The Spoke February 2019 by The Spoke

LOVE IN THE CLASSROOM

xpanding the horiz ns

Teacher couples share their stories

School Board votes to pursue addition

See page 4

See page 3

the Conestoga High School, Berwyn PA

Volume 69 No. 4

February 12, 2019

Spoke.news

AASU works on Black History Month video series Richard Li & Sophia Pan Staff Reporters

Claire Guo/The SPOKE

(Virtual) Pet therapy: Freshmen Michael Dobson and Aidan Curvan test out two Google Cardboards in the lobby. For her AP Research project, senior Jordan Zelikoff asked students to watch a virtual reality video of Golden Retriever puppies before answering a few SAT questions. She hopes to see how the virtual reality experience affects testing anxiety.

Looking Forward Claire Guo

Opinion Editor

In Beaumont Elementary teacher Dominic Parrotta’s second-grade class, students are visiting the Great Wall of China, the Statue of Liberty and even the moon. Virtually visiting, that is. Over the past few years, the school district has started incorporating Google Expeditions, a virtual reality (VR) program, into the classroom. Now, teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels use it to take their students on “expeditions” to the Great Barrier Reef, Jupiter or anywhere else the Google Expeditions library has to offer. Fourth grade teacher Phil Munger has used Google Expeditions to teach his students about different ecosystems, taking them to deserts and tundras around the world, as well as

the Revolutionary War, taking them on the ride of Paul Revere. Munger said virtual reality has changed the classroom by making it “disappear.” “We’re pretty good at using tech here in T/E, but I think this is a whole kind of other level,” Munger said. “The immersion is so incredible that the kids get taken out of the classroom to other places. Like (the classroom is) no longer around. You’re somewhere else.” Google first launched Google Expeditions in May 2015 as an immersive tool for educators and has since expanded it to include over 900 “trips,” or Expeditions. A typical $10,000 kit at Best Buy includes 30 VR viewers, 30 student devices to place inside those viewers, a teacher device, a router and a charging cart. To use the VR viewer, one places it over one’s eyes and looks at the device on the other side, like wearing glasses with opaque, dynamic screens on the lenses.

At Conestoga, the new Google Expeditions program is being used in the recently developed astronomy course, which was

District incorporates virtual reality into curriculum “Most of the (astronomy) stuff ’s at night, and we don’t meet at night, so it would have been a way to kind of give us the

Claire Guo/The SPOKE

Out of this world: Two pairs of virtual reality viewers are ready to be used in an Astronomy class. Through the Google Expeditions program, students virtually visit places like the International Space Station and the moon. first offered last school year. Astronomy teacher Michael Kane helped develop the course.

nighttime experience during the day,” Kane said. For junior Spencer Milanek,

it definitely did. He recalled seeing the moon “right in front of you” when he took the very first semester of Astronomy offered last year. “You could see different aspects of the moon, like the seas and the craters,” Milanek said. “Instead of seeing it thousands of miles away, you can see it up close and personal, and you couldn’t get that just looking up at the night sky.” Kane has brought students on trips to the moon, the planets and the International Space Station. Recently, Kane asked students to make their own VR guided tours with the help of Google Expeditions’ Tour Creator, released in May 2018. Students chose archaeological sites with astronomical significance, like Stonehenge in England or Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and used 360° images to make their own guided tours. Continued on page 3

AASU students are helping to produce a video series entitled “28 Days and Beyond” for Black History Month. The series, created by Villanova University fine arts professor and filmmaker Hezekiah Lewis, documents African-American individuals who have had a profound impact on the community. He said that “28 Days and Beyond” is his way of giving back to Black History Month and the community. “‘28 Days and Beyond’ talks about our history, our heritage, our culture and the black perspective. It highlights local heroes in and around the community and gives them an opportunity to talk about what they are passionate about,” Hezekiah Lewis said. “It creates positive conversations that are very universal—people can see and find ways to have conversations with their families even if they’re not black.” Each day in February, the show features an interview with a member of the community. This year, three of these individuals are from the Tredyffrin-Easttown area. Ekiah Productions, Hezekiah Lewis’ company, then posts these interviews to its YouTube and Vimeo channels. According to his wife, guidance counselor and AASU faculty adviser Leashia Lewis, the series provides a “cyclical picture of our community” by giving perspective from a teacher, student and alumnus. When people think of Black History month, they tend to focus on big figures like Barack Obama and Rosa Parks who are “not really reachable,” Leashia Lewis said. “The idea of ‘28 Days and Beyond’ is to highlight some of our local heroes that are doing amazing things in our more immediate community.” Conestoga special education teacher Carol Gibson, junior Ari-

ana Robinson and alumnus Kevin Stroman were the three interviewed for the series from the Tredyffrin-Easttown school district. “I talked about being one of the first African-American teachers to be hired in several years,” Gibson said. “I wanted to be able to empower some of the African-American students and encourage them to take advantage of resources. The other part of it was being present or visible for white students who hadn’t seen an African-American in a professional position in several years.” Robinson focused on her experiences growing up in the Tredyffrin-Easttown community. “We talked about what it’s like to be African-American in a predominantly white school and the struggles I’ve faced throughout elementary school, middle school and high school,” Robinson said. According to Leashia Lewis, a part of the significance of “28 Days and Beyond” is that it contrasts the negative stereotypes and rhetoric perpetuated by the media that surround the black community. “This is a predominantly white district and I don’t think people know about the African-American community,” Leashia Lewis said. “I don’t know if they know a whole lot of positive things about the African-American community. I don’t know if the African-American community knows a lot of positive things about its own internal community, and so the idea is that we show that this is a vibrant community right here in T/E with working professionals and local heroes.” Leashia Lewis hopes that this year’s project is just the beginning of the influence of “28 Days and Beyond” on the Tredyffrin-Easttown community. Next year, the AASU plans on expanding its involvement or initiating its own program similar to “28 Days and Beyond”.

Courtsey Ekiah Productions

On set: Kharisma Mcllwaine and Amari Johnson host the season five episode two edition of the “28 Days and Beyond.” The video series, produced by Ekiah Productions, releases one new video every day in February.

Program of Studies debuts new courses Reese Wang

Staff Reporter

Olivia Thompson/The SPOKE

New choices: Sophomore Paige Kleppe looks through her 2019-2020 Program of Studies. This year, three new courses have been introduced: Forensic Science, Positive Psychology and Nutrition and Foods.

When students flipped through their new Program of Studies books on Jan. 29, they found three new courses: Forensic Science, Positive Psychology and Nutrition and Foods. Forensic Science, a semester-long science elective that meets six days a cycle, combines elements from biology, chemistry and physics. Students will learn topics including fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling and blood splatter analysis through labs. “It’s going to be a laboratory-based course. Students are actually going to be not sitting in their seats the entire time,” said Dr. Scott Best, who serves as the science department chair. “They’re going to actually be doing forensics and learning how to do chromatography or learning how to analyze bug development (entomology).” Forensic Science joins other popular science electives added in recent years, including Astronomy, Microbiology and Genetics. According to Assis-

tant Principal Anthony DiLella, the administration added these science electives due to growing student body interest. The growing amount of science electives allow students to take two semester science electives per year, or “combo courses,” in place of a full-year science course. “Students will be able to take combo courses in science like they do in social studies now,” DiLella explained. “Now they can take Genetics and Forensics or Astronomy and Forensics.” Meanwhile, many universities offer a course on positive psychology, a branch of psychology that studies the strengths that allow individuals and communities to thrive. The Yale University course Psychology and the Good Life has over 1,000 students per semester enrolled. Inspired by the success of positive psychology at the collegiate level, Zimmerman created the course. “I sort of thought if so many college students are taking it and finding it useful and interesting, maybe it could be useful and interesting for high school students,” Zimmerman explained. Positive Psychology is a se-

mester-long course that meets six days a cycle for juniors and seniors. The course is part research and part experimental. Students will find what techniques research said makes people happy and will experiment with applying the techniques in their lives. “Much of the assignments would be exercises. You would do things. So we study, what are the things that make people happy? What behaviors? Let’s try this and see if it makes me any happier,” Zimmerman said. Although other social studies courses such as Psychology touch upon happiness, Positive Psychology offers a more indepth look. “I think that when I grew up, things were easier to be a kid,” Zimmerman said. “This course will help students understand how to cope better with some of the challenges that come up. I think it’s the kind of information that would be useful for a lifetime.” One course that students won’t find in the Program of Studies this year is Sports Nutrition, which has been replaced by Nutrition and Foods.

“When we talked to the students, we felt that there was a need from students to have a course in family consumer sciences to talk about various things, like different dieting fads, being gluten free, what is celiac disease and that sort of thing,” DiLella said. Nutrition and Foods is a semester-long course that meets three days a cycle and is open to all grades. It will explore how to create one’s own healthy lifestyle. “The goal of the course is to have a balanced diet for your individual needs,” family consumer science teacher Michele McMonagle said. Although the Program of Studies does not contain any drastic changes, DiLella believes the changes will benefit students’ futures. “I think (the Program of Studies has) some positive changes that really reflect what’s happening here at Conestoga and really reflects what’s going on outside of Conestoga. So when students go through these courses they have a good foundation for going to college, into the workplace, or wherever they choose,” DiLella said

News

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Literary magazine wins national award

A BRIEF LOOK The latest developments in T/E news.

Audrey Kim

pa launches safe2say something

Copy Editor

Freezing temperatures weren’t the only thing happening in January at Conestoga. The literary magazine The Folio received a Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) First Class award from the National Council of Teachers in English (NCTE), a program which publicly recognizes literary magazines across the country. Only 28 out of 358 literary magazines who applied received the recognition, which is the highest achievement level possible for the program. Based on factors such as quality of writing, overall theme, layout, and design, this is the second time The Folio received the award in three years. Throughout the year, students submit their work to the Folio which can include art, poetry and short stories. The staff then chooses which works to publish in the magazine as well as its design. Senior Ally Ross, who serves as co-literary editor at the magazine, said that it was rewarding to see their hard work pay off. “I was so excited for us to receive the award,” Ross said. “We put a lot of thought on what works go in (the issue), to make sure everything works thematically and flows well as an entire piece.” Ben Smith, the faculty adviser for The Folio, said it was meaning-

On Jan. 14 Pennsylvania launched a statewide anonymous reporting system called “Safe2Say Something” that will allow students and adults to submit anonymous tips related to individuals who may be at risk of hurting themselves or others. sci-oly finishes top five at battle of valley forge

On Jan. 12 Conestoga hosted over 60 schools at the annual Battle at Valley Forge Science Olympiad Tournament, where they placed 5th overall. elementary schools give back for mlk day

Students at New Eagle, Beaumont and Valley Forge elementary schools participated in fundraising events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service including hosting a sock drive and bagging lunches for a local shelter. easttown library achieves recognition

On Jan. 10, non-profit support organization Peter’s Place held a conversation about grief at Conestoga, open to all parents. school board adopts new budget

On Jan. 28, the TESD School Board voted 7-1 to adopt the 2019-2020 preliminary budget, which includes an imbalance of $11 million. clubs host first earth-aid

A group of clubs that raises awareness to help the environment hosted Earth-Aid on Feb. 1. Students raised money to purchase brighter recycling bins for Conestoga and support environmental foundations. stoga theater to perform ‘pippin’

’Stoga Theater will perform this year’s annual musical, “Pippin” from Feb. 27 through March 2.

