September 2013 - Abington School District

THE ABINGTONIAN
Abington Senior High School, Abington, PA, 19001
September 2013
Meet Mr. Berrios, Abington’s New Principal
By Sumner Sykes
You have probably seen him in the halls, before school, or for
the unlucky few, in his office. Who is it? It is Mr. Angelo G. Berrios
III. Mr. Berrios is the high school’s new principal. This year he has
moved up to the senior high and is still trying to find out if it is
a promotion or a demotion (just kidding!). I sat down with our
new principal to get to know him for more than the man we see
telling us not to loiter in the “T”.
Beginning as a student teacher through Penn State’s teaching
program, Mr. Berrios has been with Abington for over 12 years.
However, prior to teaching, he held various positions, including
one as a machine gunner for the United States Marines and
a construction site worker. Having been an American Studies
teacher himself, Mr. Berrios knows what makes a good teacher.
In his opinion, a good teacher needs to be fair, compassionate,
and have a deep understanding of the youth and their behavior.
Believe it or not, Mr. Berrios, as well as the rest of the Abington
staff, has many interests outside of school; Mr. Berrios enjoys
traveling very much. Some of his favorite destinations include
Scotland, Italy, and Greece. Due to his great interest in traveling,
I asked about his foreign language skills, specifically Spanish, and
Mr. Berrios confidently answered, “I could survive.”
I wanted to know a little about our principal during his high
school years, so I asked what any inquisitive teenager would
ask: “Who was your date to prom?” He answered that he took
a beautiful Norwegian exchange student named Monica. And
then the obvious second question: “What was your lowest
grade?” Mr. Berrios earned an F in ninth grade biology - a prime
example of how one bad grade won’t hold you back from having
a successful career in the education field at any grade level.
The differences between the junior high and high school are
extreme; one major difference Mr. Berrios found is the tech
zones, the increased amount of electives, the raised maturity
level, and… um… I feel like I’m forgetting one. Oh yeah, AIR
CONDITIONING, or lack thereof. Regardless, after getting through
five years at the junior high unscathed, the high school should be
a walk in the park for Mr. Berrios.
I was interested to hear what Mr. Berrios had to say to
students who are interested in joining the armed forces. Due
to an obvious bias to the marines, his immediate answer was
to join the marines. The marines motto is “Semper Fidelis”
(meaning Always Faithful in Latin) and when asked what that
phrase meant to him, Mr. Berrios took a minute to think. His
answer was to be faithful to your job and your country. To wrap
up our conversation, I wanted to give Mr. Berrios a stumper
so I asked him to give three words of advice that could get a
student through high school. After a few minutes of pondering,
he decided on “Try Your Best.” Yes, it is simple and yes, it is a
common phrase. However, it is true. If you do the best you can
now, you can set yourself up for the rest of your life. Even if
you fail ninth grade biology, you can still go on to be the head
principal of a school ranked nationally for its excellence. Please
welcome Mr. Berrios to the building and try to not to end up
in his office, unless of course you are interviewing him for the
school newspaper.
Welcome Back to ASHS!
Fun, Fundraising, and the Pursuit of Happiness:
A Message from your Senior Class Council President
By Kevin Smallwood
Greetings from the Senior Class of 2014! The Senior Class
Council has begun planning for the year ahead and is steadily
progressing. Our goal is to make this year as fun-filled and
productive as possible. We have begun planning for fundraisers
and our class skit as of the beginning of September and have
ideas in the work for future events. The single most important
thing about this school year is our fundraising. Fundraising will
help not only to lower the cost of prom but also to give us room
to plan other possible events. And everyone wants cheap prom
tickets. Our first major fundraiser will be selling pizzas, so get
out there and make sure you sell as many as you can! Please bug
your parents, your neighbors, and even your co-workers to buy
some. For more information, see a Class Council officer. Meetings
How was your summer? - Page 3
Syria editorials - Page 5
for Senior Skit practices will be open shortly so come join when
the time arrives. We have had the best skit the past two years
and hope to do the same this year. Let’s get out there and show
them what the class of 2014 is made of! If you want to join the
skit or have any ideas or suggestions for this year, don’t be afraid
to grab me or any other class officer in the hallways and talk to
us. Have a great senior year and make the most of it!
Class of 2014 Officers:
Faculty Sponsors:
President- Kevin Smallwood
Mr. Banks
Vice President- David Bors
Mr. Garry
Secretary- Molly Templin
Treasurer- Grace Pak
JOIN US AND GET INVOLVED!!!
