THE SPOTLIGHT October 2018
Southern Lehigh High School 5800 Main Street Center Valley, PA 18034
Volume 62 Issue 1
Homecoming Sparks Spartan Pride See if you can spot the hidden object on pages 8 and 9 Photo Credit: Christmas City Studios
In This
Issue:
3
Do you know what the new student advisory council does? Turn to page 2 to read about this new group and their goals.
4
Welcome Back Mrs. Guariello! Read more about our new principal on page 4.
12
The Lehigh County flag has stirred up some controversy. Turn to page 12 to read more.
Page 2
The Spotlight
News
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
SLSD Students Get Trained in A.L.I.C.E Security Protocol
By Kennah Salvo
Faculty Adviser
Mrs. Marlo Spritzer
Editor-in-Chief Sarah Jacobson
News Editor Kennah Salvo
Features Editor Saskia Van’t Hof
Opinion Editor Bridgette Lang
Our World Editor Bridgette Lang
Entertainment Editor Quinn Schmidt
Sports Editor Quinn Schmidt
Social Media Editor Grffin Schmoyer
Staff Reporters Breana Grabowski Marc Ramson Quint Hansen Aisha Durrani
Photographers Jonathan Lee Rhea Kalsi
Pennsylvania School Press Association 2018 Gold Rating 2017 Gold Rating 2016 Gold Rating 2015 Gold Rating 2014 Gold Rating 2013 Silver Rating National School Press Association 2016 First Class Rating 2015 First Class Rating
ALICE Certifiction logo. Photo credit: alicetraining.com
ALICE is an acronym that stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. It is intended to be a more dynamic approach to a traditional “stay and hold” lockdown structure. All students in Southern Lehigh School District were trained in this new active shooter response procedure at the beginning of this school year. Staff and teachers were trained last August, before the start of the 2017-18 school year. The more unique aspect of ALICE is the “evacuate” component, which allows students and teachers to leave the school if they deem it the safest option. ALICE was established by Greg Crane and is the first program of it’s kind that equipped students and staff with options in an active shooter situation. Crane refers to these situations as violent critical incidents (VCIs). He developed the system that would become ALICE in the wake of the Columbine shooting in order to keep his wife, who was an elementary school principal, and her school safe. “We have the option to run or stay, and we have talked about ways to barricade,” senior Jacob Stanten said. Biology teacher Mrs. Adrienne Searfoss offers her full support of the ALICE program. “I feel equipped to be able to make good decisions. I think that we just need to continue to practice and drill with the students,” she said. ALICE, however, does present a few issues. While
ALICE allows for judgement calls for everyone’s safety, the judgement calls create a less orderly situation. “You couldn’t solely rely on the nurse or [Officer McLaughlin] to be a first responder. Everyone is a first responder.” school nurse Barbara Bracalente said. This could mean students with first aid training helping tend to their injured classmates, or students without training lending a hand to people in shock or who have been injured so they can get to safety and get treatment. “Police have to adapt a little bit too, again because I’m not going into a building and expecting everyone to be locked down in one place,” School Resource Officer Brian McLaughlin said. “I have to know that it is going to a very dynamic situation, people moving, but it’s for the positive.” In addition to ALICE, the district is revisiting the procedure for whom they allow in the building, sprucing up student assistance programs to provide better access to mental health services, and setting up an email for those with safety concerns to communicate with district administrators. The email address is safety@slsd.org. Other institutions around our community have adopted similar systems. Lutron Electronics adopted a run-hidefight system, which is similar to ALICE. ALICE brings a fresh approach to a traditional lockdown that has been well received all across the district by parents, students, and staff.
Have you noticed anything suspicious?
Email safety@slsd.org about any and all safety concerns.
October 2018
News
Page 3
Newly Formed Student Advisory Committee Gives Students a Voice By Saskia Van’t Hof
A group of freshman students generate ideas during a class assembly. Photo credit: @SLHSspartans on Instagram
On September 21, Southern Lehigh High School held its first Student Advisory Council meeting during spartan period. About 25 students from different grades gathered to pitch ideas directly to SLHS administrators and teachers. The Student Advisory Council is a group formed this year by new principal Mrs. Beth Guarriello. Students are randomly selected from a list of over 70 volunteers to meet every month to discuss the school’s most pressing issues and share their thoughts on decisions being made around the school. “[The Student Advisory Council] was just a collection of diverse students talking about the issues that mattered to them specifically. Like I talked about givings honors weight for the arts program and the classes we take for them,” senior Eme Sargent said. “Overall, I thought it was really
useful and eye-opening because we got to hear the administrators’ input.” Students brought up many ideas at the discussion. A few common issues included the lack of parking spaces, restrictions on internet access, the need for a turf field, more time in between classes, and the most mentioned topic of all, urinal dividers. The forum gave a chance for students and administrators to speak directly to one another on what they viewed was most important. “The meeting was really inclusive and open. They accepted a lot of questions and it didn’t feel like they were trying to push any questions off or anything. They gave a lot of honest answers to pressing questions,” sophomore Evan Wimmer said. However, Mrs. Guarriello stressed that not every suggestion can be made possible. The administration is taking every idea into consideration, but big changes to school districts can take a lot of time. “Somethings we can control, some things we can’t. We can’t make more parking spots, but we can for example do different things with graduation,” Mrs. Guarriello said. “I know we’re going to put a senior video together this year. And when was brought up as a suggestion, I was really happy to say ‘We’re already on it!.’” The Student Advisory Council is part of Mrs. Guariello’s effort to bring more communication and openness to the school. In addition to the student advisory council, she is also in the works of forming more groups for students and faculty alike to have a voice. During the first week of school, Mrs. Guarriello and the assistant principals held assemblies for each grade. Each class was able to get together at once to discuss their own priorities. Mrs. Guarriello had students break up into groups to discuss ideas and write them down on posters. Students presented these posters to the administration and the rest of the student body in attendance. “The things I feel have the most potential are the things like the student meetings, the faculty council meetings, and the parent meetings where we can actually start talking about substantial, important, big things that will have longer lasting impacts,” Mrs. Guarriello said. “That’s what I’m most excited about moving toward: empowering more of the students, empowering more of the staff to take your school back. Because it’s really not my school, it’s your school.”
