2012 March

Volume 45 Issue 6

March 2012 45 Years

Freedom High School - 3149 Chester Avenue - Bethlehem, PA 18020 - www.fhsforum.com

Cops ‘n’ Kids Makes 452,000th Connection

By Anna Thomas, Asst. News Editor

(Continued on page 2COPS)

By Kristen Dalton An exhibit in the Freedom library is honoring the memory of millions of innocent people killed during the Holocaust.

The exhibit includes pictures, interactive computer activities, and belongings and letters left behind by victims in the concentration camps and other Jewish households. The exhibit represents the long-term effects of discrimination.

Later this month, students will partake in an assembly that ties the exhibit in with the No Place for Hate initiative.

Students have an opportunity to see what it was really like to be Jewish in the Holocaust. The letters, pictures, and interactive activities give students the chance to see how Jewish people lived. It turns out that their regular lives were not as different as one might expect.

Jewish children in this time went to school, spent time with friends, read books, drew pictures, and other everyday activ-

ities. The goal of the exhibit is to make students realize how Jewish people and their lives did not differ from other people’s lives.

Ms. Marylou Lordi, who set up this detailed exhibit, wants students to understand what it was like to be involved in this time period. The writings and computer programs demonstrated how the Jewish were treated, scapegoated, and murdered unfairly. Ms. Lordi is giving students the same experience anyone would have gotten in a real Holocaust museum all within the halls of Freedom by relating the lives of innocent Jews who were murdered to the everyday life of a student.

She ensured propaganda examples made by Hitler were displayed to show the manipulation and deception he employed upon the people of Germany. The exhibit also shows

Justin Alicea / The Freedom Forum

To provide every child in the valley with a book of their own—that is the ultimate goal of the Lehigh Valley chapter of the Cops ‘n’ Kids children’s nonprofit. Last month, the chapter got that much closer to reaching its goal, by raising its landmark 452,000th book.

The Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program is a national initiative formally adopted in 2003 by Quota International of Bethlehem. Through the program, at-risk children are provided not only books, but the opportunity to view law enforcement as a positive influence in their lives, who participate by reading

Remembering the Past to Look Towards the Future

(Continued on page 2LIBRARY)

Special Olympics Make a Difference

Inside this Issue Corbett Cuts More to Education Budget (p. 3) Cheers and Jeers to the Year of Greatness (p. 4) Behind the Curtains of Freedom’s Musical (p. 7) The Hunger Games Phenomenon (p. 10)

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

Brian Uliana / Special to The Freedom Forum

Amanda Molinaro / Pates’ Post Editor

On Feb. 22, Freedom High School hosted the Special Olympics. Members from student council and the Freedom and Liberty boys’ basketball teams helped run the event. Mr. Richard Agretto, Director of Special Education in the Bethlehem Area School District, stressed that this would be a humbling experience for all involved in the special day.

Over 200 students from all over the Lehigh Valley came to participate in the event with everyone leaving as a winner.

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

Freedom’s AP Scholars [Top] Seniors Grace Mao, Devin Handwerk, Thomas Nguyen, Abhinav Rangarajan, [bottom] Shaleen Oza, Cindy Zheng, and Alexa Curto were all named Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars in February for their hard work on the AP exams. Handwerk and Nguyen were announced as AP Scholars who received scores of a three (out of five) or higher on three or more AP exams. The others were named AP Scholars with Distinction, an award given to those who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of three or higher on five or more AP exams.

Sixteen students who graduated from Freedom last June were also named AP Scholars this year.

Spring Sports Previews (p. 12-13) Debate Team (p. 14) An Update on the Bell Count and How Freedom Can Win the Bell (p. 16)

Be sure to be following The Freedom Forum (@fhsforum) on Twitter!

Interested in becoming an editor for the paper for the upcoming school year?

Applications will be available outside room 210 after March 21.

2 News The Freedom Forum A Publication of Freedom High School Bethlehem Area School District 3149 Chester Avenue Bethlehem PA, 18020 (610) 867-5843 www.fhsforum.com

Editor-in-Chief Tyler Alicea News Editor Luisa Marin Editorial Editor Julie Boylan Features Editor Ashley Eichlin Entertainment Editor Courtney Barrow Sports Editor Mike McGinty

The Forum (Continued from page 1— LIBRARY)

pictures of Jewish businesses being taken away and how freedom was completely stripped

(Continued from page 1—COPS)

to kids and organizing events for them.

“There is something empowering about being able to witness kids providing kids with an item that might be the key to changing their lives,” says President Beverly Bradley.

Bradley, who grew up in poverty on the south side of Bethlehem, says that she became a teacher because she wanted to

March 2012

from the Jewish people.

Ms. Lordi said, “The ramification of the exhibit has been very popular. It really gives students the fortuity of being able to relate to the lives of a Jew in

the Holocaust and how hatred, discrimination, and manipulation can affect the world.”

The Holocaust exhibit will be in the library until the end of March.

give back to the community that had given to her as a girl.

“In some cases, the book that the program provides a child may be the only book that he or she has ever received, but becomes the thing that makes them passionate about learning. Books give hope.”

Bradley is not alone in her belief. “The most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print,” says JD Sanford Newman, au-

thor of America's Child Care Crisis: A Crime Prevention Tragedy. “Communities ranking high in achievement tests have several factors in common: an abundance of books in public libraries and easy access to books in the community at large.”

Junior Erin Ogozaly recently had the opportunity to volunteer at Cops ‘n’ Kids. “I think the program is so awesome and truly impactful,” says Ogozaly.

“You never realize how im-

portant a single book and a little bit of caring is to a child. It can make all the difference.”

If you would like to get involved with Cops ‘n’ Kids, Visit copsnkidslv.org or email lvcopsn-kids@att.net for additional information. You can also drop off your new and gently used books at either Bethlehem City Hall on 10 East Church Street, or the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center on 511 East Third Street.

Pates’ Post Editor Amanda Molinaro Centerspread Editor Zach Ward Layout Editor Haroon Ahmad Web Editor Krystal Domin Assistant Editors Anna Thomas Faarah Ameerally Ryan Shaikh Adam Duser

Adviser Mrs. Karla Erdman Principal Mr. Michael LaPorta Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy For our editorial statement and corrections policy, please go to www.fhsforum.com/about.html Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

http://fb.fhsforum.com

Facebook Makes Stock Available to the Public

By Courtney Barrow, Entertainment Editor Earlier this year, social media giant Facebook recently announced they filed for public stock offering, allowing for individuals to purchase shares of the multibillion dollar company.

The documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stated that the company hoped to make $5 billion by becoming part of the stock market. The IPO, or initial public offering, will not be set until about May, but in the meantime, the value is expected to increase as the demand for shares continues to rise.

This is considered to be one of the largest IPOs in US history as

Facebook is currently valued between $75 billion and $100 billion. It has about 845 million users found in countries all across the globe.

Facebook becoming a publicly traded company follows the trend of major Internet firms joining the market as well. Last year, other social media stocks LinkedIn and Groupon became part of the market as well. However, while their initial prices were rather high, they quickly dropped to a lukewarm value.

Experts caution that Facebook stocks will suffer the same fate.

Initially, the share may be offered around $100, but that price may quickly plummet when the hype is over and demand drops.

The company has yet to an-

nounce whether it will be a part of Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange.

Its ticker symbol will be the already recognizable FB.

The Freedom Forum Photo Archive

@fhsforum, #fhsforum fhsforum@gmail.com

Sponsors Ron and Patty Williams Gold Level

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Rosie Kaur Steel Level

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Kim and Rick Giamportone Steel Level Interested in sponsoring The Freedom Forum? Stop by room 210 for a form or email our adviser at kerdman@bethsd.org.

Corrections In the Feb. 2012 issue, Mrs. Pazzaglia’s name was incorrectly printed as “Pizzaglia.” We would like to apologize for this. Be sure to welcome Madame Pazzaglia to FHS.

Science Takes Over The White House

By Nainjot Singh For the second year in a row, President Barack Obama hosted the White House Science Fair, which presented scientific research and inventions of students from various regions of the United States.

The White House Science Fair was held on Feb. 7. Over 100 students from all over the country were given the chance to go to the White House and present their own science projects that had won them their local competitions.

Although recognition of excellent students is necessary, many believe that there is another rea-

son for holding this science fair.

A report released by President Obama’s Council of Advisers in Science and Technology found that one million additional graduates with the esteemed STEM degrees (Science, Technology.

Engineering and Math) are needed over the next decade to fill the growing number of jobs requiring these skills.

According to The White House website, President Obama said, “When students excel in math and science, they help America compete for the jobs and industries of the future.

That’s why I’m proud to celebrate outstanding students at the White House Science Fair, and

to announce new steps my Administration and its partners are taking to help more young people succeed in these critical subjects."

The President was able to see talented students from all over the country and enjoyed seeing the varied presentations. He even got to fire a marshmallow cannon in the White House.

Many may recognize this as the same White House Science Fair that our own Freedom alumni, Raina Jain, attended.

Jain got a chance to go in 2010 after winning the International BioGENEius Challenge.

Although no one was named winner at this science fair, many

heart-felt stories were shared about the lives of students in attendance. Samantha Garvey, from New York, was a homeless 17 year old who became a finalist in the Intel Science competition. Angela Zhang found a potential cure to cancer during her after-school hours. The fair was a way to showcase rising American talents.

In the future, who knows how many other students might be able to give President Barack Obama a science lesson. It may even be someone from Freedom High School.

Class Dues

SENIORS

Class dues are a one time payment of $40 ($10 per each year attending Freedom). Dues must be paid to class advisers in order for juniors and seniors to attend prom and other class sponsored activities. All students should pay their dues ASAP in order to ensure all future activities occur.

Community Service is due by April 13. Don’t forget to turn in your hours. Sixty (60) hours are required to graduate.