Arts in the Park - Page 7
Football preview - Page 8
The Abingtonian
September 2013
Page 2
FEATURES
Book Review of the Month
The Spectacular Now: Movie Review
By Madison Bradley
Emory’s Gift: A beary
compelling book…
Emory’s Gift, by W. Bruce
Cameron, is a Marley and
Me-esque novel that takes
place in the desolate, potatowasteland of northern Idaho.
In the mountainous middle
of nowhere, Charlie Hall,
a promising thirteen-yearold boy, loses his mother
unexpectedly. With only his
withdrawn, morose father
to keep him company,
Charlie sinks into a world of
isolation…
Until the day he is saved
by one of the vicious, brutal
beasts his dad was always
telling him to stay away from:
a gigantic, beetle-eyed, fanged, grizzly bear. A peculiarly intelligent bear befriends the boy. Charlie, bewildered
by the bear’s appearance to understand what he is saying, writes his
name in the grainy soil. C-H-A-R-L-I-E. The bear pats his paw into the
dirt, his snout twitching quizzically. His eyes seem to glint across the
forest sky. He puts his paws in the soil…E-M-O-R-Y.
This unusual Ursidae brings not only heartwarming love to Charlie,
but also problems. Fast-paced with a riveting plot, Emory’s Gift evokes
a provocative tale of friendship, guilt and the insurmountable faith
that can emerge from a tragedy. A novel that will make your heart
twinge with both happiness and sorrow, Emory’s Gift is a refreshing
read. By Kathleen O’Neill
Veering away from your traditional “happily ever after” type
love story, The Spectacular Now tells a much more realistic tale. Much
like 500 Days of
Summer, the main
female protagonist is
headstrong, knows
what she wants, and
goes for it (although
these desires may
vary throughout
the story). In this
reality-check of a
romance, Sutter
Keely, a high school
student with a
reputation for being
a carefree partier,
meets Aimee Finicky
who is his complete
polar opposite. As the two grow closer, they find that they actually
have a lot to offer to each other. Although not all of what is given is
good, they help each other through many rough situations that arrive
by balancing out one another. I won’t spoil the ending, but similar
to many teen films (and many romantic movies in general) there
is a fall out of epic proportions. With more twists than I can count,
The Spectacular Now will absolutely break your heart. However, it
will break your heart in a good way! We have grown accustomed to
expecting that “Happy Ever After” ending for fictional characters, so
the end of this story will come as an immense surprise. I would not
recommend it to those who are seeking a fairytale, but if you liked 500
Days of Summer, you will love this movie.
Mega Piranha -
Return of the B-movie
(Thanks a lot, Sharknado!)
By Sophia Ricciardi
In the wake of the super storm Sharknado, many have recognized the
entertainment found in the genre known as B-movies. These cheaplymade films have been around since the days of the double feature - but
not all of them are created equally. Some are not worth watching, while
others, like Mega Piranha, are worth your time. Mega Piranha (2010),
directed by Eric Forsberg, follows the story of dangerously-mutated
piranhas, and the people who try to stop them from destroying mankind.
The piranhas were created predictably in a lab experiment gone wrong
in Venezuela by Sarah Monroe (Tiffany-ask your parents) and her
fellow scientists Bob Grady (Barry Williams-aka Greg Brady, again ask
your parents) and Dr. Brian Higgins (Jude Gerard Prest). Somehow these mutant piranhas have been released into the Orinoco River. Then the
piranhas conveniently attacked and sunk a boat with a U.S ambassador onboard, which leads the government to believe the boat was attacked
by terrorists,which of course means that macho military man Jason Fitch (Paul Logan) must be sent in to investigate. With that said, allow me
to explain why this movie is a must-see, and no, it is not because of the plot. You should watch this movie to see the human G.I Joe that is Mr.
Fitch literally kick a piranha the size of a large dog. Keep in mind a school of these creatures has recently sunk a motorboat, and he just kicks one
away.
