BEAR FACTS Mahanoy Area High School HOLIDAY, 2010 Band to Perform CLUB MEETING NHS SCHEDULE Winter Concert By: Brittany Davies DECEMBER 13 SADD Inducts 17 The band will 14 sewing perform its 15 student council The long-awaited 16 TAT National Honor winter concert on December 17 yearbook/newspaper Society Induction 20 art was held on Sun- 15 at 7:00 p.m. 21 business day, Dec 5th at in the Maha- 22 envirothon noy Area Educational Complex Audi- 3:00 in the audi- JANUARY torium. The concert consists of the 4 interact torium. Mr. Dan- middle school band, the jazz band, 5 literary society ny Nester, ninth 6 NAC and the high school band. The musi- grade English 7 SADD cians will play eight songs, including teacher, was the 10 sewing “Greensleeves, Bell Carol Fantasy,” 11 student council guest speaker. and “Sweet Sounds of Christmas.” 12 TAT New inductees Christmas classics like “Away in a 13 yearbook/newspaper include Seniors Derek Dombrowski, 14 art Manger, On the Day Earth shall Ring,” Nathan Fegley, Shelbey Kane, Joshua 18 business and “Symphonic Prelude on Adeste Kimmel, Carole Solomon and Mark 19 envirothon Fidelis are also selections the band 20 interact Swokel. Junior students John Brill, will entertain the audience with. When 21 literary society Michelle Hair, Michael Handy, Joshua 24 NAC asked why he chose these songs, Mr. Hanrahan, Jacob Holman, Gabrielle Ir- Merry 25 SADD Wenrich replied, “The songs feature vin, Natalie Morrison, Christina Scheel- Christmas 26 sewing a wide variety of musicality and blend 27 student council er, Brandon Schwank, Frank Scicchita- well with the instruments that we have. 28 TAT no and Doug Wells. Some of the songs are traditional and 31 yearbook/newspaper some are contemporary.” What’s Happening at Mahanoy? DECEMBER 28: boys basketball vs. NW Lehigh 16: spring musical auditions12:30-5:00 14: wrestling vs. North Schuylkill 28: jr high wrestling tournament @ Tri-Val- 17: teacher in service - no school 15: holiday instrumental concert 7:00 ley 17: girls basketball: @ Minersville 16: girls basketball @ Shenandoah 29-30: varsity wrestling @ Tunkkannock 18: boys basketball vs. Minersville 16: wrestling vs. Jim Thorpe 19: girls basketball @ Lehighton JANUARY 19: wrestling vs Haven 16: swimming vs. Tamaqua 3: girls basketball @ Nativity 17: boys basketball vs. Shenandoah 20: boys basketball @ Lourdes 4: boys basketball vs. Nativity 20: swimming @ Pottsville 18: girls basketball vs. Pius 4: swimming @ N. Schuylkill 18: jr. high wrestling @ Blue Mt. 21: girls basketball vs. Lourdes 5: girls basketball @ Pius 24: boys basketball vs Williams Valley 20: school board meeting 6:00 p.m. 5: wrestling vs. Williams Valley 20: girls basketball vs, Marian 24: swimming @ Shamokin 6: girls basketball vs. Millersburg 25: girls basketball @ Williams Valley 21: boys basketball @ Marian 6: boys basketball @ Jim Thorpe 21: wrestling @ Pottsville 26: wrestling @ Pine Grove 6: swimming vs. Panther Valley 27: school board meeting 6:00 22: mentoring 8: boys basketball @ Mt. Carmel 22: girls basketball vs. Weatherly 27: boys basketball @ Shenandoah 10: Senator Rhoades blood drive 27: swimming @ Blue Mt. 22: swimming @ Haven 11: boys basketball vs. Tri-Valley 23: boys basketball @ Weatherly 28: girls basketball vs Shenandoah 12: wrestling @ Haven 29: 4th Annual Gino Capone Elementary Dec. 24- Jan 2: no school 13: girls basketball vs. Haven 27-28: Senator Rhoades basketball Tour- Wrestling Tournament 14: boys basketball @ Haven 31: boys basketball vs. Marian nament 15: boys basketball vs. Pius MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010

Dogs and other pets welcome at Florida dorm(MCT) ORLANDO, Fla. Jasmine Parham’s Fla., agrees. “I love having my best fee goes toward pet-related costs, new college roommate is a dear friend here with me,” Parham said. such as establishment of a fenced friend from back home. The roomie Eckerd College, a private school dog walk near Nemec Hall. The rooms responds to “Leo” and never goes in St. Petersburg, Fla., has had pet- designated for pets are singles in- to class, but can perform some neat friendly dorms for years. So has Ste- stead of standard double-occupancy tricks. Leonora, a frisky border collie, phens College, a private school in rooms to avoid having cats and dogs and her owner, Parham, are among Missouri that was the previous home as roomies. the first residents of the first pet- of current Stetson President Wendy Not all animals are allowed. Dogs friendly dorm at Stetson University in Libby. Libby brought the pet-friendly- 30 pounds and less are OK, as are DeLand, Fla. dorm concept with her to Stetson a cats and caged rodents such as rats, About 20 students and their pets - year ago. Stetson staff members gerbils and hamsters. Small fish and dogs, cats and a few caged gerbils visited Eckerd and Stephens to get turtles that can reside comfortably in and rats, took up residence at Nemec ideas on how to set up similar living small water tanks are fine, too. Be- Hall, an established dorm, as the fall arrangements. cause of potential odor issues, birds, semester began. it’s among the rela- Although small, independent colleg- most reptiles and rabbits are not on tively few schools, perhaps a dozen es such as Stetson dominate the list the approved list. Depending on how or so across the country, that have of pet-friendly schools, powerhouses things go this year, however, the list formal policies and