Spotlight - April 2023 Issue

6

MULTICULTURAL FAIR FASHION SHOW

TRACK & FIELD

MiniTHON returns to celebrate 2023 fundraiser

by Kelcie Wagner

At Southern Lehigh High School, students who want to get involved have many choices of clubs. MiniTHON is one of the most popular, with 162 members. With so many students involved, everyone helps to add something to the “no-sitting” 12-hour event on May 20th. This MiniTHON event is to celebrate all the money raised for For The Kids (FTK), a nonprofit dedicated to serving children in underprivileged communities.

Geared toward high school students, MiniTHON is a small but important part of more prominent organizations,THON and The Four Diamonds Foundation. THON is a 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon in February held at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center. The dance marathon raises money year-round to help bring awareness to the fight against childhood cancer. This year, Penn State’s THON raised a record-setting number of $15,006,132.46.

Both THON and MiniTHON fundraise for The Four Diamonds Foundation. Their mission is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting eligible children and their families by covering all medical expenses related to childhood cancer. Thanks to Penn State’s generous community, the Four Diamonds assisted every childhood cancer patient at the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

“The main goal of MiniTHON is to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer, but at the event in May, our main goal is just to make sure that everyone has a good time, and gets to celebrate all the hard work we have put in for the kids during the year,” senior MiniTHON president Liliana Schaller said. “At MiniTHON, families who have been affected by pediatric cancer and helped by MiniTHON’s efforts come and talk to everyone, so that is a big part of raising awareness for pediatric cancer.”

In past years, MiniTHON has raised huge amounts of money for The Four Diamonds Foundation. In 2019, they raised $21,311.56, which only rose from the year before. In 2022, they raised $37,071.38. This year’s total will be shared at the end of MiniTHON’s 12-hour event, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 20th.

“Fundraising for MiniTHON at SLHS comes from the students involved in the program. With leadership changing every year, you get new ideas for events and fundraisers,” MiniTHON adviser Mrs. Lauren Tocci said. “A lot of our money this year came from the hot cocoa cart during the spartan period.”

A lot of planning goes into the upcoming 12-hour event coming up. Th SLHS MiniTHON club plans to have many of the same activities as last year, including a bouncy-house obstacle course for the entire event. They will also have

games like “Hungry-Hungry THONers,” basketball, dodgeball, balloon bust, toilet-paper contest, a lip sync battle, and lots of dancing.

“Planning MiniTHON is definitely a big process, but it is really rewarding,” senior MiniTHON vice president Erika Patel said.

This year’s MiniTHON theme is “under-thesea.” There will be many colorful decorations including a bubble maker, blue balloon arches, and themed activities including “Sharks and Minnows,” a limbo line, water balloons, and cut-out sea creatures with neon paint for glow hour.

Glow hour is one of the most highly anticipated events of the night. Once MiniTHON is almost over, at the 11-hour mark, glow hour begins. During this hour, participants will dance in the dark with bright objects like glow sticks.

Even though MiniTHON seems strenuous, it’s ultimately a good cause for students to support.

“While 12 hours may seem long, the event really flies by because there are so many activities going on constantly,” Patel said. “Also, it is an amazing feeling to see our fundraising total at the end of the night and see what everyone has helped contribute to, so definitely come out to MiniTHON on May 20th.”

MiniTHON president Liliana Schaller and vice president Erika Patel create fundraising materials for For The Kids (FTK). Photo Credit: Cohen Resch

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The Spotlight is published both in print and online by the student members of its staff. Its purpose is to present news relevant to Southern Lehigh Highe School and the Southern Lehigh School District, as well as to provide a forum for student opinion. Editorial content of The Spotlight expresses the view of the paper and not necessarily that of the Board of Education, administration, or faculty of the Southern Lehigh School District. Bylined editorial content and letters to the editor represent the opinion of the writer only. All contents are copyrighted by The Spotlight.

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Mack Morgan

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Haley Hendricks

Karansher Sidhu

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Evelyn Wang

Jack Steckel

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Sarah Lockley

Kylie Baker

Lorelei Reigle

Pennsylvania School Press Association

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Students organize successful multicultural fair

by Christiana Lycette

Students in the No Place for Hate club at Southern Lehigh hosted their first Multicultural Fair on March 9th. The event was very well-received, attracting more than half of the school to the cafeteria, where the event was held. Students embraced an opportunity to expand their knowledge of various cultures by tasting traditional cuisines shared by their peers and learning about various cultures and ethnicities in our world and community.

Started as the Diversity Council in 2020, the Southern Lehigh club earned its first No Place for Hate designation from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in 2021, and has maintained its recognition ever since. The ADL approved the SLHS Multicultural Fair as one of the three annual events by the club to keep the school’s designation. The idea for this event sprouted from passionate student members on the executive committee of the No Place for Hate club. The students’ fond memories from elementary school, where parents would come in to see the projects that students created on various cultures, inspired them. The club took this inspiration as their motivation to construct a fair where high school students could volunteer to represent their own heritage or a culture or country for which they have a passion.

“We have an increasingly diverse student population where kids come from many different backgrounds,” No Place for Hate adviser Mrs. Marlo Spritzer said. “The students wanted the opportunity to share their cultures and learn about different ones.”