News 3

The Forum

March 2012

Corbett Proposes Additional Budget Cuts to Higher Education

By Julie Boylan, Editorial Editor After cutting almost 20 percent of state funding to higher education in last year’s budget, Governor Tom Corbett is pushing a 25 percent reduction in funding to state universities in the 2012-2013 proposed budget.

Although the proposed 27.14 billion budget includes no tax increases, higher education is one of the areas looking at deep cuts in state funding.

Of the total cuts, 330 million, a 20 percent reduction, is allotted from the budgets of the 14 state-owned schools including Kutztown and East Stroudsburg. 147.4 million (30 percent of total) is withheld from three of the four state-related universities including Penn State, Temple, and University of Pittsburgh.

Community colleges are not overlooked either. Corbett proposes a 4 percent decrease in state funding for the community colleges, amounting to $8.8 million. In addition, student grants and loans administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency are facing 6 percent in cuts, totaling $362 million.

State education secretary Ron Tomalis said that grants

would be directed toward students who plan to pursue careers in “high priority and economically stimulating fields” such as energy, agriculture and manufacturing.

“I look at my threeyear old and wonder how much college is going to cost us fifteen years from now,” says Ms. Jennifer Deily Corbett defends his budget, saying that universities could easily reduce operating costs rather than raising tuition. He also notes that the proposed reductions come out to only a small decrease in the overall operating budgets for the state’s biggest public universities.

For example, the millions that the proposed budget would cut from state funds approximate 1.6 percent reduction in the total budget of Penn State, 1.8 percent of the Temple budget, 2.1 percent of University of Pittsburgh’s budget and 3.8 percent of the budgets for the state-owned schools.

Corbett points out that in the over the ten-year period where the state gave $3 billion to

Penn State, the tuition grew 110 percent.

Freedom teacher Ms. Jennifer Deily worries about the raising tuition these budget cuts will ultimately bring.

“I look at my three-year old and wonder how much college is going to cost us fifteen years from now.”

Senior Janice Lee however

sees the situation through the government’s eye.

“The government has to do what it has to do,” says Lee. “If the universities have better budgets, they will be able to survive a cut like this and not have any problems.”

Proposition 8 in California has a pretty rocky history.

The bill was first introduced on Nov.4, 2008. In May of that year, the state of California had just done away with Proposition 22, which limited marriage to a man and a woman. This meant that for a short time same-sex marriage was legal. Proposition 8 put a stop to that. In short, Proposition 8 made same-sex marriage illegal.

In May 2009, it was ruled

that marriages performed before November 2008 were valid. Proposition 8 did not nullify those marriages, but the bill was not done yet.

Judge Vaughn Walker later ruled the bill unconstitutional in August 2010 in the Perry v.

Schwarzenegger case. However, due to the appeals that his ruling would have to go through, there had been little movement concerning the bill.

That is, until February 7, 2012, when a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Judge Walker’s deci-

Feb 20-23 The burning of Korans, the sacred book of Islam, caused an increase in tension in Afghanistan. Military personnel burned various copies of the book and led to Afghan protests. The violent protests resulted in the injury of many Afghans, the death of seven civilians, and the death of two American soldiers. The fear of the escalating violence, which was fueled by the Taliban, led to President Obama sending a letter apologizing for the burnings.

Feb 24 An inspection of Iran took, as U.S. agents went to look at the nuclear power plants in Iran. Reportedly, nothing seemed to alarm the inspectors. There was no proof that a bomb was being assembled. The findings led to sigh of relief on behalf of U.N. Countries that were planning on placing embargos and restriction of trade with Iran. The plan to build a nuclear warhead in Iran was stopped in 2003 and has been monitored by various agencies.

Feb 27 The Freedom Forum Photo Archive

Last year, teachers gathered near the Bethlehem library to protest Governor Corbett’s 2011 cuts to education.

Proposition 8 Ruled Unconstitutional

By Sabrina Castaneda

In Case You Missed It

sion. The court ruled 2-1 in favor of ruling Prop 8 unconstitutional and wrote, “Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California.”

Junior Brian Knarr supports the repeal. “Marriage shouldn’t be limited by the type of couple,” says Knarr. “Before 1967, interracial couples weren’t allowed to get married because of the law, but that doesn’t mean it was right.”

Flickr.com / sushiesque

This does not mean that couples can get married, however. The ruling that Judge Walker put in place is still active.

What it does mean is that Proposition 8 supporters can take the ruling to the Supreme Court. Proponents of Proposition 8 have stated that they want to bring this case to the Supreme Court as quickly as possible. If the appeal reaches the Supreme Court, it could take a year or more to receive a ruling.

Theoretical ruling will only impact California’s definition of marriage, but the decision will have widespread effects concerning same-sex marriage nationwide.

However, the Supreme Court may decide to not even hear the case. For now, Californians must wait. This ruling may go nowhere, or it may change the lives of thousands.

Same-sex marriage isn’t a hot topic in just California, though. Washington and New Jersey have both recently taken steps towards legalizing same-sex marriage. No laws have been changed yet, but the states are heading in that direction. Whatever the outcome, it is still clear that times are changing for same-sex couples.

A shooting at Chardon High School left one dead and three wounded. At around 7:40 am the shooter came into the school and reportedly shot at a group of students. Then he was convinced by a teacher to walk outside the premises. A suspect was eventually arrested that morning.

The police did not release his name because he is a minor, but in a statement in the evening, the family of the suspected shooter identified him as T.J. Lane. Chardon is a small town with a population of about 5,000.

Feb 27 Russian TV reports that an assassination attempt against Putin was discovered weeks before the election.

The suspects were detained in the Ukraine. Putin's spokesperson confirmed the arrests and the plan. The information was released a week before the Russian election, which Putin won.

Throughout February The Republican primaries continued with Mitt Romney slimly in the lead and Rick Santorum in a close second.

Congrats to Forum staff members Tyler Alicea and Andrew Mattei for winning Keystone Press awards for their work on the school newspaper.

Alicea earned an honorable mention in the Editorial category, and Mattei (alongside with Freedom alumnus Sean Cassidy) won second place for layout.

4 Editorials

SOPA and PIPA Need to be Fought

By Justin Alicea In the month of January, internet users were subjected to the news of the growing concerns about two bills, SOPA and PIPA. SOPA or the “Stop Online Piracy Act,” was a bill that began in the House of Representatives in October of 2011 and would intensify the punishment to a maximum of five years in prison for streaming unauthorized copyrighted content.

PIPA, or the “Protect IP Act,” is very similar to SOPA except that was written in the Senate. The bill is a re-write of COICA, or the “Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act.” If passed, the bill would give the government and Media producers the right to shut down any site with copyrighted information.

These bills were highly supported by big name media groups like Dreamworks, Warner Brothers, and NBC who find the piracy of their content to be a negative impact on their revenue. In January, large internet companies such as Google and Wikipedia stepped up to the plate to help increase awareness of these bills. From their prospective the bills were too far reaching, and had the ability to shut them down.

On Jan. 18, Wikipedia had a black out day to give an example of what it would be like if SOPA or PIPA were passed, while Google started a petition against the bills to help spread awareness. Due to these high supported campaigns, the support for the bills in congress shrunk greatly. As of today both bills have been tabled.

From my prospective, I believe these bills are unnecessary when the government already has a large amount of influence on the internet.

The government already has the ability to shut down websites, which had copyrighted information and media.

One website, Megaupload.com, was shut down in January for piracy concerns, without SOPA or PIPA even being lawed. Why give the government more power when they already have the ability to control a good portion of the internet?

The whole point of our government is supposed to be for the people, but there is also the concern that the big media companies lobby to massage the legislature to their advantage. Doing that is unfair to American citizens because it takes away our right of opinion. Although the bills are currently tabled, that does not mean that the bills could be re-written and brought back as another form at a later date. This time Google and Wikipedia were there to help sound the alarm, but next time it is truly up to the American citizens to help stop the continuation of bills like these from being forced upon the American people.

Everyone who continues to use the internet should stay aware of bills like these and monitor the plans of their representation in the government.

The Forum

March 2012

The Pros and Cons of The YoG It’s a Year of Greatness…For Athletics Family, it is just that: a phrase.

I am certainly not discrediting any of the school spirit that has been built up since the beginning of the school year. I have stood on the same sidelines and stands that you have been standing on. I have heckled opponents and cheered

By Tyler Alicea, Editor-in-Chief The Freedom Family is certainly not your average group of teenagers.

At times, they are a bunch of loud-mouthed, heckling teenagers who could been seen by some as bullies. At other times, they are some of the classiest teenagers in the Lehigh Valley. This is why we love them.

Unfortunately, the Freedom Family is a small microcosm that only exists within sporting events. This dysfunctional family that argues over what shirt to wear to a particular sporting event is a family that never exists at anything academic.

This is not necessarily their fault. Sporting events are exciting, while debates just do not live up to the hype of a basketball game.

Similarly, the Year of Greatness suffers from the same problem: it only truly recognizes athletics. While Mr. LaPorta recognizes both athletics and academics, the student body only focuses on athletics when it comes to the Year of Greatness.

How can we have a Year of Greatness when a large portion of the student body has failed at least one class required for graduation? for my team. I just think that the Year of Greatness does not necessarily always make its way into the classroom.

Perhaps when we pass the PSSAs, then we can have a true year of greatness. Until then, we need to add the caveat that this Year of Greatness on the whole mostly applies to athletics and our quest for the bell.

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

How can we have a Year of Greatness when Freedom is no different than it was four years ago when I first walked in through its doors? While there is a vast expansion of the amount of school spirit within the school, people are still fighting, cursing, and

causing a raucous between classes. Some family, right?

How can we have a Year of Greatness when a large portion of the student body has failed at least one class required for graduation?

