January 2008 - Abington School District

abington.k12.pa.us
January 2008
Vol. LXXXVII, Issue 4
The Abingtonian
Abington Senior High School, Abington, PA 19001
January 2008
Abington rocked its socks off for Uganda
By Erin Metzinger
Abington students showed off their talent at the third annual
talent show on Thursday, November 29th in the Senior High School
Auditorium. The show was part of Rachel Dirksen’s senior project and
was sponsored by Key Club. Over the summer Rachel had a chance
to go to Uganda on a mission trip. This experience made Rachel want
to do something to benefit the children in the poorest areas of the
country. All of the money raised went to the children in Uganda who
are in dire need of socks. Tickets were five dollars each, or students
could hand in three pairs of socks to be sent to Uganda. Programs
were handed out as people walked in. Cover art was done by Becca
Panitch and each program had inside a short summary of Rachel’s
trip and why this cause is so important to her. Acts consisted of singing, guitar playing, dance, and Chinese yo-yo. Opening the show
was Rachel, who talked about her trip to Uganda and how it
changed her life. She explained how the Ugandan children walked
everywhere, causing them to have cut-up and blistered feet. Behind
her a slide show of pictures she took on her trip played. Master of
Ceremonies, Adam Glickman, introduced the opening act, Russell
Fitzpatrick and Josh Salzman, who played guitar and sang “Two Coins”
by Dispatch. Also performing on guitar and singing were Phil Foster
and Mike Boettcher, with “How to Save a Life” and “Over My Head
(Cable Car)” by the Fray. Jess Gabage played piano for Fatia Kasumu,
who sang “Ain’t Misbehavin.” Singing solo was Denzel Pryor with “Can’t
Help but Wait” and later Andrew Collins with the Beatle’s “Norwegian Wood.”
Four dance groups took the stage including Laura Weiner,
Tammie Farnell, and Ellen DeKalb dancing to Blink 182’s “I Miss You”;
Qadir Martin, Tempess Johns, Courtney Carey, Austin Jones, and
Sugene Hong in a hip-hop mix; Laura Baehr and Michelle Glynn dancing to Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango”; and Kellye Call, Kelly Ratka,
and Rachel Jackson dancing to “Wonderful.”
Adding variety to the show were the Chinese Yo-Yo Guys including Scott Mermelstein, Dan Lee, Phil Luu, Travis Pollen, and Max
Nurnberger (pictured above). Their skill and tricks astounded the crowd
as they spun and threw their yo-yos around the stage.
Refreshments and snacks were served during a ten-minute intermission, which also helped to raise money for the cause. An estimated
200 people came out for this event and $1,022 was raised along with
55 pairs of socks collected. This event was a success not only because
students had fun, but also because it supported a great cause and
helped raise awareness for all of the children in Uganda.
Men’s Step Team
By Jill McCoach
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
This year it seems as though there is an outbreak of more and
more clubs. There is WAVE, CultureFEST, and the Men’s Step Team.
Unfortunately, some of these clubs don’t get the recognition they
deserve. The Men’s Step Team may be the least recognized of these
new clubs. Many people don’t realize that it exists. However, after
the pep rally before the Abington versus Cheltenham Thanksgiving
game, no one will question their existence. The team has been working hard, and it showed in their performance.
Around fifteen guys make up the team. At the pep rally they put
on an amazing act. It was the first time the school got to see what
they had been working on. All of their movements were precise and
defined. The team had great energy and looked like they were enjoying their time in front of the crowd. Their routine was creative and
unique. Most importantly they got the audience energized and on
their feet. Everyone enjoyed their performance.
The Men’s Step Team meets and practices on Wednesdays after
school. Mr. Schneider is the teacher running the club. The Men’s Step
Team is a great way to express yourself and show the school what
you can do. By joining this club you can showcase your talent and
meet new people.
Snowball fight - Page 2
Point/Counterpoint - Page 3
Horrors of junior year - Page 4
The new A-word - Page 4
Abingtonian advice - Page 5
The History of Love - Page 6
Seeing without sight - Page 6
Fashion Corner - Page 7
Squash (the sport, not the vegetable) - Page 8
Sports Corner with Yale Minn - Page 8
abington.k12.pa.us
2
N
The Abingtonian
Antigone:
in case you missed out
By Sarah Bugay & Alina Szuch
On Thursday, November 15th and Friday,
November 16th, Abington Senior High School
had its play of Antigone. With wild disputes,
forbidden romance, and even some humor,
Antigone had it all. Led by Eowyn Groves playing Antigone herself, the rest of the cast included Greg Leon as Haemon, Kieran O’Shea
playing Creon, Juliet Klinman as Ismene, and
Rachel Quinn playing the Greek chorus. These
and so many other parts kept this play interesting and entertaining.
Even though Antigone was written 2400
years ago the play was just as vivacious! Everything from Antigone’s defiant attitude, to
Haemon’s undying love, to Creon’s stubbornness ensured the production would be remembered, including the lines and costumes.
We also had an interview with Stephen Peacock, who played the page in Antigone.
Here’s what he had to say about life on stage:
Abingtonian: Have you always wanted to be
an actor?
Stephen Peacock: Yes, I was in productions for my church and in junior high school
and Apex.
A: Do you plan to pursue acting further?
SP: Definitely in high school, but I’m not
interested in it as a career. It’s a hobby.
A: Were the older, more experienced
actors in Antigone role models for you?
SP: I admired Eowyn (Antigone) and Kieran
(Creon) because they had to memorize so
many lines.
Ever wondered who the biggest thespian drama queen is? Stephen tells all in our
exclusive backstage scoop: On Friday night,
disaster struck backstage. Stephen saw a “critter” crawl in the back room. Cockroach?
Mouse! All the girls jumped on the table, trying not to scream. We won’t reveal the biggest freak-out, but consider her likeness to
Sharpay Evans.
e
w
s
Snowball fight!
By Adam Glickman
Recently we reached that time of
year when student council’s annual
Snowball rolled around at Abington
Senior High. Snowball takes place in
the middle of the stretch between
Thanksgiving and winter break and is
something most students look forward
to in order to get them through the
long school days. Really, who wouldn’t
want to attend an “exclusive” dance?
