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The Students’ Newspaper of Neshaminy High School Volume 80 Issue 5 February 14, 2012 www.playwickian.com 2001 Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, Pa. 19047 Neshaminy presents ‘Phantom’ By Shealyn Miles News Editor

NEWS FLASH On Feb. 8 students stole the spotlight, taking the legendary “Phantom of the Opera” to the Neshaminy stage. From the performances right down to the incredible atmosphere, students proved they were FCS Receives Nutrition Grant worthy of such a diffi cult production. “A lot of work was put into this The Family and Consumer Science production, it was the most difficult Department’s Nutrition Program role I’ve ever had to play,” senior Grace received the Consumer Wellness Sweeney, who plays Carlotta said. Center’s Nutrition Grant of $2000 for Indeed, this particular play had been the third consecutive year. The grant is a step up in the level of emotion and currently being funded for the 2011-2012 outstanding vocals from the cast. Students school year from applicants all over the kept their professionalism throughout country. Neshaminy was selected once the entire performance, wowing even the again due to the thorough reporting in many original “Phantom” fans. previous years that contributed to the Perhaps it was the prestigious props on-line CWC Natural Newsletter. that were utilized. Some of which included the boat that actually moved Annual Food Drive Begins Christine and the Phantom across the stage, the mirror in which the Phantom Interact and Gym Night have teamed stole Christine away in, and who could up again this year with a food drive. forget the chandelier that hung high on Non-perishable foods will be collected the ceiling, crashing down in spite of the between Feb. 22 and March 1 in the Phantom’s rage? Art Gallery located across from the “The most rewarding part of doing main offi ce. All cans will benefi t the these plays is when the curtains open, and blue team, while all boxes will benefi t you realize that we all worked together the red team. Whichever team with the Raul (Chris Perugini) sings with Christine played by Megan McArdle in Neshaminy’s to put on this production,” sophomore most items on March 1 at 2:14 p.m. will Feb. 8 - 11 production of “Phantom of the Opera” in the Kloos Auditorium. Samantha Fario who plays Christine, be awarded a point going towards their said. Gym Night total. Photo/ Jess Lykon See Phantom pg 2 After 4 years Superintendent Muenker retires Now we must focus more on student achievement and classroom instruction,” McGee By Kathryn Kochanowicz stated in an email sent to staff. Staff Writer Muenker has learned a lot from his experiences as superintendent. “It’s a huge responsibility because you are overseeing the instruction of all students, employees, The Neshaminy School District Superintendent Dr. Louis Muenker recently and the budget for the district,” Muenker said. “It requires dedication and realization, announced his retirement after four years in the leadership position. it’s a 24/7 responsibility, there is no set work time for me. I have to be ready to attend Muenker has been working faithfully and diligently in the district for 21 years. to any problems at anytime.” He started in 1990 at Herbert Hoover Elementary as the guidance counselor. Over There are problems in the district. “Whenever you have a change in leadership, the years he has been assistant principal at Poquessing Middle School, a Walter you must take the steps necessary to acclimate them to the job. You must convey to Miller principal, the Pupil Services Director, director of human resources, and fi nally them the challenges ahead, such as the labor union situation,” Meunker said. Superintendent of Schools. No one knows yet who the next superintendent will be; it’s far too early to know. This prompts the question of who will be taking his place. “No one knows yet “In all likelihood, there will be a posting, the school board will screen the applicants, who will be the next superintendent, it’s been posted, and there are always rumors, and then invite the best qualifi ed for an interview,” Muenker stated. but nothing has happened yet,” Principal Dr. Rob McGee said. Some of the qualifi cations for being superintendent are that you must hold a Tension has been running high in the district, as we are all aware, “Muenker has led diploma from a college or university approved by the Department of Education, six us through a very diffi cult time here at Neshaminy. I wish him well in his retirement, years of successful teaching experience and not less than three years in supervisory and I’m glad that he will be enjoying the time with his family. Its comforting to know or administrative capacity. that he will always be only a phone call away, ” McGee added. Muenker is looking forward to retirement after dedicating his whole life to the But don’t worry folks, “I am eligible for the position, but I am not considering fi eld of education. “It hasn’t quite hit me yet, I’ve been working in education for 38 it. There is still much work to do at NHS. We have rebuilt the building and made years, and I haven’t yet processed the reality of what’s happening. But I’m sure it signifi cant improvements in the student climate. Student and parent satisfaction is up. will be wonderful.”

News Special Features Sports NHS teams up with Sunlogics Love Lines 8A-9A Neshaminy athletes celebrate 2A college signings 15A Op-Ed Student Life Entertainment Necessity of PSSA requirements Neshaminyalumni releases Senior Jacqueline Riccardi questioned 5A acoustic EP 7a dances and sings 12A Page 2A The Playwickian News February 14,2012 District and Sunlogics enter a solar contract By Melanie Matyi Other schools around the country have already employed this money-saving News Editor teaching-tool. With the addition of solar panels an Arizona school district was able to produce Neshaminy School District voted at the school board meeting on Jan. 24 to team 70% of their power. Buckeye School District installed the panels for reasons similar up with Sunlogics in a 20 year solar power contract. Solar panels will be installed to Neshaminy. upon the roofs of Maple Point and Neshaminy High School courtesy of Sunlogics. “This addition will play an important role in meeting the district’s electricity “Installation is free,” facilities and operations director, Paul Minotti stated. needs and will serve as an educational tool for our students to learn about solar energy “They provide solar panels and we buy the power at a set price which should be cheaper production,” Dr. Beverly Hurley, superintendent stated to the Phoenix Business than the PECO price,” he continued. Journal. Although there are too many lurking variables to perfectly estimate the district’s New York City public schools have joined the ranks of environmentally friendly potential energy costs—therefore hindering their ability to estimate savings—solar schools that stand to reap great benefi ts. Not only does the installation of solar panels energy prices are lower than normal electric prices and are expected to continue falling cleanly produce electricity at a drastically reduced cost but they could also produce according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. jobs. “The key is we know how many kilowatts we use a year. With a set price we will “Solar energy installations and public schools are a perfect match. This is an idea know how much to budget for power costs,” Minotti said. whose time has come—a cost-effective, sensible program that will create jobs, lower Neshaminy is confi dent that the twenty year contract does not overreach the rapidly energy bills and save tax dollars for decades to come,” Manhattan Borough President progressing technologies available or the predictable rates of energy. “An engineering Scott M. Stringer said in a report. fi rm looked at the concept. They thought it was good,” Minotti stated. According to an analysis by the advocacy organization, New Energy New York, Because solar panels are installed on roofs, any roofs with questionable conditions solar installations on New York’s City’s public school roofs could create an estimated will be fi xed by the company at no cost to the school district. At this time only the 5,423 “green collar jobs.” roofs of the high school and Maple Point will be utilized, as they consume the most In entering a contract with Sunlogics, Neshaminy is not only aiding themselves power making them the most cost effective locations. through reduced costs but also supporting technological advancements. As Sunlogics Therefore there are other benefi ts involved. “The project will be educational for is an international company focused on partnering with corporations, they focus on students. The solar panels will become a teaching tool of how the sun is turned into innovation. This partnership thrusts Neshaminy into the ever changing innovative electric power,” Minotti explained. world—a patron of technology. PHANTOM: hard work pays off in successful production Continued from page 1 Anonymous reacts to Working from late November on, after school every day, and even on some Saturdays, everyone put in a lot of their time, all for a total of fi ve performances. Leading roles even came to rehearse during the two weeks of strike among the Mega Upload shutdown teachers. database, stealing credit card information “I would like to thank the students for their dedication to the show. The cast By Jackie Henry and other sensitive details,” and company made sure that rehearsals ran non-stop since the end of November and Copy Editor Although the SOPA bill is still being that helped make our show more refi ned and polished,” Kristen Nichols, director, debated, the general public believes that said. Hacking group Anonymous has the bill will strangle and limit the Internet, Both the cast and crew set high expectations for next year’s production, and recently hacked multiple company therefore creating online protests like Neshaminy wishes them luck, thanking them for their devotion to bringing these websites in protest of the bill called the “blackout” and stolen credit card productions to life. SOPA, or the Stop Online Piracy Act. information. Even though SOPA has not yet beene According to www.cbsnews.com, “On passed, government still decidedd JJan. 18 websites like Wikipedia Republican Presidential to shut down www.megaupload. and Reddit staged a blackout com because of copyrighted of their sites to protest SOPA material. and PIPA. Google joined the Candidates’ Profi les On Jan. 19, many company protest by blacking out their By Meaghan Breitkreutz famous logo for a day,” Managing Editor websites were hacked by Anonymous such as Universal Other countries are now following the United States’ For the 2012 Presidential elections, there are four candidates who are all running Music, the Recording Industry Association of America and the lead by trying to pass bills front runners for the Republican nomination which will be voted on by state delegates similar to SOPA, but they too are at the Republican National Convention in August. Those four candidates are Mitt U.S. Department of Justice. Mega Upload shared files getting the same negative feedback Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum. These candidate profi les only from people on the internet. Ironically, scratch the surface of each candidate. For more information about the Republican through the internet whether they were copyrighted or not; some fi les included on February 3, Anonymous also hacked candidates, you can visit 2012.republican-candidates.org or visit each candidate’s a 16 minute conference call between offi cial campaign website. music and movies. After shutting down Mega Upload, the FBI, or Federal Bureau the Federal Bureau of Investigation and of Investigation, charged seven people foreign law enforcement agencies who who were supposedly running Mega were talking about cyber piracy. Upload for allowing pirated copyrighted Anonymous wasn’t happy about the material on their website. Mega Upload shutdown so they reacted After the shut down of Megaupload. by hacking several websites involved in com, Anonymous quickly responded protest of SOPA. Even if the bill is still by attacking several websites; some under debate the U.S. government and company websites that went offl ine were companies supporting the bill should Ron Paul - US Representative from Newt Gingrich - Former Speaker Universal Music, the U.S. Copyright prepare for more protesting and rebellion the State of Texas of the House Offi ce, roadcast Music Inc. and the Motion against SOPA. -Anti-Abortion -For stricter border control and for Border Picture Association. The FBI website Artwork/Kristen Haines -Opposes Death Penalty fence was on the target list, -Supports legalization of Marijuana -Anti-Abortion but Anonymous could -Believes outsourcing jobs to other -Against legalizing gay marriage only partially shut the countries will be good for America -Against legalization of Marijuana website down; it was -Does not believe the US should continue -Against federal tax increases still operational in the to build a physical barrier along the US- -Does not believe wealthiest 1% should West Coast. Mexico border be taxed more heavily Soon after the attack Anonymous announced on their Twitter that they were behind the “blackout” of websites in order to protest the SOPA bill. One of the tweets said, “The government takes Mitt Romney - Former Governor Rick Santorum - Former US down #Megaupload? of Massachusetts Senator from Pennsylvania 15 minutes later -Opposes Stem Cell Research -Against gay marriage #Anonymous takes -Supports the death penalty as a legal -Opposes Stem Cell Research down government option in America -Anti-abortion and Partial abortion does & record label sites. -Believes sex ed in schools should be not agree with Obamacare #ExpectUs,” based on abstinence only -Supports establishment of Employment Acording to www. -Does not agree with 2010 federal health Verifi cation System venturebeat.com, care reform laws agrees that the US should continue to “ Anonymous also -Supports more physical barriers along build a physical barrier along US-Mexico recently made headlines US-Mexico border border for hacking into -Against legalization of gay marriage -Social Security should be privatized Stratfor’s website and February 14, 2012 The Playwickian Student Life Page 3A History of legend Philadelphia LOVE Park By Noel Dodson Park has a special event such as “the to enjoy skating on June 21 every year. The LOVE Park has become a Staff Writer Christmas Village,” They decorate the Also, skateboarders take every chance national, well known site that is cherished whole park with lights and little Christmas they can to skate in the LOVE Park and most prized procession in the city of The LOVE Park started out as a trees, and play Christmas music. because of the famous people who visited Philadelphia. drawing, which lead to a skateboarding “It’s a fun experience, you feel as the park. central, and is now known as one of if you have just been where thousands Also, another historical attraction Philadelphia’s most cherished spaces. of other people have been,” sophomore would be “the big water fountain, it’s so Numerous people from around the world Isaiah Flores said. beautiful,” Amber Clark said. travel to visit this site as well as the beauty The LOVE Park used to be a very The water fountain catches many eyes around it. popular park to skateboard at on Skate and one purchase LOVE miniature items “I’d go with my mom or boyfriend, if Day. Throughout the years, people there to remember the visit there. I ever had one,” freshman Brittany Rogers have argued that the park should allow This beautiful and attracting site was said. skateboarding. It’s still a battle to this built in the 1960s as John F. Kennedy The LOVE Park is for anyone and day. plaza. The park’s curving stairs and anybody that appreciates love and adores “Skate Day is a cool opportunity to fountain were designed to improve the being surrounded by a lot of different get a chance to skate in the LOVE Park City Hall. As well as, skateboarders people. In the summer and near Christmas because you’re skating in places where thought the park was an ideal which is when the LOVE Park becomes most other famous people have too,” freshman helped attracted young teenagers. The popular. Kyle Roedel said. LOVE Park mostly stands for more During Christmas time, the LOVE Skateboarders around the world come professional proof then a playground. Photo/Courtesy of www.visitphilly.com Spanish mentor, leader Huhn es muy fantástico! Huhn took Spanish classes all through how many people have hardships and that asks herself: would I want to be a student out high school and continued to take them everyone is struggling with something,” in my own class? when she enrolled in Penn State, however Huhn said. She does her best to help “I try to challenge my students one it didn’t occur to her that her passion for students become respectable citizens and step beyond their comfort zone. If you teaching combined with her desire to make each of their days better than the push them too hard, they’ll get frustrated be with kids would ultimately result in next. and give up. If you don’t push them By Kylie Winkler becoming a high school Spanish teacher. Since teaching high school, Huhn has enough, they get bored. It’s all about Copy Editor During college she gradually realized that seen how funny every student is in their trying to fi nd just the right balance,” Huhn that was the best career choice for her. own unique way. “I love my job. I can said. Rhian Huhn is not just a World Fresh out of college, Huhn received honestly say I belly laugh every single When she’s not at school teaching Language teacher here at Neshaminy, but her fi rst teaching job in the Neshaminy day,” Huhn said. She admires the fact students or helping them at SAP, you can th un amigo to many students and staff at the School District. This year marks her 10 that she doesn’t have to ‘baby’ students, be sure to see this die-hard Penn State high school. Helping out and being there year of teaching. She has taught Spanish she can talk to them like adults. fan cheering at football games. In the for students at all times, it’s hard to picture classes 1 through 4. But teaching classes “If you’re lucky enough to have summer she loves to relax on the beach her not being a teacher, but she didn’t isn’t the only thing Huhn provides the Senora as a teacher, you fi nd that she with her family and friends, go shopping, always know that’s what she wanted to school with. becomes less of a teacher and more of a and decorate her house. pursue. She is an active member in the SAP friend. You can tell she genuinely cares “Make as many connections as In high school, Huhn was super team. Student Assistance Program that about each and every one of her students,” possible in high school. Teachers, friends, studious, she would even be nervous to help students in the district with personal junior, Jeanie Murray explained, her clubs, its all about exploring, fi nding what come to school if she didn’t complete her problems. Her empathy, compassion, and former student. you’re interested in at following it,” Huhn homework. Being the excellent student advice she gives students tremendously Before she makes up lesson plans, she advises. she was, she thought about her future and helps them get through the hard times they always pictured working with kids, but are facing. wasn’t sure if teaching was the right job “[Teaching] has made me recognize for her. Dancing to prime level proceeds to The Wet Nose Rescue to help abandoned, homeless, rescued puppies right here in our community” Adviser, Melissa Catrambone said, “We are very lucky to work with a group that are so talented and selfl ess.” By Tiffany McMahon The Neshaminy Dance Team builds Circulation Editor connections among staff and students; students and students; staff and staff; Neshaminy High Schools dance team as well as school and community. It is a club that was formed off of challenge capitalizes on current positive trends of day. Through dance, the team aims to inclusion, diversity, student and staff break down racial barriers and stereotypes empowerment, etc. and create a team that works together to Captains Marissa Cassel, Shaunta create understanding through diversity. Wright and Sabrina Matles have been Enseñar es divertido!: During her Spanish 3 class, spanish teacher Rhian Huhn and Dance team is ran by Melissa leading these girls and boys throught their Catrambone and Kimberly Kelley have junior Matt Hoelzle quizzically analyze the basics of the imperfect tense. successful performances this year. Photo/Molly K. Lichtner been giving astonishing performances “Everyone’s so great and willing to work this year and past. The years before the for it,” Junior, Marissa Cassel said, “they dance team would perform at events like March 13, 14, 15 really work hard and deserve all the credit Math and Reading PSSA testing Powder Puff and Challenge Day but this for each and every performances.” current year the also have been performing “It’s not easy,” Junior, Devon April 5, 6 at basketball games. Mazzanti said, “but it feels so good after “We have Neshaminy Idol in Spring Break every performance, to know we went out No School March where the team will donate their Feb. 20 there and gave it our all.” Presidents Day Everyone is looking No School Rotary Club forward to future performances Students of the Month from the dance team this March 2, 3 year. Gym Night 2012 January More than life: For these Fred Gerst Gymnasium three girls, dancing is thier 6:30 p.m. - Fri. and Sat. night James Cooper 12 p.m. - Sat. afternoon passion. Sophmore Sabrina Feasterville

