Spotlight - March 2023 Print Issue

Nationwide Debate Surrounds New AP Curriculum

by Evelyn Wang

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is waging an ongoing war against College Board as part of his efforts to reform Florida’s education system. College Board began developing the new AP African American Studies course in 2020, and has started piloting it in schools across the country this school year. However, in a letter to College Board on January 12th, the Florida Department of Education declared that AP African American Studies course was “inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.” DeSantis himself declared that “we want education, not indoctrination,” pointing out inclusion of critical race theory and black queer theory as examples of indoctrination and violations of the state’s recently passed Stop WOKE Act.

Several weeks later, College Board released an amended curriculum for the course, notably omitting the topics of black queer studies, intersectionality, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the writings of Kimberlé Crenshaw, Robin D.G. Kelley, and other notable African-American historians from the list. However, in a February 11 statement on College Board’s Newsroom, the company addressed the situation.

“We deeply regret not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education’s (FDOE) slander,” College Board said. Our failure to raise our voice betrayed black scholars everywhere and those who have long toiled

to build this remarkable field.”

They followed up by affirming that the FDOE never offered them any requests or negotiations regarding the amendment of the course.

DeSantis hit back by suggesting in a February 14 press conference that Florida could do away with all AP courses, not just AP African American Studies. Such changes are nothing new. The FDOE has made sweeping reforms to the state’s education over the past several years, reshaping statewide curriculums, reevaluating textbooks, placing mandates on school libraries, and raising teacher pay. It banned the instruction of gender and sexual orientation in primary schools in June of 2022, and the teaching of certain demographics being oppressed or privileged based on their race in July of 2022.

Policies against “wokeness in education” are becoming a trend across the nation, with other states following DeSantis’s lead. Four more states – Arkansas, North Dakota, Mississippi and Virginia–intend to review the course and see if it conflicts with state policies. This is among the seventeen other states, as per Axios, that have passed laws restricting the teaching of race: from critical race theory to the idea that the U.S. is an inherently racist country.

In contrast, states such as New Jersey are moving in the other direction when it comes to classrooms. New Jersey governor Phil Murphy announced the expansion of AP African Amer-

ican studies, intending for it to be taught in 26 schools across the state in the 2023-2024 school year.

Murphy stated that “While the DeSantis Administration stated that AP African American Studies ‘significantly lacks educational value,’ New Jersey will stand on the side of teaching our full history.”

No matter the content, AP courses still offer undeniable benefits. Students can earn an appealing GPA weight, college credit, and useful skills.

“If you take an AP class, you’re obviously going to get a deeper amount of material, but also more critical thinking skills that go into it,” AP US History teacher Mr. Ruch said. “And then the other skills like the writing skills, and being able to use documents to support arguments, which I think transcends social studies.”

It is clear curriculum changes will continue to occur across the nation. While state governments tailor their educational programs to their take on the academic climate of the country, Southern Lehigh might see some developments as well.

“The other courses in the [social studies] department are really lacking in having a real common curriculum written down and approved,” social studies teacher Mr. Beaupre said. “That’s been a long challenge, so we’re trying to work through that but it’s a slow process.”

College Board is currently piloting its new AP African American Studies course nationwide. Photo Credit: College Board

Southern Lehigh High School

5800 Main Street

Center Valley, PA 18034

(610) 282-1421 x7122

slsdspotlight@gmail.com

Twitter: @SLSDspotlight

Instagram: @slsdspotlight

Facebook: Southern Lehigh Spotlight

The

FBLA coffee shop reopens during mornings

by Sophia Lycette

Faculty Adviser

Mrs. Marlo Spritzer

Editor-in-Chief

Kishore Annambhotla

News Editor Christiana Lycette

Sports Editor

Sophia Lycette

Our World Editor

Alexis Behrens

Opinion Editor

Morgan Downing

Features Editor

Alaina Patel

Entertainment Editor

Gianna Cusumano

Center Page Editor

Mack Morgan

Social Media Editor

Isabelle Johnson

Web Editor

Kelcie Wagner

Elizabeth Monroe

Staff Reporters

Natalie Perelli

Katherine Monroe

Haley Hendricks

Karansher Sidhu

Zoey Robinson

Nolan Sargent

Sophia Massini

Evelyn Wang

Jack Steckel

Brandon Verna

Sarah Lockley

Kylie Baker

Lorelei Reigle

Pennsylvania School Press Association

National School Press Association

With the second half of the year well underway, on January 23, 2023, Southern Lehigh’s student body regained its FBLA coffee. It regularly runs on Mondays and Thursdays from 7:15 a.m. - 7:35 a.m.

The coffee shop has an assortment of goods available. Ranging from breakfast options such as muffins and coffee, or treats such as candy.

“Reopening the coffee shop has really helped FBLA,” advisor Mrs. Jo Ann Peralta said. “The mornings are extremely busy, so many kids come to the shop for snacks and drinks. There is an enormous profit to have the FBLA coffee shop back up and running.”

A previous Spotlight article about last year’s “Closing of the

by Natalie Perrelli

“Rock

The Southern Lehigh Theatre returns this spring with its rendition of Broadway’s “Rock of Ages.” The musical tells the story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a bar that those of Sunset Strip, California, consider the best rock spot. This bar is at risk of demolition, so it’s up to a group of aspiring rockers and their companions to save it, and rock and roll.

“Rock of Ages” features 1980’s throwbacks, including “We Built This City” by Starship, “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, and “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” by Foreigner.

“There are so many hit 80’s songs,” junior cast member Leah Lazurek said.“I can guarantee the whole audience will be singing along with their favorites.”

Lazurek stars as Dennis Dupree, the owner of the rock bar that is at risk of shut-down. The character is portrayed as laid-back, goofy, and even a bit fatherly.

“He really just wants to save his bar and keep up the spirit of rock and roll,” Lazurek said. “He’s not really concerned about the profit.”

Those included in the musical continue to work for endless hours on their singing and dancing routines, meeting nearly every day after school to rehearse. Every role plays a big part in overall production.

FBLA shop” drew immediate student uproar.

“I really enjoyed the coffee shop last year. It was nice to talk to my friends and grab something quick to eat during spartan period,” sophomore Talon Canzano said. “Hearing that the shop finally reopened actually makes me want to get to school earlier.”

When the shop was gone for almost a year, students still missed the opportunities and atmosphere it brought to Southern Lehigh. Although determined students, such as Caidyn Koppenhaver, challenged to bring back the store.

“I am a student in FBLA, and before, I used to help out with it.” said senior Caidyn Koppenhaver. “To bring it back, I made a petition, and 300 people signed it.”

The reopening of the FBLA coffee shop signals to students that they can use their voices to make a difference with perseverance and communication.

“I did not sign Caidyn’s petition, but if I knew about it I would have.” junior Brianna DeNave said. “It is really cool that Caidyn went to such lengths to talk to our principal, so that shows that students can make a change.”

The coffee shop’s purpose is to raise money for FBLA, and it symbolizes that Southern Lehigh students’ hard work earned this opportunity.

“It was a lot of hard work from Caidyn,” FBLA president Eli Dunham said. “I am glad to have it back because it was a good fundraising tool for FBLA, and everyone benefits from it being open.”

“It’s a lot of work,” freshman Ariannah Hunte, an ensemble member, said. “But for the most part, it’s really fun. The cast is great, and it’s awesome being able to just goof around backstage.”

The opening night of Rock of Ages will be March 22nd at 7:00 pm, and they will continue performing at the same time until March 26th. Tickets are available on the theater website or at the door selling at $10 for students and $15 for the public.

Mrs. Peralta and Mr. Anthony proudly advise the student run coffee shop.