Read more at

NEWS

Staff Reporter

The School Board approved a $30 million bond issue to fund its Capital Program on Jan. 2. The board voted 8-1 in favor of the issue, which will be paid by 2040, costing $53 million, including interest. “The Capital Program is the plan that we have in terms of spending money on our current facilities, essentially maintaining and perhaps even enhancing some of our facilities,” board director Todd Kantorczyk said. The Capital Program, an infrastructure plan taking care of deferred maintenance, sustains and improves existing structures and buildings, like keeping the heat on in facilities or replacing security cameras. The bond issue provides the Capital Program with the money it needs for coming years to keep school facilities up and running properly. “The capital fund is currently slated to practically run out of money by the end of this year’s projects. I think the balance at the end of the projects that are planning to be completed over the summer is going to be somewhere around

Spider-man: into the Spider-Verse review

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collected by the district, which currently has four outstanding bond issues and a level of debt service payment that it pays every year. “If you start to look at a graph of what our debt service payment is over time, you try to maintain that at a constant level. There’s a bunch that’s

district and so therefore, hopefully positively affects the community,” Kantorczyk said. Tax increases, a separate entity from the bond issue, relate to the Act 1 index, a figure set annually by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The index, 2.4% this year, relies on labor costs throughout the Commonwealth and across the country. The district can increase taxes up to the Act 1 index without going to the public for referendum. Other factors contributing to tax hikes include special exceptions the school district can apply for. Higher contributions to the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement program and rising special education costs count as exceptions that allow the board to raise taxes higher than the Act 1 index without consulting the public. An alternative to taking out the bond would have included paying cash saved in the reserves, however the School Board opted for the bond instead. “The board thought that this (issuing the bond) was the best practice for sustainability for the district’s capital fund going forward,” Kantorczyk said. “I believe it was necessary and in the best interest of the district.”

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The Capital Program is the plan that we have in terms of spending money on our currect facilities

Todd Kantorczyk School Board Director

coming off the books as of February so there’s a gap there that can be filled with another borrowing,” Kantorczyk said. This minimizes any noticeable impacts on the community, meaning tax hikes or spending cuts in coming years don’t relate to the bond issue. “I really don’t think that there’s an impact on the community per se, other than it’s something that we believe is in the best interest of the school

New bond issue for $30 million in 2019 7

Estimated Debt Service (in millions of dollars)

T/E LIFE

$179,000,” Kantorczyk said. In order for school facilities to work properly, money needs to be available for the district to allocate to certain maintenance or improvement projects. According to Kantorczyk, as a matter of practice, the School Board doesn’t like to talk about spending money until it has that money in the capital account. This bond issue puts money into the account and allows the School Board to preserve current facilities as well as consider improvements. While the money is intended to go entirely into the Capital Program, it gives the school district more flexibility, especially regarding future projects like the Conestoga expansion project. According to Kantorczyk, details surrounding the renovation project still need to be developed, but if the time of the project arrives and the school district wishes to use some of the bond money for renovations, it is possible to reorganize some funds from this bond and use them towards expansion. Structurally, the amount of debt service taken on by this issue fits in the budget. The annual expense would ideally be paid off through tax revenues

Sophia Pan

Ceramics students display art

Philadephia Auto Show

ful to receive the award from an audience of fellow peers. “The publication runs a little under the radar because we make only one or two issues a year, and (that’s) pretty expensive,” Smith said. “It was great to have that validation and feedback from people who care and work on literary magazines.” Smith also attributed the award to the work of the staff, who created the longest issue ever for the magazine at 120 pages last year. The editors “were especially organized and hardworking last year,” Smith said. “Our art editors

were mindful about how you make a page look, how the color and layout and integration of visual elements with the content can make the pages more interesting.” Senior and staff member Lindsey Colantuno hopes that the REALM award will allow The Folio to broaden their reach within the local community. “It would be really cool if we were published on a larger scale, possibly being sold to more than just our school and the student’s within it,” Colantuno said. “To be a part of something big like that would be really cool.”

School Board approves $30 million loan for Capital Program

peter’s place visits ’stoga

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The annual Library Journal index ranked the Easttown Library 9th of all Pennsylvania Libraries and 293rd nationwide.

Audrey Kim/The SPOKE

Writing to success: Literary magazine adviser Ben Smith holds up the certificate awarding The Folio with a REALM First Class designation. This is the second time in three years that The Folio has received the award, according to Smith.

Audrey Kim/The SPOKE

Turning the page: Issues and T-shirts of The Folio are displayed on the wall of literary magazine adviser Ben Smith’s room. Last year’s issue was the longest at approximately120 pages.

Alex Gurski/The SPOKE

Serving the community: Senior Ann Drennan stands with her Good Citizens Award. Drennan was awarded by the Great Valley chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Dec. 12.

Senior earns DAR award Alex Gurski

Staff Reporter

Senior Ann Drennan received the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizens Award after being nominated in December by counselor Katherine Barthelmeh and vice principal Dr. Patrick Boyle. Seven young women in the area, including Drennan, received the Good Citizens Award from the Great Valley chapter of the DAR, which recognizes young women in their senior year of high school for demonstrating patriotism, service, leadership and dependability in their schools and communities. Drennan, who serves as president of the Conestoga New Voters Club, worked with the rest of the club to help eligible Conestoga seniors register to vote, as well as inspire them to use their voice at the polls for the 2018 midterm elections. The club visited homerooms to ensure that students understood how valuable their opinions are in the government today, and share how they can influence the outcome of an election. The club also sent text messages hoping to spread the word out about registering to vote prior to the primary elections. “The idea behind New Voters

is that students need to have the power to get the kinds of policies that they want and need, and the best way to do that is to get everyone to vote,” said New Voters club adviser Debra Ciamacca. After being nominated, Drennan had two hours to complete an essay, whose prompt was “What is one challenge that the United States faces in the upcoming years, and how can (the country) prepare for that?” She then had to read the essay aloud at the Good Citizens Award ceremony on Dec. 12. “I talked about how the United States faces the challenges of technology and how this past presidential election where a foreign country was accused of meddling in our election via social media, and how we’re going to have to adapt to that, because social media and technology is constantly evolving,” Drennan said. Great Valley Chapter regent Alicia Peterson believes through awards like these, students in the area are encouraged to work further to help the community. “I think we can all expect that these young leaders will make important contributions to the future of our proud nation, and we are honored to be able to recognize them with the Good Citizens Award,” Peterson said in a press release.

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Chess team checkmates Harriton Maddie Lamonica/The SPOKE

10% OFF w/ C on Stud estoga ent I D

News

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

District incorporates virtual reality into curriculum continued from page 1 As part of their space travel unit, Beaumont Elementary students also went to the moon, the planets and the International Space Station. In other units, Parrotta, Munger and other teachers are exploring how available Expeditions can supplement the diverse topics covered in the elementary school curriculum. While studying ancient China, students toured the Great Wall; while studying immigration, they visited Ellis Island. Next year, while studying prehistory, students will visit museums to see fossils and dinosaur skeletons. Parrotta believes virtual reality allows the students to learn material and concepts “in a way that print and 2D media can’t.” “I can read to them about the Statue of Liberty and how big it is, but when you’re looking at a book that’s this big, you can’t really get the scope of it,” Parrotta said. “But when they are standing at the base of it, and they have to really tilt their head back, they start to get an idea.” As advanced as virtual reality technology may seem to students at the high school— Milanek remembers SMART Boards and typing programs as the most modern features of his second grade class—Parrotta said his second graders “knew exactly what it was as soon as it came in.”

technology like this?” Munger said. “It may be more appealing to stay in a virtual world than a real one, and you may end up spending far more time ‘plugged in’ than you would otherwise.” Munger said that he hopes by cultivating such critical thinking now, students will use virtual reality more thoughtfully in the future. “They might just be wanting to play with the VR in the end, but maybe down the road, as they’re using it again, they’ll end up being a little more respectful of it. It’s not just a fun thing, a game, but it’s something to respect. It’s a new technology that could really change a lot in the world,” Munger said. As the technology improves, Parrotta expects the middle school and high school VR curricula to evolve and build on VR curricula at the elementary schools. He believes that virtual reality’s incorporation into the classroom will help students as the technology becomes more prevalent. “I’m really pleased that we went this way and that the school district sees the benefit in things like this,” Parrotta said. “It helps propel our kids into the jobs that will be available to them in some way, shape, or form. By them having the foundation now and here, I feel like it’s giving them the opportunity to go further with it later.”

Courtesy Joanne Reuschel

A new experience: At Beaumont Elementary, second grade teacher Dominic Parrotta guides his students through a lesson using virtual reality. As of this year, Beaumont has a permanent cart of VR viewers. The viewers are used to go on virtual trips to places like the Great Barrier Reef, Ellis Island and the moon. “They see (virtual reality) in TV or in commercials. They see it in magazines,” Parrotta said. “In our classrooms, we

have Dash and Dot robots, we have a Blue-Bot, we have Ozobots, we have the laptops, we have the iPads, we do coding.

I don’t think they’re surprised. They think it’s just what they assume is part of their learning environment.”

Munger encourages his students to be mindful of the negative possibilities that come with new technology.

“I do try to introduce them to think about where this could go. What are the good sides and the dark sides to

xpanding the horiz ns

SPOKE CONCEPT ART COCO KAMBAYASHI

School Board votes to pursue Atrium Design for addition Avery Maslowsky Co Editor-in-Chief

The Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board voted unanimously to pursue the Atrium Design Plan for Conestoga High School’s 2020-2022 expansion at its January meeting on Jan. 28. The Atrium Design, which adds 66,200 square feet to the building, will begin construction in April 2020. Currently, the expansion still is in its development stage. By 2024, the District’s projected enrollment for Conestoga High School is 2,512 students, com-

pared to the current enrollment of 2,217 students, with 89% of the existing space being utilized. The Facilities Committee considered two design possibilities: the Courtyard Design and Atrium Design. In the Courtyard Design, the district would construct a third outdoor common space in the school. But the main disadvantage would be the dependence on good weather for its usage. For this reason, and because of its adaptable learning spaces, the Facilities Committee selected the Atrium Design Plan. In the floor plans, the Atrium Design includes 26 new addi-

tions. The school will add nine regular classrooms and two special education classrooms, as well as four science labs. Specialized rooms, including an art room, kitchen classroom and fabrication lab, are included in the plans for students to explore specific interests. The school will also hold six differently sized flexible rooms, as well an atrium, a large learning space, that accounts for almost 20% of the addition. Other than the planned additions to the high school building, the plan details 27,000 square feet in renovation space, improving rooms that are strained by

the overcrowded building. Extra space will go to the existing fitness room, library, cafeteria, student services and nurse’s office. Currently, the School Board is focused on developing the design and budget of the planned additions and expansions. By early 2020, the Board hopes to finish township regulatory approvals with the project and create a formal plan for the design, as well as finalize the pricing. Construction of renovations will occur from 2020 to 2021, while the renovations will take place during the beginning and end of that time period.

Atrium Exterior View

Atrium Front View

Atrium Side View

PROPOSED ATRIUM DESIGN FOR 2020-2022 EXPANSION Design based on Jan. 28 School Board agenda materials. Designed by Avery Maslowsky, Co-Editor-in-Chief

PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR PLAN

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NEW FABRICATION LABS

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RENOVATED SPACES

PROPOSED SECOND FLOOR PLAN

NEW CLASSROOMS

ATRIUM

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

T/E LIFE BE E MIN

LESSON IN LOVE

G HU ME

Reagan Gerrity Design Editor As Valentine’s Day approaches, The Spoke decided to highlight three teacher couples in the building. Not many people can imagine working with their spouse, but for Amy Cruz and Michael Cruz, Amy Hawkins and Richard Hawkins and Leah Adams and Bryan Roberts, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Amy and Michael Cruz

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F o r Amy Hawkins and Richard Hawkins, their relationship is what inspired them to take jobs in the same school after spending a year a part. Though they are from the same hometown and both attended Penn State University, they did not begin dating until officially meeting at a graduation party. They were married in 2002. “We worked apart for one year and it was probably the worst year because we didn’t know the same students, he was talking about co-workers that I didn’t know, so I think that working together brings us closer together,” Amy Hawkins said.

Amy and Richard Hawkins

For Amy Hawkins and Richard Hawkins, their relationship is what inspired them to take jobs in the same school after spending a year a part. Though they are from the same hometown and both attended Penn State University, they did not begin dating until officially meeting at a graduation party. They were married in 2002. “We worked apart for one year and it was probably the worst year because we didn’t know the same students, he was talking about co-workers that I didn’t know, so I think that working together brings us closer together,” Amy Hawkins said.

