that is used.
A pre-signed pass
system is used in the writing
lab, according to lab
supervisor Lori Lass.
“Students who want to
come into the writing lab
come before homeroom
and request a pre-signed
pass [for whatever period
they wish to use the lab],”
says Mrs. Lass.
If the students come
unannounced, there may be
a class using the writing lab,
which means facilities are
not available for anyone
else.
Pre-signed passes allow
Mrs. Lass to better organize and utilize her time. If no
one has requested a pass
for a certain period, Mrs.
Lass may leave the lab for
that period to complete
other duties outside the
writing lab.
While some student
frustration over occasional
writing lab and library
inaccessibility is understandable, Mrs. Allen’s and
Mrs. Lass’ concerns are
legitimate too. There may
be some options that could
help students get the access
they need without interfering with the management
of the library and writing
lab.
One solution may be to
train someone specifically
as a sub for the library.
“One library sub would
[really] help,” says Mrs.
Allen. If a sub who
understood the library’s
systems were available, the
library would be able to
stay open even when Mrs.
Allen or her aide were
absent—a big improvement, since this year has
been especially busy for the
library.
Announcing the day
before which periods the
library and the writing lab
will be closed could help
students plan more efficiently how and when they will
access these facilities.
Mrs. Allen has already
begun doing this.
Finally, students need to
avoid procrastination in
order to make better use of
the library and writing lab
when they are available for
general use.
Welcome to Craterville!
Shades of Gray
Ga
oo
Gayy Americans Ha
Havve Rights TToo
sex couples some of the same and support he needs, then why is
legal rights as married couples. there a problem? As if taking away
Brandi Devine
The fact is, however, these people’s right to marry due to
couples are still without the sexual preferences is not bad
Opinion Co-editor
right to enjoy marriage.
enough, now, they are not allowed
Americans have the right to to have families.
“We find merit in the [state’s]
“We hold these truths to be have rights and be free. When
self-evident, that all men are someone is discriminated assertion that this case is not
created equal, that they are against because of his (or her) simply about the right to marry the
endowed by their Creator with sexual preference, he is not person of one’s choice but
certain unalienable Rights, that receiving all the rights he, as represents a significant expansion
into new territory which is, in
among these are Life, Liberty an American, is promised.
According to some acti- reality, a redefinition of marriage,”
and the pursuit of Happiness.”
On July 4, 1776, the vists, the Press reported, the wrote Justice John Lahinen for
Declaration of Independence latest push is to stop people the Albany court. Well, perhaps
was signed. Little did members from obtaining health marriage needs to be redefined.
If a gay couple owns property
of Congress know that about insurance for their partners and
230 years later, part of the to prevent homosexual and one partner dies, the other
Declaration would be chal- couples from adopting child- must pay inheritance taxes.
lenged, and some Americans’ ren together. Many are told that Married couples do not have to
it is in the best interest of the pay these taxes. Marriage binds
rights would be at risk.
On Feb. 17, 2006, the Press child to have both a mother and two people together. One’s sexual
preference should not affect his/
& Sun-Bulletin reported that a a father.
A couple in Texas was not her American rights. It is horrible
mid-level state court in Albany,
N.Y., “threw out” a lawsuit allowed to adopt a child to think that being oneself can
seeking to allow same-sex because they are a gay couple. jeopardize his/her rights.
Only one of the pair was
America has done it’s best to
marriages in New York.
Our home state of Pennsyl- allowed to adopt, and the other provide equal opportunities and
vania is one of 38 states which was listed as the secondary equal rights to all citizens, or at
have banned gay marriages; parent. Ironically, however, least that is what we are told. Yet
Massachusetts remains the only there are many heterosexual it seems that we are contradicting
state that has legalized gay families where the mother is ourselves when we deliberately
marriages, according to the the only one doing the place restrictions on what a
“certain type of person” is allowed
Lambda Legal Defense and parenting or vice versa.
Does it matter what sex the to do. If we each want to be
Education Fund Web site.
Vermont and Connecticut allow parents are as long as they are treated equally, then we must
same-sex couples to enter into doing the best job they can as recognize that right in everyone
parents? If a child has the love around us.
civil unions, which give same..............................................................................................................................................................
Corrections
Meteor Chronicle
Montrose Area Junior/Senior High School 50 High School Rd. Montrose, PA 18801-9507
[email protected]
Editors in Chief..........................................Matt Douglas
Melinda Zosh
News/Features Editor..............................Sarah Leonard
Opinion Editors..........................................Patrick Bayer
Brandi Devine
Arts & Entertainment Editor....................Clarissa Plank
Sports Editors........................................Steffany Jahnke
Emily Merrill
Burgundy Shelp
Lathrop Street Editor........................Autumn Carpenter
Choconut Valley Editor...........................Caroline Jones
Photo Editor....................................Elizabeth Davenport
Adviser................................................Mrs. Sandra Kaub
Printed by Mulligan Printing Corporation
(570) 278-3731
Emily Adams, Alek Anderson, Sarah Beebe, Rick Buckley,
Shannon Elbrecht, Francesca Edgington-Giordano, Emily
Gow, Courtney Haggerty, Chelsea Hall, Sophie Hinkle,
Carly Hull, Scott Jones, Matt Kellum, Cathy Knapp, Eleni
S. P. Konstas, Angel Mock, Gena Rapisardi, Katie
Rypkema, Cassy Thomas, Kelly Travis, Abby Warner,
Aerika Weed, Kait Woodward
The staff of the Meteor Chronicle regrets
the misreporting of the following information
in Issue 4:
First grader Andrew Fedish was misidentified in the
photo that accompanied “Fudge: Recipe for Friendship.”
Pole vaulter Nick Staats will attend De Salle University
in Allentown next fall.
Montrose resident Lee Smith lived in Susquehanna
County during the mid-20th, not the mid-19th, century
The Meteor Chronicle is a student publication researched, written and and is still a resident.
produced by members of the newspaper staff named above. The unsigned
editorials on this or other pages of the Chronicle are written by the editors
in chief or a designee and reflect solely the opinion of the newspaper staff.
Letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as space allows.
Letters must be signed although names will be withheld upon request. The
Chronicle reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all
letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy, and disruption of the school process as are all contents of the newspaper. The editorial policy of the Meteor Chronicle is available upon request.
In the answer key to the “TV Stars Word Jumble,”
CSI’s Gary Dourdan’s name was misspelled.
Christian singer Toby Mac’s name was misspelled
in “Little Voices.”
First grader Ethan Luecke was misidentified in the
photo that accompanied “End-of-Day Program
Provides a ‘Place to Go.’”
PAGE 7
MARCH 2006
Opinion
Another Voice
Lies, TTear
ear
s, Thriv
e
ears,
Thrive
in Girls’ R
ooms
Rooms
Kait Woodward
Staff Reporter
I’ve walked into the
bathroom too many times to find
someone crying in the corner,
being comforted by another,
sometimes alone. And nearly
every time I hear the same six
words escape her lips: “I
thought she was my friend.”
Given the fact that this is a
high school, a certain number
of rumors is not surprising. This
doesn’t make it right, but it’s
expected all the same. Lately,
though, gossiping about other
people has become a hobby for
a lot of students.