Matles, junior Marissa Cas- March 16 sell, and junior Shunta Wright Sophomore Dinner Dance Brad Johnson have been dancing for the King’s Caterer’s Langhorne dance team all through high 6 p.m. February school. Dance is a love that someone can carry in their March 23 Freshman Formal Megan Romberger lives forever. Fred Gerst Gymnasium Feasterville Photo/Courtesy of Yearbook 6 p.m. Page 4A The Playwickian OP-ED Feburary 14, 2012

TThehe PPlaywickianlaywickian

2001 Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA 19047 www.playwickian.com Editorial Board Editor In Chief Josh Reznik

Managing Editor Who do you have a crush on? Meaghan Breitkreutz Teachers deserve safety

Business Editor Jon Mettus in the work place The students of Neshaminy High School may not agree on what News Editors is a “fair” contract for the teachers, however they do come together Melanie Matyi and to support the safety of their educators. Teachers are role models to most students and if they are not able to express their beliefs without Shealyn Miles Sophomore Danielle Sophomore Ashlee fear of being harassed or shunned then they will not be able to do Donolon Burns OP-ED Editors their jobs to the best of their ability. The students and members of “Channing Tatum.” “Isaiah Flores.” Brielle Ballantine and the community can express their opinions and utilize their freedom Reed Hennessy of speech; this unalienable right should be upheld for the teachers as well. Who would you dress up as cupid? Student Life Editors Historically unions were created to protect hard working Christina Harman and employees against the power of their employer during the middle Rachel Rotteveel nineteenth century. Unions fought for improved working conditions and better wages. These revolutionary groups transformed the Special Features Editors working class and started the labor movement. Unions began with Katelyn Begley and good intentions however, over the years some of them became Junior Meaghan Junior Stavros Athana- Marissa Silverman almost as corrupt and controlling as the corporate leaders which they opposed. Schickling siadis “Kesha.” “Kurt.” Entertainment Editors The rumored intimidation used by modern labor unions is--if If you were a pizza what would your toppings be? Tyler Kichenman and the rumors are in fact reality--is a sad and disturbing measure to Francesca Mancino take in an effort to achieve success and maintain solidarity within bargaining negotiations. Solidarity is an important part of the Sports Editors negotiating process; however solidarity can also drive a party to a Samantha Pipe and less-ideal end. Mason Shope The days of union intimidation are over and should be put behind us, in the rear view mirror. The mission of a union can be Freshman Madison Sophomore Genaya Contributing Editor accomplished through negotiations between the two parties that stand Karcher Barker Juliette Rihl at odds with each other. David Ferrara, a teacher at Neshaminy High “Plain.” “I would have sausage.” School wrote a letter to members of the NFT describing the union Literary Editor as using terror and fear tactics. He accuses the NFT of keying cars, Lexi Rotunno slashing tires, placing nails in tires, breaking windows, and even friend’s late sister sending death threats. was diagnosed with Photography Editors These are only rumors but it is very coincidental that after writing cancer over the Lauren Driscoll, Randi Durkin, this letter his car’s tires were slashed. Again these are only rumors, holiday, Gaskins Molly K. Lichtner and Jess not confi rmed reports or allegation against the NFT. According to wanted to help. He Lykon the School Board policy 347, it is the policy of the Board of School decided to grow out Directors to maintain a working environment free from harassment his hair and donate it Archives Editor and discrimination. to the girl. Jack Haines Rob McGee the head principal of Neshaminy High School However, the said “We have reported this incident to the authorities and they are strict school policies’ working to fi gure out exactly what happened and get both sides of Art Editors restricts him from the story.” doing this. “The Colleen Gallagher, Kristen Whether or not the content of Ferrara’s letter is true or not, it policy requires male Haines and Brad Johnson is irrelevant. The safety of teachers has obviously been threatened and according to the School Board policy it is their responsibility to Circulation Editors keep a safe working environment for our teachers “Locks of Love is a pub- Tiffany McMahon and This unsigned editorial represents the majority lic non-profi t organization that provides hairpieces to fi nancially disadvan- Ashley Titler taged children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from view of the editorial board. any diagnosis.” ~ Locksofl ove.org Photo courtesy/ Locksofl ove.org Copy Editors Aidan Coleman and Selfl ess act by cancer survivor Kylie Winkler cause suspension from school students to keep their hair clean, neat off of the collar,” reports detriotnews.com. Because he’s being forced out of school, he Adviser By Stephanie Harvey Staff Writer must transfer to a public school unless the school board decides Tara Huber to override the policy. Staff Writers How would you feel if you were suspended from school for wanting to donate your hair to children without hair? This is exactly Gaskins is planning not to cut his hair and many people are sticking Alexandra Amato, Adel Atta, Selina Borden, by his side. According to detriotnews.com Gaskins mom, Christa Anna Briese, Austin Bucci, Madison Buffardi, what happened to leukemia survivor J. T. Gaskins, a senior from Jessica Bussmann, Natalie Caruso, Nick Cherry, Michigan. He was suspended from his charter for breaking dress Plante said, "I'm seeing J.T. become stronger and stronger standing Zach Citara, Erin Coyle, Julie Darden, Noel code regulations by growing his hair to donate to Locks of Love. up for his beliefs. I'm so proud of him for what he's doing, and Dodson, Matinque Dunbar, Courtney Duncan, together we're going to keep fi ghting for people who are facing Chelsea Dunlap, Ryan Erney, Matthew Farrell, Locks of Love is a great organization for cancer patients Vincent Frazzetto, Tarek Glaze, Sarah Grudza, especially children. Gaskins hair is already to long for school policies this terrible disease. This isn't just about hair." She also launched Jackson Haines, Stephanie Harvey, Aimee at 2 ½ inches. However, Locks of Love requires a person to donate an online petition at Change.org for Gaskins which is getting very Houser, Dana Incelli, Kathryn Kochanowicz, at least 10 inches of hair. I have donated to Locks of Love and felt positive feedback. Erica Martelli, Mekenzie McClave, Caitlyn The school board would like Gaskins to return to school as McGee, Gillian McGoldrick, Brielle McPhee, so good knowing I helped put a smile on a child’s face. Gaskins only Madisen Ody , Erin Ormsby, Gabriel Ortiz, wanted to help out the same as I did. soon as possible. However, they are still unsure if they are going Christopher Pearson, Andrew Schweizer, Gaskins was diagnosed with leukemia as an infant but was to change the school policy. The board said they will look over Brandon Segal, Thomas Sottnick, Brianna their handbook over the summer as they do every year. Spause, Solomiya Syvyk, Ashleigh Taylor, declared free of cancer at the age of seven. After discovering his Sarah Wells, Amanda Wintz and Deanna Awards Zigman. The publication has received recognition by the Columbia Scholastic Playwickian Policy Statement Press Association in the following years - First Place: 1976, 1977, Published monthly, the student newspaper of Neshaminy High School is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994. concerning its contents. The student exercise of freedom of expression and press freedom is protected by PA Code Section 12.9 and the First Amendment Bronze Medalist: 2001. Silver Medalist: 1995, 2000, 2003, 2008. to the Constitution. School offi cials exercise their right to Prior Review. Gold Medalist: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, The Playwickian refers to the “Associated Press Stylebook” on matters of grammar, punctuation, spelling, style and usage. No anonymous sources 2007, 2009, 2011. will be accepted. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editors should not exceed 300 words. Letters Email us your comments, questions or must be signed and of appropriate subject matter. Guest opinions, 500 words or more, will be published as space allows. concerns at [email protected] The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption Call us at of the school’s educational process. Opinions in letters or commentaries are attributed to the author. Such views are not necessarily those of the staff, nor (215) 809-6670 should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or the policy of the adviser or administration, unless so attributed. Friend us on Facebook. The Playwickian reserves the right to refuse advertising that the student staff determines to be false, misleading, or containing unverifi able and/or Facebook.com/Playwickian unsubstantiated content. No ads will be accepted that promote products, services, or messages that are determined by the student staff to be inappropriate for the newspaper’s primary readers – NHS students. Advertisements that appear in the publication are not necessarily endorsed by the publication. Follow us on Twitter. Twitter.com/ThePlaywickian Feburary 14, 2012 The Playwickian OP-ED Page 5A

Starting with the class of 2013, all juniors will be requried to score at least profi cient on the Math and Reading PSSAs in order to graduate. New PSSA requirements: stressful or necessary? s everyone in the Neshaminy student body ince its inception in 1999, the Pennsylvania has already heard by now, new requirements System of School Assessment has been used A for the class of 2013 have been decided. The S as a “standards-based, criterion-referenced present junior class has to score proficient in the assessment used to measure a student's attainment Math and Reading PSSA. Although the state requires of the academic standards while also determining the the test to be taken, whether we really need to take degree to which school programs enable students to it is the question. As a junior, the fact that we have attain proficiency of the standards,” according to the midterms on our plates already and are swamped Pennsylvania Department of Education. By Erica Martelli with work due to the Neshaminy teacher strike, the By Jon Mettus Although the assessment has been used for years Staff Writer PSSA is just one more thing being hung over my and Business Editor to, among other things, gauge student, teacher and school my fellow students’ shoulders. performance, it has never been that accurate. A countless The Neshaminy students were greatly affected by number of students just blow off the test because they don’t the strike. For some students, they just got right back into the swing of things, but for have any stake in the game – until now. others the workload grew vastly. Students were swamped with homework and some Starting with the class of 2013, juniors will now have to score profi cient on the even received tests the fi rst day back. The point is we as students are still recovering math and reading portions of the PSSA in order to graduate the following year. By from it. “The fi rst day back I had a Spanish test,” Junior Reilly White said. creating a graduation requirement out of the PSSA, our school will be able to measure Juniors, whether you believe it or nor, do have a lot on their plates. Some teachers the capabilities of the teachers and students better. are giving midterms and the marking period, if we were “The PSSA standardizes it. It shows us how the ready or not, came to an end. For all students, the second studentss are doing," Director of Curriculum, Assessment marking period was really stressful due to the strike. most anda Instruction Dr. Geeta Hebel said during SPIN’s students didn’t do as well as they wanted to do. (Neshaminy( High School’s Student Parent Information The PSSA’s are recognized as an easy test. The problem “The Pennsylvania System of School As- Network)N PSSA presentation on Jan. 31. does not lie in the diffi culty of the test, the problem is that sessmentsessment hashas beebeenn used aass a ‘‘standards-standards- Every year, Neshaminy is misrepresented due to we are relying on our scores just to receive a diploma. As based,based, criterion-referenced assessment used thet fact that no one really takes the PSSA seriously. The if junior year isn’t hard enough and with the recent strike to mmeasureeasure a sstudent’student’s attainmattainmentent ooff ththee highh school failed to meet AYP in 2011 for the seventh putting stress on Neshaminy students’, we still have the academicacademic sstandardstandards wwhilehile alalsoso dedetermin-termin- yeary in a row and pressure is mounting to bring up the PSSA to worry about. inging the degree to which school programs scores.s As we all know, the media has had their nose in enableenable students to attain proficiencproficiencyy of the The school district as a whole is improving yet the Neshaminy’s business ever since the contract negotiations standards,’standards,’ accordingaccording to the Pennsylvania highh school is not. The scores from the eighth graders started. This year we had the strike and then all of a sudden area higher than the scores from the eleventh graders. Department of EducationEducation...” the juniors are required to score profi cient on the English IsI this because students become dumb once they enter and Math PSSAs’. To some it might sound like Neshaminy ~~JonJon Mettus highh school? is trying to prove something not only to the media but to Obviously that can’t be the case. The students state as well. becomeb more independent, they do what they want Neshaminy S.P.I.N. (Student Parent Information anda it’s hard to encourage them to put all their effort Network) recently had a meeting for parents of students in intoi a test that doesn’t really effect them in a positive the district on Jan. 31 to discuss the recent decision about or negative way. the new requirements. Many people attended the meeting, including the superintendent The new graduation requirement is benefi cial to the school, its students, its teachers Dr. Muenker and Dr. Heble, the president of Neshaminy curriculum and instruction. and the district as a whole. It serves as a way to motivate students to perform up to Both of these highly respected people of the district made their points known to the their abilities on the test, and if even then the student can’t reach the required level, parents that attended. they can receive extra help. “This helps the children. We are trying to be supportive,” Heble said. Either way we’re going to have to take the PSSA. We might as well be forced to That’s fi ne if it helps the students, but the problem is that they just spring this take it seriously so that the test can do what it is suppose to do. It’s not like a whole on us within a week after the strike. As if the pressure of mid-terms, homework and new plethora of assessments were created just for graduation. making up missed time wasn’t enough. Now we have the PSSA. It doesn’t matter if In reality the PSSA is not very diffi cult. If a student cannot even reach profi ciency the PSSA is hard or not. on the PSSA then how are they to move past the high school level? Andy Kohler, who is a parent of a Neshaminy High School junior, gave his thought “They [students] have this knowledge. They should be able to pass this exam,” at the meeting. “I understand that the test is supposed to show how the students are Superintendant Dr. Louis Muenker said during the SPIN PSSA presentation. doing but isn’t that what the tests the students’ take all year show,” Kohler said. With the PSSA the way it was a year ago, the students were the ones taking the test, Many parents showed a lot of concern as to why the board would make such a yet the only ones held accountable were the teachers. The scores had no credibility. drastic decision right after something major just happened in the district. Now the test is able to serve its true purpose of helping schools indentify and help Juniors whether they want to or not will be here without the seniors, sophomores, the students who really do need help. or freshman taking the PSSA exams in March. Timeline not making the right impression

