1 The Chariot Edition 6 May Edition 2019

6 Terms Used in Current Day That Should Be Eradicated

by Sophia Stroumbakis

6: Lit - Now this word, most certainly, is one of the more mild, but it was one of the first terms coined as one of the youth. It was the calm before the storm, before the neglect of the words such as ‘cool’ and ‘fun’, which take the same amount of time to say and serve the exact same purpose. We didn’t need another word. An Outline for still unclear and reliant decisions, GPA does on our hard work. For matter and is affected by 5: Dope - The word means a little bit Success: College high schoolers who your grades. For your high of everything. Years ago, the word can ease their worries s c h o o l c a r e e r, t a k e dope was a word that implied use of through plans and lists, classes that challenge you contraband, but now it means by Julia Cheskey here are the (very brief) but also that you can something is cool. What does this steps to getting into manage. mean? Is contraband cool now? college. G e t i n v o l v e d . Yo u r Again, why can’t you just say For many in the midst of Focus on grades. This is s c h e d u l e i s j u s t a s something is cool? The word has their school careers, life is a simple direction and one important as your grades. somehow stayed relevant from the a w h i r l w i n d o f that can be applied to Through activities, you can 90s to now, even when the word o v e r w h e l m i n g every student. Regardless display your dedication to should’ve died before it began. responsibility. Especially of the year, working to your interests and your 4: Shook - This is, by far, the worst for juniors, the idea of improve your grades is a ability to manage time. word here. The primary reason being college is finally dawning. necessary step to getting Keep busy but not to the that it is so easy to use and there isn’t Although my graduation into college. This may be p o i n t o f b e i n g a much more adequate word to fully i s t w o - a n d - a - h a l f an obvious fact, but it is overwhelmed. encapsulate how you’re feeling. semesters away, an end to necessary to include. Get an idea of which When someone is shook, they can be the high school madness C o l l e g e s s t u d y y o u r colleges interest you. With scared, excited, happy, sad, or any is in sight. This realization, transcript, view your class this step, you may begin other emotion and somehow it makes though it may come as a workload, and judge your the touring process. sense. relief for many, actually academic skills. Although (Continued on pg 7) (Continued on pg 7) p r e s e n t s c o u n t l e s s class ranking may not play anxieties as so much is such a large role in college

Check out the fifth edition of Simon Says! Dan Moser explains why Van Morrison’s pg 4 “Moondance” is underrated. pg 6

Nolan Babb tells us a story about a Wyomissing Evelyn Hoyer explains the lantern fly epidemic. Dynasty. pg 3 pg 3 2 Online Theatre Company Youtube following of over Darren Criss as the titular premiered on Youtube in Celebrates 500,000 subscribers. m a i n c h a r a c t e r a n d December 2018. Their first musical parody i n c l u d e s m a n y o t h e r The main goal of Starkid Anniversary was a retelling of Harry Starkid actors. Productions, which is also Potter titled A Very Potter Ever since A Very Potter n i c k n a m e d “ T e a m Musical, adding songs, Musical, the theatre group Starkid”, is to create fun by Riley Dauber dances, and jokes to the has created many different and innovative musicals beloved series. It gained m u s i c a l p a r o d i e s , for audience members all massive popularity on only including Holy Musical over the world by making In 2009, a group of college a hundred and fifty dollar B@man, The Trail to it accessible online and s t u d e n t s f r o m t h e budget, and was Oregon, and Twisted. through tours. The group University of Michigan accessible online for fans Most recently, The Guy has a huge fan following decided to begin a theatre all over the globe to enjoy. Who Didn’t Like Musicals on many social media company that performed T h e a c c o u n t s , w h e r e musical parodies for online show supporters share video audiences. The theatre stars clips from different shows company is named Starkid and obsess over certain Productions, and was cast members. founded by Emmy-winner I n t e r m s o f c a s t i n g , Darren Criss, along with audience members usually Brian Holden, Matt Lang, get to see their favorite and Nick Lang. Ever since actors in more than one 2009, the theatre group Starkid musical. has performed eleven (Continued on pg 5) musicals and has gained a