But it only gets better from there. After his encounter with the fish of unusual size, Fitch reports to the not-so-subtly-villainous Colonel Diaz
(David Labiosa) who decides it would be a good idea to shoot at the piranhas from a military helicopter and, conveniently for the plot, the
dam that keeps them in the river. Not surprisingly, the piranhas are not all eliminated, and escape into the rest of the river. Even better is the
fact that they grow! The piranhas only get larger as the film wears on, making for some highly entertaining shots of buildings being smashed
by fish that defy the laws of physics. On that note, it should be mentioned that good portions of this film ignore the laws of physics and create
interesting new forms of technology such as the “Fish Sonar Detector” and some form of underwater weaponry that strongly resembles a Nerf
gun that some seven-year-old spray painted black. Now back to the plot. Without giving too much away I can tell you that no, they don’t stop
the piranhas at the inlet of the river, and no, they don’t stop the piranhas in the Atlantic. Really it takes quite a few tries for them to even stop
the piranhas at all. Why does this happen? Failure to properly charge a cell phone and a lack of the ability to learn from past mistakes are two
reasons, among many. In the end, however, Mega Piranha is one logic defying, comedic, and just plain enjoyable B-movie. So the next time
you’re in the mood for something mindless, why not take a bite out of Mega Piranha!
The Abingtonian
September 2013
Page 3
FEATURES
Taking on the Mediterranean
Nicaragua with BuildOn
By Katarina Thallner
Every morning for two weeks straight my friends and I woke up,
looked around, and saw cluttered, half-packed suitcases and clothes
on the hotel floor. We only had minutes to shower, dress, and eat
breakfast before our day’s excursion began. Whether we were setting
out to see the Ancient Roman Coliseum or to soak up the sun on
Marathon Beach in Greece, we always had an action-packed day full
of memories. These amazing adventures were made possible through
the Greece and Italy trip offered annually through the guidance of Mr.
Kummer.
The fellow Abington students quickly became close friends. Our
chaperones and our native Italian tour guide made our navigation
easy. We visited the most popular sites, such as the Vatican, Pompeii,
and the Parthenon. In both countries we experienced the people, the
food, and the culture. Not only was this trip educational, but it also
enabled strong bonds of trust and friendship to be formed between
all of the students. This unbelievable journey was only possible due to
the generosity, tolerance, and consideration of all of the chaperones,
especially Mr. Kummer, who plans and organizes this trip every year
for the benefit of the students. I am so fortunate and full of gratitude
to have been able to take part and I strongly recommend all students
interested to information about it from Mr. Kummer!
By Emily Wolfe
Nicaragua to me was like no other place I have ever been. I was
lucky to be able to travel to Nicaragua on a trip through the BuildOn
club at Abington. It is so wonderful and beautiful that it could not
possibly compare to anything I have seen around here. From the way
the communities talk to the way they walk, it is a whole new world;
they will go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy and cared
for as if they are all a part of one extended family. I was there to build
a school for the children who do not have an education. Along with a
school, I built friendships, created new relationships, and now have a
new “family” that would welcome me into their home any day. I miss
Nicaragua so much and learned an immense amount. I hope to be able
to go back as soon as possible!
The Abingtonian asked:
How did you spend
your summer vacation?
A Day in the Life(Guard)
By Casey Eichelberger
I spent my summer working. By the end of the summer, I had
worked every day for about 10 hours, from 11-9. While others may
resent the idea of working and giving up their social life and summer
freedom, I didn’t mind very much. I spent my summer as a lifeguard at
the Crestmont pool.
The typical sight at Crestmont consists of tanning guards, games of
four square when few patrons are present, lots of eating (we never
stop eating), and hearing the constant hope, “I wish it would thunder
so we can get a break.” In all honesty, many people, sometimes
including my parents, wouldn’t consider bumming around at the pool
a real job. However, they only see what is on the surface.
Lifeguarding takes a lot of patience. Every day, children run around
screaming and pushing. I thought I would lose my voice some days
after repeating the same thing to multiple kids: “No, stop that please,
do not push, slow down, don’t drown each other.” Older kids would
push their luck and try to swim in the baby pool. It was as if they
thought we couldn’t tell a ten-year old from a four-year old tot.
Additionally, I discovered most kids believe they are invincible. They
slide down the tube slides and then get to the water and remember
they cannot swim.
The guards always know how to have fun and appear easy-going.
Occasionally we get on each other’s nerves, but we make a great team
when it is necessary. Everything intensifies and draws into focus when
on duty. A guard’s presence on stand enforces the rules and watches
every movement to prevent any emergency. Some kids require first aid
and small incidents cannot be helped, but every save is a team effort.
