The Cougar Times October 2017 Volume 2 Issue 1 Welcome Back Cougars! New Music Review Holocaust Museum Field Trip 30 Seconds to Mars - Walk On Water By: Alyssa Wright By Morgan Harding

On October 17th, Mr. butterflies to repre- “Walk On Water” is Patsko's Holocaust Studies sent all of the chil- 30 Seconds to Mars’ first Class traveled to the Holo- dren who perished new single in four years, caust Center of Pittsburgh during the war. and it was well worth the located at 826 Hazelwood Henry Schneider, wait. Between Jared Leto’s intimidating voice, Shan- non Leto’s incredible drum- with other Jews who ming, and Tomo’s guitar were attempting to flee skills, the trio stringed to- from the Nazi regime and gether a hit single that all how determined they can enjoy, no matter what were to survive. Later on music preference they have. Because of the suc- in the trip, the Holocaust cess of their new single, Studies class traveled to they performed at the the Keeping Tabs memo- VMA’s a few weeks back, rial which was a mes- adding featurette Travis merizing sculpture of Scott to add more depth to the live performance. The glass blocks that con- Ave in the Squirrel Hill Plaza. a survivor of the Holocaust, release of this song adds The trip was a fascinating revisited his past by telling tained drink tabs to rep- to the suspense of a loom- experience where the class the class about his first resent the death toll of ing album to be released in was able to learn about the hand experience of seeking the Holocaust. From the the upcoming months. Butterfly Project and also lis- refuge in the forest while ground, the exhibit just Hopefully that album will be as intricate and excel- tened to a Holocaust survivor fleeing to Russian territory. appeared to be various who spoke about his experi- Although he was merely a lent as this single. The only ence while hiding in the for- child, he still remembered con of this song is that it ests throughout the Holo- having countless encoun- caust. ters The Butterfly project is a call to action that uses the tragedy of the Holocaust to educate society about the mass amount of hatred that exists throughout the world. The message of hope for a more peaceful future, Photos Left: Alyssa Wright and a remembrance of the horrific event is spread by the Above Artwork: Sharaf Manaf painting of 1.5 million ceramic Inside: Who’s that Teacher, Word Search and Spooky Stories!

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Anime Update By Sophia McKinney Hey all you crazy otakus out there. It’s a new school year and this summer has been

full of new anime, otome game updates,

and so much more! I am to be the one who tells you all what’s gone down. So let’s get into it! First off, for all you out there who are guildies, has come out with his final character of Fairy Tail. Yes I know, heartbreaking. I hope nothing but the best for our Fairy Tail

family. Second on the list, the famous Artwork by: Shaimaa anime called Free! is coming out with its first movie. The film will be released on October 28, 2017. Free! Take your marks Carlynton Golden Cougar is the name of Kyoto Animation favorite Marching Band high school swim team’s new movie. Now who is a Voltron Legendary Defender fan? By: Blair Finlay Well, season 4 is out and holy guiznank. The klance moments in this season are adorable. Can we also take a few seconds On September 30th, 2017, the marching money for the Golden to talk about Matt Holt, please? I mean, band hosted a festival Cougar Marching Band. come on, he's adorable. This season was of bands. Schools from Also, there was differ- amazing. Also the Voltron Legendary De- all over the county ent kinds of grams like fender blogs are out. So far, Dreamworks came to show off their candy grams and air has released Keith, Coran, and Al- half time shows. grams. This allowed luras’ blogs. You can find them on Schools participating family and friends give were Bethel Park, Cor- gifts to their favorite YouTube. And finally, the popular otome nell, Chartiers Houston, band member(s). The game called Mystic Messenger has come Steel Valley, Chartiers festival of bands would out with its newest update. The main Valley, Bishop Canevin, not happen without the menu has been updated and now instead West Allegheny, and help of the band par- of being yellow, the color is blue. And Robert Morris Universi- ents and band direc- Chertiz has finally released a V route! A ty. The marching band tors. sizes range from 50 to lot of fans have been waiting for a V route

200 students. With the and now they finally have it….. but only if wide variety of march- you have 300 hourglasses. Crunchyroll, a ing bands, the festival famous site for watching anime, is produc- had many different half ing new anime.Going back to Fairy Tail, time show themes from oldies to top songs of Hiro Mashima has made a second Fairy 2016. Besides having Tail movie! Fairy Tail: Dragon’s cry is the the bands, there was an name. Well, that's all I have for you guys auction to help raise this article. See you guys on the flip side!