when meeting someone point where google is movie, some are better, new. That is, of course, if involved and you find and some are considered 10 Pointless you don’t get furious at yourself studying food worse. Of course, this each other for not sharing classification diagrams. decision is ultimately up to Arguments t h e s a m e o p i n i o n . 2. Is water wet? your opinion. However, if Whether you take these I remember this topic you have a friend who is a by Sarah Guiseppe topics seriously or not, becoming popular last hardcore book lover, I h e r e a r e t e n s t u p i d year, but it is still a w o u l d n ’t re c o m m e n d Life is full of disagreement. arguments to have with controversial subject. bringing up this argument. A r g u m e n t s b e t w e e n y o u r f r i e n d s , f a m i l y, Some believe wet is just 4. Are converse better politicians, classmates, teachers, or anyone else t h e a d j e c t i v e t h a t low top or high top? couples, friends, or family you feel like annoying. describes something that This one sounds specific, members are brought up 1. Is a hotdog/hamburger has just been in contact but it could apply to many a l m o s t a l l t h e t i m e . a sandwich? with water. Others say different brands and styles Constant argument like This one is popular mainly water is wet because it is of clothing. This argument this makes life seem more because of the many the actual water that in particular is more stressful than it should be. different angles you can interacts with our skin, and common, but any kind of However, sometimes it’s look at it. Some may say a its wetness is a property of c l o t h i n g b r a n d w i t h fun to get into a stupid hotdog isn’t a sandwich water. There is most likely multiple versions of the argument with your friend because it doesn’t have a scientifically correct same product can be about something that two separate pieces of answer, but no one wants argued about in the same doesn’t matter at all. bread, but so do subs and to look it up and possibly way. This one is, again, up S o m e t i m e s t h e l e a s t h o a g i e s , w h i c h a r e find out they’re wrong. t o y o u r o p i n i o n a n d significant opinions make considered sandwiches. 3. Are books always personal style. Just make for the most entertaining or Some say hamburgers better than their movies? sure not to bash someone t h e m o s t f r u s t r a t i n g a r e n ’ t s a n d w i c h e s This one may seem like a based on their clothing conversations. Learning because they are their own one way answer, but there preferences. someone’s opinion on a type of food, hence the are some books based off controversial subject is different name. Some of movies that are just also a great icebreaker people will go so in depth terrible. Some books are with this argument to the equally as good as their Inside The Dynasty Of 3 not five.. not six.. but NCAA basketball titles. are yet to have a losing Wyomissing Junior s e v e n . ” J a m e s n e v e r Overall, Vecchio has won record under Vecchio. High Basketball accomplished the feat of the Hamburg Tournament When asked about the w i n n i n g s e v e n eleven of the thirteen years aggressive coaching style championships, but that he’s been at the that Vecchio employs, by Nolan Babb Mr. Vecchio sure h e l m f o r t h e Wyomissing teacher Chris h a s . T h e S p a r t a n s . Nugent declared “He’ll do Mike Vecchio has been at Spartans went V e c c h i o ’ s anything to win. Anyone the head of Wyomissing o n a n i n t e n s e a n d who gives up their hip for a Junior High Basketball for a b s o l u t e a g g r e s s i v e junior high sport is a legend o v e r a d e c a d e n o w. terror from coaching style in Nugent’s book.” Coach V e c c h i o h a s b e e n 2012-2018 demands the Vecchio has underwent historically successful as w i n n i n g best out of his multiple hips surgeries and he posts a staggering seven straight players each replacements in order to record of 182-39 during his H a m b u r g and every year. ensure that he is still tenure. Many junior high tournament titles. T h e h e a d b a l l healthy enough to remain sports do not gain large No other coach in coach has thrown his on the sidelines of the old amounts of popularity Berks County junior high clipboard before when gym for many years to around the school, but the basketball history has ever players such as Alyas come. dynasty that the junior high come close to winning Branford-Williams decide Many juggernaut teams basketball program has seven straight Hamburg to not follow the play call. have rolled through the become is still talked about titles. People have started When asked about this historic old gym during by many students and calling Vecchio the “John situation, Vecchio declared Vecchio’s coaching career. faculty around the school. Wooden” of junior high “You know, Alyas had a However, Coach Vecchio LeBron James was once basketball after winning very unique way of getting has stated that his best a s k e d h o w m a n y s e v e n s t r a i g h t t i t l e s . under my skin. I don’t think team to ever come through championships he’ll win Wooden was the head he ever intentionally did it, was the 2014-2015 team with the Miami Heat and basketball coach at UCLA he was just a natural at it.” where the current seniors replied with “not one.. not in the 1970’s when the These tactics have been were in eighth grade. two.. not three.. not four.. Bruins won seven straight effective as the Spartans (Continued on pg 4)