By Brielle Ballantine and other toppings. It doesn’t have a negative Coeli Davis said. button,” Binduga said. Aimee Houser impact, it just isn’t a necessity. The Timeline now offers an option to Though the changes make Facebook OP-ED Editor and Staff Writer Timeline makes it much easier to see go look at older post from weeks, months more modern and up to date, its unwanted According to “Facebook - The someone’s older posts, even ones from and even years before, and some dont like by most of it’s users. Some think that Complete Biography”, since the launch of months and years before. Right now, this new feature. the new look of the website is no longer Facebook in February 2004 it has become it isn’t mandatory to have this profi le “It’s creepy,” junior Casey Binduga said. visually apealing. a worldwide phenomenon with over 8 format, but rumor has it that in the next “I dont like the fact that anyone can see “It’s just so ugly,” Binduga said. “I million users. few weeks or so all Facebook profi les will something I posted years ago.” dont want to see a huge picture pop up In its eight years, Facebook has automatically be switched to Timeline. With all the new changes Facebook in my face once I click on someones endured many changes. Its newest change Opinions on this newest addition are has been going through, some find it profi le.” is called the Timeline. It arranges your varying. really unnecessary and confusing.“Its Facebook has gone through so many posts, statuses and pictures into one big Sophomore Steven Keashon stated, hard to keep up with all the new changes,” changes in the past few years, and timeline, along with some other minor “I like timeline. It makes it easier to look Binduga said. “Why cant they just keep it although everyone gripes for a few days changes to the viewing of photos and other at things someone posted a long time ago. the same for more than a week?” about it, no one could ever bear to leave creeping essentials. It takes some getting used to though.” After all the changes that facebook just because of a few changes. The Timeline, like all changes However, other students aren’t has been going through, it its still lacking Logging onto Facebook has become a to Facebook, has stirred up a lot of as welcoming of Facebook’s newest a “dislike” button, something which many common part of everyday life for people controversy among Facebook users. Many layout. people have been asking for for along all around the world. It makes it easier to people have been saying the Timeline is “It just isn’t necessary. Facebook is time. connect with friends, know more about “unnecessary”. It’s like adding sprinkles perfectly fi ne with the old layout, why fi x “They give us a Timeline and a new the people you already know, and express to a sundae that already has plenty of something that isn’t broken?” sophomore picture veiwer but yet, still no dislike yourself. Page 6A The Playwickian OP-ED February 14, 2012 Legalization of marijuana needed for updated society By Brielle Ballantine economy. “If it’s legalized, the government has been used as a medicine for thousands Someone who drinks excessive OP-ED Editor could sell it with age restrictions like they of years now in many countries. amounts of alcohol will experience The fight over the legalization of do with alcohol and tobacco,” Gallagher According to Dr. Lester Grinspoon, impaired vision, the inability to stand or marijuana has been one of the most said. “Instead of the money people author of “Marijuana: The Forbidden walk on their own and possibly death. Even controversial issues to occur within the already spend on [marijuana] going to Medicine” “The only well confirmed though these symptoms only occur under United States. The growth of supporters for dealers, it would go into the economy.” negative effect of marijuana is caused by huge amounts of alcohol consumption, legalizing the herb has grown substantially According to www.uri.edu, “An the smoke, which contains three times the point is that smoking huge amounts of according to a poll done by www.gallup. entire industry could be created out of more tars and fi ve times more carbon marijuana will do nothing more but make com. Results show that more than 50 hemp based products. The a person fall asleep, while alcohol can percent of Americans want to legalize and oils extracted from the kill. support the prohibit use of marijuana. seeds could be used for According to the Center for Disease Many Americans have already taken fuels and the hemp fi ber, a Control, the number of deaths from notice of the fact that our laws do nothing fi ber valued for its strength excessive drinking is approximately to reduce the use of marijuana, but instead that it is used to judge 79,000 a year, but there has not been one they create a black market where gangs the quality of other fi bers, reported case of death from smoking use violence to protect their income. could be manufactured into marijuana. “It’s just one less thing on the black ropes, clothing, or paper.” “Alcohol impairs your motor skills and market,” junior Liz Schubert said. “If The use of marijuana vision and people tend to make worse people could get [marijuana] anywhere, would not stir up crime, but mistakes while drunk,” sophomore then there wouldn’t be a point in having yet reduce it considering Jordan Loveless said. “I know people to fi ght over it.” that it would be taking who have drank themselves to death While people who oppose the away an important source literally. The effects [alcohol] has legalization argue that legalizing it would from crime. According to on you long term are far worse than increase drug use, many who already www.uri.edu“The crime smoking weed.” want to use it are already doing so under rate in Amsterdam, where If the government were to act on ineffective laws. “People are going to marijuana is legal, is making marijuana legal, we would see smoke weed whether it’s legal or not,” lower than many major US The constant debate on legalizing marijuana still exist in the United States. Photo Courtesy/ MCTcampus results practically over night. People junior Billy Gallagher stated. cities.” suffering from diseases and illnesses If the government legalized marijuana, If the drug were to could seek relief from the substance. they could put high taxes on it, considering become legal, resources could stop being monoxide than tobacco. But even the The government could make billions of that people are used to buying it at a high wasted by putting people in jail and save heaviest marijuana smokers rarely use as dollars from the taxes it would bring in, price. It could be sold just like cigarettes room for criminals who actually deserve to much as an average tobacco smoker.” and the new demand for the product could and alcohol at convenient stores and could be there. “It’s ridiculous how many people Marijuana is less dangerous than make thousands of new jobs which in this reel in high profi ts, which could benefi t get locked up for smoking marijuana when most legal products in this country such economy, is vital. the economy. there are killers and robbers that deserve as alcohol, cigarettes and some over the If one substance can help ease and The money the government would to be in there more than the people that counter prescription drugs. For marijuana cure people who suffer illnesses, can help make from taxes could be put towards just wanted to smoke.” Schubert said. to be illegal in this country where alcohol, our country’s economy, and help end the important things such as national debt Medicinal marijuana, which is legal which kills thousands of people yearly, to war on drugs, then the legalization of or the reconstruction of our country’s to anyone who is prescribed it by a doctor, be perfectly legal is absurd. marijuana seems needed in our country. Draft sign-up being mandatory causes disagreement By Josh Reznik Editor-In-Chief curfew, 11 p.m., in Pennsylvania, but it or more commonly known as the Draft. an easy decision to make, and if one is A man’s eighteenth birthday is a major is also the time that a lot of responsibility The requirement of enlisting at age forced to join the military, not only will milestone. Not only is it the big plunge is to be assumed, and the ultimate call 18 has been a prominent component he be forcibly putting his life on the line, from childhood to adulthood, where it is to service is to be answered. All men, of early adulthood. According to the but there would also be families affected viewed as the rite of passage to purchase between the ages of 18 and 25, are Selective Service System agency, the by their loved one’s deployment. lottery tickets and legally drive past required to enlist in the Selective Service, goals are “to be prepared to provide Having pride and patriotism for one’s trained and untrained personnel to the country is terrifi c. There is the connotation Deportation without representation DoD (Department of Defense) in the and aspiration that everyone can garner By Reed Hennessy event of a national emergency and to be the utmost respect for the founding ideals OP-ED Editor prepared to implement an Alternative of the country. With a plethora of ways for The deportation process for immigrants in this country presents unfairness Service Program for registrants classifi ed everyone to display their American pride, at every turn. Current immigration laws have denied basic due process rights and as conscientious objectors.” This signifi es the mandatory requirement to register in encouraged racial profi ling. Such as Arizona Senate Bill 1070 which requires that that it is this agency’s responsibility to the Selective Service seems to be part state law enforcement offi cers attempt to determine an individual’s immigration supplement the Armed Services and the of the long laundry list of things to be status during a “lawful stop, detention or arrest” when there is reasonable suspicion Defense Department with additional considered. If someone fi rmly believes that the individual is an illegal immigrant. troops in moments of emerging domestic that registering in the draft is potentially In addition to laws that support the deportation of people without due process or global crises. personally detrimental or hindering one’s a new report in the Cardozo Law Review reveals a severe shortage of competent For historical measure, the draft has own safety, he should be gladly accepted legal assistance for tens of thousands facing deportation. been a necessary part in being able to and not be forced into doing something This study only examines cases in New York, but New York is hardly unique in protect the founding ideals of the citizens undesirable. failing. “All immigrants deserve fair legal representation and due process; it is unfair of the United States, while at the same The country was built on the principle and cruel to deport immigrants with little or none legal representation,” sophomore time evoking a sense of pride in serving of freedom, as it is mentioned in the Bobby Winther said. the country. The Selective Service Act of Declaration of Independence. “We hold The Cardozo Law Review also surveyed fi ve immigration courts and found 1917, passed and signed by then-President these truths to be self-evident, that all men inadequate legal representation all over the state. According to the judges’ responses Woodrow Wilson, was enacted to provide are created equal, that they are endowed in nearly half the New York cases immigrants who had lawyers received shoddy additional necessary troops as the US was by their Creator with certain unalienable legal representation. What’s even worse is that an even larger number of immigrants to prepare for entry in to World War I. Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty are without legal representation. There are many intricacies when and the pursuit of Happiness.” Although defendants who can not afford a lawyer are entitled to court appointed discussing the moral and legal capacitance Since the motif of a stable and secure lawyers, however people in immigration courts are not. According to the New York of the Selective Service System. It seems life, as well as the freedom to access and Times over all immigrants appeared in court in about 15,000 cases, between October very cut-and-dry when one registers, achieve greatness, as so outlined by the 2005 and July 2010, and about two thirds of immigrants in detention were lawyer and it appears as though once a draft is penultimate document of the nation’s less. enacted, war is inevitable. history, presents and has resonated for “Immigrants are easy prey for ambulance-chasing-style lawyers who do not However that does not appear to close to 236 years, the choice to protect adhere to the highest standards of responsibility,” Judge Robert Katzman of the New be the case. There are alternatives one from actively participating in war York second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated to the New York Times during an within the Selective Service System, should be ever more effervescent. interview on the legal representation of immigrants. the “conscientious objector” as Acts of valiance are occurring In my opinion, there needs to be more competent lawyers representing these aforementioned. A conscientious objector everyday to support the overarching immigrants, public defenders should be accessible to them and due process should is one that registers in the Selective amount of patriotism that resonates be a given. However these problems are just a footnote to the legal services crisis Service, and, if called upon for induction within the country and around the world. that is causing more and more Americans to go to court without a lawyer in civil to the army, can provide moral or religious Registering in the Selective Service, matters. reasoning against war in order to possibly while it does hold true to its purpose and In response to the growing need of legal help Congress has slashed the budget be exempt from war or being placed into provides a backup plan for the country of the Federal Legal Services Corporation. Government fi nanced legal assistance alternative service positions. in a time of emergency crisis, should not for people fi ghting deportation is nowhere on their radar. While the Selective Service System be forced upon any one individual when As a nation America needs to be able to help immigrants coming to this country, is effectively placed in effect in order there are so many additional methods to not put them in detention without any legal representation or going through the proper to protect the country that does not get involved with the Armed Services and legal channels. “We must recognize the vast scope of this problem and accept that necessarily mean that is should be an lend a critical helping hand. At a time addressing the problem will require a signifi cant undertaking,” Peter L. Malkowitz absolute requirement for all men between when the country has been on the brink of the Fordham Law Review said. The United States is a great country without a ages 18 and 25 to sign up. There should of crisis, voluntary preparedness should doubt, and as a great country it is our duty to give these people a fi ghting chance. be an option. Joining the military is not be noted. Feburary 14, 2012 The Playwickian OP-ED Page 5A

Photo/Courtesy of Jonasblogspot.com Shakespear with a twist: Each drama class is preparing for thier preformance of Photo/Tara Huber Romeo to Go. Sophmore Thom Monaco and senior Emily Lieb both love being in the Is this junior Brandon Segal or actor/singer Nick Jonas? drama shows as well at Roadies. Photo/Christina E. L. Harman Page 8A The Playwickian Special Features February 14, 2012 February 14, 2012 The Playwickian Special Features Page 9A

