The Playwickian

November 20, 2013

‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Review 12

Volume 82 Issue 2

The Students’ Newspaper of Neshaminy High School 2001 Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, Pa. 19047 www.playwickian.com

Perfect end to perfect season:

Girls’ soccer clinches Class AAA State Title; finishes 25-0

By Jack Haines Copy Editor It was a perfect play t o e n d a p e r f e c t s e a s o n .

A n d o n t h a t p e r f e c t p l a y, Neshaminy had captured the PIAA Class AAA Championship, securing their 25th win in the process, a fitting end to their historic run.

But it wasn’t easy. The ladies had put in 96 days of hard work to get to this moment, and had to defeat many opponents, some very challenging, in order to reach these heights.

After defeating C.B. East in the semi-finals, the girls were ecstatic, they had surpassed last year’s triumphs, but they knew they still had a job to do.

That job was to defeat SpringFord, something they had done in the District 1 tournament, but not easily. It would be a challenge.

“It’s even harder to beat a team the second time around, especially if it was a close score last game. We knew what our task was, and we accomplished it,” said Nicole Nisivoccia, junior defender.

The game was physical and fast from the get-go. Neshaminy went on the attack quickly, pressuring the opponent into their end.

This year is the first time in Neshaminy history that Girl’s Soccer has reached the state level. They finished with a perfect season of 25-0 with league, district and state titles.

Photo/Meredith Reed

See GIRLS’ SOCCER: 16

‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ sparks attention

By Tim Cho Student Life Editor

A y e a r- a n d - a - h a l f ago, a spark was lit. Jennifer Lawrence took over the world with the movie release of “The Hunger Games.” Back to the big screen, the cast of “The Hunger Games” have captured fans’ attention once again.

Following the end of the first book’s plot with Katniss Everdeen, played by Lawrence, and Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson taking separate paths, Catching Fire begins with Everdeen and Mellark returning to their desolate home of District 12.

These winners of the 74th annual Hunger Games are thrown back into the Arena, and more is learned about the arena itself than originally revealed.

“I’m most excited The second movie in The Hunger Games se- about the scenes in the arena because they are so intense ries is set to premiere in theaters Nov. 22.

Photo/www.hungergamesexplorer.com and I want to compare what I

visualized to what the director created,” junior Julie Hemmingway said.

With Everdeen becoming the beacon of hope against the cruel government, President Snow, the leader of the political regime that is the Capitol, uses the victors of the previous Hunger Games as the pool of the contestants for the every 25 years Quarter Qwell. The only female victor from her District, Everdeen is automatically chosen and her companion and co-victor Mellark volunteers, and thus begins their return to the Capitol for another fight to the death.

Shocked and horrified, the family and friends of the chosen are forced to watch as their loved ones reenter the Arena for possibly their last time.

The idea of the Hunger Games themselves are appalling yet at the same time intriguing because, “the idea is so appalling and unusual, that it interests the viewers to see how the fictional government came into existence; we, as the viewer, can compare our reality with that of the characters,” English teacher Amanda Henry said.

See CATCHING FIRE: 12

In this issue...

News: Detective Chris Jones Foundation gives back: 3 Student Life: Select Choir sings alongside Paramore: 11 Op-Ed: Sanctuary Room Follow-Up: 5 Special Features: Negative aspects of Social Media: 8, 9 Sports: Football wins first round of playoffs: 15 Entertainment: Fall Fashion Trends: 12

The Playwickian

News

November 20, 2013

Copeland meets Neshaminy families over breakfast

By Eishna Ranganathan News Editor On Nov. 16 the second breakfast with the superintendent for the 20132014 school year was held in Maple Point Middle School’s board room with a total of 14 people in attendance. The meeting lasted two hours long, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Those in attendance included parents of the Neshaminy community, NFT teachers and Robert Copeland’s secretary and the superintendent himself.

Issues within the district were discussed as well as upcoming programs the district will host. On Dec. 7 Neshaminy will introduce Saturday Academics for high-schoolers, where students can be tutored on Saturdays for additional help in their core subjects.

Depending on the program’s success, Neshaminy may expand it to middle schools as well.

The prospect of full day kindergarten was mentioned by Copeland based on educational testing studies conducted around the country. And it is possible that in upcoming years the district will have academies at the high school for students to specialize in areas like math and science or visual and performing arts.

Any student engaging in the academy

and succeeding would gain recognition of this on their transcript and diploma.

The reason behind why the Family and Consumer Science classes were taken away from the middle school were mentioned.

“The district wanted to enhance its language arts program so the sixth graders now have drama, the seventh graders have public speaking, and the eighth graders have study skills classes,” Copeland said.

“It always seems that the media covers only the negative aspects of slashing FCS, but never the reasoning behind it.”

Copeland addresses concerns of citizens in the Neshaminy School District with his meetings held at regular intervals at Maple Point Middle School. The meeting is an open discussion where attendees can share ideas to enhance the privileges provided to students.

Photo /Corey LaQuay

A major examination of teacher effectiveness occurred sparked by a Parent University study mentioned. An attendee said how teachers should not make excuses about low achieving students, rather inspire them to want to learn.

Copeland than talked about how the teacher hiring process was recently revamped. Beyond the interview, potential teachers now need to be able to present a sample lesson and explain the same mathematic, scientific or historic concept in various ways in order to make sure they are tailored to students with different types of learning abilities.

The idea of comparing Neshaminy’s education standards to local colleges was

talked to make sure an “A” paper here is an “A” paper there.

A participant offered the idea of sending a batch of eighth graders’ papers to a freshman teacher who teaches honors classes so she can grade them and make sure there is no immense rigor gap. These little measures are thought to make the district’s education higher quality.

The breakfasts are held monthly in a nonchalant environment. There is no formal sign-in sheet or agenda to be met. Anyone is welcome to come and provide commentary. It is during these meeting on which small thoughts can be implemented into big ideas that shape Neshaminy education foundation.

Langhorne mayoral race

By Liam Krimmel Staff Writer On Nov. 4, 2013, the citizens of Langhorne borough all gathered together to vote for two mayoral candidates, Joseph Taylor and John T. Krimmel Sr. Republican Joseph Taylor, Republican, won the election with a 56.8 percent of votes from the citizens of Langhorne borough. Democrat John T. Krimmel received 43.2 percent of votes from the people of Langhorne.

Taylor is a lifelong resident of Lower Bucks County, serving as a volunteer firefighter for over forty years, including twelve years as Chief.

“My highest priority is maintaining the quality of life in the borough while trying to find fiscally responsible ways to improve it,’’ Taylor said.

Taylor is hoping to make some progress in the next four years and is currently working on keeping mayors playground open for recreation to all citizens of the borough of Langhorne.

The playground at the corner of Maple and Pine streets just received

a beautiful new ‘’Mayors Playground’’ sign. This is part of the on-going renovation of the playground which has been in the works for over four years. It is fully funded by donations from individuals, families, grants and businesses in the community.

Krimmel is also a long time Bucks County resident who has served on Borough Council and has worked as a police officer and college professor.

“The borough has never been able to rely on full-time municipal manager and employees to run its government,’’ Krimmel said. “This is partly due to the fact that we simply do not have a tax base to support a full-time government.

Also, we are challenged with a high proportion of non- tax paying exempt organizations. My first priority as mayor is to bring leadership, a single purpose and transparency to the government of Langhorne Borough.”

Taylor, 61, will be in office for four years. The citizens of Langhorne are going to be expecting a lot from him. ‘’There will be changes in our little town,’’ Taylor said.

Neshaminy tributes musical legend via school memorial

By Gauri Mangala Staff Writer A memorial service entitled “A Magical Musical Memorial” was held on Sunday, Nov. 10, honoring the six-month anniversary of Theodore Kloos’ passing.

The service was held in the Theodore Kloos Auditorium and was open to anyone who wanted to attend. Through singing songs, sharing stories, laughing, and shedding a few tears, Kloos’ friends, students, and family remembered a man who meant much to them.

Kloos graduated from Temple University in 1956 with a teaching degree, majoring in music and minoring in history. He then began working in the Conshohocken School District.

In 1963, Neshaminy sought after Kloos to take over the music program and bring it to life. He was honored and started to teach in autumn of that same year.

Kloos helped sprout an interest

in students for a love of music. He founded programs like Concert Choir and Summer Stock, an annual summer musical theater program, to give kids an outlet to express their passion for the performing arts.

“He did so many things for this institution,” Ron Bramley, a Neshaminy student from Kloos’ inaugural year, said.

In 1990, Kloos was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This condition is a movement disorder that worsens over time. Parkinson’s can cause involuntary shaking of the arms, legs, jaw or face and stiffness of the arms, legs, and torso.

After battling Parkinson’s for three years, Kloos formally retired from teaching, but continued to mentor students and help run the Summer Stock program.

On May 6, 2013, Theodore Kloos passed away after fighting with Parkinson’s for a total of 16 years. He left his wife of 53 years, Arlene, five children, and seven grandchildren. After six months of grieving, his loved ones

came together to remember him.

“It was great to see so many people supporting Mr. Kloos,” Chad Wiatrowski, freshman, said.

Singing songs like “Magic to Do” from Pippin, the memorial followed the theme of Kloos’s favorite quotes, “It’s magic time.”

“As soon as those words were said we knew we had a show to do and we made it our best,” Jessica Plunkett, freshman, said.

Former students, Herman and Christian Sebek, who now possess Broadway credits, came to speak about their teacher and perform songs they had composed for him. Admirers of Kloos told stories and spoke his praise. “Ted will live in our memories forever,” spoke Kloos’ close friend, Jeff Adams.

Neshaminy teacher, Suzi Drake remembered her former teacher, colleague, and friend. “He had a way of seeing the good in everyone and celebrating all talents,” Drake said, “He is the one who gave me a love of theater.”

Over 60 people from the Kloos era of Concert Choir took part in singing songs that brought tears to onlookers’ eyes. They were joined by a few members of Neshaminy’s current Concert Choir and Kristin Nichols, Concert Choir director.

Kloos’ children, Jennifer Clayton and Kyle Kloos, spoke at length about their father and conducted the passing of the Kloos baton and pitch pike, which was given to Nichols.

The Theodore Kloos Memorial Foundation was announced at the memorial. The funds raised would go towards music scholarships for the students of Neshaminy High School and would be awarded at the annual spring concert.

Students today remember him for all the things he has done for the music program. “He was just a really amazing guy and his legacy is going to continue in the music program at Neshaminy for a long time,” said freshman, Olivia Hayn.

Anti-bullying crusader to speak at Neshaminy tonight will discuss themes such as mental

Tonight at 7 p.m. in the auditorium Tina Meier, a mother whose daughter committed suicide, will speak to the greater Neshaminy community regarding cyber bullying and the impact of it on her life. Tomorrow all freshmen will attend the program during periods one and two.

The arrival of Meier is credited to S.P.I.N., Neshaminy’s PTO, who

organized her arrival. “We expect to heighten student awareness, help victims step forward and bystanders take a proactive approach,” Robert Mueller, assistant principal said.

Megan Meier, Tina’s daughter, battled ADHD and depression. On MySpace she had been in contact with Josh Evans, a 16 year-old boy she had never met in person whom she had shared

personal information with.

They became good friends until suddenly Evans started sending hateful messages and she subsequently hung herself. Evans was fake; in reality he was one of Megan’s friends who wanted to see what Megan said behind her back.

The event caused her to create the Megan Meier Foundation (MMF) in hopes of preventing silmilar incidents. Meier

health, empathy and how people make judgments without knowing personal facts and internal struggles they could be facing at the time.

“The most powerful tool that MMF has to offer is Megan’s story. It gives our foundation the ability to open the eyes, ears, and hearts of the people we talk to,” Andrea Taylor, Director of Advancement for MMF said.

