February 2016 New Superintendent a Familiar Face to SASD by Kayla Snyder Pass Is a Reminder of Why We Do What We Do

Volume 42 Issue 4 Student Newspaper Of Shaler Area High School February 2016 New superintendent a familiar face to SASD by Kayla Snyder pass is a reminder of why we do what we do. The compass is a metaphor, it points in the direction to- After the news broke that former superintendent wards the students. How does every decision that we Dr. Wesley Shipley accepted a position at Mars Area make affect the students?” Aiken said. School District, Shaler Area started to scramble to Aside from being the role of superintendent at find the perfect candidate to be the next superinten- Shaler Area, Aiken also plays an important role once dent. In November, the puzzle pieces were complete his business day ends. Aiken is the proud father of with the hiring of Mr. Sean Aiken. five children with ages ranging from 4 to 18. Due to Aiken is not a stranger to Shaler Area or the ad- this, Aiken feels he relates to the parents of the stu- ministrative scene. He was an assistant principal at dents at Shaler Area. Shaler Area Middle School before leaving to take a “I think that parents have always appreciated position at Quaker Valley and eventually another at that I do have kids because I think they know that West Allegheny. However, Aiken had a feeling he I’ve walked in their shoes. I know what they’re go- would end up back at Shaler Area. ing through. I think there is an understanding of what “I love the heart of this community. I feel like it means to be a parent, what the struggles of being it’s a strong community where there is so much pride a parent are, and making decisions based on what I and tradition. It felt really special when I was here would want for my own children and how that would before. This is a great place and I feel like we can ac- apply to the students of Shaler Area,” Aiken said. complish great things together,” Aiken said. One of the biggest decisions made in Shaler Area During the interviewing process, Aiken present- in the past few months was the one-to-one initiative ed a 60-day plan which he has already begun to im- in schools. Aiken was not a part of the process but plement. It focuses mainly on connecting with people deems it necessary for children to be exposed to 21st throughout the school district. Aiken wants to build Mr. Sean Aiken century technology in order to competitively advance and structure systems in an efficient way, get out into connect the community to communicate what is go- in the future. the classroom to see students, meet parents on a regu- ing on and act as that leadership figure. “Our students need to be competitive in a global lar basis, and have one-to-one discussions with the His top priorities include equal challenges for marketplace. The more experience and exposure our school board and other administrators in his first two students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, having students can have now to technology that’s available, months in the position. a continuous growth mindset, operational efficiency, puts our students in a more competitive place. Mov- Being a superintendent is a heavily scrutinized and fiscal responsibility throughout his career here. ing forward our students and teachers need to grow title that many people have misconceptions of. Aiken Aiken’s focus is always on the students of the with the use of the iPads and technology,” Aiken said. claims that being the superintendent of a school is school district. So much so, there is a metaphor he Aiken hopes that he will be able to finish his ca- similar to being a CEO and an instructional leader uses to constantly remind him of who the decisions reer and retire from Shaler Area. In the meantime, he of a school district. Not only is working with the he makes. hopes to make improvements and positive changes school board extremely important, he also tries to “I have a compass that sits on my desk. The com- for the better for the students.