To whom this may concern, All work and Dear Courtney, When I first started I love you and you look great and beautiful :) Drake becomes dandy. You know I’m your To my periodd 5 class and Mrs. C….Each Laura Alvino, Darling, it would be the Love Lines are messages sent to people no play makes Ryan a dull boy. talking to you I know you were a really all the time. Keep smiling -Sadik Canca biggest fandy. You’re sweet like my of you bringg a smile to mymy face! Love, fi nest of evenings if you were to attenattendd by their fellow students and staff. cool girl, and the fi rst time we hung out I Sorry Kevin, favorite candy. Oh Randi...Love, Mike Mrs. Thomsonon Prom with me. Yours truly,truly, William For $1 per 15 words, anyone could Dr. Park, You are the best! Love Daryl knew you someone special. I am so happy Mom, thanks for being you. Love, From Us W ErEricic send their friend or signfi cant other from 6th period that you’re all mine, and I am looking Molly Dear Megann Fantinini, We have been a message. No refunds for deleted forward to all the fun times we’ll have 2nd period English:h: yyou’reou’re mmyy favorfavoritesitess DDeDeararr Reese’sReeesese’’s CCup,upu , YYoYourouur a great friend! friends for 8 yyearsears and I’ll alwaalwaysys love DDearear Public TransTransportation,portation, You messages. Learning does occur! Happy Valentines together. Love, Jeff. You are the sea that moves me, the tide :) -Drake JKJJK!....or!.! ...or amm ii?!?!?!? ?! LLoveovove TTwTwix you! hhaveave failed to satisfy my needs. I’ve Day! -Mrs. Bentman that turns me, the winds carrying me, and found myselfmyself a new ride, and it’s ggotot 4 Bekir, I love you <3 You’re the best. the waves pushing me forward. I love you 3rd Period English:h: You’re my favorites DeDDearearar MMatthewata thhewew , I lloveove youy more then To our periodod 6 class…we love you to gears. I love my mountain bike. Love, Samantha Gordon, I love you. Your beauty BrBBrittanyritittatanyny MMiddlemanididdldlememan aandndd AAmandamma Smoluch Happy Valentines Day! Love, Your and see you in Florida. :) -Drake wowwordsordds cancacan say.sasayy. YourYouo r smilesmile brightens my pieces! xoxoo Mrs. Thomson and Ms. Anonymous lightens up the hallway.way. When the wiwindnd araarere rerreallyala lyy ccooloool giggirls.rls. SSeniorseeni 12! No Girlfriend dadday.ay.y LLoveovo e BBeBeccahccaha PPinkhasovinnkhas Drake th blows your hair youou look like yoyou’reu’’re rreregrets!gretts!! --Mrs.Mrrs.s BBentmanentmmanan DiCicco, get a haircut. 4 period English:h: You’reYoou’re my favoritesfavavororiites To all the editors of this publicationpublication:: on a runway. Prom?m? LovLove,e, yyourour secret Dear Jon, This was paid for with the dollar :) -Drake DDearearr AAaron,aronn, I’II’mm soso eexcitedxcxciti for prom. I Dear DiCicco,co, Why do you have such WWordsords cannot describe how proud I am to admirer HoHollerllllere aatt alaallll myy AAPP Psych cclasses!l -Mrs. I owe you. From, Josh Finders keepers. hohopeopepe iit’st’s a ggrgreateaat nninight.ght. LLove,ovo Erica. great hair? -Playwickian staff(all of say that I am the Editor-in-Chief with the BBeBentmanentntmam n I love noel and tiffff ttiffififf (:(: I lloveove yoyouou BillBill,, them) greatest bunch of editors out there. You Kyleigh, you’re so bbeautifuleaeaututiiful aandndd wwhenhehen A tornado fl ew around my room before you Kimberly Bowes is an amazing, sweet you’re the best. TToo the mommoonoonon aandndn bback.acck.k. DeDearar WWilliam,illiiamm, I lolloveve yyou :) Love, guguysys all work so hard, and time and time you get this I know yoyou’llou’u’ll smile. :) JJaimeaaiimem KeviKevinn MMcMcCallister…theCallister…the clclassl lab rat! came. Excuse the mess it made, it usually best friend, and girlfriend. -Jess NiNNicole.cole. Chris Pearson!n! We love you so much that’s aagaingain have improved with evereveryy issue. Lynn -M-Mrs.Mrs. BentmanBeBenttmaan doesn’t rain. In Southern California much why we are ddoingoing this <3 -Selena, Megan HHere’sere’s to the rest of the school year andand like Arizona my eyes don’t shed tears but, Dear Mrs. Kelly, We love you…and your You are the one wwhoho I alalwayswaayss carcaree foffor.or.r YYoYou’reu’u’rere mymy world,woworlrldd, I loveloovve you so much. and Jess. P.S.S. will yyouou be mmyy valentine? tthehe Playwickian. We’re almost there kids! th Dear Vinny Rizzi, MMyy bbigigig IItaliantatalilianan sstallion.taalllion. DeDDeareaar Dr.O, lovelovove youryoy urr virusviriruus stuffedstu animal! boy, they pour when I’m thinkin’ ‘bouut curly hair…and your style. -4 Period HHappyappy ValentinesVaValelentntines DDayaayy BBaby.aba pretty please with extra cherriescherries?? ~J~Joshuaoshua From your secret admirerdmirer LoLLove,ve, BonniBonniee you… Oh boy, Tommy Anella, I’ve been Pre-calc Interact members mmakeake a differendifferencecee eeveryveeryry thinkin’ ‘bout you. - Anonymous- tehe day. Thank you, DDrake.rake. DDicicco-icicco-o I m ssecretlyeccreretltly mmamadleydl in love with To 6th, 7th andd 8th pperiod-eriod- You make skool DDearear Mason,Mason, Your sarcasm gleamsgleams like Dear Danielle, I lovee yoyouu so much. FFromrorom MrMMr.r. August,AAuugugust, I cutcuut offofoff mymy bbigigg toe for you Stacy, you’re the best therapist ever! yoyyou.u.u -Sub LaLadyadydy #Victoria’s#ViVicctoria’ Secret fun. -Mr. Stoner the brightest star as it rushes through the your crush ;);) --RobertRobebertrt ZZimmermanimimmemermann Dear Laura Alvino, You’re gorgeous ruby From, Molly So many talented kids - so luckluckyy to woworkrkk sky! Love, The Playwickian locks drive me crazy. You are so beautiful with many of youu <3 Bermuda KiKKim-m-m IImmammmma be tthereheh re fforo you -Baby I’ve joined the Ed Pfeifer fan club, have My love for period 3 biology is lilikeike aann Happy VaValentineslelentn ini ess DDayayy ttoo oouourur buddy, Patty and I want you all to myself. Be my one Love to all Molly’s teachers. We could not DaDaddydddy you? -Mr. Stoner @DiCicco- Checklist: #tights jeans. endothermic reactionon becausebecause it warmswaarmms Dun. We mimmissss yyououu hhereeerre ata TTLC.L The place and only? Love, Tadas get to the fi eld without you! Reading Olympics: On the way to the #Toms. #ironic facial hair. #leave me the heart. From, Mr.. ThompsonThompson.. isis notnot the samesamme withoutwiwiththout you!you Love GP, Blue Ribbon! -Ms. Drake, Mr. Luongo Happy Valentines Day Maggie White! To the AMERICAN PAGEANT- you are a alone. DKDDK,K, MPMP Dear Mrs. Knotts, Thanks for letting me Dad, ungy anga gwan gwah. Love, and Mrs. McCreary sultry siren of seduction. -Mr. Stoner My dearest Mrs. Bearss,arss, It would behoove come back to school. Love, Billy Nissley Molly To my Jedi Knights - no I didnt see that SuziD – Enough with the penguins! I me to tell you that you are theh pawfectf mathh To AA, FrFromomm J.J ThankThank yoyouu foforr all the help ;) Dear School Board, I know we have had movie, yes Julia may stay, no you will 3rd APUSH- how’s that DBQ going? And prefer hippos anyway. teacher! Love, your gracious students this year in Wert’s class. I love you Bret Bell. Will you go to prom our ups and down and that I am a lot to not break me. I love you. -Mr.r. SStonertoner Chloe Doman, will you go to formal with with me? Hope you can. I like you Holly handle but I love you. Prom? Love, the LLaLadydydy PPeople.eoeopplle.e MManann PPeople.eo Neshaminy. To all of my wonderful classes, Thank Angela Dillion me? ☺ <3 - Your number one stalker Klemzak. You’re the best friend ever, hope NFT 6th period drama- break a leg tomorrow. To the Reubenen as made by tthehe NNHSHHSS FeFeelings.ele inngsgs. your for such a fun and productive year! Where it all began. you like me too. -Mrs. Marozsan. cafeteria, I lovee you. -Mr. StoneStonerr Mrs. McCreary On the wings of an eagle, Dear Mackenzie Downing, You are the Homeroom 1116 makes my morning MMrs.rsrs. PePeppenhagenpppenenhahageg n – PhotoshopP this… My love for you fl ies. love of my life, will you go to prom with Anthony Limburg, I miss you. (: happy (: -Drake To my 3rd period AE - Keep singing, Dear Bret, Erica,a, EmilEmily,y, KaKayla,ylaa, Kait, SaSam,m,, Dear Ms. Askins, thank you for your Soaring higher and higher, me? ☺ Love, Dylan Smith<3 -Fubfub smiling, and looking for TUPAC. Love, Carly, Julia, Jess,ss, LaLauren,aururenen, JoJJoshoshsh and AAlvaro,lvlvararoo, MaMMason,son, YouYoouu ggiveive me chichills.l Can’t you love support for the playwickian, you’re our And touching the skies. Dear Cali, Baby you light up my world Mrs. Marozan. thank you for beingeinng thtthehe bebestst ffriendsriienendss I ccouldould mmee llikeike yoyouou lolloveve mmyy ddad?a -Caroline fav :) From the Playwickian editors I reached up above, Hey Snooki. I mean Ariana. Just stoppin’ To my Butterfl ies- Everyday ends with like nobody else. Love, Hazza xx ask for. Love yoyouu a lot, ReallReally.y. And pulled a star from the sky. in to say you da best! Will you be mine? laughter because of you. <3 Gianni You are no Mrs. Marozsan DeDDeareaar NNicoleicicolle OrOOrtlieb,rtltlieiebb,, I love you more Brendan Smith, Khayam Malik, Jake To place it within, - Andrew Geiger Francesca, I love to watch you + your big Akasha, your eyeseyeyes shsshineine lillikeke the stars,stars, thtthanhan mmyy sassandwich.nddwwichh. LoLLove,ov ham sandwich Covell, Matt Sweetser, Chino Duru, Your precious minds eye. Dear Molly, I love snuggling and watching Italian booty. xoxo, someone watching. Once half credit, always half credit. your beautiful in eveveryverery wawway.ay.y LLove,ovo e, yyourouour guguy.y. <<33 Tommy Anella, Andrew Prieto, Mark To dwell there forever, Hey babe, love everything about you Beavis and Butthead with you. Love, secret admirer. Tener, Austin Gardener, Ryan Timko As my love for you. cause you’re beautiful ☺ and perfect. Becky <3 Dear Alex, You’ve got that one thing. Love To my lunch bunch- Em & Jul- Remember LaLLaura,uru a, and John Delviscio…Stay thirsty my On the wring of our love, <3Kevin the Swag Masta, From doncasta xx love is a verb! <3 G Take your princessncess backpack anandnd leleave!avve!e! DoDo youyou havehavave a babband-aid?nd Because I friends… Enduring and true. Dear Teresa, you mean the world to me (To chole johass)(Tylarss)(Tylar rorobbinsbbb ins <3<3)3) scscrapedraapeped mymy kkneenen e faffallingallllinng for you. I honor you my darling, Anna, Femaile dos…I love you. baby. I love you. - Love Jake Dear Kasey, Its gotta be you! Only you! To Robert Allan Zimmerman, Thank you LoLovevee JJonoon Mr. Palkovics, Thank you for all you do. With all that I am. Love DJ Malik xx for Empire Burlesque. -Mr. Stoner My dearest Codi,di, You’ve bebeenenn tthehe lloveovove of Love, CJ Please darling please, Greg, the sun is not yellow; it’s made of Mlle. Halliday! Fifi , Bruno et moi, nous my life ever sincence I laid my eyeseyees onn yyou.ouo . LaLaura,urra, Will you be all mine? our love. -Lunch table...P.S. Chicken vous adozons. Vous aime, aine eleve. Jon Mettus, I love you forever. Never Yeah Taaaaaaaaayyyyllllllllloooooooooor! -Anonymous YoYYourur eyeseyeyes arearare aas blue aas the ocean, and Dee- It’s meant to be! -Steph There are so many things, leave me. Love, secret admirer Taylor Nicole, I don’t know what I’d do babbabyabyby II’m’m’m lostloso t at ssea.ea. My heart wants to say. Dear Sarah Vonsydow, I don’t only want Dear Mrs. Wells,Wells, you are the most LoLovevee JJonoon th Happy Valentine’s Day to my wonderful without you, you’re pretty much my other Dan, I am such a lucky-ducky to have you I love you sweetheart, to kiss you 7 period every drama class, family! I love you all! Hugs + Kisses, Hollo ihr, ich bin hoffendlich die Erste die half haha I love you more then anything. beautiful, hard-workingdki& & sweetest <3 -Cynthia There is no other way. but every period while I walk you to class. Mom hier auf deustch schreiat! Habbeuchlieb, Love always your hubby. teacher in the entire school. I love you. Laura, Love Aaron Alexander. Can’t wait till 7th. Love, Sean Sheridan Anna. <3 Westley Roy All because of you, ATTENTION GIRLS! ZACH CITARA IS HaHappypppy VVaValentinesalleentn ine Day to my Helper Frankie Birkhead I love yyou, Happyppy sunny I believe in angels. LOOKING FOR A HOT PROM DATE. Ariella you jewish Russian butt face. Kristen, When ever you come toto tthehehe GiGGirl!irlrl! To Amanda Kemp, Will youu marmarryry meme?? ddaysays in FlFlorida.ororididaa.. LLoveovo e KaKKathyaththy 9th graders, please stop drawing rocket Not the kind with wings, HIT ME UP LADIEZ! You are crazy. Duck and cover. Love you library it makes me happhappy.y. LLove,ovve,e PPaigeaiaige Love Charlie Dinh ships all over. Love, your text books. No, not the kind with halos, bootyfull. DeDDearear MMrs.rsr . SStStoll,tololl, AAlright, so wanna hear AArielle,rieelll ee,, I ssecretlyecreetly lolovevee yyou.ou. YoYouou aararee my The kind that bring you home, Haley Paul, I love you. From Matt Becca Mann,ann, sometimes I wiwishishh oouruurr lloveovo e a jojjoke,kee, okookay?kay? WWomen’s rights. Love To Mr. Palkovics(Master P),), Your eyes susunshine,nsshiinnee, babbaby.abyy. LoLove,ove, JFJFGG Manders, thanks for letting me enjoy your When home becomes a strange place. Hey casey, its special k. I wove you. Our was real. - Paige CoCConnornnnoror are beautiful and your hair is awesome. pounder and Danish. Delicious I’ll follow your voice, Keiran Hasting, I love you and your fi rey English and resource foo eva (: Love, Anonymous JoJohnny,hnnyy, mymy lovelovve forfofor yoyyouou isi extremelyextrem All you have to do is shout it out. red hair! Love, Secret Admirer. I love youu so mummuch.uchch. YoYYou’reou’u rer mmyy eveeverything.veerrytthihingng. PuPublicblb ic NNoise:oise: SwugSw Concert Pt.2 FT. ddecent,eceentnt, bbubutut I kekkeepepp a sstraighttraighg t fface T-Bird, I’ll be your representation any day. Love Jon Amanda McGarry, Your photos take me You’re thehe bbest.esestt. I love yoyouou HoHHolden.ldl en. Swug BasedBased JesusJese uss and MCZC! March 2nd To Mrs. Hammon, The bestestt aanatomynnatomy ##r#remedialrememeedial Please see me. J Dee- It’s meant to be! -Steph places I’ve only dreamed of whilst asleep. St.St. PaulsPaPauulls ChCChurchhururchch teacher ever! We love you! LLove,ovvee, CCharlieharlie Nicholas Berdomas, I like your new th -Lover Boy To Paulette,tee,, rrosesooses are rred,edd, vivioletsollets araree blblue.ueue. BuBBug,ug,g youyouo arearee thethhe best valentine anyone Dinh and 7 period. DeDDearar JP yoyou’reu’u’rere tthehee bbestesst bboboyfriendyffririeen I J - 12:45 p.m. Bring yourself. T underwear it looks good on you. Your C, Thanks for stealing my fi rst kiss then You’re superuperer cutecutute and I wawantant yyouou cocouldoululd asaskk foffor.orr.. HHaveav a great birthday! <3 cocouldould evevererer aasksksk ffor,orr, I love yyououou fforeveroore Secret Admirer not asking me out. Love always. Meg Aslanian, You broadcast straight Anna Willst du mich heiratenen <<33 LiLLiebeiebebe -a-anonymousanonyymomous Kylie Amoroso, your tumbling blows my to my heart. You had me right from the Mary you’reu’re dating Joe aandndnd I ddon’ton’t’ care. Taylor GGraceracee RaRamella-m You are the toe to Brandon mind. Our babies will be doing fulls out of Nicholas Berdomas, you look cute when Mr. Cochran, I pass you everyday in start. You have entrapped me, a prisoner I love youu mormoree sissincence yoyouu cuccutut yoyoururr hhair.aiair.r. my ttuck,ucckk,, tthehehe rroundoundn off to my handspring, HaHHappyappppy VaValentinesleentntininese Day to thtthee bebbestst personper the womb. From your biggest fan, Tyler you’re asleep. Once again, your Secret the hallway. I love you. Marry Me? of a relationship that can never be. The You’re athletichletic and I love tthathahat ababoutbouout yyoyou.ou.u. anaandnd thtthehe twtwistwisist too my full. When I see Emily, Happy Valentines Day!ay! XoXo eveveryverery ththankshananksks ffororor bbeingeie ngg tthereheherere wwithitith mem eever Washington. Admirer Love….. hallway is your red carpet. Oh, how I long Be my valentinealentine bboo-boo.oo-boo. yoyyouou tumbletumblee iitt mmamakes me wanna redskin ststeptep ooff thtthehe waway,y, I lloveovove yoyyouou memmegg alalwayslwawaysy and to be your friend when you ask, “hungry rurrumble.mblee. I lovelooveve you.yo Please be my little Sarah, Happy Valentines Day!y! Xoxo*5Xoxo*500 foforeverrevveer yoyyou’reu’re the bbesteest peperson.erson. TToo MMegane Phantom Cast, you guys are amazing. Emily, I love you so much, fi fteen words Dear Nina, Im so glad we met. I love you yet?” If I were friends with a celebrity Dillan DeCaro,eCaro, chccheerleader.eerleaadeder.r. Hi Noel, you’re my best friend.nd. I love you BrBBrady,addy,y, FFromrom Nay Nay.NaNay. From your biggest fans. simply could not express it. Love, Nic so much. Always, Ky I’d be happy for eternity. -The girl who All I can say iiss I was encenchantedhah ntteded ttoo memeeteet forever girl! -Amber Clark always waves at you. P.S. Is your program you. BuBBug-ug-g- ccan’tan’t wait uuntil you’re at the high To mmyy 3rdd periodpererioiod bubunchncnch anaandnd Mrs. K, My Dear Danny G, My Love, Dear Sexy Kitten Muffi n, we have been on demand? Love Ashleyhley scsschoolchhool <<33 AnAntt Nicole Roldan and Noel Dodson,dson, tthankshanks ddayay wouldn’twouldn’t bbee thtthehe sassameame wwithoutitthout yyou! How beautiful are thee “I don’t need to be a superman, as long best friends for 3 years now. I can tell you for everything. I love yousus so much. LLoveove MrMrs.s. ThomsonThomo soon Every morning you drive me as you will always be my biggest fan” anything. After high school we got to go I love you Tyler. -Anon Dear Casey, Hai girl. You’re my best English Department: I’m so lucky to work Happy Valentines Day <33M -Morgan and rock that football jersey. Your Love on a road trip. Love CB. friend & I love you so much. You’re super with such an entertaining group of people Messinger To our 8th period crew…we love spending In my eyes you are homecoming King To Ms. Livingstone, public speaking Class hawt ☺ Love, Sexy Kitten Muffi n ;) ☺ The Drake last period with you! xoxo Ms. Drake and I hope one day you will wear my ring Jon, Sorry for making you Mad. (Lml) be my Day 2. Ouch! Do you have a band-aid, I Dear NFT, we are still waiting for your Mrs. Thomson But for now can you accompany me to If I had $1,000,000, I would write you girl again. (D.D) cut myself when I fell for you. Becky, wan ho han? Den we go thrift. 6th period English: You’re my favorites half of the deposit on the senior week the spring fl ing? $15,000 words...but I don’t. -Sara Kekekekeke. Obvi. :3 Luv, Molly :) -Drake house. Call us. -The School Board To my polar bear, Will you go to Junior a.k.a. Prom? Donna, Rebecca, and Michael, You are Fart monkey, you’re obease. Love, Prom with me? Forever yours, Kevin Murray Graphic/Kristen Haines my sunshine! Love, Dad. Lollipop. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! <3 8th period English: You’re my favorites Oh Randi... when I see you my soul Page 10A The Playwickian Special Features February 14, 2012 GeeG.....Prom? -Pantherking MEET AT LAKE Dear Tumblr users follow me at http// 7th period drama- February 17th is your Dear Mr. Dicicco, sorry I wasnt ever in theapplesweredelicioustumblr.com night to shine as long as Hayler doesnt fall one of your classes. -Kitch Dear Billy, the fi fteen years we’ve spent off the stage. Love, Ms. G together have been the best of my life. Dear Math class, I hate you, nobody likes Dear Pookie, where is my job at -Bill you. you suck. 3rd period drama- you will be absolutely redners? amaamazingzing on FridaFriday,y, FebrFebruaryuary ththe 13th.. Panther King you are a beautiful man, Dear Mrs. Huber, I love you so much. uummm...immm...i mean the 24th! LoveLove,, MMs. G Dear Florida, Im on my way! you’re cat hat is wonderful. Stay beautiful -Zachh Citara (Panther IcinIcing)g) -Bill 55thth peperiodriod drama- the spspotot lilightght iis yours Dear Evan, whats the air like up there? Peanutut butter and nutella are deliciousdelicious,, oonn FebruarFebruaryy 23rd! You will bbee great! Dear Bill, I love you, will you go to prom I woulduld die without them. Thanks guys. LoveLove,, Ms. G Dear Trapp, Shalaliegh (Bang)(Click) with me? -Bill -Bill (Bang) Drink! 1st period drama- you make mme smile Dear Bill, of course I’ll go to prom with Briann GerwigGerwig,, I like yyouou and I hhopeope yoyouu eeveryvery morninmorning,g, but I know yyouou wwilli make Dear Josh, 1-2-3-4-5----YAY! you! Cant wait! -Bill feel tthehe ssame.ame. YYourour wowonderful.nderful. mmee cry(in a good way) on FebrFebruaryu 22. LoveLove,, Ms. G Dear Creek Films, Finally Pants on the ground, pants on the ground Matt Farrell, yyouou are a vision of beautbeauty,y, -American idol man yes. Dear Viki, I am bananas for you.yo Stop Dear Carcharodon Carcharias, you are the threateninthreateningg to retireretire.. best. I love you....-Kitch Dear Bridget, you told me to write you a Lil BBitit and Lady Grey, you shall be mine love line, so here. -Bill soon.. TToo the ccaptainaptain of the PSM club: TThanks. Dear Jacqui, you always have my back when i forget to do something and you Dear Dave, your beard is pretty awesome. Nick Funk, I love you more then you love HaHappyppy Valentines DayDay Cait! always help me out with my work. You’re -Bill train sets. LoveLove,, yoyourur secret admireadmirerr an amazing actress and im so glad I have Hey look at that beavebeaver!r! drama with you. You’re a sweet girl and Dear future Bill, don’t eat that cookie. To puffmama,uffmama, we know. LoveLove,, GFWGFWAA Dear Kepko, you are my everytheverything.i You a great friend. Love you. -Jeff -Past Bill are mmyy sun shine, yyouou are the pepepp in my 4th periodi d drama- d you all ll owe me 100 stepstep. I cocouldnt ldnt make it in this cracrazy world Period 3-No matter what you think- Dear Mr. Palmer, You’re the coolest dude wings thank to Alyssa! Oh and your show without you. Love, Greg Kniess. we love you! -Mrs. Thomson and Ms. to ever rock a button down shirt. -Bill wil be wonderful on February 16th. Love, Drake Ms. G Dear Davey Hippo, Where are you? Apples are better than bananas, just Roses are red, violets are blue, I love your thought I’d let you know. -Bill No girls, just dancing. Dear Santa Clause, not cool! beard and I love you to.