Well, that’s the problem. Everyone
wanted to go! Snowball definitely
turned out great in the end, but there
was a lot of craziness along the way.
When tickets went on sale the first
day, only thirty were available each
lunch period. Ten were saved for each
period the next day for students that were
absent or forgot money. The limited tickets
caused major drama. Students were cutting
class and waiting in line for their chance to
buy them. Students with fifth and sixth period
lunch came to fourth period and tried to get
their tickets, causing fourth period students
to wait for fifth period tickets and so on. Lines
turned into mobs and arguments started
about who was where in line. Seniors were
upset they were having trouble getting tickets as it was their last year to attend this exclusive dance. The juniors and sophomores
wanted to be part of this fun event too. Overall, it was total chaos. Student council had
to print ten more tickets to somewhat appease the crazed students. Some people’s
efforts paid off, but others weren’t so lucky.
As Snowball got closer, the lucky ticket
holders looked forward to the upcoming
dance. The girls bought their dresses, and the
guys pulled out their shirts and ties. Members
of student council headed to the auditorium
lobby to prepare all the decorations on Friday after school as everyone else went home
to get ready. Everything was set up and the
giant “Snowball” sign was the final touch. As
it was lit, it began to spark and had to be
taken down. More lights were found and a
Why aren’t people going
to the school store?
By Julie Powers
If you were to ask a random person at
Abington where the school store is located,
chances are they wouldn’t be able to tell you.
If they did, it would probably be because of
the funny advertisements on the announcements, not because they actually visited it.
This is a very unfortunate circumstance because the school store actually has a wide
variety of very appealing things to choose
from. For all of you who haven’t already heard
the announcements or visited our spectacular school store, let me explain the exact location to you. The store is actually a wide
window located near the guidance offices.
If you are standing at the library, you walk
straight up the ramp through both sets of
double doors. After this, you turn right, and
the store will be located on the right.
People assume that the school store only
sells Abington spirit clothes. This assumption,
like so many others, is untrue. The school store
January 2008
sells water bottles, lanyards, pencils, and so
many other exciting accessories. In addition
to this, you can buy clothes: sweatshirts, Tshirts, sweatpants, and more! All of this is available to anyone during your lunch period.
Considering the incredible amount of
spirit Abington High School has, it is somewhat
of a surprise that more students aren’t interested in our educational boutique. The football games and other school events are increasingly popular, and we need to start dressing like a school that cares about its teams! If
we truly support our sports teams, then we
need to wear clothes to show it. If you like
Fall Out Boy, you wear a Fall Out Boy shirt. So,
if you like Abington, deck yourself out in
Abington apparel! Even if you don’t and just
want a new cozy outfit to lounge in, a pencil
for the day you forgot one, or a lanyard for
your precious ID, visit the school store.
new sign was made. The auditorium lobby
was finally ready. Students started heading
over to friends’ houses for pictures and even
ventured out to dinner.
As people started arriving, ID’s were
checked and tickets were collected by the
Abington administration as students ran in to
escape the cold weather. They walked into
an unrecognizable lobby with a snowflake
wall, couples’ names written on snowflakes
on the windows, lights wrapped around everything and spelling out “2008” along the trophy case, and the new giant “Snowball” written in lights on the balcony below where the
DJ and lights were stationed. People put their
coats down and helped themselves to some
catered food before starting to dance. All the
drama that was ticket sales went away. The
DJ mixed it up with some old school tunes
that needless to say did not suit most people’s
liking; overall, though, the dance was a hit.
A big thanks to Mr. Banks and Mr. Garry along
with all the members of student council for
keeping up the tradition that is the Abington
Senior High Snowball!
ABINGTONIAN
2007-2008
Published by: Abington Senior High
School; Abington, Pennsylvania
Editors-in-Chief: Alex Kuczynski-Brown,
Travis Pollen
News Editor: Steph Smith
Editorial Editor: Laura Pempkowski
Features Editor: Rachel O’Neill
Sports Editor: Jesse Golaszewski
Photographers/Cartoonists: Adam
Glickman, Fränc Luu
Writers: Julie Powers, Jill McCoach,
Caroline Mills, Shannon Fairorth, Marc
Joseph, Rob Verderame, James
McDonald, Melanie Highbloom, Jacob
Feldman, Sam Gerhardt, Juliette
Augustin, Gia Gladden, Alyssa Kress, Sara
Small, Erin Metzinger, Nikki Hess, Chelsea
Marion, Yale Minn, Sarah Nyirjesy, Liz
McGarry, Sarah Bugay, Marta Piotrowicz,
Andrew Slade, Nia Hunt, Brigitte Britt,
Alina Szuch
Advisors: Mr. A. Saylor, Mr. R. Wrigley
Administration: Dr. R. Burt, Mr. R. McCuen,
Ms. D. Heaven, Mr. E. Johnson
abington.k12.pa.us
January 2008
The Abingtonian
3
Point / Counterpoint
“Give me your tired, your
poor, your huddled masses
yearning to break free”
…Unless you’re from mexico
By Shannon Fairorth
America is a country that leads the world in carbon emissions
and petroleum consumption. Our poorly-executed and ethically-unsound war has drawn disdain from formerly friendly nations, and our
overly-sexualized media consistently garners criticism from more religious populations. And still, untold millions (for thanks to the illegality
of many of their entrances, we shall never truly have an exact number) flock over our borders each year. While this phenomenon may
seem illogical, the reality is that despite our weaknesses and our fall
from grace in reputation, the American Dream still exists. It’s the classic rags-to-riches fantasy that has enticed swarms of people from all
corners of the earth to pack up their belongings, their families, and
essentially, their lives, and make an excursion to a brand new place.
Although the details may change, such as the illegal entrance technique of choice (the once en-vogue method of stowing away on
cargo ships has given way to the currently popular fence jumping), it
seems that the reasons for the trip are still the same: to escape religious, ethnic, or social persecution as well as a vicious cycle of poverty, and come to a country where opportunities are supposedly limitless.