The Cougar Times Page 3 Sports Corner Southern Charm Homecoming 2017 By: Nick Hunter By: Blair Finlay The boys soccer team won their last game 3-2. Samon The homecoming for 2017 was gars, Cheerleaders, and the Mayors Majed and Demitrius Howe held at the school's gymnasium on of Crafton and Carnegie also partici- scored goals. Samon scored October 21st. Prior to the dance, pated in the parade. The court rode one goal and Dimitrius two members of student government in the parade on pickup trucks. Be- goals. The boys beat South Al- decorated the high school field, the fore the football game started, the legheny ending the season with gym and the entrance of the gym. At court was presented to the fans at a bang. the end of the day there was an as- the game. After half time the queen The boys varsity cross coun- sembly for the court and to an- was announced. The 2017 home- try team came in eleventh place nounce the king. The court played coming queen is Arieona Smith- with 277 points at Freedom Invi- some games that involved the Purdue. tational at Brush Creek Park. crowd. There was a scavenger hunt David Creely with a time of and pictionary. Before the court 2017 Court 19:34 earned 137 points and came out onto the stage, the march- Hunter Crown—Autumn Shaffer came in 42nd place. Mark Phil- ing band performed and the cheer- Owen Kalimon—Arieona Smith lips ran a season career best of leaders got the students hyped up Purdue 19:43 finishing in 47th place. for the game that Friday night. Once John Cantwell—Monika Karpa Riley Post and Desmond Cor- all of the acts and games were over, Tayvel Hutchinson—Eliana Davis rado ran within just seconds of Carlynton High School found out Riley Post—Nicole Auen each other. Matt Hilarzewski who the king was. Owen Kalimon struggled with cramps the whole won homecoming king of 2017. Representatives time, but still managed to fight There was also a parade that includ- Sophomores through it and finish the race. ed floats of the different classes. Makayla Linn—Dakota Mayfield Nick Sedlak the fifth scoring run- The floats were different southern Juniors ner for the Cougars. Gabe Wil- states like Texas and Florida. The Julia Roussos—Maclaine Greiner cox continues to be steady, run- sports teams, Carlynton Little Cou- ning at 25:52 in only the fourth race of his career. The Cougars Guess That Teacher! then competed in the MAC Invi- tational before the WPIAL By: Morgan Harding Championship, where they placed 13th out of 26 teams. All Q: How long have you been teaching? runners ran their personal bests! A: 12 years at Carlynton, 14 years total

Q: What are your hobbies outside of school? A: Attending my children’s sporting and theater events, sewing and scrapbook- ing, hanging out with friends, and watch- ing documentaries on Netflix.

Q: What was your least favorite class in college? A: English Composition of Classic Litera- ture

Think you know who that teacher Q: Describe yourself in three words. is? Send your guesses to Miss Fris A: Loud, loyal, and sarcastic

in room 113! The first 3 students Q: What is your least favorite movie? with the correct response will win a A: Blair Witch Project prize! Q: Favorite Quote? A: “Choices have consequences.”

The Cougar Times Page 4 Flower Planting at Carnegie Library

An interview with Mrs. Rusinko and NJHS members

Q- Who? What? When? Where?

A- On Wednesday, October 4th, 45 NHS and NJHS mem- bers, along with the Western PA Conservancy, planted over 100 flowers and plants around the Carnegie Library in Carnegie as a part of an initiative to renovate the out- door space around the library. We left around 8:30 and worked until about 12:30. Afterward, we had lunch in the library and then listened to a talk by Maggie Forbes, the Executive Director of the library, about the history of Car- negie and the history of the library.

Q- Why this project?

A- The NHS and NJHS students have worked with the Western PA Conserv- ancy in the past to plant flowers along the parkway leading in to the Fort Pitt Tunnel. This year, the Western PA Conservancy offered a local project to us and we couldn't pass up the chance to complete a service project in our own community.