It was a lot of hours and training, but my summer was spent among
friends, and I would not trade a single ray of sunshine, laugh, late night
or minute for anything. I can’t wait to return next summer.
Drexel University Mini-Med Camp
By Sarah Gleason
Most people spend their summers in a bathing suit on one of the
many beaches of the Jersey Shore, soaking up the sun and crashing
through the waves. I spent my summer in a pair of mint green scrubs,
elbows deep in a human cadaver and drenched in the heavy scent of
formaldehyde. Instead of beach balls, I played with brains. Instead of
surfing, I was learning how stitch a wound. I was a student at Drexel
University’s Mini Med Camp, living out my long-standing Grey’s
Anatomy fantasy. This program is designed for people, like myself, who
are interested in a future medical career and want to get an in-depth
view of the life of a doctor.
The program is split into three rotations, each lasting one week.
My first rotation was surgery; I stood in the operating room in scrubs
and a face mask surrounded by surgeons and medical students
watching procedures like knee replacements, spinal surgery, and
amputations. The second rotation was ambulatory; I shadowed
a variety of specialized doctors in their offices and sat through
patient appointments and case discussions. The final rotation was
pre-clinical; I participated in emergency room simulations, human
cadaver dissections, and first aid training. Unfortunately I didn’t run
into McDreamy or Meredith Grey in the on-call room like in Grey’s
Anatomy, but I learned exactly what a future in medicine will look like
and I am fully prepared for the journey ahead of me. Not everyone
can say that they’ve held a human heart and thanks to Drexel I can
definitely check that one off my bucket list. I encourage other future
medical students to apply to this program or programs similar to it to
really gain experience in the medical field!
The Abingtonian
September 2013
EDITORIALS
Page 4
Still undecided about where you stand on
intervention in Syria?
Don’t Put Gas on the Fire The “Red Line” Problem
By Sami Robertson
America has been a dominant nation since the end of the 19th
century. We have been imposing our laws, type of government,
and culture for nearly six decades, onto countries that are in no
need of our aid. Syria is no exception. The United States is not a
favorable country in the Middle East, except to Israel, so why throw
more gasoline into those fires of hatred? We already know that
Iran has been trying to secretly make nuclear weapons, which puts
its surrounding countries under the threat of attack. Additionally,
we started a war that lasted about ten years on supposed nuclear
weapons in Iraq. It wouldn’t be beneficial to our country to mix
ourselves up in another Middle Eastern conflict that wasn’t ours in
which to meddle. Though the Syrian government is out of line with
its illegal use of chemical weapons, we are not the one nation in the
world with the right to reprimand other countries like children, no
matter how wrong they may be. We are one country, one in about
196, so why should we be the big superhero that is supposed to save
everybody?
The United States thinks it has a responsibility to protect everyone
when, of course, they aren’t the only world power at work. It seems
like we, as a country, imagine that we have the sole duty to scold
other countries for their imperfections, as if we are perfect ourselves.
Obama needs to know that he is making a mistake by bombing and/
or threatening Syria. Involving other countries, like Russia, isn’t smart
either, since it could start World War III due to the simmering conflict
that we already have with Russia along with the Syrians’ hatred for us.
Though Syria does not have the power to directly bomb us, they could
always influence another country to hurt us. It just isn’t worth the risk,
for the people, or the country itself.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
TELL US BY WRITING A
LETTER TO THE EDITOR!
By Nathaniel Davis
When the prospect of military involvement in Syria first came to my
attention, I was entirely opposed to the idea. When Obama drew the
red line--if Assad used chemical weapons, military intervention would
be required--Assad was supposed to back down. However, Assad has
crossed that red line, and, for the image of America and enforcement
of international law, we are locked into a pact of war.
When the leader of a military Superpower draws a line, the line
is crossed, and the consequences that supposedly came along with
crossing the line are not adhered to, the leader looks weak.
I am a big fan of Syria turning in the chemical weapons, and us
leaving them alone. However, Secretary Kerry made the proposition
too late, and there is no way of knowing whether or not we had
confiscated all of the weapons.
When someone in a position of power as great as Obama’s opens
his or her mouth, wisely or unwisely, the world is going to listen.
When we, as citizens of the most powerful country in the world, look
upon the pictures of the chemical strikes initiated by Assad and his
regime, we should feel called to take a stand against anyone who took
part in that sadistic play of power. According to Chuck Klosterman,
“The villain is the person who knows the most but cares the least.”