Representing 28 countries, and with only a month to orchestrate the event, students and faculty acted diligently to pull off an event for roughly 500 people. The No Place for Hate club coordinated with various cultural clubs including the Language and Culture Club, the Spanish Club and the Korean Club to help with gathering

tables, food, and volunteers. With 80 participants, the “mini Epcot center” envisioned for the fair came to life.

“Throughout the months of email chains, google forms, and communicating with staff and club participants, we were able to make a great event happen…one I am proud of,” senior and executive committee member Kylie Baker said.

The volunteers brought authentic food, family heirlooms, national costumes, music, and flags to the tables allowing Southern Lehigh students to experience a taste of different cultures they may not be familiar with. Students were even able to learn how to draw Chinese characters, and many were excited to see junior Connor Kim break boards in his taekwondo demonstration. Attendees were able to expand their palates and gain new cultural perspectives through the teachings of their peers.

“[Throughout] the celebration, the fair raised my awareness for all the different cultures [represented] in our school,” senior Nick Ventresca said.

Before the event, students expected a small, plain event. However, the Multicultural Fair exceeded their expectations, and the intended attendance number tripled. Consequently, club members and volunteers believe that in the future, the amount of food should double. Due to the event’s success, students and staff are hopeful the event will return next year with more countries represented, and more food.

“With the surprising and contentful turnout of the event, I am hopeful of its return next year,” said Baker, “especially with [greater] representation of African and South Asian nations because people will be willing to take that next step.”

Juniors Luke Fisher, Sam Durham, and Sam Magallanes represented Mexico at the Multicultural Fair. Photo Credit: Mrs. Aleica Deterville

Seniors Evelyn Wang and Aidan Van’t Hof represented Taiwan and Japan, respectively. Photo Credit: Mrs. Aleica Deterville

French teacher Mrs. Leila Farley represented Algeria. Photo Credit: Spotlight Staff

Super Mario Bros. franchise expands with new film

by Natalie Perrelli

A film rendition of a widely nostalgic video game franchise, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” hit theaters on April 5th, 2023. The movie was produced by Illumination, who has also produced popular animated movies such as “Despicable Me” and “Sing”. While quite a bit of controversy surrounded the film when it was initially announced, I personally think the creators didn’t do a half-bad job.

For those unfamiliar with the “Super Mario Bros.” franchise, the video games typically follow Italian plumber Mario as he rescues Princess Peach from the villain, Bowser. The “Super Mario Bros. Movie” takes a different approach to this recurring plot line from the games. Instead, Mario’s brother, Luigi, is captured, and Mario and Peach must go on their own adventure to save Luigi from Bowser. A few familiar faces appear along the way, such as the popular characters Toad and Donkey Kong.

The new storyline expands the franchise well, adding a multitude of new elements. Instead of painting Princess Peach as the epitome of a damsel in distress, she is depicted as a bold and capable woman. Her diplomatic actions in the film further this point, as her character ventures out with Mario and Toad to make negotiations with the leader of the Jungle Kingdom, the home of the primate Kongs. The movie did not completely stray away from the source material. There were appearances of power-ups common to the video games, such as the “catsuit,” making its movie debut in a battle between Mario and Donkey Kong whilst the plumber is fighting for their alliance.

The movie does a good job of including popular in-game features. However, this does not make it easy for those unfamiliar with the game franchise. It takes no time in explaining the different elements of the Super Mario universe, throwing watchers into the world of talking toadstools and sentient monkeys with -

out much context. It could easily be confusing and therefore unlikeable for those not wellversed in the video games, something I think could have been an easy fix for creators. However, as someone who has a wide experience with the Mario games, understanding the film was not at all a challenge. For longtime fans, it is very entertaining, and a great dive into so many of our video game pasts.

Those most concerned with how this film would turn out were the lifelong fans. As someone who has played Mario games quite a bit while growing up, I went into the movie with a biased perspective, hoping this film would do the franchise justice. While it lacked in places, I don’t think it was a total miss. Yes, the plot was confusing and key information within the movie was very poorly explained, but I did not dislike the watching experience. The movie is able to uphold what a Mario game really is, perhaps in its essence

something confusing and all over the place. It contains so many fan-favorite aspects from throughout the games and is a total nostalgic trip into what we used to enjoy as kids, and still enjoy to this day.

The casting of this movie is quite loaded, featuring big names such as Jack Black as Bowser, Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, and Seth Rogan as Donkey Kong. Despite this, there was quite a bit of controversy and disappointment in some of these castings. Fans believed Chris Pratt was not fit for Mario, instead protesting for the original voice actor for the plumber brother, Charles Martinet. When the initial trailer for the movie was released, fans were in disdain over Pratt not attempting to replicate Mario’s signature Italian accent. While I understand the wishes for a game-accurate Mario, I don’t think the lack of a specific accent really makes or breaks the movie as a whole for me. His signature catchphrases, such as “it’s a-me!” and “let’s a-go!”, still make their appearance as dialogue. In spite of his shortcomings, Pratt does a fine job as Mario and does not make the movie any less enjoyable.