Stageby Antoni is Miladinovset for annual“This year’s Shalerpalooza concert Shalerpalooza is go- If you’ve never attended Shalerpalooza then; ing to be a little differ- you’ve really been missing out. This year’s Shaler- ent for me. This year palooza will feature the largest variety of acts the I’m coming out with show has ever seen. Come out to Mr. Small’s Fun my own band and I House in Millvale on February 20th for a night filled have a feeling that with music. The show starts at 7 pm and tickets are we’re going to be the only $8 from the activities office or performers and heaviest band there. $10 at the door. Last year was my first “Shalerpalooza’s a great experience for students time performing on who don’t normally get out to see the talent that stage ever. I got a lot their classmates have on stage,” Shaler Alumni Jake of compliments that Stretch said. Stretch performed in Shalerpalooza for made me feel moti- three years. vated and inspired In 2009, custodian Dale Mangold began Shaler- to continue writing palooza which was originally intended to raise mon- music. Coming back ey for a scholarship dedicated to a senior who was this year makes me killed in a car accident that year. From then on, the very happy. I’m still show has blossomed into a fundraising event for a bit nervous but I’m class funds. gonna let all my fears “Raising money for the class funds helps reduce out and vibe with the Vanessa Ehrenberger, Charles Bakaj and Zach Marker at last year’s Shalerpalooza the costs for various student activities. Whatever I music,” senior Tommy Truong said. Krenn won’t be a paying customer this time can do to help save the students money is important Alongside Truong and his band, this year’s show around, however it would be great to come out and to me. It’s a way to give back to the community” will feature performances by many DJ’s, bands, support him along with all of the other performers. Mangold said. Shaler Area Drum Line and many solo performers. The chance to watch your faculty and fellow peers Mangold’s dedication to the show and students Also in store for Shalerpalooza 2016 is Act 80’s may never come again! at the high school is what has kept Shalerpalooza Band which features Shaler Area High School’s very “I’d like to see more crossovers of students in alive. Last year, the show raised over $4,000 that own Mr. McDermott, Mr. Haberman, Mr. Krenn and attendance as well as more staff. But most of all, I’d was distributed back to each grade. Mangold has also Mr. Stivason. like to continue to promote and feature our student worked hard to gain sponsors like Hardee’s, Shop n “I’ve been going to the venue for many years and body and give them some experience in the entertain- Save and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9199. it’s one of my favorite venues to ever be at as a pay- ment industry. This will hopefully let them live and The sponsors help Shalerpalooza to be a show ing customer. I’m excited to be on stage to see what it experience some of their dreams,” Mangold said. filled with memories that will last a lifetime. looks like from that vantage point,” Krenn said. Page 2 The Oracle February 2016 OPINIONS Evaluating the Pirates’ off-season moves by Justin Jockel But if the team is hoping Jaso (Alvarez’s left-handed replacement) to put up high power numbers, it The Pirates and general manager Neal Hunting- just won’t happen and Alvarez’s bat will be greatly ton have certainly been busy so far this offseason. missed. The signing of multiple players to help in the lineup Grade: C and in the pitching department defiantly gives manager Clint Hurdle some depth heading into the 2016 Acquiring 1B Jason Rogers from the Brewers season. However, the team has yet to make any ma- In mid December, the Pirates traded OF Keon jor acquisitions and in an offseason that has seen Broxton and a minor league pitcher in exchange for the Cubs bring in Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, and Jason Rogers. This move is strictly for depth at 1st John Lackey and the Cardinals sign starting pitcher base. With the departure of Alvarez, the Pirates need Mike Leake and involved in discussions with multi- some role-fillers. And Rogers supported good sea- ple top-tier free agents, it’s only a matter of time be- son stats, posting a .296 average, a .358 on-base- fore the Cardinals bring in a star player. The Pirates percentage, through 152 at-bats. So, he can prove need to make a major move before Spring Training paid 10 million. Why would the Bucs choose Neise to be a secret weapon off the bench for manager if they are looking to compete. Not saying the play- over Happ, when the Pirates have seen Happ pitch Clint Hurdle. However, he has limited major league ers they have brought in are completely useless, but specifically for them and has had success? Not good experience as last year was his first full year in the they need a proven player to compete with division thinking by Huntington. majors. rivals. Grade: D- Grade: B-