Still, while it is clear that our immigrants have not changed, it’s undeniable that our reception to
them most certainly has. I’m not in
any way implying that at the turnof-the-century, every American welcomed with open arms the seemingly endless torrents of foreigners,
all clamoring for their piece of the
promised land. There were, of
course, the “No Irish Need Apply”
signs, as well as the boundless antiSemitism, without which any good
repertoire of prejudice simply is incomplete. Our attitude towards our
newer residents, however, has gone
from grudgingly accepting to virulently intolerant over the last century. Not only do we resent their
presence, we refuse it. Take, for example, the ongoing controversy
over illegal Mexican immigrants. Often referred to in the news as “aliens” (clearly a deliberate effort to
decrease sympathetic sentiment – these people are not like us, they
are aliens), they have sparked a nation-wide debate. Should we
throw them all out immediately and increase border security, or do
they deserve to be granted amnesty? Yet, while we have been far
from convivial to Mexican immigrants, no one ever says a word about
English, Canadian, or Swiss newcomers. It is not a matter of immigration, but a matter of “Classism.” We resent the presence of LatinAmerican immigrants not because we lack the space, jobs, and financial means to support an increase in our population (although
these are valid points). No, our vehemently insistent intolerance of
them stems from our preconceived notions of what these people
are: poor and uneducated, and therefore inferior. It is not that we
have no room, but that we simply do not want to make room for
this specific demographic. When did we as a society decide to, both
metaphorically and literally, close our borders? When did we decide
that the American Dream is only for some, and, more importantly,
how did we decide who to exclude from the possibility of a better
life? While it is difficult to refute statistics about increasing crime rates,
dependence on government aid, and disappearance of economic
opportunities for “real” Americans associated with the surge in immigration, they are irrelevant. After all, unless said person is a Native
American, no one can trace his or her ancestry to this land for more
than a few centuries; we were all once newcomers. We have no
right to refuse hospitality to anyone, for America is a country founded
on immigrants. In fact, aren’t immigrants, with their work ethic, sense
of adventure, and ability to persevere through all obstacles, the most
American Americans of all?
The punishment fits the
crime… unless you’re an
immigrant
By Marc Joseph
There is a cancer in our society that is eating away at our sense
of national unity. It is an insidious entity, subtle but deadly, swarming
across our borders and into our heartland by the millions. Slowly but
surely, illegal immigration is ripping our country apart at the foundations.
Our country was built on immigrants. Our nation is a melting
pot that built itself on the dregs of society – British debtors, Irish Catholics, Russian Jews, Chinese peasants, impoverished Italians, and Nigerian slaves. We draw our populace and our culture from every
corner of the world, from every society and civilization that ever was,
and we will continue to be a refuge for the people in the world who
can find no freedom. But all the people mentioned above have a
key difference from the Mexican immigrants coming to our country:
they came legally.
Mexican immigrants knowingly break the law to enter our country. A ten-foot-high fence is normally a pretty good indicator that you
should come in another way; despite the warning signs, however,
illegal immigrants continue to penetrate our boundaries. They break
the law consciously and with intent, with no other thought in mind
except the “desire to better their lives.” And nothing is done about it.
If I rob a bank, knowing that what I
am doing is illegal, and I am completely in control of my mental faculties, the police don’t care whether
or not I only desired to better my
life. I broke the law, and I will have
to pay for it.
But illegal immigrants don’t
pay for breaking the law. On the
contrary, they are paid for, by our
government. There are millions of
families in this country who are technically above the poverty line, but
cannot afford medical insurance.
And there are millions of people in
this country illegally who are provided with free health insurance by
our government, the same government that manages to aid people
here ILLEGALLY but can never quite
find the funds to help our own
people. Does that seem a little
strange to you?
And for people claiming to want a better life, they don’t really
help the communities they are in. Cities and towns with higher numbers of illegal Mexican immigrants generally have higher crime rates
as well. And never mind the fact that illegal immigrants, the same
ones who reap the benefits of our public health systems, the same
ones who use our public schools and pay no taxes, demand that
they be given legal documents such as a driver’s license. Of course,
those same immigrants who demand licenses don’t get arrested and
shipped back to Mexico. God forbid the law of the land should apply
to poor, impoverished immigrants…that would be racist.
America is America, and this nation did not become great in a
day. It took multiple groups, each working together towards a common goal, to build our country. This is a nation of immigrants, but
those immigrants who made our country did not come here by jumping over a fence in the middle of the night to avoid border police.
They came here legally, and desired nothing so much as to learn our
language and our culture, not take the one they had fled from and
bring it to a new world. It all boils down to one, simple fact: illegal
immigrants came here illegally, and they should suffer the same penalties as everyone else. If you come here legally, by all means partake
in the benefits of our society. If you swim a river at night to cross our
borders and then demand the same benefits as those who came
here the right way, pack your bags and go home. The law is the law,
and it has no room for special cases.
abington.k12.pa.us
The Abingtonian
4
January 2008
E d i t o r i a l s
The horrors of junior year
By Julie Powers
We’ve all heard the horror stories about
how terrible junior year can be: the stress of
simultaneously worrying about your driver’s
license, SATs, normal grades, GPA and class
rank, service hours, and much-needed extra
curriculars as college quickly approaches.
Despite the warnings from upperclassmen, I
don’t think many of us current juniors really
took them seriously. I mean sophomore year
was definitely more strenuous than the junior
high. There was more pressure from teachers,
more expectations from everyone, and a
whole new environment to deal with. We
could handle all that, so why not junior year?
What makes it so special? Why is it so impossible? Frankly, it’s still hard to tell, even as I
experience the endless hours of homework
and studying necessary to get by. Teachers
know it’s harder, too, and they want to challenge you, especially in Honors and AP classes.
So how do you underclassmen prepare yourselves?
Here are a few tips to help you keep your
head above water in the ocean of eleventh
grade:
Number 1: Acknowledge that it will be
hard and get ready
Most current and former juniors were
probably in denial about the difficulty of this
year. I, like so many others, went into the 1st
marking period ready to work the same
amount as I did in 10th grade. This was a huge
mistake. My slacking off in the beginning hurt
me at the end of the marking period, and I
had to work twice as hard to bring my grades
up to the next level. So just get ready for a lot
of work and commitment right away, especially if you’re in the aforementioned classes.
Number 2: AP is not the same as honors
Many of you have probably heard that
AP is the equivalent of honors. I guess this is
semi-true, because it’s either AP or college
prep when it comes to junior and senior year
American Studies. AP American Studies, however, is not the same as Honors World Civilizations. In AP American Studies, you read
approximately one lengthy chapter every
week. And in the AP American Pageant book,
there are very few pictures, graphs, or maps.