We, as a nation, are in a position of power, a position from which
we can alter the course of these afflicted people’s lives. The question
is, will we stand by our beliefs of freedom and our abhorrence of cruel
and unusual punishment, or will we succumb to villainy?
I am not, however, promoting an all-out war. In fact, given the
military conflict that has dominated the past decade, it would be
foolish to engage Syria to the extreme that we engaged other nations
in the Middle East. America said that Syria would be punished for the
use of chemical weapons, and they should be, but in a way that is not
over the top.
America has always stood for the oppressed, and this time we do
what is right not only to further our belief in equality, but to protect
the authoritative position that we have toiled long to be in. Only time
will tell if it was the right decision from the start, but, given the way
things played out, it is the right decision for the situation that we have
created.
The Abingtonian September 2013
EDITORIALS
Page 5
Our editorialists offer their opinions.
AP photo
A Preventable Mistake Alleviate the Suffering
By Vsevolod Leskin
Syria. The country, very unremarkable (as far as the Middle East
goes) until recently, has grown to be a fiery, polarizing topic of
discussion among both politicians and the people who elected them.
To intervene or not to intervene, that is the question; whether ‘tis
Nobler in the mind to let the rebels suffer the Bullets and Nerve Gases,
or to take arms... well, the point gets across. Should the United States
intervene and stop the violence? Or should we sit this one out? A
bigger question is, why are there only two choices?
Diplomacy, as demonstrated by Vladimir Putin, is still a possibility.
In a fascinating display of role-reversal, the ex-KGB authoritarian
recently engineered a disarmament treaty for which the government
of Syria has shown enthusiasm, while our own Nobel Peace Prize
winner campaigned for war. Why? The people of the United States
do not stand to directly benefit from intervention in Syria. Its
chemical weapons arsenal is no longer a threat, and the civil unrest
is, frankly, not our business. If saving human lives and promoting
democracy was the true purpose of our foreign relations, then
why didn’t we intervene in Rwanda? Why did the CIA repeatedly
usurp democratically elected leaders, like the Iranian Mohammed
Mosaddegh? Syria is clearly a special case.
It is likely that Obama simply wants to back his allies, the Gulf States
and Israel. Israel’s relations with Syria had always been tense, and the
Gulf States have a religious score to settle, but why should it involve
the U.S.? We have spent over $3 trillion dollars for 12 years’ worth of
interventions, and we have gotten nothing but PTSD and flag-draped
coffins. If our history with the Middle East should teach us anything, it
is that violence will always lead to more violence.
The money is better spent on education or poverty relief, or maybe
even healthcare, so that we can at least compare our average standard
of living to the rest of the developed world. And though this campaign
was promised to be brief, we were also promised that our private data
wasn’t going to be collected and scrutinized in the name of national
security. But that’s a story for another day.
By Ryan Grewal
If you are the average student at Abington, the important question
isn’t “Should we bomb Syria?”, or “What should the government’s
stance be on helping oppressed people?”, it’s “Why should I care about
Syria?”
Many point to human rights violations, the oppression and killing of
over a hundred thousand citizens as reason to care about the actions
of the Assad regime. If the morality of a government oppressing its
people actually mattered to Americans, however, the media would
have been reporting on Syria for the last two years since the civil war
began with at least half the fervor it has had in the past month. Sarin
and other toxic gases used as chemical weapons caused innocent
civilians to die horrible deaths, but these account for less than 2%
of deaths in Syria. Unfortunately, it seems to take 1,400 war crimes
for the media to think the American people will even bat an eyelid at
the warrantless killing of 100,000 in a place far away from us. “More
brown people dying somewhere over there” is just something that has
been happening ever since the western powers drew up the ethnically
inconsiderate boundaries in the Middle East.
Many journalists, like Fareed Zakaria, believe violence in Syria
was inevitable due to these arbitrary borders and the incongruous
ethnic populations they enclose, along with European-supported
minority leaders, like the Alawite Assad family, oppressing the majority
groups, like the mostly Sunni population of Syria. Syrian civil war was
inevitable, and the instability in the Middle East will continue long into
the future whether or not it has an effect on us.
It is easy enough to care because people are dying, but caring about
every oppressed and hurting person in the world is a futile exercise;
there are simply too many cases, from the despotism of North Korea
and genocide in Central Africa, to the tolerated oppression of Russians
and Chinese. Pundits and politicians can argue and debate morality
and obligation as long as they want, yet, at the end, we can only hope
to alleviate suffering. Caring doesn’t heal; it is as useless as inaction.