Upcoming School-Wide Events:
November 1st-3rd
See the high school theatre program perform “Songs for a New World”.
Photo Credit: Southern Lehigh Theatre.
November 3rd
Students will take the SAT at Southern Lehigh High School starting at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
November 22nd-26th
Enjoy an extra long weekend for the holiday of Thanksgiving. Photo Credit: Sarah Jacobson.
Page 4 Features
The Spotlight
New Principal Mrs. Guarriello Returns to SLHS By Sarah Jacobson, Bridgette Lang, Saskia Van’t Hof, and Aisha Durrani
On the football field, the Saucon Valley Panthers and the Southern Lehigh Spartans are undeniably rivals. But if there’s one thing both schools can agree on, it’s the fact that any school is lucky to have Mrs. Beth Guarriello as their principal. As of July 1, 2018, Mrs. Guarriello returned to Southern Lehigh High School to serve as principal, after previously working as a Southern Lehigh assistant principal from 2014-17. “The great kids and great teachers [was what brought me back],” Mrs. Guarriello said. “I knew this place had great potential, and I wanted to see where that could take us. I wanted to come back and be a part of that.” Mrs. Guarriello has brought more than just experience; she has ideas. “When I was here as an assistant principal, I don’t think we saw a lot of change. I hope you’re seeing this year that we’re starting to change,” she said. “We’re more open to listening and more open to changes.” Over the past month, Mrs. Guarriello has begun implementing many new forums so that students, parents, and teachers can be heard. At the class meetings, she brought poster boards Mrs. Guarriello transfers from Saucon Valley to Southern Lehigh as the new principal. Photo credit: Saskia Van’t Hof and encouraged students to write down their ideas on how to make the school a better place. drinks and listen to music. drive to succeed similar to their mother’s. Her She also started student advisory meetings once When is comes to academics, Guarriello also oldest daughter has a full-time job at Rolls Royce, a month to hear students’ plans in more detail in wants to impose some change; she’s motivating engineering engines for NASA. Mrs. Guariello’s order to build a better SLHS. These meetings are teachers to challenge their students and encourother daughter is a professional violinist, who open to all students. ages students to go the extra mile. has played in the New York City Opera. Her “My biggest inspiration is you guys,” Mrs. “[I am most impacted by] the fact that I feel 22-year-old son is currently studying architecGuarriello said. “I really love working with stulike she cares about student input,” senior Ben ture and project management. She is very proud dents. I want to do what is right for kids and I Boyer said. “I think that [Mrs. Guarriello] wants of all of her children. want to create good memories...I want to make to see student ideas come to life; she wants [the Mrs. Guarriello also enjoys going to Penn this place a better place.” student body] to be more involved.” State football games with her family. However, Mrs. Guarriello’s main goal as principal is to Mrs. Guarriello is eager to start up new tradi- she can’t seem to remember just how many bridge the communication gap between students tions. Most recently, she encouraged student-led games she’s attended. and administrators. She also wants to foster tailgates before home football games. There, she “I’ve been to...dozens and dozens [of Penn more positivity between classmates. In only a helps serve snacks and plays homemade cornholl State University football games],” she said. “My few weeks, she has reinvented the Aevidum club games with the students. Another suggestion parents were Penn Staters, my brother, his wife, (formerly known as SPIRIT club) and organized that Mrs. Guarriello has taken into consideration my husband, my three kids, and my nieces… we student and faculty advisory committees. is decorated graduation caps and a senior class bleed blue and white in my family.” ”I’ve known Mrs. Guarriello for a number of video. Mrs. Guarriello says she looks forward to her years. My first impression was that she’s a strong “Personally, I think that Mrs. Guarriello has future as principal, and making the position her leader, [and] she is hardworking,” assistant prindone a great job with communicating with the own. In the coming years, she hopes to see Southcipal Mr. Thomas Ruhf said. “I don’t think anyone students to better our high school’s environment ern Lehigh grow to become a more inclusive and can outwork her. She just cares deeply about for the future,” senior Mary Felix said. “Ever since accepting environment. everything she does.” Mrs. Guarriello has come back, there is a hap“The overarching thing, and I always told Southern Lehigh High School has already pier and more comfortable environment in the my three children, is that I strongly believe we seen some big changes in the first month. Inspischool.” should leave the world better than we found it. rational quotes decorate the corridors, and rules Outside of school, Mrs. Guarriello loves to That’s what motivates me,” Mrs. Guarriello said. regarding beverages have been relaxed. There read and play with her three dogs. She has been “I want to one day look back on Southern Lehigh is even a “Coffee House” every morning in the married to her husband for 29 years, and is the knowing that I made a difference for even just cafeteria where students and faculty can order proud mother of three adult children, each with a one kid.”
Congrats to the Homecoming Court! Colette Curry
Quinn Schmidt
Bryn Hughes
Caleb Muñoz
Abby Daddona
Max Johnson
Sydney Stine
Jessie Grewal
Olivia Perez
Marc Ramson (from left to right) Byrn Hughes, Max Johnson, Abby Daddona, Jessie Grewal, Colette Curry, Quinn Schmidt, Sydney Stine, Caleb Muñoz, Olivia Perez, and Marc Ramson. Photo credit: Christmas City Studio Photo credit: Christmas City Studio
October 2018
Features Page 5
Southern Lehigh Scores New Athletic Director By Aisha Durrani
Southern Lehigh Spartans have been dominating in sports, and Mr. Marc Zimmerman may be a part of it. Mr. Zimmerman has recently been appointed as the new Athletic Director, and Southern Lehigh High School is excited to welcome him. “Mr. Zimmerman comes to Southern Lehigh with such a great, upbeat attitude that’s contagious, and it’s great to have him here,” athletic department secretary Mrs. Jody Hogman said. Mr. Zimmerman grew up in the Lehigh Valley area, and graduated from Emmaus High School. He graduated from Moravian College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education. He then received a master’s degree in educational leadership from Wilkes University. Before becoming the athletic director, Mr. Zimmerman was a teacher for over ten years and then became an administrator. He taught middle school social studies and fourth grade in the Bethlehem Area School District. He also coached football and track and field for 16 years at various high schools. This year, Mr. Zimmerman left his previous position to join the Southern Lehigh High School Athletic Administration. Mr. Zimmerman described patience, organization, and flexibility as some of the values he takes from his former teaching career to the field. “What I like about him is that he is a teacher first,” high school principal Mrs. Beth Guarriello said. “He has a very unique perspective of being an educator first, and a sports guy second.” Mr. Zimmerman’s has many ambitious missions and goals for the athletic program. He plans on instilling a leadership council for sports, in order to further unify the athletic program as a whole, and connect it to the community. He hopes it will also teach students important leadership values. “I want to see the SL athletic programs continue to grow and build off of the successful traditions they already have in place,” Mr. Zimmerman said. Mr. Zimmerman’s lists spending time with his family his most cherished activity, and what essentially centers his life. He also enjoys going to sporting events such as the Army-Navy football game and the 2018 Masters golf tournament, both of which he attended. He jokes about the irony of an athletic director going to games in their free time, adding jokingly, “I do really enjoy going to sporting events, and actually getting to watch them instead of running them.”