Photo Credit: Mack Morgan

‘Rock of Ages’ delivers an ‘80s-rich blast from the past

The SLHS cast’s first full dress rehersal for their

of Ages” spring production. Photo Credit: SLHS Yearbook

Caron Foundation focus groups ease students’ stressors

by Christiana Lycette

The Caron Foundation is pairing with Southern Lehigh High School to help aid students with their struggles. The foundation originally served as a support program for those struggling with alcohol use. Now, the organization has expanded its programs to educate students, especially at the high school level. The Caron Foundation offers focus groups dedicated to anger management, stress management, teen issues, resiliency help, vaping, alcohol, and cannabis use.

“The groups allow students to work through life stressors that may infringe on their life in mental, social, and academic ways,” Caron Foundation associate Ms. Evelyn Velez-Curry said.

At Southern Lehigh, Ms. Velez-Curry comes every Tuesday to host various groups in a small classroom within the library. These groups are available to all students who need support. To help struggling students, Ms. Velez-Curry uses videos, casual presentations, and games to engage them as they learn ways to alleviate their stressors, practice healthy coping mechanisms, and stay motivated to finish high school and realize they can succeed.

“I play a game called ‘Get Six’ in many of my support groups,” Ms. Velez-Curry said. “The game shows why positive stress is good to help one achieve their goals; therefore, one has to assess if the negative stressors are truly negative, or if we are making them appear negative.”

The Caron Foundation does not only provide

services for the students inside school walls; their resources also extend outside the classroom for students and their families to prevent resorting to substance abuse and instead turn to positive outlets. The foundation allows students to improve their negative situations through the power of a supportive environment rather than therapy. The organization’s objective is to support the students not solely by learning how to control and cope with their own situations but learning how to overcome their challenges through connecting with peers who are experiencing similar hardships.

“I was extremely hesitant about joining a support group, especially one in a school environment because I did not want others to know about my struggles,” an anonymous student participant said. “After attending one meeting, I realized many of my peers have experienced similar situations, [so it] is comforting to know [that] I am not alone.”

Outreach is a critical part of the Caron Foundation’s methods. Unlike other programs Southern Lehigh has previously partnered with, the foundation actively tries to get students to test out the groups instead of locking them in once they sign up or become recommended to attend. This strategy allows students to assess if the group support atmosphere is something that could genuinely help with their struggles. In fact, this “trial” approach has increased the number of students involved as students receive a chance to utilize these group sessions as

one tool to understand they are not alone.

“One of the biggest problems was getting kids to agree to join the groups, but with the method we are starting to use, we’ ve seen students becoming more open to giving the groups a chance,” Southern Lehigh High School guidance counselor Mrs. Tamme Westbrooks said. “I took a student who had reservations about the group down yesterday and turns out the group was a pleasant surprise for her.”

An important message that the organization stresses is not pressuring students to talk if they are afraid to join due to their fear of projecting their problems in front of others. The foundation created these groups so students know they are not alone, causing many students to understand the power of a group setting. So far, Ms. Velez-Curry and guidance counselors have noted that most students who initially came to the groups afraid to talk, are now engaging voluntarily in the group discussions.

The Caron Foundation cannot stop the poor situations causing difficulties in a student’s life. However, Ms. Velez-Curry is one of many people at Southern Lehigh who care about the well-being of the students and only hope to see them succeed.

“We are here to help them learn new ways to cope and control their stressful situations and know that they cannot control anything,” Ms. Velez-Curry said, “but that is okay because together, we can find healthy solutions to our barriers.”

Ms. Velez-Curry from Caron comes to Southern Lehigh to help students with their day to day struggles. Photo Credit: National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers

New Spanish teacher Mr. Marr encourages students to succeed

by Sarah Lockley

On January 17th, Southern Lehigh welcomed new Spanish teacher Mr. Sean Marr. He was hired two months after Mrs. Megan Markwich’s sudden resignation, and has since taken over the classes she left behind.

Mr. Marr graduated from Penn State University in 2008 with degrees in World Language Education and Spanish. While he has always wanted to utilize Spanish in his life, he didn’t originally intend to be a Spanish teacher. He has had his fair share of jobs before settling in this career, many of which took place outdoors. To name a few, he was an outdoor instructor in Costa Rica, a professional river guide in California, and a camp counselor.

During a mountain biking excursion a few months ago, Mr. Marr stumbled across someone he met while whitewater kayaking a while back. She turned out to be friends with Southern Lehigh High School Spanish teacher Mrs. Aleica Deterville, and informed Mr. Marr of the job opening at Southern Lehigh. Upon learning more about this opportunity, Mr. Marr realized that it was the perfect fit for him.

“I probably wouldn’t have been interested unless I knew the World Language Department taught with comprehensible input,” Mr. Marr said. “That approach is exactly why I came here. It’s progressive and equitable, and it makes it easier for students to learn.”

The ability to communicate in a second language is incredibly valuable in this world, yet only about 43% of the world’s population is able to speak more than one. Mr. Marr stressed the benefits of participating in a world language class like Spanish, and the enjoyment that can come from it.

“Engage with it!” Mr. Marr said. “Bring

yourself and your interests [to class]— days can be so fun when students are contributing.”

Outside of school, Mr. Marr enjoys many different outdoor activities, ranging anywhere from kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and hiking, among many other things. He is unapologetically a man who appreciates the art behind traveling and experiencing nature, and he urges students to partake in the activities they enjoy as well.

“Don’t be afraid to follow your own path,” Mr. Marr said. “It’s so important to be true to yourself.”

Though getting used to a new teacher halfway through the school year can be stressful for students, Mr. Marr is doing his best to ease the transition. Southern Lehigh students feel lucky to welcome a teacher willing to put in the work to improve their language-learning environment.

New STEAM Club helps students explore careers

by Morgan Downing

This semester, the STEAM Club debuted at Southern Lehigh High School. Founded by juniors Grace Barr and Elizabeth Monroe, the club centers around the STEAM acronym, which stands for “science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.” Barr and

Monroe, who are interested in STEM-related careers, created the club with the idea of a fun and inclusive environment in mind.

“Both of us, being female, we acknowledged a certain stigma we would have to overcome because of how male-dominated the field is,”

Barr said.

According to the United States Census Bureau, women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, but fill only 27% of STEM related careers. However, STEAM club is paving the way for a bright future, as 65% of the club’s members are female.

“My goal for this club is for everyone involved to learn enough about STEAM to realize what they enjoy,” Monroe said. “[Teacher advisor Mr. Jonathan Piperato], Grace, and I are really looking forward to leading the club to an inclusive environment where we can teach everyone about [STEAM-related] careers through fun activities and enriching events.”

Although the club only started in early February, STEAM club has already hit the ground running with engaging activities. These activities, such as designing efficient paper airplanes using a wide range of materials, are designed to engage students in the mindset of STEAM fields.

“When we do fun activities, the students engage with each other and contribute interesting ideas. The students do a really good job thinking like engineers,” Barr said.

To continue building interest, the club’s future plans include hosting potential field trips and welcoming guest speakers, as well as a variety of after school activities like watching STEAM-related movies. Next school year, there will be new leadership positions including secretary and treasurer available to students.

“Not a dull moment passes during our [meetings], which are filled with collaborative activities meant to get the wheels in your head turning,” Monroe said. “I can promise fantastic events that provide immense opportunities for students in the upcoming school year.”

Mr. Marr enjoys incorporating student interest into the classroom environment. Photo Credit: Sarah Lockley

The STEAM Club encourages students to explore STEM fields through club activities. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Monroe

SLHS National Honor Society raises service hour requirements

by Isabelle Johnson

leadership.