Spring is here… with the bugs can attest to earmarked $3 million in S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y a r e their rate of reproduction. funds to studying and assigned to studying the and so are the Not to mention, they did containing the lantern flies. b u g . H o p e f u l l y t h e i r Lantern Flies so much damage to crops Experts still don’t know research will help us and trees. My beautiful enough about the bug to eradicate them. magnolia tree was covered effectively combat them. Unfortunately for senior by Evelyn Hoyer in them. O n e - h u n d r e d - fi f t y year, yes, we will be spending our time jumping swinging, and cursing at As the flowers bloom and the lantern flies. The bugs, the warmth of the sun who jump from trees, draws closer, lantern flies seem to fly out of nowhere are plotting their return. At — catching many of us off this very moment, citizens guard. It will take a in the Philadelphia area are community effort to make beginning to see the white sure these bugs don’t take spotted lymphs. And over. Yellow bug tape and Pennsylvania is not the simply stepping on any only sufferer this year. y o u s e e i s h e l p f u l . These invasive bugs have Remember… the bug’s been spotted in New So researchers and experts first jump is the strongest, Jersey and Delaware. This what happens now? Full from the U.S. department all subsequent jumps are will be the lantern flie’s eradication won’t be o f a g r i c u l t u r e , t h e weak and usually cease by second year in our area. possible this season; Pennsylvania department the third. Sticky yellow tape filled luckily, Gov. Tom Wolf has of agriculture, and Penn 4 (Continued from pg 3) The starting lineup featured Alyas Branford-Williams, Drew Simon Says Feightner, Tim Kowalski, Nolan Babb, and Max Moyer. This group won the Hamburg tournament as they upset a skilled Muhlenberg team in the semifinals and followed that up with Should We Get Rid Of The a 58-22 victory over Brandywine in the championship game. During this tournament, Vecchio’s favorite moment of his Valedictorian At Wyo? coaching career occurred. It was halftime of a heated quarterfinal against the Panthers of Schuylkill Valley. The locker room was dead silent as Coach Vecchio discussed The title of valedictorian has long been recognized making adjustments for the second half. However, that as the most prestigious honor a student can receive silence was broken for the next couple of minutes. Vecchio coming out of high school. Amongst the various honors described the scene as “I hear this wrinkling paper. I available to them, valedictorian is a coveted honor for thought, what the heck is that?? Here we are in the middle of students serious about their grades. Here at Wyomissing, the super bowl and I look up AND THERE IS BUNZY students fitting this criteria come by the dozen; however, TRYING TO EAT A SANDWICH FROM HIS BROWN PAPER only one driven, intelligent individual can receive the BAG. As I’m yelling at bunzy, Billy can’t stop laughing. We honor every year leaving the rest feeling as though they then went on to win a close battle!” Moments like these have have failed even if their GPA is only tenths of a point defined the dynasty of Wyomissing Junior High Basketball. away. Serious but never too serious. After 221 games and 13 Since the start of junior year, I have witnessed a seasons, Vecchio still looks forward to next basketball switch flip in the heads of my peers. Everyone in the 5 season and the possibility of bringing another Hamburg AP courses I am enrolled in this year is obsessed with Tournament title back to the friendly confines of 630 Evans class rank almost as if its a video game leaderboard. Avenue. When quarter grades come in every 45 days, I stand by idly as my peers compare their class ranks, trying to figure out who is above them, who is below them, who is number one. They continuously hit refresh on eschool book expecting their rank to change as a result of one assignment. Although the race for valedictorian is often pointed to as a source of “healthy competition” I think it is just the opposite. The behavior and nature I have seen in my classmates certainly is not healthy, and I believe that we’d better off replacing the naming of a singular valedictorian with a system that rewards all those at the top, much like the way colleges honor those at the top of graduating classes. Does a schedule comprised solely of Advanced Placement classes really prepare a student for their future career? Is it more valuable to take a load of AP classes rather than a combination of electives/classes? At Wyomissing, our arts program is definitely under encouraged which is detrimental to students on two levels. For one, students who strive to put themselves up near the top of their class feel as though they need to take AP classes to keep up with their peers GPA wise, so they don’t, for example, take the drawing class they might be interested in leaving students with a lack of breadth in their schedules. Secondly, students that find themselves uncomfortable with traditional classroom environments and who prefer the arts, don’t get the same recognition that those who stack their schedules with APs get. It’s not fair to either of these types of students and this problem should be addressed. 5

