News
Pages 2-3
Features
February ‘12
Pages 4-5
Editorial Pages 6-7
Center Spread Pages 8-9
Our World Page 10-11
Entertainment Page 12-13
Sports
Pages 14-15
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News -Mr. Spartan Competition comes to SOLEHI -Scholastic American Visions Awards
Spartan Spirit Club Warms the Winter by Lauren Ortwein
On Friday, January 20, 2012, students eagerly awaited the first winter pep rally in recent history, and teachers still went on with their lessons. At 1:49 in the afternoon, when Mrs. Siegfried dismissed everyone to the gymnasium, the students went crazy. It felt like Homecoming all over again. The gym was decorated for the occasion, and the stands filled up fast. The actual pep rally did not even start yet, and teachers were already swarming to the senior section at the sight of confetti and silly string.
-Spirit Week Highlights Enthusiastic Students
Features -The College Roommate Conundrum
couraged to throw cheese balls to see if they would stick. The final game pitted select student basketball players against Mr. Zeisloft, Ms. Dellegrotti, and Ms. Lacey, in a 3-point shoot-out. Many students were overjoyed when they found out Southern Lehigh was having another pep rally, either because they really do enjoy them, or it is just an excuse to get out of class early. However, some were actually disappointed in the pep rally. An anonymous student stated, “I would have liked to see the cheerleaders do something as well. I understand it is the dance team’s season, but I also enjoy watching the cheerleaders.” On the other hand, many students and teachers enjoyed the rally and appreciated all the hard work of the spirit club who organized it.
-Facebook Welcomes the Timeline Feature -Sea of Souls: The Third Installment of a Five-Part Series
Editorial -Controversy Over Block Scheduling -Tattoos: A Popular Senior Fad -Letter to the Editor
Photos Courtesy of Isabella Hoeke and Bruce Backa.
The pep rally opened with very interesting choreography by the dance team which included a special guest decked out in LED lights that “popped, locked, and dropped it” in the middle of the dimmed gymnasium. The rally also consisted of a danceoff with our two eccentric hosts, Kyle Brown and Austin Rivera, and The Gingerbread Man (PJ Burris), along with games that required audience participation. The first was to see what section could get the loudest and was the most spirited. Next, two students from each grade, plus two teachers (Mrs. Searfoss and Mrs. Howsare), were randomly chosen to come to the center of the gym, where a plastic cover was laid down, and one partner had to put shaving cream on their face while the other was en-
Falling Whistles Charity Event Rocks the Dance Floor Entertainment -The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Hits Theatres -StumbleUpon Revolutionizes Online Searches -Monthly Horoscopes
Sports -Winter Athletes of the Issue -Competition Cheerleaders Prepare for National Competition
by Corinne Renner
Southern Lehigh High School’s Student Council held its annual mid-year dance on Saturday, February 4. The muchanticipated event was preceded by a spirit week as well as a pep rally, before it was postponed due to inclement weather. The proceeds from this event benefitted a charity, known as Falling Whistles, that works to advocate and rehabilitate child soldiers in the African Congo. These mid-year dances have gained substantial popularity over the last few years. Several years ago, Southern Lehigh hosted an annual winter formal named, “Snowball.” The event lost its popularity and was eventually canceled due to exceedingly low attendance. Because the winter dances fell between Homecoming and Prom, many of the students were disinterested in purchasing another expensive outfit and ticket. Four years ago, Student Council provided a casual alternative that was an immediate success. The “Four Months Til Summer” Dance was exceedingly popular in March of 2009. Organized and overseen by Student Council members and club advisor, Mr. Troy Ruch, the event welcomed an abundance of students sporting flip flops, shorts, and other summerwear. Student Council minimized the costs of the dance by using an iPod playlist, rather than a hired DJ, and eliminating food. The relatively cheap five dollar tickets were an easy expenditure for high school students.
Since the success of the dance in 2009, Student Council has innovated its mid-year event. In previous years, the club has held a Chinese raffle offering coveted parking spots and the latest technology. However, the most notable alteration was Student Council’s decision to donate the majority of proceeds to a charity. This year, the selected charity was Falling Whistles. The organization increases public awareness of the child soldier brutality in Congo. To support their cause and offer monetary donations of their own, the group sells whistles that are similar to those that the children wear on the front line in battle. The profits from the dance with greatly benefit this cause. Student Council members decorated the cafeteria with strung lights and posters in preparation of the dance. Roughly two hundred students attended the dance. Junior Sophia Hoeke organized a playlist of the latest and greatest in pop and hip hop music that received great reviews. Since its origin in 2009, the annual mid-year dance has been a distinguished event in the Student Council calendar. The club, composed of students from all grades, works diligently to provide fun and diverse activities throughout the school year. This year’s dance proved very successful. Student Council plans on continuing and raising awareness for this event in the years to come.