STEELER Nation Volume 1, Issue 1 Aug./Sept. 2019 News Farrell Schools Undergoing Major Renovation By JORDYN SCOTT Inside this issue: Farrell Area Schools look and feel differ- One of the most exciting things ent this school year! The buildings have to show off is the brand new, state Hispanic Heritage 2 been undergoing a district wide renovation of the art, S.T.E.A.M. laborato- Month that started in June of 2018. The Farrell High ry. Farrell High School now boasts Homecoming Court 3 Newspaper staff reached out to Superinten- one of the most elaborate spaces of dent Dr. Lora Adams-King who, along with this kind in Western Pennsylvania. Linden Point 3 the School Board and Business Manager, has This innovative design space directly been instrumental in bringing about these benefits our Farrell students in vari- Teacher Spotlight 4 innovative improvements. ous ways. Students are preparing Classroom candids 5 Dr. Adams-King tells us that the recon- for their futures as well as the future Student shout-outs struction is scheduled to be finished in No- of the technology and design fields 5 vember 2019. It is an 18 month project in that they will be facing in college and in real-world job and career Sports - New Head 6 total and quickly coming to an end. Some Football Coach highlights of the project have been the up- fields. In this lab, and under the Dress Code 7 dates and remodeling of elementary school guidance of Mr. Justin Lewis, expert and lead STEAM instructor, students classrooms, hallways, offices, cafeteria, and Farrell 5K / Million are already designing and producing 8 computer labs. The elementary lockers are Father March now smaller for easier student access. Ongo- a variety of products and projects. ing technology upgrades include IPads and Chromebooks. Windows, lighting, paint, and showcases have been updated throughout both the elementary and high school build- ings. Air conditioning has been cooling tem- peratures throughout both buildings since students returned this past August. Dr. Ad- ams-King’s overall impression is that it is go- ing very well. Mark your calendars: Oct. 4 - Homecoming game vs. Cochranton Oct. 5- Homecoming Dance Oct. 8 - Language Competi- tion at SRU Oct. 11- Act 80 early day Oct. 14 - Columbus Day No school Oct. 15 - Senior Declarations DUE! Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 1 Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month Contributed by: Señora Torres Roberto Clemente – Baseball trail- Each year, Americans observe blazer National Hispanic Heritage Month Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta – from September 15 to October Co-founders of the United Farm 15, by celebrating the histories, Workers Union cultures and contributions of Ellen Ochoa – First Hispanic to American citizens whose ances- leave Earth’s atmosphere tors came from Spain, Mexico, Franklin Chang-Diaz – Astronaut Spanish-speaking countries in the Spanish Teacher, Señora Torres, integrates Victor Cruz – Athlete Caribbean and Central and South her own Latino culture (from Puerto Rico) into Albert Baez – Co-inventor of the X- America. The observation started Farrell Spanish 1-4 Classes. Ray microscope in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Richard E. Cavazos – First Hispanic Week under President Lyndon leaders, politicians, military, edu- Four-Star General Johnson and was expanded by cators, first responders, science Alfred Velazquez Rascon – Medal President Ronald Reagan in 1988 pioneers and public servants. His- of Honor recipient and 10th direc- to cover a 30-day period starting panics also have a strong presence tor of the Selective Service System on September 15 and ending on in the arts, media, and spots. Joan Baez – Folk Singer and Activist October 15. Dr. Severo Ochoa – Doctor and bio- During National Hispanic Her- chemist - Awarded the Nobel Prize itage Month, we recognize the Hispanic individuals who in Physiology or Medicine in 1959 contributions made and the im- have contributed to the History for synthesizing RNA (ribonucleic portant presence of Hispanic and of our National include: acid) Latino Americans to the United Sonia Sotomayor – Associate Jus- Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa - States and celebrate their herit- tice of the Supreme Court of the Neurosurgeon, Author, Researcher, age and culture. United States and Chair of the Department of Hispanics have had a pro- Hilda Solis – Former Department Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic found and positive influence on of Labor Secretary Oscar de la Hoya – Boxing champi- our country through their strong Felix Longoria and Hector P Gar- on commitment to family, faith, hard cia – Helped bring recognition to Fernando Vargas – U.S. Olympian work, and service. They have en- Hispanic World War II veterans and boxing champion hanced and shaped our national and founded the American GI Fo- character with centuries-old tra- rum ditions that reflect the multi- Gina Rivera – Actor For more information, visit ethnic and multicultural customs Jorge Ramos – News anchor and www.hispanicheritagemonth.org of their communities. winner