When I entered the movie theatre in preparation to take in this film, I wasn’t surprised by who I saw sitting around me. As it is a PG-rated movie, most of the audience were young children. I also wasn’t surprised about the large number of middle-aged individuals, college students, and older high school students likely around my age who were also present. These are the people most heavily influenced by the franchise, as it began in 1985 and continued onward throughout the present day. While the rating indicates that it is for kids, the movie is really for all ages, as so many groups have the ability to have connections with it. Super Mario has been such a big part of growing up. A mediocre movie will leave no stain on the franchise as a whole.

HS musical ‘Rock of Ages’ is an electrifying tribute to the eighties

by Mack Morgan

ning with a Senior Citizen Night on Wednesday. Some cast and crew were worried the music in the play wouldn’t pertain to some of the senior audience but they were relieved when seniors left the auditorium smiling and singing “We Built This City” by Starship.

I had the opportunity to view the Thursday and Sunday shows, and can say that the actors, actresses, and crew loved the show and knew what they were doing. The hours spent rehearsing and learning stage cues paid off, and the whole thing ran smoothly.

The stage crew agreed that after a few days they had ironed out any minor kinks in the show.

“We ended up fixing some of the sound. I know [the crew] fixed the death scene, but in all, most of the scenes remained the same throughout the showings,” said freshman Cooper Morgan, who controlled the lights.

of Act I; It’s where my character, Drew, gets up on stage and he now finally starts his rock career.” said senior Wyatt Gehman who played Drew Boley.

Another one of the memorable moments in the musical was freshman Carter Searfoss’s line “I’m not gay, I’m just German.” Moreover, the audience also enjoyed when junior Victoria Davis’ character Sherri Christian says “are you ok?” to Stacie Jaxx, and he responds with a snappy “yes, I’m singing.” These lines were adored by many due to their zesty nature or humorous intent; though many cast members preferred these lines because of the audience’s reaction to them.

Strobe lights, hair spray, and bright neon clothing are major highlights of the 1980’s. The 2005 musical “Rock of Ages” pursues topics of young love, ego trips, and rock n’ roll, all built around classic rock songs of the same decade. When “Rock of Ages” was announced as Southern Lehigh High School’s 2023 spring theater production, the community was abuzz.

The musical ran from March 22-26, begin-

The choreography was really well done, and decently in sync, considering many of the cast didn’t have prior dance classes. Many audience members agreed that the lights added that final bit of 80’s feel. The cast also applauded the set for its unique feel; while it wasn’t complex, it was very fitting for the musical.

“[My favorite part in the show] is when there’s a whole lot of stuff going on, on stage and the lead singer [of Arsenal], Stacee Jaxx gets knocked down. This happens near the end

All in all, the work put into the musical paid off in the eyes of many. The characters in the musical were easy to relate to; moreover, the voices, dance numbers, and costumes were also eye-catching and engaging. The cast, crew, and adults should be very proud of the end product.

Questions were raised at the beginning of the year regarding the fate of the theater program after high school music teacher Mr. Matthew Wehr stepped down from the role of theater director. Nevertheless, many audience members praised the new director Mr. Jarad Benn for the overcoming of obstacles and successful performance. The response to “Rock of Ages” was overwhelmingly positive after the show’s conclusion on Sunday, March 26th.

Mario and Princess Peach struggle to rescue Luigi from the clutches of notorious Koopa Troop leader, Bowser.

Photo credits: Illumination Entertainment

“Rock of Ages” follows two rising rock stars as they fall in love on the Sunset Strip.

Photo Credit: Shannon Gordon

Aevidum sparks positivity with sticky notes

by Gianna Cusumano

The words “school bathroom” have long been synonymous with “hiding spot.” Whether it be a bad grade or a fight with friends, every high school student has experienced this one time or another. After taking note of the negative connotation of this space, Aevidum set out to inspire positivity.

In recent months, the club took the initiative to decorate student bathrooms at Southern Lehigh High School with sticky notes. These bright squares adorn mirrors and stall doors of bathrooms and feature messages of positive affirmation. Some notes include phrases such as “You’re so pretty,” “I love your hair!” or “With the right mindset, you can do ANYTHING!” This simple act of kindness proved an impactful step towards their mission: to spread mental health awareness.

“People go to the bathroom a lot during class because they need a break. Sometimes I need to go to the bathroom and take a break and it’s just nice to have the messages there,” senior and Aevidum co-president Maddie Smith said.

Aevidum is not unique to Southern Lehigh. Originally started in 2003 after a student at Cocalico High School in PA committed suicide, the club has since established branches in over 10,000 schools. The name of the club is derived from its main goal, as Aevidum means “I’ve got your back” in Latin.

“We want to make our message known that you’re not alone, we are always here for you, and we have your back. Almost everybody in the club wrote at least one sticky note, so just going into the bathroom and seeing all these little messages and knowing that like every single one of us contributed to that,” senior and co-president Kaitlyn Howie said. “There’s so many people who have your back with all of these messages like everywhere, just kind of nice to look around and see how many people care.”

This, however, is not the first time that

Southern Lehigh students have used notes to decorate the bathrooms. The club got the idea from organizations such as No Place for Hate who conducted this activity in the past. It will also not be the last time sticky notes make an appearance, as both co-presidents and Aevidum’s advisor, Sra. Deterville, hope to re-decorate the school bathrooms this school year.