Q- What was most fun about the day?

Lukas Prepelka and Ethan O'Brien: "We liked digging holes and spreading mulch and lifting the big rocks. The pizza was good too!"

Sarah Pallus: "I liked digging. It was fun working outside togeth- er. Audrey (Robb) helped me get my tree out of the bucket."

Brooklynne Prepelka: "It was fun working together to make the library more beautiful place." Interested in being part of NHS or NJHS? Here’s what you need to do! Students in grades 7-12 are asked to join the National Honor Society or the National Junior Honor Society each year. They must have a 93% overall GPA. Once they are identified, they must complete an application detailing their extracurricular activities, service work and leadership experiences before they are invited to be inducted. A team of teachers reviews the applications and selects students based on their scholarship, leadership, service work and character. Students must maintain all of these expectations to remain as members of their

Mrs. Rusinko: It was a gorgeous fall day to be out- side working with community members and helping to make the library a more beautiful place to visit.

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Fall Recipe Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes! Submitted By: Alyssa Wright

You Will Need: 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon ground allspice ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ tablespoon baking soda ½ cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar ⅓ cup brown sugar 2 eggs ¾ cup milk 1 cup pumpkin puree

Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese,

softened Directions: ¼ cup butter, softened 25 min prep - 25 min cook 3 cups confectioners' sugar Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 24 muffin cups, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract line with paper muffin liners. Sift together the flour, 1 tea- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon spoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, allspice, salt, bak- ing powder, and baking soda

Beat 1/2 cup of butter, the white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Stir in the milk and pumpkin puree after the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool.

While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by beat- ing the cream cheese and 1/4 butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar a little at a time until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; beat until fluffy. Once the cupcakes are cool, frost with the cream cheese icing.

The Cougar Times Page 6 “Don’t Trust the Basement” Spoooooky Word Search By: Jaidalyne Smith Submitted By: Blair Finlay “I hear something…” I weakly whispered to myself. My hushed voice cracked with fear while a shiver traveled down my arched spine, even though I was wearing a hoodie. The gentle tone of a music box quietly flowed through the still air around me, it was coming from downstairs. It’s funny, I never remembered having a music box before. I sat up straight after getting an aching cramp in my upper back from being hunched over for more than an hour. As I moved I could hear the creak- ing of my stiff bones, finally reawakening after being frozen in time. My legs were slightly shaking, my stomach tied in mil- lions of knots, making me feel nauseous. I slowly crept over to my doorway to view the night black hallway, for my room didn’t have a door. Tick, tick, tick. The clock clicked, indicating each passing second as the time neared midnight. The once faded sound of music was now clear but quiet, it sounded like a song my Great Grandma used to sing to me, but slower. “I love you…a bushel and a peck...” the music seemed to sing the lyrics, though it had no words playing. I thought for a long moment, trying to process and figure out where down stairs the music was playing from. But the song was distract- ing me majorly, I slightly heard Great Grandma’s caring voice singing the song to me. My joyful thoughts were interrupted when a sudden clash of metal pots rang from the downstairs kitchen. I jumped back startled, scared out of my wits now. I cautiously checked behind me and down the hall, which seemed to look as though it went on forever without an end. I took a shaky step forward onto the tan carpet of the hall, feel- ing as if the ground was toxic. (continued on page 7)

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“Don’t Trust the Basement” Continued...

