Volume 43 Issue 2 Student Newspaper Of Shaler Area High School November 2016 Bloodby Ceari Robinson drive and Addeline collects Devlin for others this record was a first amount of donationsfirst, the students register on the time experience. computer and answer questions. Shaler Area High School hosted a blood drive “A lot of people will These questions are for the blood Thursday November 3. The Central Blood Bank vis- hype it up but it is really bank only, just to reassure them that its twice a year giving students and teachers an op- not that bad. I would rec- donor’s blood is safe to use. Next, portunity to give blood which in turn is used to save ommend it because you the students move to the interview lives. save three lives every process. This is where the nurse Shaler Area has been holding blood drives for time so why not?” senior will draw a sample of your blood more than 20 years. This year, 153 people signed up Stephen Borgen said. and test it for iron, take your tem- to donate, which equates to potentially saving 500 Central Blood Bank perature and take your blood pres- lives. even offers scholarships sure. If cleared, a student moves to “I think the blood drive is going great, we are on to students who partici- the cot to donate. This part alone track to collect the most units we have ever gotten”, pate. For every donation, only takes about 10-15 minutes and Natalia Petrulli, the Central Blood Bank Account the school earns points then you get to sit and eat snacks. Manager, said during the drive. towards scholarship dol- There is always a need for In order to have donated, you had to be 17-years- lars, which can reach up blood, so taking an hour out of old or 16-years old with a parent permission slip. It is to $3000. your time can really help someone encouraged that you are in relatively good health the While there aren’t in need. day of the drive and weigh at least 110 lbs. many problems for do- “It really is a selfless act, it’s Donating blood should not be a terrifying experi- nors, nurses and staff are something little you can do that ence. Complications are not as common as they seem always prepared to help will actually make a difference. I as long as donors prepare beforehand. when needed. If some- encourage students to donate just “Hydrate and eat, first time donors need to pre- one is not feeling well or for that aspect, just give it a try even passes out, a nurse Senior Stephen Borgen shows off his shirt after once and if you prepare and do pare even two days before the drive. Start drinking donating blood (Ceari Robinson) water or Gatorade, stay away from the caffeine, and will assist him/her. Stu- what you need to do, you shouldn’t most importantly, get a good meal the day of. You dents will get a place to rest and something to eat or have any problems,” Jackley said. have to have substantial food in your body, otherwise drink. No donor is permitted to leave unless he/she The blood drive for this fall was an overall suc- it isn’t a good experience,” said Jackley. feels good enough to go back to class. cess. Potentially, more than 500 lives were saved be- Many students donate every chance they get, but The process of donating blood takes about an cause of the willingness and generosity of the high hour. Students are assigned a specific time to go. At school students and staff. Food drive nets over Readers’ Club sparks interest in books by allowing students to choose material 1,000 items for by Bridget Nickel & Ceari Robinson brary. Ideas such as the banned book display were pulled from Pinterest and club members themselves. The Readers’ Club started last school year by “It generated some interesting conversations. It local food pantry school librarian, Mrs. Kate Wilcox, is gaining popu- seems crazy now that a few of those same books that larity throughout the school. The idea for a Readers’ were once banned are now in our curriculum,” Mrs. by Shannon O’Leary & Club came to Mrs. Wilcox when she realized the li- Wilcox said. “But libraries have always, ALWAYS Maura Fisher brary’s immense fiction collection and continued to fought against any type of censorship, which is why see the same students checking out fiction books. I was especially excited to start the year off with Shaler Area’s annual fall food drive began on “I knew there had to be other kids here who liked Banned Books.” November 7. The donations were collected for reading, and I wanted to Students in the club one week of November 7-11. reach out to them too,” “The Readers’ Club members ... help set up a new display All donations were sent to the Bread of Life Wilcox said. read whatever they want, and each month, highlighting food pantry in Etna. The pantry is in need of kids The Readers’ Club different areas of interest. cereal, rice products, vegetables, boxed dinners, is different than any I think that’s the appeal. It’s October’s display focused baking needs, Jell-O, pudding, and salad dress- other book club. In- really about hanging out and on the horror genre. ing, but it will gratefully accept any kind of non- stead of all reading the The students in the perishable donation. same book, each mem- talking about great books.” club are excited about ber of the club reads his the displays that go on in During 9th period, donations were collected -- Mrs. Kate Wilcox in the Activities Office which kept track of the or her book of choice. the library and think it’s a donations in every class. At the end of the do- The club meetings are good way to promote all nation period, the class with the most donations for talking about what has been read and getting sug- of the books available in the library. was declared the winner. gestions about what to read next. “I think the displays are an interesting way in All 9th period classes were split into 2 di- “The Readers’ Club members don’t all read the describing different ideas and genres and a lot of visions: the large class and the small class. Mr same books like in a usual book club — they read people don’t know about the club. I haven’t really Seybert’s class won first place in the large class whatever they want, and I think that’s the appeal. contributed much yet, but I want to in order to utilize division and Mrs. Siedlecki’s took second. It’s really about hanging out and talking about great the materials and books that we have to make the In the small division, Ms. Susany’s class books. Realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, horror — best displays in order for people to want to read and took first and Ms. Noble’s class took second. everything, really. Nonfiction too,” Mrs. Wilcox said. learn,” junior Taylor Wolf said. Those four classes all received an invitation to a The club has generated a lot of interest and mem- Mrs. Wilcox has an idea for a future display for pizza party that will take place during 9th period bers enjoy how flexible and open the club is. the students in her club to write short, two to three of Friday, November 18th. “My favorite part is that we’re not forced to read sentence reviews to tape to the covers of books to al- The food drive at Shaler Area High School specific books. We get to read whatever we want and low other readers who happen to be browsing to get has been going on since as early as the 1980s and it’s what we like to read. This is the first book club a peer-reviewed snapshot of a book. it is a great opportunity for Shaler Area students. I’ve been in and I really like it,” senior Cora Viscomi The club started with under 20 members, but has to get involved and give back to those around said. grown to 30 members. Anyone is able to join at any them. Not only does the book club discuss books but given time. If interested, contact Mrs. Wilcox for sets up the intriguing displays in the front of the li- more information. Page 2 The Oracle November 2016 Greg Brown: from back-up mascot to voice of the Pirates Greg Brown has been doing play- Mike Lange and Steve Blass. I’d Post Gazette did a front page story on by-play for the Pittsburgh Pirates stand in the back of the booth, my “new” call and wanted to talk to since 1994. His calls such as “Raise watch them, and if they needed me about my “new” call. I told them the Jolly Roger” have become com- anything at all I’d pounce on it. I have been doing this for 10 years. monplace with baseball fans in Pitts- One day Mike came to me and Nobody at the time really knew it, but burgh. He visited The Oracle several said, “you know we got a double that’s what happens when you win. weeks ago for a interview. header next week kid and I’m Have you ever scripted a call Where did you grow up? Were not gonna do 18 innings so be when a big moment might happen? you a Pirates fan? ready.” The Pirates were play- I don’t write it down but I do When I was in high school I didn’t ing the New York Mets at Three think of the big moment.