Trading 2B Neil Walker to the Mets for LHP Signing RHP Juan Nicasio Signing C/1B John Jaso Jon Neise By signing Juan Nicasio, the Pirates made a si- Probably the most risky move of the offsea- Probably the most notable transaction of the lent, above-average addition to the bullpen. Nicasio son…signing John Jaso. GM Neal Huntington stated offseason for the Pirates, which featured the orga- worked out of the bullpen for the Dodgers last year Jaso will mainly be splitting time with Morse at first nization sending the “Pittsburgh Kid” to New York and had a 3.86 ERA, while also averaging 10 strike- base this year, which would be okay, if only Jaso had in exchange for starting pitching depth. This move outs per 9 innings. He also saw his average fastball more experience at the position. He has only had 2 sparked all sorts of reactions. Some fans understand velocity jump from 92 mph to 95.1 mph. This was starts in his career at first base. We’ve seen the Pi- the move, while others are mad at the fact manage- a great addition for the Bucs, signing a 29-year-old rates do this before, trying to convert other position ment could trade a hometown player. Walker is hard thrower seems like a good buy. players into 1st basemen. It’s been tried with Alvarez, one of the most productive second baseman in the Grade: A which wasn’t all that successful. Also, it’s been tried league. Last year, he hit 16 home runs and had 71 with native third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Once runs batted in while supporting a .269 batting aver- Signing RHP Ryan Vogelsong again, it didn’t work. So what is Huntington’s solu- age. Trading away that production in return for a 5th This signing doesn’t make much sense. Vogel- tion? Bring in a player in hopes that the third time is starter at best is ridiculous in my opinion. Walker is song is 38 years old and has a fastball that is lucky to the charm. I’m not expecting any different outcome easily one of the Top 5 at his position. The only way reach 91 mph. Vogelsong has not had a season ERA with Jaso. Being Jaso is Alvarez’s left handed re- this deal will prove worthwhile is if Neise can learn below 4 since he posted a 3.37 ERA in 2012. The placement, it’s a stretch that he’ll be able to put up a thing or two from pitching coach Ray Searage, Pirates need to invest in quality talent that will help the same type of power as Alvarez. who has a track record of turning around struggling the team down the stretch. Vogelsong will be lucky Grade: D pitchers (i.e. Francisco Liriano). If that happens, the if he still has a job come July. deal will be end up being great for the Bucs. But as Grade: D Signing RHP Neftali Feliz of now, the return the Pirates could’ve been better. The most recent move by the Bucs saw them Grade: C+ Pedro Alvarez Becoming A Free Agent signing hard-thrower Neftali Feliz. Feliz was ac- This past season marked his last with the Pi- quired by the Tigers last year. He saw an improve- J.A. Happ Becoming A Free Agent rates for Pedro Alvarez. There were certainly some ment in his ERA, going from a 7.62 to a 4.58. This The Pirates missed out on a good opportunity memorable moments created from the bat of Alva- is one pitcher signing that I am actually eager to see here. Happ completely turned himself around when rez, but there were forgettable ones made with his how turns out. I am optimistic about this move given he came to Pittsburgh at the trading deadline last glove. It was proven fact that throughout most of his the quality pitcher Feliz was when he first entered summer. His ERA with Seattle was 4.64 and his time in Pittsburgh, Alvarez struggled mightily de- the league. Through his first 3 years in the league, ERA dropped to 1.85 with the Pirates. This whole fensively. The power was always there for Alvarez, his ERA for a season was never over 2.74. Consid- situation is similar to Edison Volquez. Volquez was but his batting average and defense were the two ering he is only 28 years old, and with a little work signed in hopes he could regain his former glory, things that made the Pirates contemplate trading from pitching coach Ray Searage, he can gain back and did to some extent. The Pirates did not resign him multiple times during his tenure with the Bucs. the early career success he had. Questions now are him once his contract expired after a good year Overall, I think the team had to get rid of Alvarez starting to surface if this signing may spell the end and he signed with the Royals. Volquez would go at some point as he is too unpredictable and incon- for Melancon’s time in Pittsburgh as Feliz has clos- in his first season with the Royals and make mul- sistent. But the team needs to focus on regaining a er experience. I feel Feliz would have more success tiple postseason starts. I feel confident in saying the power bat through free agency as they have lost over pitching in the 7th inning, which sets up Watson for same situation will happen with Happ. Neise will 40 home runs combined with the departure of Al- the 8th and Melancon for the 9th. fill in Happ’s previous role as the left-handed starter. varez and Walker. If they can acquire a bat that is Grade: A- Neise is being paid 9 million this year. Happ is being nearly equivalent to Alvarez in terms of home runs and has a slightly better average, this move is great.