for Howie

Dear Mr. Howie, I wish you the best. Also To Dennis Howie- We are lost without you Dear Mr. Howie, I hope you get well Mr. Howie is a Boss like Ricky Rozay! we all miss you. I hope you get well really -Stacy Marozsan soon and all is well. Your friend, Aliyia fast and get back to teaching the class. Its Dodson Mr. Howie is a BOSS! boring in the class without you. Howie - I still don’t know how to order my coffee... Mr. Howie you are my sweet thang. You Dear Mr. Howie, come back soon we all Den + Jen, You inspire us all. -Suzi T make my heart sang. miss you and hope all is well! -Maggie Dear D’ Howie, Sup Ironman! How are Dennis, Your fatherly disposition made Dear Mr. Howie, I hope you’re doing well. Dear Mr. Howie, I hope you’re feeling those super powers treating you? Love, my transition to the high school a painless Come back soon, we miss you! better and I can’t wait to see you back in Erika <3 experience. I still remember having a class. Sincerely Kelly Cloonan. catch in the halls and when you gave me Dear Mr. Howie, I was so sad you were Dear D’ Howie, You are d’awesome. Lets “the talk.” Thanks for your guidance. gone for sooo long. I almost cried because Mr. Howie you are so awesome! I miss go see the Avenger as a family! Love, Jared you life. -Rosa Parks-AKA-David you! Get well soon and hurry back! D’Erika <3 Nobody do grammar like Howie do Dear Mr. Howie, I hope you get better Mr. Howie you are seriously the best D’Howie, You da best. -Kristen grammar. – English Dept. soon. I have been doing my work! -Jake English teacher I’ve ever had. You are Franzen seriously the smartest guy I’ve ever met. Howie rolls a twenty - critical hit against Howie- I hope your surgery went well and hope to the lemons of life. I love being your IPC next-door-neighbor! Dear Mr. Howie, I hope you get better see you soon. Love ya! -Always Kyleigh Thinking of you! <3 -Aalon Getz….P.S. I have been doing Vanhorn My muse, my hero, my tribal brother: <3. B.S. my work wishing you a complete healing. With Dear Mr. Howie thanks for being a great love, Jessica. My 80s brother, Dear Mr. Howie, good luck getting teacher. I hope you get better soon! “Anytime you call Night or day I’ll be better and have a good recovery. - Sean -Logan Howie is a king among us lonley mortals. right there for you If you need a friend” McCalley More like him, I’ll be. Rock Star :) Mr. Howie, your hand shakes make my Mr. Howie, I hope you get better so you day. I’d write more but it cost $1.00 per Dennis, Thank you for always being my Den + Jen, You inspire us all. -Suzi can be healthy. From Angel, PEACE 15 words….kinda dumb. From Evan Atticus. I couldnt ask you for a better brother. -Angel May Mr. Howie, you’re my inspiratio to be Dear Mr. Howie, Get well soon, we all Hey Howie, Beckles hopes you feel better the best person I can be. Love you! miss you! I’m dying inside. -From your soon! Mr. Howie, Your lessons on Othello, -Melanie best student, Chris Z Orwell, Gerunds and Harper lee are what Mr. Howie, you are a rock star. With inspired me to become a teacher. Thank Mr. Howie, you have inspired me to make Dear Mr. Howie! You’re an awesome warmest regards, the favorite you’ve you! writing my career. Thank you. -Tyler teacher. We all miss you. Get well soon never had. -Student Kitchenman February 14, 2012 The Playwickian HOWLER Page 11

Innocence in the Season Life, Live it Maddy Buffardi Reed Hennessy

Little, and fragile, but full of A struggle. Happiness and wonder, sadness. Feelings mixed as He sits in a pile, of freshly raked one. Exciting yet boring. leaves. Indescribable, unexplainable. Smiling up at the placid blue Translucent and opaque. sky, Opposites at the same time. He lets out a burst of laughter. No one knows how it started. War. Oppression. Depression. What excitement it brings, Celebrations. Miracles. To jump in those leaves, Victories. What is it? Good and To hear them crackle, and bad. The same no matter how crunch, beneath them. small or big. Life. A game. You He wiggles in a pool of warm lose it and win it. Life. A sword color. that pierces. Gets deeper with time. Life, live it. Wrapped in a fuzzy brown coat, Blonde hair topped with a knit cap. Unknown His smile, along with his mouth, Alexander Costantine What do I live for? She asks me if I still remember the days we walked on the city sidewalk, Natalie Caruso Arms up in the air, avoiding every crack, because we still believed in luck then. I tell her Not a care in the world, I do, avoiding her eyes, because I still believe in the power of a lie, I live to Autumn brings color to his even now. The power is not enough to keep her alive, but it is just Dive into manmade waveless face, enough to bring tears to our eyes. There is something in the room ocean Making his cheeks rosy. with us, it is just past the sound of the monitor, and between the few Beat the clock words we manage to push past our lips. I ask her if she feels it, if she Instead of being saved by the The picture of innocence, knows that it is here. She glances at me, and I see that something in bell We all hold so dearly, her eyes. She knows, she knows. The monitor starts to take longer Little and fragile, pauses between each tone it produces. It is running out of things Paddle with my hands But full of wonder. to say. A thought forms, the thought of the monitor knowing more Kick with my feet about her than I do, I quickly shake it off, because it gives me chills. Defeat She tells me she sees the beach, and that she is getting closer to the water all the time. I don’t know how to tell her that the beach is no To swipe war paint under my longer a beach, but a neighborhood complex, “conveniently located eyes next to the ocean”. That “convenience” destroyed the setting of our Chlorine What we live for most beautiful childhood. There goes a treasure chest. I am glad she is back at the beach now; that is the power of morphine. It does The chill of a poorly heated Anna Briese more for her than my fi nal time. I stand up, leave the ward, the 3rd pool fl oor, and eventually exit through the sliding doors. If you believed in In paradise Do we live? Christianity, you’d say that God was weeping on the pavement. I used Fair- weather sports call it the Die and give, to believe in that God, but now I believe in morphine and luck…After fi rst ring of hell Take and reach, a goal? all, I could have been in the car with her that night…but I wasn’t. I What’s life without the goal, wasn’t. Loving most the lonely soul.

Matters what is real, Howler Literary Magazine Staff More than what we feel? Thunderstorm, just under Playwickian Literary Editor Fiction and Poetry norm. Lexi Rotunno Zach Heinemann Dream of life, much more than Mike Brunell strife, peaceful, Christian Hodge Rather than ﬁ ght. Howler Magazine Editors Editor-In-Chief Layout What we think is what we do, Colleen Gallagher Kristen Haines What we do is what we think, Most confusing, best of all Production Submission Better that we life for…. Molly K. Lichtner Tayler Ruggero

