The Bearprint VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3 DECEMBER ISSUE
BEARPRINT STAFF 2014-15 What is the true meaning of Christmas? Editor Jingle bells, jingle holiday. Although many fami- tives they are planning the Esther Moon bells, jingle all the way. Oh! lies are quick to assume that biggest one yet! Did you see How I can NOT wait for Christ- they had been celebrating the awesome videos that were Co-editor mas break. It has finally ar- Christmas the traditional way, in the announcements? The Nolan Wenik rived, Christmas! It is finally Americans had really re- posters around school? The that time of year where the invented the holiday to fill the Instagram, Twitter, and Face- Staff stockings are hung from the cultural needs of a growing book posts? It was blown up Dakota Hornak chimney with care, and visions nation. Finally, Christmas was out of porportion and with all Chiara Lucia B-g of sugarplums dance in our officially declared a federal the proceeds staying local, it Connor Buehler heads. But while we are put- holiday in the United States on will truly make a difference. Katie Dormer ting up trees Did you donate? Kerwing St. Louis and buying On a dif- Andrew Harbaugh those last mi- ferent note, there nute gifts, Up- are others, mostly per Moreland who are afraid to is giving back. admit it, that think Did that Christmas is you know that all about the gifts. it was not until The ideology of the 19th centu- giving instead of ry that Ameri- receiving lost in the cans began to dreams of a minia- embrace ture sleigh and Christmas? eight tiny reindeer. We reinvented Christmas means it, turning it into a family day June 26, 1870. different things to different with reminiscence and peace. For some, Christmas people, to some it is the one During this time, English au- is a season of receiving, for time of year where the family thor Charles Dickens created us, Christmas is a season of finally gets together, to some it the classic holiday tale, A giving. The Upper Moreland is the one most stressful time Christmas Carol. The story’s Student Council with the help of year, and finally to others message of the importance of of Mrs. Scenna and Mr. Staub, the best time of year when charity and good will towards are bringing back the over- they wake up, extra early on all humankind, hit a powerful whelmingly successful food the 25th day of the last month chord in the United States and drive. The Food Drive will last of the year and see what San- England, and showed mem- from December 8th to Decem- ta left. bers of Victorian society the ber 19th and with the help of (Continued on page 2) benefits of celebrating the the Homeroom Representa- PAGE 2 What is the True Meaning of Christmas? (Cont.)
It is also around this time where we think I have a pretty good idea as to want. Have a great break, don’t eat lose count of how many Pollyanna's who said what. So donate a can, too many cookies, and if you do, we actually have to be in. help someone in need, give back save me some! I leave this with you, think and most importantly, know that the about this now...is Christmas a time best thing about Christmas, is the Andrew Harbaugh to give back? Or a time for gifts? I ability to believe in whatever you
Christmas Isn’t Unique, You know In 2014, we live in a society tory, the ancient Jews were only able message is clear: reflect on times where the true meaning of Christmas to find enough oil to light the cande- past, recognize the importance of has been lost in a commercialized labra for one day. By what could only family and faith, and celebrate for the day celebrating profits instead of have then been described as an act success that has occurred and hope- prophets, as was originally intended. of God, the menorah burned for eight fully will occur through the years. Because of this, stores advertise nights and days, spawning the week Of the three most well-known De- Christmas sales hidden under the long celebration we know today. cember holidays, Kwanzaa and Ha- guise of “holiday” sales. Christmas Hanukkah remains, even today, a nukkah are obviously more about completely dominates the shopping faith based celebration, very similar tradition than Christmas. With the industry, and the other religious cele- to what it started as so long ago. It is history behind Hanukkah, and the brations of this time are left in the a holiday similar to Kwanzaa in that culture behind Kwanzaa, Christmas, dust. There are many other holidays respects. Kwanzaa may be a lesser in its modern, gift-giving form, cannot in the month of