November 20, 2013

The Playwickian

News

Legacy of Middleton criminal justice officer lives on

The Detective Christopher Jones Foundation celebrated its third anniversary in August.

What started as a small foundation to honor the legacy and memory of Detective Christopher Jones who lost his life in the line of duty in January 2009, has rapidly grown to become one of the largest local foundations offering criminal justice scholarships, community service awards and emergency relief to students and residents in Lower Bucks County.

“It’s amazing to see how all the hard work of our volunteers is directly benefiting students and families. I love presenting that big scholarship check to the recipient in May of every year,” Casey Rodgers, Neshaminy Guidance Counselor said.

In addition to our spring Beef N Beer, The Detective Christopher Jones Foundation now hosts an annual Oktoberfest as well as The DCJF 5K in April. We are also lucky enough to have the support of local restaurants who host Dine-In events that send a percentage of sales back to support DCJF. As we wrap up our third fiscal year we are proud to announce that DCJF has given $54,200 in scholarship money and community relief to Lower Bucks County residents since our inception in 2010. This is a true testament to not only the commitment of our wonderful volunteers, but also to our wonderful supporters throughout the community.

“Emergency Relief is humbling since you see families who have lost everything smile when we can offer some immediate assistance to help them back on their feet. I am so proud to be a part of this Foundation and all the good work it has done,” Rodger said.

If you would like to learn more about The Detective Christopher Jones Foundation or become involved as a volunteer, you can find us on the web at www.dcjf4466.org . Make sure to find us on Facebook as well to get updates on all our great events.

2013 Neshaminy graduate, Lisa Carpenter received a scholarship offered by DCJF during her senior year. State Representative, Frank Farry and Chris Jones’ wife, Suzanne Jones presented the scholarship to Carpenter.

Photo/Casey Rodgers

Club members spend Veteran’s Day in Philadelphia at Students give back: Interact Jefferson University Hospital’s Neonatology Unit Students from Neshaminy High School ’s Interact Club spent their Veteran’s Day holiday touring Jefferson University Hospital ’s Neonatology Unit.

Led by Dr. Kolawole Solarin, the students were led room by room through the 40bed Level III unit. Dr. Solarin explained

security procedures, defined prematurity (any baby born before 37 weeks), and described how various equipment helps babies achieve positive outcomes. The students were able to see the tiniest babies, one born at 28 weeks, thriving under the care of the dedicated Neonatology team.

This annual trip was made possible by the support of Robert Smoose and the March of Dimes’ Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter in honor of World Prematurity Day on Nov. 17. Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon; 1 in every 9 babies born in the United States is born prematurely every year. Over the past 10

years the Neshaminy High School Interact Club has raised close to $30,000 to help the March of Dimes achieve their goal of helping moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies. Students also honored Veterans by leaving patriotic teddy bears for the babies.

Syria’s internal struggle not over

By Jim Merk Staff Writer

The Syrian Civil War, although sounding like it ended, has been prolonged to today. The war officially began nearly three years ago on March 15, 2011 and is still ongoing. With the death toll reaching 130,000 by Sept. of 2013, the war seems far from over, although there hasn’t much news since Sept.

The war reached United States headlines because the Syrian government was found to be largely violating human rights with chemical attacks, imprisonment, and torture. The United States wanted to become involved with the war, but was largely urged to stay out.

On Sept. 9, the United States and Russia pushed for Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile to be placed under international control after a chemical attack on Aug. 21. After a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, a deal was reached on how the Syrian government should give up control of the weapons.

The next step internationally is to destroy the 1,000 tons of chemical weapons within the stockpile, with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons leading the program. With $13.5 million already raised to inspect the Syrian weapon sites, much more will be needed to destroy the massive stockpile.

With Syria also joining the OPCW as of Sept., peace talks seem to be one of the final steps towards ending a war that is costing thousands of lives. As of Nov. 23, Russia and the United States will begin negotiating with both the Syrian Coalition and the Syrian government, both of which do not seem to be letting up any time soon. The Coalition wishes for Assad to be impeached from his position as president, tried for war crimes, and any of his allies to be excluded from any government in the future. A demand the Syrian government has both rejected and will not meet, as well as not looking for a condition of peace at all.

“Essentially the Syrian Civil War is like the American Civil War in the sense that those in Syria are fighting for the American Ideals I teach my students about.

Some call those ideas civil rights,” social studies teacher, David Ferrara said.

As the set peace talk date nears, only time will tell if the war will finally come to an end.

On Veterans’ Day Neshaminy’s Interact Club took a trip to NICU, the baby care unit of Jefferson’s Hospital in order to deliver teddy bears to newborns. Photo/Suzi Drake

“Many students know they were born premature, but they don’t really know what that means. The visits to the NICU allow them to see babies who weigh less than some of their textbooks, thriving as a result of our work with the March of Dimes. In short, it provides a visual to go along with the statistics.”

-Suzi Drake, Neshaminy English Teacher and Interact Club Adviser

November 20, 2013

“It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,” was the court ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines School District in 1969.

It really doesn’t have an effect until it is personal. Until it is felt to have the first amendment twisted, it is difficult to comprehend. Today, the debate is everlasting on the issues of this ruling and truly how much freedom students have.

The Playwickian Editorial Board has been told that their decision to refrain from using the R-Word in the newspaper is “on hold” until a hearing on Nov. 21.

This decision by administrators is a clear infringement on the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

In the October issue of the Playwickian newspaper, two-thirds majority of the Editorial Board agreed to not use the “R-Word” in further issues. Each one of the editors took a vote and explained their reasoning behind the decision.

Now, the authority of the Editorial board is being questioned on whether or not they can make a decision of that nature; and whether this policy infringes on others, namely the staff-writers.

Editors spend countless hours putting together a newspaper. Editors are selected through application and do need writing experience, including one year in the Journalism elective course. The editors have gained immense knowledge from being a part of the Editorial board. This

The Playwickian

is how the authority is created.

In 1998, there was a case of student journalists at Lexington High School in Massachusetts who refused to print an ad submitted by Douglas Yeo encouraging sexual abstinence by students.

T h e s c h o o l h a d maintained the policy that student editors were allowed to control the content of their publications.

Yeo filed a lawsuit in federal district court claiming that denying this ad was infringing on his freedom of speech and his Fourteenth Amendment right to due process.

The district court found that since the students, not school officials, made content decisions regarding ads, the refusal of Yeo’s ad was legal. Students should not be considered to “act” as state officials because decisions made by student editors are not attributed to the school.

The First Amendment limits censorship by the government, but courts generally have said that although school officials are considered government, actions of student editors at public schools are not. This court case ruling is utter proof that student editors have the authority to make the decision of the content that will appear in the newspaper.

Compelled speech is when words are forced rather than restricted like most cases. In 1943, the case of West Virginia Board of Education vs. Barnette protected students who chose not to salute for the pledge of allegiance.

“Words uttered under coercion are proof of loyalty to nothing but selfinterest,” said Justices Hugo Black and William Douglas in the court ruling. Why force something upon someone that isn’t wanted? It is an easy question to answer.

It is because power is more important than opinion.

On Friday, Nov. 1, the Playwickian

Editorial

received an advertisement with the words “Redskin…a tradition for almost a century” and were told the ad must be placed in the paper. It was implied that the editor’s had no choice , but to publish the ad. Going against a belief of two-thirds of the board, this caused uproar from the editors of going great strengths to fight for their First Amendment.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the editors received a late-breaking notice that the Class of 1972 Neshaminy alumni who had given the ad decided to pull the advertisement. Yet, this decision still upheld the compelled speech of the R-Word until a hearing to decide otherwise.

The decision to refrain from using the R-Word was a majority view. Just like any other newspaper, there is an opinion section. People are viewing this situation from an emotional standpoint.

The mascot may be a long-lasting tradition, but so is freedom of speech and there is no reason it should be taken away from a group of students with an opinion.

It is understood that there are some instances where students’ freedom of speech has its limitations. In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Hazelwood School District vs. Kuhlmeier that public school students do not have the same First Amendment rights as adults.

When a publication is not a public forum of expression, there will be certain situations that censorship may occur. This court ruling was a devastating blow for scholastic journalism and it gives officials the right to censor or compel when it is believed necessary.

School officials’ censorship must be reasonably related to legitimate educational concerns as stated in the Hazelwood ruling. No matter what way it is viewed, the mascot has no educational purpose; it is merely a skewed symbol of tradition and spirit for the high school.

Compelling the editors to use the word easily takes away feelings of pride in the high school. It turns it into a place where to be accepted, opinions cannot

differ.

Taking the mascot out of the equation, if this were any other word that was chosen to be left out of the paper, it would not be as strong-willed of a debate. The school is so latched onto the mascot that the right of student journalists’ loses its importance.

Censorship and compelled speech go hand-in-hand and this ad is a grotesque example of it. It truly is about being put into perspective. The opinion of the Editorial Board does not matter because it is a minority view.

The fact that there is already a case law allowing student editors to refuse ads they deem offensive or inappropriate gives an understanding that tradition is much more important than freedom of press to our administration.

The Playwickian Editorial Board has presented numerous examples of evidence to promote our authority to make decisions regarding the content of the newspaper.

The editors respect the fact that the newspaper needs prior approval by school officials before being printed, but we expect the same respect of our First Amendment freedom of press in return.

Look At It Our Way is the unsigned editorial, which represents the majority view of the Editorial Board.

Correction: In the October Issue,

in “School mascot: point of pride for high school” had a statistic stating “...when 768 Native Americans were asked...” when it was rather “...when 768 Americans were asked...”

Editorial Board

The Playwickian

Editor-In-Chief - Gillian McGoldrick Managing Editor: Maddy Buffardi Business and Advertising Editor - Emily Scott News Editors- Stephanie Harvey and Eishna Ranganathan Op-Ed Editors- Emily Scott Student Life Editor- Maddy Buffardi and Tim Cho Special Features Editors- Shannon Byrne and Shealyn Miles Entertainment Editor- Gillian McGoldrick and Monica Dinh Sports Editors- Reed Hennessy and Kirstin Delaney Literary Editor- Solomiya Syvyk Photo/Graphics Editors- Corey LaQuay and Holly Muska Circulation Editor- Julianne Miller Copy Editors- Kaitie Andrews, Morgan Bond, Jessica Bussmann, Jack Haines, Colleen Harley, Alli Kaufman, Natalie Pietrowski, Heather White Web and Social Media Editor - Stephanie Harvey Adviser - Tara Huber

Staff Writers Georgi Binder, Angel Castillo, Evan Cheney, Daniel Cho, Rebecca Choi, Alisha Coughlin, Matt Cruz, Brianna Diodata, Sarah Elwekil, Anthony Giaquinto, Sabrina Gonzalez, Kayla Gowen, Julia Guindon,Grace Hitchen, Trent Holden, Hope Hunsberger, Kristen Hurlock, Kayla Johnson, Sara Kelly, Liam Krimmel, Brynn MacDougall, Gauri Mangala, Emily Martin, Makenzie Mason, Kimberly McCarrick, Jessica McClelland, Kayli McGlynn, Brendan McGoldrick, Emmaleigh McNally, James Merk, Gavin Negrotti- Hughes, Tylar Pomroy, Krystyn Pulyk, Kerri Rafferty, Brianna Rayner, Ashley Reiss, Laura Reyes, Eric Rotteveel, Melissa Sparks, Rebecca Scheinert, Nina Taranenko, Amanda Usewicz, Ema Woodson.

Policy Statement

Published monthly, the student newspaper of Neshaminy High School is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. The student exercise of freedom of expression and press freedom is protected by PA Code Section 12.9 and the First Amendment to the Constitution. School officials exercise their right to Prior Review.

