HOOFBEATS December 2020
Mercer Middle Senior High School The 12 Days of MHS COVID Christmas By Savannah Bungar
HOOFBEATS For the 12 days of Christmas Mercer High School gave to me: Volume 52, 12 moist masks Inside this issue: 11 cancelled school events 10 days off for Christmas break Holiday Cookie 4 9 new water fountains Countdown 8 hours at my computer Holiday Polls 10 7 day quarantine 6 feet apart From the 6-7 5 Google meets Horse’s Mouth 4 Nearpod assignments 3 COVID cases 15 Minutes of 2 Fame 2 classmates who went cyber And a Chromebook after break
HOOFBEATS says GOODBYE 2020! Page 2
Ava Godfrey Cole Doolin Least favorite rein- Favorite Christmas deer: Dancer movie: The Grinch Favorite holiday tra- Favorite kind of dition: Going to my Christmas cookie: aunt’s The one with the Her- Cole Doolin White Christmas or shey kiss in the middle tropical Christmas: Were you able to White maintain your Hot chocolate or Hot grades during the cocoa: Hot chocolate Jake Mattocks remote learning: Cayla Caruso Favorite Christmas Yes, most of my movie: Elf Are you athletic or grades went up Favorite book: Truly Least favorite Christ- are you just tall: Build a snowman Devious by Maureen mas song: Feliz Navidad Tall or go sled riding: Johnson 4th of July or Christ- Favorite Christmas Go sled riding Favorite holiday mas: Christmas Bop: “Winter Won- What are you look- movie: Home Alone Favorite thing to do derland” ing forward to the If you were on a de- when it snows: Snow- Hot Chocolate or most in the new serted island, what board Frozen Hot Choco- year: Get lots of three things would Christmas Eve or late: Regular money you take: Book, food New Year’s Eve: Do you have a Favorite rein- truck, and TV Christmas Eve perm: “No” deer: Dasher Sets of glasses you Almonds or cashews: Worst Christmas Favorite holiday have broken: Almonds gift: Socks tradition: Watching 4 Peppermint or What Christmas Rudolph on Christmas Least favorite holi- chocolate: Chocolate themed ballet Eve day: St. Patrick’s Day premiered in Saint Basketball or wres- What is your pre- Dream college to Petersburg, Russia tling: Basketball diction for Super attend: Columbia in 1892: Muppets Bowl LIV: Steelers Favorite Christmas Favorite TikTok winning it all sound: “It’s like a re- Cookie: Peanut but- ter blossoms ward.” Favorite winter What’s your dream activity: Basketball job: New York Times Did you enjoy re- journalist mote learning: Favorite Christmas “Heck Yeah” gift you’ve received: Do you enjoy the Laptop snow: “Only if it’s What’s the movie yellow” you quote the most: Best Christmas Diary of a Wimpy Kid: movie: The Grinch Rodrick Rules Real or artificial Least favorite mov- tree: Real ie: Elf Page 3
New Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Hile, Health & Physical Education By Swade Shipton What’s your favorite part of your job: Teach- ing where I went to school Do you enjoy your job: Yes Did you always want to return to Mercer to be a gym teacher: Yes Where did you go to college at: Edinboro Where did you work before Mercer: Summit Academy How did Covid affect your classes: Masks made the kids get tired faster Favorite winter activity: Sled riding What made remote learning difficult for Mr. Hile is ready with you: There was not enough interaction with stu- his dodgeball if Santa thinks dents he’s skipping by MHS. Favorite Christmas song: None Real or artificial tree: Real
Heap of the Month By Savannah Bungar
This 2005 Buick Rendezvous, owned by the one and only Aidan Bright, has been through everything. When the car was first purchased it was a family car. Now it has been passed down to Emily Bright, who bestowed it upon Aidan as a family heirloom. This Buick has failed inspection twice, but no wor- ries; mechanic Harrison Murray always fixes it right in time to pass! In this past year, it saw three minor accidents and five tickets by local law enforcement. The fenders Aidan shows from the junkyard and the minor imperfections are off the what makes this beauty aesthetically pleasing. Bright Rendezvous stated, “she’s clapped,” meaning she is destroyed but she still runs. Page 4
Top Ten Holiday Cookie Countdown By Ryanne Moore-Michaels
“A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand” -Barbara Johnson
10. Oatmeal Raisin: An oatmeal-based dough with raisins throughout the mix.
9. Peanut Butter Blossoms: Soft peanut butter cookies rolled in sugar and topped with a Hershey kiss.
8. Gingerbread Cookies: Soft and chewy cookies with the perfect amount of molasses and Christmas in each bite.
7. Sugar Cookies: The most elegant and buttery blend of dough and sugar.
6. No-Bake Cookies: Although many things can be used to make these the common no-bake cookies are made from oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate.
5. Ginger Snap Cookies: A sugar coated cookie that gets its chewy texture and spicy flavor from adding brown sugar, molasses, and ground spices to the batter.
4. Snickerdoodles: Perfect texture and sweet sugar-cinnamon coating.
3. Thumbprint cookies: These cookies can be made with multiple different flavors. They can be filled with frosting or jams.
2. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: A chocolate cookie with an irresistible brownie center topped with powdered sugar.
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies: “One of the best things in life… warm chocolate chip cookies”
Page 5
“Quality Products, Outstanding Customer Service” 75 McQuiston Dr. Jackson Center, PA 724-662-0880
Mercer VFW Wilbur Rhodes Post #6345 Page 6
Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: What are you looking forward to in 2021? Middle School Freshmen Sophomores
Owen Hess: Possible Lily Erwin: Vacation Josi Herron: More vaccine Isabella Smith: For people events Colton Deniker: No to take me more seriously Jocelyn Minner: Attack masks Abigail Christy: Buying on Titans season 4 Asa Davis: Enjoying Harry Potter items Maddy Vernam: More summer break Stephen Zsembik: To get traveling opportunities Colton Davis: A new taller Paige Spangler: Get- year Skieler Pompeo: Nothing ting my license Evan Julock: Not at all Rhiannon Sines: New having to wear a mask Lexie Walker: To be a Season of All American Ashlynn Hecka- better person Jake Burk: Eating yellow thorn: Sports Daemyin Mattocks: snow Rieyn Lohr: A little Breathing fresh air Claire Dubrasky: Get- bit of warm weather Morgan Miller: Yuri On Ice ting my license Alyssa Kowal: movie Abby Parish: New sea- School ending Claire Brown: AAU bas- son of Riverdale Madeline Jewell: ketball Willow Myers: Hope- Summer Madison Herron: For fully finding a man Leah Krouse: Hang- 2020 to be over Grace Johnston: Not ing out with my cous- Seth Sturgin: Next hunt- being a sophomore ins ing season Jake Mattocks: Driving Matthew Ellen- Bryson McKean: Sports Lindsey Pearce: Going berger: COVID ends seasons to the Outer Banks Maddie Finley: Braden Balaski: The end Lillian Davis: Summer Sports of basketball Abby Redmond: The Cameron Grundy: Aspen Warner: Getting a musical Good football team girlfriend Jacqui McDonald: Jacob Hustead: Phoebe Eakman: Peace Driver’s license NFL/ Steelers Donald Lantz: A normal Ainslee Konkle: New Jonah Dadich: Vac- day Harry Styles album cine for COVID McKenzie Weber: A nor- Nathan Haines: Driv- Laura Davis: Seeing mal sleep schedule ing cousins Chris Borowicz: The har- Alexa Graul: Spring Dakota Eilam: My vest soccer birthday Cole Cunningham: Teach- Ally Rynd: Getting my Hailey Doolin: No ing a person about football permit more rona by punting them through the Matthew Jewell: Xbox Shira Elbaz: Softball field goal Series X season Audrey Allen: Buying Payton Boots: Driving more things Page 7
Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: What are you looking forward to in 2021? Juniors Seniors Staff Breanna Griffith: Gina Smith: Not being a Mrs. Santom: Not having Summer trainwreck to wear a mask Ellie Shipton: Finish- Greg Flockerzi: College Mr. Schmid: Going to ing off the year with Jayme Heffern: Gradua- craft shows better grades tion Mr. Morris: It not being Woody Nickel: Next Ryanne Michaels: Going 2020 deer season to a concert Mrs. Oates: New begin- Katelyn Amon: All Mackenzie Baker: Grad- nings American Season 3 uation Mrs. Mild: Anything better Kiera Johnson: Being Maddie Laughlin: Col- than this done with Calculus lege Mr. Rust: No more dia- Solange Elbaz: All MacKenzie Meyer: pers American Season 3 Graduating Mr. Chess: Return to nor- Rebekah Fortenber- Emma Taborek: Col- mal ry: Chaos Walking lege Mrs. Lanciotti: COVID comes out Peyton Miller: Leaving being over Delaney Fisher: En- Mercer Mrs. McCracken: Exiting joying summer and Savannah Bungar: A the year 2020 hanging out with my new president Miss Phillips: Live music friends Lilly Roman: College Mrs. Ross: Going to the Colson Minshull: Rebecca Feilke: Meeting beach Cyber school new people at college Miss Giles: Prom Ethan Wiley: Football Allie Laughlin: Graduat- Mr. Myers: Not 2020 Dom Pugh: A new ing Mrs. Watson: Retirement house Connor Howard: Col- Mrs. Washil: No masks Camron Weather- lege Mrs. Walzer: New chap- holt: Being a senior Max Puskar: Change and ter Jake Hetrick: New seeing what we learn from Mrs. Wamboldt: Seeing movies COVID more family and friends Kaylee Greene: My Caleb Turton: College Mrs. Bello: Grandbabies cat’s 2nd birthday Emily Basco: Graduating or a puppy Kiley Kennis: Summer Amanda Bish: College Mr. Reese: Basketball sea- Tyler DeLorenzo: boys son French trip to Quebec Swade Shipton: “Put Mr. Mausser: New shoes Ross Hesselgesser: what the person above me Mr. DeGraaf: Retirement Any theater to open said” Mr. Gadsby: COVID back up Cayla Caruso: College ending Luke Krouse: Change Colette Brown: A posi- tive future Page 8
Best Recent Holiday Movies By Cayla Caruso and Lilly Roman Anna Kendrick stars in Noelle as Noelle Kringle, daughter of Santa Claus. After Santa Claus’s untimely death, Nick Kringle is to take over the role of Santa Claus for the upcoming year. Noelle is in charge of distributing Christmas spirit and tries to help Nick as he is struggling with the training to become Santa Claus. Noelle suggests to take the weekend off to relax and clear his mind. Nick Kringle doesn’t return the following weekend, and Christmas is nearing. To save the holidays Noelle goes on a search to find him. To see if she was able to save Christmas, finish the film on Disney+. We rate this movie a 4 out of 5 gingerbread men because of the uncertainty of finding Santa.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is focused around the character Jeronicus Jangle who is the owner of Jangle and Things. His latest invention is Don Juan Diego, a matador doll. Diego convinces the shop apprentice, Gustafson, to get back at Jeronicus by stealing his inventions book. The shop falls through, and Gustafson cre- ates his own factory. The two shop owners continue their rivalry until one decides to give it up. This full movie is available on Net- flix. We rate this movie 5 out of 5 gingerbread men for the inter- esting plot and captivating characters.