accommoda- Caltech and the Massachusetts Insti- may be expanded and the dog-weight tions. Stetson officials say the dorms tute of Technology allow certain small limitation could be relaxed. could become a recruitment tool that pets in some campus dorms. Many It’s too soon to tell whether Stetson’s helps set the school apart, just as schools, especially public ones, may pet-friendly-dorm experiment will ex- big schools such as the University of shy from pet-friendly dorms because pand. Nemec Hall can accommodate Central Florida entice students with of liability worries connected to ani- up to 34 students with pets. Two ad- football stadiums, basketball arenas mal attacks or building maintenance, ditional rooms for resident staff also and trendy eateries. Stetson officials said. students sign are pet-friendly. Arthur DeFilippo, a The idea behind the dorm is to give an agreement that sets out terms. residential-life coordinator on staff students, freshmen, in particular, a Obedience training is required for who lives in Nemec Hall with his wife, familiar presence as they make the dogs. Aggressive or noisy animals came to work at Stetson in part be- sometimes stressful transition from can be sent home. cause of the pet-friendly living ac- home to campus. “What better way In establishing policy at Stetson, the commodations. There was no way to do that than to have a family friend welfare of the animal was a priority. the couple was going to give up El- there to greet you when you get out So inspections will be held to make phie, their pet puggle _ a canine mix of class?” said Justin Williams, the sure students are caring for their pets of pug and beagle. university’s director of housing and properly. Students pay a $400-a-year “For a lot of people, pets are like residential life. Having a pet along for surcharge to get a pet-friendly dorm members of the family,” DeFilip- the college journey makes a dorm “a room, with $200 of that refundable if po said. “It’s about quality of life. home away from home,” he said. Par- the room is kept in shape. Part of the ham, a freshman from Palm Coast,

Busy Time For to NAC Congratulations The Nutrition Advisory Council is September Students of the Month again assisted with the Thanksgiv- ing Community Dinner on November 18th. Senior members assisted in all Shelbey Lynn Kane and Joseph Swartz three district cafeterias, while under- and classmen sold Guers Iced Tea as a fund raiser. NAC also partnered with October Students of the Month Student Council to collect non-per- ishable food items in November. Maggie Mansell and Jordan Mroczka

MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010

Misfortune By: Ariel Robertson

Every year goes so fast when you’re in no where to go. Finally, a neighbor again. I cried as Mrs. Henninger told high school. Students look forward to said he was moving and we could me my options. No matter what, I still graduation, prom, and college. From rent to own his house. My parents would not walk in graduation with my freshman year to senior year, we took advantage of the offer so that classmates. I was going to be short all have plans, but in the end all our problem was solved. However, a few two credits to graduate. plans change in one way or another. weeks later on November 29, 2008, My experiences made me realize In my freshman year I was excited to my sister gave birth to a baby boy. He that I needed to graduate when I graduate with all of my friends. I was died after thirty-six hours of life due to could. It is a huge mistake to believe looking forward to prom and planned a genetic defect. that it is okay to slack off for a year. to attend college with my friends also. After the funeral, I went downhill. I You need twenty-six credits or more Then came my sophomore year and gave up on homework and did not to graduate. Please take the time to everything went down hill. I had some care what anyone had to say; I felt study and take my advice, it is not fun bad experiences in my life over that like my whole world was crashing to have to stay in high school for an year. down around me. Things only got extra year and not be able to graduate The first few weeks of school were worse. In February of 2009, a friend on time with your friends. You miss wonderful. Everything was going of mine died. She was only sixteen. out on a lot. Look in the handbook great. November came and winter That’s when I realized that life was on pages sixteen and seventeen for was starting to hit it. It began getting too short to waste time. At the end graduation requirements to be sure cold and my landlord decided he was of my sophomore year, I got my re- you are on the right path to becoming going to sell the house we lived in and port card in the mail. I failed and had an alumni. we had to get out. My family and I had to repeat sophomore year all over The next Order Your Yearbook Mahanoy Area Extra books will NOT be ordered! Drug and Order forms were sent home with report cards. Order form and deposit of $25.00 is due before Jan. 10. Alcohol Balance ($51.00) will be due by Easter. Coalition There will be an opportunity to earn a free or meeting will be discounted book in January. Tuesday, Put a yearbook on your Christmas list: Gift Certificates are available. December 13 at Seniors get a free book if all class dues are 2:45 p.m. paid before Christmas. Christmas Trivia BY: Haley Arbushites Who was the first president to Find 20 Christmas