Bear Facts Mahanoy Area High SchooW0TRS_S0OT_TZY November 2, 2009 “Dressing to Impress” Thoughts on the New Dress Code By: Katie McCarthy Along with the beginning of the directed more toward girls. Boys would choose to be allowed to 2009-2010 school year came many don’t usually wear v-necks and wear hooded sweatshirts. changes for which students share skirts, so they obviously won’t The idea of a khaki-pants and varying opinions. The most promi- have as much trouble dressing polo-shirt centered code has been nent of these is the newly instilled to obey the code.” Senior Bobby considered by both teachers and Dress Code Policy. With the new Roncek agrees and goes on to tell students. Jasmine DeAvila favors policy in effect, students are pro- how the dress code has affected the idea saying, “Polos and khakis hibited from wearing any hooded him. “It really hasn’t directly af- would make shopping for a suit- sweatshirts or flip-flops between fected me, because I wear a t-shirt able school wardrobe easier and 7:55 and 2:30, a change many stu- and shorts to school almost every students wouldn’t have to ques- dents are having trouble accept- day.” Roncek adds, “I think the no- tion if their normal clothes would ing. Other restricted items include hoodie rule will pose a problem in be acceptable.” This kind of dress v-neck shirts, shorts above the the winter months, because sweat- code is a realistic possibility for knee, and backless shoes. shirts without hoods are impos- Mahanoy students of the future. Senior Crista DiCasimirro feels sible to find these days.” Roncek Perhaps, students will accept that that the dress code is more unfair and Jasmine DeAvila agree that if type of code more warmly than to girls than it is to boys. She goes they could change only one thing they have accepted the policy in- further to say, “The new rules are about the new dress code, they stilled this year. What is MADAPC? The Mahanoy Area Drug and Al- cohol Prevention Coalition met on Monday Oct. 12th and discussed several issues including drug tip-line stickers which are being ordered and will be distributed among Mahanoy Area students. The Coalition also discussed drug and alcohol testing and began ear- ly planning for drug and alcohol free prom and graduation events. The Coalitions next meeting will be Monday November 16th, 2009 at 6:15 in the Mahanoy Area High School, the public is invited. GO BEARS!Contributing to this issue of Bear Facts: Katie McCarthy, Gary Perna, Frank Scicchitano, Candace Fegley, Tanya Styka Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009 Are you or a For Sale PREVENT the friend... 2010 ... Having problems keeping your grades up? FLU ...No longer feel like hanging out with yearbooks friends or family? This is a cute, easy to understand ...Not enjoying your favorite activities resource site about flu and flu See Ms. Scic in the like you used to? prevention that is family and kid art room ...Being bullied or harrassed? friendly - lots of learning activities ...Feeling like you just can’t seem to get and ideas to help promote what Price of the book is it together? ...Experimenting with or using alcohol or we’ve already been telling our stu- $60.00 other drugs? dents, staff, and families. Payment must be made ...Adjusting to a new school? http://www.sayboototheflu. ...Close to someone or have a family com/ in full. member serving in the military? ...Having thought of hurting yourself or Books from the someone else? ...Feeling emotionally overwhelmed? following years are ...Always worrying? also available ...Thinking about suicide? ...Dealing with the breakup of a relation- 2009 - $35.00 ship? 2008 - $25.00 ...Being hurt physically or emotionally by someone? 2006 - $15.00 ...Dealing with major changes in your 2004 - $10.00 family like your parents’ divorce? 2003 - $10.00 ...Dealing with the illness or death of someone close to you? 2002 -$10.00 1993 - $10.00 The Student Assistance Team is a group The High School Theater Arts Club 1992 - $10.00 of school and community staff that is will present “White Christmas” on here to help you deal with problems Friday 11/20 and Saturday 11/21 at 1989 - $10 that are stopping you from doing well 7:00. Tickets go on sale 11/1 begin- in school or stressing you out. The staff will respect you and your parent’s/ ning at 12:00. Cost is $5.00 in ad- guardian’s privacy at all times. Members vance and $7.00 at the door. See include Mrs. Blue, Mrs. Stone, Ms. Pollack, Mrs. Scheeler if interested. Ms. Scic, Mr. Vavra, Mrs. Bet, Ms. Wetzel, Attention Mr. DiCasimirro, Mrs. Caufield, Mrs. Hen- Attention cast and crew members ninger, Mr. Wetzel, Mr. Cray, Mrs. Delia and - patrons are past due. Please re- Seniors: Mrs. Orsulak. turn to Mrs. Scheeler immediately!