The Year of Greatness is a phrase that is meant to inspire students, but like the Freedom

Kudos to the Year of Greatness

By Julie Boylan, Editorial Editor Every year, the administration picks some one-line cheesy “theme” to stuff down the throats of the student body until it becomes a school wide joke. From “What’s Our Purpose (porpoise)” to the ubiquitous “Freedom to…,” the school-wide annual theme has traditionally has inspired the administration more than the students.

It would be virtually impossible for the students of Freedom High School to be oblivious to this year’s administration-created theme, the “Year of Greatness.” But unlike the themes of years past, this year’s theme appears to have

a quality about it that makes me think that it may not be as seemingly worthless of other themes.

Most notably, this year’s one-liner is abnormal in the sense that it is not just an administration-backed theme.

The students of Freedom are actually adopting the Year of Greatness theme, at least to a certain extent. There has been a surge of school spirit this year that I have not witnessed in my four years walking these halls. It started with the defeat of Liberty in football and carried over into the winter with the outstanding run of boys’ basketball team.

But it is not the basketball team nor the football team themselves that contribute to the greatness, no matter how

successful their seasons were.

It is the community and support that rallied around them and the patriot pride that stood out as truly being great. However, people would do well to remember that true school spirit is not just about supporting the teams that win but all activities that represent the school.

The theme also is being used as a vessel by Mr. LaPorta for highlighting the accomplishments of Freedom students on the morning announcements. As a girls’ tennis player, it was admittedly nice to hear the wins of my team being broadcasted—and not just the win over Liberty.

I agree that academic success should get just as much recognition as athletic ones, but this

is a step in the right direction.

I think that the strongest criticism over the “Year of Greatness” slogan is that it is hypocritical because there are ways this year cannot be considered great; however, the theme is not the administration’s way of pretending everything is great just because they proclaim it to be.

Rather, the theme is designed to acknowledge the greatness that does occur in our school, from winning basketball games to bringing in Rachel’s Challenge, and by doing so, encourages it. So perhaps next time you feel ready to mock the “Year of Greatness” you should think about what it represents.

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

The Forum

March 2012

Editorials 5

Blood Drive

Freedom High School Thursday, March 29 8:30 am - 1:30 pm To schedule an appointment please contact Mr. Harakal in room 123.

This Just In: Teachers Are Human

By John Bennett Contrary to the view that all teachers are mass-produced automatons (I heard that the new model that can throw erasers at ninety-five miles per hour is in testing), teachers actually are human.

In other words, they have emotions. This means that disrespectful rant last week and those overhead dispersions on the teacher’s character can actually affect them. Remember, teachers do care about their students.

No, not in the sappy, Barney theme song kind of way.

Teachers care in part because their skill as a teacher is reflected in the performance of their students and in part because

they are human beings with basic human decency (although, as with all segments of the population, there are exceptions).

Teachers are widely viewed as being socially naïve and hopelessly passé in regards to social subtleties. In reality, one must realize that the teacher is at the front of the room, with a full view of everyone in the classroom, and the student is in his seat, often with just a view of the three-or-so students directly in front of him. Now, of course the teacher’s position in the room does not mean he has a greater insight into the social dynamics of the classroom, because students definitely win in the area of experience with the 14 to 18-year-old age range.

In fact, many (not all) teachers have seen just about every personality type and can size up new students within the first few weeks. They can spot the problematic, smart, quiet, loud, in-

Remember, teachers do care about their students. No, not in the sappy, Barney theme song kind of way.

Certain students also believe that teachers enjoy yelling at them in front of the class just to prove a point of authority. Yet, it is actually the teacher’s job to maintain order in his class.

Some teachers are more skillful at this than others, and many teachers avoid yelling to maintain order. But teachers know that in the real world, a boss will just fire disrespectful employees. There is no extra credit in life.

group and out-group students fairly easily, and, although not all wish to, they can even discern deeper social intricacies, like abuse or bullying or attraction.

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

Do Not Quit: Focus on the Good

By Flannery Johnson The idea of kids dropping out of high school is one most of us shrug off, due to the fact that many of us do not have a firsthand experience of knowing peers, family members, or acquaintances who have.

Dropping out of high school is sadly a common thing, with approximately 1.3 million students failing to complete high school per year in the United States. There is no specific reason for this, but there are many factors which pressure kids, sometimes force, into dropping out.

The state of our economy is a leading factor in high school drop outs. Struggling families, families with single parents and kids living on their own are essentially forced into finding jobs so they can make by. This is not something schools can help prevent, which is a harsh reality to accept. Teenagers facing situations like this may not even want to drop out, but whether

they do or do not want to, it still happens.

Another reason students drop out is because of bullying. Bullying is something many of us do consciously or sub-

ality can follow people around.

After a while, they crack and drop out of high school. No matter what schools do, some kids will always bully others, but if they realized the effects maybe they would stop.

The pressure of school, sports and college also contribute to the number of high school drop outs.

Sports captains put lots of weight on their shoulders, and one loss can Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief totally crush consciously, and a lot of us do them. Along with that, just a not assume it hurts people team member who ends up makmuch, but that is wrong. Com- ing the mistake that costs the ments such as racist slurs, criti- team the big game sometimes cism over appearances, and neg- takes it too much to heart and ative remarks about one’s sexu- becomes depressed.

Schoolwork gets harder as the years go by, and when students are taking on too many hard classes at once that can also cause them to crack. That’s one great thing about Freedom, block scheduling. It reduces stress greatly, and in a way, helps prevent high school drop outs. SATs, college applications and acceptance/rejection letters from college are the last big hill to climb in high school, and it’s sometimes the breaking point. Being rejected from that one college you have always dreamed of is devastating, and it might cause enough depression for you to drop out.

High school does entail stress and frustration, but the completion of it makes it worthwhile, along with the life you have paved for yourself ahead. Not dropping out is possible, it is just a matter of keeping your head up and treating each day like a brand new one.

6 Features

The Forum

March 2012

College Profile: American University

By Faarah Ameerally For students who are participating in the college search process, American University may be a school to consider.

American University is a private institution located in the neighborhood of northwest

Washington, D.C. The university enrolls approximately 1,500 freshmen each year with a middle 50% GPA of 3.6–4.1 and middle 50% SAT score of 1220–1390, critical reading and mathematics only, each year. Classes, on average, are sizes of 23, and the student-

NCinDC / flickr.com

faculty ratio is 14:1.

American University is ranked 82nd among "national universities" by US News & World Report's college and university rankings guide and is one of the 270 universities that house a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest honor society.

The student body is international and globally diverse, with all 50 states and 146 countries represented. Seven percent of undergraduates and ten percent of graduate students are international.

The university’s mission is carried out by 750 full-time faculty and 1,400 full-time staff. 95 percent of the full-time faculty holds the highest degree in their field. Among the more than 500 adjunct faculty are policy makers, diplomats, journalists, artists, writers, scientists, and business leaders.

The university is composed of six divisions, referred to as col-

leges or schools, which house its academic programs: College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Kogod School of Business (KSB), School of Communication (SOC), School of International Service (SIS), School of Public Affairs (SPA) and Washington College of

Law (WCL).

With the exception of Washington College of Law, undergraduate and graduate courses are housed within the same division, although they are organized into different programs.

University Information Enrollment: 1,500 per year Average Class Size: 23 Average GPA: 3.6 to 4.1 Average SAT (w/o Writing): 1220-1390 Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1 International Undergraduates: 7% Colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, Kogod School of Business, School of Communication, School of International Service, School of Public Affairs, and Washington College of Law.

Overcoming and Fighting Bullying

By Sabrina Castenada For some students, dealing with classmates and bullying in high school are not easy tasks.

Thirty percent of teens are bullied.

Miss Jennifer Maholick, Freedom graduate, Spanish teacher, and head of Freedom’s Rachel’s Challenge, was once a victim of bullying.

She recalls being bullied as far back as second grade, but says, “It definitely made me a stronger person,” Miss Maholick also offers a word of advice to people who are being bullied and says, “Remove yourself from the situation and tell an adult.”

Fortunately for Miss Maholick, life got better after high school. She gained a sense of independence after studying

“It gets better,” Miss Maholick and Amanda Massaro both said. abroad and also discovered that people are more mature in college.

Yet, bullying is not just about the victim; the bully also factors into the equation. There can be many reasons, none of which call for bullying, that someone is bullied, but there is generally only one reason someone bullies.

“They have their own problems,” says Amanda Massaro, former student at Freedom.

She says, “Everyone that bullied me was dealing with their own things at the time.”

Massaro offers her own advice and says, ”Talk to people. Find your talents and your hobbies.”

Nothing justifies treating another person like they are useless. Everyone has value, dreams and deserves to be treated like a human being.

The brightest point though, was that both Miss Maholick and Massaro both said, “It gets better.”

Anyone can stop bullying. It only takes small things to set off something big. Stop friends from shoving the “nerd” into the locker, or talk to an adult if friends are being bullied.

There are always options.

To get more involved with anti -bullying ideals, Rachel’s Challenge meets Thursdays after school in room 225. New members are always welcome.

Janice Lavranos / The Freedom Forum

Mechanical Drawing Class Prepares Future Engineers and Architects

By Erin Ogogzaly With over 190 course offerings here at Freedom and the option to attend the BAVTS, scheduling can make any student's brain go in circles.

Not only are there a multitude of different core courses to choose from, but there are also many electives to choose from.

Whatever post-high school plans students have, there will always be a class that will bring her one step closer to a successful future.

Freedom offers everything from Jazz Improvisation to Cisco Programming to Zoology.

Classes such as Foods & You also exist for those with a culinary interest.

However, in this sea of classes to choose from, some get lost in the mix.

These classes have the same merits of any other class, but they are overlooked just the same.