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Leah Adams and Ryan Roberts

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Chemistry teacher Leah Adams and physics teacher Ryan Roberts met in 2014 when Roberts began working with Adams at Conestoga. While they met at Conestoga, they both attended West Chester University. Now engaged, their wedding is scheduled for this July. “ We both went to West Chester, both were science people, so like at West Chester it’s a small enough school that all the science classes are in one building so I’m sure we crossed paths somewhere along the way but we never knew each other,” Adams said.

Let me tell you why you are still single

Catherine Haley Guest Columnist

Hey all you single people, are you ready to mingle? Well I’m not — I mean, I’m not ready to mingle, but I am most definitely single. Is it because I don’t want a boyfriend? No. It is simply because I do not know how to talk to someone of the opposite sex, unless they are my brothers, uncles or father. But that’s me personally. Let’s get to why you are still single. First, know that you are not alone in your quest for love, and never fear, I am here to tell you why you are still single and why you should maybe stop doing what you are doing. It seems that everyone you

know is paired off. So how come you are still single? Is it your hair? Your clothes? Your breath? Probably not... but maybe you’re playing hard to get. The problem with this is your attitude and actions may come off as extremely standoffish and, quite frankly, rude. While you may picture yourself being undeniably flirty, and grabbing the attention of your crush, in reality you are being an awkward friend. That’s right, I said friend, because if you think playing “hard to get” will get your future wife or husband — then I’m sorry — but you will forever be stuck in the dreaded friend zone. Now I understand that some people choose to be single, but others just have commitment issues — we millennials call this “ghosting.” Ghosting is common among girls and boys who get nervous when a friend wants to be more than a friend. Don’t panic, sometimes this is a good thing. Sometimes it’s good to disappear from social media and the internet all together. While you’re at it — just leave the country and get

a new name. You know what they say, “New Year, new me!” But honestly, if you are tired of third wheeling, then stop ghosting and let’s commit. Now the only other reason I can think of as to why you are still single, is if you are mentally dating a celebrity. This is a serious thing. Trust me, I’ve seen some of my closest friends go through some pretty bad breakups, including Ryan Gosling, Chris Pratt and of course, the one and only Justin Bieber (talk about Bieber fever). This is a tragic occurrence because no matter how hard you try to find a significant other that is achievable, you will always be attached by the hip to your celebrity heartthrob. If this is happening to you and you are experiencing the following symptoms — racing heartbeat, uncontrollable screaming when viewing your beloved and forgetting to breathe — then, I am sorry to say, once your celebrity marries an equally as beautiful and successful person, you will face the side effects of utter despair and heartbreak. I know

Melinda Xu/The SPOKE

it’s hard to grasp, but it’s how the cookie crumbles. The only remedy is to completely ignore your celebrity crush and move on to someone your own age, someone

you actually have a chance with. Then maybe, just maybe, you can answer the question, “Why I am single?” Now remember you are still young and the world is

still yours for the taking. Being single is not a bad thing, and it can be important for you to take time for yourself. However, if you are wondering why you are still single,

and my reasons did not apply to you... I will merely smile widely and remind you there is always “love at first sight.” So lovelorn lovebirds, keep your eyes open!

T/E Life

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Community sews pillowcases to honor Oliver Feldman Audrey Kim and Avery Maslowsky Copy Editor and Editor-in-Chief

The whirring of sewing machines filled the conference room of St. John’s Presbyterian Church on the morning of Jan. 21. Over 100 people, both experienced sewers and novices alike, worked side-by-side to create hundreds of pillow cases in the name of junior Oliver Feldman. A member of the Boy Scouts Association since first grade, Feldman intended to complete his Eagle Scout project by sewing 100 teenage-themed pillowcases with the organization Ryan’s Case for Smiles, a nonprofit group that donates

pillowcases to children with cancer residing in hospitals. Feldman passed away on Jan. 7 after a 9-month-long battle with the bone cancer osteosarcoma before finishing the project. His family, troop and the Tredyffrin-Easttown community set out to complete the task in his stead. Oliver Feldman first noticed the lack of teenage-themed pillowcases for children staying in hospitals when he himself was a patient at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Because Feldman saw pillowcases with fabric more suited towards younger children, such as Disney Princesses and cartoon characters, he wanted more pillowcases geared towards teenag-

Courtesy Lauren Feldman Scout’s Honor: Junior Oliver Feldman poses for a photo at the end of Boy Scout Camp Horseshoe. Feldman passed away on Jan. 7 after a 9-month battle with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer.

ers like himself. Feldman picked out the fabric, which are decorated with food items and bold colors, that was used during the gathering at St. John’s Presbyterian Church himself. At CHOP, “everything is made of moveable plastic because everything has to get wiped down and sterilized,” Oliver Feldman’s mother Lauren Feldman said. “When you’re at the hospital, anything that is interesting and new is helpful.” After Oliver went into hospice care in late December, he told his mother Lauren Feldman that it was important to him that the project would be finished, even if he himself wasn’t able to complete it. Lauren Feldman then reached out to the Eagle advancement chair, Vince Piotti, leading to a meeting by parents and volunteers of Troop 181 on New Year’s Day to find a way to complete the project. “It was really important to us that this project was finished,” said Mary Ostien, the recruiting coordinator for Troop 181. “Oliver has been a phenomenal leader in our troop and has always helped out the younger boys in the Scouts. He was the epitome of what a Scout was, and everyone wanted to pitch in for the project.” Nick Panagoslos, the parent committee chair for Troop 181, said that he admired the community effort that went into making the project successful. “There were a lot of people who came together to make what Oliver would like to happen happen. The school got involved, the Boy Scouts got involved, the parents, the church, and everyone rallied around this amazing cause, and it’s something that Oliver helped set in place,” Panagoslos said. “Oliver was inspired to do something more and substantial and it gave me a lot of faith in what our boys

Audrey Kim/The SPOKE

Thread and bobbin: Over 100 people sew pillowcases in St. John’s Presbyterian Church on Jan. 21 in the name of junior Oliver Feldman. Although Feldman’s original goal was 100 pillowcases, over 500 pillowcases were assembled. are able to accomplish, what our children are able to do.” Peer Mediation group Kerrage Club also joined in on the effort, sewing and ironing pillowcases at the church. “There’s a lot of satisfaction for me in (finishing the project) both for Oliver and for our school, and for our community to come together and remember and be positive,” se-

nior Hayley Pechin said. Although Feldman initially aimed to construct 100 pillowcases, over 500 pillowcases were assembled at the gathering and by individuals after the event. “The kids absolutely love the pillowcases. It’s a small gift that lets them know that someone cares about them, and as a parent there is nothing better than seeing your child smile

in the hospital,” said Cindy Kerr, founder of Ryan’s Case for Smiles. Kerr began sewing pillowcases for her own son and former Conestoga student Ryan Kerr after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, passing away in 2008. Her efforts later led her to found the organization, which now distributes to 343 hospitals across the nation.

Each pillowcase, marked with a card saying “Oliver Feldman’s Eagle Project,” will be sent to children with cancer at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Oliver would have been really proud to see his community support his project and for supporting other kids going through cancer,” Lauren Feldman said.

Teacher Feature: Daniel McDermott Tiffany He

T/E Life Editor

Olivia Thompson/The SPOKE

Thoughtful threading: Junior Elaine Baptiste plans to design her junior prom dress and begin her own business selling clothes on Etsy. Baptiste learned to sew in the Fashion Design and Construction class at Conestoga.

Route to the runway: a junior’s journey to fashion design Emma Clarke Business Editor Junior Elaine Baptiste’s Instagram feed isn’t just made up of selfies or pictures of tasty food. Instead, it features shots of chic mannequins sporting colorful skirts and dresses ready for the runway, a portfolio of the many silhouettes Baptiste created through her journey as a young, independent designer. Baptiste’s Instagram account, @elaine.baptiste, accentuates her most recent pieces and creative process through drawings and sketches. Despite being a full-fledged seamstress now, Baptiste’s sewing journey began with the help of family. Baptiste was mesmerized by the world of fashion as a young child. But it wasn’t until she started receiving encouragement from her grandmother, who started her career as a fashion designer but ended up as an interior designer, that she became interested in designing herself. Baptiste began drawing fashion designs when she was 12 years old, but most of them stayed on paper. She was only able to let her designs

come to life after she learned sewing skills, such as operating sewing machines and cutting fabric, in class. “It wasn’t until I took the Fashion Design and Construction class at Conestoga that I began turning those drawings into real garments,” Baptiste said. Although Baptiste learned technical sewing skills from the class, she said she takes inspiration from many different sources, including high-end fashion. She is also greatly influenced by her grandmother, who she considers to be “very elegant and dignified,” and a mentor who helps Baptiste with sewing. “I take a lot of inspiration from high-end fashion as well as celebrities on the red carpet. When I read Vogue magazine, where I also get a lot of my inspiration, I cut out my favorite images and paste it to an inspiration board,” Baptiste said. Channeling this inspiration and creativity into several designs over the years, Baptiste has created dresses, skirts, bags and bathing suits. She is proudest of two designs that she made with luxury fabric gifted to her by her grandmother.

“The first is the emerald dress with black polka dots, and the other is the reversible black and white polka dot handbag,” Baptiste said. Currently, Baptiste works with clients who she designs personalized clothing for through a website called Next Door, a social network for neighbors. She started by helping a few people recruited by her mom with some tailoring work before moving on to doing one-on-one work regularly. In the near future, Baptiste hopes to design her own dress for junior prom, as well as build her own business selling clothes online on Etsy. When she finishes her career at Conestoga, she plans on pursuing fashion further in college. “After graduation, I’ll be going to college for fashion design and I’ll have my own brand up and running,” Baptiste said. Baptiste does not see any other career that can fulfill her artistic need as well as clothing design. “I want fashion design to be my career because designing allows me to be free with my creativity and let people live their wardrobe fantasies,” Baptiste said

While he has come to love the school community, as a guidance counselor, Daniel McDermott knows that mapping out the future isn’t always an easy and direct process. He experienced a few career changes himself. “I wanted to go into the FBI or into criminal justice, but I changed my mind. My father always told me to have a backup,” McDermott said. “We have a lot of educators in my family, and I was always drawn to working with kids and coaching, so I thought I was going to possibly become a teacher.” After graduating from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ near where he grew up, McDermott attended Loyola University, receiving a degree in sociology and secondary education. He also earned a certificate to teach social studies. At Loyola, he met his wife, Dr. Kathryn McDermott, who currently teaches reading at Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School. Following college, McDermott lived in Anchorage, AK for over a year to work with homeless teenagers as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, an organization of volunteers who dedicate a year or more to community service for poor communities. “I worked with homeless teenagers there (Alaska) and that was my first introduction to counseling and working with teenagers,” McDermott said. While he was there, he found the community in Alas-

Andrew Bucko/The SPOKE

Good counsel: Guidance counselor Daniel McDermott works in his office. Before coming to Conestoga, McDermott worked with homeless teenagers in Alaska. ka different from where he grew up. “It’s very different from the rest of the United States. Instead of deer, you have moose and you have bears walking through the streets. In the winter, they had great open spaces, and parks with floodlights so you could go skiing in the center of the town We never had a key to our house, people would just come and go. It was kind of like a big city in a small town. It was nice.” McDermott said. From there, McDermott moved back to New Jersey and went into business and human resources for seven years with his father. He also worked with Johnson & Johnson in pharmaceutical sales before finding

that “something was missing.” “In my mid to late twenties, that was a lot of fun,” McDermott said. “But I realized that I wanted to go back to working with kids. I knew I wanted to go back in as a counselor.” McDermott came to Conestoga with the job he enjoys the most — as a counselor. “The best part is working with kids and helping them work through their process with whatever their difficulty is,” McDermott said. “And the college process is fun because you see their hard work come to light. The cool thing about counseling is that I help them problem solve and figure it out for themselves and you allow them to troubleshoot and

work through some of those life issues.” McDermott can recall some less enjoyable memories as well, such as being in the dunk tank during the Health Fair. But that feat was nothing compared to his trip to Switzerland, where he bungee jumped from a cable car 250 feet above a roaring river. “I will never do that again. It was great, one of those experiences checked off, but we’re done,” McDermott said. Outside of school, he enjoys playing basketball and soccer, as well as spending time with his three daughters, Maggie, Cecilia and Brigid. In the next few months, they plan to take a trip to Disney.