The Playwickian refers to the “Associated Press Stylebook” on matters of grammar, punctuation, spelling, style and usage. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Letters to the editors should not exceed 300 words. Letters must be signed and of appropriate subject matter. Guest opinions, 500 words or more, will be published as space allows.

The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy and disruption of the school’s educational process. Opinions in letters or commentaries are attributed to the author. Such views are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or the policy of the adviser or administration, unless so attributed.

Awards

The publication has received recognition by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in the following years- First Place: 1976,1977,1978,1980,1981,1982,1986,1989,1990,1992 ,1993,1994. Bronze Medalist,2001. Silver Medalist: 1995,2000, 2003,2008, 2012. Gold Medalist: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,2009,2011,2013. The publication has also received awards from the Pennsylvania School Press Association in the following years - Silver: 2012, Gold: 2013. www.playwickian.com Neshaminy High School 2001 Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA 19047 215-809-6670

Contact playwickian@gmail.com Facebook.com/ThePlaywickian Twitter.com/ThePlaywickian

© The Playwickian 2013

November 20, 2013

The Playwickian

Opinion

Sanctuary Room follow-up:What Guidance services are offered ?

By Maddy Buffardi Managing and Student Life Editor In January 2013, the Playwickian published an unsigned editorial expressing how the editorial board felt it was essential that the Sanctuary Room be reintroduced into Neshaminy.

The Sanctuary Room, created in 2006 following multiple suicides in th e 2004-2005 school year, was established in hopes of creating a safe haven for students.

The editorial was written following numerous tragdies suffered by the school community. The school has been through so much in a short amount of time that a program like the Sanctuary Room, or even just a few extra counselors, psychologists or social workers would seem to be essential.

As hard as the guidance department does try, it’s difficult to see every student precisely when they need to be seen, forcing students to make appointments several days after they actually need to see someone. The Sanctuary Room was created as a way to counteract this problem, giving students a place where they can go at any time to take a breath, or if they need to, speak to a counselor.

Following budget cuts in 2012 the Sanctuary Room and its staff were removed from Neshaminy High School. After the editorial was published in January, the issue was discussed at a school board meeting on Feb. 19, 2013. During this meeting, superintendent Robert Copeland acknowledged that money was secured from Bucks County funds and would be

provided to an outside social services agency that would come into the high school and work with students dealing with social and emotional issues.

At the time, Copeland declined to say what outside agency would be used because the details were not yet finalized.

Joseph Funk, director of the county’s health and human services division, confirmed that $50,000 had been secured to use toward the effort.

Also during this meeting, it was decided that they would likely run a test program beginning March 1 and ending in December 2013. It wasn’t specified what exactly constitutes for a “successful” program, or how they would make a final decision on whether or not to continue the program.

If a test program was being ran it was hardly evident. Most students had no idea what the Sanctuary Room is, or that during the test months they had alternate sources available.

When contacted, the superintendent said the test program currently operating is is called, Youth Mental Health First Aide. The fate of the program is still very unclear. The district has enough money to fund the program through March 2014 though the contract from K and S expires in December. “ We a r e l o o k i n g i n t o whether the county will continue to support the program or not,” Copeland said.

The whole point of the Sanctuary Room, or reintroducing something similar to it, is to help students who are struggling. In order to help the student body, it’s necessary to make such a service common knowledge to the student body, which Neshaminy has seemingly failed to do.

When Bucks County Commissioner, Diane Marseglia, was contacted she said that to her knowledge the Sanctuary Room is up and running, adding that she has visited the school and had seen the room and spoken to staff. Marseglia also stated that the $50,000 is being used to pay a counselor, Danielle Stein.

Stein belongs to a company called K and S. They are an outside counseling agency.

“While not perfect, I think this is a very good option and it is critical that Neshaminy keep it as it is or improve it to insure the full emotional and mental health safety of its students. I am proud , as a commissioner and resident of the Neshaminy district, that this concept continues,” Marseglia said.

Stein, declined to comment on the matter, adding that she wasn’t sure if she was permitted to do so.

Students should be able to access information about this program, since it is a program for the benefit of the students.

In hopes of seeing the program from a student perspective how “up and running” the Sanctuary Room really is, an unnamed student was sent down to ask if she could sit down and recollect herself.

The student told the guidance department that she was feeling very overwhelmed and had heard about the Sanctuary Room and was hoping she could take

a seat in there during her lunch, until she felt better.

The student was then informed by guidance that the Sanctuary Room hasn’t existed in over a year. Guidance followed normal procedure and asked the student her last name in order to locate her regular counselor, after acknowledging that her regular counselor was very busy, guidance asked the student if she would be interested in speaking to an assistant counselor (Stein).

The student said that she wasn’t interested in talking to anyone but wanted to be able to just sit somewhere and calm down, she was again informed that the Sanctuary Room didn’t exist, but if it was absolutely essential she could sit in the grad project planning room.

There seems to be a huge miscommunication regarding the matter and the term ‘up and running’ appears to be used quite loosely in this situation. While the $50,000 is definitely being used to pay Stein to come to the school, the Sanctuary Room as the students have known in the past is still not a functioning part of Neshaminy.

The Neshaminy school district needs to find a way to continue funding support programs for students.

The district also needs to communicate the access to such services to the students, parents, teachers, as well.

The president of the school board, Ritchie Webb, as well as assistant principal, Lisa Pennington, have been contacted but both have not responded.

The Guidance Department is available for any scholastic and emotional support needs of the students.

Photo/Emily Scott

Feminism still relevant issue Women still need to be empowered to fight for equal rights

Social media war

Do teens prefer Twitter or Facebook?

By Kayla Johnson Staff Writer When most teens wake up, the first thing they do is check their phone, but what social media do they go on first, Facebook or Twitter? Studies are proving that Twitter is over powering Facebook. According to Piper Jaffray’s 26th Semi-Annual, Taking Stocks with Teens Market Research Project, 23 percent of teens out of 8,650, cited Facebook as the most important social media, Twitter coming in second.

Facebook is losing teens more and more everyday while Twitter is becoming more and more appealing “I like Twitter more than Facebook because I get updates from celebrities and keep up with popular current events,” senior, Ansu Kaba said.

Facebook is easier to function than Twitter, which makes adults more attracted to Facebook. According to Softpedia, teens are getting more attracted to Twitter than Facebook because of the heightened adult presence on Facebook, as well as the drama which it brings.

“Twitter is better than Facebook because it’s harder for family members to find you,” said senior Ansu Kaba.

“I like Twitter over Facebook because it’s harder to bring up old careless tweets that I have made in my past,” sophomore, Mckenzie Dorsainvil said. On Facebook, friends are able to bring up embarrassing statuses that were written years ago.

According to the Business Insider, CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerburg said that “the coolness is done for us”. Facebook is no longer cool to many teens. “I’ve had Facebook since the 7th grade and now its getting old. That’s why Twitter is better to me” senior, Erica Miller said.

By Emily Scott Business and Op-Ed Editor

Man-hater, extremist are usually the terms that are sarcastically given to me when I tell them I’m a feminist. Lying in these sarcastic comments is an underlying feeling of truth. Feminism has unfortunately become synonymous with a radical hate of the opposite gender, which is hardly the case.

Feminism is in no way about women being superior to men. Feminism is about giving women a chance to empower themselves. It’s about straying away from the jokes of “get back in the kitchen” and being seen as more than just a sex object. In a time so engulfed by media, women are sexualized often in movies and TV shows and gives young girls the wrong idea of what they should look like.

Feminism is just the crazy notion that women are actually people too. Men can be feminists too. It is just idea of equal rights of women and men. This movement has become an ignorant stereotype. People expect feminists to be ugly, hairy women with hostile thoughts towards men which is just another uniformed stereotype.

The most important reason for feminism is due to this era’s rape culture. These

issues are usually not taken seriously and are misreported or under-represented.

Rape crime in some universities is deemed “misconduct” to spare the reputation of the university and any issue is downplayed. The victims are usually blamed for the rape. They’re asked “why didn’t you just say no?” or told “maybe you led them on” and it affects the victims even more negatively because they will believe it was their fault.

Feminism affects everyone. It is an issue that should be easy to take a stand on.

Women should not let men only view them as a trophy. The only reason feminism is such a hard movement to catch on to is because people are afraid of change.

I really do wish there wasn’t a need for feminism, but as of right now women are still fighting for our equal rights. Until society reaches that point, feminism should be understood and not compared to a radical group.

Howler The Playwickian

Howler

November 20, 2013

Art/Molly McDonald

neshaminy’s own literary magazine

Excerpt from

Thirteen

Trent Holden

Hello, my name is Jack. This is a story about an adventure of mine.

I couldn’t stand the rain, but this was just insane! The rain knew when it was going to happen, but we did not. It all began October 1st.

The sky was sunny as always in this little town in North Dakota. It was currently summer, and the forecast reported no showers.

Weather men are wrong sometimes, but we thought nothing of it. Around one o’clock, it began raining. It was a down pour! It continued raining for the whole hour.

We later discovered that a man had died, hit by a bus, during the storm. Who would have made the connection? The rain knew, but we did not.

It is now October 11th. A total of ten people have died from being hit by a bus. It is currently four o’clock in the afternoon, and I am over my friend Charlie’s house.

Charlie’s dad owns the busing company, and has received numerous complaints about people’s family members being hit. You could tell he was frustrated. It was like his hair was falling out.

Suddenly I heard the pitter patter of rain hitting the window. I saw Charlie’s dad rush to the phone. I couldn’t hear what was being said.

“He’s calling the buses back.” explained Charlie.

“What?”

“Haven’t you noticed, people get hit by the bus when it rains.” said Charlie.

I suddenly realized that he was right. It was like a supernatural force was warning us of the accident.

“How did you figure it out?” I asked.

“My Dad did.”

“Oh.” I said, returning to our video game.

An hour later the rain ended and we went outside to see if our other friend Jason was home. When we got to his house, we saw his mother’s car pull into the drive way.

His mother stepped out of the car crying, and Jason stepped out looking down cast.

Jason saw us and said, “My Uncle was hit.”

Annabel

Becca Choi

The bouquet in my hands is full of chrysanthemums—my favorite. They put me in a white dress—a little too optimistic if you ask me. I would put my money on hell, not heaven, especially with the last couple of days to be considered. There’s a better turnout than I expected. Then again, I didn’t expect much. ...

The radio was turned up, up, up again, until the bass boomed so loud it numbed the walls and blinded judgment. Kids sat on tables, leaned on walls, filled the couches.

I didn’t have any time to sit. I had to hold it all together. It was only ten o’clock, and Dean was already puking on my basement floor—how the hell did he get down to the basement?

“But Anna, I didn’t—” He was cut off by, uh, some un-pleasantries.

“Look, I don’t care how much you had, you should know better.”

“But I didn’t drin—” And with that, he passed out cold. Jesus, I was not about to drag him up those stairs… but I couldn’t just lock him down there…

A tattered leather couch was left from last year—along with all the junk my family has ever planned on getting rid of. I pulled him up onto the old thing—I definitely deserve a round of applause for that, if anything. And I went back upstairs, leaving the basement unlocked—not the best decision of that night, but Fridays in high school are designated to be nights of bad decisions.

I didn’t know then that Dean really hadn’t had a sip of anything. He hadn’t opened the basement door. And right then, he wasn’t sleeping.

I saw something in the crowd right after that. I didn’t know what it was. Just a shadow, I told myself, but it wasn’t just a shadow.

I saw it again and again, and then—it was close to midnight—I saw him. And he saw me. I didn’t know then that he had been watching me. When I lifted Dean to the couch in the basement, he was watching. While I held it all together, he was watching.

