October 15, 2014 Volume XXI Hawk Issue 2 Happenings A Publication of Hamburg Area High School, Windsor Street, Hamburg, PA 19526 HAHS adopts Root Word of the Week Brooke Buckley Julian Warner - 12 is Hamburg’s Thorough consideration, the fall of the Hamburg Area High School Latin program, and untapped standardized testing potential has coalesced into an initiative to permeate the ancient Greek and Latin lexicons throughout the entire student body. It is known as the Outstanding Young “Root Word[s] of the Week”. The ostensible arbitrariness of the initiative has left students curious, indifferent, or sometimes dubious. Nevertheless, approbating administrative figures offer research-backed certitude that there is, indeed, method to the madness. Woman Since the 2012-2013 school year, elementary schools in the Hamburg Area School Sarah Hanlon – 12 District have embraced the Root Word of the Week System. Since doing so, the idea has spread throughout all of the levels of primary education in Hamburg, eventually arriving at On Saturday, October 4, Brooke Buckley HAHS. Teachers of varying subjects review the root words, along with their applications represented Hamburg Area High School in the Berks to modern English, with the students throughout the week. Typically, the words are County Outstanding Young Woman program. Brooke selected thematically from a larger list of pre-selected root words. During the Labor Day was one of 19 female high school seniors in Berks holiday, for example, oper- and erg- (both meaning “work”) were taught as root words. County who participated in the scholarship event. The The root word initiative is not exclusive to the Hamburg education system, contestants participated in a yearly competition that and it can be found in numerous schools throughout the United States, both focuses on academic and community service excellence, as well as performing arts and nearby and afar. Local Berks County schools such as Fleetwood and Muhlenberg fitness. They are judged on their academic ability, interview skills, presence presentation, have adopted a similar system, known as the “Word of the Week”, or WOW. a fine arts performance, and athletic ability. Initially, the Root Word of the Week was introduced by Hamburg’s Director of The program, which was held at Kutztown High School, consisted of an introduction of Curriculum, Dr. Elizabeth Lambi. On account of her background in medicinal matters, the contestants, an aerobic routine, a fine arts performance, and a presence presentation Dr. Lambi acknowledges the importance of continuing to educate students about that included an onstage question. words that compose the majority of the English language. Upon the retirement After the competition portion concluded, last year’s winner, Boyertown’s Danielle of the former HAHS Latin teacher, Mrs. Sue Schenck, the initiative was simply a Croner, performed her talent routine and spoke about how the OYW experience impacted matter of common sense. Unlike Latin alone, the new initiative has the capacity her life. to reach out to the entire student body rather than a select group of students. She then presented the winners with their monetary prizes. The judges presented a “Rather than myself simply saying to students that ‘This is total of ten awards: Keystone, Interview, Scholarship & Achievement, Aerobics & Fitness, the way to learn’,” reasons Lambi, “there is actually sound Performing Arts, Presence & Presentation, Third Runner-up, Second Runner-up, First research showing that strict memorization of words Runner-up, and Berks County’s Outstanding Young Woman. Jennifer Gehman of Governor is ineffective. Instead, by learning different root Mifflin was awarded the prestigious top honor, as well as winning the Talent award. Despite words, students can remember and apply their not winning any scholarships, Brooke is grateful to have had the experience. understanding of these roots to larger, more difficult “The OYW program has definitely taught me valuable skills that will help me to succeed words.” Logically, it is unfeasible for any human later on in life. I have met so many wonderful girls that share the same values and interests to know every word in the English dictionary, as myself, and are hard-working, dedicated, and motivated.” but root words serve as a preliminary point “My favorite memory was when we went out for a fancy lunch the day of the competition, for expanding the vocabulary of all students. and the girls put on fake mustaches for laughs. We have all become great friends, and I HAHS co-principal, Mr. Christopher Spohn, am so thankful to have had the experience and opportunity to be a part of the program.” also proposes a practical offering that the For more information about the program and how to apply, visit www.berksoyw.com. success of the Root Word of the Week initiative