The words are small, and there are no bolded
vocabulary, no reading checks, no important
facts highlighted, and no summaries at the
end of chapters. The chapter is divided into
little parts with headings describing the subject, usually in an obscure way (“Mutinous
Moonshiners in Pennsylvania”). The tests require
a lot of studying, and the essay is expected
to showcase both details and general information. The class is not an easy one, and the
Social Studies teachers don’t think it should
be because it’s AP. Although the class is still
interesting and definitely informative, be
ready to put in a lot of effort, thinking, and
work.
Number 3: Prepare yourself for math and
physics
For some reason, math and science are
also much harder junior year than in previous
years. The first half of Honors Pre-Calculus is
completely review of last year. However, the
concepts do go into a little more depth. It’s
a really good idea to have your notes from
10th grade to refer back to. I’m sure many juniors, including myself, got rid of theirs and now
regret it. Definitely save them, especially if you
can easily understand your teacher’s notes
now. Like math, Honors Physics is probably
one of the hardest classes most of us juniors
have ever taken. I think it’s safe to say that
many of us received our very first Bs, Cs, Ds,
Es, and even Fs in that course. It’s hard to put
a finger on what’s so difficult about Physics.
For one thing, it involves a lot of math, but I
don’t think that’s it. For most of us, Physics
introduces a new level of thinking that we’ve
(or at least I’ve) never really experienced before. You just have to get it, back and forth.
You could do dozens of problems, and
memorize how to do each one, but if you
don’t understand the basic theories and exactly how to go about solving problems, all
of your efforts will be fruitless. Physics is very
hard to understand quickly, because you learn
by going through problems and attempting
to understand the theories on which they are
based. If you over-think them, they won’t
make sense. For example, when an object is
moving up, its acceleration is -9.8 m/s2. This
doesn’t make sense if you think too much
about it: the object is moving up, shouldn’t
it be positive? But in fact, gravity is pushing it
down, so it’s negative. See what I mean? I
don’t think many juniors know how to succeed in Physics yet. Some people just get it,
and others don’t. I think the best thing to do
is pay very close attention every day, do your
homework, and participate actively to prove
that you’re trying and actually care.
Number 4: Get stuff done in the summer
When junior year starts, you will be hit
with a lot of work and stress at once. You
might not have much time to think about
SATs or driving, especially if you play a sport.
So if you’re planning on taking Driver’s Ed,
do it in the summer. It’s very time-consuming: the program at the Jenkintown Library is
for two hours every Monday and Tuesday
night. You don’t even have to have your permit to go, so it’s a really good idea to just go
and get it done in the summer. Also, if you
plan on studying for the SATs, I can tell you
that it takes up a lot of your time. You might
take practice tests, which take four or five
hours. It may seem boring and dumb to study
for it in the summer, but if you do even a little
you’ll be better off. Also, you’ll be more ready
for the PSATs.
It may seem like this article was written
to scare the underclassmen or bash junior year
and everything that goes along with it. The
point wasn’t to point blame at teachers or
College Board. Junior year is supposed to be
hard; everybody says so. But just because it’s
supposed to be hard doesn’t mean it has to
be unbearable. Even though you’ll have to
work harder than before, it’s still an exciting
year. College is getting closer, you’ll have
more independence with your license, and
teachers treat you differently than in past years.
I have learned so much already this year, and
I can honestly say that I’m getting a lot out
of my classes, even if I have to really apply
myself. So, underclassmen, be ready for the
academic aspects of junior year, because
although they are demanding and exhausting, junior year is also interesting and even
rewarding.
The new A-word
By Marta Piotrowicz
One subject has the power to transform a calm discussion into
a full-blown argument with people ready to come to blows: abortion. People have extremely strong views on the issue, and there is
rarely a grey area. Due to the polarization of the subject, television
has tried its best to stay neutral. Several shows have tried to have
abortion storylines but, for fear of fan backlash, studios often, in the
end, avoid the topic. Most abortion stories end with a change of
heart or the ever popular “convenient” miscarriage. When a show
actually has a woman go through with the abortion, she often gets
some form of “karma” within the next few episodes. The studios are
just trying to cover all their bases so they don’t get a bunch of angry
pro-choice or lifers banging down their door.
Take a look at recent shows. On Grey’s Anatomy, Christina Yang
decides to have an abortion after she discovers she is pregnant. Only
a few episodes later, she has a miscarriage. No need for the very
special abortion episode, no need for someone to get angry. On the
same show, Addison Montgomery reveals that she had an abortion
earlier in her life. But, when trying to get pregnant she learns that she
is barren and will never be able to have children. Another example
of studios dealing out what they believe to be karma is from the
short-lived series Jack and Bobby. The character Missy, a teenager in
high school, decides to get an abortion. However, next episode she’s
killed in a car crash.
Television studios seem like
they don’t know what to do
about the issue. They don’t
want to make the pro-choice
crowd angry by not presenting
abortion as a viable option, but
they don’t want the pro-lifers to go out and start boycotting their
show. Studios have become so careful about not offending anyone,
that many, barring channels like HBO and Showtime, do not even
say the word “abortion” when it is pertinent to the storyline. Instead,
it is substituted with phrases such as “taken care of” or an “appointment.” There’s also the all-time favorite of sighing and staring off into
the distance as heartfelt music plays.
The attempt to remain neutral on television isn’t helping the
issue. Regardless of what side of the abortion fence you fall on, there
is a topic here that isn’t being discussed and needs to be. Pushing
the subject into the shadows isn’t being productive. Abortion needs
to be discussed in an open and mature environment, instead of the
scream fest it usually becomes. Abortion will always be a polarizing
topic, being so infused with religion and personal morals. However,
there still needs to be a debate in which both sides can be open to
the other’s opinions. Keeping the topic in the dark is preventing this
debate from happening.
abington.k12.pa.us
The Abingtonian
January 2008
5
E d i t o r i a l s
No Child Left Behind?
By Andrew Slade
Tired of standardized testing and all of the preparation that
comes with it? You are obviously not alone. Unfortunately for students, there is no end in sight.