Although both Howie and Smith are seniors, they are optimistic that the underclassmen will continue this activity for years to come. Many underclassmen are enthusiastic about the idea and ready to continue the tradition next year.

“Aevidum is all about creating a positive mental health environment and to spread

awareness about suicide prevention,” freshman Avantika Johri said. “Our sticky notes implement one’s body positivity and just boost their overall self-confidence.”

Leaders within the club have already seen their work come to fruition. When they are in the bathrooms, they often hear students complimenting the sticky notes. Senior Maddie Yelkel even noticed students highlighting the notes on their Snapchat stories with many showcasing how the words brighten their day.

“It’s an act of kindness that, especially in our school, is rare to see and it’s really nice to have these notes plastered [around the school], especially across the girls’ bathrooms,” sophomore Madelyn Loghmani said.

Violinist Natasha Ding heads to All-State festival

by Alaina Patel

The festival is a three-day event, with rehearsals held at Pocono Mountain West High School. The event culminated in a concert on April 22 at 3:30 pm at the Kalahari Convention Center.

“I am very excited for All-State,” Ding said prior to the event. “I’m going to try to do my best when playing the pieces.”

Making All-State Orchestra is no small feat, and making the orchestra as a sophomore is even more rare. Students start practicing music in the summer to prepare for the district orchestra audition in December. After making the district orchestra, students must re-audition for the regional orchestra. At regionals, they must audition yet again for All-State Orchestra.

audience.”

Since starting in kindergarten, Ding has developed an extremely vast repertoire, rehearsing music for the school orchestra, PMEA, and her own personal development. With all of this practice, Ding has found a practice routine that allows her to succeed.

“I make sure to practice many different musical exercises. I usually start with scales and arpeggios for warm-up and then move onto my repertoire,” Ding said. “I take my music to my teacher and we go through the harder parts.”

Since picking up the violin in kindergarten, sophomore Natasha Ding has spent countless hours practicing over the years. Recently, Ding made her debut in the 2023 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Orchestra festival that began on April 19th.

The process isn’t over yet, though. Ding auditioned one more time for a reseating placement within the violin section of the All-State Orchestra, earning her spot as a Violin I. Ding is one of 52 violin students to make All-State Orchestra, and one of 26 players on the Violin I part. The first violin part is one of two parts within the violin section and is typically given to the most proficient violinists. Ding’s placement is a clear testament to her skill as a musician.

“I enjoy working on phrasing, tone, and dynamics,” Ding said. “I think that really helps you express the meaning of the piece to the

Serving only to add to her achievement is Ding’s rigorous course schedule. As a sophomore, she is currently enrolled in many challenging classes, including AP Biology and AP Calculus AB. On top of her coursework, Ding’s ability to find the time to skillfully play such challenging music is a testament to her dedication.

“How much I practice depends on how much time I have and what schoolwork I have,” Ding said. “Sometimes it’s more difficult to practice for longer periods with schoolwork.”

Through years of dedication and passion, Natasha Ding has become one of the top musicians at Southern Lehigh. With such achievement and hard work, it is exciting to think of what Ding will accomplish in the future.

Sticky notes in the girls’ bathrooms display messages such as “you’re so pretty.” Photo Credit: Gianna Cusumano

Natasha Ding was one of very few sophomores to make the PMEA All-State Orchestra.

Photo Credit: Natasha Ding

What do SLHS students like to do in the spring?

by Jack Steckel

“My favorite activity is [going on] picnics during the spring. I have always loved food and warm weather so both of those together make it perfect.”

“My favorite activity is either fishing or hiking, [or] anything that involves nature. I always loved being outdoors and playing outside as a kid.”

Wyatt Adams

“I love playing basketball outside during the spring. What got me into it was playing with my friends outdoors on the court.”

Erick Dominguez

“I love hanging out with my friends in the warm weather. I always love being with my friends and it being spring makes it even better.”

“My dad got me into [bike riding] when I was younger and his brother got him into it. I do it for a sport, so it kind of has to be my favorite activity.”

“Probably just being outside. Growing up here I was always outdoors and just enjoyed it ever since I was young.”

Kenzie Rugg

Dawson Kauffman

Lucy Speranza

Stefan Shirk

Fashion show struts into Southern Lehigh High School

by Kylie Baker

Everyone had plans on Friday, April 14th. Somewhere out to dinner with friends, others were enjoying a nap at home, and more were taking the fashion world by storm.

At Southern Lehigh High School the Fashion Club hosted their second fashion show of the year, where the most stylish students organized for weeks in advance to put on a fantastic show.

“The whole club worked together [for] around [two] months prior to the show. It required a lot of teamwork and it was very stressful but worth it,” senior fashion club president Kaila Sexton said with relief. “We set it up together and chose the decorations during club days.”

The fashion show featured various styles, from workwear, to movie looks, to elegant wear, and premiered junior Connor Licairac’s own collection, Parcha Lirac. Licairac expressed both anxiety and excitement at this first unveiling.

“It was a lot of fun,” Licairac said. “I loved seeing people’s reactions and hearing feedback.”