The reason I care about Syria, is not morality or perception, though.
It is because I am going to learn about Kosovo and Iraq and Bosnia in
World History. I am just preparing ahead.
The Abingtonian
September 2013
NEWS
Page 6
Farewell, German Exchange
Students! We will miss you!
Did you see September’s Harvest Moon?
The Harvest Moon is the full moon that falls closest to the
autumnal equinox, which marks the beginning of fall in the
Northern Hemisphere. This year, the equinox fell on September 22, and the moon reached its full phase in North America
overnight from September 18-19.
By Avery Greenberg
Have you walked around school this year and noticed that
something was different? Foreign? Well you would be 100% correct
because about 40 German students have been walking our halls for the
past 3 weeks. Unfortunately, they went home on the 19th, but they did
quite a lot while they were here. Their activities included going down
to the beach, a rodeo, shopping (obviously), and sporting events which
many experienced for the very first time. Although these activities are
something we Americans are quite accustomed to, it was a thrill to see
how the Germans thought of our lives. But not everything was fun and
games. Let’s be real, most of it was, but they also had to sit through
our long days of school, which was a totally new experience for them.
The foreign exchange students come from a school that teaches grades
5-12 with fewer kids than we have in a single grade, so they had a
bit of a cultural shock. Other differences the Germans seemed to
take note of were the food (larger and very different in taste), sports,
independence (or lack thereof), and general scenery. The suburban
streets were vastly different from the rolling hills and snow capped
mountains. And believe it or not, according to them, we are much less
rude! So all in all, they had a pretty great time, and I think I speak for
everyone who was in contact with them when I say we miss them all
very much.
WORDLINK
Hey word puzzle lovers! Frustrated with life? Well, sit back, relax, and
fill out a wordlink. You play by creating a chain of compound words
from the first word all the way to the last. The first and second word
link to make a compound word, like in this example: Guitar and string
connect to make guitar string, string links with band to make string
band, and band and camp link to form band camp. Some of the words
even have letters filled in to help you out!
Think you solved the puzzle? Print your name at the bottom, cut out
your completed wordlink, and drop it off at the Wordlink box sitting
on the Abingtonian box in the library. YOU WILL BE ENTERED INTO
A DRAWING TO WIN A PRIZE! Winners will be announced on the
afternoon announcements! Best of luck!
GREEN
__ __ N __ __ __ __
__ __ S __
T __ __ __
__ E __ __
__ E__ __ __ R
S __ __ __ __
__ __ __ N __
REMOVER
NAME:____________________
Read Up, Seniors!
A Guide to the Common
Application
By Andre Nevins
As we embark on the journey of the college application process, it
is almost impossible not to have heard of The Common Application,
especially as senior year is upon some of us. The Common App is an
extremely helpful website that makes the application process much
easier for seniors applying to college this upcoming fall. The website
as a whole is exactly as it sounds: a common college application that
you fill out thoroughly. Once completed, choose the schools that you
would like to apply to and the website will send out your information
for college evaluations. Most colleges and universities use the
Common App, making everything easier on you and your guidance
counselor since you do not have to send in multiple applications. As a
senior, I highly recommend creating an account and getting started as
soon as possible as this is a resourceful tool you would want to take
advantage of. Also, bear in mind that the Common App has undergone
a fairly recent facelift. In previous years, the “topic of your own choice”
essay was a major hit with applying seniors. Unfortunately, this option
has been scrapped along with other prompts in favor of five brandnew ones which you can view in their entirety on the Common App
website. On top of that, the word limit has been increased from 500 to
650 words.
If you would like to see a full list of the colleges and universities that
use the Common App, all you have to do is visit www.commonapp.
org and click on the link that says “member colleges.” If you have any
further questions about the Common App, or college applications in
general, visit your guidance counselor as soon as possible. Good luck
to all the seniors applying to college this fall!
The Abingtonian
September 2013
Page 7
NEWS
Forecast: A White Winter??? Check It Out: Arts in the
Park - Abington Arts Center
By Danny Nikander
Year after year there is one question that continuously lingers in all
students’ minds—how many snow days are we going to have? These
unexpected breaks from the exhausting pressures in the classroom
surely allow all
students and
teachers to give a
long sigh of relief.