Apparently, what most
people don’t seem to realize is
that what may start as an off
handed comment about
someone’s cleanliness, appearance, or sexuality can snowball
into so much more than that. In
the long run it can result in a
not-so-fond memory of high
school or worse, wreck a
person’s self-esteem completely.
Of course, not every
comment you’ve made about
someone will result in
permanent psychological
damage, but even without a
complete psychosis, the tears
shed and pain felt can last for
a lifetime.
We’ve probably been the
brunt of rumors at some point.
Aside from letting it ruin our
lives for a few weeks, some of
us have learned from them;
maybe the old saying “Do to
others as you would have done
to you” might make some sense
after all.
However, there are some
who still do not hesitate to spread
the “facts” that they hear no
matter how harmful or hurtful
they may be.
Gossip at MAHS isn’t
always passed in whispers from
one select person to another
either. At times another, fartherreaching medium is used.
Aside from the basic who is
dating whom, some things
written on the walls of the girls’
rooms are just plain vulgar. Be
the statement true or not, who
wants to read such stuff?
If we take a step back from
all the hormones and drama
involved, it all seems more than
a bit pointless. What purpose
does it serve to make someone’s
life so miserable? What is the
point?
Lack of Information
Leads tto
o Narr
ow Vie
ws
Narro
Views
Melinda Zosh
Co-editor in Chief
“In the beginning God
created the Heavens and the
earth (Genesis 1:1).”
So begins the first few lines
of the most famous book ever
written. The story continues to
say that God created the first
man, Adam, from the ashes of
the earth and used one of
Adam’s ribs to create the first
woman, Eve. Almost every
child hears this story early in his
life. He learns of the serpent
in the Garden of Eden that
convinced Eve to eat the
forbidden apple and thus
establishing sin in the world.
And, of course, the
“greatest story ever told,” the
story of Jesus Christ, is perhaps
one of the first stories taught to
individuals in the western world.
People throughout the world
associate His name with hope
and salvation, and the “light in
the darkness.”
Not only do Americans
know this story but surprisingly
Muslim (Islamic) people are
also taught about Jesus, only in
a different “light.” Islamic
people believe Jesus and others
were prophets.
“We believe in God and in
the revelation given to us and
to Abraham, Ishma’il, Isaac,
Jacob, and the Tribes, and that
given to Moses and Jesus, and
that given to the prophets from
their Lord…(Qur’an 2:136).”
I bet most readers didn’t
know that. Nowadays we’re
taught that dictators and tyrants
like Osama bin Laden and
Saddam Hussein are evil.
They’ve murdered mercilessly,
they’ve pounded their ideals into
the heads of young children just
as dictator Adolf Hitler once
METEOR CHRONICLE
did, and, of course, they
absolutely despise Americans.
Why else would they kill
thousands of innocent
Americans? They hate our
form of democracy; therefore,
we’re the targets. Subconsciously we decide we dislike
the Islamic people. Not just the
tyrants, the race in general.
Right?
Wrong. What we don’t
realize is that these “Muslims”
are a minority. They are
extremists. Not all Muslim
people desire to hang charred
American bodies from a bridge
(Fallujah, April 1, 2004).
Granted, these outbreaks of
violence are appalling and
painful. We see these disturbing
images, and we immediately
make a judgment: Muslims
brutally murder our men, the
men who so valiantly attempted
to demonstrate freedom in a
suppressed nation. They are
nothing else but inhuman. But
that’s just not true.
Not all Muslims commit
suicide to rid the world of
Christians and Americans; not
all strive to achieve this level
of favor in the eyes of Allah,
and not all want to see our
soldiers and Marines and others
suffer endlessly for weeks at a
time.
A recent article in
Binghamton’s Press & SunBulletin (March 6, 2006)
verifies this point. According to
Imam Kasim Kopuz, religious
leader at the Islamic Organization of the Southern Tier in
Johnson City, Osama bin Laden
does not accurately represent
the Islamic world.
“We know who Osama bin
Laden is, but he’s not representing Islam. If he were in
Islamic court, he would be
hanged,” said the imam. “Those
are the extremists, but that’s in
every religion. They will take
religion to a very extreme level
and do things their religion
wouldn’t ask them to.”
ROVING REPORTER
Blinded by a hereditary illness, Joyce Urch of Coventry,
England, spent 26 years in darkness. Then one day
she was rushed to a hospital, having suffered a heart
attack and kidney failure. After life-saving surgery, Mrs.
Urch opened her eyes. She could see. No one really
knows why Mrs. Urch can see again.
“If yyou
ou w
ere tto
o lose one
were
or more of yyour
our senses,
whic
h one w
ould yyou
ou
which
would
miss most and why?”
Kristi Hoffa, Grade 10
Rachel Crawford, Grade 12
“Hearing because I wouldn’t
be able to stand not listening
to music or hearing people
talk or not hearing their
voices.”
“Taste because I cannot live
without food. If I could not taste
McDonalds, I would cry.”
Because of this seemingly
one-sided hatred, we retaliate;
otherwise we wouldn’t be
patriotic, or that’s what we’re
taught. But the fact is, we don’t
know much about the fundamentals of the Islamic religion.
We don’t even know what we’re
retaliating against.
When we lack understanding, we build walls. Maybe
we need to be building bridges
Kristina Klein, Grade 11
to transcend the gaps between Brianna Gieski, Grade 11
our cultural differences.
“I would have to say it’d be
We humans, too often seem “I wouldn’t want to lose my
to judge by what we think we sight because there are so
sight because I’d miss seeing
know. We think by watching the many beautiful things in the
the beauty of things. I wouldn’t
Nightly News or looking at world and I would hate to
be able to see the sunrise and
abcnews.go.com which shows
sunset, and those things are so
the face of one of four Christian miss them.”
beautiful. I wouldn’t be able to
peace activists, Tom Fox, who
was discovered dead approxisee people’s expressions and
mately two weeks after an airing
body language, and that’s a big
on Al Jazeera TV, that we are
part of how people cominformed citizens. But we don’t
municate.”
know nearly enough.
We don’t have to agree with
these acts of violence by the
extremists, nor do we have to
believe in the teachings of the
Qu’ran. However, we do have
face one fact: Cultural differences between our worlds has
lead to hatred, intolerance,
racism, and stereotypes.
Our country was founded
upon the principle of freedom of
religion. In the 1770s the well- Kassie Stepniak, Grade 11
Amanda Lass, Grade 12
established orator Patrick Henry
stated, “It cannot be emphasized “I wouldn’t want to lose my “I’d miss my sight the most
too strongly or too often that this hearing because you can because everything I do is
great nation was founded not by
sight-I
play
religionists but by Christians, not create images in your mind, through
but
it’s
harder
to
make
up
the
basketball,
I
take
pictures.”
on religions but on the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.”
sounds. Music is a big part
And the Gospel of Jesus of my life.”
Christ says to “love thy
neighbor,” no matter what his
religion may be. This means to
not judge your neighbor by the
acts of others similar to him.
If we’re not pro-active about
Letters to the editors
openly discussing different
are welcomed!
religions instead of instantly
They
may be e-mailed to
dismissing the thought of even
the
newspaper
or dropped
learning the history or basic
off in Room 17.
tenets, then the consequences
are unimaginable.