There was plenty of positive feedback in reaction to the show. Senior Cyrus Desai, amateur fashion critic and fashion show attendee, endorsed the Parcha lineup.

“Connor’s collection was my favorite since it was the most creative and original,” he said.

The rest of the categories were selected by the fashion club after much debate and in-depth thought. Senior Avery Tatasciore said the themes were chosen in response to recent fads and relatable aesthetics.

“We picked categories that were decently trendy, but also appealing to the audience,” Tatasciore said. “For example, everyone in our generation can throw together a fit under the ‘thrifted’ category. However we [included themes] such as ‘decades’ and ‘movies’ [so] that [the show] could be relatable to anyone.”

The models themselves, many who had never modeled before, enjoyed their evening dressed in unique outfits and expanding their fashion horizons. Senior Thijs Immerzeel, first time model and all-time workwear enthusiast, had an exciting premier of his runway skills. He described his look as a cross between a rich Italian and French soccer player.

“It was a lot of fun, because I got to dress up and see my friends put interesting outfits on,” Immerzeel said. “I would definitely do this again.”

Senior Nolan Sargent, who was styled after Patrick Bateman from “American Psycho,” loved spending time with his friends backstage and seeing them in various outfits.

“I particularly loved Karansher Sidhu as Pedro Pascal in the ‘Kingsman’ films. He even shaved his beard for the outfit,” Sargent said. “I’m lucky [Tatasciore and senior Cohen Resch] dressed me so well, or I would have felt even more self conscious.”

The Fashion Club hopes to continue the show for many years to come, riding the tides of trends and inspiring students to show off their style and flair.

Senior David Baddoo strides in his Navy Blue ensemble. Photo Credit: Haylee Graham

Senior Avery Tatascoire walks with flow and poise. Photo Credit: Haylee Graham

Junior Pi’ika Fujita poses with flair.

Photo Credit: Haylee Graham

This Barbie is Senior Honesty Jean, pretty in pink.

Photo Credit: Haylee Graham

Senior Karansher Sidhu embodies Pedro Pascal in “Kingsman”.

Photo Credit: Haylee Graham

Senior Thijs Immerzeel struts on the runway in casual workwear.

Photo Credit: Haylee Graham

Students would benefit from frequent library visits

by Alexis Behrens

Books in the Southern Lehigh High School library have sat unused for so long that it’s now called the Media Center. But reading is an essential life skill and instrumental to education, as well as a potentially therapeutic activity. Therefore, English classes should visit the library at least once a month, so students can practice comprehension skills on literature of their choice and de-stress from the school day’s typical classroom instruction.

Mrs. Tina Lentz, the Media Center Administrative Assistant, is largely responsible for helping students check out books. She feels that reading is very important to education, and therefore encourages intentionally inviting English classes to the library.

“I think that is a wonderful idea,” Mrs. Lentz said. “Students still do come in and try to find some things, but not as many … I think they all should come down and find a book to read.”

First, consider the benefits of reading for education. In school, students must read textbooks and articles for almost every course, be able to interpret worded questions during tests, understand written instructions for class activities, and so on. In fact, you’re reading right now. The necessity of comprehension skills doesn’t end at graduation, either; nearly all college courses require extensive textbook analysis. Then, in the world beyond, most careers require reading to receive instructions, perform tasks, communicate across email, and more. English teacher Mrs. Lauren Tocci agrees that visits to the library could help prepare students

for the future.

“I think about how much time our college-bound students will be spending in their college’s library,” Mrs. Tocci said. “Engaging with those resources now is such a benefit. I think you will use it your whole life.”

Students should be given plenty of opportunities to read in high school, since consistent practice can increase reading speed and comprehension of difficult material. Moreover, library visits could support English classes’ curriculum by exposing the variety of writing in the real world, thereby illustrating abstract literary concepts with practical examples. These visits would also provide an opportunity for students to locate books of their choice. Since people are more likely to engage with literature that interests them, this would increase the chances that they take advantage of it.

“I think reading is very important for students’ education because it broadens their imagination,” freshman Elizabeth Kane said. “It allows them to learn new words to add to their vocabulary, and gives them something to work their brain instead of just staring at the computer.”

Furthermore, visiting the library would be a needed break for students, as it would allow an intermission from typical classroom instruction. A chance to explore the library or escape into a book that they find personally interesting, while still educational for the reasons outlined above, would also be enjoyable. In fact, a 2009 study conducted by Mindlab

International consultants and the University of Sussex found that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by 68 percent.

“I think reading is a very calming activity because it helps you see another world and perspective,” Kane said. “It helps you calm down as you think about things other than tests coming up.”

The library is not lacking material, either; plenty of works line the shelves, with everything from fantasy to research studies, so Mrs. Lentz feels these visits would be feasible.

“We used to do it,” she said. “Last year, Mrs. Touma and Mr. Fay’s classes came down and all the students would pick out a book. I think it was great.”

Some might argue that, since Southern Lehigh offers digital reading resources like Overdrive Sora and World Book Online, it’s unnecessary to encourage students to use physical copies from the school. However, setting aside time for English classes to visit the library emphasizes the importance of reading for students who wouldn’t seek out online books on their own. Furthermore, Mrs. Tocci feels that the space itself is conducive to learning.