“Know that it is an honor to be accepted into the society, so you have to work hard to maintain that status,” senior NHS vice president Kylie Baker said.

Following this year, there will be new obligations not only to be eligible for NHS, but also to remain part of the club for preexisting members. This year, members must complete 12 hours of service, including at least three hours of tutoring. In the upcoming year, the number will increase to 24 hours, with a minimum of eight hours of tutoring.

“When looking at other schools in the area, they have more [required] hours than we do here,” senior NHS president Ben Maund said. “We felt that more effort should be put into staying in the club.”

Southern Lehigh NHS students believe that the changes will benefit the club and the members involved. Although the increase in service hours will pose a challenge, it will be worth it in the long run, as students will be even more involved within the community.

The National Honor Society is a prestigious organization run in high schools across the country, in which members must show dedication to the four pillars: service, scholarship, leadership, and character. Each year, 10th grade or 11th grade students who meet the requirements are eligible to submit an application for membership for NHS.

“After the first semester of your sophomore year and your junior year, if you have a 3.65 cumulative weighted GPA with works-in-progress, and have no disciplinary actions, then you will be asked if you would like to join NHS,” National Honor Society advisor Ms. Jennifer Wlodek said.

Members of the NHS are expected to uphold the four pillars of the club daily. Tutoring and volunteering portray acts of service, a strong GPA exhibits scholarship, an exemplary disciplinary record portrays character, and any clubs or extracurricular activities can show

“The point of the NHS is to give back to the community,” senior NHS secretary Evelyn Wang said. “We want to encourage service and really uphold the pillars that the NHS is built on by encouraging people to participate in more service activities.”

Since the NHS is a very competitive and reputable organization, it is imperative that already inducted members continue to uphold their responsibilities. Members must stay on top of their work and make sure that they actively participate in the club.

“Check your email, check Google Classroom, check all of that stuff,” senior NHS treasurer Alaina Patel said, “because what we see a lot of time is that people just forget to do stuff and that’s kind of the main issue.”

This year the club will continue to revolve around the same four pillars. Current and future members will continue to positively represent the Southern Lehigh community to outside observers and other school districts alike.

“I believe that the addition of service hours will push NHS members to work hard to maintain the club requirements,” junior Reese Higgins said. “It will be a step up from what we had to do in the previous years, but it will be beneficial for the club at SLHS.”

SLHS seniors reflect on their final year

by Karansher Sidhu

Benjamin Maund

“I have been more social post-COVID and made a lot of new friends. I think I left a pretty solid reputation and that I have done a decent job as a student leader.”

Michael Pires

“I am very nervous about my future. I wake up in cold sweats at night, and I don’t want to leave my family and friends.”

Laura Roney

“It’s very scary. I don’t personally love change very much. I am excited to grow up and start my own life, but that doesn’t mean I’m comfortable with it.”

Kaila Sexton

“I’m super nervous everyday. I change my mind and my opinion about college every day, but right now I feel crazy and stressed.”

Southern Lehigh National Society members uphold rigorous standards. Photo Credit: Southern Lehigh NHS

The 2023 NHS induction will take place on April 19th.

Photo Credit: Southern Lehigh NHS

‘Hogwarts Legacy’ opens new world for ‘Harry Potter’ fans

by Sophia Massini

has achieved a four-and-a-half star rating. The game can currently be purchased on PC, Playstation 5, and Xbox Series X, ,and will be released for Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 at a later date.

The Wizarding World website allows users to get sorted into their house, find their patronus, and get their unique wand through the use of quizzes. There is also a variety of articles, quizzes, puzzles, short stories, and more for readers to explore. You have the ability to link your Wizarding World account to the game to receive special rewards and have your custom wand put into the game.

The game is equipped with an immersive story of a Hogwarts student starting in their fifth year. When prompted, players are able to customize their characters. After players complete the prologue and get sorted into their house, players have the ability to roam around Hogwarts as they see fit.

Story quests can be completed at any time, while side quests vary depending on house selection. Gryffindor has the most, while Ravenclaw has the least. Prior to release, many players speculated whether or not they would be able to visit Azkaban, the notorious prison for dark wizards. A trip to Azkaban is a Hufflepuff exclusive quest and is not available to any other houses.

Many people are familiar with the Weasley and Black names. Phineas Nigellus Black, an ancestor of Sirius Black, is famously known as Hogwarts’s least favorite headmaster. Headmaster Black has also seemingly canceled the Quidditch season for that year, resulting in the disappointment of many students. Professor Matilda Weasely, while not a confirmed ancestor of Ron Weasley, acts as a mentor for your character, and is a strong and intuitive witch.

Hogwarts Legacy is a new game that allows Harry Potter fans to live out their wizarding dreams. The open world role-playing game (RPG) released on February 10th has already received high praise from many critics. With over 80,000 reviews on the popular gaming platform Steam, Hogwarts Legacy

Players can also cast the iconic spells featured in the books and movies, including the Unforgivable Curses.You learn these spells by going to the familiar classes like Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and more. Players also have the ability to ride around on brooms. Your character also has the ability to use ancient magic, which is something that has not been used in the Wizarding World for centuries.

The game has incredible graphics and effectively captures the experience of Hogwarts as described in the books. I do wish players were able to play Quidditch, which is something I was looking forward to. Another grievance I have is that some of the game mechanics are a bit difficult to get used to and navigate. Nonetheless, the game’s compelling story format keeps players invested and excited about progressing through the game.

Morgan Wallen bounces back with ‘One Thing At A Time’

by Kelcie Wagner

copies. His best-known song is “Wasted On You,” from the same album.

Wallen improved his image after controversies in 2020 and 2021. In May of 2020 he was arrested outside of Kid Rock’s bar in downtown Nashville for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Wallen apologized, and was suspended from a performance on Saturday Night Live. Almost a year later in 2021, TMZ released a video recording of Wallen using a racial slur. After this incident he was temporarily suspended from his record label, and his music was removed from several major radio stations in the United States.

A week after all of the controversies, album sales for “Dangerous” surged and he continued to be very popular. Afterward, he wrote a lot of singles, but no albums.

I liked all of the songs on the sampler. My favorite song was “Tennessee Fan.” I loved how he sounded in this song, I didn’t even focus on what the song was about the first time I listened to it. In the song he talks about being a Tennessee fan. I think I really connected to it because my sister goes to Penn State and I am thinking about college.

The full album “One Thing At A Time” was released on March 3 2023, thrilling Wallen’s fans. Top songs on Apple Music are “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” “Everything I Love,” and “Ain’t That Some.”.

Morgan Wallen is back! Wallen released his third studio album, “One Thing At A Time” on March 3, 2023. Fans are creating buzz around his new music, considering it has been two years since his last album, “Dangerous: The Double Album.”

Morgan Cole Wallen is 29 years old and an American country singer. Wallen first came into the public eye in 2014 on Season 6 of “The Voice,” where he made it to the top 20. He is most known for his best-selling album “Dangerous” which sold 3,461,000

I didn’t know all of the controversy until I heard about the scandals from friends, and I was very shocked. I do feel that he needed to take a break after this happened, and am very surprised that his album sales went up and were still very popular. Wallen bounced back very quickly, and faster than I thought he would.

On December 2, 2022, fans went crazy over Morgan Wallen’s release of a three song sampler of his newest album, “One Thing At A Time.” In this sampler, he released “One Thing At A Time,” “Days That End In Why,” and “Tennessee Fan.” “One Thing At A Time” achieved 39,100,054 streams on Spotify.