In 2001, Congress passed Public Law 107-110 – more commonly
known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Under this law, states are required to perform standardized tests in math, reading, and soon science, in order to secure federal funding for education. Of course, no
state is going to turn down this federal money. Based on the US Constitution, public education is an issue to be handled by the states.
Through NCLB, however, the national government has taken that
power away from the states, in that they only fund those which satisfy certain federal requirements (namely, standardized testing).
In addition to the questionable constitutionality of NCLB, I believe that there are fundamental flaws in its implementation. Very
basically, states test students, show their scores to the federal government, and receive funding based on the scores. Each school is
given unique goals, referred to as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). If
schools do not make AYP, they may be categorized as being at risk,
in which case they could lose funding, making it more difficult for
them to improve scores.
In Pennsylvania, every student is required to take the PSSA. Based
on the performance, the State determines the minimum score required to demonstrate proficiency in different subject areas. So, if
Pennsylvanian students are not scoring well enough to keep the federal funds coming, what is to stop the State from lowering its stan-
dards, making it appear as though actual progress is being made?
The answer: Nothing. If a state does not generate particularly impressive scores, they can, and do “fix” their test to make it appear so.
The goal of NCLB was to increase local accountability for education. It has had arguable success in doing so; however, accountability only goes so far. One of the pillars of NCLB is that every state
will demonstrate 100 percent proficiency among its students by 2014.
This means that our national government seriously expects every single
student in Pennsylvania’s public school system to pass the PSSA by
2014. In my experience, there have been few occasions on which
teachers have been able to get every student in a class of 25 to pass
the same test, let alone every student in the state of Pennsylvania.
One must also keep in mind special education students, who are
required to pass the same test as any others.
It is generally agreed that education is the most important part
of young life in the United States – especially with an international job
market that is more competitive than ever. The government provides a quality education to young people, in the hope that these
young people will someday be leading the country, and providing
the same quality education to the next generation. Although the
idea of serious improvements in education through increased accountability sounds like a nice idea, it is my opinion that the manner
in which these “improvements” are being put in place is inefficient,
ineffective, and illegal, and that a complete overhaul of NCLB is
necessary.
Abingtonian Advice
Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation
F
e
a
t
u
r
e
s
By Jacob Feldman and Sam Gerhardt
By Sara Small
Q: My best friend recently lost a lot
of weight. Don’t get me wrong, she
looked great before! But she looks even
better now, and I’m so proud of her
for it. But she’s still really self-conscious
about herself and is more worried
about gaining the weight back than
really living in the moment of losing all
of it. I’m worried she won’t eat normally, and might develop a problem.
How do I tell her I’m worried without
hurting her feelings? Will she understand?
A: That is so great to hear that your
friend accomplished so much! Props to
her! But her being self-conscious is a total
bummer. And I’m sure she looks so
great too, which is the most annoying part. But you do have to tell
her how you feel, I mean, you are her best friend!
First, plan a date with her to meet up and go out to lunch or a
movie. Or plan just to stay in and do what you two normally do.
Then, plan to talk to her about your concerns. Maybe try to write out
what you want to say, like key points, so you don’t forget anything! I
say this with utmost importance, remember this: be brutally honest.
How do you be brutally honest without crushing her new achievement? Well, you are her best friend, so it’s rightfully your job to be
honest with her, even if it may hurt her feelings. Tell her you think she
looks great, that you’re so proud of her, and you’re glad she worked
so hard. Then tell her that you feel like she should be excited to live
now. Being stuck to a strict diet is so hard, but the after party is the
best party of all! Let her know its okay to live and to eat normally and
in a healthy manner. Even tell her you’ll go running with her one designated day on the weekend and eat like hearty women the rest of
the week!
Second, I’m sure she’ll understand where you’re coming from,
and she’ll probably really appreciate that you care enough to say
something about it. Remember, not only is she your best friend, but
you’re her best friend too for a reason. Best friends are honest, in the
most painstaking situations. Let her know, but just be cautious!
Good luck! And just be the best friend that you are!
Love,
Sara
On Thanksgiving Day, our school renewed Pennsylvania’s longest football rivalry with a 45-7 win over Cheltenham. Cheltenham
had not been embarrassed like that since they drove past our new
stadium. Also, to avoid fan confrontation, there were more cops in
attendance than at all of Cheltenham’s dances this year combined.
In other football news, the Eagles have announced that they
will forfeit their remaining games after their most embarrassing loss
yet: Eagles 3, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 52.
Over the holidays, a number of movies will be released. We encourage you to see only wholesome movies that promote the holiday spirit. Therefore, we recommend that you avoid: The Golden
Compass, I Am Legend, The Perfect Holiday, National Treasure: Book
of Secrets, and Alvin and the Chipmunks
Recently, Joe Francis, producer of the Girls Gone Wild video series, has accused the guards at an Oklahoma prison of abuse. However, he did say that if they would have given him a tee-shirt like they
promised, he wouldn’t have minded.
In Houston, Texas, a student driver crashed his car into the Texas
Department of Public Safety building immediately after passing his
test. Shoulda switched to Geico.
A college student in Missoula, Montana was accused of pieing
a strip-mall Santa Claus. He has been charged with misdemeanor
assault and has been put on the naughty list for life.
A man in Stoystown, PA, fled a traffic stop, went home, changed
his mustache and outfit, then reported the truck he was driving was
stolen. He was going to be charged with drunk driving and related
charges, but the police officer mistook him for Robert Goulet and let
him off the hook.
Finally, we send our condolences to the family of recently-deceased daredevil Evil Knievel. He died doing what he loved best:
recovering in a hospital.
Before we end this edition, Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation would
like to announce their first ever punchline-off. Since Jacob and Sam
could not agree on a punchline for the following joke, we are going
to let you decide. See Jacob or Sam to cast your vote, although they
will not divulge whose joke is whose until the next edition of the
Abingtonian, when the winner will be announced.
Setup: Although they have been retired for four years, Siegfried announced that he and his counterpart Roy are considering making a
comeback.
Joke A: Siegfried assures that no Roy’s will be hurt during the
return performance.
Joke B: The tigers, however, are holding out for more money.
abington.k12.pa.us
6
F
e
The Abingtonian
a
In the beginning,
there was Love:
The History of Love
By Rachel O’Neill
“Once upon a time there was a boy and
a girl, and her laughter was a question he
wanted to spend his whole life answering.”