“I think that engagement with physical objects in a virtual world is so important,” she said. “As we’ve gotten so used to digital resources in the 21st century, we can forget how important physical space can be to providing some sort of engagement and excitement. … It would have such a positive impact.”

Despite the wide array of books made available to students in the “media center,” it sits largely unused for the majority of the day.

Photo Credit: Alexis Behrens

SL graduate opens Main Street coffee shop

by Haley Hendricks

fee shop’s grand opening was celebrated April 26th.

Hall-Yurasits is a born-and-raised Coopersburg local. She attended Southern Lehigh High School and was taught by some of our beloved teachers, including the Spotlight’s very own adviser Mrs. Marlo Spritzer who taught her Honors English 12 class.

“I grew up here. I went to Southern Lehigh. [The community had] a lot of potential, so I wanted to create a downtown [location],” Hall-Yurasits said.

Hall-Yurasits went to college at Penn State University to study corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. After graduation, she started her business in the Trolley Barn and stayed there for almost two years. Having grown up in her mother’s restaurant, she had already become comfortable and confident with pursuing one of her own.

“[My family] are all workaholics. Both my parents own their own businesses,” Hall-Yurasits said. “My parents are incredibly supportive, [and] I have a brother who is helping get all my machines and stuff hooked up.”

as it’s her favorite genre of music.

“I think that’s very clever, [and] that fact is enough to get me in the door because I’m curious to see the names and how she connects them,” said Southern Lehigh English teacher Mr. Joseph Castagna, a coffee enthusiast and former teacher of Hall-Yurasits.

Multiple locals are thrilled with the news that a coffee shop is opening downtown. Many can agree that this shop adds to the sense of community, bringing people a place to gather and spend time together. A great addition to the Coopersburg borough, it’s something that a lot of people have been wanting for a long time. Right now, all you see walking down Main Street are tax buildings, offices, hair salons, and a cluster of restaurants all on a corner. Jaquelyn’s on Main should bring something pleasurable for the people who live here.

“I think it’s a good thing because the borough and the surrounding area is growing, and I think [this new business] will be a good asset,” community member Lana Snyder said.

A new coffee shop called Jaquelyn’s on Main is celebrating its grand opening this April in Coopersburg. The owner, 25-year-old Jaquelyn Hall-Yurasits, will be selling sweets, coffee, light breakfast items, salads, cold-cut sandwiches, and much more. Her business also offers an event space that can be rented for up to 40 guests.

Her pink, beige, and white sign, displaying a coffee cup and slice of cake, sits outside of what used to be the taproom for Sage Alley and, prior to that, the Critter Corral. The cof -

The transition to Main Street from the Trolley Barn was fairly easy, since she already had the experience of creating a business.

“It was just expanding really,” she said. “There’s always challenges, of course, but I’m offering a lot more than I do now, so that will be the biggest challenge. I enjoy the challenge.”

You can expect the new coffee shop to be filled with personality. It’s going to have a more rustic and country look. All the drinks on the menu will also be named after “oldies,”

Outside of work, Hall-Yurasits enjoys painting, doing yard work, and spending time outside. However, her primary focus is working, prioritizing her businesses, and engaging with the community.

Widespread support has made its way to Hall-Yurasits in recent weeks, mostly from community members, friends, and family.

“There’s so many people who have been messaging me, that are so excited,” she said, “and it just makes me super excited to be here.”

Cherry Springs stargazing is out of this world

by Karansher Sidhu

Who doesn’t love the stars? Whether it be navigation, mythology, or appreciation and contemplation of the cosmos, stargazing is a pinnacle of the human experience. Unfortunately, many of us go throughout life without experiencing a clear night sky.

Our Lehigh community is one of those who miss out on this experience. Valleys unfortunately trap air pollution, blocking night skies from view. In a 2021 article in Lehigh University’s newspaper, Professor Ben Felzer stated that Lehigh is Pennsylvania’s fourth most polluted county.

When you step outside on what you might think is the clearest night of the year, you are seeing just a glimpse of the cosmos. This doesn’t need to be the case. Cherry Springs State Park provides a breathtaking stargazing experience.

Cherry Springs State Park.

In the summer of 2020, Nathaniel Lycette, an experienced camper and Eagle Scout, had the opportunity to venture to Cherry Springs State Park. He described it as one of the coolest places he’s ever been to.

“[Cherry Springs] was unforgettable,” Lycette said. “I’ve never seen such a good ‘dark sky park’ that is nationally ranked in our state.”

As Lycette said, Cherry Springs is not only nationally recognized, but it is the second internationally recognized dark sky park ever. In fact, it ranks level two on the Bortle Scale, which is very impressive seeing as a level one signifies optimal star brightness. So Cherry Springs attracts visitors from stargazing communities all over the world.

There’s a stigma that Pennsylvania is uneventful and boring, but PA has one of the world’s greatest stargazing spots: Cherry Springs State Park. Located in the middle of the state and bordering New York, it is often overshadowed by Williamsport and Lake Erie. Despite its hidden nature, those who know about it love it.

