Hopewell Hi-Lites 1215 Longvue Avenue, Hopewell, PA 1215 Longvue Avenue, Hopewell, PA Issue 10: September, 2016
Follow the Leader New Superintendent Dr. Michelle Miller Encourages Innovation BY: TANNER MCMAKIN perience. She has a wants students to graduate ready Bachelors in psychol- for life, “That’s really my goal--to ogy from Chatham take any student help them to grow, University as well as to be successful not only here, but certifcations in social through life.” studies and elemen- The state is currently revis- tary education. She ing graduation requirements with earned her master’s regard to the state-mandated Key- in administration at stone Exam. Dr. Miller wants to Duquesne and her improve Keystone success by bet- doctorate in admin- ter preparing students. “How do we istrative and policy help our students pass the Keystone studies from the Uni- the frst time? The frst thing is we versity of Pittsburgh. must start in Kindergarten, frst and Dr. Miller got her second grade helping students who start in education struggle along the way, so it doesn’t Photo by Garret Roberts as a teacher in her just come to a high stakes test in 9th hometown, Ellwood City. She then grade.” New Superintendent Dr. Mi- became an assistant principal at Dr. Miller’s goal of prepar- chelle Miller started the year off en- Lincoln High School. Most recent- ing students to be future-ready couraging an atmosphere of engage- ly, Dr. Miller was a superintendent combines perfectly with the pas- ment and innovation in our school at Wilmington School District. “All sion of Assistant Superintendent district. of those experiences, I think from Dr. Maslyk. Under their leadership She has been impressed by teaching and being a high school Hopewell held P3 TechFest 16, a the school and community, “There is principal, to having middle school frst-ever technology-focused in-ser- a Hopewell pride and spirit that not experience, and my degrees in el- vice day. every school district has.” In turn, ementary and secondary teaching From her frst moments with the Hopewell students and staff have really helped me.” the staff Dr. Miller has shown a pur- have accepted her with open arms. She hopes to promote an at- pose to succeed, passion for student “What’s not to love...everybody has mosphere that is “student-centered, engagement, pride in our commu- been so welcoming.” to make sure we’re meeting the nity. Dr. Miller comes to Hopewell need of students not just for today with a wealth of educational ex- but for tomorrow and beyond.” She What’s Inside... Ambridge Political Shake Up Hopewell’s Super Student Section Sports “Trump Visits Beaver County” “P3: Hopewell Students in Action” Page 2-3 Page 5 Page 4 Happenings Page 4-5 Culture Page 6-8 Football Finale Renews Past Traditions BY: TURNER WILSON n the long history of football in ties that places like Clearview started of the 330 students that they did in Western Pennsylvania, there have being built.” McConnell says. Despite 1969. Hopewell has a new stadium Ialways been heroes. Joe Mon- the proximity and many similarities with lights and Aliquippa’s has seen tana’s storied NFL career came after between the two towns, there has al- better days. Despite those differenc- four years at nearby Ringgold High ways been tension between the two. es, however, so much remains the School. Before there was “The Guar- “Aliquippa has always had kind of a same. antee”, Joe Namath played for the bad rap.” McConnell says. Now, there are still two Beaver Falls Tigers. Hopewell has It was one of the biggest schools with passion for their football their own share of top football talent; crowds that McConnell had ever teams in southern Beaver County. Tony Dorsett, Daniel Rains, and Bill seen at Aliquippa’s stadium that Two schools that are so close yet are Koman had successful careers in the Friday night in 1964. McConnell’s distinctly separated. All of the tradi- NFL. Paul Posluszny, a linebacker for brother played in the game, one in tion and intensity was renewed this the Jacksonville Jaguars, represents which Hopewell was expected to lose. when Hopewell travelled to Aliquippa Hopewell in the NFL today. With Aliquippa had many stars, and went for the frst time in years. It was rem- great players and rabid following, the on to win the WPIAL championship iniscent of the frst time they played rivalries in WPIAL football are some that year. But it wasn’t the Quips’ in 1964. Hopewell was surely the of the most intense in the country. day, as they fell to the Vikings in a underdog with Aliquippa hailed as Hopewell’s rivals have included Cen- large upset. That was the last year a powerhouse. It was played in the tral Valley and Blackhawk, and this for legendary Coach Carl Aschman, same stadium with the same tradi- year, another historical one has been whom the stadium is now named for. tion, and, Hopewell almost pulled off renewed; Hopewell vs. Aliquippa. During McConnell’s years, Hopewell an upset as they did in 1964. Hopewell frst played Aliquip- lost once, in 1966, and won the ri- pa in 1964. At the time, Aliquippa valry in 1967 and 1968. “Aliquippa played their home games on Friday started to fall off as a football team at “The Pit”, the affectionate name for towards the end of my high school ca- Aliquippa’s Stadium that has stood reer,” McConnell says. “Those games since 1937. Hopewell, who didn’t weren’t as physical have a stadium with lights at the as some of the other time, played their games in Aliquippa games; they didn’t on Saturday nights. There were more have as much fre.” people in the area than today. “I had A lot has around 330 in my graduating class” changed since the frst says Mr. McConnell, who attended Hopewell-Aliquippa Hopewell High School and played game. The steel mills football for the team from 1966-1968. are gone and Aliquip- “Aliquippa was much bigger too.” Mc- pa has fallen on hard Connell says there were almost 500 economic times, students graduating each year at Hopewell isn’t as the height of Hopewell’s enrollment. prosperous as it once It was one of the most prosperous was either. Aliquippa economic times for Beaver County, graduates less than with J&L Steel thriving and employ- 100 students per year ing many parents of students from and Hopewell now both schools. “It was in the late ff- graduates around half Billy DePaul. Photo courtesy of Mr. Mohrbacher Page 2 "5)-&5&40'5)&.0/5)
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Scoreboard: 'BMM4QPSUT'JOBM3FDPSET Football: 5-4 Girls Volleyball: 6-10 Boys Golf: 6-6 Boys Cross Country: 8-4 Girls Tennis: 4-4 Boys Soccer: 3-12 Cross Country Girls: 9-3 Girls Golf: 3-9 Girls Soccer: 4-11-1
Page 3 TrumpBY ALEXA BURAK Visits Beaver County n september 18th, Donald property. They carried signs that said primarily Republican. In Obama’s sec- Trump stepped on stage at Am- “NEA For Trump” or simple Hillary ond election in 2012, all except Allegh- Obridge high school, swinging a and Kane signs. A group of college eny County, was Republican. But this Terrible Towel, pleasing almost every- kids were also marching arounds say- year’s election is different, as 36% of one in the crowd. ing, “Sexist, racist, anti-gay, Donald voters support Clinton and 31% sup- Prior to Trump’s entrance, he Trump go away.” port Trump. These are both close num- had a long line-up of speakers. Keith KDKA’s political analyst Jon bers but it looks like Clinton is going Rothfus, Pennsylvania’s 12th district Delano expected more Trump appear- to win Pennsylvania with an estimated U.S. Representative, and former may- ances in Pittsburgh.. “Everybody is as- total of 44% over Trump’s 41%. or of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, suming he will lose both talked passionately about Hillary Philadelphia, he will Clinton’s “corruption.” Both agreed probably lose sub- that Trump is the future for America. urban Philadelphia During his speech, Trump and in order to com- made points of how “Crooked Hillary” pensate for the large has “failed America” in the past. He numbers of people also talked about Hillary’s email scan- who live in south- dals and pointing out that two more eastern Pennsylva- boxes of emails and materials are now nia, he needs a lot missing. The crowd responded with of support in south- “Lock her up.” western Pennsylva- He continued to say that Hill- nia and it’s not clear ary had no defense when he talked that there are even about her failures in Iraq, Syria and the numbers that Libya, and she had no defense for call- will allow him to do ing millions of Americans deplorables. that.” Outside of the gymnasium, In the past, Trump at Ambridge High School by Alexa Burak however, a group of protesters gath- Southwestern Pennsylvania has been ered in front of Ambridge’s school