trivia questions in decorate a Christmas tree in What does Alvin want for this issue. Write the correct answers the White House? Christmas? on a piece of paper and give it to Ms. Scic before December 20. One win- What company first used San- What should children leave out ner from all correct entries will be ta Claus in an advertisement? for Santa on Christmas Eve? awarded a $20.00 Wal Mart gift card. MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010 DVD: What’s new? (MCT) Lakers, Heat share familiar (MCT) Anyone who’s seen “Pusher,” the flaws, common confidence 1999 Danish drug-dealer drama by director Nicolas Winding Refn, knows For weeks this past summer, there was no shortage when it came to compar- “normal” is not in that fi lmmaker’s vo- ing the Miami Heat to the Los Angeles Lakers. The reigning champions and cabulary. Now comes “Valhalla Ris- the would-be champions. ing,” an acid trip of a Viking tale, to Then something rather curious happened recently: Comparisons began in reiterate that fact. Mads Mikkelsen the other direction, with the Lakers emulating the Heat’s mid-November slide (who had a smaller role in “Pusher”) by coming up with their own losses to the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers and stars as One Eye, an aptly named Memphis Grizzlies. It by no means is a stretch to compare what ails each of prisoner kept chained to a pole and the teams. brought out periodically to fi ght other The Heat went into the season lacking quality front-line bulk; the Lakers gladiators to the death. When he kills joined the Heat in that predicament with Theo Ratliff joining Andrew Bynum on his captors and escapes, he hooks the sidelines. The Heat went through the early stages of the season torched up with a group of warriors headed by opposing point guards; the Lakers remain unable to contain dribble pen- to the Crusades, but his freedom etration. The Heat had LeBron James bemoaning his big minutes early; Lak- proves as savage and as strange ers coach Phil Jackson is now lamenting the big minutes being force fed to as his captivity. Refn captures harsh forward-turned-center Pau Gasol. The Heat, amid their struggles, all too often landscapes, brutal in their beauty, in relied on James and Dwyane Wade forcing the action, running little in the way this epic drama. of a system; the Lakers have become less triangle and more high-volume The countryside isn’t so harsh in Kobe. The Heat has had Erik Spoelstra feverishly waving his arms as his “Alarm,” but it isn’t what you’d call players all too often walk the ball up court; Bryant has said of his Lakers, “It welcoming. In this psychological looks like we’re running in quicksand.” mystery, a young city woman (Ruth And there is one more common bond, a bond of confi dence. Bradley) fl ees the urban violence of When the Heat slipped to 8-7 a week ago in Orlando, forward Chris Bosh Dublin, Ireland, for a more serene life spoke of how the truest lessons come through failure, and that it was better in the suburbs. But it seems all the than opening 15-0 but with a fl awed approach that would be exposed later in suburbanites commute to the city to the season. work every day, and she’s as fright- Similarly, former Heat forward Lamar Odom parroted that thinking amid the ened as ever, and even more isolat- Lakers’ four-game losing streak. “Muhammad Ali lost. Mike Tyson. Michael ed. All that quiet can drive you crazy. Jordan lost games and so on and so on,” Odom said. “The best can lose. The Yankees.” Having listened to Heat players dismiss concerns these opening six weeks of the season, it’s as if Odom was channeling James, Wade or Bosh. “Whatever If you got #16 correct then can we’re going through is probably good for us, to be humbled and brought down you name Santa’s reindeer? to earth and to understand we can lose basketball games if we don’t play the right way and do all the little things we need to do as a group,” Odom said. Who is Scrooge’s dead busi- “Being humbled is good.” Winning, of course, is better. ness partner? The Lakers’ height problems will disappear when Bynum returns, assuming that this time he actually makes it all the way back. That also will alleviate the On what continent did turkey overreliance on Kobe and the minutes for Gasol. Unlike with the Heat, the start? Lakers have established a proven formula. Yet, like that Heat, there is that pesky concern at point guard. For all the little things Steve Blake provides in After red and green, what are support of Derek Fisher, on-the-ball-defense is not one of them. And in the the two most popular Christ- West, the playoffs mean Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. mas colors? If anything, what these opening weeks have shown is there is no perfect team, be it the New Orleans Hornets’ return to reality, the San Antonio Spurs’ loss to What ghost did Scrooge fear the Los Angeles Clippers or this latest Lakers lapse. the most? The Heat might have stood alone in terms of off season arrogance. But in terms of early-season unevenness, there is plenty of respectable company. MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010 Blockbuster’s Movie Review BY: Melanie Kopinetz DVD sales and Robin Hood In 13th century England, Robin Hood and his men rental charts fight corruption in a small village and bring an upris- ing against the crown. Robin Hood is a thrill seeking action-adventure starring RENTALS Russell Crowe