And right then, he was watching.

I had left the basement unlocked.

And he watched my realization. He watched my fear creep up from my fingertips and into my heart. He watched me beg for mercy. He smiled, mouthed to me—lights out.

Everything off. No music, no streetlights, no cell phones. The crowd was angry—to say the least. Profanities and slurs rose up, followed by screaming—at each other, in general. We were blind. We were mad. I was scared.

Screaming turned to shrieking. Fear turned to panic. And chaos quickly turned to silence. But I heard him. He was right there—right behind me. He whispered to me.

Don’t underestimate what you don’t know. ...

And that was it. I don’t know if anyone made it out alive. I know I didn’t.

And I don’t know what’s next. But I am not scared anymore.

Southern Hospitality Kerri Rafferty

She walked along the cobblestone path, her footsteps, a dull clud, disrupting the still air. Cast iron lanterns covered in moss and vines hung from the sides of decaying buildings, lighting the streets for the few like her that travelled through the night. The candles inside flickered and jumped at the winter winds that threatened to put them out and leave the town in darkness.

The town was small, yet infamous. It had been the place of many battles, but survived through each one. Tour guides on rusted trolleys told stories with wide, expecting eyes and tourists, amazed, passed by glorified monuments and fields.

Its history was a source of gratification among the townspeople. They hung red and white striped flags that displayed the blue and gold state seal in the corner.

They hung flags, all red with a blue “X” through the middle which was studded with white stars. They were proud.

A gust of wind blew viciously past and Madeline drew her coat closer and tipped her hat over her face. She was young, only twenty-three, with bright and hopeful eyes. Her curls tangled and unraveled around her face, which was soft and light, like the dew drops on the midnight grass on which she now stepped.

Madeline walked for a long time and then knelt down in front of a large, broken stone. She stared into the center of the yellow rose she carried, brushing her fingers over the folds and creases the swirling petals created. They were beautiful, like silk. So fragile and delicate, they were soft and comforting.

Madeline plucked one petal, kissed it so gingerly, and placed it at the base of the stone. She ran her hand down the long stem of the rose, pricking her finger.

She took notice, but did not comprehend. Her eyes grew dull and cold. For a moment, she observed the broken stone. Then, she threw her arms around it, sobbing. She stayed like that for close to an hour until her cries slowly subsided, until her eyes grew dull and cold once again. Madeline stood up, brushing the dirt and filth from herself. In her moment of grief, she did not notice the sounds and smells that had overcome the cemetery.

In the distance, she could hear faint chants of a distinct, yet unknown language. Madeline could hear the pounding of feet on the ground. It was rhythmic, accompanying the spoken songs. The air smelled of rust and smoke.

She quickened her steps towards the gates of the cemetery, forgetting her misery in her panic to find the towering black gates that stood at the exit of the field.

When she reached the gates, she leaned against them, feeling her heart beat. She rested a while with a dainty hand on her chest and her eyes shut tight, realizing her short-lived fear had been in vain. The town did attract many tourists, it was only natural that she might hear a foreign language. And of course someone might be visiting a grave at this time, it wasn’t odd. After all, Madeline herself was there.

She turned to open the gates. The wind, Madeleine thought, must have closed them while she was visiting her mother. However, they would not open.

Occasionally the townspeople experienced this. The cast iron town was old and decaying. It was not unusual to see a neighbor shaking the gates to their garden, fighting against the metal stuck in place. Madeline struggled to push the gates open, her panic flooding back to her as she realized the gates would not open.

She rattled them and pounded her fists on the rails, until she fell to her knees.

A hand delicately twirled her hair from behind, before grabbing a handful and ripping her from the gates. Madeleine breathed in sharply and the cold burned in her chest. She gasped for air to scream out, and when she finally yelled out, her head dropped onto a cobblestone path below, hard, and her vision began to fade out.

When she awoke, she was tied to a tree with brown leaves scattered at her feet. Above her stood a man with a black mask, so intricately carved. Beads and braided hay surrounded the mask and draped down to meet a burlap bag which hung onto the man. Slowly, with increasing speed the man began to chant. And as his chanting became more fervent, other men appeared from behind trees and joined him. Madeleine shook her head, crying. She begged and pleaded, but the men did not hear her. They chanted and danced around her. Suddenly, strangely, they stopped. They stood in place like statues around the tree, the first man above her once again. From inside his mask, he pulled a match. He struck it and let it fall onto Madeleine. The smell of smoke and rust returned to the air.

November 20, 2013

Student Life

The Playwickian

Hanging out with Houseman

By Jack Haines Copy Editor It is very fitting that Hank Houseman is a social studies teacher.

Houseman, who teaches Advanced Placement European History and Modern World History, grew up in a household that loved history: “My father was very fascinated in the Ancient Egyptians, and even taught himself to read and write hieroglyphics.”

The young Houseman would watch historical shows with his father for, as Houseman put it, “This is back when families would only have one TV.” It was from these beginnings that Houseman was eventually molded into a history buff, and he went off to Temple University to earn a degree in Geography. In 1990, the teacher began his career at Neshaminy.

2 3 y e a r s l a t e r, Houseman is a popular teacher among sophomores, and frequently looked upon as a favorite among those that have had

him, whether it is for his sense of humor, interesting teaching style, or unique hobbies.

In the classroom, Houseman enjoys interacting with the students the most, especially with those that have a passion for history. Despite this, he jokingly remarked “The only thing I dislike about teaching is noisy AP students who talk a lot.”

Outside of the classroom, Houseman enjoys many activities, among them auctiongoing. Houseman is an avid collector of presidential campaign memorabilia, noting that his house is filled with buttons, posters, and other items from campaigns dating back to the early 20th century.

He also spends lots of time with his family, and while Houseman is not married, he does have many nieces and nephews he likes to spend time with.

Another thing that

sticks out about Houseman is his traditional summer vacation. Every Bastille Day, that is July 14, the teacher enjoys to kick it on a tropical beach of his choice.

Fittingly, the unique character that is Houseman noted that one of the figures that inspired him to love history the most was his 10th grade history teacher. Now Houseman is just that, a 10th grade social studies teacher inspiring the young historians Popular history teacher, Hank Houseman, engages his 5th period class in a class discussion. of Neshaminy.

Photo/Maddy Buffardi

Despite busy schedule student still finds time for fun

By Emily Scott Business and Op-Ed Editor

Brian Thomas is a heavily involved junior at Neshaminy High School. Thomas is the junior class treasurer as well, a participant in men’s choir, select choir, Mathletes, band, Scholar’s Bowl and the World Affairs Club.

Q: If you could be any animal what would you be?

A: A koala, they’re small and furry, and people say I look like one.

Q: What is something that people may not know about you?

A: I play the drums in an all Indian band called Seven Sound.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: President Q:Do you have a celebrity crush?

A: Raj from Big Bang Theory.

Q: What’s your favorite word?

A: Brown

Junior Brian Thomas is caught hanging out in the C-Wing, hiding from band class in a locker.

Photo/Emily Scott

Q: What’s a unique talent of yours?

A: I can pull cards out of nowhere.

Q: If you could change one thing about Neshaminy what would it be?

A: I would want everyone to know each other

Neshaminy welcomes new teachers

By Mackenzie Mason Staff Writer Perla Guerrero is a Spanish teacher who originally started her teaching career at Neshaminy High school in 2005. After substituting at Nazareth Academy and St. Basil High School, she has returned, and teaches Spanish I and II. “I feel like I am home again,” she said.

Guerrero attended college in Santo Domingo at Universidad Autónoma and received a degree in accounting. She then later got her teaching degree at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pa. Outside of school, Guerrero can be found watching her children play soccer. She also enjoys watching law shows, such as Criminal Minds and Law and Order: SVU with her family. Hispanic cooking is also something Guerrero likes to do along with spending time with her friends.

In school Guerrero wants her students to be able to understand, speak and write in Spanish. “I want to them to be able use higher-level thinking World language teacher, Perla Guerrero, writes that they can apply in other the topic of her 5th period lesson on the board subjects in their lives,” she said.

Photo/Maddy Buffardi

Perla Guerrero

Nancy Marchunsky is a Child teaching lesson for her.

Development teacher new to Neshaminy “I want my students to apply the High School. She also taught Family lessons and situations that I teach them in Consumer Science at Poquessing Middle the real world in their lives,” Marchunsky School. “I am so glad to be back at the said.

High School because I was a student here as well,” she said.

Marchunsky loves to be around her family, as well as her friends.

Playing and taking her dog named Beemer on long walks is another thing that she adores doing in her free time.

After attending Neshaminy High School, Marchunsky attended Albright College. “I have always wanted to be a teacher,” Marchunsky said. “I find it to be a very FCS teacher, Nancy Marchunsky, assists a sturewarding job.

Working at the preschool dent during her 8th period class. with her colleagues and Photo/Tim Cho students proves to be a very valuable

Nancy Marchunsky

The Playwickian

Special Features

Cyber-bullying:

November 20, 2013

Special Features

The Playwickian

Media decisions affect professional opportunities

School-yard harassment enters safe home enviornment

By Shannon Byrne Special Features Editor

In today’s world, kids spend most of their day on the internet. With this new frontier, the internet, new areas of bullying have come to light; cyber-bullying to be more specific.

Before the internet, kids could escape and feel safe at home. Now, kids don’t have that luxury. Social media is destroying the safe haven that is supposed to be a child’s home.

Now, because of these new bullying outlets they are open to harassment anywhere and at any time.

C y b e r- b u l l y i n g , according to the Social Times is “when someone is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed, or otherwise targeted by someone using the internet…”

The convenience of social media allows anyone, anyplace to chime in from the safety of their homes and screen names. With this newfound anonymity it is no wonder that cyber-bullying is quickly on the rise.

It is no secret that kids can be cruel. Social media acts as a safety zone for those cowards that hide behind their computer screens while inflicting hurtful words that wouldn’t ordinarily be spoken face to face.

According to a cyber-bullying research summary

November 20, 2013

by Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D. and Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D. “Cyber-bullying victims were almost twice as likely to have attempted suicide compared to youth who had not experienced cyber-bullying.”

These teen suicide stories are all too real and tangible for many people. It is unfortunate when someone takes his or her own life, but especially unfortunate when it is the fault of their peers and could have easily been prevented.

Unfortunately, for those children who succumb to such a fate, simply being mean, sadly, is not a crime.

However, it could be construed as a malicious hate crime.

Hate crimes violate free speech protection under the constitution by impinging on other people’s rights and could carry very heavy penalties.

Preventing cyber-bullying is easier than you think.

The obvious step to take would be to get rid of all social media accounts. However, since social media is essential to most kids to communicate that may not be the best option.

The best option when attempting to solve a bullying issue is to save the threatening messages and contact an adult who can help the situation de-escalate.

Selfies beware

Social media is not all fun and selfies. The negatives of social media are becoming all too prevalent in today’s society. In this issue we discuss the negatives of social media. We analyze how it can damage your image, social capabilities, mental health and even professional opportunities.

By Colleen Harley Copy Editor

Nowadays, almost everyone is on social media websites. From elementary school kids to the elderly, they are logging in and posting on websites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but think before that post/ share/tweet button gets pushed.

What gets posted on these websites is going to be looked at by future employers, so always take caution.

Future employers may want to investigate someone before they hire them for the job. For example, these managers/bosses might search the potential employee’s name on Facebook for more information on them. If the profile is not private, they can see almost everything the hopeful employee posts. That’s right, everything.

It’s a known fact that teenagers do not think before they post.

Potential employers 10 years from now may be curious to see what was posted when the hopeful employee was 16, 17, or 18 years old. If they come across something they do not like, for example a status update with

Art/ Shea Miles

a curse in it, they could very well not hire the hopeful at all. Employers want an abundance of professionalism in the workplace, not curse riddled tweets.