'VUVSF3FBEZ)PQFXFMM+VOJPS)JHIBY:MADELYNN FARKAS he junior high is turning into ticipate in their classes. “Students get tional movement that often encour- a whole new place with excit- to spend at least part of their day do- ages project-based learning--students Ting innovations. The building is ing something they like.” often colloborate and create some collectively looking forward with new Another new elective is called sort of product. The Success Studio electives, creative spaces, and tech- InnovatED. All junior high students is painted bright colors and includes nology. Mrs. Webster, vice principal will be taking some form of Innovat- a green screen for video productions. of Hopewell Junior High School says, Ed. “We want them to be able to think The room is a “maker space” stocked “The kids seem to really like it.” for themselves, not to give up, and with supplies for hands-on activites. The junior high has devloped be more creative,” said Webster, “We The supplies were purchased through curriculum with electives built to en- want our students to be what we call-- the use of PTSA donations. gage the students. Through Edgenu- future ready.” Mrs. Webster is pleased with ity, an internet-based curriculum, a Another amazing innovation the progress and optimistic about the variety of electives are available to both at the junior high is the Success Stu- future of the STEAM program. She the junior high and the high school. dio, which provides a designated place said, “Our staff is really student-fo- One of the goals with these new elec- for STEAM activities. STEAM stands cused, making sure the students get tives is to make the students want to for Science, Technology, Engineer- what they need.” come to school and be excited to par- ing, Arts, and Math. STEAM is a na- Page 4 1)PQFXFMM4UVEFOUTJO"DUJPO BY: ERIN KUNZMANN milie Hovanec and Lauren Ian Skal and Jacob Ujhazy for the concert. It’s an experience I will Shutak are leading the student will travel to Westminster Presbyterian never forget.” Esection this year. They pick the Church in Upper St. Clair to partici- Zach Showalter has received themes for football games. So far, the pate in the Pennsylvania Music Edu- a National Merit Scholarship. High student section has done a toga party, cators Association (PMEA) District 5 school students enter for the scholar- a black out, an American theme, and Honors Choir Festival. Ian is a Bass ship by taking the Preliminary SAT/ more. “Being section leaders gives us 1 and Jacob is the student accompa- National Merit Scholarship Qualifying the responsibility of getting everyone nist. Anyone who auditions has about Test (PSAT) and by meeting published motivated and having school spirit,” a month to prepare two pieces of mu- program entry and participation re- Emilie says. “It makes us proud when sic. The day they audition, they per- quirements. Approximately 1.6 million the student section is huge and loud. form in front of a board of judges and students take the test each year, and The more students that get involved they choose the spots in the district. about 50,000 of the top scorers qualify the better our school looks, and it “This is my frst year making it in and for recognition and receive an award makes us happy that we are doing I couldn’t be more excited,” Ian Skal then or keep moving forward. Zach re- a good job at that this year,” Lauren says. “I worked so hard to get in and it ceived a quarterfnalist award. said. fnally paid off. I can’t wait to go back 4UVEFOUTPGUIF.POUI4FQUFNCFSBOE0DUPCFS
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enior Holly Singer is an ex- country, basketball and track teams. him. She would also like to thank her cellent student who has been As a freshman last year, he was a frst mom for telling her it’s okay to fail Sactive in class Club, French year letter winner in cross country sometimes and her friends for helping club, Student Council and National and track; more importantly though, her answer these questions. Honor Society, where she serves as he was a scholar athlete in all three Jillian is also an excellent vice president. As a softball player, seasons that he participated in. Tra- student. She is involved in chorus she has been a three year letter win- vis affectionately refers to himself as T and the musical where she was an ner and a scholar athlete and a two – Money and he is still waiting for Mr. integral part of the success of both time Post-Gazette and Beaver County