Are the AP exams necessary? 5 Apple’s iPad: The latest touchable technology 15 Issue 6 The Students’ Newspaper of Neshaminy High School April 30, 2010 2001 Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, Pa. 19047 www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us/playwickian/ Mr. Redskin offi cially given his crown Nick Patruskey poses with teacher Justin Bursk, after he receives “Best of Show” for his artwork at the BCCC 15th Annual Art Exhibi- tion. Photo/John Patruskey Various art pieces of several Neshaminy students were selected to showcase in Hicks Art Center Gallery at Bucks County Community College. In the 15th Annual Bucks County High School Art Exhibition, senior Nick Patruskey, an advanced art three student, was awarded with “Best of Show” for his original sketch that was displayed in the gallery from April 5-11. On display was his “self-portrait, still life done in pencil.” Patruskey drew insight from his surroundings and environ- ment, and was especially infl uenced by future prospects. “I get my inspiration from everything around me. Whether it be people, places, or life altogether. Also, I am very in- spired by my future and what it holds in store for me,” he said. Neshaminy art teachers collaborated in an effort to choose their preferences for the competition, including Patruskey’s art teacher, Justin Bursk. They selected from fi ve pieces but there was a size requirement for the pieces as well as some additional prerequisites. The art selection needed to be creative and unique, a good example of Kyle O’Donnell waves to the audience, ironically to later be revealed as Neshaminy’s fi rst Mr. Redskin. how to use the materials, and both visually and intellectu- ally interesting. Photo/Gina Artillio Bursk has a well-trained eye for the arts and easily recog- nized Patruskey’s shining talents. “Nick is a very dedicated and passionate artist. He sees beyond the assignment and By Colleen Kane cluded a formal wear section where they Mr. Redskin in ’73 and my grandfather makes the project personal and focuses on how he can Circulation Editor were escorted in by senior ladies, a two- communicate his ideals through use of mediums and im- in ’46. It is basically a long heritage line agery,” Bursk said. part questionnaire, talent portion, and a I want to follow.” Putruskey attended the reception and awards cere- In the fi rst annual Mr. Redskin Com- mony on April 11, in which he met with and was presented fi nale ending with the boys rocking the In addition to his wit, O’Donnell also his award by Congressman Patrick Murphy. He will also be petition, senior Kyle O’Donnell was sport attire. However, the Mr. Redskin stole the spotlight during his outrageous entered in the annual National Congressional Art Compe- tition in Washington, D.C. He will receive a cash prize of named winner on Tuesday, April 20, competition was more of a comedic act routine of an “Old School” scene, in $150 and his work will hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the thanks to the efforts of the senior class than a pure contest, as most of the time U.S. Capitol for a year, which serves as a notable art exhibit which he danced and twirled in a rather that reveals the talent of the nation’s high school youth. offi cers and Mr. Kain. The runner-up spent on stage was light and carefree. tight leotard. ~Jocelyn Joseph contestants included seniors Kevin Ma- Host Dylan Atkinson posed the in- Atkinson also asked follow-up gee and Rich Seacrest. Not only did the quiry, “why did you decide to join the questions to each of the ten candidates, show prove very entertaining, but it also Mr. Redskin competition?” during the in which each of the boys crafted clever Iceland Volcano Eruption gave the boys an opportunity to win free questionnaire round. In a very pageant- prom tickets. esque manner, Justin Mohn replied, “to Taking on the essence of a Miss USA end world hunger.” O’Donnell humor- See Mr. Redskin competition on contest, the Mr. Redskin competition in- ously responded, “well, my father was page 2 Musical talents of school shines in “Idol” fl ights were canceled due By Joanna Sauer the cut. Even with all the cuts, the show the judges and roaring applause from the 1100,00000,000 to ash clouds caused by the Staff Writer still managed to run overtime ending at audience. volcanic eruption. 