“I don’t trust these halls anymore…” I cow- ardly whimpered under my heavy breath. Though I was petrified of leaving my room, I moved on any- way. The poisoned feeling of fear pinched at my weak stomach as I neared the kitchen with small tip-toed steps. I stopped dead in my tracks, partly through the heavily shadowed living room when the almost silent terrifying melody of the slow mu- sic box stopped. “H-Hello..?” I shuttered, cowering Above Artwork: Sharaf Manaf down into a crouched position on my shaking hands and knees. The gentle ticking of the clock was the only sound that replied to me. I looked up, my heavy head felt dizzy as my body was aching. Warm tears dribbled down my cold cheeks, there was no doubt that I was afraid. I slightly turned my “We Are Okay” Book Review head to check the time. I could just barely see, but By: Alyssa Wright I could make out the silhouette of 11:59 on the clock. I quickened my pace to the kitchen, desper- The novel “We Are Okay” written by Nina ately crawling on my knees and elbows. LaCour, is a captivating piece that enthralls the The fabric on my indigo hoodie protected readers with the story of Marin, a young girl who is my pale, delicate skin from the harsh chill the tiles overwhelmed with grief after the passing of the on- of the kitchen floor gave off. I stopped in the center ly family she has left, her grandfather. As winter of the floor slightly hidden under the large glass vacation rolls around, Marin is forced to face the table that stood next to me. Our kitchen was al- demons of her past as her ex-best friend and lover, ways neat in my opinion, but I wasn’t sure how it Mabel comes to visit in hopes of rekindling their looked now due to the grim atmosphere of the friendship. During their time together, Marin is whole house. The music box sounded again, al- overwhelmed with the memories that she left be- most completely clear, but still muffled. The base- hind and they leave her questioning if she actually ment. I shifted my shaking body sideways to face knew her grandfather at all, or if she was living with the wooden door of the basement. I held my un- a complete stranger. On top of reliving her trauma, easy breath as I reluctantly stood, holding onto the Mabel and her family have schemed up a plan to table for support. Tick, Tick, Tick. Ten seconds ‘til try to convince Marin to return to her hometown, midnight. I had to take the chance to see what was and to those who all love, and care for her. down there, haunting my house and scaring the Throughout this heart-wrenching novel, the reader life out of me. I stumbled over to the door, almost can expect to be kept on the edge of their seat as too weak and afraid to walk. I managed to grip the LaCour touches upon teen queer relationships, metal knob to help support me in standing up. mental illness, and the practically debilitating emo- Once I got my balance back, I unsteadily unlocked tion known as grief. the door with numb fingers. I fidgeted with the door handle until it finally swung open. There, I was greeted by blank white eyes and a sharp toothed grin.

With the high pitched screech of a girl, the clock struck midnight Tick, Tick, Tick.

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Pablo slowly walked up the old, cracked cobble- stone path. He stopped and turned around to look at Pedro, who gave him a look that Pablo could under- stand almost as clearly as if Pedro just yelled,” Come on. Keep going!” He turned back around to walk up the steps. He started to go up the steps, that seemed to scream under the kind of weight that they hadn’t felt in years, for all that had recently set foot upon them was the occasional mouse or rat. As he stepped on the porch, he could tell that once he set foot inside the door, he couldn't turn back, for the fear of the humilia- tion he would have to face was enough to offset that of the mansion. He took a deep breath, then walked in…. As soon as he set foot inside the house, some- thing felt wrong to him. He shrugged off the feeling and Ever wonder how your peers produce the morning started off down the first, long corridor. The crusty old announcements? carpet was covered in a layer of dust that suggested years of misuse. He slowly walked up to the first cor- Students work hard to operate cameras and the sound ner, scared of the unknown that came with turning it. board and host the show! He readied himself then stepped around the corner. He No prior knowledge or skills needed. Everyone works as a let out a sigh of relief. It was just the old kitchen, with team to help make each morning successful. the vintage appliances and the old, peeling wallpaper. He started to slowly walk through the kitchen when he Does working on the morning announcements interest heard the loudest slam ever. He whipped his head you? around to see what it was. What he saw chilled his bones. The door had been closed. See Mrs. Jackson for more information!

Above Artwork By: Sharaf Manaf

“A True Halloween Fright” By: Simon Schriver Pedro and Pablo were coming home late after their biggest Halloween haul ever when they realized it was almost midnight. “Crap,” said Pablo. “We are going to be late getting home.” “Let’s take the shortcut past the old mansion,” Pedro said. Though Pablo had always been scared of that old mansion, he knew if they didn’t get home, they would be in trouble, so he agreed. They started to trudge down the path that led to the dilapidated, supposedly haunted mansion. The whole way down up until they reached the mansion, Pablo was filled with dread at the thought of passing by the old place, since he had heard so many stories of it since he was young. When they finally reached the old place, Pablo could have sworn it had gotten just a little bit colder. They sat there, staring for a moment when Pedro said, “I dare you to go in there.” Pablo, startled, replies with a shout. “NO WAY!” he said. After some continual pestering, Pablo said,” If you give me a quarter of your candy, I will.” Pedro agreed.