Mechanical drawing is certainly one of these classes.

As a part of the Industrial Arts Department, it is a prerequisite to the architectural drawing courses.

Mechanical Drawing is, according to the course handbook, “an introduction to drafting equipment and multi-view projection” with an “emphasis is on the mechanical aspect of drafting”.

Senior Will Glaser says, “I think the class is awesome, and it’s different from all other classes. If someone is looking to become a drawer or designer, then they should take the class.

It also involves a lot of math, so it’s not like a class you learn nothing in.”

Mechanical drawing is obviously a class worth taking; so why are people not taking it?

Many people who graduate from Freedom will one day end up as designers of something or another, whether it been in an engineering field, or even in architecture.

Being able to use the equipment necessary to make successful designs and having the skills needed to know how to design are invaluable in any field, for that matter.

Features 7

The Forum

March 2012

Where are They Now?

By Samantha Lutz In college, teachers become professors, responsibilities increase, students become adults, and independence peaks.

Life can change majorly or hardly at all, but for a Freedom alumnus, life has changed majorly. That is not necessarily a bad thing and for this alumnus.

On the contrary, it is a great thing.

Former editor-in-chief of The Freedom Forum Jasmine Ameerally experienced all of these post-high school changes within just her first semester at Lehigh University.

Ameerally fell into a big melting pot of diverse individuals on the first day of her freshman year.

Within that melting pot, she managed to find herself as the assistant news editor of The Brown & White, Lehigh University’s newspaper.

“The Freedom Forum helped show me the basics and gave me the experience that help me get the position on Lehigh’s newspaper,” said Ameerally.

Though the concepts of each were exactly the same, The Brown and White has a larger audience since it is not only run on hard copy, but it is also posted on Lehigh Valley Live's website, which has made it more popular.

Ameerally did mention the professional aspects of both The Brown and White and The Freedom Forum are quite equal.

Experience was gained naturally as far as Ameerally saw.

Working with the newspapers, she was able to expand her ways of writing. Different environments of writing also helped Ameerally develop as a journalist.

As of now, Ameerally’s major is undecided, but she is looking to go into political sciences or economics. Thinking back on high school journalism, Ameerally realizes there is a lot she would be able to do with a journalism degree as well.

Ideal profession options for Ameerally all involve some way of incorporating journalism in with them.

The profession involving the most journalism Ameerally is interested in would be something along the lines of working for The Wall Street Journal.

Another inviting idea for a pro-

fession would be a lawyer which Ameerally feels would also incorporate journalism.

College is starting to shape Jasmine Ameerally into a responsible and independent young woman on her way to a successful career in economics, political science, or journalism.

The Freedom Forum Photo Archive

Behind the Curtains of “Millie”

By Kirat Randhawa Everyone can see the perfection and effortless moves that are achieved in Freedom High School's school plays.

However, what no one seems to notice all of the tremendous amount of hard work and perseverance that actually goes into the performances.

Getting ready for the play takes weeks. From trying to find volunteers to building and painting sets, it is not easy work.

It takes up to fifty people and up to six days a week to finish these sets, and with the help of stage crew, the moving of these sets becomes a lot easier.

Like many say; “practice makes perfect.” This could be the reason why the drama club

practices from six to seven days a week.

A great amount of dedication,

“My favorite part of the play is watching the students grow as performers and people,” says Miss Jennifer Wescoe time, and effort goes into the preparation for the plays, but they still find time to have plenty of fun and enjoy being together for long periods of time.

“My favorite part of the play is watching the students grow as performers and people,” says Miss Jennifer Wescoe, drama teacher.

Many different components are taken into consideration during the process of getting ready for the school production.

Some include rehearsing and setting up. Student actors and actresses must learn to block scenes correctly, learn the music, and even master the dances.

As everyone knows, costumes play a big role in theater, which is exactly why the parents of the students assemble the costumes every week on Saturday and Wednesday mornings in the stations set up by cast members.

Watching the play from the audience makes it clear how hard each and every student worked to make every annual play so successful.

However, many students do not realize how crucial it can be

to perfect such difficult moves, lines, and scenes.

Junior Kelly Chemidlin says, “I love it when something goes wrong behind the scenes during a show, but everyone is running around trying to fix it and the split second before the curtain opens, it all comes together. It’s a great feeling knowing that we can all work together to fix things and no one would ever know something went wrong.”

Willem Ystma / The Freedom Forum

Soaring Up to the Top to Become an Eagle Scout

By Ashley Eichlin, Features Editor For more serious boy scouts, being a top-ranked Eagle Scout is an enormous accomplishment.

Between the years of 1911 and 1925, the number of boy scouts grew immensely from approximately 61,000 to a staggered almost 760,000. Unfortunately, for those who become Eagle Scouts at this time had no reason to return.

In 1925, the Knights of Dunamis merged together with the Boys Scouts of America in order to keep these scouts involved with the program even after achieving this highlyranked position.

By 1972, the National Eagle Scout Association, or NESA, was created and is still known as a successful organization to this day.

It is no surprise that there are Eagle Scouts within the school; however, it is bit of a surprise who these boys are.

Seniors Nathaniel Palmer and

Tyler Alicea have grown up giving their time to the community through boys scouts.

While most know his as a track and cross-country star, Palmer recently became an Eagle Scout as of Nov. 10, 2011.

“It feels great,” says Palmer.

“I finally reached the main goal I've been working on since I was five.”

Palmer says he feels relieved.

“A huge weight is lifted from [my] chest.”

This “weight” entails a heavy amount of work in order to reach this highly ranked position.

Becoming an Eagle Scout requires the completion of 21 merit badges and a final service project that benefits the community.

Palmer chose a project that would not only help the community, but also keep himself interested.

This past summer, Palmer repaired Freedom's art classroom.

“Because I love art and really

enjoyed the class, I wanted to two days. tions, and manage to get all the help out and give the room a Both Palmer and Alicea paperwork done,” says Palmer. face lift,” says Palmer. Over the strongly recommend to all boy Alicea says, “It involves a lot course of five days, he repainted scouts that becoming an Eagle of work and a lot of dedication. the walls and bulletin boards, Scout is a must.

I'm very proud to have made it while also sanding the cabinets.

“It really lets you put your this far.”

Today, Palmer keeps himself leadership skills to the test with involved with the boy scouts. having to draft all your own “I usually just show up at plans for your project, approach meetings and help some of the different companies for donayounger guys,” says Palmer.

While Palmer looks back at his successful accomplishments, the Alicea finalized his Eagle project just before his 18th birthday.

“My project involved reorganizing the English department book room at Freedom,” says Alicea. With the help of friends and a few fellow scouts, he was able to comThe Freedom Forum Photo Archive plete the main por- Eagle scout Nathaniel Palmer [left] and Eagle scout candidate Tyler tion of his project in Alicea [right].

March. It’s the awkward month between Valentine’s Day and Easter. Sometimes it’s freezing cold; other times it is blazing hot. Do I even need to mention March allergies?

Let’s show some appreciation for the misfit month March.

Spring Forward Towards the Light

By Ryan Shaikh, Asst. Sports Editor

With daylight savings time beginning people are forced to move their clocks up an hour on March 11. This is a problem for those who love their sleep, because they will loose a valuable hour of sleep. This change in time is not just a problem as much as it is a hassle to everyone in America who has to remember to turn their clocks forward one hour. Those who forget to turn their clocks forward will sadly be living the next day an hour behind everyone else.

With all these problems set aside why does America use daylight savings time? Well, daylight savings time started back on March of 1918 during World War I as an effort to conserve fuel. Now it is promoted for increasing light during the evening. This sounds good to those who love to be active and enjoy outdoor activities during spring and summer time, but others may say if that is the only reason why can’t America just stop enforcing the act and become like the rest of the world who doesn’t practice it.

Only 70 countries in the world practice daylight savings time and all 70 don’t even practice it at the same time. For example this year America will turn the clocks forward an hour on March 11 and back an hour on November 4, while the United Kingdom turns its clocks forward on March 27 and back on October 28.

Another weird fact about daylight savings time is that not even all of the United States practices daylight savings time because Arizona and Hawaii are excluded from this act because they simply chose not to practice it.

With all of the reasoning and geography of daylight savings time over with, let’s get back to who the beginning of daylight savings time affect, which is the sleep lovers of America. Freedom High school senior Kyle Propsner is one who values his sleep “I enjoy my sleep and having to lose an hour of sleep for a day is kind of disappointing.” While most high school students may feel like that because of how busy most students are these days, Freedom High School junior Michael Burdo has a different view, “It doesn’t really matter to me because I rarely sleep more than 6 hours a day.” Overall sleep is valuable to every human being in the fact that it helps provide energy and on March 11 everyone is going to have to deal with the fact of losing an hour of sleep.

Where’s the Snow?!

By Tiana Van

Cold. White. Freezing. Ice. Snow. These words tend to be associated directly with winter.

However, our winter this year has been everything but. The weather has been abnormally mild so far here, in the northeast, with the temperature during the day hardly dipping below freezing. The average temperature has been hovering at about 40-degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures allow some girls to dare to wear skirts outside without leggings and some boys to wear shorts. With days as warm as 60-degrees, it is as if winter forgot to stop by in northeast America and left autumn and spring to cover its responsibility.

The temperature is not the only abnormal feature this winter. In addition, there has been a lack of snow, a very prominent feature of last year’s winter. The number of times it has snowed here in the past couple of months can be counted with the fingers of one hand whereas last year, there were several large snowstorms that hit our area.

The snowstorms last year caused our school district to declare multiple snow days and to surpass our allotted four days. This year, we have only used two days, only one of which was actually caused by snow.

In addition, that particular snowfall was not even in winter; it was in October. Bringing mass amounts of snow and power outages, there were hopes that the occurrence would not repeat itself, and it seems like Mother Nature has listened, perhaps a little too well in some people’s opinions.