The Oracle

Editor ...... Kayla Snyder Assistant Editor ...... Kaitlin Parente

Staff: ...... Maddy Eichenlaub, Justin Jockel, Antoni Miladinov, Bridget Nickel, Shayla Nguyen, Shannon O’Leary, Jared Panza, Alyssa Wohlfarth, Kimberly Yurasits

Faculty Advisor: ...... Mr. Eric Schott

The Oracle is the official student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Although it is published by the journalism classes, one does not have to be enrolled in a class to contribute. Opinions expressed in The Oracle are those of the individual writers. Letters to the Editor are encouraged and welcome. Any letter intended for publication must be signed, but names will be withheld upon request. Articles and letters may be mailed to the high school (ATTN: The Oracle) or emailed to [email protected].

The Oracle reserves the right to condense or omit any letters or articles unfit for publication. February 2016 The Oracle Page 3 Q&A: Kathy Voytko and John Cudia by Kayla Snyder John: I grew up in Toms River, NJ. I think it made purs- Kathy Voytko and John Cudia are both seasoned ing my dreams easier because Broadway professionals who have at least 10 shows I was so close to New York under their belt. Recently, the couple performed a City. So when I knew it was benefit concert hosted by the Shaler Area Choir De- time to move there, it didn’t partment. feel like such a huge leap. Kathy: I grew up in John- How did you get involved into the world of stown, Pennsylvania. My Broadway? What was your first show you’ve ever parents were very encourag- performed in? ing as far as taking lessons in John: What was your big ‘breakout’ moment? I whatever was available. They was taken to my first Broadway show by my parents let me take piano lessons, when I was ten years old. My first public performance gymnastics, and ballet. I’m was a role in a first grade show. It was a big role with a terrible pianist and I wish 4 or five songs. I kept on singing and performing and I had stuck with it longer but also took up playing the drums. I wasn’t really bit- those early lessons (which I ten by the theater bug until I heard and then later saw sometimes groaned about) “Les Miserables” when I was in High School. My certainly instilled a love of breakout moment and still the most thrilling moment music from an early age. of my career was making my broadway debut in Les Miz! At what age did you know Kathy: I grew up dancing with a small ballet that this was the career path Company in Johnstown Pennsylvania. When I was for you? Were you ever skeptical of the career because Voytko and Cudia performing at the Broadway in the ‘Burgh event this past week in high school my parents took me to see “Les Mis- (photo credit: Kayla Snyder) erables” on tour, and I was hooked from that moment it’s very up and down? on. I suppose my big break out moment was my John: I knew it was for trying to make sure that it is fresh and interesting for sophomore year of college when I was cast as a lead me when I heard Les Miz for the first time. That was every single audience (since it is the first time many in the musical. I was the Baker’s Wife in “Into The the moment that all the pieces came together. I loved will see the show) even if it’s your 300th time doing Woods.” I was scared out of my mind because I truly music, I loved singing, and I loved performing on it. had no idea what I was doing. But I had a great direc- stage...this one show had it all. After that moment How long have you been involved in the Broad- tor and a wonderful cast of upperclassman to guide there wasnt anything you could tell me about how way world? Are you in any current productions me through it. From then on I wasn’t quite as scared hard it was that would’ve stopped me from going af- right now? anymore and was able to audition more regularly for ter being in that show. Frankly, I’m still skeptical of John: I made my broadway debut in 1994 and more roles. this career path because there is never an end goal. I’ve been incredibly lucky to do a lot of shows- many my most recent performance on Broadway was in 2013 with “Evita”... Where did you grow up? Did that kind of en- of them on Broadway-and to be working consistent- Kathy: I did my first Broadway show (“Okla- vironment make pursuing your dreams easier or ly, but that can all change in an instant. homa!”) in 2002. I’m currently on Broadway in “A harder? If harder, explain why. Mostly I am just thankful and grateful that I have been able to be a full-time Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” actor since graduating from college. For singing, what is your voice part? Do you Kathy: I had no idea think this helps or hurts you when it comes to audi- what this career would be tions? like. I didn’t know anybody John: I am a tenor. and this does make audition who was a professional ac- difficult as most good male roles are baritones. I tor. I didn’t know anybody fake a really good baritone but most of the roles in who was a professional my voice type are character or juvenile (boy) roles singer. All I knew was that so there’s not a lot to choose from if I want to stick I was absolutely hypnotized to type. in high school by “Les Mis- Kathy: I’m a soprano who can also belt a bit. I erables” when I saw the ac- always joke that I will sing whatever voice part gets tors telling such a powerful me the job! (Unless there is excessive riffing, that I story through song. can’t do!)