Looking into our own Southern Lehigh community, you may be surprised to see that even adventurous teachers such as Mr. Joseph Castagna have yet to hear about it. Mr. Castagna has always loved destination-based camping in places such as Wyoming and Montana. Despite his many road trips across the country, Cherry Springs has remained hidden from him.

“I’ve never heard about it, but it sounds like an interesting place,” Mr. Castagna said. Perhaps the most difficult part of making something popular is forming a group of people that enjoy it, and, so far, only one other SLHS student that I know of has visited

“I would love to go back, and I encourage everyone to take a trip out this summer,” Lycette said.

Once you make the journey to Cherry Springs, you can spend your day camping, eating, hiking, or doing whatever pleases you in the region. In order to preserve the integrity of the night sky, you aren’t allowed white light flashlights or campfires. But when it comes down to it, you’ll be too amazed to care.

A park ranger, when asked where the ideal spot is, responded with a joking, but true statement: “The sky is the sky, bro.”

Many Coopersburg citizens have been wishing for more local businesses to add character to the town.

Photo Credit: Haley Hendricks

Cherry Springs State Park provides world-class stargazing for PA residents.

Photo Credit: Martin Mark via Wikimedia Commons

Track & field looks forward to a promising season

by Isabelle Johnson

This spring, the Southern Lehigh High School track team looks to their season with a positive mindset and many prestigious achievements in mind. The track team was very successful in 2022, gaining the status of the undefeated Colonial League meet champs. Over the course of the 2023 season, the team has many goals, both individually and for the group as a whole.

"I'm really hoping to improve my individual events this season," junior Reese Higgings said. "Along with that, I hope to see the team make

progress through our relays and our standings among other teams."

The head coach, Mr. Cotie Strong, and the assistant coaches, Mrs. Michelle Schumaker, Mr. Brenton Ditchcreek, Mr. Stephen Schrader, Ms. Andrea Stevko, and Ms. Edann Brady, work hard each day with the athletes to help them achieve their goals, one of which is going undefeated this season. Specifically, they encourage the athletes to focus heavily on fine-tuning their technical skills, conditioning, speed, and track events.

"I would really like to see them improve both individually and as a team," Coach Strong said. "We have quite a few new people this year and some younger people who we really see a lot of potential in, not only for this year but also for future years."

This season presented the team with a challenge unlike any other year: the Southern Lehigh stadium construction. Therefore, the team is unable to practice there and needs a home track for meets. However, SLHS is conveniently located near DeSales University and Lehigh University, allowing the team to access their facilities for practices.

"The new location was definitely an adjustment, but we are doing well now," junior Alex Lea said. "It has not affected us too much, and we are really able to take advantage of the track and work hard."

The group shows resilience both during their practices and off the track through their strong, developing bond. After many seniors graduated last season, the team's new dynamics allowed many younger athletes to step up and take part in relays.

"The team is very supportive and welcoming," freshman Zoe Vezenov said. "Everybody is very kind and patient, and they are always there to help anybody on the team."

The athletes must stay physically and mentally focused on success in the remainder of the season. Along with that, the group must support each other before and after every one of their races.

"I think both the girls’ team and the boys’ team seem to get along really well together," Coach Strong said. "If we put people in different relays and events, everyone cheers people on and [they are] willing to work together."

Boys’ tennis looks to seniors for leadership

by Evelyn Wang

With experienced leadership on the lineup and the desire to win, the Southern Lehigh boys’ tennis team is preparing to contend for the season’s biggest titles. The team currently possesses a 10-3 record and aims to win the Colonial League tournament, as well as qualify for the team district tournament. To do so, they will call on the senior leadership in the singles lineup.

“Between Harrison [Clark], Thijs [Immerzeel], and Cooper [Kline], they’ve been playing a lot of tennis, and have been around for a few years,” Coach Megan Kane said. “That’s where our strength is.”

Those seniors are the ones who hope to replicate success from previous years, having been Colonial League regular season champions in 2021 and 2022, winning the Colonial League Tournament in 2021, and advancing to the semi-finals of the District XI 3A Team Tournament in 2021 and 2022. They also recognize the team’s challenges along the way, in the form

of teams from Liberty, Freedom, Parkland, and Saucon Valley. However, the whole team is ready to rise to the occasion through cooperation, a constructive mentality, and carrying their individual weights in matches.

“You’ve got to stay positive, you’ve got to always try to play consistently, and always view the opponent as your equal,” freshman Avi Shah said.

Similarly, an individualistic approach also allows the players to set personal goals for the postseason, especially with senior and first singles player Harrison Clark. Along with Kline and Immerzeel, he will make a push towards the District XI 3A singles and doubles tournaments.

“I hope we do well in districts, and I also want to make it to [singles] districts and compete to the best of my ability,” Clark said. “I imagine what it would be like, getting made fun of if I lose, so I try not to.”

Additionally, the team has been hearing

from a new voice on the court, with health and physical education teacher Mrs. Megan Kane joining as a co-coach to returning coach Andraea Drabenstott. Having taught many of the players, Coach Kane was ready to support the team.