“I’d like some snow this year,” says junior Erin Ogozaly. “It doesn’t even have to be much. It would just be nice to have a proper snowfall.” However, her brother, a freshman Walter Ogozaly does not think there is a good chance of it snowing a lot before the winter ends.

When asked if he would like it to snow, he said that he would not mind either way. Since it is almost the end of winter and temperatures have continued to be relatively warm, his opinion is logical; the possibility of a large snowfall gets more unlikely as it gets closer to spring.

However, with a history of odd weather occurrences in the past several months, such as the October snowstorm as well as Hurricane Irene’s travel to the northern areas in August, there is a possibility, slim as it may be that the weather will defy expectations yet again and winter may swoop into the area for a late visit.

The Freedom Forum Photo Archive This is what Freedom High School looked like this time last year. If you haven’t noticed, it looks nothing like this now.

Things We Hate About March:

Things We Love About March:     

Shamrock Milkshakes Good weather St. Patty’s Day Sunlight Free Rita’s on the first day of Spring

   

The Mythical Pi Day

Allergies Possibly bad weather Losing an hour of sleep to daylight savings time PSSAs

By Thomas Nguyen

Pumpkin, apple, and cherry are pretty common answers when somebody is asked about their favorite pie, but nobody thinks of the humble number.

That’s right. I’m talking about pi, that mystical number that people around the world are trying to crack. People have set up computers to run for days and days to find a pattern or the end. Trillions and trillions of digits later, they came up with nothing.

We all know it. You’re probably thinking about it right now. 3.141592653... and on it goes. You’re also thinking why does it matter? So what?

Pi is the mathematical constant that can be found by dividing the circumference of a circle by its diameter. This law is significant in multiple branches of mathematics, including geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.

Pi is so revered in mathematics; it’s a cause for celebration. Recognized in 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives officially made March 14 National Pi Day. That means for all you math lovers out there, March 14 is a day to celebrate, and what better way to celebrate than by discussing and eating pi and pie, respectively of course.

The tradition started back in 1988 when Larry Shaw celebrated Pi Day at the San Francisco Exploratorium by marching around one of its circular spaces and eating pie. Since then, people have been celebrating the occasion in their own special ways.

Daniel Tammet, a savant in math, recited 22,514 digits of pi on National Pi Day in 2004.

Surprisingly, Daniel does not hold the world record for the most digits of pi memorized. In October 2006, Akira Haraguchi managed to recite 100,000 digits of pi, blowing away his previous record of 83,431 digits.

Schools around the world emulate Akira’s accomplishment by holding pi recitation competitions. Hopkins Elementary School in Mentor Ohio holds a yearly competition on National Pi Day in which the winner has recited up to 100 digits of pi.

So grab a slice of pie and start celebrating because pi is something to remember.

= The Luck o’ the Irish

By Erin Ogozaly

Every March 17, millions of people around the world celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. But who was Saint Patrick?

Saint Patrick, believe it or not, was not Irish (and you thought Madonna’s flop single was shocking). He was actually born in what is the modern day town of Ravenglass in England around 390 AD. He lived there with his aristocratic family until he was sixteen, at which point he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland.

His kidnappers kept him captive as a slave for six years in Ireland, where he worked as a herdsman. After voices in his dreams told him he would be returning home soon, Patrick escaped and found his way back to England on a pirate ship.

Upon his return to England, Patrick reunited with his family, then twenty-two. He promptly went about becoming a priest, having become very religious while in captivity. Despite having endured the hardships of slavery in Ireland, St. Patrick returned there once he was ordained a priest, and went about converting the “pagans” there to Christianity.

While the modern celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day doesn’t really have so much to do with the Saint Patrick of Ireland, there are still certain elements of this celebration that are tributes to Saint Patrick.

Have you ever wondered why, out of all the plants that could be considered the symbol of Ireland, the shamrock was chosen? Well, there actually is a reason. Saint Patrick reportedly used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the holy trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to his converts. Today, the actual significance of the shamrock has been lost, but Saint Patrick’s Day is still inextricably linked with the shamrock and the signature 416 calorie milkshake found at your local McDonald’s.

Now, rather than being remembered and celebrated for who he was, Saint Patrick is the figurehead of a holiday that celebrates being Irish. People dye whole rivers green, throw huge parades, and wear whatever green, shamrock-covered clothing they have, all in his name.

Saint Patrick’s Day has been largely commercialized, but then again what holiday celebrated today has not been? Saint Patrick’s Day is a fun day for all to pretend they have Irish heritage and get decked out in their best “Irish green” clothing, and what’s the harm in that?

10 Entertainment

The Forum

March 2012

Who’s That “New Girl?”

By Ashley Eichlin, Features Editor When a single girl moves in with three single guys, a sitcom is easily formed.

Actress Zooey Deschanel plays the adorable and bubbly 20-something year old Jess Day on FOX's new hit TV show, “New Girl.”

With its first air date on Sept.

20, 2011, many teen girls turned in to see a show like no other.

By the second and third episodes of the season, those who watched the show ritually were able to quote lines from New Girl.

Senior Julia Fox said, “It probably has more of a cult following, though I am proud to be a part of [it].”

However, the show is not just

about a day in the life of Jess; it is also how the lives have changed between her three very different roommates, Nick, Schmidt, and Winston.

Nick, played by Jake Johnson, is a bartender and typically known for his turtle faces and close relationship with Jess.

Although this relationship is strictly platonic, they have shown some signs of interest in each other.

Schmidt, on the other hand, played by Max Greenfield, is the snooty, white-collared worker who thinks he is God's gift to women. On the contrary, he has tendencies to say things that are worthy of putting money in a swear jar. Schmidt is also convinced that he can successfully hook up with Jess' model friend, Cece, played by Hannah Simo-

ne.

Finally, there is Winston, who recently returned home from his basketball tournament in Latvia.

Played by Lamorne Morris, Winston replaced Damone Wayans Jr.'s character, Coach, who only appeared in the pilot episode.

The writing on New Girl makes the show an obvious stand out. With a few minor innuendos, the show is fairly clean and appropriate for its viewers. The set up also accommodates for those viewers who do not turn in every week.

“It's a great show because it's short; it's not an hour long and is really almost like a sitcom, so if you miss a couple episodes you aren't completely lost in the plot,” said senior Shaleen Oza. From most New Girl viewers,

the show has received nothing but positive reviews, especially from junior Carly Cussen. “New Girl is hilarious. It makes my week,” she said.

Tune into FOX on Tuesdays at 9pm to witness the odd behavior that happens in this apartment. Don't be surprised to see one of Nick's many turtle faces.

Imdb.com

The Hunger Games Phenomenon Hungry for More: Book Review

By Bill Leeson Make no mistake; just because the main character is a female adolescent does not mean this is a flimsy pseudo-emotional anecdote.

It’s written much more eloquently than… whatever you’re thinking of, and there is not a hint of the supernatural to be found in the pages of T”he Hunger Games.”

Instead, anticipate a cold account of the deadliest entertainment for the enjoyment of the ultimate oppressive government.

Think “Lord of the Flies” with a dash of “1984.” Interested? If you understand those two books, then you must be.

Naming this book as an amal-

barnesandnoble.com

gam of the finest works of Golding and Orwell is a useful comparison. Collins has set her story in a futuristic world where the government frequently denies its people the true limits of technological benefits.

The background is vague, and ingeniously so. It makes sense that we don’t receive a full history lesson on the world of T”he Hunger Games”—that vagueness is one of many ways Collins creates a believable cast.

Every name in the book is more than just a capitalized word – from the little sister Prim to the elite competitors, each presence is given or strongly implied to have a rich past. Naturally this shines the brightest with the protagonist.

The main character Katniss gives a firstperson stream-ofconsciousness perspective.

This stylistic choice is certainly what could turn some readers away.

Before you give up on “The Hunger Games,” understand this: Collins does have an unorthodox writing style.

However, no one should stress about the writing style; the most important part of the book is its plot.

A story

composed so brilliantly as “The Hunger Games” should be read without spoiler alerts. That being said, the short overview is that an authoritarian government has claimed power over what may be all of humanity and forces its citizens to offer sacrifices for entertainment.

This “entertainment” comes in the form of twenty-four adolescents locked in a massive coliseum until all but one of them hunt and kill each other.

Twenty-four kids enter, one kid leaves (at least, that’s what you’re told at the beginning…).

It is like a sadistic Olympics - it is supposedly an honor to be selected for the Hunger Games, but as Katniss’ brutal narrative illustrates, there is no honor in murder and death.

“The Hunger Games” is actually the first book in a series, but let’s not jump too far ahead. The New York Times praised the novel as “brilliantly plotted” and cited the depth of the main character as one of its greatest strengths.

Renowned author Stephen King called the book an “addictive” experience. Oh, and Stephanie Meyer called it “amazing,” so take that as you will.

A final observation deserves to be made about the movie version that will be released in the end of March. This seems like a situation in which the book is better than the movie. If it is not, then the movie version of “The Hunger Games” has to be literally of “Titanic” quality; the book is just that good.

Imdb.com

May The Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

By Luisa Marin, News Editor Welcome to Panem, the country that has arisen from the ashes of North America and will soon be in theaters near you.

“The Hunger Games” is finally coming to the big screen with a star-studded cast. The trilogy is one of The New York Times bestsellers and Suzanne Collins' most successful series of books.

Panem is divided into 12 districts that are each specialized in a certain industry. The main character and narrator Katniss Everdeen (portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence) is from District 12, the coal-mining district where starving is the main course, unless you are from the town.

Everdeen lives in the Seam, which is where most of the coalminers and their families live.

Her father died when she was young, and her mother has never been the same. So Katniss, since age eleven, has been responsible for getting food on the table.