T/E Life

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Polites in Paradise: alumnus lands role on MTV Ananya Kulkarni Web Editor

Katherine Lee/The SPOKE

One-to-one ratio: Junior Brandon Huang converses with one of his students. Huang has taught elementary school math at Huaxia Chinese school for three years.

Students tackle teaching at Huaxia Chinese School Katherine Lee and Sanjana Sanghani Staff Reporters

A small group of students stand in a corner of the gym, practicing tricks with their Chinese yo-yos — two cones connected by an axle and spun by a string. Silent and focused, they toss their yo-yos up into the air

and attempt to catch them neatly in rhythm with the music blaring from the speakers. In the last few minutes of class, junior Aaron Li brings his students back together and guides them through their performance for the rapidly approaching Chinese New Year’s Celebration. Aaron Li, senior David Li and junior Brandon Huang devote several hours every Sunday

Katherine Lee/The SPOKE

Spinning away: Junior Aaron Li demonstrates a Chinese yo-yo trick for his students. He teaches students ages five to 13.

to teach students at the Huaxia Chinese School, located in West Chester. The school offers simplified Chinese language instruction and culture classes including traditional music and dance. Huaxia also hosts other activities from volleyball to computer programming. All students of at least 5 years of age, regardless of gender, race, religion or heritage are able to attend. Currently, Aaron Li and David Li teach Chinese yo-yo together to students from ages five to 13, while Huang teaches elementary school math to second and third grade students. Aaron Li began teaching at Huaxia three years ago, when the school needed someone to teach the Chinese yo-yo. Taught at Huaxia himself, Aaron Li begins by helping his students learn a variety of basic tricks, eventually moving onto more difficult maneuvers as the year progresses. In order to help him teach the class and take over if he is absent, Aaron Li taught senior David Li the art of the Chinese yo-yo. Although Aaron Li is the main teacher, David Li comes every Sunday to help out. “It’s a cool experience. When the kids finally get what I’m trying to teach them and they learn it, it’s such a satisfying feeling,” David Li said. Two floors above the gym where Aaron Li and David Li teach Chinese yo-yo, Huang helps a small class of five ele-

mentary school students improve their math skills. He begins each class by writing problems on the whiteboard and working through them together with the students. “The kids are always engaged and happy to do all the problems. It feels nice when they ask a lot of questions and I am actually able to answer them,” Huang said. Huang began teaching at Huaxia three years ago after several parents expressed an interest in a math class for younger students. Because Huang believes that math is straightforward and yields definite answers, he took the job, viewing it as an enjoyable way to give back to the community. “There’s a class for Math counts for the middle schoolers, but some parents wanted something more for elementary schoolers to be able to do math as well,” Huang said.“I feel as though I am able to provide these kids a service.” Huang said that teaching math to these young students has had a positive impact on his life as well. It has helped him to become better at getting his thoughts across, and he can better appreciate what teachers do. “Before (teaching at Chinese school), I never thought of teaching as a career, but this has helped me to consider it (as a future career path) because the children are actually kind of

nice. They’re good kids and it’s really nice to see them understand a topic,” Huang said. Like Huang, Aaron Li said that he has gained a lot from the teaching experience. “I learned how to communicate with little kids a lot better. I learned how different certain ages of kids can be because I’ve taught kids throughout their childhood and I’ve seen them grow up and change,” Aaron Li said. Despite the time investment and patience it calls for, Aaron Li values teaching because he feels that it is his cultural responsibility to prevent this skill from disappearing in Chinese culture. “These kids are the next generation of Chinese-American kids in this area, so I feel like I have a duty to promote this aspect of Chinese culture by teaching it here and keeping it alive, so that the kids don’t forget this part of where we came from,” Aaron Li said. “I would feel really sad to see none of the kids playing Chinese yo-yo anymore.” Aaron Li believes that Chinese schools exist to connect Chinese-Americans to their cultural roots and allow people to learn the Chinese language. “It’s a way for the Chinese community to get together and it’s an area where we know that we can find people like us that have the same backgrounds and same interests as you,” Aaron Li said.

“I’ve worked in front of a camera before, but nothing, prepares you for 16 hours of non-stop filming daily. It’s been a balance between nerve-racking and exciting,” Conestoga alumnus Aristotle Polites said. The 2007 graduate recently took on a role on the brand new MTV series, “Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club.” The reality TV show first aired in early January and has so far run five episodes of its debut season. While Polites is enthusiastic about his role as a bartender on the show, he never saw himself pursuing reality TV as a career path. “I had been approached before about opportunities but wasn’t very intrigued,” Polites said. “When I heard about ‘Lohan Beach Club,’ and was told it was a show based around the hospitality industry in Mykonos, I jumped at the opportunity.” Ironically, Polites planned to be on the other side of the camera and dreamed of working in production in the entertainment industry. However, due to his acting and 2-year modeling career, he never had the chance. “I was actually leaning towards being behind the camera in production or as a writer before I was cast in ‘Lohan Beach Club’ I wrote two shorts and a pilot while in NYC but took a break since moving to LA,” Polites said. Polites’ journey as an actor on “Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club” started in 2016 when he was working as a personal trainer in New York and a friend who was a marketing manager for a local bar asked if he would be interested in working as a part-time bartender. It was this job that would

eventually lead him down the path to the TV industry. “I knew training wasn’t what I wanted to do long term and I had interest in the entertainment industry but wasn’t exactly sure what career path I was going to follow,” Polites said. While Polites started out in Berwyn, he feels he benefited from the exposure he gained by leaving Berwyn for Philadelphia. “I actually felt sheltered in Berwyn and it wasn’t until I was living in a major city that I realized there are a million opportunities to choose from and you don’t have to follow the traditional path,” Polites said. Back at Conestoga, his mother library aide Kathy Polites is overjoyed with her son’s success so far. “We were with Aristotle and his siblings when he got the call that he made the cast. We celebrated, thrilled that he would have an opportunity to live on the island of Mykonos and be in the cast of a reality series,” Kathy Polites said. “He has only been prominent in one episode so far but I am totally proud of how he has handled himself as an employee of the Beach Club and of his good times at the Villa.” So far, Aristotle Polites said he has enjoyed the experience but is already working on a multiple projects which have to do with digital content. For now however, he is still looking forward to a second season of the show. “It’s been incredible. Living in Mykonos is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity,” Aristotle Polites said. “Or maybe twice — fingers crossed for a second season.”

Courtesy Aristotle Polites

Big Break: Conestoga alumnus Aristotle Polites lands a major role in MTV’s “Lohan Beach Club.” The show features adventures of the cast on the Greek island of Mykonos.

Andreviews: a taste of Japan Andrew Bucko T/E Life Editor

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One meal at Hakata Ramen is a surefire way to ruin instant noodles forever. Nestled in Gateway Shopping Center, Hakata began serving up Japanese cuisine only in September, quickly gaining local popularity. So what exactly is all the hype over this single-location restaurant’s cuisine? Hakata is perhaps most famous for its wide variety of tonkotsu ramen, a noodle dish which usually contains a pork or chicken broth, fishcakes or pork belly, green onions and bamboo shoots. Originally viewed as a cheap street food for laborers, a bowl of traditional ramen in the States is a bit of a luxurious experience. Hakata’s decor certainly provides a refined experience. Wood accents, exposed brick and warm lamps create a pleasantly minimalistic atmosphere without distracting from the food that motivated you to come. There is a wide variety of seating which includes booths, high chairs at the sushi bar, and conventional tables. Bathrooms are neat and well designed, with all of these features making your eating experience feel worth the $12+ you’re about to drop on a bowl of noodles. But before judging the price, we have to judge the food itself. The bowl of Tan-Tan ramen that greeted me was well presented, with all of the ingredients displayed neatly and steaming. The broth itself was seasoned to perfection and had a wonderful balance of fatty fish oil and clean chicken broth. The noodles held to the standard of traditional ramen in that they were delicate on the outside and

al dente inside. They had a very plain, wheat flavor which accentuated the soup’s other ingredients. The soup’s pork chashu (braised pork belly) was a bit drier than expected but retained its signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. Bamboo shoots and green onion added a refreshing freshness and crispness to the soup, both adding some much-needed greens to an otherwise savory dish such as ramen. The seasoned egg scared me admittedly due to its slightly purple hue, yet proved tender and delicious. All the ingredients worked beautifully together, and sips of friends’ other ramen varieties revealed the same. For the master chef of the table, Hakata offers 25 add-on ingredients which are perfect for mixing and matching.

Even if a hearty bowl of ramen isn’t your favorite dish, Hakata has a multitude of other options. The pork buns, chicken gyoza, salmon poke tacos and vegetable ramen are sure to satisfy anyone in your life from the picky eaters to devout vegetarians. While I have no authority to speak on the dessert menu, I trust that the mochi is a safe bet if you’re going for a fourcourse meal. On to everyone’s least favorite subject: pricing. While the goodwill thrifterella in me was somewhat disappointed in the $13 price tag for noodles and broth, the value is indeed there. Prompt service, quality silverware, attention to detail and high authenticity make Hakata worth a try for any occasion, big or small. Leave those cup noodles at home and treat yourself to something special.

Andrew Bucko/The SPOKE

Itadakimasu: A steaming bowl of traditional Japanese tonkotsu ramen is Hakata’s signature dish. It features bamboo sticks, pork chashu, a seasoned egg, scallions and thin noodles.

T/E Life

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

STEAM AHead

full

by Brooke Deasy and Justin Huang Managing Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief Design and Photos by Justin Huang

what is Steam? Senior Ellie Sedor has completed two engineering courses — Computer Aided Drafting and Design and Engineering Technology — during her time at Conestoga. As an aspiring architect, she’s currently taking Mechanical & Electrical Engineering and Environmental & Structural Engineering, courses that were both added this year as part of the STEAM initiative — science, technology, engineering, arts and math. As an aspiring architect, Sedor said she feels inspired by the flexibility to pursue her passions at Conestoga. “The curriculum is very stimulating and grants us a lot of freedom and independence to approach each project in our own way,” Sedor said. “I love how hands-on the classes are and how many resources are available to us.” Despite its flexible approach, senior Sean Naimoli believes that more can be done to promote STEAM courses. “I was talking to a friend about my engineering classes and they mentioned how they never knew

that those classes were offered at ’Stoga,” Naimoli said. The district is working to correct this lack of knowledge. According to the Bureau of Labor, more than a million STEAM jobs are projected to be created in the next eight years, so the district has included a focus on STEAM resources. Unlike regular STEM, STEAM places special emphasis on creativity and exploring technology through artistic means, instead of pure technical and scientific work. “We have always had strong math and science programs in (Tredyffrin-Easttown), with community members and educators thoughtfully planning for the future,” Curriculum Supervisor Nancy Adams said. “It is exciting to bring in more of the applied STEAM skills and to connect content across subject areas.” Some of this interdisciplinary activity relates to changing class curricula, as well as adding new resources and programs for students in relation to the STEAM field. “We do a lot of collaboration between the art classes and the

fabrication lab,” Business & Technology Chair Noah Austin said. “Currently, 2D Design is making things through (Adobe) Illustrator, and then exporting those files over to the laser cutter to make boxes, holiday cards or key chains, which has been awesome.” A stronger emphasis on the inclusion of new technologies, such as Arduino microcontroller hubs and Raspberry Pi minicomputers, helps students gain skills to meet the constantly changing needs of tomorrow, according to Austin. It also provides students with more exposure to help them discover any interest in the growing field. “What I love about our current STEAM program is that we’re currently growing exponentially,” Austin said. “Math is always going to be the same. History, other than the current events that will be history tomorrow, is going to be the same. This area significantly changes from year to year because a new technology is released, and how does that new technology checkerboard across the curriculum? We’re examining this all the time.”