Your senior photo for the yearbook was due to Ms. Scic by October 13. See There will be a mandatory interact her asap if you meeting on Tuesday, November 10th did not meet this in Mrs. Fegley’s room. deadline. Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009 Big Brothers Needed
Sophomore or Junior boys are needed for our Big Brother Big Sisters program. Please see Mrs. Brylewski if you are interested.
The following information MUST be on the back of 2009 / 2010 each submission PLCB Annual Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest Current Calendar Year: ______ FirstStudent’s Name _ Grade: ______Middle Last ______Address CityStudent’s First Name: ______State Zip Phone ( ) E-mail ______Student’s Last Name: ______School Name ______Grade ______Age Student’s The poster Home is an original Address completed (including by the student city. and zip): The student received assistance from another person or materials/ideas ______from another source. If so, please explain on another piece of paper. _ ______Teacher ______Public______School ______Private School ______Home School ______Address Phone ( ) City______State Zip _ E-mail address Student’s Home Phone Number: (_____)______Parent or guardian name (printed) ______SignatureSchool of parent Name: or guardian ______allowing NACD/District to utilize the poster for educational or promotional purposes: Date School Phone Number: (_____)______Name ______ContactSchool District Name: Title Address Submissions are due: November 20, 2009 County: ______Phone ( ) City State Zip Submit Entries to: E-mail Address Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board WhenAll poster sending contest state winning submissions entries to national become contest property please include: of the Bureau of Alcohol Education State poster contest sponsor,contact name, address, phone and e-mail. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and will not be returned. Northwest Office Building, Room 602 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17124-0001 1 (800) 453-PLCB or [email protected] www.lcb.state.pa.us/edu Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009 Netflix top 10 Reality Tour© – Dramatic journey with a teen ‘heroin addict’ from arrest The Netflix top 10 national rentals for the week ending Oct. 24 are: to overdose and funeral! The Tamaqua Area Drug Prevention become familiar with different 1. “Transformers: Revenge of the Program, in partnership with addictive drugs as well as gateway Fallen” Schuylkill County Drug and drugs. At times attendees share 2. “The Proposal” Alcohol, will present the Reality their ‘story’ of addiction in small 3. “Land of the Lost” 4. “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” Tour© on November 18, 2009. group 5. “”State of Play” Dates for 2010 will be determined The Reality Tour© was developed 6. “Drag Me to Hell” upon room availability at Lehigh as a response to the rising 7. “Year One”
Carbon Community College. The drug use among teens who 8. “Duplicity” tour. will be held at Lehigh Carbon mistakenly think THEY won’t 9. “Monsters vs. Aliens” Community College in Tamaqua. become addicted. 10. “The Soloist” The Reality Tour© Drug Prevention Source: Netflix program was created by Norma The original Reality Tour© was Norris of Butler, PA in 2003, and so widely accepted that at is now promoted through the times the Butler Reality Tour© Top iTunes nonprofit organization CANDLE, has experienced a two month Inc. waiting list for reservations. downloads Schuylkill County Drug and (Newspaper articles at Top 10 albums on iTunes Music Alcohol in Pottsville, PA has www.candleinc.org Store for Oct. 28: purchased the Reality Tour© 1. “Full Circle,” Creed Program for use in Schuylkill The Reality Tour© will also touch 2. “Fearless” (Platinum Edition), County. The tour is recommended on methamphetamines, fast Taylor Swift for children age 10 and up when becoming the new illegal drug 3. “Michael Jackson’s This Is It accompanied by a parent. of choice. It is a much harder (The Music that Inspired the Mov- Advance reservation is required habit to overcome than heroin ie),” Michael Jackson as space is limited and parental and associated with violent 4. “En Concert” (Bonus Track Ver- consent is required. tendencies. (Law enforcement sion) (Live), Jack Johnson currently encountering meth 5. “Save Me, San Francisco” (Bo- Participants will follow the fate users state, “You will wish your nus Track Version), Train 6. “Battle Studies” (Deluxe Ver- of a fictitious teen addicted to child was