What is the hardest What do you think your ‘biggest’ role has been thing about performing in over the past years? Do you ever reflect back on that the Broadway world? Are role? there any downfalls to be- John: Definitely the Phantom on Broadway. I ing in the limelight? don’t reflect on it as much now but when I do, it is John: I put a lot of with great appreciation for getting to play that most pressure on myself to famous character. be my very best all the Kathy: I suppose my biggest role was Eva Peron time. Sometimes your body in “Evita”. More than reflecting on the role, I think I won’t or can’t cooperate due look back fondly on working with Hal Prince. He is to illness or injury. As the extraordinary and it was a dream come true to work roles I’ve been blessed to with him every day on that show. play have gotten more difficult and more ‘prestigious’ What advice can you offer to any aspiring per- the pressure to be better in- formers or people in general who are trying to chase creases too, so that is a kind their dreams? of a downfall, though its John: Believe in yourself. Stand up for yourself. part of chasing the dream of Work hard. Ask for help. All experience is good ex- playing big roles. perience. Be kind, courteous and prepared. Kathy: I think the hard- Kathy: Don’t go into the arts. Did I talk you out est part about performing of it? If anyone can talk you out of the arts, then you on Broadway is doing eight should go do something else. The arts are hard and shows a week. I know that uncertain and you have to love what you do every sounds basic, but when you single day. If someone can’t talk you out of being think doing the exact same in the arts, then it might be something you should thing eight times a week and pursue. Page 4 The Oracle February 2016 THE inside Best Album of 2015 Purpose E Justin Beiber Best Album of 2015 W IRD News Made in the A.M Police say an Albuquerque man wanted his mother’s One Direction traditional New Mexican stew so much he broke into her home and stole it. 25 The Albuquerque Journal reports that 23-year-old Jona- Adele than Ray was arrested recently after he ignored his mother’s orders to stay away from her posole and ran off with the Revival holiday dish. Posole is pretty delicious-looking. Selena Gomez According to a criminal complaint, Ray sent his mom a text message saying he wanted some of her posole but she If You're Reading told him no. This It's Too Late The complaint says the mother later found her gate and Drake garage broken and a pot of the posole missing. Ray was arrested on a residential burglary charge. Court records didn’t list an attorney for Ray. Beauty Behind The Huffington Post The Madness The Weeknd An Israeli reporter has been stabbed on the job while testing a “stab-proof” protective vest. Eitam Lachover was filming a segment about a com- ToForest Pimp Hillsa Butterfly pany designing the vests when he decided to be part of the Kendrick Lamar demonstration. The Channel 1 reporter had agreed to test the hardware, Revenge of The to prove the importance of the gear, but ended up injured. 2014 Forest Hills Drive In a statement to Israeli paper The Globes, the company Madness II said Lachover suffered the injury only because he “moved” J. Cole during the take. “The knife did not penetrate the vest. The reporter moved during the demonstration, and the ‘stabber’ missed the vest. The reporter was stabbed slightly above the vest,” the company said. Lachover only suffered a light injury to his upper back after the accident and the manufacturers are still confident Check us out online the item is safe. usatodayhss.com/market/shaler-hs-pa He later said on Twitter that he got stitches and was Name: discharged from the hospital. Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search MTheaker Globes MID(TERMS) MID(TERMS) James Potten of Bristol, England snapped a photo of E V D T P V R Z X S H Q S T S E T S T L this surprise he found in a FedEx package last week. N N J T I V Z D J I D I O L I E K I B L A British man who ordered a Kindle e-book reader says he received a tumor sample, meant for a hospital, instead. Z E C K X D G W W F R T E Z H O A Y O P James Potten of Bristol posted a photo of his partially R I N Z C Q I J N V V E B N O Z Y T U A opened package on Twitter Saturday, along with a single- word reaction: “wow.” Y E M O Y B V E J P P M W B M D X J W O “You’ve swapped my new kindle with a tumor speci- B C R Y I N G P G D C S T U E I M M Q H men. Still waiting for collection,” he tweeted to FedEx. A green paper seal appearing to wrap around the pack- B Q C A O T L N E E J X Z F W S L G U X age’s enclosed box reads: “Specimen return kit -- Patient Z Z D Z P W A P L Q E M Z J O M Q S W W tumor specimen enclosed.” “My name was on the outside, but the contents weren’t D V A A V R R N Q T O P I X R C T Y I I what I expected,” Potten told the BBC of his special deliv- X H N S M I O N I V U I Y O K R I G P L ery which he said was sent from an address in California and intended for London’s Royal Free Hospital. A T K U V V P J S T R E S S O X N W K Q Potten said his Kindle was finally delivered on Monday. The environmental consultant said he didn’t open the M X S E T O N P E A S G J P H I G H C L box but called to have the package’s driver return to his V L D V Y V M N P C O A E H Y D H B T J house. For a reason not disclosed, the package wasn’t im- mediately collected, however. H E Q Z F B A S D Q T R R D J X R W T D Instead, Potten said he struggled to get FedEx to col- R D B M J J G K F L B S U C Q R R P E N lect it. “I’ve been trying to get FedEx to collect it as it is po- O Q B A E B W W N A O T N O O P S A J B tentially a sample that needs to be tested and sent back with J E P O O E K K L C S M V I M R T W X C some urgency,” he told the BBC. “I don’t know where my Kindle is, but if it is at the Royal Free I’d be happy to do an T C L L O O U T L S U K A H N H P F R E exchange.” Y P J N E K W N B Y U L L A E D Z U P T Fortunately for Potten, on Sunday he tweeted that the sample was “now on route to its rightful owner” and on A Y O L O V S L M E J E F T E T Q L Z J Monday he reported having received his actual order. AWFUL BOOKS CRYING “Delivered!! Thanks finally to @fedex,” he tweeted DEATH HOMEWORK LABREPORTS with a photo of his e-reader. NOTES PROCRASTINATION PROJECTS FedEx, reached by the BBC, said they “regretted the error” and “will consider future changes to our processes. SLEEPDEPRIVED STRESS STUDYING The Huffington Post, Nina Golgowski TESTS TEXTBOOKS February 2016 The Oracle Page 5 Edition Do you think Pittsburgh temperatures are rough? Inspiring Quotes for 2016 “We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, and work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.” — Leslie Knope