as Robinhood and Cate Blanchette as Marian Loxley. They These are the Top 10 Renting DVD fight the rise of a tyrant king (Oscar Isaac) who raises taxes and is on a power Titles at U.S. BLOCKBUSTER stores trip to over throw France. It’s a grand adventure of friendships and getting for the week that ended Nov. 28: through the hardships of life in 13th century England. With a run time of 2 1. The Expendables hours and 20 minutes it is worth the watch. With a 3 out of 5 star rating, it is 2. Eat Pray Love an adventure you will not want to miss. 3. Grown Ups Predators 4. The Last Airbender “Predators” is an action adventure sci-fi movie set on a game preserve where 5. Lottery Ticket a group of people are awakened as they are falling from an airplane. When 6. Toy Story 3 they gather they realize they are on another planet and not alone. Predators, 7. Charlie St. Cloud alien like creatures, are dropped onto the game preserve and now they have 8. A Christmas Carol to fight their way off the preserve as they try to stay alive. “Predators” is 107 9. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty minutes long (1 hr 47 minutes). The DVD was released on July 9, 2010. I Galore would give this movie a 5 star rating. 10. The Kids Are All Right SALES These are the Top 10 Selling DVD Titles at U.S. BLOCKBUSTER stores for the week that ended Nov. 28: 1. The Expendables 2. The Notebook 3. 300 4. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 5. P.S. I Love You 6. Princess Bride 7. Toy Story 3 8. Man on Fire 9. Taken 10. Lord of the Rings: The Two Tow- ers ONLINE These are the Top 10 Online Renting DVD Titles at BLOCKBUSTER.COM for the week that ended Nov. 28: 1. The Expendables 2. Eat Pray Love 3. Grown Ups 4. Disney’s A Christmas Carol How many reindeer pull San- Who is Ebenezer? 5. The Last Airbender ta’s sleigh? What color is the Grinch? 6. Charlie St. Cloud 7. The Kids Are All Right Bing Crosby dreams of what Complete the lyric “All I 8. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty kind of Christmas? want for Christmas is… Galore 9. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World 10. Ramona and Beezus MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010

MUSIC & TEENS BY: Kimberly Rissmiller Music is really important to not just makes people smile and can connect teens but to a lot of people. It’s im- with teens on an emotional level. Ac- portant for many reasons. It can get cording to Taylor Kozie, “Taylor Swift people excited or relax them when is my idol and I love country music.” they are upset. Certain rhythm from Metal music can make your anger go songs or genres can change a per- away or calm you down. According to son’s mood. Music allows people to Bryan Neifert, “I listen to metal and escape from problems for awhile. It it is important because it’s calming reading and writing comprehension. can work as a release from reality and has a good meaning behind it. Music aids in studies and increases and also channel moods. According My favorite bands are As I Lay Dying brain functions pushing a student to- to Josh Kimmel, “I think it is impor- and The Devil Wears Prada.” Polka wards their utmost capabilities.” It’s tant because it pumps me up for a is old country and important to some not right that we can’t have ipods in game.” students like Aaron Dombrowski. school. When not doing anything in Rap is a genre of music that some “It’s relaxing during class on emo- class, or working on a project stu- people can relate to because the tional days.” Pop music makes some dents should be able to listen to mu- artist inspires people. According to people want to get up and dance. sic. Some students take tests better Emilee Hanrahan, “Rap puts me in Mr.Wenrich stated, “Music helps drive when they are listening to music. Ac- a good mood and takes my mind sports teams. It serves as motivation. cording to Joey Kane, “It helps relax off of things.” Country music always Music helps all students with math, during free moments of the day.” ART STUDENTS PLAN TRIP TO ITALY Mahanoy students who will be in ago on a full day excursion grades 8-11 in the 2010-11 school to Pompeii, one of the rich- year have the opportunity to venture est archaeological sites in to Italy in March of 2012. The tour the world. The tour winds is being planned by Ms. Scicchitano, down with a trip across the high school art teacher, and educa- Bay of Naples to the capti- tional tour company, EF Tours, the vating Isle of Capri, before same company students traveled to returning to Rome for the France, Germany and Switzerland flight home. A more- de with in March, 2010, with high school tailed itinerary is available language teacher, Mrs. Rohart. upon request. The eleven day “Bell’ Italia” tour be- All of this sounds vey expen- gins in magical Venice, home of Mar- sive, but the price is much co Polo. Guided sightseeing tours less than it would be for an of Venice and Florence are the first individual traveling with- two highlights of the trip, where the out a tour group. As soon Students will visit the Roman Coliseum in Grand Canal, the Duomo, and Ponte as students enroll with the 2012 while touring Italy. For more info, con- Vecchio, one of the city’s only bridg- tour company, there will be tact Ms. Scic in the high school or visit ef- es to survive WWII, will be visited. opportunities to fundraise tours.com and enter TOUR # 1001493 Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, the to help with the cost or to Sistine Chapel, the Colusseum and at least raise spending money for the taking advantage of this opportunity more will be explored in Rome. In trip. “Bell’ Italia” tour may be a once should e-mail Ms. Scic at dscicchi- addition, as part of a walking tour of in a lifetime chance for many people. [email protected] or call the high Rome, students will stop at the Trevi EF Tour Company offers a variety of school at 773-3443. You can also Fountain and the Pantheon, one of payment plans, including a monthly visit the the tour company web- the best preserved ancient buildings plan to make it easier to budget for site, eftours.com and enter TOUR # in the city. Students will learn how this adventure. 