(Continued from pg 2) ten hours on their Youtube members. The event is the story presented in The For example, Joey Richter, channel, showing how being held on July 25th, Guy Who Didn’t Like the actor who plays Ron dedicated they are to their and is being supported by Musicals. Not many details Weasley in A Very Potter fan base. Along with this a kickstarter that fans can have been released about Musical, has starred in donate to. the new show, but fans every Starkid production suspect that all their (expect for Twisted, an favorite cast members Aladdin retelling from the from The Guy Who Didn’t perspective of the villain). Like Musicals will be Admirers of the theatre returning. And, as always, group get to see fan the show will be posted on f a v o r i t e s p e r f o r m i n Youtube in December. multiple shows, presenting Starkid Productions wants their talents to the viral to make sure their fans can community. celebrate this special Since April ninth marked anniversary with them by the ten year anniversary of h o s t i n g h o m e c o m i n g w h e n A Ve r y P o t t e r events and performing M u s i c a l w a s fi r s t livestream, the group is Additionally, in the fall, a m a z i n g m u s i c a l s , performed, Team Starkid hosting a homecoming Starkid is performing a showing how dedicated celebrated this special event for fans to meet their new musical titled Black they are to their avid fan date by live-streaming for favorite cast and crew Friday, a continuation of base.

Pushing Back consequences of being a v e r a g e h i g h s c h o o l schedules, practice times, a well-rounded student student does not go to bed and overall classroom School Start Times can be counteracted by until 11 p.m., they would scheduling; however, the pushing back school only be getting 7 to 7 ½ health of students is much start times. While there hours of sleep a night. This more important than these By Max Moyer can be other quality-of-life amount of sleep does not fixable problems. Many repercussions for the a l l o w f o r o p t i m a l school districts are not school district, having later performance while in high seeing this issue even Whether you are a school start times will school. Sleep is not the though, according to the kid who is uninterested in increase the performance only factor that can cause National Sleep Foundation, s c h o o l o r o n e w h o and overall health of high underperformance in the “sleep is not optional; it is enthusiastically attends school students. classroom: stress, sports, biologically necessary.” If class everyday, we can all According to a study done clubs, and other types of students get the necessary agree on one thing: it by the Center for Disease issues all pile on top of a amount of sleep every starts too early. Students Control, 42 states reported l a c k o f s l e e p . I t i s n i g h t , t h e y w i l l s t o p involved in clubs, sports, that at least 75% of their u n re a s o n a b l e t o a s k showing up to school as or various AP courses are high schools and middles students to give up their zombies, and start arriving not getting enough sleep schools started before extracurricular activities in awake and ready to go o n s c h o o l n i g h t s . 