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“A True Halloween Fright” “Baghdad” By: Simon Schriver by Fakhar Almlook Continued... Extend your carpet and fill my glasses He went to try to open it, but when he tried to turn the crystal handle, he realized it had somehow locked. He And forgot repentance, I have forgotten it. started to panic, the thoughts of what this house truly held racing through his head. He started to run out of the kitchen Your eyes Baghdad, since my childhood into another room he saw directly ahead. As he stumbled into it, he realized it was an old sitting room, but he didn’t Two soft suns in cilia stop to look at the beautiful, hand-crafted furniture which sat upon an amazingly intricate rug, for he was truly terrified. He flew into the next hallway and the door behind him slammed Don’t deny my face, you are my love. shut. Heart pounding, he scurried from room to room, each door behind him abruptly slamming shut. He finally stopped And the roses of my table and a drink cup to think of how to get out when he realized he had no idea. In his mad rush, he had not stopped to think about how to get Baghdad you came as a ship tired. back to the main door, his only chance at freedom from this true house of horrors. I hide my surgeries behind my clothes. He started to think of what to do when he finally sat Baghdad I lived in good colors. down, with no idea of his next step. He had been sitting there for about a minute, slowly inhaling the musty smell, when he But your advantage was not in my account. heard a footstep behind him. He whipped his head around, only to see the door he had just entered through. “I must've What will I write about you, my love? imagined it,” he thought. He went back to thinking of ways to escape when he heard another footstep. He turned around and the same result. Nothing. He settled back into the practi- cally ancient armchair when he felt the room getting colder. This time he knew he wasn’t imagining things. He slowly got up from the chair and started to walk away when the whole room went pitch black. Pablo couldn’t even see his own hand right in front of his face. He scrambled around the room, try- ing to find the door when two glowing dots appeared in mid- air. The started to sway back and forth, getting bigger and bigger. By the time he realized what they truly were it was too late. He didn’t even have time to scream. “PABLO!” Ped- ro yelled. “PPPAAABBLLLOOO!” he yelled again. He repeat- ed this chant a few more times. No response. Pedro then spotted Pablo’s candy, still lying on the ground. He was de- bating whether to stay here and wait for Pablo, or go home and eat his and Pablo’s candy. “He’ll come out soon,” Pedro thought. He clenched the bag tight in his fist and started to walk down the path, toward his own house, unbeknownst to what had just truly happened to his best friend on this horri- ble night.

Above Artwork by: Fakhar Almlook

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District Rotary Award for Interact Club

By: Miss Fris

I am excited to announce that the Rotarians at the District Conference chose Carlynton Junior-Senior High School's Interact Club as Small Club of the Year and presented us with award money for our club! We were up against other "small" Interact Clubs that have been estab- lished for several years and have on average 50 student members. (Large clubs have over 100 students.) We have only been a club for a year and a half and this was our first time entering the contest. We were chosen based on our poster presentation, the number of service projects we did, the types of those service projects, and other cri- teria. Last year's projects impacted both our school and local communities as well as children across the globe. They include:

-Installing Little Free Libraries at each elementary building -Book drives -Pull tab competition for Ronald McDonald House -Volunteering at Carlynton’s Santa Breakfast -Decorating Thanksgiving meal boxes -Collecting shoes for children in Nicaragua -Selling candy grams to benefit the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh -Collaborating with St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Car- negie to make fleece blankets for the homeless

I am very proud of our students' hard work and dedica- tion to the club! We left today's conference with exciting new ideas, so stay tuned for more to come this year!

The Interact Club is open to all students in grades 7- 12. If you are interested in joining, see Miss Fris in room 113 to sign up!

Why should YOU join Interact Club? Pizza planning parties Fun events Volunteering to help others Scholarships Leadership fieldtrips Study abroad Leadership summer camp RYLA Great addition to your resume

It’s an organization that is known all around the world!