Advisers Christopher DiCicco Well, what are you waiting for? Dan Luongo Start by submitting your work to: [email protected] Page 12A The Playwickian Entertainment February 14, 2012 From wizardry to horror, Radcliffe branches out By Solomiya Syvyk that has been terrorizing the locals. Staff Writer “This movie was one of the scariest movies I have ever seen. I must say there The 22-year-old English actor who wasn’t a moment in the movie where I rose to fame in 2001 after the release of wasn’t on the edge of my seat or hiding “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” behind a friend,” freshman and Radcliffe Daniel Radcliffe, has now fi nished a new fan Julie Hemmingway admitted. project, “The Woman In Black.” Although it is a classic ghost story, it Radcliffe began his career by playing is a step into the unknown for an actor who the main role in the Harry Potter series. grew up on the set of one of Hollywood’s These were stories based on J.K Rowling’s most successful novels series.s following Harry, a young “Although“Although it is a cclassiclassic gghosthost storstory,y, iitt “Radcliffe’s“ boy who learns iiss a step into the uunknownnknown forfor an actoractor co-starc in he is a wizard wwhoho grew up on ththee set of one of Holly-Holly- “The“ Woman and is sent wwood’sood’s most succesuccessfulssful series.series.”” ini Black,” to Hogwarts veteranv actor Daniel Radcliffe on the eerie and ominous set of “The Woman in Black.” School of ~Solomiya~Solomiya SyvySyvykk CiaranC Hinds, Photo/Courtsey of moviesblog.MTV.com Witchcraft and saids he has high Wizardry. expectationse In the movie, of Radcliffe’s post-Potter career,” the Feb. 14- Cranberries -Roses Harry gains the help of friends Ron Telegraph wrote. (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma “He has many strings to his bow, he of the M Watson), who were his co-stars on set of ic o Feb. 14- B.O.B- E.P.I.C. has a lot of arrows in his quiver I think, us m the long seven movie series. and more to come, and of course he’s e In 2007 Radcliffe began to take on so young but that gives him time for M n Feb. 15- Band of Skulls- different opportunities by starring in the t development,” Hinds said. Sweet Sour London and New York productions of Instead of a production budget of the play “Equus” and the 2011 Broadway $250 million or more like Radcliffe was musical “How to Succeed in Business used to from Harry Potter, “The Woman Feb. 20- Rihanna- Project R Without Really Trying.” in Black” cost an estimated $17 million. Six weeks after wrapping up “Harry Is this an attempt at a reinvention Feb. 28- Kid Cudi- WZRD Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”, for the actor? This issue was brought up the young movie star took on the lead role to Radcliffe multiple times in which he in a Victorian-era horror fi lm. answered that he is trying to expand his Feb. 28- Chiddybang- His new project is a 2012 supernatural line of work. Breakfast thriller “The Woman in Black,” based on “Obviously it’s the fi rst fi lm after the 1983 novel by Susan Hill. Potter. I look very different - It’s a very In “The Woman in Black,” Radcliffe different type of fi lm. I don’t really think plays a young lawyer named Arthur of it as a reinvention, it’s just more of like Kipps, who travels to a small village the fi rst step in the rest of my career,” where he discovers a child-killing ghost Stated Radcliffe. Dancing with dedication “When I moved here, my cousin and my aunt Irish danced and they got me into it,” Ricciardi said. Neshaminy High School Ricciardi’s inspiration came from her aunt Colleen. Ricciardi’s aunt was a By Christina E. L. Harman and Tyler dancer herself and was always supportive Kitchenman of Ricciardi’s art. “Jacqui is a dancer to Headquarters for all your Student Life Editor and Entertainment her core. She is dedicated but at the same Editor time she doesn’t take it to seriously, just enough to have fun,” stated senior Ally Automotive needs A person whose work exhibits Prencavage. It says a lot when your peers exceptional skill; this is the defi nition can see how much you actually care when of artist. For her entire life Jacqueline it comes to your art. Ricciardi has been dedicated to the art Ricciardi is dancer through and of dance. Since the age of two Ricciardi through, preferring tap as a dance style We have cars from $1,995 has been dancing, she began with ballet. Ricciardi will also perform almost any When asked what Ricciardi enjoyed about other style, and if it’s a form of dance she dance she explained “I just love the art and will try it. “No isn’t in my vocabulary,” beauty of it all,” explained Ricciardi. It’s clear to anyone; and financing available Ricciardi claims that her role model Jacqueline Ricciardi is an artist, a dancer, in dance is neighbor Rachel Dorr, an and overall a great person. avid and dedicated dancer with whom Ricciardi was very close to. “She put’s so much heart in her dancing, it’s the main reason I admire her so much,” commented Ricciardi on Dorr’s dancing technique. Ricciardi’s passion for dance comes not from competition, but her sheer love of dance. She dedicates multiple nights a week to continuously work on her technique at each of her numerous classes. Not only does she continue to lean and to improve her dance, she taught it as well. She taught younger dancers willing to learn. At school, Ricciardi lead danced 451 E. Lincoln Hwy. (Rt. 1), Langhorne in the school musical, The Phantom of the Opera. She was the assistant choreographer for the school plays her 215-741-5800 www.excelmotors.net sophomore and junior year. Her passion for teaching dance doesn’t just stop, during the summer Present this ad for a $29.95 PA State Inspection!! she teaches dance at the North Hampton Recreation Center. “I love working with the children because they are so upbeat Or $250 off the purchase price of any vehicle and it brings me back to my childhood,” Ricciardi said. Dancer Jacqueline Ricciardi showing For multiple years Ricciardi had off what she’s got. (limit 1 per purchase) danced in a unique way: Irish dancing. Photo/Molly K. Lichtner February 14, 2012 The Playwickian Entertainment Page 13A

Hollywood splendor against nostalgia, old vs. new By Allie Amato and Heights which was the first celebrity the public’s eye. One of the greatest By 2001, the Kodak Theatre was built Tyler Kitchenman community. The time period referred to achievements came from Walt Disney’s in place where the historic Hollywood Staff Writer and Entertainment Editor as the “Golden Age” introduced iconic animated film, “Snow White and the Hotel once stood, and Paramount Pictures and influential stars such as Marilyn Seven Dwarfs”. It’s no wonder this era is the only major studio still physically Values and ideas in society are steadily Monroe, Judy Garland and Humphrey of beauty, sophistication, and innovation located within Hollywood. Although, changing everyday, the Bogart. These stars became icons in was named after gold. Hollywood is now undergoing rapid most significant being revitalization with the the cinematic ideology. goal of Urbanization in So where is American mind, many developments culture rapidly flowing have been completed, from? Film is one of the typically centered on most infl uential forms of Hollywood Boulevard. pop culture in the world Numerous bars, Clubs, today. Set in The Golden and retail businesses have State, Hollywood is best opened on or surrounding known for the start of the boulevard, returning the silver screen and Hollywood to a center of launching pad for aspiring nightlife in Los Angeles. stars, but how the classics Los Angeles may be of old Hollywood did different now but it will from the start of the always be remembered 1900’s become such an as the starting point infl uential force. for the movement that By the roaring is film. These movies ‘20s Hollywood had move people and the will become world-famous continue to do so. This is as the center for the the one thing that relates fi lm industry. The name old Hollywood to new, Hollywood was actually Some of Hollywoods greatest inspiring legends, Old and New. the influence the films coined by H. J. Whitley, “Father of Photo/Courtsey of the dailycap.com and webdesignsepot.com have over the public. They don’t call them Hollywood”, whom designed Whitley motion pictures for nothing. Google evokes major change By Sarah Grudza as they were before. “It’s a good thing that Staff Writer the privacy setting will still be the same, so people still feel protected,” sophomore Google is planning to make updates Karissa Murray said. and is changing its privacy policies, Before, Google had different policies Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance- Feb. 17 creating a new experience for its users. for different devices, but now Google is They will get rid of over 60 policies making them all the same. So it will be one Thin Ice- Feb.17 and replace them with short ones that are a big company instead of several smaller lot easier to read. “[It] will mean a simpler, companies. more intuitive Google experience.” Alma But, Microsoft does not agree with the Wanderlust- Feb. 24 Whitten, Google privacy director, said changes, and claims that Google is only according to an article from CNN. doing it to make it easier for it to show The Lorax- March 2 On top of this, Google will give the ads. Microsoft now recommends using choice to choose what is shared. Users Bing or another search engine instead of will be able to see better search results and Google. Project X- March 2 see what Google knows about the user on Microsoft is not the only one who the dashboard to see what information is doesn’t agree with the change. Members Salmon Fishing in Yemen- March 9 stored. “I’m excited that Google is doing of Congress have sent Google letters, this. It’ll take less time for me to fi nd what complaining about what’s to come. In I’m looking for,” sophomore Heather return, employees of Google sent a detailed Hunger Games- March 23 White said. letter to eight members of Congress, Although the format of the policies defending themselves by explaining that will change, the actual policies will not. the change will be benefi cial. Google will still have the same privacy The changes on Google’s policies will policies, so users will still be as protected take affect on March 1. Upsets, tears, many surprises; this year’s academy awards By Tyler Kitchenman Dierolf said. actresses on the industry today. The his family. Entertainment Editor Other popular names in the Best nominations include Glenn Close The other nominees consist of Actor category consist of Brad Pitt for her amazing performance as a Spielberg’s “War Horse”, “The Help”, “ The nominations are in. This years and George Clooney, two known woman appearing to be a man Midnight in Paris”, “Money ball”, “Tree Oscar’s are going to be a must see for Oscar contenders for the past few in “Albert Nobbs”, the up of Life”, (landing Pitt in two best picture 2012. Past years have displayed that the years. Clooney is nominated for and coming Rooney Mara is nominations), “Extremely Loud and academy has begun to recognize a wider his role in “The Decedents” nominated for her role in “The Incredibly Close”, and fi nally “Hugo”. array of talents enabling more artists as a father dealing with the girl with the Dragon tattoo Many feel the predictions between to be recognized at the ceremony also realities of life as a parent and the usual yet amazing “The artist and “The Decedents” is a toss the best picture category has extended and Pitt is nominated for his Meryl Steep is nominated up.” Will the Oscar’s go for a celebration it nomination amount. This year is no role as the manager of the Oakland for her performance in “The Iron of old Hollywood in the form of “The exception, with plenty of surprises in Athletics baseball team in the fi lm Lady”. This year critics feel this Artist” or will they worry that it is actually store this year’s Oscar’s may be the most based on a true story, “Money category could go either way. French and Silent and go for the more unpredictable year yet. Ball.” The other nominations include Home Grown fi lm “The Decedents” a tale Just to briefl y discuss the surprises Will the academy award the new Viola Davis for “The Help” and of life lessons,” TimeOut.com stated. in store for audiences this year a French French actor for his performance Michelle Williams for “My Night Other categories this year are fi lled to comedian as well a constant contender are in a silent film or will they favor with Marilyn” the brim with amazing Nominees such as in the running’s for Best Actor as well as homegrown material leaning towards The Nominees this year for the Rise of the Planet of the Apes nominated a new up and comer and an actress that Pitt or Clooney? most anticipated award Best picture for special effects or Nick Nolte nominated hasn’t been seen lately are in the works The other nominees in this category are made up of so many amazing fi lms for best actor in a supporting role. for Best Actress. are Demia’n Bichir for his role in “A its still a surprise that the academy Despite any amount of support of Jean Dujarden, the popular comedian better Life” and Gary Oldman for his can even choose. Reigning in as rejection in the end it is in the hands of the from France has landed a spot on the performance in” Tinker Tailor the top contenders are “The academy to decide which of these amazing nominee list for Best Actor in a leading Soldier Spy”. Artist” the French based, fi lms will be awarded this year for the best role for his performance in “The Artist.” On a less controversial old Hollywood silent fi lm fi lms of 2012. ““The Artist” was an amazing fi lm of not the nominees this year and “The Decedents,” the course but still I feel that both Clooney for the category Who will take home an Oscar this year? touching tale of and Pitt have proven themselves as great of Best actress a father and his Photo/Courtesy of smilepolitely.com actors in America and they both truly in a lead role struggle with his deserve this award,” freshman Maddie are amongst some of the most talented children after a boating accident cripples Page 14A The Playwickian Sports February 14, 2012 Giants win 2nd Superbowl in 5 By Ryan Erney out to a 9-0 lead, after an intentional Another Pats touchdown, combined with ticks on the clock. Staff Writer grounding call on Patriots quarterback a pair of Lawrence Tynes fi eld goals of the New England managed to get to Tom Brady in the end zone led to a safety New York Giants made it a 17-15 Patriot midfi eld with 5 seconds left on the clock Once again they for the boys in blue on the defense. On the lead heading into the fi nal quarter. and one last play to run. Brady uncorked have defied the ensuing possession New York marched The score remained that way until a desperation hail mary heave into the odds. The New right down the fi eld and Manning hooked 3:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, when end zone as time expired, but it was York Giants up with one of his favorite targets, Victor the Giants received the ball at their own batted down by Giants defenders with no have won their Cruz, for a 2 yard touchdown pass, and at 12 yard line. Eli Manning proved he had time left on the clock. Game over. Giants second Super the end of the fi rst quarter New York had ice water in his veins as he opened up the win. Bowl title in four a 9-0 advantage. drive with a clutch 38 yard pass to Mario The confetti poured at Lucas Oil years, both against But soon Tom Brady started showing Manningham, who got two feet in then Stadium in Indianapolis, as Tom Coughlin the New England off his playoff experience and veteran fell out of bounds to stop the clock. earned his second Super Bowl title as head Patriots, this time savvy, as he threw a touchdown pass to It was much of the same for the rest coach of the Giants. Meanwhile Brady just by a score of 21- Danny Woodhead just before the fi rst half of the drive, as Manning guided the Giants narrowly missed his chance at joining Joe 17. The Super came to a close. That touchdown combined down to New England’s 6 yard line with Montana and Terry Bradshaw as the only Bowl MVP award with a previous Stephen 57 seconds left to go in the game. Ahmad quarterbacks to win 4 Super Bowls. was captured Gostkowski fi eld goal Bradshaw took the handoff and rumbled Eli Manning has won his second gave New England 6 yards straight ahead for the go-ahead superbowl and can no longer be compared the slight 10-9 edge touchdown. The 2-point conversion was to his brother Peyton Manning. Winning by none going into the no good, so New York held a 21-17 lead his second superbowl in fi ve years he is other than Eli half. with a kickoff to New England with 57 on the road to greatness. Manning, his What second such was so honor. special about This game Brady’s fi nal was a rematch drive of the of Super Bowl fi rst half? New 42, which England started was also a at their own 4 yard squeaker line, so the 96 yard that New scoring drive tied York just for the longest in managed Super Bowl to pull out, history. that time by a score of 17-14. But if New England The Statue of Liberty stands clutching the Lombardi Trophy rather than her custom- had revenge on ary torch. Art/ Kristen Haines, Graphic Samantha Pipe their minds, they certainly didn’t show it. Basketball fi nishes season The Giants jumped By Tom Sottnick job of leading us on the fl oor and making Staff Writer everyone around him better,” said head coach Jerry Devine. Aside from the Basketball team struggles after leadership and competitive nature he making progress last two seasons brought to the Skins they also missed After making the playoffs the last two the 20.4 points a game and fi ve assists seasons in a row and being post season per game he averaged last season as a contenders, the Neshaminy Redskin’s junior. varsity basketball team is having a down Even though it may be hard to believe year. The team sits a 4-17 overall 3-7 in there was some upside to the Redskins conference play, and will most certainly season this year.. Some underclassmen that not make the played varsity were playoffs this year. able to benefi t from Many issues face a tough schedule the skins as they and gain varsity try to close out the experience. It also season somewhat seemed like the strong. Skins were able to Neshaminy get better and play at started the season a more competitive losing seven in a level “I was very row before they proud of the way Get Your were able to pick seniors played and up there first win continued to fight of season, 46-40, it out even though against Central they could have Passport Ready Bucks High School. easily given up,” After there fi rst win said Devine. Neshaminy had Neshaminy will t-PYZ[@LHY:[\K`(IYVHK,_WLYPLUJL there best streak of close out its season the season and went home Feb 10 against t:WYPUN)YLHR7YL]PL^ZMVYMPYZ[`LHYZ[\KLU[ZPU3VUKVU 2-2 in there next Council Rock 0YLSHUK4L_PJV:JV[SHUK:WHPUHUKV[OLYSVJH[PVUZ four games picking North. Without a t6WWVY[\UP[PLZ[VZ[\K`HIYVHKPUL]LY`THQVY up wins against doubt this season Council Rock will be marked as a t3LHKLYPUZ[\K`HIYVHK(Open Doors 2011) South, and William disappointment for Tennent. After there the Redskins. While t;OYLL`LHYHJJLSLYH[LKKLNYLLWYVNYHTZ brief stretch of this season yielded normalcy, the Skins a disappointment t;VWYHURLK\UP]LYZP[Ù.S. News & World Report) went on a fi ve game theirs no doubt losing streak, before that Neshaminy breaking it and can get better next beating Council year. “We just have Rock South. Nothing but net: Senior Tyler Katz goes for to keep working With one of the a basket against Pennsbury. hard and improve main reasons, if Photo/Courtesy of northampton.patch.com on fundamental Metropolitan Philadelphia Schedule a Campus Visit: the biggest, for the things with our 1877(9*(+0( www.arcadia.edu/visit Redskins slide this season is the absence younger players,” Devine said as he and of star player Ryan Arcidiancono. Due the Redskins will look to make major HKTPZZ'HYJHKPHLK\ to a lower-back injury, Arcidiancono improvements and possibly try and return missed the entire season. “He did a good to the playoffs next year. February 14, 2012 The Playwickian Sports Page 15A Superstitions dominate athletics By Matt Farrell superstitions will give them bad luck. For Oakland Raiders. What the referees and win three of them. Staff Writer example in baseball when the players walk fi rst ruled as a fumble was overturned Superstitions will always be a large off the fi eld it is considered bad luck to when they announced upon review that part of sports; without superstitions and Whether it is wearing a lucky pair walk on the baseline. quarterback athlete’s special rituals, it would be taking of shorts or practicing a warm-up ritual, Also in baseball if a pitcher is on pace Tom Brady was moving his arm a large part of an athlete’s character. Sure, athletes have many weird superstitions. to throwing a no-hitter or a perfect game, forward therefore making it an incomplete some of them may be very bizarre, but Superstitions are so common in sports that it is bad luck to even mention what is pass. The Patriots would make a last they allow athletes to feel more confi dent athletes actually think that wearing a certain happening. In football if a player is traded minute fi eld goal as time expired to beat in their performance and allow them to article of clothing, eating a particular food, to another team it is considered bad luck the Raiders and two weeks later, win the make a trademark for themselves that will or performing a certain warm-up ritual to wear a new number. Super Bowl. Since that game known as make them stand out from other athletes. will boost their performance in a game. These are just a few of the many “the Tuck Rule game,” the Patriots have Superstitions have had a large impact on Superstitions are extremely apparent superstitions that are believed in sports gone on to appear in four Super Bowls sports and will in the future. in sports; they have been the blame for and although they seem silly and even a team’s failure, such as the Billy Goat bizarre, many athletes actually think that Curse for the Chicago Cubs, and they practicing certain rituals and routines have also been given credit for a team’s before or during games will give them success, such as “The Tuck Rule” for the good luck while breaking certain unwritten New England Patriots. rules will give them bad luck. Although superstitions do not directly There have been superstitions in sports cause how a team or player performs, that were so big that people think they superstitions are an extremely important caused the failures of an entire franchise variable nonetheless. According to for many years. One of these superstitions sportsmedicine.about.com, “perhaps the was the “Billy Goat Curse;” this curse real value in superstition and ritual is has believed to cause the Chicago Cubs the boost of confi dence and the sense of to appear in the World Series since an control that they provide an athlete.” incident in 1945 where a Billy Goat and Some rituals or routines are its owner were asked to leave the Cub’s predetermined and practiced by athletes stadium after fans complained about the in order to enhance their performance for goat’s presence and smell. Ever since that different parts of a game, or even for the year, the Cubs have never made it to the entire game. For example in basketball a World Series and currently haven’t won player might have to make their last shot a World Series since 1908. before starting the game in order to give A recent superstition that has been them good luck. believed to have been the birth of the In baseball a player will spit on his New England Patriot’s dynasty was the hands before they pick up their bat in infamous “Tuck Rule.” According the order to have good luck while batting. NFL Rules, when a player begins to The 2012 class of inductees, Lisa Pennington, Brad Williamson, Melissa Brooks, In hockey players might hit their goalie’s pass the ball forward, any intentional Glenn S. Stetz, Nicole Klimowicz, Frank J. Merz, Brittany Staub, Dominick Balsamo, shin pads with their sticks in order to give movement forward begins a pass. If the Brittany Benvenuto, Mark Salmi, Tracy Capecci, Adam Behar, Jackie Andreozzi, them good luck. player tucks the ball and loses possession, Jim Szamboti, Arianne M. Rayner, Brian Kennelly, Morgan Ostroff McMullin, Gene There are also superstitions and it is a fumble. Wingert, Jane Lewis, and Jay Collins stand in front of the newly renevated Nesh- This rule was put to the test in the “unwritten rules” in sports that athletes aminy Sports Hall of Fame just outside the doorway to the Fred Gurst gymnasium. will be aware of but not do because of 2002 AFC Divisional Playoff Game Photo/ Lauren Driscoll the thought that executing one of these between the New England Patriots and