MARCH 2006
PAGE 8
METEOR CHRONICLE
Arts & Entertainment
Hõla, Bonjour
ete
Bonjour,, Salv
Salve
By K
elly TTra
ra
vis
Kelly
ravis
Staff Reporter
Featured Artist
‘Lif
e is a Cabare
t’ ffor
or Sok
oloski
‘Life
Cabaret’
Sokoloski
By Clarissa Plank
By Clarissa Plank
Bienvenidos al mundo de
lenguas extranjeras: Welcome to
the world of foreign languages.
Spanish students look forward
to Foreign Language Week every
year, according to Spanish teacher
Kathleen Goerlitz. This year’s
festivities were held March 6-10.
Each of Mrs. Goerlitz’s six
Spanish classes created a team that
competed against other teams in
various activities during the week.
Team members made paper replicas
of their country’s flag and wore them
on Flag Day March 6. Whichever
team had the most students displaying their flags won a prize.
“One of the more exciting events
was the Latino talent show [held
March 8],” said Mrs. Goerlitz. The
show included Spanish songs
performed by the high school band,
a juggling act by sophomore Miles
Fischer, Spanish dancers, piano
songs, and a vocal duet sung by
seniors Amber Lattner and Nate
Sives.
“Our talent show [differed from
last year’s] because it was ‘American
Idol’ style, so it wasn’t serious,” said
Amber. “It was so fun. Nate and I
both can’t sing.”
Wednesday was also Speak
Foreign Language Day. Undercover
“police” walked the halls
throughout the day, checking up on
language students to see if they were
speaking a foreign language. Points
and prizes were given to those
students who participated.
“Speak Foreign Language Day
has to be my favorite part of the
week,” said Mrs. Goerlitz. “Students
get excited about speaking Spanish
and getting involved in the event!”
Spanish teams wore the colors
of Spanish-speaking countries of
their choice on Color Day on Thursday. When they went into class, they
had to identify the country they
represented.
Students earned extra credit if
they wore T-shirts with Spanish
writing on them on Friday.
“Mrs. Goerlitz works really hard
to get everything together,” says
Spanish 4 student Chelsea Parvin.
A volleyball tournament
between French and Spanish
students was held Friday in the high
school gym.
“Je me suis beaucoup amusée
et nous avons joue très bien (I had a
lot of fun, and we played very well),”
said French 4 student Amber
Cunningham.
Of course, Spanish students
were not the only language students
to celebrate Foreign Language
Week.
Mrs. Goerlitz and French teacher
Marianne
Scott
prepared
worksheets, which included
Spanish, French, and Latin
vocabulary words and phrases.
Students were challenged to obtain
translations from other language
students they knew.
Miss Scott also required her
students to speak only French in her
classes on Speak Foreign Language
Day.
“We liked talking French all day
because it gave us a chance to use
what we have learned so far,” said
senior Amber Cunningham.
Elizabeth Davenport/Meteor Chronicle
Students in French II and Spanish II compete in a volleyball game
during Foreign Language Week Mar. 6-10. The Spanish II team
defeated the French team 15-8. Spanish IV students also won their
volleyball game against French IV students.
Movie Stars Crossword
How well do you know your movie stars? Name the stars in this
crossword. The clues name two movies in which each star acted.
Down
Across
1. Actor: Remember the Titans, John Q 2. Actor: Lord of War, White Fang
3. Actor: Cursed, Racing Stripes
5. Actor: Mask of Zorro, Shrek 2
4. Actor: League of Extraordinary
6. Actor: Daredevil, Pearl Harbor
Gentlemen, A Walk to Remember 11. Actor: Space Cowboys, Million
7. Actor: The Aviator, Cold Mountain
Dollar Baby
8. Actor: Sin City, The Lord of the Rings 15.Actress:Legend
9. Actor: Eight Below, Timeline
of Zorro, Chicago
10. Actor: Alexander, Silence
18. Actress: North Country,
of the Lambs
Monster
12. Actress: Robots, Catwoman
19. Actor : Brothers Grimm,
13. Actor: Ocean’s Eleven, Spy Kids
Euro Trip
14. Actor: War of the Worlds,
20. Actor: Failure to Launch, How
Vanilla Sky
to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
16. Actress: Stepford Wives,
Cold Mountain
17. Actress: Scary Movie,
(For answers, see Page 9)
American Pie 2
Created by Autumn Carpenter with Puzzlemaker.com
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Some readers may remember the she was part
Dec. 17 Cabaret Show’s opening act: of a proSeniors Rachel Sokoloski and Sofia duction of
DeLousia danced across the MAHS Oklahoma
auditorium stage dressed in black with director
and white with matching sequined J
a
n
hats, twirling batons as they sang a D’Angelo in
selection of songs from the musical J o h n s o n
Cabaret.
City, and
For Rachel singing on stage is she has also
more than a one-time occurrence. done several
Her interest in singing began in the shows in
summer after eighth grade when she Scranton at
first became involved in musical a Norththeater, she said.
eastern
“My mom found [an ad for the Educational
Photo Provided
Endless Mountains Theatre Camp I n t e r - Senior Rachel Sokoloski (right) during a 2003 musical
at Blue Ridge] in the newspaper and mediate Unit theatre production of The Wall in Endicott, N.Y. Rachel, an
asked if I wanted to do it,” Rachel t h e a t r e alto in the MAHS choir since seventh grade, regularly persaid. “It was just a fun thing to do camp run by forms at the Endicott Performing Arts Center . She plans
with my summer.”
C a t h e r i n e to go to college for musical theatre.
“I got more into the musical part Richmond-Cullen.
than the theater,” Rachel said, Sofia also worked with Rachel in and then seeing the final product of
your effort,” said Rachel, who
recalling her time at theatre camp. Oklahoma.
After that first show, Rachel decided
“Rachel and I always used to performed Hair in Endicott the
to continue with music, she said.
make up dances together, so weekends of March 11 and 18.
“I want to go to college for
“The first experience on stage performing in a play with her was
was so good [that afterward] I found really fun,” said Sofia. “It was nice musical theater, but I haven’t
a theater company in Endicott....That to know someone my own age [in decided where I’m going yet,”
Rachel said. “When I first started, I
was a great experience too, and the show].”
everything I do keeps getting better
Rachel usually sings show had stage fright really bad, but you
and better every time [I perform].”
tunes, but she prefers to sing more just lose that after a while. I think
Rachel takes voice lessons once modern music like pop and jazz, she performing has helped me [to] be
a week at the Endicott (N.Y.) said. Two of her favorite songs to more outgoing.”
“The people that I [have]
Performing Arts Center, which has a perform are “Killing Me Softly” by
performing arts school for kids up Roberta Flack and “Lean on Me” by worked with in shows [have helped
me] because [I] always meet
to age eighteen, she said. Rachel Bill Withers.
does most of her shows there, but
The best part of performing is someone who knows more than [I]
she
tries to move around too. In 2004 “all the hard work you put into it do,” said Rachel.
............................................................................................................................................
