STATE COLLEGE AREA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER THE LIONS’ DIGEST February 2016 Issue II WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS & FEATURES OPINION ARTS & ENT SPORTS THIS ISSUE Perfect Valentine’s Gifts America’s Responsibility Spring Fashion Just Sanchez and a Tom Bucha and in Helping Refugees Bunch of Goons Kristen Miller Hannah Oleynik Abby Fortin Caycee Ohl Page 2 Page 3 Page 5 Page 7 DECA hosts Mr. State High Pageant for MDA Photo by Becca Stroschein Seniors Mike Riley, Brennan Cornwall and Keagan Rallis perform “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber BY BECCA STROSCHEIN went to something serious, the on a magic carpet to the song, round, where the audience Muscular Dystrophy Associa- with his rendition of the Carl- “A Whole New World” from could donate cash to the MDA On January 24th, people tion (MDA). ton, from the Fresh Prince of the Disney movie Aladdin foundation, the men were wel- crowded into the auditorium After being introduced Bel Air. while senior Justin Kurtz gave come back to the stage. Half of to see the highly anticipat- along with their escorts, the Next came the talent por- a soulful rendition of “Knock- the amount went to the overall ed Mr. State High pageant. tion of the pageant. From la- in’ on Heaven’s Door.” Junior score for the contenders. Twelve brave men stepped up modeling. Strutting, Dabbing, crosse tricks, to piano playing, The audience anxiously to compete for the crown. Al- and doing the “Carlton” were the contestants showed their place spot with the song “Last awaited for the votes to be tal- though the competition was some famous moves that won A-game. Senior Josh Rickley One Picked.” lied. After a few minutes, the light-hearted, the proceeds the judges hearts. Senior, Mike serenaded senior Ally Hughes After the People’s choice See Pageant page 2 Poetry Slams Time Is Building Up Construction gets off to a slow start State High BY DAVID WAGNER Weakland expressed that of cars. the administration understands Construction at State High “A lot of people are upset that the longer-than-expected about the fact that they’re mak- walk is an inconvenience to students are now noticing the ing us walk all the way around, students. The routes were well effects as the second semes- yet not a lot of construction is established before construc- ter kicks off. The construction getting done,” said junior Ly- tion began, but many students rollout has caused confusion lian Wang, “We don’t see any were unaware of how much of among students who are used changes, and yet it’s just real- to how things were before the ly inconvenient for everyone.” weather would have on their process began. Some students are frustrated daily walk. “We knew what Students expected 10 min- with the construction measures the path was going to be like utes between classes to com- being implemented, especially and tried to communicate it out pensate for the longer in- because most of the construc- but until you actually walk that ter-building route, but this Photo from video courtesy of Katie Taylor tion carried out thus far has not path you don’t actually know,” Sophomore Kristina Hughes presents a humorous poem she number was determined to be 8 been visible to students. Weak- Weakland said. “Until you start wrote about homework minutes before the beginning of land said, “It’s not that nothing swimming in the water, you the school year. The administra- has been done, it’s that there’s a don’t know how cold it’s going energetic and I think it’s re- BY JOSIE KREIGER tion calculated eight minutes as lot of behind the scenes internal to be.” ally cool that teenagers can the appropriate amount of time things that you are not seeing.” Hannah Yang, sophomore, Many were “encased in the come here and express their needed to cross the street. The Junior Chris Dietz agreed admitted that eight minutes was moment,” as Eva Kreiser said, minds and not be judged. You school has welcomed new se- with Wang’s comment: “The just enough time to navigate be- at the State College Slam Po- don’t really get that a lot of curity and crossing guards and fences make it extremely incon- tween buildings. “But then you etry Competition held at the places and I think it’s real- implemented a more watchful venient when it comes to cross- don’t have time to do things like Webster Bookstore Cafe on ly cool that they have these eye over students coming and ing the road. They add a lot of go to the bathroom. But I guess January 14th. The State High kinds of opportunities,” said going during class times. Being time onto any route you want to most teachers understand,” said Slam consisted of 10 students Elana Crown, a junior at stopped by crossing guards was take.” However, Assistant Prin- Yang. Junior Kyle Marsh dis- who competed in front of a State High. Jamie Bachman, not originally incorporated into cipal Chris Weakland assured agreed, “Teachers don’t under- panel of judges by performing a sophomore at State High, this time, but the administrative that fences were a necessary stand how long it actually takes a slam poem or rap. Kristina also enjoyed the competition, body has recently requested that precaution. “Fences are there to cross the street.” Yang said Hughes, a sophomore at State - the crossing guards to try and to protect students, pedestrians, the new route does not take an High, participated in the com- self and it really makes me allow as many students to cross whoever is walking by, because petition after hearing about it think, in a good way.” at once during this time without it is a construction zone.” See Construction page 2 from Katja Krieger, one of the Although all of the poets competitors who organized were winners in the judge’s the event. “I write poems and eyes. 3rd place was award- thought why not try it? I hav- ed to Kaylah Urie, 2nd en’t been slamming very long, place was awarded to Katja Krieger, and 1st place was today. I like slam poetry be- awarded to Smith. “[I be- cause you can get really deep gan to write slam poetry] at and emotional without the the beginning of the year for whole part of music getting in my creative writing class. I the way, even though music is really like writing the rhyme really, really amazing, some- schemes afterwards, like you times you miss the lyrics in a start with writing the poem song.” and then you revise it. The Several people who were revising part is my favorite in the crowd also felt as if part because you actually they were “lifted up onto their get to focus on what you’re feet”, as Kaylah Urie said. “A saying.” Competitors’ inspi- Photo by Hanna Yu lot of the poets here are really Students cross behind construction workers between blocks 3 and 4 on Thursday January 28, See Poetry page 5 following one of the two new routes connecting the North and South buildings. Page 2 NEWS & FEATURES Issue II BY BAYLIE CAMERON Study! As the last two marking periods unroll, wheth- C’s and D’s Oh My! Studying seems obvious but many students don’t er you have a B, want to make an A, or just want do it. Whether you don’t know how or just don’t to pass the class, here are some tricks to help you want to, studying is a skill you’ll need to possess bring up or sustain your grade: if you plan on going to college. Whether you’re Get Organized! studying for an upcoming test or just for a little It seems so useless, but organizing your materials can help clear your thoughts and better concen- trate on the material. Talk to Your Teacher Pay Attention In Class Some teachers just don’t believe in extra credit. If you do ask and they say no, try talking to them to get distracted in 90 minute classes; especially about getting some help. Most teachers will be when you have your phone and are surrounded by willing to meet with you after school or during a friends. Simply listening to what the teacher is say- free period. ing can enhance your learning by 25%. Create a Study Group! Don’t Procrastinate If you have friends in the same class or who are Some students have their own methods. “I always learning the same material, make a group chat or make sure to do my assignments right away and meet somewhere to study. It’s super fun and also take my time. This ensures that I do them well and that I remember the information correctly,” said freshman Abby English. Junior Makayla Fetzer Get Sleep! agrees, “It’s hard not to procrastinate but in the Sometimes getting a full eight hours of sleep can end it’s for the best.” be tricky when you have sports, homework, and a social life. However, balancing your schedule so Extra Credit! that you can sleep early is essential. Once you get or not, it’s so easy to walk up to them, or email them if you’re a little shy, and simply say “Hey I’m Grades are important to demonstrate your under- not happy with the grade I have and am willing to standing of material you’ve learned. However, they do extra work to raise it, do you happen to have anything I can do for extra credit?” says, remember that grades are not eternal and don’t determine your value.