December besides known holiday today but has a rea- compare to these two other holidays. Christmas, with the two most com- son for celebrating that has re- It is important for people of all faiths mon being Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. mained constant for a very long time. to recognize holidays of other faiths, Oh, Hanukkah. It has brought the Kwanzaa began in Africa lifetimes and our society is becoming more world many songs like “Festival of ago, with first harvest celebrations and more out of touch with these Lights” and, everyone’s favorite, “I across many different tribes. While other holidays. Instead of celebrating have a Little Dreidel”. But Hanukkah Christmas, and even Hanukkah, to a “The Most Wonderful Time of the is more than that. It is a time when very small extent, have a foundation Year” as an economic holiday, we people of the Jewish faith celebrate in gift giving, Kwanzaa is deeply should remember why this season the rededication of the Holy Temple rooted in culture. Based on the five resonates within us: it is a time for in Jerusalem. Hanukkah’s ancient fundamental ideals, which are: in- celebrating our roots, whether you founders overthrew their Roman gathering, reverence, commemora- are Christian, Jewish, or African oppressors, winning back their origi- tion, recommitment, and celebration, American. nal holy place. When it came time to Kwanzaa may mean different things light the menorah to signal their vic- to different families, but the overall Nolan Wenik PAGE 3 Snowball! Part 2... PAGE 4 Creative Writing Corner
Hoan Do. The Gentleman Excerpt from an original novel by Breanna Devlin
Chapter One: The Brothers ______
“Oh Boy.” Jack muttered point come faster to his mind, “So, the other day, Charlie and the into his coffee cup with a slight roll “subliminal messages, and what Chocolate Factory was on.” of his eyes. Theo hadn’t heard a not. Jesus, Wonka practically “The new one?” thing. drowns the fat kid in chocolate.” “Old one.” “One. Uncle Joe is a jerk. The waitress strolled over, eyeing “Well then you’re thinking That worthless waste of space laid the brothers with the sweetest of of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate around in bed all day, making little grins, which Theo kindly returned Factory.” Charlie run around the neighbor- before she refilled the coffee. “No Theo tsked. “Nope, defi- hood throwing newspapers around wonder so many people are nitely Charlie.” to every house just to pay for his messed up.” “No, see the old one is tobacco. Then, when Charlie final- “Is that why you are the more centered around Willy Won- ly gets the golden ticket, he sud- way you are.” The corner of Jack’s ka, while the new one is more denly regains the will to walk lips twitched slightly. about Charlie.” Jack drained the again, and doesn’t even bother Theo formed a mocking black coffee from his mug asking if anyone else wanted a smile. “Ha ha ha, says the guy “Besides Willy Wonka is a hell of a tour of Wonka’s factory. Two. Willy who’s seeing a therapist.” He took lot catchier than Charlie.” Wonka is psychopath. No explana- a sip of his coffee. “How’s that go- “Okay enough with the tion needed for that, really. And ing by the way?” semantics.” A look of annoyance finally, three. The entire world is “He’s dead.” crossed Theo’s features. “Now, as ruled by candy. It is a literal candy Theo raised a incredulous brow. I was saying, the other day I was land without the candy cane for- “Again?” watching Willy Wonka and the ests and gum drop princesses.” Chocolate Factory-” “The Princess was made “Bingo.” from frosting.” “-and I hadn’t seen this “Whatever.” Theo waved film since I was a kid, right? From dismissively before flagging down what I could remember most of the the waitress, “My point is as chil- film was sunshine and daisy’s, dren we watched these films a except those daisy’s and even the couple of times at least, right? All sunshine were edible. So I’m those times had to do something watching this movie, and I realized to our brains. Like uh,” He a few things.” snapped his fingers to make the PMEA District 11 Auditions 2k14 PAGE 5 On December 13th of 2014, piece. (The best part is that it is all a ing, considering I thought my audi- PMEA District Band & Orchestra blind audition-which means the peo- tion was really nothing special. With auditions took place once again, ple who are judging you only know a huge sigh of relief, I was happy, (thankfully right on time and not after you as a number and a voice. Not as knowing that I could see all my a month