Also, things like lying on public websites, posting inappropriate pictures, negative comments on previous employers/people, talking about alcohol and drugs, and also lacking good communication skills, would all be reasons for an employer not to hire a candidate.

In reality, separating inappropriate from appropriate can be difficult. This is because a lot of people do not take into account who is going to be looking at it. A grandmother does not want to see their granddaughter/grandson caught in various compromising situations and neither does a future employer.

Things that shouldn’t be kept private are things like, where people were formerly employed, where they attended college/high school, and also what they plan to do with their future career opportunities now and in the future.

The bottom line is, don’t keep social media completely private, but leave things that a future employee might want to see being posted, on public display. If not, it might completely ruin the hopeful future in a career.

Self-absorption vs. self-esteem The battle between vanity and mental health

By Colleen Harley Copy Editor

Photos/ Felicia Nunez

There are all different kinds of people in this world, each individual person with different personality traits and quirks, as well as a variety of looks.

Some people have all the confidence in their looks and think they are perfect the way they are, virtually in love with themselves. But, on the other hand, so many girls and boys lack that confidence in themselves, because of the weight of their own standards and those of society they feel the need to live up to.

“You’re so self-absorbed.” Someone might say this to another person if the person they’re talking about has a cocky vibe coming from them. Possessing this quality is not necessarily a good thing though.

Qualities of someone who is selfabsorbed are things like not being excited for someone when they receive praise or good attention, not liking someone just because of their status on the social ladder, demanding that things be done their way, and taking the spotlight away from other people for no apparent reason. Being vain though, is different than being self-absorbed, it means they only care about their looks and think they’re the best looking person in the world.

It is good to have confidence in their looks, but sometimes people take it to the extreme. Examples of being vain are that if they are a girl, they cannot leave the house without makeup on. If they are a boy, maybe they have to have their hair cut in a certain style.

Another example of possessing the quality of vanity would be if they pass a mirror, they have to look at themselves.

Also, if they see the slightest sign of imperfection of them, they will take immediate and irrational action to get the imperfection taken care of. An example of that would be if a pimple appears on their face, they will start to throw a tantrum and do everything possible to get rid of it.

Senior Megan Barrett comments on the subject, “I think that people who are vain just have an ego that they feel needs to be noticed. They need the attention to make themselves feel better about what they’re doing or who they are. I think it’s good to have confidence and to like how you look, but to make shallow minded remarks about others isn’t okay.

Appearance shouldn’t be the only trait you care about, and it shouldn’t be all you think about either.”

Self Esteem by definition is “ones self-worth or self-value. Often defined as a personality trait, it can involve security/ insecurity about someone’s own beliefs, appearance, behaviors, and emotions.”

Self-esteem problems affect people of all ages, in all four corners of the earth.

According to Dove’s research, only 4% of women believe they are beautiful and only 11% of girls worldwide are comfortable enough to use the word, ‘beautiful’ to describe themselves. The pressure of women and girls everywhere to look perfect 24 hours, seven days a week, is almost unbearable.

From society, to the media, and to even their own families and friends, women constantly have an image they

feel the need to uphold. In fact, Dove’s research also found that 72 percent of girls feel there is a huge amount of pressure on them to be beautiful.

But not only does the criticism come from the media and society, it comes from the women themselves. They always say that an individual’s mind is their own worst critic.

Senior Jackie Connelly gives her definition of what a lack of self-esteem is. “Lacking self-esteem basically means that you think you aren’t good enough in your own shoes. You’re confidence isn’t as good as you want it to be, and you are always looking to just feel better about yourself” The popular smartphone app, Instagram is a prime example of how social media affects how people view themselves and others. On the app, you can take pictures from a cell phone, edit them with a filter, and upload them for ‘followers’ to see, and share with other people on different websites.

People feel the pressure to look like they’re having fun doing something, when in reality they are not, just because of all the hype about the app. Even celebrities are jumping on the Instagram bandwagon.

When people see the fun and amazing things celebrities are doing, or seeing how amazing they look, it prompts regular people to try and show off like their favorite famous person. Yet, at the same time, the normal people feel bad because they aren’t doing the lavish and exciting things that they wish they were doing.

Are we really connecting?

How social media destroys social lives

By Shealyn Miles Special Features Editor

The average person has what, 800 friends, Facebook friends that is. This issue with society today is that people tend to focus more on their virtual status rather than their real one.

One may argue that social media has brought the world endless connections that seemed nonexistent in previous years. This is undoubtedly true. Social networking sites allow the word to spread at a much faster pace than people have ever thought possible.

The question is, however, is society really connecting? If so, who is it that people are reaching out to?

Are they even important? Out of Facebook’s 500 million users, the average person toils over it 7 hundred minutes per month. Of course, there is some merit in the content they scroll through, but for the average teenager, is it much more than obsessing over the lives of their so-called “friends?”

People today are immensely skilled at sending out information across the web in seconds, but many can barely take part in a conversation with family or close friends. Take this classic scenario, a friend is on their phone, and it takes them nearly five minutes to respond to a question that was asked, and even when they do, their mind lingers on what they had been reading on their phone.

According to author Jonathan Safran Foer in the New York Times, “Technology celebrates connectedness, but encourages retreat.”

If these websites risk ruining relationships, are they worth the five seconds of fame when one gets a notification that some random person liked their photo?

The suggestion is not to throw away social media altogether.

There are obvious advantages to sending out mass information. The suggestion is to put the phone down for a family dinner. After all, the things one can learn in a face-to-face conversation might interest them.

Photo/Shea Miles

Facebook - 1.15 Billion Twitter - 500M Google Plus - 500M LinkedIn - 238M Instagram - 130M Pinterest - 70M -From 1999 to 2009 the average amount of time children spent on the internet increased from 27 minutes a day to 1 hour and 29 minutes a day -23 of these minutes are dedicated to social media -11-18 year old children spend on average 1 hour and 32 minutes on their cell phone each day

The Playwickian

Student Life

November 20,2013

Roadies take audiences to ‘Almost, Maine’ one moment [of the performance] that I wasn’t completely ecstatic about [sic].”

The show begins in the Prologue with Ginette (Kristin Pomponio) and Pete (Johnny Gallagher) looking at the sky.

Neshaminy’s Roadies have put on Ginette spills her love for Pete and he yet another flawless play. The show, titled tells her that although her head is on his “Almost, Maine,” is composed of nine shoulder, she is not close to him at all. As different scenes that end in either happy she walks away she begins to get “closer endings or a couple’s worst nightmare. to him,” bringing many laughs from the Each scene welcomes the audience into audience, until she just leaves. the charm or even pain of the quickly- “The rest of the show from this point is for sure an emotional roller coaster,” junior Nina Caruso said.

This statement is most positively true as the Roadies take the audience from “Aw!” t o “ AW W W W ! ” within seconds. It is very easy to fall in love with the very well-played characters as they are all so different from each other. The cast embodies modern day issues with their own witty twist that come along with love in the Sophomore Forrest Filiano and junior Carly Curran unorganized town of Almost, Maine. perform a scene in “Almost, Maine.”

Each scene

Photo/Gillian McGoldrick ends with a very definite ending. There formed characters. is no guessing what happens to the The show was directed by teacher couple, either they are in love, fallen out Gina Chiolan and assistant directed by of love, getting married, or even getting teacher Kim Aubrey. But adults did not divorced – the cast makes it very clear head the entire show: the Roadies took where the couples stand at the end of much initiative within the show to make it the scene. Junior Kelly Sauer reinforces as awesome as could be. “I’m really proud this statement and said, “I was literally of all of their hard work,” Chiolan said. sobbing then crying from laughing in the “They have been working on this show next skit.” since the summer… and there wasn’t even The skit, “They Fell,” had a very

By Gillian McGoldrick Editor in Chief and Entertainment Editor

unexpected conclusion that had the audience giggling from the silliness of the two friends and smiling with glee but from the adorable and unforeseen ending.

The two friends, Chad (Sean Devonshire) and Randy (Colin O’Neill), are on their usual outing and speak of their lady hardships.

After a bunch of bad shots into the trash can with old beer cans (including a Kobe Shot from Devonshire), Chad confesses his love to Randy and continuously “falling” in love with him.

Literally. He couldn’t stand up. This leads Randy to storm away, but eventually opens up to the fact that he may be falling in love with Chad, too. They end the scene as they flop around the stage attempting to stand up, but are too caught up falling in love.

Sniffles were heard across the Black Box Theater at the end of the scene “Story of Hope” when Hope (Emily Tolnay)

flies across the country and takes a taxi from Bangor and comes to tell her longago-lover, Dan (Robert Clark), that she says yes to his proposal from years ago.

Before she says her answer, she hears Dan’s wife in the house calling for him to return inside, leaving Hope to her broken heart alone.

Many of the Roadies that were not in the cast put their efforts within the production team, including Sean Conway, Samantha Fario, Angela Sanson, and Hunter Kelly.

The brilliantly written script along with the Roadies’ talents to take the audience on a tear-jerking (both of humor and of heartbreak) journey brings “Almost, Maine” to be one of the most wellperformed plays the drama dept. has seen yet.

Board Reorganization Meeting District Offices Board Room Dec 2 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Middletown Township Holiday Open House Middletown Twp. Bldg.

Dec 5 7:30 p.m.

Superintendent’s Breakfast Board Room Dec 14 9:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.

Orchestra’s Holiday Concert Theodore Kloos Auditorium 7 p.m.

Holiday Choral Concert Theodore Kloos Auditorium 7 p.m.

PTO Forum with Robert Copeland District Offices Dec 6 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Thanksgiving Break Nov 27 - Dec 1 School Store Annual Holiday Evening Dec 3 6:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

More students are affected by less sleep

By Tim Cho Student Life Editor Winter is coming and so are less hours of sleep. The problem is that some students are already going to school without any sleep. Despite the consequences of getting no sleep, students are still insistent on losing sleep and as a result suffering.

The most obvious of the symptoms of not getting sleep is, “Unable to focus or stay awake and alert,” Sharon Gianni, Psychology teacher at Neshaminy High School said. If students did not sleep during the night, they would have a difficult time focusing on the exhausting torture that is high school.

Despite the numerous amounts of students that walk into the high school every morning with mugs of coffee, many still show signs of lacking sleep such as “falling asleep in class, trouble focusing, irritable [behavior],” guidance counselor Casey Rodgers said.

Just imagine attempting try to endure Advanced Placement United States History in first period with no sleep the previous night—horrid to just think about but even worse to experience.

To combat the evils of all-nighters it is recommended that students “Set a cutoff time, preferably an hour before bed, turn off the TV and put the cell phone on silent. Facebook and Instagram will still be there in the morning,” A.P. Psychology teacher Erin

Markey said.

The many distractions available to teenagers today pose an increasingly dangerous threat to their sleeping habits, and as a result they struggle the following morning. According to the University of Michigan, “20 percent of students sleep during their first two hours of school.”

Furthermore, not only will students face trouble staying awake, but they will also face difficulty staying healthy. “Long-term lack of sleep could have more detrimental side effects such as increased levels of cortisol (stress), anxiety/depression, cardiovascular health and mental acuity,” Markey said.

There are many ways to stay healthy while getting sleep easier though. One way is to eat more healthy foods. “B-complex vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids are some of the most energy-boosting nutrients available,” an article by Meredith Melnick on Huffingtonpost said.

A major cause of lack of sleep and worse health is the consumption of caffeine—soda, energy drinks, coffee, and tea. They increase the speed of the cells inside the body and as a result keeps the body functioning beyond its normal limits. “Cut the caffeine,” Markey said.