Holiday Rush is a movie about a single dad, Rush, who runs a radio show and spoils his four kids endlessly. When Rush unexpectedly los- es his job right before Christmas, he and his children have to learn to let go of their luxurious life and embrace the little things. As they move back to their old home and life, the family gains a new perspec- tive on life and appreciation. We rate this movie 5 out of 5 ginger- bread men for a heartwarming storyline. You can check this film out on Netflix.
The recently released romantic comedy, Let It Snow, follows Julie Reyes and her unexpected relationship with pop star, Stuart Bale. Af- ter Stuart mistakes Julie as paparazzi, he joins her for lunch to apolo- gize. She quickly opens up to him about her recent home struggles and college acceptances. The two grow close with their family bonds. Meanwhile, Tobin plans to tell his best friend, Angie, that he likes her. Both are invited to a party where Tobin plans to confess his love. The two couples grow together and spend the holidays together. The film is available on Netflix. We rate this movie 4 out of 5 gingerbread be- cause of the multiple plot lines and developed characters. Page 9
Two incredible movies that came out in recent years are The Princess Switch and The Princess Switch: Switched Again. These movies revolve around a duchess, Stacy de Novo, and a small- town baker, Olivia Richards. Although they have never met, they are related and look like twins. In the heat of the moment, the two decide to switch lives three days before Christmas. Stacy becomes a small town girl, and Olivia gets to be a duch- ess engaged to a prince! After the switch, love complicates things. Watch to find out if they can switch back in time for Christmas! We rate this movie 4 out of 5 gingerbread cookies because of the suspense.
The Christmas Chronicles and The Christmas Chronicles 2 stories revolve around Teddy and Kate Pierce, a brother and sister, who plan to catch Santa Claus on camera. When the plan goes awry, the two siblings are stuck in the back of Santa’s sleigh. Together they help Santa save Christmas from multiple disas- ters! The story of the siblings continues in The Christmas Chron- icles 2. We rate this series 3.5 out of 5 gingerbreads!
Operation Christmas Drop introduces Erika, a congressional assistant in Washington, D.C., who skips her family Christmas to go to an Air Force base under her boss’s orders. There, she meets an Air Force Captain named Andrew who shows her how they airlift goods to the citizens of Guam. Erika and An- drew learn the true meaning of Christmas and fall in love. We rate this movie 3 out of 5 gingerbread men because it’s a little cheesy.
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish is a holiday take on the be- loved story, Cinderella. Kat is a singer and writer who is work- ing as an elf to make some extra money. The boss’s son, Domi- nic, is the handsome new Santa at her job. When Dominic sees Kat perform in her elf “disguise,” he is smitten with her. As they become closer to one another, Kat struggles with whether she should reveal her identity or not. Her stepmother and evil step- sisters try to step in the way of her multiple times. To see what happens at the end, watch this Christmas tale on Netflix! We rate this movie a 5 out of 5 gingerbread men. Page 10 Hoofbeats Holiday Polls
Which holiday movie do you prefer?
Which is your favorite holiday cookie?
Which type of lights do you prefer?
Which type of tree do you prefer?
Which type of tree topper do you prefer? Hoofbeats thanks our sponsors!
Ace Hardware Newton Financial Services Armstrong Insurance VFW Post 6345 International Timber and Veneer For information on sponsoring Hoofbeats: [email protected] Hoofbeats Staff Senior Editors Feature Staff Feature Staff Feature Staff Savannah Bungar Amanda Bish Macie McCracken Lindsey Pearce Cayla Caruso Carson Filer Ryanne Moore- Alex Schuster Kenzie Meyer Aubree Mathieson Michaels Ethan Wiley Lilly Roman Harrison Murray Swade Shipton