on heroin!”) sion), John Mayer heroin. The tour uses Protection Registration forms are available 7. “Sainthood” (Bonus Track Ver- Motivation Theory, which includes at all county schools, Schuylkill sion), Tegan and Sara an Arrest and Prison Experience County Drug and Alcohol, or by 8. “Congregation of the Damned,” as well as dramatic Emergency contacting Diana Sweigert at 570- Atreyu Room Overdose Scene and Funeral 778-2316 9. “Ocean Eyes,” Owl City Home scene. A narrative by the 10. “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” ‘addict’ precedes each scene and Sewing and Fashion (Deluxe Version) (Original Motion includes the constant reminder Picture Soundtrack), Various Art- to the audience that, “I’m just like Club ists you.” ——— For more information, please visit meeting will be the iTunes Web site at www.apple. Each attendee will be given a drug Friday, November 6th from 2:30 – 3:00. com/itunes/. abuse profile to adopt during the ——— program, so that participants can The yearbook picture will be taken so please be present. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009
Winter Sports Physicals Hypnotist to will be administered on Saturday November 7th Visit Mahanoy at 8:00 am in Nurse Blue’s office. Please see Mark your calendars for an as- sembly on December 11, 2009. It the bulletin board by the of- is called “Mind over Magic” and fice for more information. should prove interesting. High school picture retake day is set for November 5th. If you need a picture form please come to the office. Atten- tion vo-tech students currently at vo-tech please have your “White Christmas” to picture taken before you get on the bus in be Performed the morning. This is the last opportunity @ Mahanoy to have your picture taken.
BY: Gary Perna “It is one of my favorite shows and it has the necessary number of roles for the seniors,” stated Theatre Arts Director Mrs. Scheeler, when asked why she chose this particular show. It features six main characters, Freshmen VT including Bob Wallace, played by Eric Moucheron, Phil Davis, played by Mike Wawrzynek, Betty Haynes, played by Katie McCarthy, Judy Haynes, played by Allison Amershek, Martha Watson, played by Jackie Roberts Presentation and General Henry Waverly, played by Bryan Wagner. The play is about a retired general who owns an inn in Vermont. It hasn’t A representative from the AVTS snowed and he is about to lose his business, when his troops arrive to (Area Vocational Technical School) save the day. is scheduled to present info to all About eighty people are involved in the production of “White Christ- members of the freshman class mas”, including forty-five cast members, twenty-seven crew and ten in the auditorium on Thursday, adults. There are some very cool costumes in the show, dating from the Nov. 19, following the morning an- 1940’s and 50’s. nouncements. The show will be performed on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, No- vember 21 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 in advance and $7.00 at the door. Hope to see you there! Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009 MAHANOY AREA ANONYMOUS DRUG ACTIVITY TIP LINE
. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Do you know someone who needs help with a drug problem? Did you witness legal drug activities? Do you know of drug dealings taking place anywhere in the area? Do you suspect of drug storage or processing in your neighborhood? Help us combat drug activity by letting us know it. Working in partnership, we can make a difference! The Mahanoy City Police Department ANONYMOUS DRUG ACTIVITY TIP LINE is for the confidential and anonymous reporting of information and non-emergency incidents to the Mahanoy City Police Department. The line has been set up so that members of the community and students of the Mahanoy Area School District can report information that they may otherwise be reluctant to report. The Tip Line is a voice mailbox with a recorded message. A caller can leave a message containing the information that he or she wishes to share with the police department. There is no way to identify the caller or the line the caller is calling from. A caller is welcome to identify themselves and leave contact information if they wish and are encour- aged to do so if the situation reguires follow-up contact. The information left on the Tip Line will be checked frequently, and investigated as necessary. The Tip Line is a non-emergency line. If an incident is an emergency or requires an immediate re- sponse, call 911.