of eight Emmy Awards Today, 57.5 million people or Sylvia Mendez – Paved the way 18% of the American population for school desegregation and the are of Hispanic or Latino origin, US perquisite to Brown vs. Educa- making Hispanics the largest eth- tion nic minority in the United States. Jennifer Lopez – Singer and Actor Hispanics serve as Civil Rights Hector Elizondo – Actor Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 1 Homecoming Court 2019 Homecoming 2019 is Friday, October 4th with a game against Cochranton at home. The dance is Sat- urday, October 5th from 7pm-10pm at the Farrell VFW. This year’s theme is Fall. Student Council, un- der leadership of Mrs. Kim Kladitis, is expecting over 80 students to attend the dance. Homecoming 2019 Court is represented by Senior students: Raymond Raver Jr., SaNiyeh Thomas, Adrian Daniels, Nikki Jefferson, Tyrie Hammonds, Jasmine May, Kyra Crosby, Juwon Samuels, Kalia Knight and Eric Hopson Linden Pointe Business Campus wel- comes three of Farrell’s finest By NATHANIEL WILD The Linden Pointe pro- this year, they will be put into teams gram is an entrepreneurship pro- and tasked with thinking of a revolu- gram geared towards helping young tionary idea in no specific domain. minds learn how to make and run a Teams will compete against one an- successful business. This year’s other in an event at the end of May, on Linden Pointe class consists of what is called “Demo Day.” The win- three bright minds from Farrell, ner of the contest will be chosen by a Melvin Hobson, Raymond Raver panel of judges. Jr. and Nathaniel Wild. Every day Student Ray Raver sums up they leave school early, after 4th his feelings on the program, “E- period, to go to the E-Center locat- Academy is an amazing program ed in Hermitage. Along with ap- where I met a ton of great people from proximately twenty other students around Mercer County. I enjoy and I’d from Mercer County, they learn recommend the juniors to try this dur- entrepreneurial skills, problem ing their senior year. This program solving techniques, and many other gives you many great opportunities to skills needed to open, and run, a do different things that you wouldn’t business of their own. Throughout normally do in class.” Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3 Spotlight on Social Studies substitute, Ms. Grills By JORDYN SCOTT Ms. Jessica Grills started at Farrell in the spring of 2019. She is a long-term Social Studies substitute. The reason why she came to Farrell High School is that it reminded her of the high school she The Sumerians were a civilization that lived between attended. She graduated from Clarion-Limestone the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in 4000 B.C. They are and Union City School District and then Clarion Uni- credited for creating the first writing system in the world versity. She recommends Clarion University because called Cuneiform! Try to solve the message below it is relatively small, which makes education more using the key. personal, similar to here at Farrell. She majored in Social Studies Education. Being a teacher was Ms. Grills’ dream job growing up. The teaching style she enjoys the most is group work, which encourages students to work together, manage time wisely, and develop flexibil- ity. The best thing about teaching is helping the stu- dents to understand the meaning and importance of Social Studies and History. The goal she has for herself is to hopefully to continue her career here at The first student who solves it and turns it into Farrell. A piece of advice she wants to give her stu- dents is to come to class, do your work, and turn it room 104 will get a treat! in. Ms. Grills has very exciting news in her per- The first student who has Miss Grills for class will sonal life as some people already know; she is preg- get bonus points! nant with a baby boy. In a crazy twist of events, she found out that she was pregnant when she got into Key a car accident just a few months ago. Fortunately, mother and baby are okay and she expects the new addition to her family by this December. Good luck Ms. Grills and thanks for all you do for our Farrell students! Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 1 Ms. Bolyard’s Family Consumer Science Classes off to a busy start Grades 9 and 10 students pare apples and fire up the stove for homemade dip and muf- fins. (Pictured above and right) Grade 8 students completing a sewing project of felt pillows. (Pictured above and left) Student SHOUT OUTS! To: Miles Goodrich from To: Tacari Evans— Mrs. Armour: You know what Excellent début de l’année. you’re doing, THANKS so Continue le BON travail! much for going above and be- yond! -Madame Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5 Farrell Steelers Football Team, new Coach Amp snag 600th Win! By OMAR STEWART just trying to go above and beyond for the program, be one of the great coach- ing legends, and teach these young men the game of football that I love so much.” Coach Pegues’ coaching philos- ophy centers on love and passion for the kids and teaching them how to be- come outstanding young men and win games.