Every once in a while someone finds a book
that allows them to view the world differently.
Every once in a while someone finds a book
that they cannot put down. I have found such
a book; it’s called The History of Love.
This rare find was lent to me by my
mother after I told her repeatedly that I was
bored and had nothing to do. Not expecting much, I began to read. Minutes turned to
hours and pretty soon I was forcing myself to
put down this incredible book.
Leo Gursky is twenty years old when the
Nazis invaded Poland. He was in love with a
girl named Alma and thought only of survival
and his love. He wrote a story about love,
naming every girl for his sweet Alma. He
speaks of Alma as the one and only woman
who ever existed. He talks about love and
how it came to be. In one part he notes,
Just as there was a first instant when
someone rubbed two sticks together to make
a spark, there was a first time joy was felt,
and a first time for sadness… Having begun
to feel, people’s desire to feel grew. They
wanted to feel more, feel deeper, despite
how much it sometimes hurt… They struggled
to uncover new emotions. It’s possible that
this is how art is born.
The words he writes leave you breathless and thinking of how everything came to
be. When the war splits apart everything Leo
has ever known, he gives his manuscript to a
dear friend Zvi Litvinoff, until they met again.
But when Leo is assumed to be dead, Zvi translates the Yiddish novel into Spanish, to win
the heart of a girl that lives in Chile. The book
is published but fails to be noticed. The novel
details how the book waits to be noticed,
for the perfect person to come along and find
the book, someone who will truly appreciate
and love it. One day, a man named David
Singer finds the History of Love and gives it to
a young woman, Charlotte, who translates
the story into English. Charlotte and David
eventually marry and name their daughter
after Alma, because “the first woman may
have been Eve, but the first girl will always be
Alma.”
The story weaves together the tales of
several seemingly unconnected people. As
fourteen-year-old Alma writes notebooks detailing How to Survive in the Wild, she has to
take care of her younger brother, Bird, who
believes he is the Messiah. Little do the siblings know, but their stories are intertwined
with lonely Leo Gursky, who lives only to be
noticed because he is afraid to die without
anyone knowing. The novel goes between the
stories of Alma and Bird in their very different
lives.
The History of Love left me speechless and
breathless. The writing of the novel is both
beautiful and witty. The stories are written to
keep the reader guessing right up until the
final line.
t
u
January 2008
r
e
Stress relieving activity: Piano
s
By Nia Hunt
Playing the piano is an excellent way to relieve stress after a long, tiring day of school.
While it is rumored to be boring and tedious, it is actually a fun activity that not only
soothes the soul but also teaches hand-eye coordination. There are a myriad of piano
instructors in the community who are eager to teach those interested in acquiring such a
fine skill. With plenty of practice and determination, anyone can play a piece of music
effortlessly.
There are different manuscript books that are designed to challenge and amuse pianists of all levels. Edna-Mae Burnam’s A Dozen a Day is an entertaining book for those who
have just begun to learn to play the piano. The book introduces basic hand techniques in
an enjoyable approach. More advanced pianists are suggested to purchase manuscript
books from musicals. A good example would be Broadway’s Footloose book, for it contains upbeat music of different genres and much more challenging songs.
Sight without seeing: an artist that just
kept going without sight
By Brigitte Britt
Have you ever wondered how you’d
react if something that seems so trivial, something I’m sure we all take for granted, was
gone? What if your world became dark and
things that you were so used to seeing vanished? Would it affect you? Sight is something
that people always take for granted. Why
wouldn’t you? It’s always been there, right?
If I ever lost my sight, it would be hard to
move on with my life. Everything would be
totally different, and a lot of changes would
have to be made.
My grandmother, Carol B. Saylor, was an
art teacher and graduated from Tyler School
of Art at the age of thirty-nine. Soon after she
graduated she began to lose her sight and
her hearing. This forced her to give up her love
of teaching art. She loved sketching and
painting and was more than aware of the
fact that she would not be able to do this
anymore because of her condition. She
painted with water colors for as long as she
could and once she was unable to do that
anymore, she switched over to clay and paper maché. Instead of giving up the things
she loves so much, she has simply become a
blind artist. Carol has been through so much
during her lifetime, including the death of her
husband and daughter from a very rare form
of cancer.
My grandmother has never once given
up when many other people would have. She
continues to follow through with her dreams
and does not think twice about her blindness.
“Blindness has taught me that I am not a
body, but a mind and a spirit, and my body’s
eyes have nothing to do with vision,” Carol
says.
My grandmother always says that she
believes that if she should ever get her sight
back that she would be a genius because of
all of the things that she has learned from
being blind. She has won numerous awards
and has delivered many inspirational
speeches. Carol has done many human
pieces, but she also loves to do abstract
pieces as well. She recently opened up her
own touch gallery in Philadelphia, where her
wish is that everyone closes their eyes and
touches all of the pieces, so they can see
things the way that she does. As for me, I have
been around her so much and looking back
on all of the time that we have spent together, I think that I have learned the most
from her and all of her experiences. I know
that she is an inspiration to blind people everywhere, but she is also and inspiration to
sighted people as well, teaching them that
you never have to give up hope.
abington.k12.pa.us
F
e
The Abingtonian
a
t
Even If It Kills Me
By Stephanie Smith
A passion for fashion
By Melanie Highbloom
Here’s a sneak peek of spring fashion 2008 to hold you over these
long winter months!
Flowing, fun dresses: flowing-style dresses are definitely a number one pick for spring. Dresses should hit right above the knee in a
bold pattern or floral, paisley or even a solid if it’s in a great color.
Match a little dress with a pair of kitten heels and you’re ready to go.
Emerald green and baby pink are strong colors this coming season in
dresses and jackets.
White pants: white pant trousers in a linen or cotton material
are great paired with a fitted tank top or cropped jacket. In trousers
this coming season, high-waisted and wide leg is in! Be careful not to
go too high or it will hit you in an awkward spot on your waist. Wide
leg pants are great, but you must wear the appropriate shoe with
them. If you wear a rounded toe with wide legs it will make you look
like you are tottering around and are going to fall over any minute!