1001493 for more information. wealthy Romans lived 2000 years Any student or parent interested in MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010 Video-game review: Gran Turismo 5 Flick it: ‘The Years of delays in the supposed name of perfection have elevated “Gran Tur- Chronicles of ismo 5” to a legendary status it never really earned. Polyphony Digital’s all- world driving simulation franchise is marked as much by stubbornness as Narnia: it is by obsessiveness, and if you’re surprised that the latest entrant hasn’t evolved like it probably should have, it’s your own fault. Voyage of the That isn’t a blanket indictment of “GT5’s” quality so much as a reminder that Polyphony’s baby plays by its own rules even when it bends to convention. The overdue introduction of vehicle damage ranges from invisible to ineffec- Dawn Treader,’ tual. The menu interface, particularly when sorting through different events with different entrance requirements, is supremely user-unfriendly. And the ‘The Tourist’ (MCT) artifi cial intelligence remains oxymoronic, with A.I.-controlled cars following a predefi ned path and reacting to players only when the laws of physics make The Chronicles of Narnia: it impossible not to. Voyage of the Dawn Treader The obsessive attention to detail also takes a hit when the boasting gets Return to the magical world of Narnia broken down. Yes, there are 1,000 cars in “GT5’s” garage, but 18 of them are for a third time with the latest install- different versions of the Mazda RX-7, and 41 more are Nissan Skylines. And ment of the fantasy franchise, based while the top 200 of those cars are meticulously recreated, the remaining 800 on C.S. Lewis’ seven-part series of are less impressive, with exterior ornaments textured in and engine sounds books. Now that their elder siblings and interiors that aren’t necessarily authentic. Car fanatics likely can appre- are too old to hang out with Aslan, ciate the differences between different years of the same model, but casual Caspian and other leading Narnian players may wonder why they unlocked yet another Toyota Celica — or why, citizens, the younger Pevensie chil- even though the game looks phenomenal when a race is in motion, some cars dren, Lucy and Edmund, make the just look “off” when sitting idle. trip themselves, bringing their annoy- But here’s that reminder again: “GT5” is aimed squarely at people who dearly ing cousin Eustace along for the ride love cars — to the degree that laboriously sorting through the parameters of aboard the titular seafaring vessel. seemingly indistinguishable vehicles is a cherished feature instead of a chore Veteran British fi lmmaker Michael — and it holds no concern for those who come away feeling alienated by the Apted steps into the director’s chair labyrinth of menus, nitpicks and unintuitive progress roadblocks that await. vacated by Andrew Adamson, direc- For that fi rst crowd, though, there is a ton of content here. The A-Spec Mode tor of the fi rst two chronicles. 1 hr. 52 houses all the cups and traditional career progression, while B-Spec lets play- mins. ers try their hand at coaching instead of driving. The License Test challenges return, but in a series fi rst, “GT5” ties every mode into a single, persistent ex- perience system that lets players go straight to entering cups without having The Tourist to pass any license tests fi rst. Johnny Depp stars as a gawky Amer- The Special Events mode is “GT5’s” most interesting new feature, as it ican tourist who escapes to Italy in or- sends players into challenges designed around go karting, NASCAR, rally der to get over a bad breakup. While racing and even the “Top Gear” test track. The game’s attention to detail with soaking in the sights, he catches the regard to each discipline’s unique physics and demands is really impressive, eye of a slinky ingenue who looks but the event designs (sometimes you get races, other times some absurdly an awful lot like feature fi lm star An- strict tests) are hit and miss. gelina Jolie. Unbeknownst to him, “GT5” also brings the series fully online for the fi rst time, though this, by this devastatingly attractive woman Polyphony’s own admission, remains a work in progress. Some light social is caught up in an international spy networking features allow friends to gift each other cars and post messages game—but is she on the side of good to each other’s walls, and the lobby system lets players set up races by what- or evil? Oscar-winning fi lmmaker Flo- ever rules they prefer. But other promised features such as matchmaking rian Henckel von Donnersmarck (The aren’t yet present, and some heavy network traffi c has made accessing the Lives of Others) directs a screenplay game’s servers a game of chance so far. When everything is up and running, co-written by himself and two guys though, the actual act of racing online is a pretty smooth one. that know their way around twisty thrillers, Christopher McQuarrie (The What kind of Christmas did What was the name of the Usual Suspsects) and Julian Fel- Elvis Presley sing about? Grinch’s dog in “How the Grin- lowes (Gosfard Park). 1 hr. 44 mins. ch Stole Christmas”? BEAR FACTS HOLIDAY, 2010