It was really exciting to see how much Wallen’s music has grown since his last album. Some of the songs are so different from his typical songs about love or about break ups. Wallen’s new songs are more about how he found himself and love from another person. The songs I really liked were “Last Night,” “Everything I Love,” “Cowgirls,” “‘98 Braves,” and “F150-50.”

While I personally didn’t enjoy all of the songs in this album, I did like more than half of them. As I listen to these songs more than a few times, I think I will like them all a lot more.

With his new album, Morgan Wallen announced that he will be going on a “One Night At A Time World Tour,” with special guests Hardy, Parker McCollum, Ernest, and Bailey Simmerman. His tour starts in Nashville Tennessee on February 20th.

With over 800,000 reviews on Steam, ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ boasts a four-and-a-half star rating.

Photo Credit: @/hogwartslegacy on Instagram

“One Thing at a Time” is Wallen’s third studio album, released two years after his hit double album “Dangerous.” Photo credits: Big Loud/Mercury

‘Outer Banks’ season 3 does not disappoint

by Haley Hendricks

One year after the release of the second season of “Outer Banks,” the teen drama returned to Netflix on February 23rd with a new season. Within 24 hours of its release, it took the number one spot on Netflix for top television shows. “Outer Banks” is a popular show about a group of teenagers who live in the poorer parts of the Outer Banks (OBX). The show follows the group and their leader, John B (Chase Stokes), as they search for the lost gold his father was searching for before he mysteriously vanished.

Season 3 picks up right where two ended with the lower-class town locals, referred to as “pogues,” stranded on a deserted island.

I had high expectations for the new season, since the previous seasons each had great plot lines. I was not disappointed. It did, however, seem like the creators rushed through some plot lines in season 3. For example, one romantic relationship that was introduced felt like it was only created to please fans, rather than advance the plot.

Season 3 focuses on saving John B’s father from a man named Mr. Singh (Andy McQueen) and finding the golden city of El Dorado. Mr. Singh was a great antagonist to add to the show. McQueen did a phenomenal job portraying a treasure-crazy maniac. His performance is compelling because he seems like a terrible person, who is really out to hurt everyone who stood in his way.

The plot surrounding John B finding his father is executed well too. I found myself sometimes liking Ward Cameron (Charles Esten) more than I liked Big John (Charle Halford). Ward and Big John are both fathers of two of the main characters in the show, John B and Sarah (Madelyn Cline). Ward might have many terrible flaws, but Big John seems

like his priorities are all over the place during this season. All he cared about was finding the gold, no matter who would be put at risk. It is his life mission, so I could see why he’d be stressed, but I still struggled to sympathize with the character until the end.

All the characters on the show are faced with many roadblocks throughout the season. Every episode either highlights someone trying to kill them, someone getting hurt, or someone getting abducted. I thought that these plot points were exciting and well-written. Each episode seemed to end with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers wanting to watch the next episode immediately, making “Outer Banks” such a bingeable show.

The cinematography of “Outer Banks” is a strong point for the show as well. The scenery gives off a warm tone, the music is catchy, and the overall production does excellent with filming each scene. In a way, it really does make you excited for summer to roll around.

Season four has already been announced by Netflix, but, as of now, the date of release is not determined. After how season 3 ended, it is suspected that season 4 will focus on a new treasure hunt.

Overall, I thought that season 3 of “Outer Banks” was excellent, and I enjoyed its captivating plot and hooking conclusion.

Watch out for these upcoming releases!

Season 3 of the hit show “Outer Banks” returns with new villians and schemes for treasure.

Photo Credits: Netflix

2023 Oscar Award Highlights

by Mack Morgan

The Southern Lehigh High School is home to many different arts programs. Students have the opportunity to join programs such as the school play and take classes like Mass Media taught by Mr. Jeffery Hershey.

The Academy Awards reach many audiences, and are inspiring for upcoming generations. The students at SLHS are no exception to this. When students see movies they enjoy, these movies’ success become outlets of inspiration. .

“...Love makes us see ordinary things in an extraordinary light. The Oscars [help] us see that; it takes the movies we love and gives them the recognition they deserve” said senior, Savannah Giannattasio. Another large theme of the recent Oscars ceremonies is effective representation of the actors and actresses. Someone, who may be struggling with their self worth, can view the nominees and find themselves.

Earlier this year, Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination was under scrutiny due to a grassroots campaign. A grassroot campaign is a fight for something right that begins at a small local level. This will then evolve , hence the grassroot name, to a regional, national, or sometimes international level.

This controversy online was sparked due to the lack of African American representation in the nominees. Some people online believed Andrea Riseborough’s nomination to be reevaluated ; but, the Academy decided to sustain her nomination. The Academy believed she deserved it and should keep it despite the controversy around her Oscars campaign.

The Oscars nominations and awards are not without its faults; Many people can be seen taking an active effort to enact change. Although the organization is not perfect, some people believe this shouldn’t take away from the positives.

“The controversy around the Best Actress nominations is a super fascinating and an important indictment on the politicking in that category. To me, the most exciting nomination is Ke Huy Quan, it is so well deserved and it puts a spotlight on how representation can greatly impact an actors ability to envision themselves within a film space.” said english teacher Mrs. Lauren Tocci.

Mrs. Tocci, as many know, can be seen counting down the days to the Oscars. Found in her room, is said countdown on the whiteboard. She’s positively noted on Avatar: The Way of Water, as much more emotional than the first film; moreover, found the focus on the younger generations in the movie engaging.

Nevertheless, while gushing about the favorite nominated films can be fun, there is a deeper impact behind the ceremony. .

“What occurs [from The Oscars] is a rabbit hole, a beautiful string that suggests that exposing someone to one great film sends them on a journey that has ripple effects. That is the importance of the Oscars, not just celebrating films that win, but the endless possible journeys we embark on when someone shows us a great film.” said Mrs. Tocci.

Bill Nighy poses for the camera. Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikipedia Commons

Colin Farrell received acclaim for his role in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin.’ via Parade.com

Brendan Fraser won Best Actor for his role in ‘The Whale.’ Montclair Film, CC BY 2.0, via Wikipedia Commons

Paul Mescal, nominated for his performance in ‘Aftersun.’ Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Austin Butler sings to the Oscars for his performance in ‘Elvis.’ Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikipedia Commons

Michelle Williams is nominated for an Oscar for her performance in ‘The Fabelmans.’ Bex Walton from London, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Andrea Riseborough stars in ‘To Leslie.’ GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via

Michelle Yeoh won Best Actress for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’ Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ana de Armas received a Best Actress nomination as Marilyn Monroe for ‘Blonde.’ Eric Longden, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Cate Blanchett stars in ‘Tár.’ Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Oscar Movie Nominations

Photo Credit: Film4 Productions, Blueprint Pictures, TSG Entertainment

Photo Credit: Lightspeed Entertainment, TSG Entertainment

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Photo Credit: Amusement Park

Photo Credit: IAC Films, Gozie AGBO, Year of the Rat, Lay Line Entertainment

Photo Credit pany, EMJAG Productions

Photo Credit: Cinereach, You Want I Should LLC., Human Woman Inc., Sunbeam TV & Films, Chiodo Bros. Productions

Photo Credit: Netflix Animations

Photo Credit: Netflix Animations

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures, Skydance, TC Productions, Don Simpson/Jerry, Bruckheimer Films

Photo Credit: Orion Pictures, Plan B Entertainment, Hear/ Say Productions

Photo Credit: DreamWorks Animation

Photo Credit: Neon, Imperative Entertainment, BBC Films

Photo Credit: Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment

Updates to graduation ceremony generate controversy

by Alaina Patel

Four years after Southern Lehigh High School’s Class of 2019 graduated in all blue and three years after the administration overturned the decision to graduate in one color, the Class of 2023 will, once again, graduate in all-blue robes. This decision is due to the logistical ease of having one color.