Mr. Zimmerman joins the athletic department. Photo credit: Aisha Durrani
After coaching and learning about so many different sports, Mr. Zimmerman was conflicted about naming a favorite sport. “In being in the jobs that I’ve been in as an athletic administrator, I’ve grown to respect a lot of other sports that I didn’t really know much about,” Mr. Zimmerman said. “Every sport has something a little bit different about it, and I’ve grown to respect the differences in a lot of the other sports.” Overall, Mr. Zimmerman’s unrelenting enthusiasm and ambition for this job will prove to be a valuable asset for the SL athletic program in the future. “I want to assist in providing a very rich experience for our student athletes, which, in my opinion, involves success on and off the field. In terms of mission, I want to help push our Athletic Programs to the next level, which means continuing to be very successful in leagues and District level, but hopefully to become competitive at the State level as well.”
New School Nurse Mrs. Wieder Brings Care and Expertise to the Students and Staff of SLHS By Saskia Van’t Hof
Mrs. Wieder looks forward to working with students. Photo credit: Saskia Van’t Hof
Whether someone has a cold, a nosebleed, or just really needs to take a nap during their lunch break, one thing students can count on is that they will always be taken care of in the nurse’s’ office. This year, Mrs. Lauren Wieder is joining the Southern Lehigh High School staff as a school nurse. “I think [Southern Lehigh] is awesome,” Mrs. Wieder said. “I think the staff and the students, everyone has been so welcoming and so nice and i’m so excited to be here”. Mrs. Wieder grew up nearby in Wilson, Pennsylvania. She went to Northampton Community College for her Associate’s degree and received her Bachelor’s degree at Ottoman University Hospital in Philadelphia. Mrs. Wieder then went to Kutztown University to become a certified school nurse. She recently received her Masters’ degree from Walden University. “I’ve always knew since I was a child that I wanted to be a nurse. It was always just the path I wanted to go on. The area of nursing [I wanted to
pursue] has changed many times since I have graduated,” she said. Before coming to Southern Lehigh, Mrs. Wieder spent nine years as an elementary school nurse for Easton School District. She worked at Forks Elementary School before transferring to Southern Lehigh. “I felt like since I’ve gotten my masters, I wanted to be able to talk with the kids and try and help you guys. So I decided I needed a change,” Mrs. Wieder said. “I wanted to help an older age group, which is why I came to this high school.” Besides the different age bracket, Mrs. Wieder also notes that the atmosphere is also very different between the two school districts. “I came from Easton, which is a very large school district,” she said. “With Southern Lehigh, it’s smaller, its closer knit school, and it seems like stuff works together really well.” At Southern Lehigh, much of Mrs. Wieder’s job entails processing paperwork and working directly with students. In the nurse’s’ office, she works with another school nurse, Ms. Barbara Bracalente. Together, they manage and assist with medical issues throughout the school. “She is very capable of doing the job, very confident, and super compassionate with the kids,” Ms. Barbara Bracalente said. “She knows how to be a nurse and she knows how to be in charge of the room. She’s doing a really good job.” Mrs. Wieder’s favorite part of the job is working with students. She oversees the health of hundreds of students in grades nine through twelve. “The nurses were really nice,” sophomore Joyce Sundo said. “When I came in they were really kind and helped me a lot.” Outside of school, Mrs. Wieder describes her life as one of a “taxi mom.” She has two children, a son who is a freshman in college and a daughter who is a sophomore in high school. Her daughter plays field hockey, so she spends many afternoons driving her daughter to and from practice. Overall, Mrs. Wieder is very excited to be working in a high school setting for the first time. She encourages students to visit anytime if they ever have a problem. “My door is always open,” Mrs. Wieder said. “One piece of advice I have for teens is to make smart decisions. Making healthy choices is really important.”
Page 6
Sports
The Spotlight
Boys Cross Country Crushes Competition
By Quinn Schmidt
A pack of Spartans sprint down the last stretch of the race during a meet. Photo Credit: Kurt Fillman
In 2014, Southern Lehigh boys cross country struggled to keep their head above the water, posting an average 12-12 record. A runner in the top ten was considered a miraculous feat. However, a minimum of five runners in the top ten has now become an expectation. The Spartans have established a death grip on opposing Colonial League teams, posting a 24-0 record so far this season. Since 2014 they have dominated the area with a combined record of 70-4. Their victory shelves have stayed decorated over the years as well. A 2016 Colonial League title, a 2016 District XI silver medal, and a 2017 Colonial League second place medal populate their trophy cases. This year, the perennial powerhouse has their eyes set on District XI gold. This year however, they lack a key component to their previous success: 2018 District XI champion Colin Cramer. Cramer graduated in June, leaving a void in the lineup. But sophomore captain Alec DiCesare is confident in their replacement. “We have a lot of new freshmen who have been working hard with the rest of the team to fill the gap,” DiCesare said. Their story of success stems from the depth they possess. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors have all placed at least one top-notch runner in the top ten over the course of the season. “Our depth defines us,” senior captain Alex Fillman said, “Just from one through four alone we have enough finishers to take us far. But we have even more depth from five to fifteen to make us even better.”