YES Program Attends Field Trips BY: Joseph Swartz The YES program class, taught by group being put in afreezer that was various purposes . One of the uses Mrs. Valerie Kane, recently went on atwenty degrees below zero for a few for the metal is building swimming two different field trips. The trips minutes to show what some people pool walls. The class learned that were to the Walmart Distribution put up with at their job. The group setting goals is very important and Center in Highridge Park, Pottsville learned that all the employees at the that following up on what you say is and Cardinal Systems in Schuylkill facility must meet a quota for their in- just as important. The company set Haven. The two classes that make dividual task. They must communi- out a Mission Statement that they fol- up the programtoured the distribution cate well by listening to instructions low as their guideline. They use the center first. The tour of the facility and performing tasks. Mission Statement to prove that they started with the group talking about At Cardinal Systems, the group toured will make quality products and work productivity. The tour ended with the the facility that makes sheet metal for with customers to grant satisfaction. Preserve your high school memories... ORDER YOUR 2011 YEARBOOK! Just like the price of most things, the of these fundraisers, will earn $2.00 cost of a Mahanoy Area High School off of the $76.00 price for each item yearbook has increased, but if you sold. In other words, students who are smart, you can still earn a free sell at least 38 items earn a or discounted yearbook. The Ma- free yearbook! hanoy Area High School yearbook Those who choose not is a high quality, all color, hard cover to participate in either book. The price of the 2011 year- fundraiser and simply book is $76.00. That is a lot of cash pay for their yearbook, so Ms. Scicchitano, advisor, will offer may bring their payment a second fundraiser to students in- to Ms. Scic in the art terested in earning a FREE OR DIS- room during remediation COUNTED BOOK. The first kicked period. A non-refund- off in late September. The second able deposit of at least will be geared towards Valentine’s $25.00 must be made Day and will kick off in early January. by January 10 to place Those who participate in one or both your order. Thanksgiving Trivia BY: Haley Arbushites 1. How fast can wild turkeys run? 2. In what year did the first American Thanksgiving celebration take place? How do you say Merry 3. Where was the first American Thanksgiving celebration held? Christmas in Spanish? 4. How many pilgrims were on the Mayflower? 5. How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration last? What is the popular drink only 6. About how many feathers does a male turkey have? available around Christmas? 7. What is the name of the famous rock the Pilgrims landed on? 8. What president declared that Thanksgiving would be held on the fourth What is Santa’s real name? Thursday in November? In what country did the ginger- 9. What part of the turkey is saved and snapped for good luck? bread house originate? 10. In what year did the first Macy’s Thanksgiving parade take place? 11. How long did the journey to the New World take? Where was Mommy caught 12. What was the original purpose of the Mayflower? kissing Santa Claus? 13. What is the name for a male turkey? 14. What is the name for a female turkey? 15. What is the day after Thanksgiving called? MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010 Browsing Is it better to idle or with a Buddy turn your car off? (MCT) When it comes to browsers, people either tend to be a little bit clueless Q: What’s worse for my car and for are talking about adopting the same (“What’s a browser?”) or passionately the environment, letting it idle or turn- technology in all of their cars, which loyal (“Firefox Rocks!”). Since people ing the engine on and off? could greatly reduce the amount of usually discover things online through A: That is a great question. I often air pollution that is caused by idling their friends on social networking plat- wondered about that myself. First cars. forms like Facebook and Twitter, the let’s talk about what idling is. In terms While we’re at it, let’s dispel some oth- days of solo browsing may soon be of your car, “idling” means putting er idling myths: Do you like to warm up coming to an end. Why not bring your the car in park and leaving it running your car for a few minutes in the win- buddies along when you’re online? when you could otherwise be turning ter before you drive it? My husband, New “Social Browsers” like Flock. it off, in a drive-thru, for instance, or who’s from Chicago, introduced me com and RockMelt.com allow you to waiting at the train station to pick up to the world of remote starters. See, do just that. After you download and your friend. in Chicago, where’s it’s often in the install them, you share your social So, now