Rowe to accept his challenge and play You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and Times all section selection. Holly is him one on one in basketball. Catch Me if You Can last year. Jillian also active working with the youth Danica is in the top fve in lists two classes as her favorites. “My at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Holly the class of 2018. She is a member favorite class is Honors English 10 says that an experience that infu- of NHS, class club and is underclass- with Mr. Slapikas because he makes enced her was the Appalachian Mis- man president of student council. She everything fun and it’s easy to learn sion Trip, where she spent ten days also participates in cross country, things. Another favorite of mine is building houses with over 100 other band and track. Danica says that Honors Cultures 10 with Mrs. Kanitra kids for the Pittsburgh area for people Mr. Bill Smith is her favorite teacher because she is always determined to in Booneville, Kentucky. because he’s a great storyteller, but get out of you what she knows you Travis is also an excellent hopes Mr. McConville doesn’t lower know. It’s impossible not to learn and student. He is a member of the cross her grade because she didn’t pick have fun in her class!” Page 5 Hopewell ‘Horror’ Stories ALIENS BY: TANNER MCMAKIN BY: HALEY GAULT
ome in the Hopewell commu- lease.’ Those were the longest NA is the human code. Re- nity have experienced some- twenty minutes of my life!” cently scientists used the DNA Sthing more terrifying than Hal- Mrs. Buddemeyer is quite Dof three different humans to loween tricks. Hopewell’s German the ambassador. create a baby. Several years ago sci- teacher Mrs. Buddemeyer has quite Garret Roberts, an employee entists were able to clone Dolly the the tale to tell: of Party City in Monaca, has had a sheep. In the wake of these recent “A very long time ago, spooky incident himself. events a study has surfaced that hu- I was with my friends on “One night at work, we for- man gene sequences were altered by the U.S.A swim team going got to lock the doors at 9:00. past alien visitors. Such theorists through security at the Tokyo Shortly after 9:15, a custom- have decided to replace the tradition- airport. When they placed er ripped open the doors and al God with a group of beings with the poster canister I was car- rushed into the store. When vague motivations and advanced rying onto the X-ray belt, I, the only mean person, ap- technology. I whispered to my friends, proached her to tell her to Maxim A. Makukov of the ‘Like I have a bomb in there.’ please leave. She then spun Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute be- lieves we are alien-human hybrids I was immediately surround- around and told me to ‘step and that human DNA was greatly ed by eight Japanese guards off!’ After noticing the fash- changed by alien visitors. “Our hy- with guns pointed at me ing ankle bracelet, I decided pothesis is that a more advanced ex- and yelling in Japanese. The we should let her browse.” traterrestrial civilization was engaged guns were never lowered as Haley Gault, an experienced in creating new life and planting it on m y coaches tried horror fanatic, had a pretty extreme various planets. Earth is just one of to explain experience herself. them.” my ‘mis- “One time I took my dog Conspiracy theorists went take’ and outside at my mom’s, and crazy at the news that our genes ap- negotiate it was about midnight. She peared to have foreign sequences in my ‘re- lives in Ambridge so being it, which could not have occurred out at night is scary as it is. I through natural evolution. Student heard screaming, then a loud Erica Hewitt remains skeptical, “I crushing noise. Safe to say, mean, this kind of sounds true but the dog and I ran back farfetched. How could aliens so easily inside. Found out that change us without anyone noticing?” a woman was found The explanation from scien- dead, and beat up tists is that the foreign sequences behind a dumpster are from tiny organisms that were across from my mom’s present in the same environment as place.” developing humans. The theorists are convinced that it is the result of deliberate tampering by ancient alien visitors. This sounds like some- thing from American Horror Story or a cheesy movie, but it is something that a group of researchers working on the Human Genome Project be- lieve.