Try a pointed toe, slide, or a sling back for an up-to-date and relaxed
style.
Bags: pocketbooks are always the question. This coming spring
in purses, straw and leather mix is what you want. The look of a beach
bag is a perfect purse – in oversized, of course!
Sunglasses are the finishing touch. These always are the perfect
accessory to any girl’s outfit. Wear them on your head instead of
over your eyes; they double as a headband and are right there when
you need them!
Enjoy the chilly weather, and start getting ready now for spring
2008!
r
e
s
Word Link
By Laura Pempkowski
Hey, word puzzle-lovers! Frustrated by Sudoku? I’ve made
a new labyrinth of letters to discover. You play by creating a link
of compound words from the first word all the way to the last.
The first and second words link to make a compound word, like
in the example: Guitar and string connect to be guitar string.
String links with band to make a string band; then band and
camp make band camp. Some of the words even have letters
filled in to help you out.
Answers to last month’s puzzle:
Sky - Blue - Sea - Bass- Drum - Set - Up - Scale
BOTTLED
___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ E
___ O ___ ___
___ ___ N ___ ___ ___
G ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ F
___ ___ ___
___ T ___ ___ ___
W
WO
O RR D
D LL II N
NK
K
Enter: The Philadelphia concert
scene, a mesh of small venues filled
with hundreds of kids who are
squished together in a mosh pit
while a band is jumping around and
giving all the energy they have out
to the crowd. On November 14th,
2007, this similar scene came to The
Electric Factory, Motion City
Soundtrack; a five member band
from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The
“Even If It Kills Me” tour was one of
Motion City’s biggest tours yet, hitting over seventy-eight different cities in the U.S. altogether. With their
smooth lyrics and catchy beats, it’s
no wonder why this tour was so big
compared to previous ones.
Opening up for Motion City
was a pop-punk group called Metro Station; you may have heard of
them if you download the free download of the week on iTunes. They
played their most popular song, “Shake it,” as well as a few other
selected titles. Although they have yet to release a CD, they were
able to get the crowd dancing and ready for the headlining band.
After Metro Stations’ danceable set, Anberlin, a semi-underground
band, came on. Their bombastic and catchy lyrics made the crowd
go wild. The lead singer, Stephen, announced that a track off their
most recent CD, Cities, had its music video filmed right in Philadelphia. Anberlin’s set consisted of songs from both their old and new
albums. Songs such as “Godspeed” caused people to become more
rough where as “A day Late” and “Adelaide” got the crowd dancing
to the catchy beat. Overall, Anberlin was definitely a crowd-pleaser
and left viewers wanting more.
After Anberlin a soft sounding band called Mae came on stage.
Their beautiful lyrics filled the crowd with awe. Mae played some of
their most popular songs such as “Anything” and “Summertime.” Although Mae is an extremely talented band, their mellow music could
force anyone to fall asleep, even at a concert. This was not the right
scene for them, and they should definitely not have played right before Motion City came on.
Finally, the band of the night, Motion City Soundtrack, came
on. They gave a full rush by beginning their set with a song off their
new album titled “This Is For Real.” Then they continued their set with
songs from their previous albums such as “Capital H” and “Attractive
Today.” Motion City’s Soundtrack energetic and enthusiastic set left
fellow concertgoers with a satisfying smile upon their faces.
7
u
W
WO
O RR D
D LL II N
NK
K
January 2008
AGE
High School Fashionista:
Runway to TV: Gossip Girl
By Juliette Augustin
Gossip Girl, the latest “It” teen show has swept its way into our
hearts and television screens on Wednesdays at nine. Before the Gossip Girl, the epitome of high school fashion was seen on the ever
popular O.C. With the ending of the beloved California-based drama,
Gossip Girl has replaced it with a more hip and chic New York City
wardrobe. Since the setting of the show is so close to us, the looks on
the show are more realistic for us to draw inspiration from.
The style on the show is very polished and clean. Tights, dresses,
headbands and gorgeous jewelry replace the mundane jeans and tshirt. This style may be a little too dressy for school, but it is perfect for
all the fast-approaching holiday parties. Short party dresses made
from light and silky fabrics seem to be Serena and Blair’s outfit of
choice for going out. Cream and black are staples and the color of
choice for their fabulous dresses. Smaller details like headbands, classic pearls, and soft make-up complete the overall east coast, sophisticated and fashionable look of the amazing wardrobe.
If you are not as privileged as these Upper East-Siders, here are
some tips to get the look for less. A pair of black opaque tights,
patterned or not, is a necessity. A party dress that hits you preferably
mid-thigh to just above the knee in black, cream, or a rich jewel
tone that complements your skin tone is also crucial. Forever 21 and
Target are a few examples of stores that have plenty of dresses that
fit this description, so look for details like beading, bows, and embroidery to set your dress apart. Heels in a metallic tone are the perfect shoes. A beautiful lacy headband and a bold-colored cocktail
ring finish off your sophisticated and polished party look.
abington.k12.pa.us
8
S
p
The Abingtonian
o
Squash: Not just a vegetable
but a way to get into college
r
January 2008
t
s
Sports corner with Yale Minn:
Attention: All boys’ basketball teams
By Sarah Nyirjesy
Whenever I say that I play squash, the usual response is, “What’s
that?” Though it might seem somewhat esoteric, the sport is actually
becoming not only more popular but also the thing that sets applicants apart for college.
What is squash? Well, it’s a sport similar to racquetball. The court
is a four-walled room with a tin on the bottom of the front wall and
lines along the tops of the other walls. There is a ball about two
inches in diameter made out of rubber that doesn’t bounce very
high. The object of the game is to hit the ball into the front wall
above the tin and below the lines, the ball can go on any of the
walls as long as it eventually makes it back to the front. The racquet
is long and kind of resembles a badminton racquet.
The scoring is similar to volleyball in that you can only win the
point on your serve. Each game goes up to nine points and the winner of the match must win three out of five games.
As an avid tennis player, I am used to long matches and running
from one side of a court to another, but squash is completely different. It is so tiring that it’s practically impossible not to be sweating
after just the first few points. The points usually last long and since the
ball doesn’t really bounce, you may find yourself running from the
back corner to the front corner quite often.