Help us take back our community by reporting illegal drug activity on the Tip Line! Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009
Banned Scicc’s Spot The 2009 World Series Book features two of the most decorated teams in MLB history. SportsCountless storylines surround both teams as Week the Philadelphia Phillies search for the first World Series repeat in a decade and the first in the National League since the @ MA Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976. The Phillies are very certainly capable of accomplishing this feat. Controversy has bounded the New York Yankees all season. With an average salary of more than $14 million per starter, the Yankees have been expected to “buy their championships” every year. But after missing the playoffs last year, and winning their first AL East title since 2006, the Bronx Bombers have something to prove this year; Money can buy championships. There is a bit of irony in this year’s World Series matchup between the Phils and the Yanks. As I said, the Phillies are looking to become the first team to repeat as World Champions since their opponents, the Yankees, dominated the MLB winning the big one in 1998, 1999, and 2000. The Yankees return to the World Series for the first time since 2003, when they suffered a heartbreaking game seven loss to the Florida Marlins. New York is also returning to the World Series for the first time without Joe Torre in nearly fifteen years. In his second year, Joe Girardi is making his World Series debut as a manager. As for the Phillies’ skipper, Charlie Manuel, this World Series will be capping off his third straight postseason in five years with Philadelphia BY: Tonya Styka and his second consecutive World Series. Both the Phillies and the Yankees are storied franchises. Here are a few facts Some schools ban specific books from comparing both teams. their libraries due to Facts Phillies Yankees content, question- 2009 Record 93-69 103-59 able language, love World Series 2 26 scenes, gay and les- Championships bian themes, drugs, Notable Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, Richie Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, alcohol, abortion, the Ashburn, Steve Carlton, Mickey Mantle, Reggie death penalty and Harry Kalas Jackson more. To call atten- Stadium Citizen’s Bank Park Yankee Stadium tion to this, the Maha- Career Home Run Leader Mike Schmidt (548) Babe Ruth (714) noy library pretended 2009 Home Run Leader Ryan Howard (45) Mark Texiera (39) to ban books. Popu- 25+ Home Runs Hitters 4 5 lar books that other schools have banned are Harry Potter, Of Mice and Men, I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings and The Adven- tures of Huckleberry Worried About a Friend? Finn. Presently, none There is an anonymous referral box in the hallway near Mrs. Blue’s office where stu- of these books are dents can refer a friend (or themselves) to the Student Assistance Program. Bro- banned from the Ma- chures are located by the box and students can use those to make their referral. hanoy High School library. Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009 Admissions offices reach out via social networking Social networking tools — such as “It doesn’t take long at all when Facebook, blogging and Twitter — PROFESSIONAL HELP you put yourself out there,” Nacy are fast becoming an integral part Companies have sprung up on said. the Web that help students create of college admissions around the A VIRTUAL FEEL online profiles suitable for admis- country as students communicate Storm Wycke used such connec- sions and help colleges reach out with schools in the way that has tions in making her decision about to students via social networking become second nature to them. where to enroll. She corresponded sites, some designed specifically More than 60 percent of schools with current and prospective stu- for the purpose. are now using so-called social me- dents and got a virtual feel for the dia to recruit and contact students “By next year, college admissions half dozen schools to which she’d officers won’t be able to ignore this — a huge jump in just a few years, been accepted. anymore,” said Kristen Campbell, according to a survey done for the “It actually helped me figure out a director for Kaplan Test Prep. National Association of College I wanted to come to Drew,” said She said there has been a major Admissions Counseling. Wycke, now a student on the cam- shift among students as well. In And just about every college and pus in Madison. the past, some were upset that ad- university in New Jersey has re- Schools, and different groups and missions officers might see their cently started or is planning to departments within those schools, personal Facebook pages — often launch some sort of social media have set up myriad Facebook a place for party pictures and off- campaign, from “live chats” online groups over the last few years color banter. to Twitter updates and video cam- — everything from pages for math Now, more students are reaching pus tours. majors to alumni. out to schools via Facebook. Applicants to Monmouth University Now, despite some hesitation, ad- “They’ve gone from being leery to can now use videos submitted via missions offices are getting into thinking about it in a more savvy Facebook — in lieu of essays — to the act. way,” Campbell said. “They think tell the school why they should be Within the past couple of months, ‘Why not use Facebook to help me accepted. Montclair State University’s admis- sell myself?’” Online groups set up by Drew and sions office has launched a Face- Kaplan found that 71 percent of Seton Hall universities lets those book page and opened a Twitter