Page 6 Grinds My Gears - Regret 2016 BY: GARRET ROBERTS olitics is like a box of choco- The left side of the argu- lates: there’s always THAT ment isn’t any better. Hillary is Weird Voting Ppiece. Nobody likes it, it’s no angel. She has called half of bond to be thrown away. This is Trump’s supporters “deplorables,” Facts similar to Hillary Clinton and Don- made Pepe the Frog (an innocent ald Trump. Nobody likes them, yet meme) a racist symbol, and has In the 2012 Texas presidential they still won the party nomina- cheated and lied her way to the elections, Jesus out preformed tion and are now our only possible top. People against her campaign Hillary Clinton by a large num- choices for president (aside from end up dead from “accidents,” and the Green Party’s Jill Stein or Lib- somehow an entire email server ber of votes. ertarian Gary Johnson.) With the went missing after it came to the moral dilemma of a rock and an- public’s attention. H e r In the 2005 election for may- other rock, which shady politics or of New York City, Donald c a n d i d a t e have been Trump recieved one vote. will endan- happening ger us the for years, In the years following the 19th least? and the Ammendment, many women large do- voted for their husbands, who T r u m p n a t i o n s were not on the ballot. is leading from vari- a chaotic ous inter- movement, est groups Mickey Mouse has the most claiming haven’t made votes of any write in candidate. to be the her look “God of any more Photos of the political candidates cour- Politics” trustwor- tesy of Twitter user @psychicpebbles. America is thy. looking for in the next president. Editors-in-Chief: Everything he says is uncultured, Hillary’s main appeal is that she Turner Wilson requires little thought, and hurts is a politician, and has experi- Garret Roberts him in the polls. His support ence. While Donald Trump is very comes from what Hillary Clinton spontaneous and unstable, Hillary describes as “alt-right racists” and Clinton portrays herself as calm, Staff: “deplorables.” Trump spreads hate thoughtful, and methodical. A and anger, which these radicals calm leader who can operate under Erin Kunzmann latch onto to attack their oppo- a crisis is a big deal to Americans, nents. especially with the tension in Rus- Tanner McMakin Realistically, Trump’s big- sia and the the growing threat of gest support is coming from mid- ISIS. Most voters either don’t care Alexa Burak dle class voters (a large infuence or aren’t educated on the topic of Haley Gault in American politics) and conser- her lies, so she has a good chance Madelynn Farkas vatives vouching for free speech. of winning this election with a 12 Trump’s anti government stance percent lead. is one that many people support, We have a civil war in our Sponsor: and wish to see smaller govern- back yard, and both candidates ment involvement become a real- are “undesirable.” If we’re lucky, Mr. Mohrbacher ity. His unscripted speeches and in four years a new candidate lack of schmoozing has gained who isn’t clinically insane will him a devout following, which in- run against them. However, Waka creases daily. He’s not one to be Flocka Flame and Kanye West underestimated, and is a serious have announced their run for can- threat to Hillary’s campaign. His didacy, soour chances are slim. supporters may be unpolished, Until then, good luck. With this but he is saying what people want political dilemma, you’re going to to hear. need it. Page 7 The Best of the Worst Halloween Movies “Spooky” movies recommended by the Hi-Lites Staf. BY: GARRET ROBERTS
Jason X (2001) Army of Darkness (1992) Shark Exorcist (2015)
Set in space, famed serial killer A horror comedy set in the Middle Shark Exorcist is about a shark Jason Voorhees must pursue his Ages, Army of Darkness is a Hal- that is Satan. That’s the entire victims across space stations in loween classic. The plot follows plot. With horrible camera work, the tenth installment of the Friday Ash Williams (the same character bad dialogue, and atrocious acting, the Thirteenth Series. By the time from the Evil Dead series, another Shark Exorcist is a match made in this movie happened, the series great Halloween movie) on a jour- Heaven. The characters through- had exhausted itself. It’s defnitely ney to fnd the Necronomicon and out the movie all make sacrifces the good sci-f and horror cheese get back to his original time period. to the “Shark Satan,” and many of blend that fnds it’s home in the The over the top action and horri- the actual “horror” parts involving early 2000s. ble one liners make it a great mov- the shark end up falling fat. ie to watch, but not the cinematic Scooby Doo (2002) masterpiece you may have been Everyone Must Die! (2012) looking for all your life. There’s no Scooby Doo did a lot of things reason to not watch a man with a This is the swiss cheese of horror wrong. Instead of going after fake chainsaw for a hand fght knights movies. A movie starring aspiring villains in a cartoon style, the mov- this Halloween. “I think it’s a great actor and teacher Nick LaMantia, ie takes itself way too serious with movie for new horror movie fans,” Everyone Must Die! Is one of the demonic gods and dark, moody says Tanner McMakin, “This and worst horror movies of all time. atmospheres. The appeal for this the rest of the Evil Dead series are All of the “cheese” elements from movie comes from the source ma- great movies for new and older the movies before can’t add up to terial. If you’re a fan of the origi- fans.” the pure amount of horrible this nal Scooby Doo, it’s an interesting movie is. Horrible acting, special to watch how bad a Scooby Doo effects, and an even worse rap by movie can turn out. “This movie is the movie’s producer makes Ev- a Scooby don’t.” commented Alexa eryone Must Die! the scariest thing Burak. this Halloween.