Standout freshman Alex Kane, accompanied by freshmen Dom Lisicky and Eddie Jeitner, have proved the class of ‘22 to be legitimate varsity contenders. Kane has finished first in multiple races this year with Lisicky and Jeitner slipping into the top ten consistently. Alec DiCesare and junior captain Liam Fitting have established themselves as top-ten runners. The senior class also has its fair share of representation at the top of the pack. Captains Alex Fillman and Marc Ramson routinely finish in the top five, giving the Spartans consistent runners in every grade. A prime example of this utter domination is seen in the Northwestern meet, where seven out of the top ten finishers were wearing Spartan blue. “We have so many people coming in at the same time,” DiCesare said. “We just overwhelm every other team.” Almost every team has its one legitimate contender: the runner who they rely on to lead the team. However, the Spartans are loaded with elite runners who pride themselves on competition within the team. The concept of leadership and competition is embodied by Ramson and Fillman who have been running together since freshman year. Last year, the captain duo was constantly battling in order to solidify themselves as the team’s top runners. This year, they have become the epitome of captainship. Overall, the Spartans are poised to make a deep run into the district playoffs with the depth and talent to compete with anyone in the Lehigh Valley.
The team poses with a trophy after winning a recent meet. Photo Credit: Kurt Fillman
NFL Team Loyalty: Which Team Do You Cheer for When It’s Not the SL Spartans?
By Griffin Schmoyer
With the 2018-19 NFL season kicking off only a few weeks ago, students and faculty around the school are already flaunting their team colors with pride. As a school in the Philadelphia area, one would think that Southern Lehigh would be dominated by the midnight green, white, and black of the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, but the school boasts a wide variety of fans from many different NFL teams. “The first football game I watched was [Green Bay] Packers vs [New York] Giants; Giants got blown out, so I became a Packers fan,” senior and Green Bay Packers fan Zak Limani said. For many fans, like junior Alex Lycette and math teacher Mr. Jonathan Piperato, family ties influence what teams you support. “I’ve been supporting the [New England] Patriots since I was a baby because my whole family is from Boston, and although everyone calls me a ‘bandwagon,’” Lycette said. “I’m not, I just like a good team.” “I’m a big [Pittsburgh] Steelers fan for the NFL, but besides that, I’m actually mostly Philly everything else, which I know is kind of confusing. I like the Phillies, I like the Flyers, I’ll watch them during the playoffs,” Mr. Piperato said. “My dad is a die hard Steelers fan, which is a big thing, and then also as a kid I played for the Bethlehem Steelers, so as a little kid I liked the Steelers. My mom likes the Eagles, unfortunately.” Around Southern Lehigh you can also find many fans supporting the division rivals to the local Eagles: the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins. “I grew up in more Central Pennsylvania, where I didn’t have a connection to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. I had a Redskins shirt since I was a little kid in elementary school, and my first year playing football, the Redskins won the Super
Bowl,” social studies teacher Mr. Lee Zeisloft said. “As I got older, I started to like Penn State more because they were a team I could watch every Saturday. I did not go there, but in my first year in college, [linebacker] LaVar Arrington, who I really liked, got drafted by the Redskins so I kind of pushed myself to be more of a Redskins fan.” As with all sports, fans of rival teams always have to deal with a little trash talk here and there, especially in what would be considered prominent Philadelphia Eagles territory. “That’s just part of the fun,” Mr. Zeisloft said. “Being a division rival adds to the competitiveness, too. Luckily for me the last couple of years, last year not included, the Redskins had more success the previous three years than the Eagles, so I had a little more bragging rights, but obviously last year was a tough pill to swallow.” It’s not all trash talk between detested opposition, however. Even the most heated rivals give credit where credit is due. “If you faced them in a game that night or something, the next day you’re probably gonna get trash talk if you win or lose, but other than that, I feel people from here can be very supportive of your team,” sophomore and New York Giants fan Eddie Krnican said. “Like they’ll say, ‘great game’ and only the real fans will know how that is because they know about football, and know if there was a good play from the opposite team they’re gonna say ‘oh, that was a good play call, that was a good play.’ That’s just a great sportsmanship thing when it comes to sports.” So no matter who you support, Southern Lehigh, show your team spirit with pride, and enjoy all the action around the NFL this 2018-19 season.
October 2018
Sports
Page 7
Spartan Football Surges After Slow Start By Marc Ramson
When it comes to rough starts, the Southern Lehigh football team seems to know how that plays out. Starting their season off 1-3 due to upsetting losses against Bangor and rival Saucon Valley, it would have been easy to form a more pessimistic outlook on how the rest of the season may go. After losing numerous seniors last year, including all-state defensive end Mike Sisselberger and all-league linebacker Luke Strauss, this year looked like a rebuilding year for the usually elite Spartans. “Playing on the field together, the chemistry is definitely a little weaker than last year,” senior and team captain Logan Edmond said. After the disappointing start, the team faced the toughest challenge yet: going up against undefeated Palisades. They feared the same outcome as the previous matchup against Bangor. Losing this game would eliminate any chance of moving forward beyond the Colonial League for this season, so changes had to be made. “Coming into the season, they had us in the first half; I’m not going to lie, I guess everyone had the jitters and everything, but we we’re more prepared for Palisades,” senior Trey Trevis said, “The game plan was pretty
spot on, we just executed, and that was really all we focused on the entire game and we ended up pulling through with the dub [win].” Actually, they were very prepared for Palisades. They beat the undefeated Colonial League champs handily, giving the Pirates their first regular season loss in over two years. After taking down Palisades with a 40-15 victory, the team was revitalized. The win lighted a spark, and the Spartan’s haven’t looked back since. They are currently on a five game win streak which they hope to ride into playoffs. This momentum change has increased their odds of making some noise beyond the Colonial League. If they win the rest of their regular season games, they are likely to qualify for the District XI playoffs, where they will play their third consecutive district championship game. Ultimately, the plan is to win the program’s first ever district gold medal and work their way into the state playoff bracket. These goals seemed far out of reach in the beginning of the season, but now their hard work is paying off with these huge wins starting to come through.