admissions officers surveyed re- admitted get to know each other account, said admissions director ported that they had been “friend- before they ever set foot on cam- Jason Langdon. ed” by prospective students. pus, and Rutgers University fresh- “Students are so used to commu- Once someone accepts your men are blogging for prospective nicating this way,” he said. “It’s friend request, they generally students on school-sponsored their channel. We want to interact have access to your online profile. sites. with them.” Prudence remains a good rule of “It’s the new and best thing, and Maintaining the networks is labor thumb, experts say. you have to do it unless you want intensive — it often requires addi- to look antiquated,” said Peter “It would be important for students tional staff charged with monitor- to keep in mind that we do have Nacy, vice president of undergrad- ing the sites daily and responding uate admissions at Seton Hall. access to their accounts once to inquiries and posts. And some they’ve friended us,” said Lauren Seton Hall’s admissions office last admissions staffers have said they year put up a Facebook page for Vento Cifelli, admissions director feel uncomfortable with the casual at Monmouth. “They should pres- freshmen enrolling in the class of nature of conversation the medium 2013, offering notices, news and a ent themselves in a positive way engenders. on these pages.” chance to interact with other stu- But for the most part, it looks like dents. The site grew quickly and Some local admissions staffers online social networks are taking said they likely wouldn’t look at now has nearly 850 members, out their place as a tool in recruiting of a class of 1,140. an applicant’s Facebook page, but and admissions. the prohibition is by no means uni- Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009 Admissions offices...cont’d versal. Nationally, about a quarter talk online with the prospective Game Informer of admissions offi cers reported students in the class of 2014. The using search engines and social blogs now get more than 100 hits a Top 10: Top networking sites to check out can- day, Dmochowski said. didates for scholarships or entry BIG ONLINE PRESENCE sports games into selective programs, the col- Monmouth admissions has em- lege counseling group found. braced social media in a big way, Only about 13 percent of schools and in late 2008 began a presence have actual policies on the issue, on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Campbell said. YouTube, and Ning, another social The editors of Game Informer rank “A vast majority of schools are still networking site. The channels are the top 10 sports games for Octo- trying to fi gure it out,” she said. used to communicate with pro- ber: “In many ways social networking spective students promoting, for is the frontier, the Wild West.” instance, the school’s open house 1. “NHL 10,” PS3, Xbox 360 SOME HOLDOUTS this past Sunday. 2. “Madden NFL 10,” PS3, Xbox Though Facebook has become the The school recently announced 360 predominant social networking it would allow students to make 3. “FIFA 10,” PS3, Xbox 360 site, some admissions offi ces are the optional video submission via 4. “Dirt 2,” PS3, Xbox 360 holding off for now. “We haven’t Facebook, although none has yet 5. “Forza Motorsport 3,” Xbox 360 found a huge desire for students been received, said Cifelli, the ad- 6. “NCAA Football 10,” PS3, Xbox to communicate with admissions missions director. 360 through Facebook, it’s more that “Monmouth wanted to bring part 7. “NBA 2K10,” PS3, Xbox 360 they’re connecting with other stu- of the application to them using a 8. “Fight Night Round 4,” PS3, dents,” said Jon Wexler, admis- medium they are comfortable with. Xbox 360 sions director at Fairleigh Dickin- We’re excited to see how a student 9. “Punch-Out!!!,” Wii son University. presents themselves, sells them- 10. “Need For Speed: Shift,” PS3, But Wexler and admissions offi - selves,” she said. “But grades in Xbox 360 cers at Ramapo College and Wil- high school remain the most im- liam Paterson University said they portant factor.” For more video game news and are all exploring the use of sites Indeed, the experts say the medi- reviews, check out the latest is- such as Facebook. um would never supplant the sta- sue of Game Informer or visit the At Rutgers, there are several Face- ples of selection: grades and test magazine’s Web site at www.ga- book pages for the university but scores. Said Campbell: “At the meinformer.com. none specifi cally for admissions. end of the day, being a Facebook (c) 2009, Game Informer Mag- We are unconvinced that this is friend with a college admissions azine, published monthly the main way our population does offi cer is not going to make up for Distributed by McClatchy-Tri- college searches,” said Lee Ann weak academics.” bune Information Services. Dmochowski, senior admissions ——— offi cer. “We’re going to go for quality contacts versus that brain (c) 2009, North Jersey Media Group NEXT BEAR candy that is Facebook.” Inc. The offi ce has opted for other so- Visit The Record Online at http:// FACTS cial media, however. Rutgers stu- www.northjersey.com/ dent bloggers went live last month Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune DEADINE: as members of the class of 2013 Information Services. SADD FACT Your driving privileges can be suspended if you: Monday, -Lie about your age to obtain alcohol -Purchase, consume, possess, attempt to purchase, or transport alco- November 16 hol -Carry a false ID Mahanoy Area High School November 2, 2009
“FOR LASTING MEMORIES”
Daniel’s PHOTOGRAPHY 110 West Centre Street Mahanoy City, PA 17948 570-773-2972