Work in progress: Senior Sean Naimoli assembles a circuit on a breadboard with a speaker. As an aspiring engineer, Naimoli is thankful for the opportunities provided by STEAM courses and hopes that the future fabrication lab will allow for further collaboration.

Timeline

2015 Hour of Code is rolled out across all school levels

2014 Coding Committee is created

August 2017 VR is introduced at the high school level with Astronomy

2015 Teacher Julianne Kelly creates Coding Club in New Eagle Elementary School

Summer 2018 Nancy Adams and Noah Austin visit STEM schools

January 2018 New classes Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Environmental & Structural Engineering and Astronomy are unveiled in the Program of Studies

January 2018 The Atrium Design, which includes the fabrication lab, is approved for further research by the School Board

May 2018 Facilities Committee votes to research options for expanding high school

Expansion Plans

Hands-on learning: First-grade teacher Julianne Kelly teaches kindergartener Hayes Langton how to use the Dashbot. Kelly first introduced the robots to her curriculum three years ago at New Eagle.

The Facilities Committee voted to pursue planning an expansion last May, and during the School Board meeting on Jan. 28, the board unanimously voted to begin pursuing development of a possible floor plan. During that process, the Education Committee and Facilities Committee included a new fabrication lab — an area set aside for student creation — either using traditional woodwork or modern 3D printing, in the list of additions to the building. “We see students building and creating in our science, engineering, tech, art and math courses,” Adams said. “Students learn skills to be able to imagine a product or idea, create a prototype, and test and revise the idea. The fabrication studio will have machinery and tools to allow students to bring their ideas to life.” Adams and Austin visited schools like the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics last year for inspiration on additions to Conestoga. After their visit, Austin took the

technology he saw and reverse-engineered a lightboard — currently used for teachers in video lectures, where the teacher records their lesson while writing on flipped Plexiglas — plus ideas for new course curricula and the fabrication lab. “When you go and visit other places, you should immediately catch fire with inspiration of what you can bring back,” Austin said. “I think Dr. Adams and I have gone into these situations with the take, toss, tweak mentality. What can we take—what can we put in tomorrow? What can we tweak and what can we toss?” Austin hopes that the new STEAM additions will allow for open collaboration, which he plans to implement in three parts: a classroom space, an open “dirt lab” (spaces with traditional tools and woodworking) and an open “clean room” (spaces with modern machin-

ery, including 3D printers, laser cutters, embroidery machines and more). “I would love to see (the fabrication lab) being an open space where a student that’s never had an engineering course before, never had an art class before, that wants to make something for another class or has an idea they want to come to life,” Austin said. The current expansion plans mirror Austin’s wishes, pushing collaboration over competition, which Naimoli supports. “Not only should we include a ton of new technology that students can use, but also some room for a collaboration space,” Naimoli said. “A space for students to work together with engineering students and with students from other disciplines like arts, sciences and mathematics. Like the library, but more focused on large-group work in engineering with the tools that these students need readily available.”

The next generation

Besides the newer initiatives in the high school, the district has a history of promoting STEAM across all schools, particularly at the elementary level. In 2014, the Coding Committee was formed to expose students across grade levels to coding and different STEAM activities. The full committee, consisting of teachers from the district, meets two to three times a year with the goal of integrating Hour of Code, a global initiative that aims to introduce tens of millions of students across the world to computer science and computer programming. “Teachers and students have willingly and successfully

adopted ideas about computing and coding so the Committee feels that it has been successful in promoting more use of apps, robots and coding programs for students at all levels,” Adams said. “We have a growth mindset though, and realize we can always do better.” According to committee member and Devon Elementary School teacher Carolyn Silverman, now that the committee has successfully integrated Hour of Code in the district, members have the flexibility to focus on other STEAM-related projects. Those projects would then expose the students to technologies and encourage them to participate in similar high school level classes and clubs. “Now that we have a really solid plan in place for Hour of Code, we are moving towards the idea of

computational thinking—how can I solve a problem in a very algorithmic or formulaic way,” Silverman said. “The goal of the committee is to make different content areas see that whether you’re in music class and you can’t figure out how to play a song, or you’re in English class and you don’t know how to structure your essay, the idea is to help all teachers and students see that computational thinking is applicable in their area as well. This isn’t just about coding a computer or playing games—it’s a broader approach to problem-solving.” This year, coding at the elementary school level was divided into “plugged” and “unplugged” activities. They started with the latter, which does not make use of technology. According to Silverman, the goal of this structure was to first teach students the basic idea of coding through a set of

instructions. “Plugged” activities then relied on technologies like iPads, laptops, websites and robots. At New Eagle Elementary School, first-grade teacher Julianne Kelly has employed those principles for three years with Bluebots purchased by the district and different coding exercises. “For future careers, this is literacy that is so important, and there’s going to be so many more jobs in (STEAM). Exposing it to (students) young when it’s so intuitive to them is a great way to get them excited about learning. And for some kids that might struggle academically, it’s a great avenue for them to feel successful,” Kelly said. “I can see them in the future being inventors and writing code.” Kelly generated enough interest at the school to start a Coding Club, inviting students from kindergarten through fourth grade to

participate in the same type of programs. “Initially, it was a bit intimidating, but it works really well,” Kelly said. “Some of the third and fourth graders can really help kindergarteners and first and second graders.” As the younger students bring that level of collaboration to high school, Austin hopes to accommodate their passions with a strong STEAM program.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

OPINION TESD’s investment in technology today prepares students for future

When Conestoga seniors attended elementary school at TESD, back in 2006-2011, they scribbled on Smart Boards in class and learned how to type in Applied Tech. In 2019, elementary school students are still using Smart Boards, but they have much more, too: they regularly use Ozobots, Dash and Dot robots, laptops, iPads and recently, even virtual reality sets. And with Hour of Code, the district is teaching students how to code from a very young age. We’re pleased to see that the school district recognizes the value of integrating technology into the curriculum and is adapting accordingly. By familiarizing kids with coding, robotics and other forms of technology so early, TESD is preparing them today for jobs and advances in the future. One field that technology will continue to change and

be integral to is journalism. At The Spoke, we’ve recognized

line issue, complete with video, graphics and multimedia pack-

Melinda Xu/The SPOKE

the need to adjust to advances in technology. In December, we published our first all on-

ages. We follow the shift that large news organizations like The New York Times and NBC

already have: one towards the digital, the visual and the new. The Bureau of Labor’s list of fastest growing careers—those with the highest percentage change in employment—is stocked with tech-savvy jobs. Among the top 20 are software developers, statisticians and solar photovoltaic installers. We can expect jobs and career opportunities in the tech sector to continue expanding, and integrating technology into the curriculum today is valuable to our students. Each year brings a new gadget, a new program, a new career in the tech industry. When the current elementary school students are seniors themselves, we can only imagine what technology students will be using. We trust that the district will continue to prepare students for the rapidly changing environment outside the classroom door.

Paige Sredenschek/The SPOKE

From the Editor: Appleism

Dear Google Hangouts, thanks for the distraction

phones, $2,300 laptops. Any Appleist who hasn’t contributed more than $5,000 to the faith isn’t a true Appleist. A common misconception is that you need to be loaded to buy from Apple, which isn’t true. All it means is that your year’s worth of part-time Target paychecks is going to a noble cause. Our trillion-dollar market cap does need a little support now and then from these modern-day indulgences. In return, you’ll ascend to a higher social status, free from the brimstone and flames of sinyou’ll go theners. faith Oh, isn’t aand truemaybe Appleist. toAheaven. common misconception is Two: become one with your that you need to be loaded to buy AirPods. When you buy them, from Apple, which isn’t true. All and I do when, wear them it means is mean that your year’s worth everywhere. Wear them during of part-time Target paychecks is yourtomorning drives,Our in trilclass, going a noble cause. in the shower, bed. Noneed matlion-dollar marketincap does ter what, you have to remind a little support now and then from the AirPodless riffraff of their these modern-day indulgences. In place. I’ve gone so far as to have return, you’ll ascend to a higher my AirPods glued to my ears. social status, free from the brimThree: hunt down heretics and heathens. If you ever spot and you’lldevice, go to heaven. a maybe non-Apple don’t hesiTwo: oneuser with tate to become remind the justyour how AirPods. When you buy them, worthless they, and their poor and I do meanare. when, wearPhysics them decisions, If the everywhere. them byduring group chatWear is invaded green, your morning in class, inIf abandon shipdrives, and start anew. the shower, in bed. No matter what, you have to remind the Air-

some poor, misguided soul even tries to justify why Android is better, you have the right to launch an inquisition and assert your superiority. No matter how often the heathens nail their 95 theses on our doors, we’ll be there to tear them down. In fact, I’ve seen Appleists so faithful that they think Samsung’s the only other phone brand. But hey, we still believe in a free market. You may have heard some harbingers of the end spouting blasphemies about the impending death of Appleism. They look and at Cook’s decision to stop sition assert your superiority. releasing Apple sales as a sign thattheir their95 business is deterioratnails theses on our doors, ing. But look around—hallways we’ll be there to tear them down. users and Inare fact,full I’ve of seenAirPod Appleists so faithiPhones take an overwhelming ful that they think Samsung’s the chunk the market only otherofphone brand. share in school. zealous, faithful But hey,Our we still believe in a free followers will make sure Apmarket. pleism will never die. You may have heard some If you’re still skeptical and harbingers of the end spouting wonder why the stock price has blasphemies about the impending fallen by as much as it has, it’ll make sense if you don’t think Cook’s to stop releasing about decision it. “I think AppleThat sales as a sign their it’s a gre concludes mythat explanabusiness is deteriorating. But look idea that tion. Welcome to the ranks of no one around—hallways are full of Airshould believe the enlightened. Pod Wait users aand iPhonesHave take you an minute. because such an overwhelming chunk of the marseen my AirPods case? such isn’t ket share in school. Our zealous, always faithful followers will make sure considered a fun Appleism will never die. mental right to a If you’re still skeptical and activists. wonder why the stock price has ” -John senior fallen by as much as it has, it’ll make sense if you don’t think about it. tion. Welcome to the ranks of the enlightened. Wait a minute. Have you seen my AirPods case?