of postponement, which a person.) You go into different friends from different school districts happened last year due to the crazy rooms, play through what you have again in one place! (Also because I amounts of snow we got.) This was to play and gather back to a certain could finally start my English essay something almost all the music kids meeting point, waiting for other mem- and study for my 3 other tests on were looking forward too after bers of your school to slowly trickle Monday.) months and months of preparation. I, back. Now to me, before an audition, personally had looked forward to this during an audition, are all better I would also like to say congratula- audition since my PMEA season things than the waiting for results tions to Julia Huff, who made it on came to end at PMEA Regional Or- after an audition. I turn into a com- tuba, Nolan Wenik, who got first chestra as of March and wanted for plete wreck, not being able to focus chair for both PMEA District 11 Or- the music festivals to start again. I on anything until results are posted. chestra and Band, and everyone think that the audition itself is thrill- When they are finally posted, I have else who auditioned! All of your dedi- ing, nerve-wracking, and fun all at a sense of relief no matter if I make it cation is amazing and I know that the same time. I enjoyed meeting or not, because now I can actually your love & interest in this amazing people from different school districts focus on other things and move on thing called music will bring you to that all shared the same interests & with my life. Anyways, that Saturday great lengths in your musicianship. love as me. Our love and deep inter- from about 3:00 PM, to 10:30 at ests of music and how to grow as a night, I did absolutely nothing-I Esther Moon musician all bonded us together paced, laid in bed, and probably even if it was just for that one morn- went on about a million walks. But ing. thankfully, our band director Mr. Cowen, posted the results to the After 3 years of going through the Upper Moreland Marching Band Fa- PMEA auditioning process, I believe cebook group, which was when my that the actual audition process is friend had let me known that I had really not that bad. In musical terms, made first chair viola for PMEA Dis- we had to perform scales, a piece trict 11 Orchestra! I was extremely from our solo, and a sight-reading surprised, and started hyperventilat- PAGE 6 Thanksgiving parade success!
PLAY ON!!!!! PAGE 7 Artist To Watch - Pvris Starting a band is some- in the Vans Warped Tour in the sum- Pvris is definitely a band to keep on thing that takes dedication, time, and mer of 2014 and playing as a sup- the radar as they continue on their effort; it’s not an easy thing to do, porting act for Tonight Alive and musical journey. and is sometimes a task that can Mayday Parade later that fall, Pvris take years for it to finally get off the released their first full-length album ground. But for one musical group, titled “White Noise” on November Take a listen to their full album here their rise to success came a few 4th, 2014. on Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/ months after their formation- a rela- The sound that “White album/7acEEWUWq2GVgeS9tr9cOp tively short time in the music indus- Noise” had to offer to the world is try. one that surprised many reviewers, Pvris, (pronounced “Paris”), who stated that the album offered a Taryn Painter is a female-fronted rock group from unique style, giving a varied and well Lowell, Massachusetts, formed by -balanced blend of pop, electronic, vocalist and guitarist Lyndsey Gun- and rock influences. Another critic nulfson, guitarist Alex Babinski, and complimented the writing styles of bassist Brian MacDonald in 2012. At the band, saying that their ability to first, the band started out small by craft ridiculously catchy choruses composing songs for their epony- and perfectly layer instruments made mous EP and playing local shows, it hard to believe that “White Noise” gaining them a fanbase and a spot in was their first studio album. Gun- the Vans Warped Tour in the sum- nulfson’s powerhouse vocals added mer of 2013. Then, in June of 2014, even more to the positive feedback, after their release of an acoustic EP, saying that her confidence when the trio announced their signing to singing gives a certain edge to the Rise/Velocity Records, making them tune. For an album consisting of only the first and only female-led band on ten songs, it definitely packs in a lot the roster. After performing yet again of punch.