“We started with the initial conversation about decorating caps. We started talking about the decoration process and what happens if someone does something with their cap they shouldn’t do,” high school principal Mr. Joshua Miller said. “Having blue and white caps actually became an issue for us logistically. If we all go blue, it takes care of another issue we’ve seen in the past where students mess up their robes or break a robe at the last minute.”

The decision to wear all blue is coupled with the decision to allow students to decorate their graduation caps. Mr. Miller’s past experiences at Upper Perkiomen influenced the idea of decorating caps, and is an attempt to increase individualism at graduation.

“We always let our students decorate caps

“We always let our students decorate caps and I saw students being so creative. They took pride in it and it was really neat when we would get our photos back at the end of the year,” Mr. Miller said.

While students at Southern Lehigh seem excited about the opportunity to showcase their creativity and individuality at graduation, many members of the senior class are unhappy with the decision to wear all-blue.

“I don’t mind decorating caps, but I don’t like the color change,” senior Maya Kloss said. “I think that matching everybody takes away from my individuality with the color I wanted to pick.”

Having one color for graduation isn’t uncommon; in a sample of 20 schools from the local area, ten schools graduated in two colors and the remaining ten graduated in one color. Yet, from the same sample, four of the schools graduating in two colors also decorated caps, while only two of the schools with one color decorated caps. As such, other schools including Nazareth and Saucon Valley have proven

-ing Nazareth and Saucon Valley have proven that it is possible to wear two colors and decorate caps for graduation.

Another concern arises from seniors who already took graduation photos in white.

“Since I planned on wearing a white gown, my senior pictures were done in a white gown,” Kloss said, “and now we’re wearing blue gowns so my senior pictures don’t match what I’m going to be wearing.”

While Christmas City Studios offer a free option for senior yearbook photos, the lowest price session including graduation photos costs $40, but purchasing the photos in any format adds cost. Since some seniors ordered photos taken in white, going back for another session would require an additional investment of money.

Finally, the change of color brings up a point of concern expressed during the 2019 switch to all blue. Although students chose their color in previous years, many girls still preferred the traditional white gowns and may feel that their voices aren’t being heard.

While the decision stands, some efforts can help to alleviate these concerns. One such attempt could focus on seniors who already ordered graduation photos. Southern Lehigh still allows students to take Christmas City Studios photos in whichever color they choose, a plus for those who prefer the white gown. To combat the issue of seniors who already had photos taken in white and would like photos in blue, the school could attempt to communicate with Christmas City about obtaining a session for those students affected by the change.

Even though the switch from two colors to only one color raises concerns within the student body, the other half of this decision will bring about extraordinary amounts of creativity.

“I will probably decorate my cap with a split flag to represent my dual heritage and where my family comes from,” senior Jeremy Sumner said. “If not, I’d probably do something with golf.”

Gifted burnout plagues high school students

by Jack Steckel

well-being later on in life.

“There’s a lot of different ways I’ve seen the burnout,” English teacher Mrs. Lauren Tocci said. “There seems to be not a lack of resilience but a lack of coping skills when they don’t get an A, and I think that’s where the burnout really lies, is in thinking an ‘A’ is the only measure of success and not the growth that occurred.”

The Davidson Institute also says gifted burnout is often depicted as “physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, and emotional detachment. Students’ perfectionism, asynchronous development, and overexcitabilities may feed into the burnout experience in a way that increases the intensity or duration of burnout.” This idea of perfectionism within gifted students is what seems to worry some teachers.

“It was very isolating growing up. My classes were separated from everyone else,” senior Kylie Baker said. “Everyone in high school talks about different experiences. They’ll talk about books, curriculum, and classes they’ve had, but as a gifted student, I couldn’t relate to any of that.”

This isolation that Baker speaks about seems to have significantly harmed the academic performance of gifted students.

“None of us know how to study, or have the best work ethic,” Baker said. “When we hit high school, some of us realize we’ve reached our limit after our entire lives have been built around excess work – that is not more challenging work, just excess.”

Many students feel secluded and anxious due to the Gifted program.

“Gifted burnout” is a term that has been thrown around in recent years regarding gifted students. It is defined as “chronic exhaustion that stems from a mismatch between the individual and their current educational environment” according to The Davidson Institute, a non profit organization dedicated to the development of young gifted people. In simple terms though, burnout occurs when a student becomes tired of dealing with pressures of perfectionism placed on them at a very young age. Due to this constant stress, they are left facing challenges with their mental health and

They’re so hard on themselves,” Mrs. Tocci said. “It’s actually the thing I think I’m most concerned about.”

Although some teachers are concerned about the negative effects of gifted programs, some students see the benefits, believing that the experience made them better students in the long run.

“My tenure with the program was extremely difficult,” senior Nathaniel Lycette said. “Although I believe…it provided me with challenges which led to my growth as a student.”

In the end though, there are some students who seem to feel that the gifted program has been detrimental to their academic careers and well being.

Considering the pattern of perfectionism, lack of effort, and fitting in, it is definitely safe to say gifted burnout is a real thing. However, the future looks promising in solving the plague of burnout.

“It’s definitely a discussion point at training and conferences I go to,” English and gifted teacher Mrs. Amy Bausher said. “One of the things I’d like to do moving forward is asking gifted students what they are interested in and develop a goal they find interesting so they want to pour additional time into it and work towards it.”

With this goal set by Mrs. Bausher, the future for gifted students may help them combat their burnout.

Starting this year, Southern Lehigh seniors will graduate in all blue and are permitted to decorate their caps.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Hookup culture harms physical and mental health

by Nolan Sargent

Content note: references to sex, sexual assault, and rape culture.

We live in an era of extensive sexual liberation. With loosening social norms and advanced communication technology, it’s easier than ever to find sexual partners, leading to the rise of the “hookup” in Western culture.

According to the American Psychological Association, hookups are brief, uncommitted sexual encounters between people who are not romantic partners or dating each other. The term “hookup culture” refers to a culture that accepts and encourages hooking up. Sounds pretty nice, right? All of the pleasure and none of the effort of commitment. What could possibly be wrong with that?

Quite a bit, as it turns out. Hookup culture is harmful to individuals, harmful to society, and simply unethical.

Hooking up damages both the mental and physical health of the people who engage in it.

According to the APA, a survey of 1,468 undergraduate students found that 82.6% reported negative mental and emotional consequences including embarrassment, loss of respect, and difficulties with maintaining steady relationships. Another study found that 78% of women and 72% of men who had engaged in uncommitted sex experienced regret afterward.

Furthermore, those who had engaged in hookup culture were found to have lower overall self-esteem scores than those who had not.

“I think that’s the worst thing about it,” one anonymous senior girl said. “It ruins people’s self-esteem.”

These effects are neither transient nor minor. According to the National Library of Medicine, both engaging in hookups and the number of hookup partners are related to greater symptoms of depression and anxiety. These are serious mental illnesses with potentially devastating— even deadly— consequences, not mildly inconvenient moods constrained to the morning after.

Many Southern Lehigh High School students are familiar with these feelings.

“It depends. On the one hand, it can make you feel very good,” one anonymous senior boy said. “Or it’s a really [awful] one and makes you feel incompetent or like you just don’t meet

their needs. It can vary widely.”

This testimony is consistent with other accounts, both anecdotal and statistical. Emotions associated with hookups are typically mixed, and many individual instances have more positive than negative associations. These positive feelings, however, are often outweighed by the gravity of the negative feelings.