The Hunger Games have nothing to do with the starving people in the Seam. In fact they are the source of “entertainment” for the Capitol. In the book, it is the year of the 74th Hunger

Games and all children from ages twelve to eighteen are forced to line up in the town square for the Reaping. A container holds the name of all of those children and two tributes are chosen from each district.

The tributes are placed into an arena and must fight to the death; tragically, only one person may come out alive. Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) pulls the names out of the container and the girl called for District 12 is Prim Everdeen (Willow Shields) - Katniss's sister.

The movie promises to be as exciting as the books. There are thousands of fans waiting to see their favorite novel come to life.

The cast includes Jennifer Lawrence, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in “Winter's Bone.”

Elizabeth Banks plays the colorful Effie Trinket, and Woody Harrelson plays the drunk mentor Haymitch. Liam Hemsworth from “The Last Song” is Katniss's best friend, Gale Hawthorne, and Josh Hutcherson from “Journey 2” and “Zathura” is Peeta Mellark. The movie was filmed in North Carolina and is set to be released on March 23.

Entertainment 11

The Forum

March 2012

“U Mad Bro?”—Memes on the Internet

By Tyler Alicea, Editor-in-Chief What do “roflcopters,” double rainbows, and honey badgers have in common?

If you guessed that they were memes, then you are correct. You may now go buy yourself a cookie.

Memes (pronounced ‘meems,’ not ‘me-mes’) are

little jokes on the Internet that nerds, geeks, and otakus on the Internet have to prove how nerdy they are. They were created back when Al Gore created the Internet in the

45 to 42 65 to 62

1990s, and since then they have flourished on sites such as Reddit, Tumblr, and 4chan.

Although many people think that the Internet is made up of wires and WiFi hotspots, they would be wrong to realize that the Internet is just a series of cats shoved into tubes.

Popular memes often include videos that go viral, such as the double rainbow or Chocolate Rain videos, or just pictures with captions. And cats. For some reason the Internet loves cats. They just want to hug them all.

So next time someone asks you, “U mad bro?” do not take it the wrong way. Unless you are actually mad, then in which case, you should be frustrated.

Finally, before I completely discredit myself as a sane human being on this planet, can you guess how many memes there were in this article?

Did you guess over 9000? If not, keep looking.

Cartoon by Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

Music Profile: Imogean Heap

By Amanda Molinaro, Pates’ Post Editor The musical sensation Imogean Heap first shared her rhythmic beats with the world in 1997 when she was signed as a solo artist with Almo Sounds.

The British singer and songwriter studied classical music and learned to play the clarinet, cello, and piano as a child and was greatly influenced by her parents. She grew up in Hassex, London where her musical talents first began.

As a teenager, Heap discovered alternative pop and rock music and began to branch away from her classical background. She started writing songs at age thirteen and was inspired by her art therapist mother and construction rock retailer father.

She is very well musically versed and plays about twelve different instruments including the keyboard, guitar, drums, keytar, organ, clarinet, cello, piano, and, of course, her lovely voice.

Now, thirty-five year old Heap has released three albums individually as well as other musical collaborations with the band Frou Frou.

Her solo career took off when her debut album “I Megaphone” was released in 1998. In 2005, her second album “Speak for Yourself” was released, and four years later, her best known and

most recent album “Ellipse” was produced.

Frou Frou is a duet group between Imogean Heap and musician Guy Sigsworth formed briefly from 2002 to 2003 which was signed by UK’s Island Records and later

by US label MCA. The group released their only album “Details” in early June of 2002 as well four singles

throughout the year.

Their most popular song is “Let Go” from “Details,” which was used for the ending credits of the Zach Braff produced film Garden State. The movie stars director and writer Zach Braff and Natalie Portman.

Heap, much like many performers of our time, uses social media to personally connect with her fans. In an interview with journalist Karina Halle for the musical blog Consequence of Sound, Heap said “My biggest strength…is the connection I have with my fans.

Which is the most amazing thing…I enjoy it so much.”

Through her passionate and unique songs, Heap uses her creative musical talents and her alternative-techno beats paired with classical orchestral sounds to connect with fans all over the world. If you enjoy different types of music and are looking for a change from the usual B-104 tunes, Google Heap right now.

Florals and Brights Spring Back into Fashion

By Kirat Randhawa It is that time of year again where the snow disappears and the sun comes out. The sweaters, Uggs, and scarves are hidden and shorts and dresses make a reappearance.

This spring, like every other, is full of color, prints, and bold fashion statements. Floral patterns are welcomed back with open arms, as well as dramatic color block patterns.

With spring just around the corner, it is time to update the closet. Keep the essentials out in the open such as scarves, blazers, and sheer lace cardigans for important use to mix in with new spring apparel.

What is big this season: tall riding boots, pastel colored button down shirts, floral printed silk shorts, beaded belts, color block heels, bold, chunky necklaces, matching printed shoes, simple, feminine dresses and, last but not least, lace.

Another big hit this season is colored jeans. Colored jeans are not exactly back, but jeans in the shades of navy, gray, army green and sand have been popular lately. They are perfect for a casual look, but the light, simple colors instantly make an outfit ten times more sophisticated.

With the help of Marc Jacobs, Miuccia, Tom Ford, Stella McCartney, Stefano, and Karl Lagerfeld’s 2012 Spring RTW clothing collections, it is hard not to look good during this season. Clothing very similar to these with much lower price tags can be found in stores such as Forever 21, New York and Company, Strawberry, Express and Charlotte Russe.

With all this excitement in the fashion industry for the upcoming season, its impossible to not want to join in. So say goodbye to the snow, and say hello to spring and a whole new wardrobe.

Congrats to the 2010-2011 yearbook team! The team’s hard work has paid off as Student Services has selected the 2010-2011 FHS Yearbook as a national sample. Students all over the country will be able to see Freedom’s yearbook as a sample.

Flick.com / Jason Hargrove

12 Sports

The Forum

March 2012

Let’s Play Ball!

By Krystal Domin, Web Editor With winter sports ending and with spring approaching, the Freedom baseball team to the mount in hopes of winning the LVC title.

For consecutive years, the team has come up short by one game in order to qualify for the LVC tournament.

With motivated players and an experienced head coach, Mr. Nick D’Amico, this season will be one for the books.

Senior Ryan Bell said, “We

hope to go over .500.” This record would spell out a District 11 Playoff berth for the team.

In order to achieve this goal, the team has been lifting since October incorporating speed training and batting practice in the following months as well.

In the end of March, the Baseball team will go down to Myrtle Beach for a few days to scrimmage other teams and practice outdoors according to senior Josh Recke.

“We plan to sharpen our skills and become ready to enter into

regular season play,” said Bell.

Senior Cal Davis says, “This team was together on JV two years ago we did really well, and all we have done [is] gotten bigger and stronger.”

“I plan to bring everybody together as one for a whole team effort, because without team chemistry you can't and won't win games,” said Davis.

Freedom carries the right attitude into this season as well.

“We are working hard to go far this season,” said Recke, especially since it is the last year

for the seniors to make some noise in the LVC. There are a lot of players who are expected to make some noise on the field especially, “Kevin Rold, outfielder; Eddie Milisits, catcher, pitcher, and first baseman; Brian Uliana, shortstop; Julian Lopez, second baseman; and Frank Bucsi, outfielder,” said D’Amico.

With experience and leadership, the Freedom Baseball Team will make some noise this year.

“The league is well balanced,

which well give us more opportunity to succeed,” says D’Amico.

As one of the last teams to match up against Liberty, once at Coca-Cola Park and the other at FBTAA, “[we] hope to destroy Liberty and secure the bell,” said Recke.

Lacrosse Team Certainly not ReLAXing

By Faarah Amerally, Asst. Entertainment Editor The Freedom girls’ lacrosse team is one of the newest varsity sorts brought to our school.

Practices are held two days a week now, but will begin running every day in March. Practice is essential for the team in order to learn how we play together and get a true feel for the game. Practice can be really fast paced and complex, but also a lot of fun. Their first game was on March 11, with a scrimmage.

“The girls work really well as a team overall. Everyone helps each other and no one ever feels left out or like an outsider. Coach is a great new addition to the team. He helps a lot of the new girls truly understand the game, and helps the experienced players learn a lot of new things too,” says sophomore captain, Macey Walker.

“Lacrosse is a great sport.

The team is thrilled to be playing varsity this year, and looks forward to having a great season,” says Walker.

“We work very well with each other and we all get along great. Many girls have never played lacrosse before, so us experienced [players] will help them as well as the coach. It’s a team effort, so we all try to make each other the best that we can be,” says sophomore Lisa Davis.

Freedoms boys’ lacrosse is off to the same kick start. The boys’ team has been preparing for the season with workouts and running. Preparing earlier on in the year is sure to give

them an advantage once the season starts.

“Practice really helps us get our heads in the game, and work together as a team better,” says Bradon Gubich.

The team also has played in an indoor league for the past few weeks to mold as a team.

“The indoor league was all the way in Pottsgrove which is about an hour away, but it’s really helped us come together as a team,” said the team’s only senior, Mike McGinty. “You have to earn respect, so we’ve

been working hard to show the Lehigh Valley that just because it is our first year as a varsity sport, doesn’t mean we’re not going to be a force to be reckoned with. Our ultimate goal is to make District playoffs, and I think we can do it if we keep working towards it.”

Be sure to check out these rising sports in in the upcoming season. Freedom lacrosse will definitely not be something to miss.

Girls’ Soccer to Meet their Goals for 2012

By Greg Adams The Freedom girls’ soccer team is looking forward to a successful season this spring, and they have many reasons to expect success in 2012.

Although the team had only four wins last year, many players, including the returning seniors, feel that this season will be much different.