that we know what idling is, teens and single digits when it’s time logins with them. When you want to is it better to idle or to turn on and off to head out for work, everyone has comment on something, or share a your car? It is better not to idle. The remote starters to warm up their cars page, there’s no longer any need to rule of thumb used by California’s before they get in them. And I’m not log into your email or Facebook to Consumer Energy Center is this: If going to lie, it’s so much nicer get- show off what great thing you just you’re going to be idling more than ting into a warm and toasty car rather found -- the browser does it for you. 10 seconds, better to turn off your than a stone-cold one. But warming Plus, if your friends are using it too, car. That’s because when you’re up your car for five or 10 minutes is they can share with you just as eas- idling, you’re still releasing harmful totally unnecessary to actually drive ily. (Sounds like something that could emissions into the air just like when it. All you’re doing is wasting gas and potentially make a group project go you’re driving, except when you’re wasting time. As long as you’re not a lot smoother.) And with tons of re- idling, you’re getting zero miles per accelerating too fast (such as turn- search showing that teens are drop- gallon. And contrary to popular belief, ing onto a highway as you turn out ping email in favor of social network- it doesn’t take more gas to shut down of your driveway), starting your car, ing anyway, the switch could be the and restart your car than it does to waiting a few seconds, and driving it leave it idling for a few minutes. It will next big thing among your friends. immediately, but gently, is the way to actually save you money to shut off go, literally. your car rather than idle, up to 19 per- What about revving your car’s en- cent, according to Edmunds.com. gine when you start it? Also unnec- Thanksgiving Trivia Answers Interestingly, one of the ways hybrid essary. It’s actually a bad idea when cars save energy is by automatically your car’s engine is cold and its parts 1. 25 mph shutting off at red lights or when oth- haven’t been lubricated with oil yet. 2. 1621 erwise stopped. In fact, since this Well, there you have it, folks. So don’t 3. Plymouth, Mass. start-stop technology was invented, get caught idling on the streets. 4. 102 some car companies, including BMW, 5. 3 days 6. 3500 feathers 7. Plymouth Rock Doors of Diversity 8. Franklin D. Roosevelt 9. the wishbone The Schuylkill County of the Arts and which will be part of a traveling art ex- 10. 1924 the Schuylkill Diversity Council has hibit throughout the county in 2011, 11. 66 days proposed a Diversity Door project Schuylkill County’s bicentennial year. 12. to carry wine as a merchant to schools in the county. Ms. Scic’s Upon completion of the traveling 13. Tom graphic design class has created exhibit, the door will be returned to 14. Hen ideas for approval. The design that MAHS for display. 15. Black Friday is chosen will be painted on a door, MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010

ID: Mahanoy Password: goldenbears MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010

Defensive players fi nd NFL hitting rules an elusive target (MCT)

GREEN BAY, Wis. The Green Bay Pack- illegal hit. Collins had a shot at Atlanta quarterback to make a hit, none of your ers have one of the best defenses in the running back Michael Turner on Nov. 28, helmet can even touch his facemask.” NFL. But nearly all of their defensive play- but as Turner started to go down, Collins Last month, Packers linebacker Clay ers, including 2009 defensive player of had to follow. “I had to lower my target to Matthews, the NFL sack leader, said the year Charles Woodson, is question- go lower, just to avoid hitting him in the he wasn’t going to change the way he ing how to play the game right now. The head,” said Collins. played. “You’re just trying to get him rules used to be pretty clear. No spear- Safety Charlie Peprah also could have down,” he said. “You’ve got to think about ing, no clotheslines or horse collars, no made a big hit on Falcons tight end Tony head across, wrapping up, drive your late kill shots on the quarterback just to Gonzalez, but Peprah held up because feet, just get him down. Any tackle in the make him ache. he didn’t want a fi ne. That resulted in a NFL is a good tackle. I’m going to keep But now the NFL is handing out fi nes, few extra yards for the tight end.“You doing things my way. “Hopefully I don’t even if there’s not a fl ag, for helmet-to- don’t know how you’re supposed to hit get fi ned or make an illegal hit, but I can’t helmet collisions or anything that looks a guy anymore,” said Woodson. “I don’t stop playing the way I do, just relentless, like launching or looks violent. A tally think it’s clearly defi ned. Your helmets are getting after the ball carrier, trying to get of the most publicized fi nes this season going to touch sometimes. That doesn’t him down. “I’d go for the de-cleater any shows the league has fi ned players ap- mean you tried to hit a guy’s head. I don’t day.” proximately $500,000 for illegal hits. That agree with the way it is going at all.” That always has been the mentality of an has caught the attention of everyone The NFL distributed an instructional exceptional defensive player. “Bring him who plays defense for a living, especially video a