Congratulations to All of the Fall Sports Teams! Boys Cross Country
Boys Soccer
Field Hockey
Record: 24-0 Accolades: Colonial League champions
Record: 8-3-1
Record: 10-5-1 Accolades: Colonial League runner-ups
Football
Girls Cross Country
Record: 6-3
Record: 18-6
Golf
Tennis
Record: 13-1 Accolades: Colonial League runner-ups
Record: 14-2 Accolades: Colonial League runner-ups
Photo Credit in order of appearance: Marc Zimmerman, Christmas City Studios, Alex Fillman, Chloe Scozzafava.
Girls Soccer
Record: 8-2-2 Accolades: Colonial League champions
Volleyball
Record: 10-0 Accolades: Colonial League champions
Page 8
The Spotlight
Center Spread
Spot the Hidden Spartans Within these photos from the pep rally, Spartan heads are hidden. Can you find all 10 Spartan heads? They are spread out among all of the photos.
1.
Number of heads in this photo:
2.
Number of heads in this photo:
Photo Credits:Jonathan Lee
October 2018
Center Spread
Page 9
3.
Number of heads in this photo:
4.
Photo Credits:Jonathan Lee
Number of heads in this photo:
Finished? Check out our website, slspotlight.com, for the answers!
Page 10 Opinion
The Spotlight
Staff Editorial: Building Study Habits Sarah Jacobson
Griffin Schmoyer
I like to go to Starbucks and get a drink or snack when I study. This way, I look forward to studying because then I get some sort of reward out of it, and I also stay hydrated. Staying hydrated and making sure you’re eating is really important for brain function, especially during those hours long study sessions when many students forget to fuel up.
Take quality notes, and make time to study. Don’t try to cram the night before. Also, minimize distractions, and personally, I like to have music playing softly in the background so it’s not totally silent.
Saskia Van’t Hof
Bridgette Lang
I think the biggest thing is to take good notes. It’s much better in the long run to actually understand the material you’re studying instead of only memorizing it for the test. I also think time management is a key part of studying effectively. Always plan for schoolwork to take much longer, so that you’ll never feel overwhelmed with unfinished assignments right before deadlines.
Quinn Schmidt Use color! I use highlighters to light up key points and colorful sticky notes to mark up pages. When taking notes, I like to use colored pencils to make every bullet a different color. All of this keeps me engaged in what I’m reading instead of dull grey lead on a plain white page.
Last year, I read a study about how handwriting your notes helps you remember them better than typing. Researchers at Princeton and UCLA found that when students hand write their notes, they usually outperform their computer-using counterparts. When possible, take the time to use some good-old pen and paper. I can personally attest that writing longhand has helped me retain information better. and for a
Kennah Salvo When your teacher is giving a lecture or teaching a new concept, always take notes on they are saying. Recapping what you are doing in class will help you master the material. Think of it as just one more study session under your belt, only inside school hours. It also is a lot easier to parse out what you in particular need to focus on when studying from your own notes, as opposed toreading a textbook. It’s a good idea to rewrite your notes once you get home in a neater and/or more aesthetically pleasing way, as you are often rushed for timein class and may not be able to write the most legible notes. You are much more likely to remember something if it is neat and looks appealing.
Studying is about discovering how you learn. Photo credit: Flickr
Letter to the Editor: Kennedy’s Legacy Dear Editor,
Like many Americans who consistently pay attention to the news, I have recently found it strenuous - impossible, even - to turn on my television without hearing Brett Kavanaugh’s name mentioned within the first minute. The anchors have valid reasoning for this, as Justice Kavanaugh has just been appointed to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court, where he will likely spend decades interpreting the Constitution and adjudicating the role it should play in our lives. Through this commotion about “the new guy,” however, Americans have forgotten something crucial - we need to commend the three decades of service of Kavanaugh’s predecessor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Justice Kennedy has been a powerhouse on the Supreme Court since 1988, earning the title of the court’s “swing vote.” On the numerous occasions that liberal and conservative ideologies clashed on the bench, Kennedy’s opinion was often viewed as that of moderation and reason. Appointed by staunch Republican President Ronald Reagan, right-wingers initially thought of their party’s selection as a home run - Kennedy was relatively youthful, had admirable experience working with tax law, and seemed to hold the overall traditionalist outlook on the Constitution Republicans so desire. Republicans didn’t know in 1988, however, their selection held no allegiance to the ‘R’ parenthesized next to his name; he was willing to reach across the aisle for the welfare of the nation. Justice Kennedy would go on to make the deciding vote in countless cases, carving himself a legacy as one of the most influential jurists in American history. Whether he was reaffirming women’s reproductive freedom in Planned Parenthood vs. Casey (1992), ending the death penalty for convicted criminals sentenced as juveniles in Roper vs. Simmons (2005), protecting the second amendment rights of handgun owners in D.C. vs. Heller (2008), or guaranteeing the right of marriage to LGBTQ individuals in Obergefell vs. Hodges (2015), Kennedy demonstrated his ability to do what so many judges today seem unable to - work with both sides to achieve a common good. President John F. Kennedy once said, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.” Anthony Kennedy, by way of nonpartisanship, found this right answer, and with it, a place in our history books. For this, he deserves our utmost respect and applause as he continues his next stage in life. -Cameron Hines, Sophomore
October 2018
Opinion Page 11
Vaccines Essential to Protection From Disease By Sarah Jacobson