“We’re definitely looking for girls to really step up this year” said senior player, Alex Lutz when asked about the team.

Lutz, who rotates through defensive positions, said that defense will be a strength for the team coming into the 2012 season. Notable players on the defense include juniors Molly Magnan and Bryna Pheiffe , as

well as seniors Alex Lutz and Sarah Bilheimer.

Another factor that will help the team this year is the abundance of young talent on the team. Although schools like Easton, Parkland, and Emmaus are known for talented girls’ soccer teams, they have all been affected greatly by the graduation of last year’s seniors. However, this is not the case for Freedom.

“The freshman we have this year are very talented” said Lutz.

Workouts for the team started in the fall, and the team has been working out and playing indoors whenever they can to prepare for the season.

Lutz continued to say that the team’s goal for the preseason is to improve team

chemistry and teamwork skills to give them a competitive edge on the field.

This is an important element for the team to develop, as many upperclassmen lose the option to play on club teams, stunting

further growth in players’ relationships with each other on the field.

With an experienced defensive squad, talented young players, and a renewed team effort to bond as a group, the Freedom

girls’ soccer team looks to make a positive contribution to the year of greatness this season.

Ms. Erica Hynes / Special to The Freedom Forum

Ice Hockey Places in Lehigh Valley Finals Congrats to Freedom’s ice hockey team for winning second place in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League finals. They were defeated in the championship game

by Parkland on Wednesday, Feb. 1 after a well fought game, 5-1. The team’s only goal was scored by Brendan Driscoll.

Ms. Jennifer Maholick / Special to The Freedom Forum

Sports 13

The Forum

March 2012

Boys’ Tennis to Serve Up the Competition

By Julie Boylan, Editorial Editor The boys’ tennis team came off a terrific 10-2 season last year and is hopeful to meet and raise their record from last season.

“Last year we were 10-2 and I feel that we should be in the same neighborhood,” says Mr. Jeff Young, boys’ tennis coach.

Their hope seems to be well founded.

“The team is pretty seniorladen, and they’ve been playing a lot,” says Young.

“We have six [of nine] starters returning and a very promising freshman,” says senior Adam Seltzer.

The “promising freshman” is Andrew Sinai. Although Sinai has been unable to have the

chance to play with the team yet due to injury, he says he has been looking forward to playing on the team for a long time.

“I can’t wait to represent my school in a sport,” says Sinai. “I’m looking forward to surprising the team and playing number one as a freshman, hopefully.”

Even before pre-season, the team met once a week for indoor team practices at Northwood Racquet Club.

Although Young notes that many boys on the team have been practicing at least once a week all year anyways, he says the indoor practices “are helpful for a couple reasons.”

“For one thing, kids can get familiar with their

Tyler Alicea / Editor-in-Chief

swings. And for me, I can see what we need to improve on. It’s just fun to be out there.”

As for this season’s goals, Young says one goal is to improve the underclassmen in preparation for the heavy loss of seniors the team will take next year.

“Our other goal is to try to at least finish 10-2 this year or better. I also think we have a good chance to beat Emmaus this year.”

Beating Emmaus is also something Seltzer is looking forward to, saying that the team has not beat Emmaus in at least sixteen years.

Despite a talented and

experienced team, Young is looking to improve doubles strategy and doubles skill level in the preseason. He also says that “one thing we can easily change is footwork and agility,” and states that is something to work on throughout the season.

“I really like the guys and I’m excited about the season,” concludes Young.

Girls’ Softball Team: Not So Soft

By Ryan Shaikh, Asst. Sports Editor Freedom High School’s softball team plans on having a great season this year and help take the bell back.

“We strive on optimism,” cocaptain Ashley Eichlin said.

“Optimism is always important for a team because if one goes in with doubts one is more prone to lose. “ However, the team lost a few players from last year.

“Four key players graduated last year, and we recently lost a few other varsity players to other interests”, Ashley said. Some may think that is a negative, but Ashley has a more optimistic perspective about the youth of the team.

Jenna Heffner is also a cocaptain. Every great team starts with great senior leaders, and Eichlin and Heffner are no exception.

With optimism and youth aside many seem to forget that softball is one of the last sports that count for the bell. Freedom’s chance of getting The Bell now lies in its spring sports, and softball has two chances to defeat Liberty. Last year Freedom and Liberty split the series 1-1, but this year they hope to win both.

“I think we have a great shot at going 2-0 against Liberty this year”, said junior Corrine Kline.

With this softball team though, pressure does not seem to matter.

“Liberty games add pressure onto us to begin with, but we can pull it off. There is no need for added pressure,” Eichlin said.

This year the softball team has many young players, along with great leadership, optimism, and confidence. These characteristics are the drive towards their season and quest to help bring

Mrs. Sheri Eichlin / Special to The Freedom Forum

the bell back to Freedom High School.

Boys’ Volleyball Expecting Big Things

By Mike McGinty, Sports Editor The Freedom boys’ volleyball team has been one of the most competitive teams in the Lehigh Valley Conference over the past few years. This year, those same expectations are carried into the season.

The team certainly has a lot of experience and is carried by the the leadership of its seniors Robert McVicker, Kevin Gambocurta, Tom Robinson, Pat Wersinger, Mike Romanelli, and John DePadua. Most of the seniors have played together since their freshmen year and are hoping to make this season one to remember. Also new senior additions, Kevin Leicht and Moon Nguyen, along with junior, Kevin McPeak, add

depth, athleticism, and talent to the team as well.

Last year’s season ended in disappointment with a loss to Whitehall in the District 11

our goal is to win Disticts and go even further,” said Robert McVicker, senior captain of the team.

This will be McVicker’s third season as a captain and he certainly feels a sense of pride. “[Being a captain] means that everyone’s looking up to me to pull us out of a bad spot and play smart. Also, it means taking responsibility of being a vocal leader, helping out younger players to ensure good teams in the future,” McVicker said.

With the bell count so close, Courtney Barrow / Entertainment Editor the team also feels certain pressures when they face Playoffs. This season, Freedom Liberty twice this year, with has the chance to set the record both games counting towards straight. the bell.

“We want to win the division.

McVicker described how eveWe expect to win LVCs. But ry Freedom-Liberty game is

intense, but this year the final meeting between the two teams is at Freedom, Senior Night, and to make it even more interesting, it is the last of all the Spring sports to play Liberty.

“So, there’s some obvious pressure,” said McVicker. “But, I’m just looking forward to holding The Bell up when we win.”

Volleyball can be played all year round, so Freedom has its own club team that plays in the offseason. Though it may not be the “real deal,” this team allows players to shake the rust off before the season starts.

Come the time for the team’s first game, all the rust will be shaken off, and as we have done all year, the Riot Squad/ Freedom Family will be there to mock the other team and support Freedom boys’ volleyball.

14 Pates’ Post

Ask Fabio!

Advice Column

Exercise is Good for the Soul Elle Woods once said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands; they just don't. ” While she was oversimplifying the science of the brain’s cell signals, and this was part of a fictional murder trial, the famous sorority-girl-turned-lawyer had the right idea. Exercise is a natural mood booster.

Grades, parents, and social dramas may be significant downers with the summer seemingly far too into the future. However, throwing some cardio onto the end of the day is an easy way to perk up. A “runner’s high” is not just a myth; it is near impossible to finish a long jog in a bad mood.

If one is a stranger to regular physical activity, the task of beginning a regular exercise routine may seem daunting. Motivation is the biggest hurdle to get over, but once conquered, working out becomes easier with every session.

Set aside time specifically to get the heart pumping; the ideal time is probably right after school. The fitness center is open most days to anyone with a completed permission slip. As long as there is a designated slot to fill, one feels obligated to fill the commitment more than the elusive “I’ll do it later.” It also helps to have a work out buddy, someone who can provide that extra push to finish the circuit. If nothing else, its good not to be the wuss that could not finish their workout.

Once the motivation is there, the question may be what to do. Running feels great, but is not for everyone; treadmills are boring and random jogs leave too much left to a novice’s inexperienced judgment. Swimming is even more of an acquired taste as not everyone likes water that much.

However, there is a reason Zumba has become so popular; it involves a fun dance routine while burning calories. People of all ages can participate in classes at the community center or in the sanctuary of their own living room with a DVD. Even games like “Just Dance” or “Dance Central” get the body moving. These can all be done solitary or in a group of people (some people should be not be seen dancing by others).

No matter what approach one takes, the perfect cure for a bad mood is exercise. While it is difficult at first, the joy that comes with it is a reward in itself.

The Forum

March 2012

Women of the Month wan. She has been swimming ever since. When asked what her greatest accomplishment This month, The Freedom in swimming has been, Helen Forum highlights the excepsaid it was when she was the tional performance of not only YMCA State Champion. one, but two Freedom High As for swimming at FreeSchool students. This month, dom, Hsu thinks it is a great we recognize two women who swimming atmosphere. “We both greatly excel in what are all very encourthey do. aging of each othKelsey Ko is a ninth grader,” says Helen. er here at Freedom High Regarding the team, School. Many people know she says, “They all Kelsey as a smart and nice help you survive the person, but they might not most difficult pracknow that Kelsey is an extices.”

Helen cellent violinist. swims all different Kelsey has been playing strokes, but she is violin since she was five not a fan of long years old and states that she distance swimming, is very passionate about such as the 500 music. She has also played Freestyle. a role in some theatre proThis season, Hsu ductions in middle school, was also named and is currently taking part “The Expressin choir, pit orchestra, and Times Swimmer of French Club here at Freethe Week.” dom High School.

Helen was very Ko made orchestra disexcited receive this tricts this year; she was one honor, although she Justin Alicea / The Freedom Forum knows of two violinists representthere are ing Freedom. other swimmers Kelsey Ko [left] and Helen Hsu [right].