• Indoor track is slated to send a cast of • Girls swimming is to attend SOL sprinters to the state championships on championships Feb 17. Senior Cynthia Feb. 26, the cast includes seniors Bryan Holderer likes what she saw this year, Reice, Austin Gardener, Ryan DePinto, “We did a lot of growing this year as a Ron Smith and junior Cody Minning. team.” • Girls bowling is led by senior Taylor • The wrestling team has a record of 5-7 Malone. She bowls with an average and senior TJ Magdalinskas counts his score of 176 and has topped out this teams victory over Council Rock South year with a score of 256. as the hilight to their season. • Boys swimming SOL championships • Girls basketball finished its season Senior Captain Cynthia Holderer comes up for a breath while swimming in are Feb 18. At least 5 swimmers are Friday Feb. 10 and despite a strong run a meet. Photo/Yearbook to attend districts in March. were not able to reach the playoffs. Sports stars ink future at signing ceremony Jack Haines was selected as team captain. But that’s Field hockey Archives Editor not all he was selected for, after a great player Blum has also season of play he was chosen to be on the received a scholarship Neshaminy’s Class of 2012 has All-American soccer team. for athletics. Next produced many great athletes, among He will be the another Neshaminy year she will them an all-American soccer player, and senior to play for Villanova next year, attend and play for a nationally ranked basketball player. On where he received a partial academic and East Stroudsburg Feb. 2nd Neshaminy held a ceremony for athletic scholarship. “I was looking at University. their college signings. Columbia, Penn State, West Virginia, and These athletes are Athletes Ryan Arcidiacano, Princeton too,” said Sheridan, “but I chose a good representation Sean Sheridan, Laura Altenburger, Villanova because it’s a good school and of the Class of 2012, Lindsay Blum, and Kiser Terry all it’s close to home so my family can see which has produced made commitments to their respective all my games.” many great sports colleges. Defensive end Kiser Terry has ﬁ gures. Neshaminy Arcidiacano is a point guard on the football in his blood. His brother played is proud to know Redskins basketball team, who is ranked football for Neshaminy and Temple, and that these athletes second in the state and 46th nationally by now he will too. “I’m going to Temple not will continue the ESPN. Last year, as a junior, he hit the only because it’s close, but because my tradition which they national spotlight, and after a few months brother went there so I got to know their have forged while of intense recruiting between Florida football program well and attend a camp wearing a Redskins and Villanova among others, he selected there.” Terry said. uniform. These Villanova, whom he will play for next Altenburger is a well rounded player students set a high Athletes Ryan Arcidiacano, Sean Sheridan, Laura Altenburger, year. for the Skins’ softball team. Her great mark others strive Lindsay Blum and Kiser Terry pose for a photo after signing Sheridan has wrapped up a great high school career in the sport has to match during their letters of intent to each of their respective schools. career at Neshaminy, where he has played rewarded her with an athletic scholarship athletic careers at Photo/ Molly K. Lichtner four years of varsity soccer. This year he to West Chester University. Neshaminy Page 16A The Playwickian Sports February 14, 2012

Paterno’s Path: The Life of a Legend By Reed Hennessy philosophy on football, to meld athletics and Op-Ed Editor academics, were signatures of his coaching style. During his long career Paterno and his Joe Paterno died on Jan 22 at the age of 85. wife, Sue, donated more than four million His life and legacy will go on forever through dollars to Penn State, and funded the schools the years. He has been a head coach for the library which bears both their names. Nittany lions since 1966. Paterno has received numerous awards During is legendary career Paterno took his from organizations like the NCAA, Associated team to 37 bowls and won 24, which is more Press, and Sports Illustrated. In 2010 the than any coach in history. Paterno’s overall Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia record was 409 wins 136 losses and three ties, established the Joseph V. Paterno Award, to the fi rst Football Bowl Subdivision coach to be awarded annually to the college football reach 400 wins. In 2007 he was inducted into coach who has made a positive infl uence on the College Football Hall of Fame. his university, players and community. Joe Paterno attended Brown university and However Paterno was fi red and at the end played on the football team as a quarterback of 2011 season due to a sex scandal involving and cornerback. He is tied for the record for his long-time assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. most interceptions in a career with Greg Parker As a result of this terrible incident his name at 14. After graduating from college he joined was removed from the Big Ten championship his college coach Rip Engle as an assistant trophy and many of his colleagues say he died coach at Penn State. of a broken heart. Regardless of the sex scandal Throughout his 61year career at Penn he will go down in history as one of the greatest State, Paterno has earned his own cornerstone college football coaches in history and the best at the university. The emphasis that Paterno Penn State coach in the university’s history. He placed on ethics and moral conduct and his will be missed and never forgotten.

Graphic/Sam Pipe What not to touch in Neshaminy

Senior Greg Kneiss observes his strain of E.coli during his Honors Biology II class. The Honors Biology II class recently completed an in-depth study of the realm of microbiology, encompassing both bacterial species and non-living viruses. Each lab group in the class was assigned a different strain of bacteria to examine and cultivate in order to prepare for an in- class assessment that tested the students skills in proper aseptic technique, as well as the various tools real-life microbiolo- gists utilize everyday in order to observe a total of eight different species of bacteria, ranging from different shapes, such as bacillus, or rod-shaped bacteria, to coc- cus bacteria, or round-shaped, or spirilla, or spiral-shaped bacteria. Anothet component of the microbiology study was the use of a Gram stain in order to detect the presence of peptidoglycan, a component of a bacterial cell wall. Other techniques explored in this extended lab activity included the use of hanging drop slides to examine motility, or movement, in addition to the use of phenol red solutions in order to determine the presence of acids and bases. Photo/Josh Reznik Innumeracy spreading at fast pace throughout country Unrath admits to being win the lottery. expectations for students in surprised when they are forced calculator dependent for some To avoid innumeracy among many international countries, to back-track to their eleventh HEMATI mental math. “I fi nd it easier the upcoming generations being profi cient in math is a grade Algebra II class when AT CS to type in the numbers than Neshaminy teacher Nichole necessity. Students are always balancing their checkbooks. M having to go through all of my Pahulick has some ideas to asking “When will I ever use work to get the same answer improve America’s math skills. this in real life?” will be quite as the calculator in double “In my opinion, math should the time. Why not use my be taught at a very early age resources?” said Unrath. to think things through. It Everyone seems to turn a should be encouraged for the blind eye to the real underlying children to solve problems By Gillian McGoldrick problem--our technology has on paper and memorize basic Staff Writer literally outsmarted us. Students facts. Most importantly, what is at a very young age are taught being taught in school must be Many Neshaminy to quickly use their calculators, reinforced at home,” Pahulick students, like students all rather than do mental math. said. around the nation, have begun “I think students become There are also many to be showing signs of “math dependent on calculators in misconceptions about math phobia”. This is something middle school and no longer that scare those who struggle to take into consideration use mental math to sharpen away from math once they with innumeracy spreading their skills,” Neshaminy teacher are fi nished with the needed throughout America at a fast Joseph Pimble said. courses. “To many people, a pace. Math is the international million or a billion or a trillion To be innumerate is language, but why can many all mean about the same—that the equal to being illiterate Americans hardly add two and is, “a lot”—when in fact the gap with numbers. When 24,000 two together? According to a between each of them is vast. I 13-year-olds were tested by survey from Reuters, more illustrate those differences with the Educational Testing Service than one in five Americans the example that it takes only within 6 countries (Britain, believe the best way to get rich about 11½ days for 1 million Ireland, South Korea, Spain, is to win the lottery, while 11 seconds to pass but 32 years Canada, and the U.S.) the percent say inheriting money for 1 billion seconds to pass. United States came in dead last. is the way to go. This is a And it takes 32,000 years for Douglas Hofstadter defines shocking study, considering 1 trillion seconds to pass, a innumeracy as , “a person’s in a multi-state lottery it is span more than six times that inability to make sense of the 120 million to one chances of of man’s written history,” said Junior Dan Gritsyuk looks over his homework during his Honors numbers that run their lives.” actually winning. It is six to 45 Dan Chu in the May, 1989 issue Like many Neshaminy times more likely to get struck of People Magazine. Math II class. Advanced technology has increased the innumera- students, freshman Bethanne by lightning than to actually With the overly high cy problem in the country. Photo/Josh Reznik Page2B The Playwickian Writing Across the Curriculum February 14, 2012 S. Marcescens lurks through hallways SCIE Recently, Sheila Royds’ fi rst period Honors You know that gross, pinkish fi lm that grows in the shower – don’t get on your Y NC Bio II class has been cultivating more than high horse about the cleanliness of your bathing appliances. It happens to the best of M E O ~ friendship or knowledge: bacteria. That’s us – where the curtains get all bunched up? That’s our good friend S. Marcescens. T B A right, folks. For your safety and ours, we I was not sure whether to feel relieved or frightened that the very same bacteria I N O spent a week nourishing the creepy-crawlies can be found both on the god-forsaken handrails of the main staircase (freshmen, if

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L that congregate on a plethora of common that’s not message enough to use the back stairwells, I don’t know what is) and also

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C C

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I let’s be honest, not shocking considering As I sit here and listen to the Glee Cast’s rendition of “Toxic” by Britney Spears

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C in memory of our bacteria – did I not mention that they’re dead? We killed them with Y Y Y Y Y the recent lack of facial tissue. Now

H H H H H

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P P P P P M M M

M sit back, relax, and prepare yourself ﬁ re – I have settled on a feeling of acceptance. If I come in contact with the same ~ ~