Hookups also blur the line in relationships, making it difficult for those involved to determine exactly what the relationship is. This causes confusion regarding expectations, which can lead to uncomfortable situations and inevitably results in emotional distress. As high schoolers, many of us have probably experienced this emotional distress firsthand, or at least have friends who have experienced it.

“It always goes pretty sour because they’re like, ‘oh, you just used me to be a ‘shawty,’’ when, in reality, it was a consensual conjoining of two hearts,” said the same anonymous senior boy. “They’re looking for something long term and sometimes the ‘Shawtynator’ doesn’t want long term. It’s natural; some people are just more clingy than others.”

While it may be gratifying in the short term, hooking up clearly leads to negative mental health outcomes in the long term.

Hookup culture has also led to a rise in rates of sexually transmitted disease. Unprotected sex is very common in hookups, with condoms being used in only 46.6% of instances, according to the APA. Hookup culture also heightens the risk of STD transmission due to “the increased likelihood of having multiple or concurrent partners,” according to the National Library of Medicine. Hookup culture does not only harm the mind, but poses a significant risk to the body as well.

Hookup culture is also detrimental to our society as a whole. According to the APA, research shows that people engage in casual, noncommittal sexual behavior despite being uncomfortable doing so, likely because it is perceived as the norm. In fact, one survey of college students found that 77.8% of unwanted sex occurred in the context of hookups. Hookup culture pressures people into harmful situations that they don’t even want to be involved in.

What’s even more concerning is that hook-

up culture can facilitate sexual assault and rape. According to the National Library of Medicine, hookups are uniquely associated with sexual violence. According to the APA, 7.6% of college students said that their most recent hookup was an experience they did not want to have or in which they could not consent. Hookup culture is the cousin of rape culture.

Setting aside the research and statistics, hookup culture is just plain unethical. Hookup culture encourages us to view the people around us as tools to be used for our own gratification. It reduces the other to a means to an end.

“It [makes] you feel like… not human, almost,” said the same anonymous senior girl. “You kind of just feel like an object.”

This is wrong, regardless of how good either person may feel in the moment. People are not objects, so they shouldn’t be treated as such.

The two most popular substantive arguments for hookup culture are that it enables the acquisition of self-knowledge through experimentation and that it is empowering, particularly for women. The self-knowledge argument holds some weight. The best way to determine one’s personal tastes and preferences is experimentation, with more experimentation yielding more precise results. However, this optimization of sexual pleasure is hardly worth the many drawbacks detailed above.

As a man, my ability to judge the empowerment argument is somewhat limited. Women often do report feelings of empowerment derived from hookups. Many women have also spoken out against hookup culture, however, so it is clear that this claim does not hold for all women.

Regardless of the veracity of the empowerment claim, this argument ultimately fails for the same reason as the other. Empowerment simply is not worth the negative consequences of hookup culture, especially when those consequences include the buttressing of a rape culture of which women are the primary victims.

Hookup culture is immoral and deeply harmful for everyone involved. As a society, we must reverse the trend towards casual, noncommittal sexual behavior before it is too late to save our minds and our bodies.

“Hookup culture” is defined as a culture that encourages hooking up which entails brief, uncommited sexual encounters betwwen two people who are not in a romantic relationship. Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com

Oscar ‘Snubs’ Open Up Conversation About Representation

by Gianna Cusumano

On January 24, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced their nominations for the 2023 Oscars. Fans eagerly tuned into the nomination ceremony, but some expressed their disappointment with the Academy’s selections. One of the most notable movies that was “snubbed” or left out of the nominations altogether was “The Woman King,” inciting internet conversations about the inclusivity of the Academy.

“The Woman King” is a film centered around the Agojie, a legitimate historical group of female warriors. In the film, the Agojie are left to defend their people when the Oyo Empire attempts to enslave their home, the Kingdom of Dahomey. The cast is almost completely composed of Black women led by star Viola Davis, and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

The Oscars was called out online for continuing a social trend in Hollywood of ignoring underrepresented voices. Considering that only one Black woman ever won Best Actress and no Black woman has won Best Director, fans were enraged to see this pattern continue despite the film earning widespread critical acclaim.

Oscar snubs such as these reflect issues of representation that not only the Academy Awards is responsible for. Hollywood is stuck in a loop of valuing certain stories over others, which is perpetuated by the disproportionate representation of underrepresented groups in the industry.

According to the annual Hollywood Diversity Report from UCLA, women and people of color have still not reached proportionate representation in employment positions in American television. When looking at statistics on digital scripted platforms, the study concluded that people of color directed less than half the amount of digital episodes

directed by their white counterparts, even though people of color account for 42.7% of the U.S. population. Additionally, women also directed only 34.4% of digital episodes despite making up slightly more than half of the U.S. population. This data was mostly constant on other platforms such as cable and broadcast, as well as other occupations such as acting leads and writers.

Although the Hollywood Diversity Report concluded that proportionate representation of people of color and white women has improved from years past, this progress does not mean that the issue can be moved on from. The employment barriers in Hollywood are more nuanced than they may appear.

In a recent article for the Hollywood reporter responding to the Oscar nominations, Gina Prince-Bythewood explained that in addition to employment issues with production companies and studios, the influence of industry connections leaves underrepresented groups at a disadvantage. The importance of industry ties was witnessed this awards season as Andrea Riseborough was nominated for Best Actress following a grassroots campaign from powerful voices in the community.

Issues of employment in Hollywood affect people not only in the industry, but the rest of society as well. A study called “The Inclusion Imperative” conducted by Common Sense Media, researched the impact of both positive and negative media representation on children. The results of the study supported that the media that kids consume has an impact on their self-image and feelings about their ethnic and racial identity. For example, it was reported that racial stereotypes in the media negatively affect both Latinx and Native American high school students’ thoughts about their physical appearance and commu -

nity.

This study from Common Sense Media also recorded statistics on stereotypes enforced by film and television, reporting that characters of color are 2 to 13 times more likely than white counterparts to be depicted as violent.

However, balanced and authentic representation has begun to take form in Hollywood as studios come out with more films and television series centering around people of color. Disney’s “Turning Red” is one movie that has gained attention for its positive representation of women of color.

“The main character is Asian-American and feels a lot of pressure from her parents, and I feel like I can really relate to that,” sophomore Hannah Lee said. “I love that she obsesses over boy bands and I feel like she is a character that I can really find myself in.”

Another movie that impacted fans similarly was “Encanto.” The film’s characters such as Lousia and Isabella, who break social norms and showcase their powers, have become important role models for fans.

“You see that many women of color… inspiring you. You’re like, oh my gosh, I love this Disney movie,” freshman Ariannah Hunte said. “They’re literally animated characters and have superpowers. It isn’t realistic that they have superpowers, but how cool is it to see women in power?”

Additionally, “The Inclusion Imperative” study found that women of all racial backgrounds are more likely than men to be sexualized in adult programs. These stereotypes give audiences a one-dimensional view of women and their role in society. By equating their worth to their superficial qualities, female characters are left without fully fleshedout stories that resemble real people.

“Disney princesses are really good characters because they show [audiences] what women can do,” sophomore Lily Driscoll said. “And they spread a positive image of what we can accomplish.”

Some ways in which Southern Lehigh High School has taken steps to create a more equitable learning space is by including diverse stories in their English curriculum and using inclusive language in the classroom. English teacher Mrs. Lauren Tocci aims to provide her students with a syllabus that effectively encapsulates all of American literature. One book that she praises for illustrating the importance of honoring different stories and viewpoints is “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”

Mrs. Tocci is both a megafan of the Oscars and self-proclaimed “lifelong film nerd” who studied film in her Master’s program at Kutztown University, and continues to explore her interest in film as a PhD student at Lehigh University. She believes that, even though the entertainment industry is seeing milestones of progress in terms of representation, the fact that these milestones still need to be reached is telling of the issue itself.