“It’s fun. I think it’s a great group of guys, and having them, as a teacher, helped me when coming into this situation,” Coach Kane said. “It’s my first time coaching tennis, but just like any athlete, I like to compete and love the matches. I think it’s important to stay focused and not dwell on the mistakes.”

Aside from the near future, the team is also taking strides to prepare for upcoming seasons, after a portion of the current lineup graduates.

“I am hoping the non-seniors and those in the lineup for the first time get lots of match experience this season,” Coach Drabenstott said, “and come back hungry to improve and step up their games.”

The team has succeeded despite the new stadium’s construction and many seniors’ graduation.

Photo Credit: @sl_field_and_track via Instagram

The team held the best record in the Colonial League in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Photo Credit: Nolan Sargent

Once again, victory lies ahead for girls’ lacrosse

by Sophia Lycette

The girls’ lacrosse team won the district championship in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Photo

Following a solid start to the season, the Southern Lehigh girls’ lacrosse team currently boasts a 6-2 record and is hoping to win their third district title in a row and make it past the first round of states.

“[We’re] already [showing] improvement from last year, and hopes are high as we are currently ranked first in our district,” junior Sara Tesche said.

Although there was a big adjustment to this year’s season: losing key players, the varsity head coach, and an enormous team downsize, our Spartans used these changes to build an even stronger, more flourishing team.

“[There have been] many changes to our

team, and we have big shoes to fill,” junior Reese Macintosh said. “But having a smaller team has allowed us to communicate more and become much closer. Our JV and Varsity [teams] are not [so] separated, which gives great team bonding.”

The girls’ lacrosse team, small but mighty, has proven extremely successful through their determination, allowing them to focus on their expectations for this season.

“Emmaus is our team’s biggest rival,” sophomore Ella Bausher said. “Even though playing them this year will be a challenge, losing to them in the last few seconds of last season’s game, winning is possible because our team

works hard and shows up every day.”

The Spartans ride on their team’s communication and bonding as a source to face challenges such as beating Emmaus.

“This year, we have team dinners throughout the season,” junior Reese Macintosh said. “Everyone is engaged in our conversations, and we all support each other during games. These things have definitely improved our performance together.”

The Spartans have a long way ahead, but their positive attitude and high spirits should set them up for victory.

“Yeah, white!” junior Sara Tesche said.

Boys’ lacrosse looks to rebuild after rough start to season

by Brandon Verna

Despite a rough start, the Southern Lehigh Boys’ Lacrosse team has high hopes for the remainder of their season.

“Right now, unfortunately, we’ve had this 0-4 start, and we’re making sure that we’re moving in a positive direction,” faceoff coach Eric Stemple said. “We’re focused on more micro-goals as opposed to macro-goals, and if we do enough of the smaller goals, we can build up to bigger goals.”

The players and coaches agree that their macro-goal is to make a statement in district playoffs.

“[The] main goal for us is to make it to district finals,” junior Chris Venezia said.

Southern Lehigh has had a historically strong boys’ lacrosse program, sending students to play in college year after year. Many talents pass through Southern Lehigh’s lacrosse program, forcing the team to learn how to step

up in the absence of these excellent graduates.

“The team is definitely impacted a lot from the loss of the seniors,” senior Seth Young said. “Our top goal scorer leaving means we need everyone on offense to step up more.”

With the team’s leading goal scorer from last year, Ben Malicki, graduating, some surprising talent has emerged to fill his shoes.

“We’re relying a lot on young freshmen this year to step up into their roles,” Coach Stemple said. “We’ve actually gotten a couple players, [Chris Venezia] and [Sam Durham], that have crossed over from soccer… they already are blessings to us.”

Despite some discouraging losses at the beginning of the Spartans’ season, players believe the results will be in their favor.

“Right now, we are in a slump, but I believe we will bounce back next game,” Venezia said. “We are gaining momentum.”

Even though the Spartans have had a lessthan-ideal start, the team’s sense of brotherhood and camaraderie hasn’t waned.

“I would say we are a family,” Young said. “We do everything together and we are open and can talk about anything together.”

In short, don’t expect the boys’ lacrosse team to give up on their goals. They are a young, motivated team that will stop at nothing to be their best.

“We have a saying in the lacrosse team. It’s called ‘dominate the moment,’” Stemple said. “[It means] always give 100% when you’re doing something…never leave room for regret.”

Credit: Jenna Kutt

The boys’ lacrosse team is focused on reaching the district playoffs this year. Photo Credit: Jack Steckel

Humans of Southern Lehigh

Senior Landon Bealer Senior Sophia Delp

“I want people to remember me as someone they trusted and could have fun with! Also, as someone who was compassionate and hardworking.”

so much effort in, and it just didn’t work out. That doesn’t mean it will never work out, just

“I am always motivated to be a better version of myself each and every day. I am extremely competitive and striving to be the best. I am motivated by the idea of being great, and not just good.”

“I want to be remembered as a funny, intelligent person. If someone mentions my name I want them to think positively.”

“I really don’t care if I’m remembered, I just want my actions to leave a good impact on the world.”

Photo Credit: Evelyn Wang

Sophomore Jaclyn Bossert

Photo Credit: Haley Hendricks

Freshman Haley Sawyer

Photo Credit: Alexis Behrens

Photo Credit: Brandon Verna