I I I I

Y Y Y S S S R R R T T T T for emotional scarring as you listen to bacteria in my home as I do in Neshaminy, there is really no reason make it rain bleach this tale of cold, hard microbiology. as if it was a stack of one dollar bills. By Colleen Gallagher (WARNING: Do not attempt this at At this point, you may be asking yourself, “Why did I just waste 10 minutes of Art Editor home. We are trained professionals. Well, not really.) my time listening to this unstable individual rant about the fi lth she grew?” I cannot The fi rst step in our road to a new microscopic world answer that, as it sounds like more of a personal problem. Furthermore, I hope your was learning aseptic technique. Now, I’m not implying that it is in any way satisfying classmates didn’t notice that you just had a conversation with yourself. However, that my male lab partners were forced to Clorox our table while I watched, but let’s if you’re wondering what you should take from this piece – that is, what you really just say that it kind of made up for all those sandwich jokes. The fun was short-lived, shouldn’t touch in Neshaminy – I can help you out. however, when I realized I actually had to grow “wild-type” bacteria. If there’s anything that I’ve learned in Honors Bio II, it’s that we come into contact The scary thing about wild-type cultures - besides having to roam the halls of with bacteria constantly. It’s all around us, and it would be both impossible and absurd Neshaminy for samples - is that you don’t know what you’re growing. Immediately to try to escape it. Moreover, there are exponentially more helpful strains of bacteria I knew that I was likely to grow some sort of fl esh-eating bacteria and proceeded to than there are malicious ones. (Shocking, I know – bacteria are not Batman villains. hyperventilate into my lunch bag. They serve purposes other than citywide destruction.) Fortunately, Royds is a saint and talked me off of my ledge by forbidding swabs from In short, it is safe to touch anything in Neshaminy – within reason. That being any surfaces - such as the water fountain or, god forbid, the toilet - that could possibly said, that statement was made strictly to reassure you that our school is not deadly – harbor pathogenic strains of bacteria. She would have made that stipulation anyways, but not the bacteria in it, anyways – and it is in no way an excuse to sue the Playwickian I like to think it was due to her concern for my (already rickety) psychological well-being. staff for an infection you received after licking a wrestling mat. (DISCLAIMER: I With that, our teacher sent us on our way. You may know, Josh, our editor-in-chief would not suggest licking a wrestling mat. I don’t know what has been on them and - my lab partner - but few are aware how adept he is in saving me from disease. On nor do I wish to ever fi nd out.) many an occasion I utilized his sleeve’s antibacterial qualities to disinfect my hands. Before I conclude this fascinating story of why I have too much free time, I would In retrospect, it was the best decision I’ve ever made: I am free of infection despite like to make a fi nal note to Joshua Dylan Reznik. If you’re reading this, I thank you from the fact that our agar plates – which nourished our bacteria – were more crowded than the bottom of my heart, as does my insurance carrier. Also, I’d like to remind you to American Eagle on a 40 percent off day (girls, you know exactly how bad that is). clean your sleeves when you get home. They are probably teeming with pathogens. What I’m about to say is disturbing. Please take note of the closest exits before you continue reading. Have you found them? Good. The large amount of bacteria partying in my Petri dish was a lovely shade of coral goop that had roughly the same constistency as rubber cement. Needless to say, the mere sight of this tiny, viscous swamp gave me the urge to throw Joshua’s contaminated sleeves, along with the entire agar plate, into a friendly-looking Bunsen burner. As if its appearance wasn’t endearing enough, it also took it upon itself to smell like the inside of a sailor’s boot. (I would like to add that I have never actually smelled a sailor’s boot before, but I imagine it would possess an odor similar to this bacterium.) Three weeks later, I am still at a loss of words for what happened next. Royds was not only impressed with the filthy, sticky sample whose procreation talents rival those of rabbits, she also felt the need to abduct our test tube of the gunk in order to show it to the next class over. (I’m not sure if the students were as impressed with the culture as she was. In fact, one young man took it upon himself to blame me f o r every bacterial presence in the school. Thank you, Zach.) Senior biology students Breanna Spector and Alyssa Vasger look over their data as As if she had not already proven her infi nite knowledge of all things microscopic, they observe their assigned bacterial species by utilizing agar slants and prepared the always-talented Sheila Royds also identifi ed our strain. She hypothesized that we test tubes of phenol red solutions as part of a study on microbiology in the Honors had cultured a fun little guy called Serratia Marcescens, a water-dwelling bacteria. Biology II class. Photos/Josh Reznik Academic achievement, physical activity linked By Solomiya Syvyk but there has always been a controversy who participated in enthusiastic exercise physical Staff Writer on whether physical activity benefits for no less than 20 minutes, three or more students’ performance in school. In the days a week, earned higher grades. education It was always known that exercise and past decade this debate was studied and The kids that perform less demanding sports assist your health and appearance, concluded that athletic activity improves activities for 30 minutes over fi ve days in students’ knowledge. a week did not achieve the same improved In 2001 a California Department of grades. In the same year The California Education study was noticed because it Journal of Health Promotion published contributed to the fact that good physical explanations for why physical education condition improves kids’ grades. and school achievement are related. “Student standardized achievement California State University researchers test scores were compared to the state studied and compared schools that made required fitness test, known as the gym important and those who did not.” FitnessGram. Different traits such as When standardized pupil test scores aerobic capacity, body composition, were analyzed, it was determined that flexibility and more were measured.” the leading schools also had formal, stated in The National Association for structured physical education programs Sports and Physical Education . based on the State Board of Education Results found a direct relationship guidelines. Conversely, the lowest between physical and improved academic academic performing schools did not achievement, especially in mathematics. even have gym teachers.” In a 2004-2005 study, the School of Science Daily published in 2010 Journal Health also concluded that pupils about a conference for the American Heart perform better in not only mathematics, Association that links physical fi tness to but also English when they are involved in better school performance. athletic actions.” It showed that children ”Research indicates that healthier, achieve more when they are able to pass happier children become fi t adults as a Freshmen actively participate in their physical education classes. A recent study has a number of fi tness tests.” result.” shown that there is a link between physical activity and academic performance. The American College of Sports Medicine discovered a 2006 study that Photo/Josh Reznik also supports this relationship. Students February 14, 2012 The Playwickian Writing Across the Curriculum Page 3B Shakespeare’s infl unce on language today E that someone might have for someone for granted are words and phrases swoop,” “A sorry sight,” and “The world’s ng else. that they use without even a second my oyster,” but people never really think lish In the play “Othello” Shakespeare thought, such as “Full circle,” about where these phrases came from. referred to jealousy as the “green-ey’d “Neither rhyme nor reason,” “One fell Without the works of Shakespeare, the monster”. The powerful phrase gets world today would sound a lot different. By Jessica Bussmann the feeling of jealousy across. The way Staff Writer jealousy can make people act certainly does have monstrous qualities. Throughout the years, the works of The power of Shakespeare’s FINE ARTS William Shakespeare have stood the test language makes the of time and are still a big infl uence on reader think about writing today and everyday language of what is happening; today. it is a cause for Expressing one’s self through music Jealousy has taken on the color of discussion and green; being compared to a summer’s interpretation. day is the ultimate compliment and no Many of the By Ryan Erney love story could ever compare to that of things that Staff Writer Romeo and Juliet. people Forbidden love has taken on a new today Lie down. Close your eyes. Plug in your headphones. Turn up the volume as loud as you can. meaning ever since the tragic tale of take Block out the world. Teenagers around this country can be found doing this for a variety of reasons. Romeo and Juliet. Love at fi rst sight has But perhaps the most common reason of all is to change exactly how we’re feeling at that particular mo- never been so intense and undeniable. ment. Music can change our mood almost more than anything in the world. Find the right song and blast Their love has opened the doors to the sound in headphones so only you can hear it, and the tune can transform you. numerous other stories that take on a Different people use different genres of music to help express themselves. Anything from heavy metal to similar idea such as “The Notebook” or classical can help change the way the direction of our day is going. After a bad day some people just like to put “Titanic”. their iPods in their ears while locking themselves in their room to escape the feeling of society wrapping around The numerous sonnets that Shakespeare them like a vice grip. And with today’s technology it is incredibly easy to do so. Just about all teenagers own an has written are still considered great iPod or some kind of Mp3 player and their favorite songs are accessible at just about any time. works; the collection of 154 sonnets deal Music can also bring back fond memories of a moment that fi rst occurred while you were listening to that with the themes of love, mortality, beauty particular tune. Jean Cocteau has an opinion on it. “All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its and the passage of time. The language mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it”. So how does this work exactly? When he used is beautiful and vivid, giving the listening to music you’re familiar with, it stimulates the hippocampus, which is in charge of the long-term storage reader a pleasurable reading experience. in your brain. So therefore if you had a positive experience while listening to that song before, replaying that same “Shall I compare thee song will bring that positive experience back and therefore lighten your mood. to a summer’s Science backs up this fact as well. Music decreases stress by decreasing the level of the stress hormone cortisol, day? Thou artt and that in turn enhances your immune system. So scientifi cally proven, music can not only brighten up your more lovely day, it can prevent illnesses as well. and more A fast paced tune can push you to go harder during a workout, a slow paced tune can mellow and calm temperate: you down when you’re alone, it all depends on how your brain happens to be operating on that day. Rough winds “For me, singing sad songs often has a way of healing a situation. It gets the hurt out in the open do shake the into the light, out of the darkness”, according to Reba McEntire. darling buds According to scientifi c study, music can also affect our perception. We perceive the world of May, Andd as being happier than it really is when listening to happy music, and sadder than it summer’s really is when listening to sad music. lease hath “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy”, Ludwig all too shortt Van Beethoven once said. Music is a medium that can provide an a date:” escape for not just teenagers, but anyone who is willing to Sonnett expose themselves to it. Science and experience 18 expresses backs that up. the love andd admiration Artwork/Kristin Haines AE classes provide in-depth topic exploration class could spend 3 weeks on it, learning Students from all over the world The Neshaminy AE program is a great about the author, other stories like it, and participate in this competition, last year a program for the AE students. The students ION fi nding the meaning in the story through team from Neshaminy placed fi fth in the really benefit from the differentiated projects, worksheets, and discussion. “AE world, the highest a Nesahminy team has SPECIAL EDUCAT learning, and enjoy the classes also. is one of my favorite classes, I like that ever placed. it’s a smaller class and we get to do a lot of different things,” said freshman Nic By Maddy Buffardi Hoffman. Staff Writer Kim May is the ninth grade honors AE English teacher. She has been teaching The academic enrichment program AE English for three years. May says her is made for students with a Gifted favorite part about teaching AE is the Individualized Education Plan, or GIEP. students. “They bring so much energy, These students are above average learners, curiosity, prior knowledge, and passion so they learn in much different ways. The into class,” May said. She also said that AE program assists them in their learning. she really believes in the importance of To get into the AE program you must test AE students working together. “I think into it. it’s critical to give them time together, to Most AE students tested in in their learn from one another.” May said. elementary years. The program in The program offers a lot for students. elementary level is something you get One thing that starts in middle school pulled out of class for. Students miss one for an AE student is Future Problem of their usual classes at least once a week Solving. These students start Future to go to AE class. Problem Solving (FPS) in sixth grade. At a middle school level, AE is an FPS becomes a club at the high school actual class. AE at the middle school level level where anyone can join, whether is every other day for the entire year. you’re an AE student or not. At the high school level AE class is FPS is a completion where students focused around a specifi c core subject. are given a futuristic situation, and asked to come up with 16 possible problems Freshman take AE English, Sophomores Studentsd t with ith GiftGifted d IIndividualized di id li d EdEducation ti PlPlans are able bl tto ttake k core subject bj t AE Chemistry, Juniors AE history, and with the situation. They are then asked to classes that incorporate more exploration in the topic. The Academic Enrichment AE English again for seniors. come up with their best problem, and then The AE classes at the high school fi nd 16 solutions for that problem. Of the classes include AE Honors English in ninth grade, Honors Chemistry I in tenth grade, are smaller classes with more in depth 16 solutions they are asked to pick the best AE AP United States History and AE Honors Contemporary US and World History in learning. An honors class might spend one and write a detailed action plan using eleventh grade, and AE AP English Literature and AE Honors English in grade 12. a week on a certain story, while an AE that solution. Photo/Molly K. Lichtner Page 4B The Playwickian Stuck In the Middle February 14, 2012

in STUCKtheMIDDLE This month we welcome the students of Poquessing Middle School to the Playwickian Honor society penny drives proves successful once again By Peter Bilenko, Matt Smeck and Matt Ziegler

Poquessing Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society members try their best to help society. One way that they help society is by the annual Penny Drive. The Penny Drive has been successful since it began many years ago. All the money has gone to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In past years, the group has raised the following impressive amounts This year has only just begun, and the total collected so far is $1,300.00. Their goal is to raise even more than past years. “The Penny Drive is going very well. Students are being extremely generous. The NJHS committee is doing a wonderful job tracking the donations. The soon-to-be freshmen of Neshaminy High School recalled their many concerns Every penny counts,” NJHS adviser, math and prospects for their high school tenure. In all, 39 percent of eighth grade school teacher Terri Zuschnitt said. The NJHS students described the high school as “excited,” 37 percent described the high school students hope that the drive will do well as “fun,” and 24 percent called the high school “hard.” Additional goals and aspira- this year and in years to come. tions include studying foreign languages, athletics, school dances, and Gym Night. Compiled by Rebecca Overlander and Infograph by Josh Reznik Within the past seven years, Poquessing students have raised $16,296.08 during the National Junior Honor Society Penny Yearbook plan anniversary Drive. Phtoo Courtesy of Poquessing edition, reminisce the past Student performers prepare to By Nicole Savini and Cailin Gonglik present roaring twenties musical This year is Poquessing Middle School’s fi ftieth anniversary, and the yearbook is going to make this edition extra special. The yearbook committee is made up of By Rebecca Scheinert and Kaitlyn Steherski only eighth graders this year, and the adviser is aide So, beat the drums ‘cause here comes “Thoroughly Modern Millie”- Poquessing’s Margie McCurdy. Being fascinating production for 2012! This year, the talented Rebecca Allen and Alyssa in yearbook is not as easy Antonelly are Millie. Bryard Zogoraning and Greg O’Neill are cast as Jimmy. Collin as it may seem. Yearbook McCarthy and Brian Davis play Trevor. The cast also includes many more dedicated involves taking a lot of students. pictures and editing them “Thoroughly Modern Millie” is about a small town girl named Millie Dilmount. on the computer. There She moves to ‘modern’ 1920 New York City in hopes of changing her life. It’s out are so many pictures to with the old and in with the new! take! All of the students are Every day after school, leads work extra hard from 3 to 6 p.m. “I have been in included with information the play for the past three years, and I must say, it’s changed my life forever! It’s been about each one. All of so fun hanging out with all my friends during this production,” lead Rebecca Allen the sports and afterschool said. Alyssa Antonelly, the other Millie, said, “It’s fun, but it’s a lot of hard work and activities are also included. effort.” On Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m., the leads and background There are even surveys people practice and practice. We even practice on Saturday mornings from nine to to distribute and record. twelve. Pictures of Poquessing The play showcases many talents such as singing, acting, dancing and more. through the years will Eighth grade yearbook students pause while planning Casey Ward, a tap dancer, says, “It’s interesting and a good feeling to know how to be highlighted, too. An the anxiously awaited yearbook that will highlight the do something that not a lot of people can do themselves.” extra special event will be 50-year history of Poquessing Middle School. Not everyone performs. There are many ‘behind the scene’ people. Sarah, the the fi rst principal visiting Photo Courtesy of Poquessing play’s choreographer, said, “Come out and support your classmates as they perform Poquessing, and we will on stage. I enjoy working with such a wonderful group of kids.” capture it all in this year’s Musical director Jason Leigh has done a remarkable job in directing this musical. edition. They are available for purchase on Poquessing’s website. He said, “Once again, it’s a pleasure. It is always great to work with talented and willing students.” But, Leigh can’t take all the credit; accompanist Jen Tolnay has been an Music honor society led by motivated director excellent helper with her musical talents. The pianist said, “I really like the music for this show, and I think the cast is doing a great job with the songs. Another amazing source of support and guidance has been music teacher Lisa Boccutti. By Ema Woodson, Kassidy O’Donnell, and Tiesha Booker This is a remarkable play and we encourage you to see it! The show runs from The Tri-M Music Honor Society is basically the National Junior Honor Society for Feb. 22 to 24. Curtain time is 7 p.m. on Feb. 22 through 24 and 1 p.m. on Feb. 25. music students, and is a strong organization at Poquessing. Tri-M stands for Modern Tickets are $6 at the door. Music Masters. Kassidy, Tiesha and Ema had a chance to sit and talk with the Choral Director and general music teacher Jason Leigh. When asked about his favorite thing regarding Tri-M, Leigh pondered a moment. Thrilling movie positively critiqued “My favorite thing about Tri-M is that it allows students who excel in music and in the classroom to be recognized for not only academics, but music.” By Lauren Duckenfeld, Najmane Reuters.com, 61 percent of the viewers Leigh also discussed the process used for choosing its members. “The students Desir and Morgan Tompkins are under 25 years of age and 59percent must meet the requirements. They mainly need to have good academic standings. The of the viewers were female. It is a chilling students must also be good attendees of their music ensemble and always be prepared,” The box office is saying that story about a lawyer played by Daniel he explained. “The Woman in Black” is one of the Radcliff and the secrets he uncovers while Leigh also refl ected on the ultimate goals of its members. “The goals are to serve most thrilling movies of the new year. investigating a town. While in town, he as leaders to the other members in the music program, along with the community. Poquessing agrees! The movie opened discovers a secret about The Woman in Together, the members do community service projects. Their most recent projects in early February, and it grossed $21 Black! If you want to more about this include collecting gently used gloves and hats. They also collected unopened food for million during its opening. According to movie, see it soon…if you dare! animal shelters. We eventually hope to perform for the community,” he said.