“When moments like that happen, that is the best thing that the Oscars can do–make us think that my limited experiences, my limited contacts and film, can somehow expand and make a project that’s going to make me feel connected or make me see something different than what I am used to,” Mrs. Tocci said. “That is the beauty of film. But the problem is, in order to do that, you have to do the best you can to keep pushing that further.”

New movie “The Woman King” incites contention about Hollywood’s acceptance of diversity. Photo Credit: Tri-Star Studios

‘Weather balloon’ incident causes concern in U.S.

by Karansher Sidhu

Recently, a Chinese “weather balloon” floating through U.S. airspace made national headlines, raising concerns. In the last month, four aerial objects were taken down over U.S. airspace, leaving Americans wondering what was happening, and whether or not this indicates rising tensions between the two countries. To understand, affected people at Southern Lehigh assess the shoot-downs, Chinese intelligence spying in other countries, and the geopolitical situation between the United States and China.

The balloon drifted into U.S. airspace on January 28, 2023. According to a February 4th White House press release, the balloon wasn’t shot down over U.S. airspace for fear that falling debris might damage property.

Once the balloon drifted off the landmass of South Carolina, it was shot down approximately 8 miles offshore of Myrtle Beach by

Jake Levin, a senior at Southern Lehigh, happened to be next to Myrtle Beach when the engagement occured. Having studied some international relations, he speculates that the nature of the shootdown itself won’t pose a major danger.

“[The Chinese government] already condemned the shootdown diplomatically,” Levin said. “Shooting it down was an overreaction, but I can’t foresee them taking any other sort of action because they did violate our airspace. It’s hard to say what we [the American government] did was illegal. Really, there is no argument to be made outside of complaining that the shootdown was unnecessary.”

As such, the balloon incident, although prominent in American media, does not seem

to have provoked any specific retaliation, or pose a question of one to come in the future. When it comes to the question of whether or not we are doomed for conflict, however, Southern Lehigh Global Issues teacher Mrs. Jennifer Wlodek has a more optimistic outlook. Having experience overseas, she is able to see the nuance in rising tensions between the United States and China.

“With the right administrations within each country, they can work together to prevent conflict, even if there is a slight escalation of tension,” Mrs. Wlodek said.

In the Cold War with the Soviet Union, open war never directly erupted between the United States and Soviet Union, yet multiple proxy wars erupted around the world. The primary concern is that conflict with Taiwan could result in the same sort of situation. The Chinese government has long had tension with the Taiwanese government, as the latter is the remains of the Republic of China which fled mainland China after the Chinese Revolution of 1949.

Evelyn Wang, a Foreign Policy National Champion in the Speech and Debate club, recently visited her family in Taiwan, and provides insight on the reality of the situation.

“In general, people view China negatively and, in the political sphere, the topic of mainland China is very controversial,” Wang said. “But in everyday life, it’s not as much of a presence as the West makes it out to be, or even how China is made out to be in the United States.”

Concern and worry regarding the future of the United States is understandable, but there certainly is no verdict that conflict between China and the United States is bound to begin in short notice. Even if the balloon provoked a national security scare, the other UFO’s that were shot down were claimed by the U.S. government in a White House press release to be unrelated to the Chinese government.

FSA holds menstrual product drive to help teens

by Zoey Robinson

ing to the nurse,” Loghmani said. “It’s often on the other side of the building… sometimes you don’t feel like going all the way over when you’re having an actual emergency.”

Access to these resources often goes overlooked in households and schools unaware of period poverty. A 2021 survey at St. Louis University reported that 46% of low income women couldn’t afford monthly hygiene products along with necessary groceries.

Feminine hygiene products at Southern Lehigh High School are available in the school nurse’s office as a result of the budget approved before each school year by the administration. Judith Miller, a middle school nurse noted how misuse in the middle school led faculty to limit access to the nurse’s office alone.

Southern Lehigh’s Feminist Student Association (FSA) addressed the problem of “period poverty” through their menstrual product drive this winter. As our school’s budget continues to be pushed and stretched, students like the club’s president, sophomore Madelyn Loghmani, look to provide easier options for all students in need of hygiene products.

“We are running the tampon drive to help stock the girls’ bathrooms in the school because not a lot of people feel comfortable go -

Most females have their period from age 12 to 52. That means that many have a menstrual cycle for around 40 years, and a study by SWNS Digital Media revealed that they spend an average of $13.25 dollars on products each month. This amounts to around $6,360, an expense that not everyone can afford.

Tampon tax adds to the cost in 22 out of 50 states in the US. This tax applies to the sale of menstrual products, and, in most applicable states, it is around 4.7% to 10% as of 2019. In Pennsylvania, feminine hygiene products have not been charged with a separate tax since 1991. They are currently taxed on the same level of toiletries.

Students like senior Amanda Weissman, agree that as a school we should be making sure that the bathrooms are stocked up.

“In the past there wasn’t much access to feminine hygiene products in our school. But we are starting to make a significant change in giving access to everyone by having a variety of supplies in the bathroom,” Weissman said. “Making sure every student has access to feminine hygiene products is so important.”

Colorfully decorated boxes are found in each women’s restroom, filled with almost every type of period product available. FSA hopes to continue the drive annually, and plans on ending collections in late March. Members proudly state that they have exceeded their collection goal for 2023.

The balloon floated over US airspace, raising concerns about national security. Photo Credit: Tyler Schlitt Photography the Air Force’s most modern air superiority fighter, the F-22 Raptor.

One of the FSAs collection boxes offers period products to Southern Lehigh students. Photo Credit: Zoe Robinson

Wrestling team looks to rebuild after middling season

by Kishore Annambhotla

On its surface, wrestling is a wholly individual endeavor: one competitor against another in a battle of strength and strategy, with only one coming out on top. However, a strong team bond can provide much-needed morale and encouragement to an otherwise solitary sport. Herein lies the driving force behind the Southern Lehigh wrestling team.

“Our [strength is] unity,” Coach Brenton Ditchcreek said. “They’re a really close-knit group of kids. They’re all eager to learn and get better.”

Despite their commitments, the 2022-2023

season has brought another average record for the team. They compiled an 8-12 win-loss record this season, and [ ]. This is a drop from the 2021-22 season when they finished with a 15-13 record, reached the Colonial League final, and took 19th place at the District 11 AAA Championships.

Numerous injuries throughout the season have been a significant factor in this drop.

“Obviously, [we were better] at the beginning of the season when we were fully healthy,” junior Ian Gill said. “In the first tournament we lost two people, [and] we’ve only lost more. We

keep losing matches due to forfeits.”

Senior Braedon Alder, juniors Joshua Sirard, Cole Lorio, and Anthony Lorio, and freshmen Teagan Barr and Sean Wayock are among the wrestlers who suffered an injury this season. Despite the team’s fragility, Alder still maintains confidence in Southern Lehigh’s status as a top team.

“Even though half of our team is injured right now, we’re better than a lot of teams,” Alder said. “Even though we give up five forfeits per match, we’re still good enough to win.”

Thankfully, the team looks forward to a prosperous future in its younger stars. Among the seven freshmen to join the team is Griffin King, who boasts an impressive 28-7 record and is on track to break the elusive 100-win barrier before graduation. Additionally, an abundance of talent and skill in the middle school team has prompted excitement among many of the wrestlers.

“Next year, we have a lot of good kids coming up [from the middle school],” Alder said. “I have high hopes for them. I’m hoping to come back next year and help them a little.”