MAHS S
tudents Soar Be
egionals
Students
Beyyond Music R
Regionals
By Cathy Knapp
Staff Reporter
Hours of daily practice, hard work,
and determination are the ingredients
for success, according to junior
Johanna Reed and sophomore JoAnn
Mollo.
Both girls qualified for All-State
Band during regional competition held
at Abington Heights High School
March 1-4.
In addition, JoAnn qualified forAllState Orchestra during orchestra
regionals at Saucon Valley High
School Feb. 15-18.
Since the rules of Pennsylvania
Music Educators Association,
sponsors of All-State Band and
Orchestra, forbid a student to attend
both All-State Band and Orchestra,
JoAnn, who plays flute, has committed
to the latter to be held at Valley Forge
March 29-April 1. All-State Band
qualifiers will convene in Valley Forge
at the same time.
“I was flabbergasted [when I
learned that I was going to States],”
said JoAnn, “but I am elated.”
Johanna, who plays French horn,
attended All-State Band last year as
well. In fact, she is only the fourth
MAHS student to ever qualify for AllStates multiple times.
Photo Provided
“I feel privileged to get to attend
States again this year,” said Johanna. Junior Johanna Reed (left) and
Note: Seniors Robert Harris and Joe
Quanne competed at choir regionals
held at Tunkhannock High School
March 15-18.
sophomore JoAnn Mollo pose for a
photo at Band Regionals March 1-4 at
Abington Heights High School. As a
joke, they are holding each other’s
instruments, a flute and a French horn.
.............................................................................................................................................
MARCH 2006
PAGE 9
Arts and Entertainment
CRITIC’S C
Sounds, Sets & Stars
Man
vie:
Manyy Films, One Mo
Movie:
Dat
e Mo
vie
Date
Movie
O
R
N
E
R
By Sarah Beebe
Staff Reporter
Date Movie is a film that
could make even the crabbiest
cynic love comedies forever.
It is the story of a girl named
Julia Jones (Alyson Hannigan),
who acts like Bridget Jones from
Bridget Jones’ Dairy. Julia is a
heavy set woman and a hopeless
romantic who yearns to find the
love of her life, a man who her
parents will approve of.
Self-conscious about her
weight, lonely Julia dreams of
finding her prince. Her father
(Eddie Griffin) wants Julia to
marry a man of her heritage:
Jewish, African American,
Indian, and Japanese. Julia goes
to the “love doctor,” Hitch (Tony
Cox), looking for help to find her
true love.
After Hitch makes Julia
over, she loses weight and looks
more beautiful. She then goes on
a date with Grant Funk-yerdoder
(Adam Campbell), who liked
Julia even when she was over-
METEOR CHRONICLE
weight.
The two fall in love and
plan to marry, but before they
can have their Big-Fat-Greek
Wedding, Grant and Julia
must Meet the Parents and
ask the Funkyerdoders for
their blessing. Julia must then
face Grant’s beautiful best
“man” and ex-fiancé Andy
(Sophie Monk), who is
determined to stop her Best
Friend’s Wedding and win
Grant back.
Clearly this movie is a
spoof on romantic comedies,
but the best part of Date
Movie is the acting.
The casting for this movie
was terrific. Hannigan (Julia)
did a great job of acting the part
of a woman desperately
searching for a man, and
Campbell (Grant) makes all
the quirky things he does on
the date, meeting Julia’s
parents and visiting his own,
seem normal. My favorite actor
was Eddie Griffin, who played
Julia’s dad very well. In the
beginning he played the ‘stern
dad,’ who was firm about the
type of man his daughter was
to marry.
This is a humorous story that
viewers can relate to because
there are so many little foibles
that people have that make
dating or finding a partner
funny.
This movie will make you
think, “Well, at least I’m not the
only one who looks and acts
weird when I’m searching for
the perfect person to start a
relationship with.”
Julia looks and sounds
desperate, and if you want to
boost your confidence or just
have a good laugh at a movie,
this is the one to see. If you’re
feeling blue, you should see this
movie because it will make you
feel that you’re not alone.
MAHS Celebrat
es Mardi Gras
Celebrates
By Courtney Haggerty
Staff Reporter
After 33 years of teaching
French at MAHS, Miss Marianne
Scott will retire in June, so she
decided this year’s Mardi Gras
celebration in her classes would be
an event her French students
would long remember.
Beads, candy, King Cake,
dancing to Zydeco music, crowns
and much more marked the monthlong celebration held in February.
Mardi Gras season began on Jan.
6 and ended Feb. 28.
Throughout the month, Miss
Scott held raffles and contests.
Students won prizes, such as
stuffed animals, homework passes,
movie passes and money towards
their French accounts.
Each grade contributed to the
Mardi Gras celebration.
French I students decorated
half-masks and competed in a
poster contest promoting Mardi
Gras. French II students made
krewe (a secret society) symbols,
French III and IV students
decorated full masks, and Cake
decorating and float decorating
contests were open to all classes.
The winners received movie
passes, credit in their French
accounts, or stuffed animals.
“The most memorable thing
this year is a lot of students
decorated themselves with colors
and jewelry,” said Miss Scott.
“The room was the most beautiful
of any year because the students
excelled at their projects.”
Miss Scott says her students
were very enthusiastic. Each
student was given a Mardi Gras
notebook, in which he/she was
By Clarissa Plank
Arts & Entertainment Editor
MOVIES OPENING
April 7
March 24
Take the Lead
A professional ballroom dancer
volunteers at a New York public
school to teach dance to hip-hopobsessed students. The styles
clash, so the teacher decides to
try to win over the students by
Stay Alive
Horror is getting more and more creating a new type of dance.
virtual. As teens play an online
The Benchwarmers
game, they start to die along with
Rich and Clark are recruited by
their characters.
“millionaire nerd” Gus to form a
baseball team and compete with the
March 31
meanest Little League teams in the
state. Outcasts everywhere rally
ATL
Four teenagers come of age in behind Gus and his team until they
Atlanta where hip hop and roller- find out that Gus was once a bully.
skating rule. Can they overcome the Can Gus win back his friends,
challenges of life outside the rink? overcome the past, and win at
baseball?
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
Thinking about global warming? So April 14
are Manny, Sid and Diego as a
major dam threatens to break and
Scary Movie 4
flood their home. Can these cold- It’s time for the scariest movie of
climate creatures find a way to all: Scary Movie 4 parodies War
survive?
of the Worlds, The Grudge, The
Village, Saw, and much more.
Slither
In the small, quiet town of Wheelsy, April 21
people mind their own business. No
one notices when strange things
American Dreams
start happening, and the citizens are The newly re-elected President of
unaware that evil is growing in the the United States looks at the
tranquil little town.
newspaper one morning and gets
a wake-up call. He realizes that
things aren’t going as well as he
Basic Instinct 2
Novelist Catherine Tramell is in had thought and begins to head
trouble with the law. The police for a nervous breakdown.
send a psychiatrist to evaluate her,
but she draws him into a fascinating and dangerous game.
The Inside Man
A clever bank robber tests the wits
of a tough cop as they play a
dangerous game that threatens to
turn deadly.