When asked how to dethat are just as good scribe her experience at dis- choice. Ko says that she will Freedom swimming team, and as her, if not better. tricts, Ko said, “I’d have to probably continue playing is also a member of the FreeHsu wants to continue say it’s something between violin throughout her future. dom Orchestra along with Ko. swimming as she moves furfun and life-changing.” Most Next, we go from orchestra Helen started competitively ther in her high school capeople would not describe to swimming, where freshman swimming at the age of six, reer. She says that she might practicing challenging music Helen Hsu gets ready for an- just after her family moved to even want to continue swimfor eight hours a day “fun,” other swim meet. Hsu joined the United States from Tai- ming in college.

By Nainjot Singh

but Kelsey said that the friends she met at districts, and their “amazing” conductor, Kenneth Jernigan, made it worthwhile.

An honor student here at Freedom High School, Kelsey looks to keep her grades high and move on to college of her

the started swimming because her doctor thought it would strengthen her immune system, which is great because Helen has progressed very fair in swimming and absolutely loves the sport.

Freshman Helen Hsu is on the Freedom golf team, the

Proving You Wrong Since October: Freedom Debate

By Kaelee Alpha Around Freedom, the sports teams are given appropriate recognition, and attention is paid to academics, however; clubs, such as the debate team, contribute more to Freedom High School than one may assume.

Even though they do not wear jerseys, FHS’s debate team still acquires points and victories, as well.

Starting from October and continuing to the beginning of January, the debate team practices once a week after school.

The team is comprised of students from all four grades, split into separate teams according to experience.

For those who are not aware, they receive a different topic to debate each season which they will converse back and forth with opposing schools in hopes of earning a sufficient amount of points which will lead to victory. The topic this year was whether the commonwealth of

Pennsylvania should abolish compulsory public education in favor of voluntary private education.

Meeting in a variety of high schools, the debate team took on many schools from the area. In particular, the debate

team beat Liberty’s team. Unfortunately, debate does not count for the bell, earning Freedom only bragging rights.

According to junior Anna Thomas, the highlight of the year was “definitely when we

Kate Dawson, a junior, said that the debate team gained many new faces this year and was able to build off of their already solid basis of knowledge and man power.

She also stated that this year, they “improved a lot from last

team this year and noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of being on the team is witnessing the transition that students make as the debate season progresses.

She said, “When people start the season, it’s noticeable how gradually people come from being nervous to being really excited and confident in themselves.”

Anna also commented on how incredibly close the team was this year and that they are able to give each other constructive criticism, which allowed the team to grow and learn as a unit.

Simply put, debate Photo courtesy of Anna Thomas / Asst. News Editor the team is a year and were really close to “good network of people making districts.” She looks where everyone is talented forward to next year’s season and not to mention a very fun and hopes that they will con- group to be a part of.” tinue to improve so that “next year will be even stronger.”

Thomas is the captain of the

Pates’ Post 15

The Forum

March 2012

A Day in the Life of an LVPA Student LVPA Adds Some Drama to the Day

By Courtney Barrow, Entertainment Editor Despite listening to my best friend gush about her school for the past four years, the Lehigh Valley Charter School for Performing Arts was not a school I had any interest in attending.

I cannot dance, act, draw, play an instrument, figure skate, or, least of all, sing. My normal schedule at Freedom is full of literary analysis, biological processes, and simple random samples. It is worlds away from mornings of dissecting my peers’ play writings and choreographing a visual interpretation of Greek messenger speeches.

Welcome to the life of an LVPA drama major.

On a dreary February morning, while the weather outside was bleak and cheerless, the inside

was bright, animated, and lively. While the space is slightly more cramped and narrowed, there is a sense of camaraderie among the students.

The entire school consists of about 500 kids; that’s about the size of one class at Freedom. In addition, people within the same major and grade level have spent every day together for the past four years. The intimate sense of family was palpable.

My shadow and dear friend, Emily Knight, spends her morning with her fellow drama majors. As seniors, they focus on play writing in addition to im-

was completely lost; I better understand chromosomal genetics than the interpretation of a choreographed Greek messenger speech.

At 10:35, we were finally dismissed for lunch.

The senior lunch privilege stripped from students at Freedom is available to all students at LVPA, but Courtney Barrow / Entertainment Editor mainly because proving their acting craft. For the school lacks a real cafeteria. the entire 2.5 hours, each stu- However, there is a Wawa condent was completely focused on veniently next door that the stuthe task at hand. There was no dents frequent. With such a texting, no distracting side con- wide variety of choices, Wawa versations, but just straight, dili- is definitely the preferred gent working. As an outsider, I choice.

Finally, normal academic classes follow the lunch period.

During my yearbook, algebra 3, and government classes, jazz music wafted in from the halls.

Dancers ran in and out of the bathrooms dressed in leotards and tights. The atmosphere was very relaxed and informal; it was incredibly refreshing to be away from my rigorous AP classes with shouts of “Yo, miss!” filtering into the classrooms.

With its maze of brightly painted hallways, (having been converted from an old factory building) and close-knit feel, LVPA has charm and camaraderie that Freedom lacks. While the performing arts are not for me, I wish I could spend another day within the company of such talented young people.

Bringing Color and Music into One’s Day

By Luisa Marin, News Editor From the second Courtney and I went into the parking lot at the Lehigh Valley Performing Arts School, I knew it was going to be really different from our normal school days. However, different does not properly describe my experience at LVPA. The first thing that I noticed was the use of the bright color throughout the school. There were turquoise, lilac-colored, pink, blue, and lime green walls wherever you walked. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the beige colored walls and yellow and white tiles at Freedom.

The walls were my first indicator that my day would definitely be filled with unique experiences.

My fear was that I was going to feel like a complete stranger

and an outcast; however it was quite the opposite. I was shadowing a lovely senior and instrumental major, Anna Baker.

She was kind enough to introduce me to many people in her classes, and I did not feel like a complete alien.

The classes at LVPA are usually around an hour long, so it was different from our block schedule. Additionally, they have a shortened day on Wednesdays, so the classes felt even shorter. The school has the day divided by lunch. The first three classes before lunch are art classes for the upperclassmen and academic classes for the underclassmen. Then after lunch the underclassmen have their art classes and the upperclassmen have their academic classes.

After homeroom, we went to Anna's first class which is piano. This was my first music

class since middle school, so it was little strange. The classroom had keyboards, piano, and three rooms with pianos. We went into one of the rooms, and I was entertained by a couple of Baker's classmates playing piano. I got to hear music by different artists some of which I had never heard of.

Our next stop was her Gospel music class. The class started with warm ups. The teacher kindly asked me to join them in warming up, but I declined to save myself from embarrassment because everyone else had lovely voices. As a group they sang, “Oh Happy Day” (a gospel song from 1967). Then they went on to practice their individual songs.

As we got seated for third period, I was delighted to hear some of the seniors singing the Dora the Explorer theme song.

This particular day, Anna was in the Black Box Theater practicing for the Senior Vocal Showcase. The vocal majors decided to do “The Circle of Life,” and it was fun to watch them rehearse. I even helped Lisa, who was playing the piano, by flipping the pages for her.

Oddly enough LVPA has no cafeteria; instead it has something called the Commons. Students can get food from vending machines, and they have access to microwaves. Also upperclassmen have senior lunch privileges. They can leave the building as long as they get their ID scanned to go out and come back in.

My afternoon consisted of academic classes. First we went to government class, where I saw student presentations about different polls. Then I went to an AP English class which was

very similar to my AP English class at Freedom. However, it was interesting to actually see some students (theater majors I think) get excited about Shakespeare plays, and the class seemed to really like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” My last period at LVPA was a study hall at the Commons. There I was introduced to the Passport book, which is a hall pass for the individual students. Each student carries it and teachers sign it as a pass, which is really different from Freedom.

LVPA was a great experience, and the students I met were all really nice. I do not know if I could handle a performing arts school, but it was really neat to have the opportunity to pseudo attend one.

Patriot Pride: Going Back in Time

By Mrs. Pat Whirl, Special to The Freedom Forum

To commemorate the 45th year of The Freedom Forum, I asked former faculty members for their most memorable moments. Below are a few excerpts.

CAROL CHRISTINE - GUIDANCE SECRETARY - 18 YEARS Transferring to Freedom from Nitschman, I arrived to find the office dark and empty. Turned on the lights and common sense jumped aboard, and I was off to a running start of 18 years of highs and lows; smiles and tears; and everything in between. The best memories are of all the wonderful, lifelong friends that were made. We were truly a family.

RAY SALABSKY - ENGLISH - 30 YEARS As Head Baseball Coach, winning the District XI title in 1973 beating Hazleton for the first District Title.

Winning three East Penn League titles (1972-73, 1974 -75, 1984-85). The faculty and staff being a family and supporting all aspects of the school.

JAMES “TED” MEIXELL - MATH - 11 YEARS As an Assistant Baseball Coach, winning the District XI championship in 1973 by beating Hazleton on a field that can best be described as an above ground coal mine (the infield dirt was black).

16 Pates’ Post

The Forum

March 2012

10 to 9, Liberty Dear Freedom High School, Earlier this year, Mr. LaPorta issued us a challenge: make this a “Year of Greatness.” We are on our way to achieving the goal both academically and athletically. But do you know what would make this year even more great? If we got the bell back from Liberty High! We need to win 6 games in order to get the bell. So Freedom Family, we encourage you to go out there and make some noise for the spring sports. Basketball and football season may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be loud and obnoxious together. Let’s get “that damn bell” for Mr. LaPorta.

Love, The Freedom Forum

Girls’ Soccer April 3 and May 3 Softball April 4 and May 10 Boys’ Volleyball April 5 and May 11 Boys’ Baseball April 22 and May 10 Boys’ Tennis April 24 Track & Field April 30