Vaccines have existed for a long time; the first vaccination method was developed in 1796 by Edward Jenner to prevent smallpox. And as long as vaccines have existed, so have people who distrust them. However, nowadays, we have thousands of studies to back up the effectiveness of vaccines, something Edward Jenner lacked when he was trying to convince people of his genius. Despite these studies, many people today are still skeptical of vaccines, but the question is why, and at what cost? “Vaccines were created to prevent illnesses and also to protect those that are medically not able to get vaccinated,” certified school nurse Ms. Lauren Wieder said. “So that’s why if the majority of people get vaccinated who are medically able to get vaccinated, then those that are sick or critically ill and can’t get vaccinated will be protected.” Despite the fact that vaccines have been around for over 200 years now, many people aren’t sure of how they work. According to Vaccines.gov, vaccines help the immune system fight infections effectively by sparking an immune response to help the body fight off the germ. When you come in contact with the illness, your body will remember the germ and attack it. One of the most appealing part of vaccines is that they don’t make you sick, so there’s no need to call out of school to get your measles vaccine. They are a low risk ways to help eradicate disease in America and abroad. This is why it’s required by all public American high schools, including our own, to get vaccinated, unless the student is able to provide a reasonable excuse. Another lesser known benefit of vaccines is that they don’t just help you; some people are too sick to receive vaccines, or have religious exemptions, so they benefit from a concept known as herd immunity. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), herd immunity is the idea that if the majority of people are vaccinated against a disease, then those who aren’t are protected because the chances of anyone getting the disease is low in the first place. If you look up anything online... you’ll see [the facts] about vaccines.” senior Sana Gold said. “If people saw facts and statistics maybe they would change their minds [about vaccines].” In order for a vaccine to be administered to the general public, it has to go through a series of rigorous testing done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vaccines.gov describes that process as being held to high safety standards. When a vaccine is tested, scientists are trying to answer three questions: is the vaccine safe, what dose works best, and how does the immune system react? The years-long approval process doesn’t stop
Ficticious studies make the difference between fact and fiction hard to decipher. Photo credit: Sarah Jacobson
when those three questions are answered. The company that produces the vaccine must then condense the ingredients list so that as few foreign substances are entering the body as possible. Only then will the vaccine be approved for public use, and even after a vaccine is introduced to the public, several government agencies, including the CDC and the FDA, must continue to monitor its safety. “So far, there has not been any significant documentation that does prove that vaccines are harmful,” Ms. Wieder said. Despite the purpose of these thoroughly researched components of public health, many people still have some concerns when it comes to vaccines. Mr. Andrew Wakefield came out with a study in 1998 claiming to find a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism, and despite the fact that this information was later proved false, the damage had already been done. Soon enough people began to speculate about the effects of vaccines, which lead to even more myths begin spread around. Other falsehoods that people now believe include preservatives in vaccines pose health risks and receiving multiple vaccines at once will cause health issues. Is there some truth to these statements? As far as vaccines causing autism, the World
Health Organization (WHO) reported that the initial research done on this topic was found to be fraudulent. WHO also reports that the preservatives in vaccines are entirely safe, and that receiving multiple vaccines at once is not an issue. “I’ve heard people saying [vaccines] causes autism or Asperger’s,” sophomore Ava Lang said. “I’ve heard those myths a lot.” The main reason people believe these disproven “facts” about vaccines is the internet. The internet provides a ton of resources, but not all of these resources provide factual information. Because of that, many people receive information about vaccines that aren’t true, and fail to check up on those facts. That’s why fact-checking is so important; no matter how accurate a website seems, you should always double-check information to ensure you aren’t being mislead. People who believe in these or other fabricated facts about vaccines aren’t bad people, they are just misinformed. Vaccines are important for public health, and without them, many dangerous diseases would still be widespread across the world. Access to vaccines is a privilege that we should not take for granted, and making sure that we educate ourselves through facts and fact checking is the first step to eradicating disease world wide.
Did you know? The Spotlight has an Instagram. Follow us at @slsdspotlight. The Spotlight is published six times annually by the student members of its staff. Its purpose is to present news concerning Southern Lehigh High 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. Advertising and subscription rates are furnished upon request.
Page 12
Our World
The Spotlight
Lehigh County ‘Cross’es the Line Between History and Religion By Bridgette Lang
The difference between the freedom of religion and the establishment of religion are relatively ambiguous in the U.S. Constitution. In government classes, students may have heard about Supreme Court cases involving the Ten Commandments posted on governmental property, and praying before a legislative session. Many of us already have opinions on these issues from the viewpoint of an outsider, but what about when the issue occurs in our own county? The Lehigh County flag and seal were created in 1944. The seal includes a cross surrounded by other symbols of the county, like cows, industrial buildings, and the liberty bell. Nonetheless, the cross is the largest and most noticeable image among its secular background. In 2016, the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit against Lehigh County in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Pennsylvania, professing that the cross on the Lehigh County seal and flag was an establishment of religion and a violation of the first amendment. Later, the organization filed for a Right-to-Know request, which gives citizens access to specific public records. Freedom From Religion was allowed to access to Lehigh County records and transcriptions of meetings that dealt with the establishment of the seal. In 2017, Judge Edward Smith ruled that the flag was unconstitutional due to precedent and his application of the Lemon test. Often cited as being outdated, the Lemon test was developed after a landmark case, Lemon v. Kurtzman. Judges use three sets of criterion in order to decide whether religious government speech is an encroachment on the First Amendment, or permissible: does that statute have a secular purpose, does the statute inhibit or aid religion, and does the statute promote government entanglement with religion? “I’m not sure when establishment clause cases started appearing in court,” social studies teacher Ms. Erin Laney said. “But when [we] were creating a county flag, the establishment clause would have had to cross your mind, given that the county is a government entity.” The case was recently brought back into light on Friday, September 7. Most recently, Lehigh County attorneys appealed to the 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to keep the county seal and flag. One of the biggest questions in the appeal was: “Do Plaintiffs have standing to sue when the only injury they have alleged is a sense of personal affront upon seeing an image of a cross on the County’s seal and flag?”