“Sometimes you just have to put on lip gloss and pretend to be psyched.” — Mindy Kaling This car in Buffalo, NY was completely covered in ice after freezing temperatures and high winds hit the area where the car was parked overnight. “I hope summer comes soon,” the owner of the car, 24-year-old Justin Yelen, said. “Why would I brush my teeth haha Yelen will now have to hitch a ride with his parents and firends until his car defrosts I’m a dude.” and is able to be moved. — @Matt_Olszewski

If you could be in any Ugly and live forever If you could If you had to live only have one Who would you The movie, what would or attractive and die meal for the without one of trade lives with for it be and what part in 10 years? rest of your life, your senses which what would it a day? one would it be? Grid would you play? be? “Brave Heart” Senior as Mel GIbson Sense of hearing, Ugly and live for- Momma Mr. Schott, I aka brave heart don’t gotta listen ever, already am Goetz’s wanna know Keith himself because to all the haters but ok meatloaf what it’s like to Goetz he was the be bald anymore original “G”

Junior Any James Taste, so I can Ugly Chipotle pork Bill Gates, are Bond movie as and live carnitas eat vegetables Andrew James Bond you kidding? Schramm forever

Sophomore “Just Go With It” Any chicken: Beyonce, aboslute- Touch because as anyone just I’d rather baked, BBQ, ly because she can I don’t have to to swim with the Gia look like me Buffalo wings, do whatever she feel it I can just dolphins and wants, but I’d be Thorpe and die at 77 fried, tenders pick it up and because it’s without Jay-Z eat it right? funny Corndog Freshman Lupita Nyong’o Taste, so I could “Hunger Games” Attractive and nuggets, because she is eat healthy stuff as Katniss die in 10 years apples, and Natalie my favorite and not be peanut Yurasits actress disgusted butter Page 6 The Oracle February 2016