But the reason for getting

more sleep is mainly contributed to the different aspects of life that are affected.

Academically, lack of sleep results in difficulty focusing on schoolwork; socially, irritable and moody behavior can be caused by losing sleep.

Of course, the most important reason for getting more sleep is because a lack of it can lead to a worsening of the physical health. “Physically you are fatter if you do not complete the proper sequence and stages of sleep nightly.”

Powder-puff preview

By Angel J Castillo Staff Writer

It’s almost that time again, Powder-puff football is right around the corner. Powder-puff football games follows the general guidelines of flag football, Flag football is designed to be a game of skill, speed, and ability. It is not meant to be overly physical or violent. It is most important that sportsmanship and fair play be exercised at all times by all involved.

Powder-puff football games are an annual tradition at many high schools and universities in the United States and Neshaminy is hosting it’s annual Powder Puff game on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 6:30 p.m. The game stars our very own senior girls. Powder-puff is a matchup between Blue (last names A through K) and Red team (last names M through Z.) The game will be held at Neshaminy’s Harry E. Frank’s Stadium.

Tickets are six dollars or five dollars if specters also bring a canned good. All money collected from ticket sales will to the Detective Chris Jones Foundation and all canned goods collected will go to the Penndel food bank.

Powder-puff is advised by special education teacher Ashley Belmonte and business teacher Caitlin Kaczynski. Blue team is coached by Trokon Buesmaill, John Koch, David Caldwell, Cole Creighton, Dan Johnson, Shane Corbett and Jake Fox. Red team is coached by Tyler Wombough, Steve Pirritano, Jake Murray, Denny Lord, Troy Taylor, and Matt Wynne.

November 20,2013

Student Life

The Playwickian

Students excited to revisit local winter sports venues

By Corey LaQuay Photo Editor With the first snowflakes beginning to fall from the sky, skiers and snow boarders are starting to awaken from their summer hibernation. The 20132014 skiing and snowboarding season is right around the corner. With the season fast-approaching, skiers and riders’ two favorite and most popular Pocono mountain resorts are beginning to make preparations for another successful season.

Jack Frost Mountain is a ski resort in Harmony, Pennsylvania that is further divided into two separate resorts. Jack Frost offers nine lifts servicing 21 trails, with a base elevation of 1,400 feet and a summit of 2,000 feet. The vertical is estimated at 600 feet. The longest trail is approximately a half-mile long, at 2,900 feet. Jack Frost is known for being a smaller resort that is generally catered to beginners. It does, however, have eight expert-level trails and two terrain parks out of the 21 trails for the more adventurous. Jack Frost offers lessons, rentals, tubing, and night skiing every night.

Big Boulder Park in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania is the other half of Jack Frost Mountain. While Jack Frost is mostly concentrated on all-mountain riding, Big Boulder places its focus on its terrain parks. This skiing and snowboarding resort boasts one of the most innovative and aggressive terrain parks on the east coast. Over 50 percent of Big Boulder is dedicated to its freestyle terrain. It has 15 trails with four beginner slopes, and five terrain parks.

The terrain parks offer an array of obstacles for every skill level. These obstacles include rails, jumps, kickers, boxes, and many other unique features.

The evolution of these parks is always a main focal point. The layout is always changing and is unique to previous years.

Big Boulder Park has been recognized by Snowboarder Magazine as having one of the east coast’s premier terrain parks. For riders looking to improve their abilities in the park, Big Boulder is the place to be.

Senior Alex Welhaf has been snowboarding for two years, and says that Big Boulder is his favorite ski resort. “All season long they have different setups and I look forward to going every time,” said Welhaf. “Something that sticks out at every resort I go to is the terrain parks and

how nicely setup and groomed it is. Big Boulder accomplishes this every time.”

Located only about an hour away from Philadelphia, Blue Mountain Ski Area is known for great skiing close to home. This mountain offers 13 lifts that service 39 trails; the most out of any other Pennsylvania ski resort. Their longest trail, Lazy Mile, is over a mile and a half long. The lifts notably include a highspeed six-pack chairlift and a high-speed quad lift which allow for a quick ride up to the top and a long ride down while also cutting down on lift lines. Blue Mountain has the highest vertical in Pennsylvania at 1,082 feet and occupies 164 acres of land with snow making coverage on almost the entire mountain.

Blue Mountain has both a valley and a summit lodge with facilities and various food options to fit everyone’s taste. Both lodges offer free parking, ticket windows, rentals, lessons and a ski shop, as well as a cafeteria-style dining hall. The summit lodge has a pizzeria and a full-size ballroom complete with all the amenities and views overlooking the Pocono Mountains. A tubing park is located at the valley lodge.

In terms of trails, Blue Mountain possesses a wide variety of terrain. From

the bunny slopes, all the way up to the intimidating black diamonds, Blue has it all. Blue Mountain has three terrain parks: Sidewinder Park, Central Park, and Terrain Run. Each of these parks has unique features that are catered to every rider and skill level. Sidewinder Park is an intermediate to expert level park, Central Park consists of urban obstacles for intermediate riders, and Terrain Run is the perfect terrain park for beginners.

For the most variety close to home, Blue Mountain is the mountain of choice for riders of all skill levels. Seniors Dan Fox and Emily Kneiss both agree that Blue Mountain is their favorite Pocono mountain ski area.

“The plentiful lifts keep things less crowded,” said Kneiss. “It’s always a good time. It was the first mountain I’ve ever been on and it’s always a good time,” said Fox. Kneiss has been an avid skier for eight years, attending multiple trips with the Neshaminy ski club, and Fox has been snowboarding for four years.

“Even though the artificial snow doesn’t quite compare to the quality of real snow, I still enjoy Blue Mountain’s variety of trails,” senior Will Dean said.

Class of 2017 elects officers

Emily Alexis President

Maggie Daeche Vice President

Mia Sexton Secretary

Rachel Surfin Historian

Elena Donato Treasurer

Select choir sings alongside Paramore

By Kerri Rafferty Staff Writer

On Nov. 8, the Neshaminy Select Choir performed “Ain’t it Fun” on stage with Paramore at the Susquehanna Bank Center.

The Grammy Association, an organization dedicated to providing students with the opportunity to work with professional musicians, partnered with Paramore to support music programs in area high schools. Neshaminy was selected to sing with Paramore, in addition to receiving $1,000.

Nineteen students chosen from the Select Choir left school early with directors Kristin Nichols and Jason Leigh headed for the concert venue.

When they arrived, they promptly headed to a sound check where the choir ran through the song with a portion of the band. Afterwards, they were left to walk around town where they sang a few numbers on the sidewalks of Camden until it was time to catch dinner at a local pizzeria and then meet a few members at the Susquehanna Bank Center who would be supporting the choir from the seats.

The choir was allowed twenty members on stage and was given an additional twenty tickets for guests. These tickets were offered to students,

such as Angela Cook, who were not selected to perform Friday night.

Cook said “I may not have performed with the choir, but I still had a blast. It was only the second concert I’d ever been to, so I was super excited when I found out even though I couldn’t sing, I could still go.”

Students entered the venue and took their seats, eagerly anticipating the performance.

Halfway through the concert, stage hands escorted the choir backstage where they put on their red choir robes adorned with a Paramore patch and awaited their cue to sing.

Nick Taylor, a senior member of the select choir who sang on stage, said “My favorite part of the night was that moment when I sang my first note. That moment had all the anticipation, excitement, happiness, and the like all at once.”

The rest of the choir felt similarly, certainly cherishing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they shared.

The choir was able to get a group picture with the band and an autograph to hang in the classroom to commemorate the unforgettable night.

The Select Choir hanging out with the members of Paramore backstage at the Susquehanna Bank Center on Nov. 8. (from left to right, starting first row: Kerri Rafferty, Ali Urusow, Jasper Nelson, Emily Tolnay, Allie Wiatrowski, Brian Thomas, Rachel Domaninsky Second row: Director: Kristen Nichols, Samantha Fario, Angelique Geronimo, Colin O’Neill, Carly Curran, Anthony Hodgen Third row: Bobby Reiser, Director: Jason Leigh, Robert Clark, Eric Parker, Matt Ludwig, Sean Conners Photo Courtesy/Anthony Hodgen

The Playwickian

Entertainment

November 20, 2013

‘American Horror Story: Coven’ bewitches students in Neshaminy

By Jessica McClelland Staff writer

By Monica Dinh Entertainment Editor This fall style is going back to basics complete with minimalistic silhouette, classic patterns, and versatile statement pieces.

T h e ‘ 9 0 ’s g r u n g e boyfriend jean is making a reappearance in many closets, but with a much more sophisticated light. Since the jeans are a baggier style they can give any outfit a laid back vibe. Versatility s e r v e s i t s Photo/Sophie purpose because Elgort of Teen boyfriend jeans Vogue can be dressed up with a pair of delicate ankle strap heels or kept low-key with a pair of Dr. Marten boots. With so many styles to choose from everyone can find a pair. Available are high-waisted versions, distressed or acid washed fabrics, and more fitted options.

This season the Art/Monica Dinh most versatile piece of footwear is the cut-out boot. The structured lines give added detail to any outfit. On top of that, they can be used in the summertime alone and in the winter season by simply slipping on a pair of ankle socks. Cutout boots can pretty much be paired with anything from dresses and shorts to skirts and jumpsuits.

Oversized coats are quickly becoming a staple P h o t o / S o p h i e in layering for the Elgort of Teen w i n t e r s e a s o n . Vogue Designers have created larger coats, but have kept the concept of masculine, structured silhouettes.

Stores like H&M, Zara, an d To p s h o p are offering conventional versions for everyday people. It’s both functional and Photo/Sophie El- fashionable so gort of Teen Vogue who could resist?

Pullover sweaters are always a fall time basic. They are both comfortable and affordable. Any outfit can be transformed by throwing one on. Pullover sweaters can be worn with a simple getup of jeans with boots or can be worn atop a dress for added warmth.

“American Horror Story: Coven” is a mind twisting series on FX written

by Ryan Murphy. It’s currently on its third season, Coven. Unlike the first and second seasons, this one is about powerful witches and their journeys. But it’s not happy and fun like “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”; it is a lot more dark and devious.

This season starts off with teenager Zoey, finding out she has special powers. She gets sent off to a school for witches, but this isn’t Hogwarts. The school is run by an older witch, Cordelia, who is also the daughter to the head witch, Fiona.

There she meets teenage witches Queenie, Nane, and Madison.

Kyle, the local college frat boy, is one of the favorites in the show. “Kyle is my favorite because he always plays a mysterious psychopath but he always has a sweet spot for a girl…

and he’s cute,” sophomore Brittnee Hughes said.

“Coven” is unlike any other show on air right now. It’s not about doctors, high school, or a scandal.

It’s a good horror movie formatted into a TV series.

It gives witches a much darker appeal than what most people are used to and the show is constantly pushing boundaries of what can be aired on television.

Although the show is ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ airs on FX evvery graphic at some parts, it ery Wednesday at 10 PM and is a very popular is very well put together and has an interesting story line. television show among Neshaminy students.

Photo/FX.com “Anything Ryan Murphy does is fantastic. Take Glee my favorite show,” sophomore and for an example,” 15-year-old American Horror Story fanatic, Alyssa Miranda Lutrario said.