The cross on the flag is surrounded by secular images. Photo credit: Lehigh Valley Live
“[The Lehigh county flag and seal are] like our pledge of allegiance,” sophomore Courtney Bridges said. “It’s like Christmas; we have Christmas trees in public areas, because it’s so separated from what it originally meant. Christmas means the holidays now, not just Christianity. [The situation can be compared with] when Pennsylvania was founded by religious people.” Lehigh County’s attorney, Eric Baxter, cites the fact that many Christian religious minorities, such as Moravians, Lutherans, and the Dutch, were the first settlers of the Lehigh Valley. Fleeing religious persecution from their homeland, they found safety in the the new world. “I think the intent of the seal, when it was created in 1944, was to represent the history of the region,” social studies teacher Mr. Thomas Beaupre said. “In 1944, the idea was that Christianity was a big part of this region’s history and culture. They were thinking, ‘Why wouldn’t we out the cross on
“I think the intent of the seal, when it was created in 1944, was to represent the history of the region. In 1944, the idea was that Christianity was a big part of this region’s history and culture. They were thinking, ‘Why wouldn’t we out the cross on the seal?’ It was a representation of what the community was about.” - Mr. Thomas Beaupre
the seal?’ It was a representation of what the community was about.” On the other hand, the plaintiff Marcus Schneider asked the panel of judges to consider the context of the flag and the perception of the viewers. Does everyone living in the Lehigh County know about our founding? “While at the point in history, whenever the flag was made, it would make sense to have a religious figure on the flag,” senior Josiah Johnson said. “Currently, religion is no longer on the forefront of society, and it does not dictate what [all Lehigh County residents] do.” Additionally, Schneider brought up documents that clarified the purpose of the cross on the flag. A Lehigh County Historical Society record included dialogue from the 1946 Commissioner Harry D. Hertzog, saying that the cross represents “Christianity and the God-fearing people which are the foundation and backbone of (Lehigh) County.” This clarified to the judge that the flag does not have a clear, secular purpose, thus failing one section of the Lemon test. The Lehigh County’s religious makeup and views on religion have changed dramatically since the flag was made. According to a 2010 study from the Association of Religion Data Archives, 48.2 percent of the Lehigh Valley population are non-adherents to many sects of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Even out of the Christian majority, there are many religious individuals who do not believe religious symbols have a place in our government. Americans United, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Anti-Defamation League filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of 20 nonprofit organizations, including Christian groups. A friend-of-the-court brief allows outside third parties to offer information and professional opinions that might have bearing on the case. The appellate case in Philadelphia will not have a decision until later this year, but we can expects changes or consistency based on the judges’ application of the Lemon test. Depending on the outcome, you may see a new flag flying above our courthouse in the near future.
How to Be Culturally Sensitive for Halloween by Bridgette Lang
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, cultural appropriate is, “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture.”
Why does it matter? By being culturally sensitive, you can avoid offending people in marginalized groups and avoid creating misconceptions surrounding a specific culture.
What costumes should I avoid? - Geisha - Black face - Native American - Sugar skull - Gypsy
Our World Page 13
October 2018
Michelle Obama Inspires FSU Members By Bridgette Lang and Kennah Salvo
“Change is not a direct smooth path, there’s going to be bumps and resistance,” former first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama said. On October 11, 2018, members of Southern Lehigh’s Feminist Student Union embarked on a journey to New York City for the experience of a lifetime. Along with three of the Spotlight editors, seniors Hannah Grim, Erin Noneman, Sana Gold, and sophomore Ava Lang saw former First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama speak on NBC’s TODAY show for the International Day of the Girl. In 2011, the United Nations created the International Day of the Girl Child to unite activist groups in order to “help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.” “For me, [International Day of the Girl is] recognizing that women are powerful and that girls all around the world should have opportunity,” senior Hannah Grim said. “All girls should the same access to education as their male counterparts.” Prior to the event, Girl Up, an international organization sponsored through the United Nations, received a special invitation from the former First Lady herself to hear her announcement live. Feminist Student Union members immediately pounced at the opportunity to attend with Girl Up and be a part of a nationally broadcasted event. Preparation and planning began at Spartan
period meetings. Our club made #girlhero signs in support of Girl Up’s most recent campaign. Less serious sign ideas also made the cut, like, “What’s your favorite fall vegetable?” and “We love sweet potatoes.” We arrived at the Rockefeller Plaza to congregate with other Girl Up members and recieve Girl Up t-shirts. After waiting in line for around two hours, we entered the much-anticipated event to watch Mrs. Michelle Obama, along with Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Meghan Trainor, Zendaya, and Karlie Kloss, hit the stage. “I loved breathing the same air as Michelle Obama!” sophomore Ava Lang said. “It tasted fresher and more organic.” Throughout a series of interviews dispersed with music, Mrs. Obama spoke about diffusing partisanship for a common cause. Her inspiration behind her campaign was creating an environment she would want her two daughters to live in. “Fear is not a proper motivator,” Mrs. Michelle Obama said. “Hope wins out.” She has only exemplified her own ideas about crossing the bridge. In her interview with Jenna Bush Hager, Obama referred to former President George W. Bush as her “partner in crime.” “I learned that it is important to get out there in the world every once in a while, and meet some other folks and talk to them about your common goals and interest,” senior Sana Gold said. “You can
accomplish more as a team.” Later on in the interview, Mrs. Michelle Obama revealed the launch of her Global Girls’ Alliance campaign through the Obama Foundation. Both national and international organizations, like Girl Up, will benefit from the new funding and resources. Obama remains positive and hopeful for the future of women across the world. “When you educate a girl you educate a family, a community, a hundred,” Mrs. Michelle Obama said. Several talented performers such as Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, and Jennifer Hudson sang after Mrs. Obama’s interview. Zendaya and Karlie Kloss also was in attendance to show her support of the day. Each of the celebrities were there in support of Mrs. Obama and her mission to educate young women around the world. The knowledge and sense of unity we experienced during the event proves to be inspiration for creating a more accepting environment in Southern Lehigh. Feminist Student Union hopes to utilize the stances that Mrs. Michelle Obama took in their education and fundraising campaigns. “I think something that I learned that I could bring back to Southern Lehigh is putting aside political and social differences,” senior Erin Noneman said. “We need to recognize that we are all a part of the problem, when we should we a part of the solution.”