Wrestling team continues successfularm seasonlast year and recently By Jared Panza aggravated it once again, leaving him out of compe- The legacy of wrestling at tition for a few weeks, and Shaler Area is one that is highly possibly surgery depending decorated, respected, and well- on how well he is able to known throughout the WPIAL. heal. This year’s team has proven to “Jake is a great be all of those and then some. leader and currently ranked With a 12-0 record and recent 3rd in the WPIAL so it must back-to-back wins over NA and be frustrating for him be- Seneca Valley has secured the cause I know he wants to Titans as the section champions. be on the mat, but right In a hard fought match, the now he’s not capable with Titans came out on top 34-33 his elbow. So he has to get over the NA Tigers to move on reevaluated again and then to the finals, where they moved move forward from there,” on to the section finals. In a sec- Senior Mike Heinl pins his opponent at the Allegheny County tournament ( Barry Reeger Tribune-Review) D’Agostino said. ond consecutive difficult match, schedule. Being around each other so often and Even with the in- the Titans defeated the Seneca Valley Raiders to practicing together has also helped the team jury to their star 145-pounder, the team still was become the undefeated section champs. work well together. able to produce positive results at the Allegheny With such great success, the team has a lot “The team has been wrestling with each County championships this past weekend, with to be satisified with, especially head coach Drew other since we all started and we know what seven wrestlers finishing in the top eight of their D’Agostino we’re all capable of. We’re a family and we’ll class. Mike Heinl, Eric Warren, Ian Scarberry, “I’m very satisfied so far. Right now we have each other’s back,” junior Ron D’Amico and Ron D’Amico all placed in third, Jake Pol- are currently undefeated, which hasn’t happened said. lak placed fourth, Dylan Winters placed fifth, in about 10-15 years and we are currently ranked One wrestler who has proved himself this and Garret Reinsfelder placed seventh. in the WPIAL which has always been a goal for year and in years past has been senior Mike But Coach D’Agostino doenst like to focus us as a team,” D’Agostino said. Heinl, who earned his 100th varsity win last on individual successes during the season. In- But even with the success so far, Coach month, putting him with an elite class of wres- stead, he looks at the teams success as a whole. D’Agostino is making sure the team continues tlers here at Shaler Area. “We are doing good as a team. Everyone is the hard work with frequent practices. “Mike is a great leader and a great friend. contributing as a team. We do have some out- “We’ve been practicing almost every day He knows how to push the team and can make standing individuals but right now we are fo- with very intense workouts which help out tre- anybody work harder,” D’Amico said. cused on the team,” D’Agostino said. mendously on the mat,” senior James Demore But even with the major successes, the The wrestling team will continue to close said. wrestling team suffered a major setback with the out their season with three final matches. Their The team has been practicing for months reinjure of senior Jacob Hartman. Hartman suf- last home match is on February 10, in the middle before the season, and has participated in ex- fered a torn UCL and nerve damage in his right school gym B against Knoch. tra tournaments outside of their regular school