few weeks ago illustrating what down. By any means necessary,” said someone like Woodson, who barely rec- it considered a good hit and one that Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop. “If ognizes the game and the rules after 13 was illegal. It was narrated by Ray An- you’ve got to hit him low or hit him high or years in the league. “It’s changing right derson, NFL executive vice president of reach out and grab him, scratch him, bite before your eyes,” said Woodson. “When football operations. He said recently that him, whatever. Take him down.” do you remember every hit being ques- the league wasn’t singling out Pittsburgh Green Bay’s defensive position coach- tioned? When you hear the commenta- linebacker James Harrison, even though es have addressed the issue, although tors, they say, ‘Oh, that was a good clean Harrison has been fi ned four times this more from the standpoint of avoiding a hit.’ You never heard that before.” year. Harrison briefl y considered retire- penalty, which would hurt the team, said Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins is appeal- ment because of the fi nes. “Illegal hits to players. During the game, referees also ing the $50,000 fi ne for his hit on Dallas the head of an opponent will not be tol- have been warning the players on close wide receiver Roy Williams on Nov. 7. erated. A player is accountable for what calls. Otherwise, it is up to the player to Williams started to trip right before the he hits,” Anderson said on the video. “We change. And they’re pleading for time to tackle, and Collins said he had no time to all accept that football is a physical and adjust. “You can’t practice it,” said Bish- drop his center of gravity so their helmets tough game. But players must play under op. “It is inches away from being legal collided. “It was a bang, bang play,” said control. If a player launching into an op- and illegal. In about 80 percent of situa- Collins. “I led with my shoulder, but by ponent misses his aiming point, he will tions, it can be avoided. The rest is gray me hitting him in his back his head came nevertheless be responsible for what he area. If he ducks the hit, there’s nothing back, so it looked like we had helmet to hits. Initial contact in the neck or head you can do.” helmet. “I don’t know how else I could area with a forearm, shoulder or helmet If there’s nothing you can do, why get have played that play different.” After the is prohibited.” fi ned? “You shouldn’t,” Bishop said. One game, Williams said the NFL should not Many players still fi nd the rules con- of the biggest complaints the defensive fi ne Collins, that it wasn’t a dirty play, that fusing. They fi nd many of the collisions players have is the issue of how to play it was just football. But Collins got the let- simply unavoidable. San Francisco line- within the rules in a sport that is so un- ter from the NFL anyway. “It seems like backer Patrick Willis, who led the league even. There is no other sport in the they’re going off the outcome of the play,” in that category in 2009 and 2007, said world that features such a wide range said Woodson. “If a guy ends up hurt or hits to the head are not intentional. “We of heights and weights and body types seems a little out of it, woozy or what- feel like the game is being taken from us all directly fi ghting one another. “I’m 190 ever, they say it is a personal foul and a little bit,” said Willis. “But I know I can’t pounds, and there’s a tight end who is a fi ne. It’s not the intent of every player think about it a lot. I just think, what can I 260 coming up the seam,” said Peprah. to knock a guy out. They’re just going to do to get this guy down?” “That’s just physics. You’ve got to add throw the fl ag. I don’t think that’s fair to Many high-profi le players have criticized some type of force. But they don’t want the defensive guys. “Your job is to go get the crackdown, including Chicago line- you to launch yourself. If you hit him too the ball. And I think they’re taking that backer Brian Urlacher. “What can you do, high, you don’t want a helmet to helmet. way from guys.” though? It’s a dictatorship,” he said last It’s just too much, especially when you Because of the crackdown, the Packers month, referring to Commissioner Roger grew up playing to hit a certain way. It’s admit there have been instances when Goodell. “Now you literally think about it,” hard to de-program yourself. they pulled back or pulled up to avoid an said Woodson. “You’re going in on the MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010 MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY, 2010 4th Annual Gino Capone Elementary Wrestling Tournament: January 29 community service opportunity for students Hundreds of people from many different schools will fill both Mahanoy gymnasiums and everywhere in between on January 29, beginning at 7 a.m. Named after Maha- noy legendary athletic trainer, the Gino Capone Wrestling Tournament has been a huge success, raising thousands of dollars for the elementary wrestling program at Maha- noy. This would not have been possible without the aid of Mahanoy students. Once again, volunteers are need- ed. Knowledge of the sport of wrestling is not required. Students in need of community service should see Ms. Scic as soon as possible. Rhoades Library 50% off existing book fines does not apply to book replacement fees offer expires end of marking period two