relies on the overall enthusiasm throughout the school. The administration as a whole is Passion and dedication define striving to teach a method of learning that would help students with testing. He suggests, “From a testing point of view, kids will generally know the answers September’s student of the to the questions being asked. The problem is that, all too often, they do not understand the vocabulary month, Sarah or the context which the question is being asked.” As high school students of Hamburg prepare to continue their endeavors, which, for some, Hanlon includes attending college, the potential benefits of the Root Word of the Week are apparent. The Meredith Browder – 12 burden of standardized testing can be eased, daunting c o l l e g e - level reading will become comprehensible, and Hamburg students “My mom once told me, life is short, so and faculty can continue to grow together in their overall perspicacity. buy the shoes,” says Sarah Noelle Hanlon, September’s student of the month. This quote not only applies to Sarah’s love for online shopping, but also her carpe diem mentality. Sarah is an incredibly passionate individual Yearbooks Are Going On Sale who consistently lives life to the fullest. Sarah’s commitment to dance and journalism is evident. Megan Krick – 9 She has been dancing since she was three- years-old and is currently a member of Fusion2, The 2014 – 2015 Pinnacle goes on sale November 17 to the 21. The Pinnacle a performance company at Dance Fusion, is still the lowest price in Berks County at the cost of $60.There are 200 pages and a located in Fogelsville. She also enjoys student 40 page supplement, all in color. The Pinnacle is done by April and will distributed teaching young dancers at her studio. around May 20. There are 49 students on the staff to make it the best yearbook ever. She has always loved writing and is currently The yearbook’s theme is social networks. Seniors pages are going to be in the the sole Editor-in-Chief of the Hamburg High Facebook theme. All the underclassman will have an Instagram theme. The student life School newspaper, Hawk Happenings. In addition, Sarah is a very active writer for Voices, will be Twitter. Sports have YouTube and clubs will be a Tumblr theme. We are always the teen section of The Reading Eagle. One of Sarah’s most admirable characteristics looking for students to take pictures for the yearbook at games, club meeting, and in is her drive to always be the best she can be. By participating in dance workshops and classes. If anyone is interested in taking photos or would like to know more information attending journalism camp at Penn State University over the summer, she remains on the yearbook please let Meredith Browder know at [email protected]. incredibly self-motivated and ambitious. continued on page 2 - SARAH Hawks Sports Action Criticism Corner Spotlight Inside: Frost Bowl Preview Pg. 3 Pg. 4 Pg. 6 Page 2 Hawk Happenings October 15, 2014 SARAH continued fron page 1 Sarah has remained exceptionally well rounded throughout high school. She is a member of the TV Studio and Leo Club, and the secretary of Student Council and The National Honor Society. Her favorite classes include Publications and AP English with Mrs. Texter. Sarah also spends her time volunteering at her church and the Hamburg Library. Instead of becoming overwhelmed or stressed with such a busy schedule, Sarah has decided to tackle life one day at a time and go with the flow. She can not only attribute her success in high school to her impressive organizational and time management skills, but also to her parents and Mrs. McCarthy for always encouraging her to do her best. Sarah explains that her mother is a very inspirational figure in her life because of the fact that even though she has MS, she refuses to let it affect her. Sarah defines success as “doing what you love, because if you’re happy, you’re successful.” This mantra is very evident in Sarah’s life. She hopes to attend Hofstra University and double major in journalism and dance. In ten years she sees herself living in New York writing for a newspaper or magazine. Sarah loves attending school at Hamburg. Some of her favorite memories include football games, pep rallies, and the lockdown during her freshman year when she was able to watch Phineas and Ferb in Mrs. Palerino’s room. Sarah’s friends describe her as passionate, caring, hardworking, driven and kind. These Math department receives special surprise impressive qualities will certainly set the standard for the rest of the year’s students of the month. Nicole Eberhardt – 12 Pi day, March 14th, is a nationally celebrated day in many schools. Hamburg area math Hedgehogs: cute but illegal classes participate through designing t-shirts and making pies and other circular food Erik Fleischel – 11 items, like they do every year.