BOOK RELEASES
Elizabeth Davenport/Meteor Chronicle
French students created themed masks as part of a project celebrating Mardi Gras. The winning masks were placed in the display case
along with floats and decorated cakes.
required to include pictures,
doodling, complete notes, a
cover, and the schedule of the
parade floats.
Every day the students
learned Mardi Gras and Cajun
history in class. For instance,
Mardi Gras, also known as “Fat
Tuesday,” has been celebrated
in New Orleans since 1699. In
1872 the colors for Mardi Gras
were selected by a Russian duke,
who chose purple (justice), green
(faith) and gold (power). Krewes,
or secret organizations, host
parades and choose kings and
queens annually to reign over
their parades. Throws consisting
of beads, doubloons (coins with
krewe symbols on them), cups
and trinkets are tossed from giant
floats.
“Krewes are most interesting,”
said French Club co-treasurer Jay
Birtch, a senior, “because there are
so many requirements to be in [the
parades], and all the commitment
it must take to be in the parades.”
French students promenaded
the halls “Fat Tuesday,” laden with
beads, crowns, and masks. Some
could even be seen carrying pieces
of purple, yellow, and green King
Cakes.
For French vice president Dom
Lucenti, a senior, the throws are
the best part of the celebration.
“You can dive and tackle people
for the beads, and it is like a big
brawl.”
..............................................................................................................................................
Answers to Movie Stars Crossword (Page 8):
April 3
April 11
Two little Girls in Blue by Mary
Higgins Clark
Twin girls, Kelly and Kathy, are
kidnapped, but when the horrified
parents pay the $8 million ransom,
they find only Kelly in a car with
the driver dead. Kelly claims that
she has a telepathic link with
Kathy that could help rescue her.
Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods
A harried New York lawyer sets
out to take a much-needed
vacation in Maine. But when his
first cousin commits a murder/
suicide, he returns to clear his
cousin’s name and expose the real
killer.
April 25
Don’t Look Down by Jennifer
Crusie
Lucy Sullivan directs television
commercials, but she longs to
direct movies. Finally she gets her
big break, only to find that the
entire directing staff has quit, and
the lead actors are egomaniacs.
Promise me by Harlan Coben
Myron Bolitar, trying to protect
two young girls from the dangers
of drunk driving, becomes the
prime suspect when one of the
girls goes missing.
DVD RELEASES
March 28
Stay
A Sound of Thunder
King Kong
Capote
April 4
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Bee Season
Planet of the Apes
April 11
An Unfinished Life
Fun with Dick and Jane
CONCERTS
March 28
Nickelback, Chevelle, & Trapt
Wachovia Arena, Wilkes-Barre
Sources: Yahoo! Movies; Barnes and Noble.com; Amazon.com;
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
Down: 1. Denzel Washington 3. Joshua Jackson
4. Shane West 7. Jude Law 8. Elijah Wood 9. Paul Walker
10. Anthony Hopkins 12. Halle Berry13. George Clooney
14. Tom Cruise 16. Nicole Kidman 17. Shannon Elizabeth
Across: 2. Ethan Hawke 5. Antonio Banderas
6.Ben Affleck 11. Clint Eastwood 15. Catherine
Zeta-Jones 18. Charlize Theron 19. Matt Damon
20. Matthew McConaughey
MARCH 2006
PAGE 10
METEOR CHRONICLE
Sp rts
League FFormat
ormat Changes
Featured Athlete
Castrogiovanni Meets Goals, Sets More
By FFrancesca
rancesca Edgingt
on-Giordano
Edgington-Giordano
By Shannon Elbrecht
As the boys’ tennis team strength of the team as a whole
files out onto the courts March to shine.
27 for its first match against
“[Tennis players] seem to be
Tunkhannock, each player will okay with it,” says Bayer. “The
determine whether he or she kids that played both singles and
made a correct chose.
doubles last year will probably
In past years players could miss it.”
switch back and forth between
Coach Mulligan’s work with
singles and doubles matches, the tennis team began March
but this year District II’s format 6. However, footwork and
has changed. Each team must cardiovascular training are not
be comprised of two doubles Coach Mulligan’s only
teams and three singles players, concerns. Spring in Montrose
making a seven-player team. does not always seem like
This will open up more places spring, she says, when the
on the MAHS varsity team, so weather dictates, the tennis
that some of the last year’s top team is prepared to practice at
JV players may move up.
the
Montrose
Bible
Head coach Jeff Cornell Conference. Coach Mulligan
says he is not concerned about says she enjoys playing and
the changes. Tennis tryouts are coaching the sport, but she
rare, says Coach Cornell, would be relieved, knowing
because he usually does not cut whether the mild weather will
players. Anyone who shows hold for this spring.
commitment and interest makes
“I’m excited to get started,”
the team. But that does not says Coach Mulligan, “and
mean that last year’s loss of I’mlooking forward to not
three seniors will not be felt by shoveling off the courts this
the coaches and team.
year.”
Assistant
coach
Ellen
Mulligan says she
is not sure what
to expect the loss
of players could
affect the entire
team or it could
simply open up
slots
for
freshmen.
Returning
tennis players
say they are
prepared for
these changes.
Junior Patrick
Bayer is comfortable with the
changes.
While the
changes may
have some negatives, he says, he
Patrick Bayer/Meteor Chronicle
expects some
Junior
Andy
Bookin
practices his forehand stroke
changes to be
during
practice
March
10 at the high school courts.
positive as well,
causing
the
Staff Reporter
Dreaming big, working hard
year,” he said. “She’s one
and reaching goals are three
of the hardest workers on
standards sophomore Mariah
the team. She stays positive
Castrogiovanni lives by,
day in and day out and sets
especially when it comes to her
a great example for the rest
participation in dance and track.
of her teammates.”
Mariah’s
real
dance
Mariah will compete in
experience
began
in
two new events this season:
kindergarten. She attended
the 100-meter hurdles and
regular ballet and tap dance
the 1600- meter relay. In
classes at Lathrop Street
the past she has competed
Elementary School with former
in the 100-meter dash, the
teacher Jodi Novitski and later
4x100-meter relay, the 200Judy Castner-Bloom.
meter dash, and the triple
Before kindergarten, Mariah
jump.
had participated in a summer
Although Mariah is a
dance program under the
successful runner, she feels
leadership of Sarah Cornell. She
she is more gifted in dance.
remembers her recital at the
“I have danced for
Montrose Episcopal Church at
eleven years and run for
Elizabeth Davenport/Meteor Chronicle four, which makes me feel
the end of that summer.
“[The recital] is one of my Sophomore Mariah Castrogiovanni more talented in dance
earliest memories of dance,” said performs a tap dance routine for the Latino because I have learned so
Mariah. “Everyone in my class Talent Show on Mar. 8 in the auditorium. much more,” says Mariah.
had a different colored tutu, and
“I can do so much more in
we danced to ‘Colors of the Field Days.
dance, and I enjoy it more
“I realized it was fun to win, because I can use passion and
Wind.’”
In sixth grade Mariah began so I continued sprinting, and [I] emotions to make my dancing
more challenging lessons with have gotten first place a few come more alive.”
Wendy Peckins at The Wendy times,” said Mariah.
Mariah has set goals of her
Last year Mariah began own for both dance and track.