McCready, said. “It’s so spontaneous

“American Horror Story:Coven” is and different than all the other shows on every Wednesday at 10 p.m. It is a I’ve seen.” show that will keep anyone at the edge of their seat by the end of the night. “It’s

Book series to seriously read this winter

By Kayli McGlynn Staff Writer

how you would expect normal teenagers and human beings to react if they were thrust into the situations that take place With the Harry Potter books in the book, just like the main character, clearing a path for young-adult fantasy Clary Fray. novels, The Mortal Instruments series

Clary is a decent main character has a more modern take on the genre. because she is relatable. She gets The Mortal Instruments series is in fights with her mom and does not a six book series by Cassandra Clare. have amazing, killer confidence, just With five books already published, the like most teenage girls. sixth and final book is set to come out “I found the characters realistic on May 27, 2014, giving new readers and relatable,” freshman Maeve plenty of time to finish the other five Potash said. “I books before the final think that’s one of book is released. the reasons I love The first book in “City of Bones” the series, “City of and the rest of the Bones”, takes place in series.”

New York City. Most of

The plot the main characters are of “City of Bones” people called Nephilim, twists and turns, or shadow hunters, and even with the who protect the human potentially cliché world from things like love triangle, is very demons, werewolves and original and has an vampires. ending that will make Books with you want to throw the werewolves and book across the room vampires tend to be and start the next one looked down on ever right away. since the Twilight series A l o n g made its debut, but with The Mortal The Mortal Instruments The first novel of The Mor- Instruments series, does not romanticize the tal Instruments series is on Clare has written creatures, or even use them shelves across America.

The Infernal Devices as the main focus. “City Photo/shadowhunters. trilogy, which is a of Bones” is a “fantasy prequel to The com packed with just about Mortal Instruments every creature known to series. Even though the genre,” stated Publishers Weekly in it is technically a prequel, The Infernal an article published on April 9, 2007.

Devices does not need to be read first.

Part of the reason “City of Bones” According to an article on Clare’s is good is because even though it is website, Clare announced that a sequel based on fantasy, the characters react series to The Mortal Instruments is

in the works and is set to be released sometime in 2015, taking place five years after The Mortal Instruments is over, and will move the setting from

Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower star in “The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones” as Clary (Collins) and Jace (Bower).

Photo/MCTcampus.com New York to Los Angeles.

With the books comes a movie franchise. The first film adaptation came out on August 21, 2013 and was a slight disappointment for many fans of the books.

Many key points of the books were changed for the movie, and the biggest upset was the fact that the movie revealed a big secret that does not come out until at least the second book. Books are generally better than their movies, so it was not a complete shock when many were disappointed with the product.

People who are looking for a light read and tend to favor fantasy novels will fall in love with the characters and the book itself.

Catching Fire: expected to shine bright in theaters continued from 1 Fans and critics have many things to say, but the common opinion is that Catching Fire is, “Easily the most sophisticated and thoughtful franchise film of 2013, Lawrence’s adaptation of the second novel in Suzanne Collins’ young adult series is all-things-to-all-people entertainment, a follow-up that intensifies the first film’s thrills while simultaneously developing its characters and, even more crucially, expanding its themes,” according to The Playlist.

Many are praising Catching Fire as a step-up from the first of the series, and the morale is high for all fans. The movie is just, “The book literally put on screen, which will delight fans to no end,” The Hollywood Reporter said.

Catching Fire is bound to be a “darker, more mature film,” according to The Independent. A different plot with twists and turns within the Arena, Everdeen is bound to still use “her bow and arrow to explosive effect.”

November 20, 2013 Entertainment The Playwickian

Passenger is passing big names in music charts

By Monica Dinh Entertainment Editor Originating from Brighton, England, Passenger isn’t exactly a “new” band, but their raw and eclectic sounds are drawing in attention from all over the world. During earlier days the band was comprised of mainly Andrew Phillips and Mike Rosenberg along with a few other members.

After the release of their first and only album together, “Wicked Man’s Rest” the band broke up when Phillips and the others left.

Mike Rosenberg decided to front the music scene on his own and took up “Passenger” as his stage name.

Rosenberg began mainly by writing

acoustic music and playing on street corners in England. It definitely hasn’t always been easy for him. In a July 2013 article in USA Today written by Karina Lopez, Rosenberg said, “I traveled on my own, busking for years and staying at the cheapest places, like a shared dorm in a hostel.” It’s not the easiest way of living, but Rosenberg now chooses to live a nomadic life and often finds his inspiration from the different characters he meets.

The style and sound of the Passenger’s first album was a compilation of different sounds. They were still in the beginning stages of finding themselves as a band and when Rosenberg took over, Passenger’s sounds became his thoughts and his

feelings.

He adds factors of lightness and airiness to deep set music. The way Rosenberg composes his music allows audiences to understand his lyrics even though the beat of his music runs at a rapid pace; like thoughts are streaming right out of his mind. “I think it’s important to get all of your personality across in the music,” “It was someRosenberg said. thing you don’t One thing that really hear often almost everyone can agree on is and it was so that Passenger unique.” has a distinctly unique voice that -Meredith Reed e n c o m p a s s e s clearness and

‘Game of Thrones’ : New season to premiere after shocking season finale

By Dan Cho Staff Writer

Fans of all kinds enthusiastically wait for season four of the second most watched TV show in networking history, “Game of Thrones”. Fans of all kinds eagerly wait for the upcoming season in spring. This season, like the other three seasons, is supposed to have 10 episodes, totaling 10 hours of programming time.

According to TV Fanatic, Game of Thrones earns a 4.5 out of 5.

Much of the cast will have the same actors such as everyone’s favorite dwarf, Tyrion Lannister, who will be played by Peter Dinklage. King Joffrey Baratheon also one of the most hated characters in the show, will be played by Jack Gleeson again. However, some characters such as Prince Tommen Baratheon will no longer be played by Callum Wharry, instead, he will be played by Dean-Charles Chapman.

Actors such as Chapman are replaced to show the physical changes the characters in the show acquired from bodily and mental toll they have endured. The change in the cast will create some confusion on identifying the actors on the screen. This confusion may mislead the viewers on figuring out which role the new actors are playing.

The plot of Game of Thrones shows

a great deal of maturity and connections to modern times. There is a great deal of character development and shows the obstacles of medieval times everyone learned from seventh grade history class. There are seven great families of the mythical land: Westeros; it is a war involving backstabbing, alliances, and assassinations in order to accomplish their ultimate goal: supreme rule over the mythical land Westeros.

The show is extremely bloody and the languages they use is very modernized but of course, they do not leave anything out that might offend or disturb the viewers.

The most famous scene of such is the Red Wedding of which the bride, groom, and their families were massacred by two traitorous men, Walder Frey and Roose Bolton.

The author of the series, screenwriter, and television producer, George R.R. Martin, purposely made the books and the TV show unpredictable. One of the heroes, Robb Stark, who strived to become king, was killed. “The next predictable thing is to think his eldest son is going to rise up and avenge his father.

And everyone is going to expect that. So immediately [killing him] became the next thing I had to do,” Martin said on Entertainment Weekly.

Teacher and viewer Glenn McKee

said, “What hooked me onto the show were the character development and the setting. The setting helped set the mood and the producers did a nice job of that.”

Senior Matthew Deegan, a passionate fan of the show, agrees with McKee on the powerful force Game of Thrones has on viewers. Deegan also believes the show is so popular from the many links it draws from reality, especially human society and traits. “It has many different qualities.

Who can you trust? Betrayal. The different classes. Rich and poor. And you watch one episode and it just drags you in wanting more,” Deegan said.

Students and staff members are not the only ones enthusiastic for season four.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the show is “addictive and outstanding” while the Washington Post labeled them as “masterful.”

The first debut episode will be on HBO on Mar. 14, 2014. Fans of the show including McKee and Deegan, clearly show that there is no age barrier of this sort of program; maturity and realization of not only the prospering folks but the struggling individuals of today is undoubtedly symbolized by each and every character of the show. Game of Thrones is not just an entertaining TV series, but life lessons captured on major motion pictures.

‘Anchorman’ returns for a sequel the official trailer was released on June 19, 2013. In addition, Ferrell also portrays Ron Burgundy in the new Dodge Durango commercials, which promote the new movie as well.

Many Anchorman fans have been pressing for a sequel for years, but making

By Eric Rotteveel a deal to budget the movie was a hard Staff Writer compromise for the actors and directors It has taken 10 years, but Ron to make with Paramount Pictures. At first, Burgundy and the gang are finally back. director Adam Mckay asked for an 80 As a sequel to “Anchorman: The million dollar deal to budget the movie, Legend of Ron Burgundy”, “Anchorman but Paramount Pictures immediately 2: The Legend Continues” will be released stated that they would not fund that Dec. 20. Excitement is brewing as the amount of money. For years the two sides struggled to come close to an agreement, premiere date comes closer and closer.

“I’ve seen Anchorman countless and it looked as if the movie would never times, and it is by far my favorite movie,” happen. freshman Alec Rubin said. “I think Despite the financial troubles, a deal with the amazing cast and impressive was eventually worked out to start production team, Anchorman 2 will be filming the much anticipated sequel with just as funny as or even funnier than the the original cast, many of whom are now mega-stars. The whole Channel first one.”

The world first became aware of a 4 news team is back with Will Ferrell sequel when Will Ferrell (acting as Ron as Ron Burgundy, Christina Applegate Burgundy) announced there would be as Veronica Corningstone, Steve Carell one on the late-night show Conan in Mar. as Brick Tamland, Paul Rudd as Brian 2012. That announcement was followed Fantana and David Koechner as Champ by a series of short teaser trailers. Then Kind. Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn also return in their supporting roles as

competing anchors, and Kristen Wiig who is new to the cast as Chani, Brick’s lover.

This time around, as the prosperity of the 1970’s ends, the group separates and hits rock bottom. This all changes, however, when the group is recruited to be a part of a new 24-hour news channel in New York City. As in the first movie, the group has to battle diversity, this time with Asian and African-American journalists.

In an article from the LA Times, “They meet their first openly-gay person,” McKay said. “And obviously the news operation has totally changed. They’re always dealing with change of some kind.

And they never do well with change.”

The movie will also feature a long list of cameo appearances. The list includes actors Nicole Kidman, Jim Carrey, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kirsten Dunst, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, Amy Poehler and John C. Reilly. Artists Drake, Kaye West and the band Green Day are also expected to make an appearance.

The success of the first “Anchorman,” coupled with the increased popularity of the main characters, makes this film one of the most hyped movies of the year.

Now the question is; will this movie live up to the hype? It will, according to David

Passenger’s hit single is on his most recent album, “All the Little Lights.” Art/Monica Dinh peacefulness all at the same time.

“The instant I heard the song ‘Night Vision Binoculars,’ I fell in love with their sound. It was something you don’t really hear often and it was so unique,” Meredith Reed, a junior at Neshaminy and longtime fan of Passenger said.

Since their first album Passenger has released a few albums including “Wide Eyes Blind Love” (2009), “Flight of the Crow” (2010), “Divers and Submarines” (2010), and the most recent of the bunch “All the Little Lights” (2012). “All the Little Lights” has been a huge success especially the single “Let Her Go” which topped charts in 16 different countries.

Rosenberg has been working on multiple projects that included as an opening act for UK artist Ed Sheeran as he toured America.

Sheeran and Rosenberg played at the Penn’s Landing stage Sept. of 2012.

The two sing the song “Hearts on Fire” together, in which Rosenberg will come in during Sheeran’s set every show of their tour last year.

Since this tour, both of their careers have skyrocketed- and they have the number one selling records to prove it.

As of right now Passenger is in full swing of a tour that’s ranging from Europe to New Zealand to Australia. Things are really kicking off for the British one-man band and the popularity of Passenger is quickly on the rise.

The original cast is back together for the sequel: “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” to premiere this Christmas.

Photo/anchormanmovie.com Koechner in an article from FOX News.

He stated, “There will be plenty of laughs and no one will leave disappointed.”

Hopefully, he is right as fans have waited years for this movie to come to theaters. They won’t have to wait much longer though, as the Dec. 20 date is only a month away.