As the 2022-23 winter season comes to a close, the team looks forward to next year, hoping to end a streak of so-so seasons and capitalize on their young talent, camaraderie, and an overwhelming passion for the sport.

First, however, each wrestler must continue to commit to the daily grind of training in pursuit of greatness.

“[We] wrestle the same people for practice with the intent of getting better,” Gill said. “It takes a lot to do the same thing day in and day out.”

SLHS Winter Sport Recap! Hockey Page 14 Sports The Spotlight

Boys’

Senior Braedon Alder faces off against a Salisbury wrestler in a postseason scrimmage.

Photo Credit: Kishore Annambhotla

Isabelle Johnson, Elizabeth Vezenov, Brianna Wasem, Alexis Hoyer, and Grace Robinson all qualified for Swim State finals!

SL baseball team sharpens the diamond this spring

by Jack Steckel

The Southern Lehigh baseball team finished last year’s season triumphantly with a 20-4 record, along with winning their second straight PIAA District XI title, leaving the Spartans with high expectations, under pressure to pursue their third consecutive District XI crown.

“It sure puts a target on your back,” Head Coach Todd Miller said. “You must understand and expect that every other team in our league wants to beat us and loves to see us lose.”

However, the Spartans will have to face this newfound pressure without some familiar faces they’ve had in the past years, namely 2022 graduate Matt Tankred, last year’s All-Area Offensive Player Of The Year, who is continuing his athletic career at East Stroudsburg University.

“What we lose in Tank is the threat of him leaving the yard each at-bat and the ability to throw the ball by people on the mound when it’s needed,” Coach Miller said. “He was an imposing presence on the diamond.”

The Spartans are also feeling the loss of 2022 graduates Will Woodring, Christian Pickell, and Michael Andrews.

“We lost six starters that accounted for 209 hits, 170 runs, and 149 RBIs [Runs Batted In]. Woody’s leadership was probably the best we’ve had here,” Coach Miller said. “The other guys were just solid ballplayers who all had career years together, loved playing together, and loved winning, and the results from the past two years display all that. That’s tough to replace.”

Although losing leadership and veteran players hurts most teams, the young Spartans are optimistic and have high hopes for this upcoming season.

“I’m feeling rather optimistic; there’s a lot of holes we’re trying to fill and a lot of spots up

for grabs,” returning All-Area Selection senior Luke Lea said. “We have a lot of guys who haven’t played in the varsity atmosphere, so we’re really just trying to see how it all plays out.”

This optimism has primed the Spartans with hopes that new players will step up to the plate along with Lea.

“Honestly, if Luke pitches as well as he did last year, that’s all I can ask of him. He will, however, have to take on more of a leadership role,” Miller said. “He will be an important part of our lineup and will need to contribute in all phases of the game and in practice.”

Having Lea as a formidable fortress on the mound will make it challenging for opposing teams to put runs on the board. Beyond that, some Spartans believe the momentum from the past two years will help them this coming season.

“Winning the championship last year is great, but that isn’t what is on our mind now. Right now our mind is winning these upcoming championships,” senior Avery Koser said. “But it does help knowing that we have the staff and everyone around us supporting us to make another run.”

Spartan softball prepares to out-swing previous seasons

by Ellie Monroe

As the 2023 spring season kicks off, the Southern Lehigh High School softball team looks to mirror the success they reached in past years. Following their 17-6 record in the 2021-22 season, expectations are high for the Spartans. Such success is thanks to the girls’ hard work, dedication, and great leadership by Coach Brian Neefe.

To reach the same success they’re known to achieve, the Spartans participate in activities to unite the team.

“We always participate in team bonding to get everyone included,” junior Morghan Davies said. “We [also] always have our signature cheers before the games and warm-up.”

Third base guard and fellow junior leader Kaley Hoffman also fills the role of being an ex-

ceptional role model to her younger teammates.

“As a team, we’re really motivated by our competitiveness,” Hoffman said. “We don’t just want to play; we want to compete. We spend more time preparing mentally for games, than physically.”

Despite having no senior players this season, the juniors are ready to put their best foot forward to lead the team to success. Davies and Hoffman, along with fellow juniors Chloe Benner and Alexa Smith, are prepared to set the standard of leadership and skill for the underclassmen.

“This may be tough for the juniors since we need to step up early and try to regroup the team as a whole,” Davies said. Without senior players, the team is facing many

changes, and training new players who are still learning the ins and outs of softball.

“We’re going to be a very young team this year, and there will be a lot of newnesses to get used to,” Hoffman said. “This year, there’s also going to be a lot of positional and lineup changes, so it’s another new factor.”

Southern Lehigh holds over thirty Colonial League titles, and the Spartans are seeking to collect another trophy to add to the showcase. Facing especially tough competition this season against rivals such as Wilson, Palmerton, and Northwestern, the girls prepare to come out even stronger than before.

“Our goal this season is to qualify for districts again and be as successful as I know we can be,” Hoffman said.

Last season, the Southern Lehigh softball team were district champions. Photo Credit: SLHS Softball Team

Members of the Spartan baseball team hope to repeat last year’s success. Photo Credit: Luke Lea

From Hallways to Runways

by Kylie Baker

According to the Oxford Dictionary, fashion is “a popular trend, especially in styles of dress and ornament or manners of behavior.” However, to Southern Lehigh students, it’s so much more.

It can be difficult to put effort into a complex outfit everyday before school; oftentimes it means waking up even earlier in the morning and planning ahead. But for some students, it is well worth the time.

Sophomore Jaclyn Bossert is known for their classic punk style and iconic green hair and said they draw much of their inspiration from old school rock bands.

“For me, interesting outfits is another reason to get out of bed,” they said. “My brain mush is eccentric, [and] my clothing should reflect that.”

Of course, all these fashionistas had to start somewhere, and developed their style over

time. Seniors Cohen Resch, often seen sporting a casual ‘80s aesthetic, and Avery Tatasciore, famous for her fusion of grunge and indie, both lend their fashion identity to COVID lockdown.

“I had a lot of time to look through influences in media from both the past and present. I found it by looking through Pinterest and at timeless pieces that don’t suffer [from] trends,” Resch said.

“When we came back to school, it was as if every day was a fashion show, and I loved it,” Tatasciore said. “Being stuck in [lockdown] made me crave going out and looking good. Now, every new place in the day calls for an outfit change.”

While being paragons of fashion in the classroom, these students still seek to grow beyond clothing. Both Bossert and Resch desire to attain more sustainability in the face of fast-fashion empires and their titanic wasteful-

ness.

“I would like to buy more thrifted clothing and clothes sourced from ethical companies in the future. It’s hard to find good quality clothes for a cheap price that fit well and are ethically made, so that is the goal for my fashion in the future,” Resch said.

The clothes we wear don’t always translate to who we are, but for many students, it’s a way to express themselves and present their identity to the world. Senior Honesty Jean, easily recognized by her preppy-streetwear and fabulous matching accessories, views her outfits as a crucial part of who she is.

“It’s how I like to present myself and how I think I look good,” Jean said.

So while planning out elaborate layers, matching shoes, and studying aesthetics is not for everyone, Southern Lehigh has many students willing to go the extra step everyday.

Junior Connor Licairac runs amateur fashion brand Parcha Lirac. Photo Credit: Kaylee Johnson

Senior Honesty Jean is known for her matching accessories.

Photo Credit: Kaylee Johnson

Senior Cohen Resch shows off his causual 80’s inspired outfit. Photo Credit: Kylie Baker

Senior Avery Tatasciore takes fashion inspiration from indie and grunge styles. Photo Credit: Kaylee Johnson