Peckins School of Dance in
Tunkhannock. She remains a running with senior LeeAnne
“Every year I make new
student there and participates in Hawley. This year they have goals [for track],” Mariah said.
two types of ballet (pointe and prepared for track together by “Last year [my goal] was to
running and doing strength make it to districts and medal in
flat), tap, and lyrical.
“My favorite type of dance training drills after school.
at least one event. I did that [in
“[Mariah]
keeps
me the 4x100-meter relay]. This year
is tap,” said Mariah. “It’s easier
for me to learn, and I dance with motivated and has pushed me to I want to do the same, but I
more character compared to continue and makes me work on would like to make it to districts
ballet, but pointe has helped with the things I need to even if I in hurdles for the first time,”
my balance, coordination, and don’t want to,” said Hawley.
Mariah said.
Senior high track coach Eric
leg muscles that I use in track.”
“My biggest dream for
Mariah has participated in Powers agrees and said he has dancing is to be a [Radio City
track since seventh grade, but high hopes for Mariah this Music Hall] Rockette, but that
she first realized she was a season.
can’t happen unless I grow three
“I would like to see her win to five inches. My goal is to
talented runner during sixth
grade when she won the fifty- at least two district medals as she continue dancing as a second
yard dash at the Lathrop Street tries a couple new events this career after I graduate college.”
................................................................................................................................................
Wrestling Districts:
One Rough Rumble
By Chelsea Hall
Staff Reporter
“Roll him over on the mat.
Pin him flat!”
That’s one of the many
cheers from the crowd and the
wrestling cheerleaders during
every match of the regular
season, but on Feb. 26-27, eight
MAHS wrestlers went to
Scranton Prep for Districts, a
much bigger ball park.
Despite stiffer competition
from over 200 wrestlers, four
Meteors placed in Districts.
Senior Anthony Sellitto took
second place in the 145-lb.
weight class, thereby qualifying
for Regionals in Williamsport
March 3. Sophomore DJ Brown
placed fifth in the 215-lb. weight
class, senior Jeff Oleniacz placed
sixth in his weight class of 112
lbs., and sophomore Mylon
Spolar took sixth place in the
135-lb. weight class.
Brown
said
Districts
were tough since there were so
many experienced wrestlers
there.
“It was tough because there
are a lot more kids in each
weightclass,”said
Brown. “As my first year in
varsity wrestling, it was much
more difficult. It was a lot
different than junior high.”
Regionals were a challenge,
according to Sellitto, who did
not place.
“There was definitely [some]
tough competition,” said Sellitto.
Staff Reporter
Me
etball S
truggles
Metteor Bask
Baske
Struggles
Through Learning Season
By Scott Jones
Staff Reporter
This season was all about
learning and improving for the
Meteors boys’ basketball teams. The
varsity and JV teams combined were
comprised of only 15 players.
“I learned that I need to take the
ball up strong when I get it down
low,” says forward Devon Wheaton,
a junior, “and that I can drive to the
basket if I have to, and that I need to
take open shots when I get them
because my shot isn’t bad, and, hey,
it could be two points.”
Returning coaches Todd Smith
and Barry Wheaton and only one
senior, Dennis Moore, led the boys
to one win this season in an
exhibition game against St. Rose.
Despite the single win, most players
agree that they improved greatly
from the beginning of the season to
the end.
“I could see that we grew as a
team,” says guard Matt DeMann, a
sophomore, “but sometimes we just
wouldn’t show up for games….”
“Coach Smith is a great coach,”
says forward Jared Olah, a junior.
“We just have a young team, and
we don’t have the fundamentals to
be a winning team.”
Many players are already
looking forward to next season.
“We didn’t really win any games,
but I think the greatest
accomplishment this year is we
started to play as a team,” says
Wheaton. “We have learned from
each other and started to understand
how each other plays. Hopefully
[the spectators] will get to see that
next season.”
PAGE 11
METEOR CHRONICLE
MARCH 2006
Sports
MASD Gymnasts Finish
Competition With Pride
By Burgundy Shelp
By Angel Mock
Staff Reporter
Sports Editor
Seventh grader Megan
it.”
Walker, sixth grader
Walker says that
Sydney Earley, and fifth
going places such as,
grader Maria Phillips
Texas, California,
competed in the I Love
Florida, Rhode Island,
New York Gymnastics
and other states to
Cup in Binghamton Feb 3compete is one of the
5 and walked away with
best things about
pride.
gymnastics, but not
Walker, a Level 10
having a lot of time off
gymnast, is a ten-year
is the worst thing.
veteran of the sport.
Competing in the
“I went to pre-school
2012 Olympics in
at the gym, and I’d do the
London is one of
‘tot’ class twice a week,”
Walker’s aspirations.
says Walker. “I stuck with
“It will take a lot of
it and love it!”
hard
work
and
A student at the
dedication, and [I] will
Southern Tier Gymnastics
try my best to reach this
Academy (STGA) in
goal,” says Walker.
Endwell, Walker practices
When she is older,
25-30 hours a week, she
Walker wants to
says.
participate in college
A day’s routine for
gymnastics and evenWalker consists of school
tually coach at the
all day and then heading
collegiate level.
Photo Provided
off to the gym for practice Seventh grader Megan Walker poses during
Earley, who has been
until 9 p.m. When she her floor routine at the U.S. Classic in Vir- in gymnastics for eight
gets home, she eats and ginia Beach July 24. In February she finished years, participates on
does her homework and second overall in Level 10 at the I Love New the bars, beam, floor,
sometimes sneaks in a York Gymnastics Cup in Binghamton.
and vault. She placed
little television for her
seventh overall in Level
pleasure.
8 at the competition.
Walker often carpools to
“It’s fun to do,” says
have fun and have a good Earley. “It’s a really good
the gym 20 miles away.
She and her team-mates meet. I reached all of [my meet, and [this year] an
take a break from gymnastics goals]. It was my best Olympian, Mohini Bhardwaj,
only one week a year. They performance all year.”
was there.” Bhardwaj was the
Walker finished second silver medalist for the floor in
are also off on Sundays.
“I practice as hard as I can overall in Level 10.
the 2004 Olympics.
Walker says she likes to
and try to show it when I
Phillips, who is a Level 4
compete,” says Walker, who compete in the floor exercise gymnast, also participates on
says she loves participating in best because it is more the bars, beam, floor, and
the I♥New York Cup because exciting, but she likes to vault. She finished twentieth
practice the bars because she overall in Level 4. She likes
it is a home site.
Having friends and family can work more new skills on to do the bars the best, she
watch her compete and do them than on the floor.
says, because it is “fun to flip
“Competing at the I♥New around on them.”
well is one of the most
rewarding things about York Cup is always a good
“I thought [the I♥New
participating in the Cup, says memory,” says Walker. “I’ve York Cup] was fun,” says
competed in it five times. I also Phillips. “I like how they had
Walker.
“[The I♥New York Cup] love going to Texas for TVs so people could watch
was awesome,” says Walker. [gymnastic] camp. Training how the [participants] were
“I wanted to do my best and there is tiring but well worth doing.”
.............................................................................................................................................