The Playwickian

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November 20, 2013

PENNSYLVANIA STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES CODE (a) The right of public school students to freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United states and the Constitution of the Commonwealth. (b) Students shall have the right to express themselves unless the expression materially and substantially interferes with the educational process, threatens serious harm to the school or community, encourages unlawful activity or interferes with another individual’s rights. (c) Students may use publications, handbills, announcements, assemblies, group meetings, buttons, armbands and any other means of common communication, provided that the use of public school communications facilities shall be in accordance with the regulations of the authority in charge of those facilities.

(1) Students have the responsibility to obey laws governing libel and obscenity and to be aware of the full meaning of their expression.

(2) Students have the responsibility to be aware of the feelings and opinions of others and to give others a fair opportunity to express their views. (d) Identification of the individual student or at least one responsible person in a student group may be required on posted or distributed materials. (e) School officials may require students to submit for prior approval a copy of materials to be displayed, posted or distributed on school property. (f) Bulletin boards must conform to the following: (1) School authorities may restrict the use of certain bulletin boards.

(2) Bulletin board space should be provided for the use of students and student organizations.

(3) School officials may require that notices or other communications be officially dated before posting, and that the materials be removed after a prescribed reasonable time to assure full access to the bulletin boards. (g) School newspapers and publications must conform to the following: (1) Students have a right and are as free as editors of other newspapers to report the news and to editorialize within the provisions in paragraphs (4) and (5).

(2) School officials shall supervise student newspapers published with school equipment, remove obscene or libelous material and edit other material that would cause a substantial disruption or interference with school activities.

(3) School officials may not censor or restrict material simply because it is critical of the school or its administration.

(4) Prior approval procedures regarding copy for school newspapers must identify the individual to whom the material is to be submitted and establish a limitation on the time required to make a decision. If the prescribed time for approval elapses without a decision, the material shall be considered authorized for distribution.

(5) Students who are not members of the newspaper staff shall have access to its pages. Written criteria for submission of material by nonstaff members shall be developed and distributed to all students. (h) The wearing of buttons, badges or armbands shall be permitted as another form of expression within the restrictions listed in subsection (c). (i) School officials may set forth the time and place of distribution of materials so that distribution would not materially or substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school.

(1) A proper time and place set for distribution is one that would give the students the opportunity to reach fellow students.

(2) The place of the activity may be restricted to permit the normal flow of traffic within the school and at exterior doors.

Authority The provisions of this § 12.9 amended under section 2603-B of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § 26-2603-B).

Source

The provisions of this § 12.9 amended February 17, 1984, effective February 18, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 520; amended December 2, 2005, effective December 3, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 6510, 6658. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (295325) to (295326), (289657) and (288181).

GO PRESS FREEDOM!

November 20, 2013

Football:

By Reed Hennessy Sports Editor

Sports

The Playwickian

Neshaminy, on hard road to PIAA state championships, hoping to end the long, tough ride in Hershey

Pennsbury East: Nov. 1

On Nov. 1 the Pennsbury Falcons defeated the undefeated Neshaminy Abington: Oct. 25

The Neshaminy varsity football squad football squad 31 to 3. This devastating kept their winning streak and undefeated game brought Neshaminy its first and only record alive on Oct. 25, away at Abington, loss of the regular season. Pennsbury did Neshaminy thwarted the galloping ghosts not waste time Friday night, intercepting in a 31 to 14 win. With the win, Schmidt’s a pass from senior Quarterback Tyler squad raises their record to 9 wins and Wombough on Neshaminy’s first no loses. Scoring the majority of the possession, which was consequently run touchdowns, running back D’Andre in for a touchdown; the tone was set for Pollard was absolutely dominating the the rest of the game.

“Pennsbury came out tonight and just Abington defense ending the game with beat us, they were the better team tonight,” three touchdowns and 272 yards. senior and Captain Luke Carrezola said.

Also, on the defensive end, seniors Senior quarter back Tyler Wombough Luke Carrezola and Dorian Arthur both received Pennsbury pressure the whole sacked the Abington quarter back and game.

Wombough turned over the ball, had tore apart Abington’s offensive line. incomplete passes, failed rush attempts, However, the game was one of the toughest and on several occasions Wombough had games all year for Neshaminy, incurring to throw the ball away to avoid a major seven penalties the two touchdowns loss of yards.

Abington score are a result of sloppy play.

Neshaminy moves on to Pennsbury East “This was a great win for the boys, they next week on Nov. 1 looking to continue really came out and played their hearts out tonight,” Pennsbury head coach their undefeated record.

Galen Snyder said.

Not only was it a great win, but Pennsbury’s ninth consecutive win, the longest winning streak in the Suburban One League National division.

“We didn’t start off well, we didn’t finish well, the defense was put in a bad spot early on in the game and Pennsbury played a great game and Neshaminy and Unionville linebackers face off our offense wasn’t able Photo Credit/Corey LaQuay to recover,” Neshaminy head to head.

head coach Mark Schmidt said. The game ended abruptly, the only loss of the season for Neshaminy hit Schmidt and the varsity squad hard. However, Neshaminy will move to the playoffs regardless of the loss, facing off against Unionville at home on Nov. 8.

half, we got with each of our coaches, got our individual assignments down and executed them,” Pollard said, and execute they did. Scoring six touchdowns in the second half of the game, the Neshaminy team emerged from the locker room at the end of the second quarter focused.

“Tonight was the tale of two half’s, they came out and executed better, D’Andre Pollard did what he does best and my hat’s off to him,” Unionville head coach Pat Clark said. Neshaminy’s second round opponent will be the Spring-Ford Rams; the second round game will be hosted by Neshaminy on Nov. 15.

Spring-Ford: Nov. 15

The District One Class AAAA quarterfinals ended Friday night in a Neshaminy victory, the score, Neshaminy 56, Spring-Ford Denny Lord rushing is way into the Spring-Ford 27. The Neshaminy defensive Ram’s red-zone, finally brought down by two unit certainly showed up to Ram defenders Photo Credit/Corey LaQuay play, forcing a total of six turnovers.

Working their way down field, junior Unionville: Nov. 8 running back D’Andre Pollard, and senior The first round of the District One running back Denny Lord outdid the PIAA playoffs ended with a Neshaminy Spring-Ford defense. Neshaminy is now victory. Friday night’s game ended with the highest seeded team remaining in the a score of Neshaminy 41, Unionville 7, district playoffs. “Tonight I am really and while it may seem that Neshaminy proud of everybody, Tyler did a great job completely dominated the whole game, tonight,” Schmidt said. this was not the case.

Neshaminy will be playing the The first half would end Neshaminy Abington Galloping Ghosts on Nov. 22, 7, Unionville 7. At this point, it looked Neshaminy beat the Ghosts during the as if the game would come down to the regular season 31- 4. last play, or possibly overtime. “At the

The Playwickian Sports November 20, 2013

GIRLS’ SOCCER: Fairy tale ending to Cinderella story continued from 1

moment, “ I knew that if we could not softly hitting it towards the net. Time score a goal in the last two minutes we seemed to slow as Mandia, a junior, would fight to not give one up.” approached the ball and tapped it into

Now it was all tied up, the State Title the net. that seemed so close was now in jeopardy.

“It [the ball] ended up bouncing Regulation ended and the game went to to my feet. I didn’t even see the sudden-death overtime. play clearly, it was so blurry. All of It was a sudden everyone under this was running toward i m m e n s e “One of the happiest moments in my me and screaming,” pressure Mandia said of her life was [accomplished] when that that the girls goal went in... not only did we win the golden goal. let their

It was a truly w i n n i n g state championship, we did it with a memorable moment, attitude and perfect record. There is nothing more for those watching confidence I could’ve asked for my senior year,” it at home, for those carry them who came to watch, -Jess Kelly forward. and especially for the “We’ve been girls that had worked down a goal before, we’ve been in 96 days and put their bodies on the line overtime before—we weren’t losing,” for this to happen.

Schafer said.

To the seniors, this was the greatest Schafer’s teammates shared this way to finish off their careers, for years sentiment: “We worked 96 days for this that had continuously re-wrote program title, we weren’t going to let it slip away,” history.

Mandia also noted.

“One of the happiest moments in And so overtime started, with both my life was [accomplished] when that teams battling for the title in suddengoal went in... not only did we win the death circumstances. And in these state championship, we did it with a circumstances, the perfect play, to end the perfect record. There is nothing more perfect season, came about.

I could’ve asked for my senior year,”

Nisivoccia got the ball out of Kelly reflected.

Neshaminy’s end, passing it to Schafer.

“For this to be my senior year The senior star and returning allof soccer, I couldn’t have asked for American, ran the ball up-field before a better ending.” Schafer concurred, passing it to teammate Gabby Farrell.

“Everyone’s been dreaming of this.”

Farrell possessed the ball briefly before

On Saturday, that dream came true.

The State Champion Neshaminy soccer team celebrate their win on Monday in the Hub, gleaming with pride with their new gold medals. (Not Pictured: Steph Donahue, Nicole Nisivoccia, Amy Mandia). Photo/Corey LaQuay The girls finally capitalized on this, when defender Amy Heller kicked it 35 yards down field to star forward Megan Schafer, who scored an acrobatic goal in the 6th minute.

For the first half the tides turned over and over as teams couldn’t seem to get clear looks at the goal. One thing was sure, the play was physical and intense. “[We had to] lay our bodies on the line: leave everything out on that field,” reflected senior midfielder Jess Kelly.

The physicality of the game took its toll. Early in the first half Spring-Ford star Megan Giannopoulos suffered an ankle injury and missed the remainder of the game. Players on both sides were

frequently stopped by tough tackles.

Despite the intense play, no more goals came to fruition, and the first half ended with the score still one-to-nothing in favor of Neshaminy.

The first half started with a strong Neshaminy attack, but the girls couldn’t seem to capitalize on the opportunities with which they were presented. SpringFord also seemed to play better and better as the clock winded down as they became increasingly desperate to tie it up. That score came with 2:05 to go on a dangerous corner completed by SpringFord player Sammy Stipa.

“My mind just kind of went blank,” Kelly said, describing the game-changing

By Reed Hennessy Sports Editor

D’Andre Pollard, junior running back on the Neshaminy football squad has certainly asserted himself over the past two years on the varsity squad.

Currently, Pollard has run for 2,171, and is ranked 10 among high school running backs in Pennsylvania.

Last year during the 20122013 seasons Pollard mainly served as a backup usually making only one or two appearances a game. However, this season Pollard has proved himself, making near impossible to deny Pollard the starting running back position. Last year Pollard accumulated only 209 yards for the season, Pollard has run for more than 209 yards in four games.

“He’s a great guy to coach with a good personality, with him what you see is what you get, and what you get is just great,” head coach Mark Schmidt said. Pollard’s rare combination of humility and talent is greatly appreciated by the coaching staff and fellow team members.

“The wide receivers take a lot of pride in blocking for him,” Schmidt said. Pollard effectively utilizes his talents and blockers creating a hole for himself. Averaging 10 yards a carry, Pollard does not go down easy.

More often than not, Pollard will break a tackle and sprint for 20 or more yards.

“He leads by example, he goes out on the field and lets his game do the talking, works hard in the weight room, ran track to get faster, not an issue off the field at all, great all around to coach,” Schmidt said.

Pollard has that raw talent and hard-working attitude that makes for a great running back, Pollard doesn’t have the Terrell-Owens-I-am-theteam-everyone-look-at-me attitude that comes with such talent. On the field Pollard is a great player with the right attitude and talents, off the field he is a respectful student who is academically responsible; at the epoch of the running back position Pollard is certainly a player to watch.

D’Andre Pollard #21

Junior RB

YPG 197