8:30 a.m. This is very order to make room for every single day. According to the National problematic for students s l e e p . I n m y S l e e p F o u n d a t i o n , as they do not get to bed opinion, the best teenagers require at least early enough the night way to address this 8.5 hours of sleep each before a school day. At issue is for the night. Students who are up Wyomissing, the first bell school to take it all night doing school work rings at 7:30 a.m., meaning i n t o t h e i r o w n or participating in activities that most students who hands. do not get to bed until late, show up on time would I t i s t r u e t h a t which does not leave have to wake up around 45 moving up school enough time for sleep if minutes before this in s t a r t t i m e s c a n they have an early wake order to get to class on cause issues for the up. These unintended t i m e . A s s u m i n g t h e district, such as bus 6 (Continued from pg 2) example, my friends and I This is an interesting syrup, often, New Orleans, 5. Chocolate or vanilla? can agree that Math is debate because I never envelope, aunt, pajamas, This is an age-old debate blue, while others strongly knew it existed. According garage, mayonnaise, adult, that should be mentioned believe it is red. The most to the Encyclopedia of poem, grocery, bagel, at least once in every controversial class subject Britannica, “the issue is mirror, caramel, museum, friendship. This could refer that I’ve found is history genetic. These people mischievous, almond, tour, t o c a k e , i c e c r e a m , class, and whether it is a have a variation in a group flourish, tomato, crayon, c u p c a k e s , f r o s t i n g , cool color like purple or a of olfactory-receptor genes surprise, February, salmon, milkshakes, or anything warm color like yellow. t h a t a l l o w s t h e m t o either, our, been, the list else that comes in both of 7. Which Harry Potter strongly perceive the goes on and on. Your the famous flavors. The book/movie is the best? soapy-flavored aldehydes pronunciation of those choice of chocolate or This may be the most in cilantro leaves.” In fact, words depend on your vanilla seems to tell you a d a n g e r o u s a r g u m e n t there’s a whole website accent, and both sides of lot about the person you’re between book lovers, and dedicated to this issue: t h i s a r g u m e n t a r e talking to. it doesn’t just apply to www.ihatecilantro.com. technically correct. That is 6. Is history yellow or Harry Potter. Any book or The people who run the except for when people purple? (Or an argument m o v i e s e r i e s — T h e website sell T-shirts and just pronounce things about any classes and chronicles of Narnia, the write haikus about their incorrectly. Seriously, if you t h e i r c o r re s p o n d i n g hunger games, Twilight, experiences with cilantro. still say cinnamon instead colors) The Lord of the Rings, Although you can’t argue o f s y n o n y m , t h e r e ’s If you’ve never heard of Rocky, The Matrix, any of with someone who has this something terribly wrong. this argument before, it the Marvel/DC movies, and genetic variation, it is still Is your blood boiling yet? m i g h t s o u n d a b i t so much more—can be interesting to find out who Even if you didn’t take confusing. The question is: argued about in the same does have it. And then those topics seriously, they when you think of a way. laugh at them. are still quite entertaining specific academic class 8. Does pineapple belong 10.Diffe r e n t to talk about. In the end, (the subject itself, not the on pizza? pronunciations it’s the simple things in life teacher, students, or No. Pecan, coupon, Nevada, that tear apart friendships. classroom) what color 9. Does cilantro taste like vanilla, jewelry, route, c o m e s t o m i n d ? F o r soap or not? Oregon, lawyer, Caribbean,

Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” and “Into Moondance as a way of titles compensate for its the Mystic,” the album spreading cheer and good d i s t i n c t i v e s e a s o n “Moondance” album i s m o r e t h a n w e l l feelings to all listening. applications. is just as good as prepared to go toe-to- The only drawback to the And even though the toe with the works of album is that it’s a summer album only truly works in “Astral Weeks.” Astral Weeks, which album. To achieve the full the spring/summer, it is includes one of my extent of its beauty, I not held back by it. In fact, favorite songs ever would highly recommend the seasonal distinction By Daniel Moser w r i t t e n , that the may actually give it an “Sweet a l b u m underlying edge in the While any one of Van Thing.” b e competition against it’s Morrison’s albums are I t ’ s a listened fierce rival, Astral Weeks. arguably some of the f e e l t o The time of year you hallmarks of the classic g o o d outside should listen to the album rock world, in the minds of a l b u m . o f t h e parallels the messages of the non-followers, one You play c o l d e r the album: enjoy the free a l b u m s t i c k s o u t t o i t a n d months. and beautiful summer encompass the great Irish y o u On the days. My own mother singer: “Astral Weeks.” instantly o t h e r s t a t e d , “ M o o n d a n c e T h i s h o w e v e r i s a fall into h a n d , makes me think of the d i s s e r v i c e t h e g r e a t t h e A s t r a l m o v i e “ A n A m e r i c a n M o r r i s o n . B e c a u s e world of W e e k s Werewolf in London,” and I although Astral Weeks V a n . works in loved that movie.” works as a peak career County a l l album, Moondance works f a i r s just as well if not better. a n d seasons, With such fantastic titles dances, great friends and but even with this in mind, a s “ I t S t o n e d M e , ” new days, Morrison uses Moondance’s memorable 7 (Continued from page 1) d o w n w i t h t o o m a n y rule is limited to juniors. spend the next few years of You can also apply this options. Also, make sure Ask a few teachers before y o u r l i f e . C o n s i d e r direction at any age, but I you have a safety, a the summer break before academics, atmosphere, would suggest waiting until standard, and a reach senior year if they will write and most importantly, your junior year. Your school.) letters of recommendation finances. Although you may expectations and wishes Survive the standardized for you. Come application have gotten accepted into a r e a p t t o c h a n g e tests. I know we all hate time, they will have had your dream school, if it throughout high school, so them. Our future paths enough time to write them. results with a burden of although a campus may should not be dependent Don’t forget to thank them! debt on your back, maybe seem appealing to you as a on these “aptitude” tests. Apply to college! This rethink your next steps. freshman, a city-centered But despite the countless process varies with each Apply for scholarships. school may appeal to you protests, we must muddle school. Most require test T h e r e a r e m u l t i p l e as a junior. Draw up a list, through them. You can scores, transcripts, and resources for finding and tour as many colleges as is choose the SAT or the ACT, essays. Make sure to polish securing scholarships— possible, and narrow down retake each test multiple your application before both merit and need based. the list until you have times, and—in many cases sending it in. Your first Search thoroughly for any consolidated a number of —superscore the results impression to colleges will chance of financial aid. It colleges about which you (take the highest score of be displayed through your will ease the financial are serious. There are each section.) Personally, I application. Apply to early pressure in the long run. thousands of schools in the took the SAT twice and decision if you feel strongly Our guidance counselors world, but don’t let that prepared for it using Khan enough about a particular work tirelessly to ensure scare you. You will find a Academy, and I took the college, or wait until regular our happiness in the future. variety of schools and ACT once with absolutely admissions. Many things Plus, with Naviance, the inevitably find yourself no preparation beforehand. c a n i n fl u e n c e t h e application process is drawn to certain qualities. The options for preparing application process— made much simpler. Keep (You may apply to as few or and testing are limitless. In legacy, background, and in mind, these steps serve as many colleges as you the end, make sure you are more. Use it to your as a mere outline for wish; however, a number of satisfied with your scores, advantage. navigating high school with s o u r c e s w h o h a v e and take into consideration Get into college and regards to college. The g r a d u a t e d s u g g e s t 8 w h e t h e r o r n o t y o u r m a k e a d e c i s i o n . p r o c e s s m a y e n t a i l schools as a maximum. colleges will be satisfied Hopefully, all goes well, and numerous twists and turns, T h e a p p l i c a t i o n a n d with your scores. a t l e a s t o n e c o l l e g e but in order to ease some decision process is a long G e t L e t t e r s o f accepts you. Now is time to worry, use this as brief one, so don’t bog yourself Recommendation. This decide where you will guide.

(Continued from pg 1) there’s already the near Tea is the modern rendition Furthermore, it in fact also However, its place at same word for the same of ‘beans’ in the fact that is used when in reference number four only is due to meaning. you spill it. The term is in to a modern ‘burn’. So if the fact of it its overuse. It’s someone were to complain that purgatory between about another individual, it ironic and unironic, where is common to hear one yell you say it thinking that of tea, it being boiling or you’re kidding, but you do cold if intense. it enough that you no 1: Pop off - This last one is longer see it as so. Even the worst for the same Shane Dawson says it, so reason it exists: for a million don’t be too upset about it. different reasons. Popping 3: Litty - As if the word lit off may mean different wasn’t bad enough, the things to different people in GenZ kids refuse to rest different situations. It may and make a new adaptation be an angered fit, or of to the already anarchical wearing a nice outfit. It’s word. Litty is similar to the such a versatile word, that word ‘lit’ and holds the it’s terrible. It’s far too exact same meaning to the 2: Tea - I think that the r e f e r e n c e t o g o s s i p , vague and far too vain. Pick latter, but is extended into reason this is staged so low providing implications that a side, nobody knows if two syllables. To me, this is because it’s something you would like to know the you popping off was good makes no sense, seeing as I’ve said on a regular basis. drama in someone’s life. or bad and neither do you. 8 Fun Page 9