Your #1 AJHS news source! Second Quarter 2019 Grease is the Word by Lucinda Tyler ​ Theatre has been around for centuries. Several have found it as a hobby in which you can express yourself. The AJHS is lucky enough to have their own program, stage, cast, and crew to be able express the love. This year I am happy to be a part of Abington Junior High’s Production of Grease Jr. As part of this year’s amazing cast, I have attended several rehearsals. But, what goes into a rehearsal? Rehearsals vary from 1 to 2 hours in length on average. When nearing showtime, they can run for what seems like a century (or just from 3-8). From full company dance rehearsals, to speaking roles: Act one, we run through it all in time for the show. To break it down even further, a common dance rehearsal as a chorus member would consist of learning the dance to a full company production number. A production number featured in Grease is Shakin’ at the High School Hop and Born to Hand Jive, both of which can be seen at the Rydell Prom. Another type of rehearsal I have been to is an “All Speaking Roles- Act One” practice. This means that anyone with a speaking role must come to rehearse lines for Act One of the show. We don’t necessarily do it in any particular order. Mrs. Walker will tend to pick out different scenes from that act to be rehearsed. ​Continued on p. 2 2 Continued from Grease p. 1 Abington’s most passionate students Wimberly, who taught us not The process you go through and directed by the Jr. High’s only how to get better at from start to finish as a cast esteemed Mrs. Walker, it will open on cheering, but how to work as member is a long one. The the 7th of March and run until the part of a team and to prepare us audition process is the start of 9th. On the 7th and 8th, the Ghost for future cheering. To all the it all. After signing up to Cast will be performing and then on players and students who came audition (i.e. personal the 9th, the Maroon and White Cast out to the games, thank you for information, musical will have a matinee and an evening your support and background, preferred part, performance. I hope you found this encouragement. It has been an etc.), you go on your selected inside scoop on the musical amazing season! day to audition. There you informative and I hope you enjoy the learn a simple dance routine, show! Art Club, a Place of perform a song you have Creativity Lives Beyond prepared, and finally perform by Tiffany Le a short scene. After one long Some students thought that day of auditioning and several the art club was not including long days of waiting, the cast any more members. That is list goes up telling you your actually false because the art part and when the first club leaders didn’t discourage rehearsal is. The joy that students from joining. Art Club follows the release of the meets after school on posting of the cast list is Wednesdays and is a place where overwhelming as you delight The cast and crew of Grease view we, as artists, can showcase our over you and your friends’ performances, socialize, and complete their talents of art. Students are parts. Although, that homework during rehearsals. attending meetings to improve excitement inevitably turns to their art skills in C59 so C57 anxiety as the show rounds Junior High Cheerleading which has a small number of the corner. The expected day by Bryanna Balkin ceramics students attending My of performance comes faster Cheerleading! What is this sport first time being there was very than anyone would like, but about? Abington Jr. High’s cheer amusing, I drew something that nevertheless, through all the squad is comprised of 16 girls in I never drew before. I liked draining hours of practice, grades 7-9. The cheerleaders purpose seeing more realistic drawings everyone is ready to perform. is to promote school spirit and more Marvel-type themes It can be hard starting a show throughout the school day, at school ​ (like Deadpool and Captain where you don’t know many activities and during sporting events. America) from other students, people. Although, no one can Throughout the winter season, the which was pretty impressive. deny the friendly, charismatic cheer squad supported the 9th grade Even if you don’t have a talent personality theatre kids have. girls and boys basketball teams. To for art, it's okay because we all As you know, theatre is the art prepare for the games, we held need a break from looking at of expression. Kids who find several practices a week where we social media or working on themselves attracted to worked on routines, stunting and classwork. Ms.Custer, Mr. Tulli, theatre have a way with learned cheers. On game day, we and Ms. Steinlage run the Art expressing themselves. You wore our uniforms to encourage the Club. Art Club allows students to are sure to find your crowd student body to attend the games. work with new friends that they amidst the outgoing theatre During the games, we cheered on the never met before. Students can lovers that the drama club is. players, motivated the crowd and go to different tables and discuss Grease is a musical that performed during half time. awesome topics. Art Club is highlights some of the The AJH cheer squad had an amazing different than other clubs. If misconceptions of being a season. We would like to thank our your mind has millions and teen amidst the world of peer coaches, Mrs. Gates and Mrs. millions of ideas, draw it out! It pressure. Portrayed by is a place for a creative mind. 3 Bullying by Xiani Coubarous- Carter Is bullying a problem at school? If so, what is being done to remedy this problem? Bullying comes in many different forms, from cyberbullying to physical bullying. Those who are constantly bullied can be pushed to their limit. The victim can end up hurting themselves or others. Bullying regularly occurs at schools on a daily basis. Bullying usually starts with a person or a group of people. Bullying has progressed so much, that the children being bullied and the children witnessing it, have been too scared to report it. This is an important issue that will not be solved, until parents and teachers address the reasons why children humiliate and intimidate others in the first place. According to Mr. Kovaleski, “ The school has lower incidences of bullying than the state’s average.” According to Mr. Kovaleski,“The best way to resolve bullying problems at school is to, always address the person that is being bullied and talk to the parent or guardian of the child.” The following punishment for the child should be either the bully apologizing to the student, or suspension, depending on the situation. The reason that students bully others is power. It is a theory by some,that bullying has caused depression. The bully crunches the person's self esteem and makes that person feel bad about themselves. But sometimes this is not always the case. When it comes to cyberbullying in school, it can be even harder to deal with because it could happen at any time of the day, and even after school. When the school administration is involved, it would be easier to investigate and prove. When bullies are physically bullying someone, the best way to stop it, is if it is either in school or on a bus, might be to either change seats, classes or routes. 4 Caroline Hughes, the Queen of the Field By Felicia Morina You walk onto the large, Schwarzman Stadium field from the locker room, the bright lights glaring down at you, the crowd roars, and you get in your position. The pressure is on! The clock screams, and it is game time. The ball gets booted down the field and the other team’s player is getting closer and closer. Panic consumes your body, but as they approach, you stick your foot out and hold possession over the ball. Your quickly launch the ball to the opposite side and the whole stadium rattles. For freshman student, Caroline Hughes, scenarios such as this, were a reality every week! Caroline Hughes was the only freshman student who made the girls’ varsity soccer team during the 2018-19 school year. Caroline Hughes has been playing soccer for four-teen years, nearly her whole life! She has played for Hunter Soccer Club, seventh and eighth grade soccer, and now high-school soccer. Earlier this year, soccer tryouts for this upcoming season took place here at Abington but, little did Caroline know she would be playing on the varsity team, “...I was just hoping to make the junior varsity team and be with my friends.” When Caroline found out she made the varsity team, she did not know what to think, but she was over the moon excited! “I was shocked...but during tryouts the coach had me play a little bit with varsity girls, so I kind of knew what was happening towards the end of tryouts.” Being the youngest player on the team, Caroline faced some difficulties, but her skill level proved she was capable of the work, and she proved herself worthy! Throughout the season, Caroline had good days, but some bad days as well, ​“​...there’s a lot of stress because I felt like I had to perform well all the time especially in the beginning.