Whether the days
are spent rejoicing
in the snow before
it melts away or
even catching up
on dearly-missed
sleep, time off
from school can
be enjoyed by
anyone. However,
the question still
stands: what is this winter going to look like?
According to the 2013-2014 Farmer’s Almanac, there will be a
decline in solar activity and ocean-atmosphere patterns in the Pacific
and Atlantic oceans. In other words, a major drop in temperature will
be affecting the entire country and with the right mix of precipitation,
frequent snow storms are in speculation. Specifically pertaining to
Pennsylvania, our wintry season will be braced by what the Almanac
likes to call, “Cold, Wet, and White.” But do not let ideas of rain bum
you out because when the temperatures drop, the precipitation will
freeze right up!
Hoping that the most trusted periodical in our country proves to be
fairly accurate, we can expect a white winter. So make sure your hats,
gloves, and shovels are always at your side when the snow storms
begin to roll in.
By Leea Kelly
Many people have been to the Abington Art Center, be it for an art
class, a walk through the beautiful sculpture garden, or an elementary
school field trip. Many others, however, are unaware of something
wonderful that transpired the last Wednesdays of May, June, July,
August, and September. At Arts in the Parks, a concert series, crowds
of people dug out their picnic blankets, Frisbees, and musical
instruments for a wonderful show full of wonderful people. Local
artists came out and got a chance to be on stage and show the world
their talents. All were welcoming and friendly, and they loved to see
everyone and anyone show up! The atmosphere made you feel as if
summer was never going to end, and you would never want the show
to end. If the weather was nice, the field behind the main building
could have been filled with a multitude of people purely enjoying
themselves. Simply put, this was a place where you came to unwind
and be yourself. Throngs of dancing and singing people of all ages,
races, and religions were constantly active and open to new members.
I almost forgot to mention the best part: Arts in the Parks is a FREE
affair! A common problem when out of school is not having enough
money to go to fun events, but with this one all you need is a way to
get there and an open mind. The Abington Art Center, however, always
accepts donations and volunteers.
Come and Get It!...At
Abington’s Baking Club
By Alexis Scott
Attention all lovers of food! Are you in need of service hours? Would
you enjoy spending time improving your baking skills and gaining more
confidence in the kitchen after school? Do you enjoy eating freshlybaked cookies in an relaxed atmosphere? Do you have what it takes
to be a domestic god or goddess? If you answered yes to any of the
previous questions, the Baking Club is the perfect club for you! For about five years, the Baking Club has sold hundreds of goodies
that have righteously endowed the bellies of Abington students and
faculty at our regularly scheduled bake sales. The Baking club has
raised thousands of dollars in funds for Philabundance, a local food
bank that provides groceries for lowincome families in the Philadelphia
area. Our sales have featured little
delicacies ranging from chocolate
chip cookies, to decadent brownies
and blondies, to eccentric rainbow
cupcakes. In addition to our
bake sales, the Baking Club has
organized numerous events in the
past, including Pi(e) Day, Valentine
cupcake deliveries, Cupcake Wars,
holiday-themed baking, and most
recently Student Involvement Day teacher pie-ings. During the 2013-2014 school year, Baking Club is seeking bakers and
lovers of food to help maintain our status as the greatest food-based
club in ASHS history. If you are interested in becoming a part of the
club or would like more information, please check out our table at the
upcoming Abington Clubs and Activities Fair on October 4th, 2013 or
send a buzz to the club email at [email protected].
For all the musicians out there, this is a concert for every type of
music. The genres played this summer included metal, electronic, folk,
rock, reggae, jazz, ska, rap, and still many more. Liza, who runs the
entire festival, is always open to having new acts come on stage for the
next show.
So come to Arts in the Parks next summer and remember that on
the last Wednesday of the month, you could be enjoying the night
with a big group of loving people, wonderful music, and all at no cost
to you.
WE WANT YOU!
BE A PART OF THE ABINGTONIAN!
WE NEED WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS,
AND EVEN CARTOONISTS!
COME TO A MEETING OR CHECK OUT
OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. JOIN US!
The Abingtonian
September 2013
Page 8
SPORTS
No Seniors? No Problem!
Girls’ Volleyball Preview
Abington Galloping Ghosts
Football - 2013 Preview
By Blake Friedman
Compared to other high school sports, football takes dedication,
hard work, and a will to be victorious well before the actual school
year begins. Just like every year, Coach Sorber and his staff train their
players to be strong, disciplined, and smart by the time the regular
season begins. “It’s tough. Hot and sweaty,” Captain running back
Craig Reynolds said. “It’s always physical even in mid-August, but we
have to be ready”.