Ne
w Coac
hes S
tress TTeam
eam Spirit,
New
Coaches
Stress
Individual Improvement
By Abby Warner
Staff Reporter
A whip of the wrist, a swing
of the bat, and the crack of
contact between metal and
leather are the sights and
sounds softball players live for
during the spring season.
Physical education teacher and
former softball player Kim
Forys knows these things well,
which is why the role of softball
head coach attracted her.
“I’ve always been involved
in athletics, and I missed not
being part of a team,” said Miss
Forys. “It’s nice to see students
in a different light, and coaching
allows that.”
Seventh grade teacher
Mary Gesford will join the
softball staff as assistant coach.
Enthusiasm for a sport is
also what drew seventh grade
history teacher Kevin Kloss to
track and field as the distance
running coach.
“I love running, and I was a
Family Suppor
Supportt
Spur
Spurss Success
competitive runner in high
school and college,” said Mr.
Kloss.
Coaching is about education
and teamwork for Miss Forys.
“I really want the girls to
understand the game of softball,
and I want to have a good team
bond and get the team
committed to have a good
season,” said Miss Forys.
Coach Kloss will stress
focus and perspective in his
coaching.
“My goals for the year are
to make sure the runners stay
focused on enjoying themselves
but also train hard, realize that
this is a sport and that school
and grades come first, and
hopefully I’ll be able to help all
the athletes meet their own
goals as well,” he said.
Softball players have already
gotten a taste of what is to come
from the change in leadership.
“We’ve been practicing for
a couple hours every Sunday
since the second week of
January,” said Miss Forys.
“When the season starts, the
team will have their whole body
in shape; it’s an all-around work
out, not just running.”
Junior Sam LaMont has
attended the pre-season
practices and can see the
changes in store for the team.
“[The conditioning] is hard,”
said Lamont. “It’s definitely
different, but we’ve been
having fun throwing, hitting,
running, and learning what is
expected from us. I think we’ll
win a lot.”
Former Blue Ridge track
coach Ken Miller is volunteering his time to the MAHS
track program to assist the polevaulters and high jumpers,
according to head coach Eric
Powers.
Junior high spring sports family support is important.
coaches are hopeful for a
“I think [family] showing
good season with support their support is good, and
from friends and family, it really makes you try
they say.
harder,” says junior high
“Parents can support boys’ baseball player David
their children by coming to Albert.
games and making sure they
Track practice began
are resting up,” says Coach March 15; the first home
B o b D a v i s , w h o h a s meet is March 27 against
coached junior high track Riverside.
for seven years.
The first home boys’
“Track is a very tiring sport, baseball game is April 1
and athletes need to be against Susquehanna. The
ready.”
girls take on Forest City
Coaches, however, are April 12 in their first home
not the only ones who think softball game.
..............................................................................................
Baseball Hopes tto
o Begin
Where It Lef
Leftt Of
Offf
By Richard Buckley
Staff reporter
If the varsity boys’ Doug Wiser, for instance,
baseball team could begin its blew out his knee during
season where it left off last practice last year and missed
year, the team would be eight games. However, that
making another trip to states. wasn’t the first time it had
“Last year was a great happened. The first time was
experience, and a lot of the during wrestling practice last
guys returning were a part of winter.
that,” says varsity coach
Injuries are the least of the
Todd Legg. “I think they Meteors’ problems this year,
realize there is a lot of hard players say. It’s the hard
work to get to that point.”
teams they have to beat
The team lost six of its during the season; teams like
players from its starting line- Abington Heights, Delaware
up, most of whom were Valley and Scranton Prep will
starting pitchers, to be tough teams to beat, say
graduation. The pitchers who players.
won the games in the playoffs
The schedule of schools
last year were all seniors and played is changed every two
pitched solid innings, years by the Lackawanna
according to Coach Legg.
League. The Meteors have
“I hope to improve from played the same teams, such
last year,” says sophomore as Wallenpaupack, Western
Cooper Hewitt. The team’s Wayne and Delaware Valley,
first games were played for the past two years. This
March 17-18 during a year and next, the team will
weekend series against play closer teams, such as
Oxford.
Blue Ridge, Elk Lake and
Starting the first week in Mountain View.
February, the pitchers and
Some players say the
catchers began conditioning regular season is just like
to warm up their arms for the practice; they learn from their
season. Any baseball players mistakes during regular
could use the batting cages in season games, they say.
the high school’s back gyms
“I think the season is like
on
Sundays
and practice,” says Wiser.
Wednesday’s after school.
“Playoffs are what really
Some team members matter.”
missed the season last year
The Meteors’ first home
due to injury and are eager to game is March 30 at 4:30
come back, they say. Junior p.m. against Western Wayne.
...............................................................................................
Junior High Girls’ Basketball
Seasons Nearly P
er
Per
erffect
By Aerika Weed
Staff Reporter
Seventh grader Marissa
Robinson attempts to make a
basket in a shooting drill
during junior high basketball
practice Feb 3.The seventh
grade girls finished their
season with only one loss. The
girls’ eighth grade team closed
its season undefeated.
“The girls are very proud
of the way they have won and
played the game, whether they
won or not,” says eighth grader
Renee Oleniacz.
Elizabeth Davenport/Meteor Chronicle
PAGE 12
MARCH 2006
Sports
SPORTLIGHT
Commentary
Referees Seize the
Spotlight from Athletes
Steffany Jahnke
Sports Editor
Holding, defense number 90.
Ten-yard penalty, repeat first
down. The deafening sounds of
outraged fans fill the stadium:
“Bad call, ref!” and “That’s a
ridiculous call!”
Referees go through fan’s
scoffing at nearly every sporting event due to the variety of
emotions that occur at games.
The refs are trained to call
games fairly without slanting for
either side, despite the opinions
of fans.
Everyone’s a critic, but who
are we, the fans, to judge? We
aren’t experts in the field despite the insane number of hours
we spend sitting in front of the
television screen watching our
favorite teams. Then again, we
ask who are referees to judge?
In professional games such
as this year’s Super Bowl, it’s
seems pretty obvious to the fans
who the refs want to win. “Unfair” calls seem one-sided;
things that look like they should
be called, aren’t. There are
games where we remember
better the referee’s calls than
the players’ scoring, mainly because the calls revoked plays.
It’s painful for a fan to see his
team suffering—blaming a ref
reduces this pain, and finds
blame for a loss.
Refereeing is not just criticized in football, of course, but
in all professional sports. Was
it a strike or a ball? Was that
player really fouled? But that’s
what refs are there for, to make
the hard decisions for the fairness of the game.
Superintendent
Mike
Ognosky has refereed basketball at the high school and collegiate levels for several years.
He has been through several
screening processes for college,
such as having an evaluator at
most of his games who sends a
rating of his performance to the
league office to attempt to ensure fair games. These rating
forms are compared to that of
other referees, and if they are
low, the referee is dropped from
the league. Even so, Mr.
Ognosky says he has witnessed
unjust refereeing.
“I have seen games in
which the officials who worked
the game weren’t as proficient
in those techniques, and that
leads to ‘bad’ calls,” says Mr.
Ognosky. “I see that at every
level.”