Food drive is coming to a close, who will be successful in the end? Just remember, it’s all for a good cause!! PAGE 8
The Bears Take A Tumble Inside the Glass | Issue 3
Now that November is over, However the Bears did add a goal to graduating this year. The game end- it is time to highlight the Bears annu- prevent a shutout. A few plays later ed in a Hatboro victory three to one, al Thanksgiving game. Snow filled the game became quite physical. and good luck in next year’s Thanks- the atmosphere as fans filled Winter- The giving game! sport, six-forty marked puck drop. The most shocking thing to Connor Buehler Not so long into the game the Bears me was that there was barely any gave up a breakaway which led to a Upper Moreland Fans. Hatboro Fans goal for Hatboro. Then, the Hatters filled the bleachers, screaming and tacked on two more goals with the cheering. Of course this is most likely help of their captain. All hope because Hatboro did not have a seemed lost for it was now three to team last year. As far as the Bears, nothing. next year will be a re-building year, because many of their starters will be
Want to learn how to crochet?
There is a crochet club every Tuesday, right after school, in Mrs. Wood’s room. All you need to bring is a hook (recommend 5mm) and any type of yarn that you would like to use. You’ll learn how to make scarves, hats, etc. and even get to hang out with awesome teachers like Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Lipenta, and Ms. Roush!
Kerwing St. Louis
Ten Best Things About the Holidays
1. People just seem to be happier and nicer! 2. You can't help but sing a Christmas song, even if you don’t like to sing. 3. Shopping for people (serious or gag gifts) always makes you smile. 4. The smell of baked goods in the air for a month. 5. People set aside their differences. 6. There’s color everywhere! 7. Decorating the Christmas tree with your family. 8. Having hot chocolate by a fire with a warm, heavy blanket. 9. Family coming down to visit (even of they are annoying). 10.Santa Claus!!!!!!
Katie Dormer PAGE 9 The Savior after Marching Band Lastly, we touched The final Marching Band has ahead of him. But, he is even base on how close he is with the kids competition came and went, and now MORE excited about the staff that he instructs. It was refreshing to see we are all at a loss-unless there is are accompanying him this season. that he loves to joke around and some sort of a miracle that can re- He feels like the staff and him are laugh with the kids he instructs, but plenish our needs. Well, our prayers equally concerned and impressed also know when to put on a serious were answered! Indoor groups have with the ensemble they instruct and face. They know when to “flip the begun-a kind of replacement for color loves every aspect of it. switch” as so to say. The school is guard members and percussionists excited to see how the Indoor Per- for marching band. Mr. Clemente’s love of drumming cussion ensemble turns out in the began when he was ten. All I can say end with the help of this amazing Indoor Percussion gives not only is that it involved a Tama Rockstar staff. marching band percussionists, but drum kit, Phil Collins, and his father anyone interested in hitting things as (whom he thanks for all of his in- Upper Moreland has lots of other hard as possible a fun outlet. With volvement in his musicianship.) programs that anyone can try, and only three years of experience, the they are not just for marching band Indoor Percussion ensemble has just We were also interested to see how kids. Jazz Band and Indoor Color started. Mr. Clemente felt about the time Guard are very popular as fillers for commitment. He believes that it is the cold winter season. So if you find We got an interview with the head worth it, but with a day job and con- yourself bored during the winter staff member, Alex Clemente. This is structing a storyline for the group, months, go on out and join a indoor his fifth year instructing indoor there are just not enough hours in group! groups, and he feels extremely excit- the day to make everything perfect. ed for the upcoming season that he Dakota Hornak Winter Concert! Great job to all!
Note from the Editor:
Thanks to all who read the Bearprint on a monthly basis! We hope to produce an issue eve- ry month, and if at anytime anyone wants to join, we meet on Wednesdays after school, in Mr. Casey’s room! (902) Note from the Editor Esther Moon Thank you for reading the Bearprint! Keep up with our fabulous articles and be the first to know about all of the upcoming Upper Moreland events, book and movie reviews, and anything you could possibly think of! -Esther Moon