grade. Initially, you seemed to be the perfect solution to my problem of never being able to talk Justin Huang with others outside of school beCo-Editor-in-Chief sides via email. (Yes, I used to be one of those kids without a phone in middle school.) However, A new convert, eh? Been you were also the inducer of my getting a lot of you after all the lack of concentration, dropping gifted AirPods from Christgrades, loss of countless hours of mas. O lost lamb, we welcome Christina Lee much-needed sleep, and above you to the fold of Appleism. I’ll Staff Reporter all, you were the shameless conbe your spiritual guide during sumer of all my free time. But I your religious conversion. “I think it’s a great “I think Dear Google Hangouts, must say, it was not really yourit’s a great idea that no one As you may or may not idea that no one we worship Steve Jobs should because such and fault all these problems arose.believe I know, Around three months ago, a mean, they are just the obvious and our current pope is Tim should believe such isn’t always considered a classmate informed me that start- side effects of introducing a soCook. because such andWhile Jobs gifts us all fundamental right to all activists.” ing in October 2019, you will join cial media app to irresponsible with his ingenuity and innosuch isn’t always Hancock, the growing list of defunct social teenagers. And how were you school to vative mind, praise be, Cook in order-John to celebrate their a fundamedia platforms. I suppose since know that it had led me to quit takes that message and manCocointo Kambayashi/The SPOKE fair how we have wanted to take this myconsidered own on Muslim holidays. Overall, holiday. It isn’tsenior your date of retirement has more Taekwondo, struggle through A convert, eh?that Beenit’sget-ungles so badly mental toitall hands because there is a lack of right new Muslim students who celebrate or less been set, it is about time I school on 4-5 hours of sleep, and my impending pile of assignabominable decision of Google recognizable—but you didn’t Muslim or Middle Easternactivists. rep- ” Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha professed my indescribable grati- gradually stop reading? ments. holidays. Although Every Googleyear, has notresentation to discontinue to make hear that from me. -John Hancock, from Christmas. O lost in my you school, androom I AirPods shouldn’t have to miss school in for Muslim tude for the years you have served I must sincerely disclosed the number a “better” Remember, allto the Appleists we welcome you fold senior Muslim students have toof active miss us-feel for obligated to domessaging somethingplat-lamb, order to Nevertheless, celebrate their holiday. as my number one time waster. thank you for always returning ers, I applaud you for successfully form. I cannot wait to sacrifice must follow the three tenets to of Appleism. I’ll be your spiritual It is not equitable, and we all celebrating their holiday so they about this issue. I am not sure you will remem- more than what I asked for. On distracting hundreds of students, 300 more hours of my life in theguide reach enlightenment. during your religious condon’t fall behind in class. Many should try to make a change. ber, as I am not the only soul you top of being a dependable meth- especially here at Conestoga High upcoming year before you retire! version. One: spend a ridiculous teachers assign tests on Mushave collected over the past years, od for communication, you also School. It takes great ingenuity I am a proud Middle Eastern amount of money As you may or may for not technolknow, lim holidays as well, so missing American, and I want to have make itme understandable, but we first became acquainted To provided with an outlet where to grab the attention of so many With heartfelt thanks, ogy. I’m Steve talkingJobs about buying we worship and our as my other they are basically the Islamic in 2016, when I was in seventh I could conveniently forget about pairs of eyes. I believe it was anequal opportunities Christina Lee $1,200 phones, $160While headcurrent pope is Tim Cook. a major issue for many Musstudents. version of Christmas. Eid al-Fitr I have always been“I taking think it’s a great idea that no one should believe “I think it’s a great idea that no lim-Americans in our country. tests or just studying onbecause my hol- such and such isn’t always considered ty and innovative mind, praise a one should believe because No one wants to miss the idays; Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad- of Ramadan. Ramadan is where be, Cook takes that message and fundamental right to activists. ”“I think it’sMuslims a suchtoand suchBecause isn’t always shouldn’t have to opportunity learn. fastallfrom sunrise to gone so far as to have my AirPods ha. Imagine not even being able Muslims mangles it so badly that it’s unmake a choice between school of this, I have attended school sunset for a whole month. Eid glued to my ears. idea that no one should believe because considered a fundamental right to focus while taking agreat test bemeetings, clubs and given recognizable—but you didn’t hear cause all you can thinksuch aboutand is such isn’t always considered a fundato all activists. ” that Hancock, from me. -John equality to some class-perpilgrimage Mecca, and it is should and heathens. If you ever spot To to make it understandable, masbeand Easter,towards but notallevenspeeches portunity to talkoftomy a small how you’re not celebrating yourright Remember, all Appleists must mental to once all activists. ” religions. es to raise awareness about this done in a lifetime. During senior a non-Apple device, don’t hesithey are basically the Islamic one day off for Muslim holi- centage of the district’s student -John Hancock, I was getting sig- follow the three tenets to reach en- tate to remind the user just how When Eid, Muslims time Every with version ofspend Christmas. days. Every year, Muslim stu-issue. body. Aside from the petition, senioryear Recently, lightenment. I have formy theclassmates petition, say I gave andand celebrate. my family I haveTypa Leba- dents have to been miss getting celebratingnatures I hear how it worthless they, and their poor is on June 3 and June 4, and this their families speeches to my classes on why ically, nese-style parents give presents to dinner and exchange their holiday, so they don’t fall isn’t fair that Muslims don’t have One: spend a ridiculous decisions, are. If the Physics group the Muslim relatives. gifts.and Eidyounger al-Fitr is the holiday behind holidays. in class. Personally, Many teachers off, while other religions do. Iamount of money for technology. chat is invaded by green, abanstudying instead of celebrating their kids I received signatures. In total students agreed. Eid isafter an extremely the monthimportant of Ramadan. assign92tests on Muslim holidaysthe majority wanted tooftake this into my ownI’m talking about buying $1,200 don ship and start anew. If some with my family. time for Muslim families, and During Ramadan, Muslims as well, so missing school is not hands because there is a lack ofphones, $160 headphones, $2,300 poor, misguided soul even tries to showsanhow the This majority of theissue Muslim or Middle Eastern rep-laptops. Any Appleist who hasn’t justify why Android is better, you fast sunrise to sunset option. is a major arefrom not recognizing that. for Many schools, including schools a whole month. Eid al-Adha student is for body manysupports Muslim-Americans this issue. in resentation in my school, and Icontributed more than $5,000 to have the right to launch an inquiConestoga High School, do not after Hajj. Hajj is the pilgrimage our country. obligated to do something I hear my classmates say how it theirfeel holiday, and for years peo recognize Muslim holidays. to Mecca, and it is to done once in Muslims shouldn’t have to about this issue. isn’t fair that Muslims don’t have Conestoga who have miss In the past month, I have been a lifetime. During Eid, Muslims make a choice between school I am a proud Middle Eastern Sarah Ghabra spend time with their families and a religious holiday. There American. I don’t want to miss Guest Columnist and celebrate. Typically, par- should be equality towards all the opportunities given to me at ents give presents to their kids religions. school in order to celebrate my I have always been taking and younger relatives. Eid is an Recently, I have been getting holiday. tests or just studying on my hol- extremely important time for petitions signed to have off on No one wants to miss the iday: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad- Muslim families, and schools the Muslim holidays. In a matter opportunity to learn. Because ha. Imagine not even being able are not recognizing that. of a week, I received 92 signa- of this, I have attended school to focus while taking a test bemeetings, clubs and given cause all you can think about is speeches to some of my classes how you’re not celebrating your to raise awareness about this holiday with your family. This is issue. When I was getting sighow I feel. This year Eid al-Fitr natures for the petition, I gave Kaitlyn Chen/The SPOKE is on June 3 and June 4, and this speeches to my classes on why is right before finals. I have to be this issue needs to be fixed, and studying instead of celebrating in that week, 92 students I spoke with my family. to agreed. Many schools, including The School Board needs Conestoga High School, do not to allow Muslims to have off recognize Muslim holidays. on their holiday, and for years In the past month, I have been people have been trying to get In the November issue, on page 11, we did not include the entire quote in coach AJ Thompson’s raising awareness to have off on this accomplished. The School pull quote: “It‘s going to take a bit for the team to get used to, but I think a fresh start is a good Muslim holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Board moved the 2019 gradthing.” Eid al-Adha. Overall, Muslim uation date in order to honor Kaitlyn Chen/The SPOKE students who celebrate Eid alEid, but that is only the start. Fitr and Eid al-Adha shouldn’t There are many Muslims in tures at Conestoga. Across the It is up to everyone, including On page 12, we attributed “The environment in basketball is motivating as well, with constant have to miss school in order to Conestoga who have to miss school district, there were 520 students, to stand up for what camaraderie and support from teammates” to senior Myles Scott. It was not a quote but rather a celebrate their holiday. It is not school in order to celebrate signatures. On paper there may they believe in and really raise paragraph of text written by the reporter. equitable, and we all should try their holiday. It isn’t fair how only be 520 signatures, but in awareness for Eid and the Musto make a change. we have weeks off for Christ- just a week we only had the op- lim student body.

STUDENTS SPEAK OUT

Q: Should students have their driver licenses before college?

We deserve our religious holiday, too

SORRY, WE MISSPOKE

The Spoke is published seven times per year at Bartash printing. It consistently receives a Gold rating from PSPA and CSPA, and is a National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker award-winning publication. The Spoke serves as a public forum for student expression.

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Op/Ed

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Separating the art from the artist, not so simple

Claire Guo

Opinion Editor

The Me Too movement forced me to reevaluate actors, directors, comedians and other prominent figures I liked and respected. What’s more, it made me take a second look at the movies and shows I loved. Should hearing that Dustin Hoffman sexually assaulted women he worked with change how I watch “Rain Man”? Should I stop watching Louis C.K. comedy sets on YouTube? Now, with the documentary “Surviving R. Kelly,” the question bugs me once again. When can we separate an artist from their art? “Surviving R. Kelly” is a recent 6-part documentary that aver-

aged 2.1 million viewers a night when it aired on Lifetime from Jan. 3 to Jan. 5. It dives into the life of platinum songwriter R. Kelly, including his illegal marriage to 15-year-old Aaliyah Haughton when Kelly was 27. It delves into the extensive evidence supporting allegations that he sexually abuses teenage girls, drawing them into relationships with lures of fame and success, then brainwashing them into staying in his house, where allegedly, they must ask permission to go to the bathroom or to eat. The documentary interviews Kelly’s victims and their parents — some of whom have not seen their daughter for years — as well as those on the other side — his brothers and his former personal assistant, who confirms many of the rumors. Kelly has managed to escape a guilty verdict in the courtroom, but the documentary is the most effective condemnation yet. On Jan. 8, a criminal investigation against him opened in Georgia. On Jan. 18, Sony Music dropped Kelly’s recording contract.

The #MuteRKelly campaign has been active since the summer of 2017 and with the new documentary, it gained steam. The campaign asks us to stop listening. If we do insist on listening to “Ignition (Remix)” or “I Believe I Can Fly,” Kelly’s top hits, there are many escape routes from guilt. We could pirate the music, which wouldn’t give Kelly any royalties, right? We could listen to his songs when we’re alone, safe from public judgment. We could insist that his songs exist apart from him and we are free to interpret lyrics like “little cute Aaliyah’s got it” however we want. But we shouldn’t. We shouldn’t listen to Kelly’s music, alone or

not, pirated or not. Listening to his music adds to his wealth and to his reputation, both of which lent to the position that allowed

avoid his music, we punish him, we take from that wealth and reputation, we send the message that we do not agree. Yes, his music is good, but not listening to it is a small sacrifice we can and should make. Yet it’s easy to see that R. Kelly’s case is more extreme than most. How should we deal with other kinds of art? Harvey Weinstein’s role in producing “Shakespeare in Love” is certainly different than R. Kelly’s role in writing and singing “Ignition (Remix).” And how bad does someCoco Kambayashi/The SPOKE one need to be for him to abuse teenagers in the first us to stop listening to or watching place. Even when we are alone their work? Where’s the line? and downloading from ThePiThe truth is that we can’t make rateBay.org, we’re reinforcing his any sweeping generalizations. We status as influential superstar. have to look at each artist and When consumers deliberately each piece of art on an individual

“I think we can separate art from the artist because we were watching it before and we liked it before we knew that they committed sexual assault or something like that. It’s already been made and it can’t be changed by something that happens 10 years later.”

basis, and decide for ourselves. I still listen to Michael Jackson’s music all the time, even though the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which premiered on Jan. 25, details child molestation allegations against him. I’ve yet to decide on how I feel about the man, but he’s dead and not benefiting from any of my “Man in the Mirror” bedroom lip-syncing sessions. I love his music, and I can personally separate it from the serious allegations against him. I can’t do that with R. Kelly because the loverman image painted by his lyrics feels so wrong knowing how he really treats women. I can’t stop you from listening to R. Kelly’s songs. Inevitably, we will all decide differently on the gray areas during these days of #MeToo, and we should follow our own conscience rather than blindly conform to political correctness for the sake of public appearance. But please consider how listening to a song like “Ignition (Remix),” an action which seems so simple, gave R. Kelly the wealth, fame and support he used to exploit young girls.

“If (artists) do something bad, then it’s okay to listen to their stuff and watch their stuff if the money’s not supporting them anymore. But it’s really just a personal thing on whether you want to support them anymore, and if you’re okay with supporting them, then you can do that.”