10:30 p.m. The second act contained a lot of up- The undiscovered talent of Neshami- Neshaminy’s dance team got the beat dance numbers and crowd pleasing $$2.02.0 ny gathered center stage to sing, dance night started by performing one of their singers. Seniors Annie Hagermann and Billion lost by the airline industry from the and play their hearts out for judges and a outstanding routines. Idol then opened Rahzon Ford performed “No Air” and Icelandic ash cloud that halted air traffi c for nearly large audience on Thursday, April 8. The its fi rst act with musicians and singers, were one of the favorites of the act. a week. show was hosted by senior Kevin Gross some of whom incorporated instruments “Rahzohn and I sang together just The last time the volcano and junior Brian Beloff. into their recitals. Crowd favorites in the erupted was in the 1820s, after Over 70 people auditioned for the fi rst act, such as sophomore Kevin Mur- 1820s being dormant for nearly 200 show with only about 25 percent making ray, received many compliments from See Neshaminy Idol on page 3 years NNewsews SSpecialpecial FeaturesFeatures SSportsports Bullying of one teen leads to fatal Girls’ softball team continues their Find out how to relieve stress from consequence 2 daily life 8-9 winning streak 13 OOp-Edp-Ed SStudenttudent LLifeife EEntertainmentntertainment JJessicaessica SimpsonSimpson iinspiresnspires girlsgirls withwith Should senior couples split before ACT testing grows in popularity 10 taking off for college? 6 nnewew sshow,how, ““PricePrice ooff BBeauty”eauty” 1515 Page 2 The Playwickian News April 30, 2010 childish tactics, verbal attacks lead to sui- Bullying cide of 15-year-old girl in South Hadley By Deanna Zaro The unrelenting harassment contin- how the six teens convicted should be from happening again. “Included in the Staff Writer ued for three months, when Prince tried punished. It was not an isolated incident; plan are new rules against cyber bully- to tell administrators of her problems. many teens are bullied to the point where ing. Those changes take effect next year. In South Hadley, Mass., 15-year-old “Court documents say that Phoebe asked they feel death is the only way out. It’s the year Phoebe Prince should have Irish immigrant, Phoebe Prince, was South Hadley offi cials for help, then later South Hadley School District is tak- been a sophomore,” CBS 3 Springfi eld found dead in her home’s stairwell on told a friend no action was going to be ing steps to prevent anything like this reported. Jan. 14. Phoebe had committed suicide taken,” reported People magazine. due to excessive bullying infl icted on her “We fi rst learned of the bullying on by her classmates at South Hadley High Jan. 7 [but] the extent of the bullying we Journalism breeds winners School. did not know about. We only knew about It is said that most of the bullying the activity of one group of students,” began when Prince caught the eye of South Hadley Superintendent Gus Sayer the football captain, Sean Mulveyhill. said. Mulveyhill is one of the six teenagers Apparently the administrators of involved in the incident that now face South Hadley High School did not know criminal charges for their actions. enough about the horrendous bullying In an adult court on April 6, Mulvey- that Prince had to endure. This included hill along with two others pleaded not malicious messages on Facebook and guilty to charges that included civil rights Twitter, one of which encouraged Prince violation, harassment, and statutory rape. to kill herself. The other three teens also pleaded not On her last day, Prince was in the guilty on April 8. library with friends when junior Ashley Prince and her family had just moved Longe, accompanied by Mulveyhill and to South Hadley after living in County his girlfriend Kayla Narey, began to taunt Clare, Ireland. After her short relation- her. Longe began yelling, “I hate stupid ship with Mulveyhill ended, he joined in sluts,” and other sexual slurs, at Phoebe. with the other harassing students. Some On her way home, an empty Monster students at South Hadley High School can was thrown at her by a taunting and believe that Prince was bullied out of laughing Longe. After having enough of In a recent Design an Ad/Write a Poem contest held by Newspaper in Education, jealousy. all the harassment, Prince took her life. Journalism students beat over 4,000 contestants. In the Ad portion of the contest, The attention Phoebe received from She hanged herself in her stairwell with a Lilia Tkach and Rebecca Johnson took fi rst place. For the poem contest, Paige male students provoked girls to call her noose she had fashioned from a scarf. Brodnyan placed fi rst. Emily Duke (not pictured) placed second for her poem an “Irish whore,” a close female friend Prince’s story has stirred up con- and Nicole Gattone (not pictured) also placed second for her ad. said according to People magazine. troversy about bullying in schools and Photo/Lera Salmon Explosive fatal accident: Mr. Redskin competition Continued from front page Yet life moves on for small mining community responses of their own, leaving the audience laughing and cheering for more.