Even so, that is a rare occurrence, and those referees
aren’t usually in the business
very long. I’ll admit I have seen
some calls that seem unfair, but
that’s to be expected—refereeing is a difficult job.
When a fan feels strongly
about a team, and it’s doing
poorly, he notices how much a
ref can affect the outcome of a
game. He thinks, “That is not
what refs are there for.”
Emotions slant a fan’s judgment. That’s why we enjoy
watching sports; we get into it,
and all of a sudden we’re part
of the team. When our “teammates” are losing, it’s hard to
think clearly. In professional
sports there is a strict selective-
Taking Cent
er Cour
Center
Courtt
ness of referees. They are
highly trained, highly paid professionals who have a lot to lose
if they make one call that’s
obviously false. Why would a
ref purposely call a game unjustly? What does he have to
gain? Nothing, but he does
have a lot to lose.
To become a referee one
must work his way from junior
high to junior varsity to varsity
levels. In college sports, wouldbe refs must attend tryout
camps in the summer and compete against other officials in
camp games while being evaluated by college officials. If one
is successful, the officials add
him to their staff, according to
Mr. Ognosky.
“In college I have an evaluator at most of my
games, and following every
game he sends an evaluation
form to the league office with a
rating of my performance,”
says Mr. Ognosky.
Refereeing is a very strict
and serious job at any level.
Emotions flow on each side, and
a ref has to make an educated
judgment, which can be very
difficult when one side of the
stands wants a call to be made,
and the other really doesn’t.
The next time you’re at a
game, put yourself in the
referee’s shoes. Take all of
what you want to happen and
forget it and try to call the game
without an opinion of either
team. It’s not so easy. We need
to give refs a break; their jobs
are hard enough.
Cheerleaders Confident Without Mats
By Carly Hull
Staff Reporter
METEOR CHRONICLE
Lady Meteors’ Basketball
Sweeps Competition
By Scott Jones
Staff Reporter
The Lady Meteors varsity basket- March 10. They will continue on the
ball team clinched its second consecu- road to the state championship, comtive Lackawanna League Division 3 title peting against York Catholic on March
with a season record of 20-4.
14 in Pottsville.
“I’m very proud of [the team],”
Coach Cherundolo says the girls
says Coach John Cherundolo. “They owe their success to working together
worked very hard and earned [the as a team.
title].”
“The team came together and
Most players agree
that beating Scranton Prep
on Dec. 8 with a score of
38-37 was one of their
most fulfilling games.
“[Prep] was one of our
best played games all year,
and Montrose also has a
big rivalry with Prep,”
says center Amanda
Vaccaro, a sophomore.
Even though the season was full of wins, there
were also some difficult
losses,
including
Abington (40-58) and
Bishop O’Reilly (27-31).
“Losing to Abington
and O’Reilly really helped
us for later games,” says
guard Christine Brown, a
junior. “Those losses
showed our weaknesses
Elizabeth Davenport/Meteor Chronicle
and what we needed to
Junior Christine Brown receives a pass durwork on.”
The Lady Meteors ing a home game against Trail on Feb. 16.
scored their first playoff
worked harder than ever as one unit,”
victory Feb. 25 against Meyers with a says post Jessica Franklin, a junior,
score of 60-38.
“and from that we got some amazing
“It felt great to win our first playoff wins this season.”
game,” says forward/post Amanda
Other team accomplishments inLass, a senior, “because it got me in the clude finishing third in the Taylor Limood to win and got me excited.”
ons Tournament at Riverside High
On March 1 the Lady Meteors were School in December and senior
victorious again against Carbondale 37- Chelsey Parvin scoring her 1,000th
23. On March 4, however, the Lady career point in a 56-25 victory over
Meteors fell to Dunmore 37-34. They Mountain View Jan. 30.
finished second place in District 2 Class
“[The 1,000th point] felt great,”
AA. Dunmore finished first, and says Parvin. “It’s always been a goal
Carbondale clinched third.
of mine, and it felt really good to
“[Dunmore] was an upsetting loss achieve it.”
because we worked so hard to get
“It’s rewarding to see girls grow
there,” says guard Brittany Ely, a jun- as players and become more confident
ior.
with themselves,” says Coach
The top three teams in District 2 Cherundolo.
advanced to states. The Lady MeteThe Lady Meteors JV basketball
ors soared through the first round of team finished its season with a 18-4
states, defeating Hughesville 40-29 on record.
............................................................................................
“[Cheerleading] is dangerEight girls take cenous, but if you are with people
ter court during halfyou trust, and you’ve had the
time. They position
experience, then it’s as safe as
themselves for a mount.
it could be,” says Choconut
The flyer stands in the
Youth Organization (CYO)
middle of the cheerbasketball cheerleader Kelly
leaders—two “fronts,”
Travis. “It’s all about trust.”
two “bases,” and a
Football cheerleading coach
“back.” Around them
Mary Keihl says there is danare additional cheerger in all sports.
leaders to spot in case
“The more safety equipment
anything goes wrong.
and precautionary measures
The cheerleaders are
used, [the] less chance of inready for a basketjury,” she says.
toss.
Because they don’t use
They will toss the
mats, extra spotters are alflyer into the air as hard
ways used when practicing
as they can, so that she
stunts, lifts, and throws, acwill rise as high as poscording to Mrs. Keihl.
sible. If the cheerlead“No incidents have hapers make a mistake and
Elizabeth Davenport/Meteor Chronicle pened where we felt we desdrop her, she will hit
hard, solid ground. Varsity basketball cheerleaders performed their dance routine at the winter perately needed mats,” says
sports pep rally Jan. 20. No mats were used during the performance.
freshman Helene Weiss, a
There are no mats.
football and basketball cheerAccording to an arleader.
ticle in the Press &
“I feel that it is [fine] that we.
Weiss says that there are
Sun-Bulletin last fall, statistics derneath the cheerleaders
don’t use mats because we’re certain times, however, when
show that cheerleading is the while doing stunts.
MAHS basketball and confident enough in each other the mats would be a good idea.
most dangerous sport for fe“If we had mats open to us
males in high school and col- football cheerleaders rarely [that] we don’t need to,” says
lege due to falls and injuries. To practice on mats because they football and basketball cheer- more, we could use them for
help prevent injuries, it is sug- say that mats don’t really make leader Samantha Wickizer, a new stunts, which we do every
junior.
week,” says Weiss. “[We
gested that mats be used un- the difference.
could] use them for the gymnastics [that we do] too.”
Weiss says that most of the
time, the wrestlers or the wrestling cheerleaders are using the
mats, and because of this,
there aren’t enough for the
other cheerleaders.
Wickizer says that it is easier
to learn and practice stunts
without the mats because they
can’t use them while performing on the courts or at the track.
Sophomore Brittany
Waldron thinks it looks bad to
use mats while performing for
audiences.
“[When you are] practicing,
it doesn’t matter how you
look, but when you are performing, it looks sloppy and
unprofessional,” says Waldron, a CYO basketball
cheerleader and MAHS football cheerleader.
Junior Tabitha Smith and
sophomore Rachel Wells, both
wrestling cheerleaders, agree
that cheerleading on hard
floors is better than cheering on
mats. “When we’re not on
mats, we don’t slip as much,”
says Wells.