- Aldion Bregasi, freshman

- Ethan Chong,

STUDENTS SPEAK OUT

sophomore

Q: When can we separate art from the artist?

- Branden Veale,

Pro: Why it will work 2. The wall SAVES money, with long term benefits

Brooke Deasy

Managing Editor

Throughout his presidential campaign, Donald Trump advocated for the construction of a wall along the southern U.S. border to stem the flow of illegal immigration and increase national security. A man of his word, he now seeks $5 billion to build this wall, which sparked the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The commotion surrounding Trump’s proposal clouds its validity. The wall is a viable idea and would serve as a net gain for the country. When considering where to stand on this issue, think about the following five ideas. 1. Security personnel WANT a wall Border patrol agents support Trump’s proposal. It is not feasible for security personnel to monitor 2,000 miles of land. Not to mention the dangers of the terrain itself which complicate their duty. For example, the harsh climate of the Chihuahuan Desert can surpass 100 degrees in the summer and bel ow - f re e z ing weather during winter nights. Hazardous terrain and d a n g e ro u s animals pose further risks. The construction of a wall would provide border patrol agents more time to react and more control over their designated areas. With security cameras along the wall, and possibly drones and underground cameras, agents have a much clearer vision of activity.

While many argue that paying for the wall would necessitate a significant chunk of the federal budget, it is important to recognize the long term gains and monetary savings from building a wall. A wall is a great investment. According to research conducted in 2017 by the Center for Immigration Studies, the total lifetime fiscal drain (taxes paid minus services used) due to illegal immigration is $746.3 billion (assuming there are 11.43 million illegal immigrants based on the government’s most recent estimate). Compared to Trump’s requested $5 billion for the construction of a wall, those numbers accurately appear to be a high price to pay for illegal immigration. Not only is a wall effective at prohibiting movement, but it makes a strong statement. A physical barrier itself will prevent people from even considering sneaking across the border. And, the money saved can go towards causes deemed more worthy—mostly by the left-side—like healthcare and education. It’s truly a win-win situation. 3. Walls work

Maddie Lamonica News Editor

The wall of Donald Trump’s campaign and presidency has always functioned as both an actual structure at the southern border, and as a larger campaign symbol. Whether praised or condemned, the wall is an image of a larger promise, that of broad conservative and racial domination. It’s no surprise then, that some Americans use “build the wall” as a racist chant, but it’s also why, despite the distress caused by the government shutdown, Democrats were right to contest the continuing resolution that included funding for construction of the wall. Although the government is open until Feb. 15, President Trump said that unless he gets a “fair deal from Congress,” the government will shut down again or he will declare a national emergency to bypass Congress, meaning this problem isn’t going away. What’s more is that the border wall proposed, promised to keep out illegal immigrants, drugs and terrorists, won’t do anything but cost the U.S. billions of dollars — and here is why.

Democrats have long supported billions of dollars in funding for physical barriers. In 2006, for instance, the Secure Fence Act passed with bipartisan support providing for the construction of barriers along 700 miles of the border. Proponents of this measure included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Furthermore, in 2013, all Senate and most House Democrats supported the Gang of Eight bill. This called for $46 billion in border security, including surveillance drones, security fencing and 3,500 additional federal agents responsible for apprehending illegal immigrants. Not to mention $8 billion allocated for border repairments. 5. Against the wall? Or against Trump?

History tells us: walls work. Look at Israel, Morocco, Cyprus, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Greece and

It is important to question whether certain individuals, especially those in positions of power, are letting their personal vendetta against Trump come in the way of national security. I think the answer is quite clear. And in times like this, when migrant caravans of over 7,000 individuals are leaving their home counPaige Sredenschek/The SPOKE tries with Spain. The construction of one destination in mind—the physical barriers has success- southern-U.S. border—securifully strengthened national ty should come first. As Trump security in these places, partic- said himself: “This isn’t about ularly against terrorist attacks politics, it’s about practicality and illegal migrants. Leaders and security.”

Border Patrol

1. Illegal immigration at the southern border is the lowest it’s been in nearly 40 years

Reagan Gerrity/The SPOKE

- Lowest score in history, bad commercials, Adam Levine, and look who won

Lunar New Year

+ We got an (inservice) day off again! - Wait, wasn’t Lunar New Year on Tuesday?

Snow squall

C-

+ C’mon, it’s kind of cool - Just enough for more school, but not enough for a snow day

Con: Why it won’t work

from other nations have also given Trump the thumbs-up on the wall, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu tweeted: “President Trump is right. I built a wall along Israel’s southern border. It stopped all illegal immigration. Great success. Great idea.” 4. Democrats and Republicans alike have long advocated for more border security

+ Double Doink in the playoffs

- Which psych class do I take now?

senior

TRUMP’S WALL

D-

+ Z helped design it, bruh

- Reema Norford,

junior

Super Bowl

Positive Psychology

“In some ways, yeah, the song would be connected with the artist. But in other ways, it’s a stand-alone, it’s a song. And people interpret them in different ways. I don’t know if there’s really a specific point where it would be okay to separate it.”

“I think art can be good regardless (of whether) the artist is a bad person. They still might have very creative ideas in their areas: directing or songwriting or producing.”

Report Card

The current southern bor-

der “crisis” is more of a lull than anything else. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the number of people apprehended at the border is the lowest it has been since 1971. Even from 2005-2009, the number of people entering the U.S. illegally has declined by 67 percent, as estimated by the Pew Research Center. As for terrorists, the 2017 State Department’s Country Reports on Terrorism stated “there was no credible evidence indicating that international terrorist groups have sent operatives via Mexico into the United States.” In fact, there isn’t a single known case of a terrorist entering the U.S. through

prehensions, at just over 300,000. Likewise, narcotics have mostly been smuggled in on trucks at official ports of entry, through tunnels under the border or through the postal system — not by individuals crossing remote parts of the border, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Even so, Trump’s border wall design boasts a series of steel slats with nine-inch gaps separating them, which seems like it might allow for pretty easy transfer of bulky packages, without having to throw them 28 feet in the air to clear the wall. 3. The wall would be a great financial burden

Throughout his campaign, Trump repeatedly declared that Mexico would pay for the wall. And even after requesting $5 billion from Congress and making seemingly little progress with Mexico negotiations, he now insists that Mexico will pay for it indirectly “many, many times over.” But even with his unwavering declarations, it is unclear how Mexico Paige Sredenschek/The SPOKE would be “indirectly” the border. Ever. paying for the wall. Even if Con2. Only a fraction of illegal immi- gress agrees, $5 billion even close to grants and drugs enter through the what’s needed to complete the the southern border project, which is estimated to be upwards of $25 billion. According to Trump, the borDuring the second week of the der wall will be a cure-all solution: government shutdown, Speaker of for illegal immigration, for ter- the House Nancy Pelosi called the rorism and for drug smuggling. wall “immoral” saying it wouldn’t However, as evidenced by DHS divide the U.S. and Mexico, only data, a majority of the undocu- Trump’s constituents from reality. If mented immigrants in the U.S. the cure-all wall can’t stop illegal imdidn’t arrive through the border, migration, drugs or terrorism, what but rather came legally and over- will it accomplish besides plunging stayed their visas. In 2017, the our nation further into debt? The DHS estimated that, as of Sept. 30, answer for Trump is a permanent more than 600,000 of those trav- reminder of both his presidency, elers were still in the U.S., which and the hostility surging through doubled that of 2017 border ap- America.

Coco Kambayashi/The SPOKE

Sports

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

In the fast lane:

Richard Li

Staff Reporter

Senior Brendan Burns glances at the clock on the wall as he surfaces from the pool — it reads 6:30 a.m. While many students are just waking up for school, Burns has been swimming laps at the Upper Main Line YMCA for an hour. But Burns’ day’s work is barely complete, returning to the YMCA to train three more hours in the afternoon. However, Burns is not your average high school swimmer. He is ranked the number one swimming recruit in the nation for the Class of 2019, says collegeswimming.com. This year, at just 17 years old, he qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200-meter butterfly event. “Every day I go to practice and in the back of my head is Olympic Trials,” Burns said. “I think about the races that I’ll swim, I think about how I want to swim them, and I just imagine racing.” Burns said he spends around 20 hours a week training. He said he brings a goal-oriented mentality to the pool, and each time he jumps into the frigid water, he has the same thing on his mind: improvement. “It’s a matter of never settling and always wanting to get better. I look at my swimming career as a progression of setting goals, meeting those goals and then looking ahead to other goals that I can achieve,” Burns said. But, spending so much time in the pool has left Burns making sacrifices. “I’ve had to sacrifice a lot of my social life, I’ve had to sacrifice sleep. I have to watch my diet really closely. If my friends who don’t swim invite me to something, I often have to say I can’t go because of swim practice,” Burns said. “Swimming’s just such an instrumental part of my life that I don’t think anyone else could quite understand the things I’ve

Brendan Burns

sacrificed and the things I’ve done on the road to where I am right now.” However, Burns said he believes his hard work and resolute mindset have paid off, as a quick synopsis of his swimming career reveals a variety of school, state and even national records. The most recent of these is the national public high school record in the 200-short-course-meters freestyle—a record which he shattered by over three seconds. Despite holding several records, the achievement he said he is most proud of is his qualification for the Olympic Trials. “I was close to qualifying for the Olympic Trials in 2016, and to come back this time around and qualify at the earliest opportunity is definitely something I’m extremely proud of,” Burns said. Burns has been a member of Conestoga’s Swim and Dive team since he was a freshman, winning the state titles in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke for the past two years. As captain of the team this year with four titles under his belt, Burns hopes to win again at this year’s state championship in March. “It would make me the first Pennsylvanian to ever win two separate events three years in a row, and that’s something I’m very excited about,” Burns said. Burns said ’Stoga Swim has been an important part in his development as a swimmer, and the past four years have shown him what it means to swim with a team. “’Stoga Swim has really opened up my eyes to what we can accomplish as a team, and it has taught me how to swim when I’m tired— even if I’m exhausted or really beat up, the team still needs me so I always have to just do my best,” Burns said. Burns committed to Indiana University at Bloomington because of its notable swimming program.

Backstroke start (above) : Senior Brendan Burns prepares for the backstroke swim at the Upper Main Line YMCA at a ’Stoga practice. Burns joined the Conestoga Swim and Dive team back when he was a freshman. Smiling with pride (right) : Brendan Burns poses with his gold medals after the meet. Burns qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials in the 200-meter Butterfly event.

What counts when selecting a jersey by Olivia Thompson, photography editor designed by audrey kim, copy editor

Olivia cepielik

“I chose it because my sister has always worn it and she plays softball as well. She’s been someone I’ve looked up to in sports and in life in general, so I’ve been wearing it since I was young, maybe like six or seven.”

softball, senior

“The number 17 was my favorite number, but somebody on the team already had that so I went with the next closest number. Now it is more symbolic for me and it also is Denis Savard’s number (from the Chicago Blackhawks.) I look up to Denis because of what he did for the Blackhawks in the ’80s to help bring the team back.”

claudia latorraca ice hockey, sophomore

CONESTOGA

Numbers on a jersey are a defining element of a sport. From recognition on the field to chants on the sideline, numbers serve as large part of a player’s identity. Here are some numbers worn by ’Stoga athletes and the reason they chose them.

grace King lacrosse, senior

CONESTOGA

Commitment Corner Corner Commitment alex aufiero GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SPORT: LACROSSE GRADE: 11 Why GWU: “I chose George Washington University because I love the location and size of the school and I know that I will be challenged both academically and in lacrosse.”

“I usually try to pick the number 13 because it has been my lucky number for years. Good things have always seemed to happen with that number, and it is Taylor Swift’s lucky number as well. I picked it not only for myself but to support her on the field.”

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Sports

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

We need Wentz for a Super Bowl win

Elena Lindquist Guest Columnist

Avery Maslowsky/The SPOKE

Keeping score: AP Environmental Science and Microbiology teacher Tim Ligget keeps score at a home varsity girls’ basketball game in the large gym. Ligget began scorekeeping 12 years ago for all home basketball games, both girls and boys.