Swimming by Shayla Nguyen having successful yearaccomplishments despite until afterinjuries the season,” Sim- mons said. While the winter weather outside is getting The team is also working on building bonds colder, competition in the swimming world is and working well with each other. This is espe- heating up. Shaler Area High School’s swimming cially important this year as the team had to deal team is currently hard at work to prepare itself for with the loss of seniors from last year while add- meets coming ahead. ing seven freshmen. The team has been hard at work since the This proves to be both an advantage and an beginning of the school year for pre-season, obstacle that the team has to tackle. The freshmen with the official season beginning in Novem- have to adjust to their new environment, both with ber. Practices take place nearly every day of the pool and the practice/meet schedule as well as the week, with training both before school their transition into high school. and after school, as well as practices on Sat- Another obstacle the team faces every year is urday morning. injuries. This year the team is nursing six injured “We are really tired after practices. It is swimmers. Simmons said on the bright side, the really hard work, but it is worth it in the end,” team is not letting these obstacles stop them from senior Cassie Battaglia said. reaching its goals. Everyone is overcoming these All three of the boys’ relays as well as the issues through determination and perseverance. girl’s medley relay have qualified for WPI- “The seniors are committed to finishing out ALS. Senior Gino Cercone and juniors Joe the season helping the team to the best of their Pasikowski and Abby Banze all qualified Junior Evan Kelly prepares for a dive (Tribune-Review) ability. The underclassmen are committed to for an individual event. Senior Dillon Brown getting through this season and their focus is on has qualified for nearly all events in the championship. Two divers, se- how they will be better prepared for next season. All-in-all, its business as nior Mike Schmelzer and junior Evan Kelly, also qualified for the diving usual for the varsity swim team,” Simmons said. championships. In addition to individual success, the swim team has also had several good meets. Both the boys and the girls have performed well according to coach Keith Simmons. He also said that the team’s divers have recorded top scores at dual meets consistently. Yet, even though the team is continu- ally improving and achieving great scores, it will not be satisfied until the season is over. “The coaches always try to impress upon our swimmers that they can Check us out online be happy with their progress, but they should never be satisfied with their usatodayhss.com/market/shaler-hs-pa February 2016 The Oracle Page 7

THE STUDY ABROAD + STUDY USA PROGRAM AT LA ROCHE MADE MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE VERY MEANINGFUL. I STEPPED OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE AND GREW AS AN INDIVIDUAL. I LEARNED TO UNDERSTAND OTHER CULTURES. - JESSICA FINKE ’15 Pre K-4 Teacher Education | Special Education

PERSONAL VISITS Monday - Friday | 10 A.M. | 2 P.M. laroche.edu Page 8 The Oracle February 2016 New recycling containers a product of grant money High school plans to promote recycling awareness throughout February by Madelyn Eichenlaub

New recycling bins have been appearing in the classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias of the district’s schools. The money for the bins came from a grant that was awarded to the district. “Shaler Area School District partnered with the Allegheny County Health Department to revitalize the district’s recycling program. The County Health Department applied for and was awarded the grant,” Shaler Area’s Communi- cations Specialist, Ms. Bethany Baker, said. The grant allowed the district to increase the number of recycling containers in each of its buildings with the hope that the additional bins will increase the effec- tiveness of the district’s recycling program. “The placement of recycling containers has been strategic and done in cooperation with the buildings’ administration,” Baker said. n the high school, more bottle and can recycling bins were placed compared to every other school in the district. The high school gener- ates more bottles and cans, especially in the cafeteria, than any other building in the district. The recycling bins now used throughout the high school and other district schools. Last year, Activities Director, Mrs. Mindy Thiel, said around 11,000 plastic bottles were other students the importance of recycling. it, but not the only part of it,” Elder said. purchased each year in the Activities Office. One idea was to film a brief announcement that The club will also be collecting batteries A portion of the grant money went to- aired on SATV with the help of Mr. Lee Myers. to recycle in the GATE room during February. wards increasing recycling awareness. For Senior Elliot Fix talks about how blue bins are The Big Green Box Company takes the bat- younger students, magic shows will be put for cans and bottles while the green bins are just teries and recycles them for different schools on in those buildings to show the proper way for paper. Everything else belongs in the trash. and companies for a flat rate that includes ship- to recycle. In the high school, the Ecology The Ecology Club is starting a recycling aware- ping, handling, and all other recycling fees. club is taking the lead to raise awareness. ness program called “Big Awareness, Small Ac- The entire school district is trying to improve GATE teachers, Mrs. Christina Palladino tion,” which will begin in February. There will be recycling in each one of the schools through and Mrs. Kate Elder, were asked by Princi- a different announcement each day on recycling. the new bins and these ideas for awareness. pal Dr. Timothy Royall to be involved in the “Some of the announcements will be “We hope this effort increases the vol- initiative. They talked to the students in Ecol- about hard to recycle items. I think that cans, ume of items collected to be recy- ogy Club about how they would like to show bottles, and paper are an important part of cled throughout the district” Baker said.

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