Although squash, a sport that actually originated from inmates
in prisons, is thought to be an elitist sport which only rich businessmen
play in country clubs, its image is beginning to change. I personally
attend a squash club that is not a country club and where the membership fee is negligible compared to that of a country club. Also,
free programs have begun in Philadelphia to teach inner-city kids
how to play.
You must be wondering why you should care. Well, I’ll tell you. I
recently read an article from The New York Times about how squash
helps you get into college. Honestly, that’s the reason why I began
playing squash two years ago; the article just confirmed what my
father had been telling me. The article said that all of the top universities have squash teams but lack players. In fact, there are more
open spots for recruiting than players available to be recruited. It
may sound shocking and unbelievable, but squash is what has helped
many students be admitted to the tougher universities. Why? Well,
for one reason, it’s simple supply and demand; also, only the most
prestigious schools actually field teams.
Although people may laugh when told I play squash, they actually don’t know what they’re missing. It’s a great sport with lots of
fun as well as exercise, and it gives students applying to colleges a
great edge over those who do not play. So what are you waiting
for? Grab a racquet, find a club, and help yourself get in shape while
getting into college!
More than just a game
By Alyssa Kress
It was easy to tell how dedicated the girls basketball team is
just trying to set up an interview with the captains. The team is so
busy improving their game that I had to fight for a chance to talk to
them. Fortunately, I finally had a chance to discuss the team with
two of the three captains, Ayana Allen and Megan Carbine, right
before the team’s potluck dinner.
The team had a great season last year. They made the playoffs
and lost in the second round. Their biggest scorer, Liz Leer, went off
to college and the girls have had to make up for those points this
season. To do this, the team practices extremely hard. They have
workouts every day after school or at night and no one is allowed in
their practices. Coach Dan Marsh, in his third year as head coach,
cherishes his practice time and doesn’t waste a second. Megan explained to me how practice creates chemistry within the team and
that it helps the girls learn to read each other and make good plays.
They’ll need a lot of good plays, if Ayana’s dream of making it to
state playoffs will come true. The captains have been committed to
helping the team improve but are also trying to improve their own
games. Ayana wants to have a better jump shot, while Megan is
looking to limit her turnovers.
No matter how the season plays out, this team will definitely
have fun. When asked what she loves about basketball, Megan answered, “I love my team. We really do a lot together and have a lot
of fun.” She also told me that given a choice of professional or high
school players, both of her favorite players were teammates. She
admires junior Jen Kelley and senior Carla Klemmer. According to
Megan, Jen is always hustling and can be found everywhere on the
court, while Carla has the most positive attitude about the game.
Without even seeing them play, it is clear that this team has great
potential and is going to go far this season.
Just thinking about the potential of this team has my mind racing. They have two players that are roughly six and a half feet tall;
several that are about six foot four, and a bunch of other guys that
have great size. Even the head coach towers over most of these
considerably-sized basketball studs. The mere size of this team alone
resembles that of a Division III basketball team, or even some of the
Division I teams in the NCAA. This is definitely not a mirror image of
the Varsity Basketball team last year; nearly all of the starters last year
were around 5’9’’. Although size is not always an indicator of how
talented a basketball team is, it is very hard to ignore the physical
appearance of the Abington Boys’ Basketball team this year. After
finishing the pre-season with a 25-5 record, these “ballers” have foreshadowed what is to come during the winter months. Fans, beware,
Abington Sports Network may be loaded with highlight reels of this
team that will leave you in awe. More specifically, “Zo-mac” will have
you stunned like a University of Florida student at a John Kerry forum.
He is Abington’s premiere swingman, but has an attitude that does
not reflect that. In other words, he is a silent killer on the hardwood
floor, and leaves no mercy for those who fail to recognize his capabilities. This is Lorenzo McDuffie, also known as the “ankle epidemic,”
the number one reason Americans need affordable healthcare and
skilled orthopedic surgeons.
Yale: Who do you look up to on the court? Off the court?
Zo-mac: On the court I look up to Lebron James and off the
court I look up to Michael Jordan. Lebron James was able to come
into the NBA and have a major impact right out of high school. He
was able to lead his team to the NBA finals at a very young age. Also,
Lebron has a very strong business side, having one of the top-selling
sneakers and doing work with the Sprite Company. He is probably
the closest thing to the next Michael Jordan.
Yale: What are some changes you see on the team this year
compared to last year’s roster?
Zo-mac: This year with a new coaching staff our whole style of
play will change. Our team is more athletic than last year’s team,
and we are going to use that ability to win more games. Everyone
on the team can flat out play, so even when we make substitutions,
we’ll still have a better team out there than our opponents.
Yale: What do you consider to be the best part of your game
(thee-point shot, midrange shot, defense, etc.)?
Zo-mac: The best part of my game is my offense. I have a good
midrange jump shot, can slash to the basket, and can create off the
dribble. I’m not saying my defense is bad, but I am a pretty good
offensive player.
Yale: What is your favorite move to pull on opponents? (Consider this a warning: Cheltenham, Pennsbury, North Penn etc.)
Zo-mac: One of my favorite moves is an in-and-out crossover
then pull up for a jump shot or penetrate for a dunk.
Yale: When other teams in the Suburban One League play
Abington this year what should they fear?
Zo-mac: Everything. We can
press, shoot, match up, and rebound.
So they have to look out for a lot.
Yale: How do you feel your role
has changed this year, as a senior?
Evaluate your role.
Zo-mac: I think there is more responsibility. The other seniors as well
as myself have everyone looking up
at us to set the tone for upcoming
years. We are trying to bring Abington
Basketball back to the top.
Yale: Have any ideas on what
team will win the NBA finals this year?
Zo-mac: The Boston Celtics because they have it all: Kevin Garnett,
Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.
Yale: What game do you look
forward to the most this year?
Zo-mac:
Cheltenham
vs.
Abington
Yale: What song/activity/ritual
pumps you up before a game?
Zo-mac: Jim Jones song Ballin’ gets me hyped. Sometimes before a game I might do pushups to get me pumped, too.
Yale: Any “shout outs,” “Thank you’s,” etc.?
Zo-mac: Shout outs to the whole ball team, all the coaches,
and everybody else that’s supporting me. Thanks to Yale Minn, too,
for the interview opportunity.
Yale: You’re welcome!