And that is what the Abington football team has been this year:
Ready. Key players that have contributed to the early season have
been seniors such as Anthony Lee, Craig Reynolds, Christian Werner,
and Jake Clark. The talent is even spread to the class of 2015 where
Jordan Neely has been showcasing himself at the receiver position.
With this type of talent coming from the upperclassmen it is
imperative that they bring the leadership that this Abington team
needs. “Abington has a great tradition of winning” Reynolds said. “It
is important that young guys know this and make sure we are always
working. No days off.”
With the lethal combination of both tailbacks Tyler Schreiner and
Craig Reynolds, it will be interesting to see who can stop the dynamic
duo in the backfield. “I have to give a lot of credit to the offensive
line,” Craig Reynolds stated. “Sorber makes sure they know what they
are doing during training camp, so I’m thankful for them because they
make my job a lot easier!”
Just like most teams, the Abington Ghosts football team is
taking each game one game at a time. In order for the Ghosts to
be successful, they will have to focus, focus, focus. With the injury
of starting quarterback Anthony Lee for over a month, it will be
interesting to see how the Ghosts handle the pressure without their
starting quarterback under center. Already off to an undefeated 4-0
start, look for the Ghosts to stay tough and figure out ways to win.
Congratulations to September
Athletes of the Month!
Amirah Salim-Bey (Tennis)
Jackie Farides (Field Hockey)
Anthony Lee (Football)
Austin Brotman (Soccer)
Gabi Nolan (Soccer)
By David Arroyo
During the rough patches of a season, a varsity squad would
normally turn toward the wily seniors for advice and guidance.
Heading into the 2013 campaign, the Abington Girls Volleyball team
is without a senior, but does not lack on the leadership aspect. First
you have Head Coach Jea Lee, coaching in his 3rd season with the girls
and bringing an immense amount of knowledge of volleyball to the
squad. But what players can these young gun freshman turn to? Look
no further than juniors and co-captains Lizzie Lloyd and Carley Cooper.
Carley, who is said by many to be on her way to a D-1 scholarship,
provides the energy and will to win that every team needs. Losing,
for her, is unacceptable and she drives the principle home to the
underclassman. Lizzie Lloyd is the voice of the team, who you can hear
no matter where you are. Without Lizzie, the team is without a voice
to express the feelings of many. Lloyd drives and motivates the team
through her bright and bubbly spirit. With the combination of these
two juniors, they have set an outstanding example for others players
on the Lady Ghosts Volleyball Squad.
Although the team is young, the gritty Coach Jea has high
expectations. When asked about goals for the team, Coach Jea
responded, “Make district playoffs. Since we got a taste of making
playoffs last year, the girls are hungry to get back and go further
into the playoffs.” Jea would also enjoy seeing the girls improve on
chemistry and communication, which is slowly (but surely) coming
for this fantastic group. Injuries early in the preseason impaired
the team’s ability to build on its chemistry. The key for this team
is communication, and that shall come in time for the Lady Ghosts
squad, who Abington expects to have a quality season that will
hopefully culminate with a banner hanging in the gymnasium. As I
have heard the girls say at their games, “Do it for the banner.”
The Abingtonian, 2013-2014
Published by: Abington Senior High School, Abington, PA
Editors-In-Chief:
Alex Rosenbaum and Aleks Cvetkovic
News Editor:
Sabrina Farmer
Editorial Editor:
Rebecca Kruger
Features Editor:
Elana Waldstein
Sports Editor:
Blake Friedman
Writers:
Sumner Sykes, Kevin Smallwood, Madison Bradley,
Kathleen O’Neill, Avery Greenberg, Katarina Thallner,
Emily Wolfe, Sarah Gleason, Avery Greenberg,
Casey Eichelberger, Sophia Ricciardi, Ryan Grewal,
Sami Robertson, Andre Nevins, Nathaniel Davis,
Vsevolod Leskin, Danny Nikander, Leea Kelly,
Alexis Scott, David Arroyo
Faculty Advisors:
Mr. Bryan Quigley & Mr. Albert Saylor
Administration:
Mr. A. Berrios, Mr. R. McCuen,
Mr. E. Johnson, Mr. C. Fiorino