International Day of the Girl
All of the performances and interviews took place on one stage. Photo credit: Sarah Jacobson
From left to right: Bridgette Lang, Ava Lang, Kennah Salvo, Sarah Jacobson, Erin Noneman, Sana Gold, Hannah Grim. Photo credit: Heather Jacobson
FSU Members recieved passes to enter the event. Photo credit: Sarah Jacobson
Michelle Obama poses with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. Photo credit: Sarah Jacobson
Page 14 Arts and Entertainment
The Spotlight
‘Try Guys’ Search for YouTube Stardom By Sarah Jacobson
The “Try Guys” consist of four close friends; (from left to right) Keith Habersberger, Ned Fulmer, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang. Photo Credit “The Try Guys”.
In 2014, a group called “The Try Guys” debuted on production company Buzzfeed’s YouTube channel. In the video, the four friends bared it all by trying on women's underwear, and in the process, started a cult following. Since that first video, Eugene Lee Yang, Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, and Zach Kornfeld have gone on to become some of the most popular YouTubers. However, on June 16, 2018, the Try Guys decided to leave Buzzfeed, starting their own production company, and created their own quirky channel with the original video series’ same premise: to try it all. Their new channel, simply entitled “The Try Guys,” features new content as well as playlists of their old videos from their time at Buzzfeed. In one of their newer videos, the foursome explain that leaving Buzzfeed was a matter of creative freedom. Currently, they have accrued over 17 million subscribers on YouTube, making them a successful group of creators. Despite this success, the “Try Guys” still have a long way to go before they can reach their full potential. Their content, although well thought out, does not live up to videos they have produced in prior years. Leaving a large production company like Buzzfeed is a big risk, mostly because now they have none of the same funding and resources they had previously. In some videos, this is more obvious than others. For example, their series entitled “Parenthood” helped them start out strong; it showed them trying a variety of aspects of parenthood as well as getting creative wherever possible. Yet, as they began releasing more content, it became apparent that they were lacking some assets they used to have.
This lack of resources results in videos that feel like filler episodes, meaning videos that feel like they threw them together hastily so that they could release content on the promised deadlines of Saturday and Wednesday every week. The “Bark-schler” series of videos very much feels this way, as it is mostly Keith scrolling through Twitter and rating people’s dogs, and not really trying much of anything. Between these filler episodes, viewers are able to catch a glimpse of the “Try Guys” full capabilities; a video released on September 1, 2018, entitled “The Try Guys Get Kidnapped” was satisfying in that it showcased their acting, editing, and “trying” abilities all in one entertaining video. These periodic masterpieces let viewers know that the “Try Guys” are attempting to get their content up to the quality it once was at, but these things take time. I am still a fan of their videos because of their creativity and humor, and they certainly are a group that has maintained a high level of success because of their talents. However, it is apparent that they are going through a transition period with their content, and this can make their videos a lower quality then they could be. Over time, I expect that their videos will improve. Their old videos are certainly entertaining, and the talent they showcase there proves that they have much to offer. If you are looking for a way to pass the time, then watching of few of the “Try Guys” newer videos will definitely satisfy your boredom, but at times they will fail to satiate the creative hunger that many of us have.
Southern Lehigh Theatre Presents ‘Songs for a New World’: a Unique Fall Production By Quinn Schmidt
Choosing a fall and spring production seems like an easy decision. Just pick to of your favorite productions, right? Well for director Mr. Matthew Wehr, it is a far more grueling process. Many things factor into the choice. For this fall, he decided on “Songs For A New World,” a musical that is sure to delight Southern Lehigh theatregoers with the unique characteristics surrounding the production. “I could have done a [non-musical] fall play, but there’s a lot of factors that go into picking anything. You have to think about who is currently involved in the program, you have to think about what you’ve done before,” Mr. Wehr said. “In picking Les Misérables for the spring show, I wanted something that would get us towards that sort of style.” The initial difference between “Songs For A New World” and a typical fall play is the type of production. As opposed to the traditional play full of acting and no music, this show is considered a musical,
The musical will run from November 1st to November 3rd. Photo Credit: Southern Lehigh Theatre.
meaning the characters will replace regular dialogue with lyrics to a song. In a sense, this could make the producion more difficult to produce. In a show where many underclassmen are performing, a musical is similiar to being thrown directly into the fire. The structure of the show also contributes to the unique feel. In a sense, each scene is a song, and each song is a story. These individual scenes don’t necessarily intertwine with each other like they did in last years fall play, “Almost Maine”. The only similarities in each scene will be the characters, where leads in one song will become members of the ensemble in other scenes. “Songs For A New World” is sure to delight audiences with the peculiar format; however, the cast boasts a talented mixture of experienced seniors and fresh underclassmen. Whatever the final product turns out to be, the Southern Lehigh theatre program will produce a enjoyable fall production.
October 2018
Arts and Entertainment
Page 15
Spooky Movies You Need To Watch This Fall By Quinn Schmidt
This classic horror flick is home to the spooky ‘Here’s Johnny!’ scene that every Halloween fan knows well. Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
“Halloween” introduces us to our favorite spooky villian Michael Myers. This is a must watch if you plan to watch the new “Halloween” coming out soon. Photo Credit: MiraMax.
A history of murder doesn’t stop these naive campers from setting up shop in the midldle of the spooky woods. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures.
Although controversial, this animated movie gives off enough of a spooky vibe to earn a place on the top Halloween flicks of all time. Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures.
When there’s nothing on TV and you’re feeling a little spooky, who you going to call? Ghost Busters! Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.
I think every kid who saw this movie secretly wished their grandma was a witch who lived in a world full of spooky creatures. Photo Credit: The Walt Disney Company.
Based loosely on actual events, this satanic film was one of the most profitable spooky movies ever made. Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
A more comedic option for those of us who are a little more afraid of the dark than others. A great spooky movie for the whole family. Photo Credit: The Geffen Film Company.
Of course we saved the best for last! A summary here is not needed, if you haven’t seen this iconic Halloween show and felt the utter devestation when Charlie Brown finds rocks in his trick-or-treat bag, then shame on you. Photo Credit: Melendez Films.
Page 16 Odds and Ends
The Spotlight
October 2018
Students Peruse Peru on Trip to Explore the Countries Culture
Photo Credit: Bridgette Lang and Mr. Robert Gaugler