Teacher to scorekeeper: Tim Ligget tallies and targets basketball numbers Melinda Xu

Managing Web Editor

Under the bright lights of the gym, the squeaking of rubber soles on waxed wood mingles with the cheers of the Pioneer Pit, as Conestoga nets in three points. Suddenly, the buzzer sounds. The scoring player has reached their 1,000th point. The game is stopped and celebration ensues, the player taking pictures with his family on the court. Calling a player’s 1000th point is “my biggest thrill. I mean everybody knows, all of the teammates know, most of the stands know, but it’s not official until I say it’s so,” basketball scorekeeper Tim Ligget said. AP Environmental Science

and Microbiology teacher by day, and wearer of the black and white stripes by night, Ligget has been the official scorekeeper for home basketball games for 12 years. His job is to officially record the numbers of each game in a book. “I keep official track of players, what quarters they play, how many points they score, how many fouls are charged against them. I also keep track of fouls and the possession of the ball. Unofficially I keep track of timeouts,” Ligget said. This data is important for both players and coaches to keep track of performance. “We can see what we did well on in each game and also what we need to improve on,” varsity boys basketball player captain Milton Robinson said. Ligget’s experience score-

keeping traces back to college. “I worked for my college’s radio station. I did play-byplay for football, basketball, swimming and a bunch of other sports,” Ligget said. “Since I was doing play-by-play I was keeping my own little stat book so I could do commentary. I don’t know whether somebody asked me or I asked them but it started there.” In particular, Ligget enjoys being able to connect with students outside of teaching. “I really enjoy interacting with the players; that’s always a lot of fun. It’s special when I have a couple of players in my classroom so it’s fun to tease them the next day. It really is nice to see everybody outside of the classroom.” Ligget said. Junior Ellie Kraut, one of Ligget’s AP Environmental Sci-

ence students, enjoys Ligget’s enthusiasm. “I see him every game,” Kraut said. “I think it’s nice that he does more for the school and you can tell that he loves doing it (because) he always mentions when there is a game.” Most of all however, his favorite part of scorekeeping is keeping the game running alongside security guard John Vogan, who mans the scoreboard during games. “The referees have a tough job. They’ve got to keep on top of the action all the time. Mr. Vogan and I are there just to make sure that everything else runs smoothly. Nobody worries about how many timeouts they have, nobody worries about how many fouls there are. That’s what we do,” Ligget said.

This season did not end the way I thought it would; the way that all Philadelphia Eagles fans wanted it to. I envisioned the Birds standing on the podium, hoisting the Lombardi trophy up, reading headlines like “They did it again!” and “Eagles are Backto-back World Champs!” Now, I am stuck with the Patriots taking their sixth Bowl ring. I never lost faith in the Eagles through the past year, the luck of the Birds almost always is apparent. But, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried after last season as the Birds lost some key players and Carson Wentz’s status for opening was once again in question. Three-year Head coach Doug Pederson said Wentz “is our quarterback.” At the beginning of this season, it stood true that the “kid” who had a nearly MVP-like season before his injury last season was going to lead the Birds once again. But, when he got injured for a second time, that worry built inside me once again. So the question is, do we Eagles fans drop Wentz? Wouldn’t it be so easy for us to shake off that worry bundled inside us and throw away our Wentz jerseys and admiration? The probability of injury exists for every player — it’s not just Wentz. It’s undeniable that he’s a hard worker and shows hints of being a Super Bowl-winner. He is the face of talent and determination. He does though lack the magic that Nick Foles gives the Birds.

Foles now has four career playoff games with a passer rating of 100 or more. Only 13 quarterbacks in NFL history have had more. Six of them are in the Hall of Fame. He’s only had 14 incomplete passes in the second half of every playoff game he has started. But does a love for one bird have to mean the wing clipping of another? We should still support Wentz. This isn’t about what Foles has done or could do. In a world where Wentz didn’t exist, Foles would be a fine option for the Eagles starting quarterback. But Wentz does exist. And the Eagles moved up to draft him at number two for a reason. They started him as a rookie for a reason. They put him smack-dab in the middle of the Super Bowl class picture last year for a reason. There are also more tangible reasons that the Eagles started playing better when Foles became the starter. The offensive-line became healthier, and our defense improved tackling. Did this happen because of Foles? No. I’m not saying there isn’t “magic,” I’m only trying to prove a point that those improvements were independent of who played quarterback. Options are wide open with Nick Foles’ trade-value. As a free-agent we could get good value for him, trading him to teams in need of an experienced QB, like Melinda Xu/The SPOKE the Jaguars or the Broncos. And it will be sad to see Foles go, but he will leave as a legend and he knows he will always be an Eagle. But, at the end of the day, Wentz should be our guy. He’s 26 and able to give us another chance to enjoy the Super Bowl for the game and not the chips or commercials. A lot has happened since the injury, but Wentz is the quarterback of the future and what the team needs to build itself up once again.

11 HIGHLIGHT REEL The latest developments in Sports. speeds

Senior Brendan Burns powers through the water to break the Swarthmore College record in the 100 meter Butterfly. shoots

The boys’ varsity basketball team beat rival Radnor 61-56 on Jan. 11. tackles

The boys’ wrestling team beat its biggest rival Upper Darby for the first time in 10 years. travels

The girls’ squash team traveled to Connecticut in late January to compete in Nationals, finishing 36th in the nation and fourth in its division. disappointments

The Eagles suffered a tough loss against the Chicago Bears, knocking them out of the playoffs and cutting their road to the Super Bowl short. cheers

Basketball cheer captains Tiarra Ross and Jazmin Alleyne surpassed the previous record of 32 cheers per 8-minute quarter with 37 cheers. defeats

The boys’ varsity ice hockey team defeated Ridley High School with a score of 7-3. captures

Senior Nicky Cantando walloped his Central League opponents in chess and his 4-0 record leads the Pioneers to their sixth consecutive undefeated season. dribbles

Senior Zach Lezanic reached his personal record of 1000 points during the team’s game against Lower Merion on Feb. 5.

Eagles fall short of Super Bowl repeat Aimee Buttenbaum Sports Editor

The ’Stoga hallways exuded a sense of pride as students decked out in green jerseys walked from class to class on Monday, Feb. 4, 2018, the day after the Philadelphia Eagles won their first NFL Super Bowl Championship. For the past year, people have been celebrating this victory for the Eagles, beginning with the parade that took place on Feb. 8 when hundreds of Conestoga students missed a day of school to support the team. This thrill slowly began to fade as the 2018-2019 season progressed, and another Super Bowl title soon seemed out of reach. The season “didn’t turn out how I wanted it to, but I had a feeling we wouldn’t have the same success as last year,” sophomore Lilli Lucia said. Lucia believes that a lot of this disappointment was due to high spirits from the previous year. “I was not very happy at the beginning of the season because we just won the Super Bowl so expectations are going to be higher and we just weren’t living up to them,” Lucia said. “I was definitely very stressed out during many of the early season games.” When Eagles fans were basking in the glory of their first Super Bowl win, New England Patriots fans such as junior Connor Steele were not excited.

“Last year when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, it was the worst,” Steele said. “I couldn’t wear my Patriots memorabilia without being ridiculed for the next six months.” Throughout the season, the Eagles suffered many tough losses to teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins, but despite this, fans, like senior Ben Axel, remained

hopeful and loyal to the team. “I am a fan of the Eagles even if they lose so of course I was frustrated and full of anger but I am a ride or die fan,” Axel said. For some fans such as junior Annie Hirshman, the Eagles losing to the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the NFL Playoffs was expected. “Even though I wanted them to win the Super Bowl I knew

that they wouldn’t, but I knew that they would make it far,” Hirshman said. While there were losses, there were also victories, many of which Lucia believe brought faith to the Eagles fans that they might have a chance of making it to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. “Honestly when the Eagles won to the (Chicago) Bears in

Aimee Buttenbaum/The SPOKE

Close victory: The Eagles face off in an early season game against the Indianapolis Colts, winning with a close score of 20-16 on Sept. 23 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles played the Los Angeles Rams the previous weekend, and won with a score of 30-23.

the last few seconds because of the missed field goal I really thought that it was a sign that we were supposed to make it all the way.” Lucia said. Already having an emotional season, Eagles fans were thrown another twist when quarterback Carson Wentz suffered from a stress fracture in his back in early December, leaving Nick Foles to carry the Eagles yet again. “When I found out Wentz got hurt, I knew my boy Nick Foles would step up to the plate again so I was not worried too much,” Axel said. The Eagles’ luck kicked in during their game against the Chicago Bears, when Cody Parkey missed the game winning field goal, launching the Eagles into the playoffs. “My favorite moment from the season was when Cody Parkey missed his field goal because I was at Casey’s Pour House and everyone literally went wild,” Hirshman said. The Birds’ winning streak came to an end when they lost 20-14 to the New Orleans Saints, knocking them out of the second round of the playoffs and destroying the dreams of another Super Bowl victory. In an attempt to stay positive, fans like Lucia are already looking forward to next season. “It feels good that the Birds are a team that other teams have to fear and I’m just hoping for another Super Bowl win,” Lucia said.

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SPORTS

The SPOKE Commitment Corner Page 10

Teacher Tim Ligget keeps official score for basketball Page 11

Brendan Burns qualifies for 2020 Olympic Trials Page 10

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Eagles fall short of Super Bowl repeat Page 11

What counts when choosing a number Page 10

Aimee Buttenbaum/The SPOKE

Gliding and sliding across the ice: The varsity boys’ ice hockey team faces off against Ridley. ’Stoga secured a victory, winning by four points with a score of 7-3. The team hopes to advance to the Flyers Cup in March.

Boys hockey continues to post victories Aimee Buttenbaum Sports Editor

Swiftly maneuvering across the ice, eyes on the puck as it glides from player to player, the varsity boys’ ice hockey team has worked in unison for a successful 2018-2019 season.

The team currently has a record of 12 wins, one loss and one tie. During the past two months, the boys have won against main rivals Haverford and Strath Haven, according to senior Malcolm Roeder. So far this season, the boys played Haverford twice and didn’t let in a single goal during those games.

“Haverford was one of the top teams last year and beating them in the Central League Finals last year kind of caused a rivalry to be born along with the fact that we haven’t lost to them since I was a sophomore,” Roeder said. The one tie of the season was with another rival, Downingtown

East. While they are not in the Central League, the Cougars beat the Pioneers in the semi-finals of the Flyers Cup last season in overtime. Roeder attributes the high level of success this season to the entire team, but notably the offense, averaging around five or six goals per game earlier in the season.

While individual players might help a team win, it’s the overall cohesion of the group that junior Frank Konopasek believes makes the boys so successful. “I think we are good this season because we have a great chemistry in the team and we all play for each other,” Konopasek said.

Skiing and snowboarding students make do with limited snowfall Matthew Fan Staff Reporter

Skiing and snowboarding, two unconventional sports, require a certain element in order to function: snow. Winter temperatures in Berwyn have been unseasonably warm and snowfall has been comparatively low in quantity, which poses a problem for those who frequent the slopes in the Poconos. “This year, there has been quite a decrease in snow,” junior snowboarder Ryan Harris said. “I’m not sure why but I’m guessing it’s because of climate change — because of the warmer temperatures, the mountains can’t make artificial snow as often and rain can ruin their efforts.” Harris, though, has not let this lack of natural snow affect him by snowboarding about the same number of times this year as in years past. He also snowboards at Jackson Hole every year. Since this mountain resort is in Wyoming, there is more snow, allowing him to experience normal conditions.

Although traveling to the west or north is a viable option to find snowier conditions, some skiers, including sophomore Kailey Gersbach, favor skiing close to home. Gersbach typically skis at Jack Frost Ski Resort in the Poconos whenever she is free during the weekend. Like Harris, she noticed the change in slope conditions this winter. “The slopes weren’t bad this year, just abnormally icy,” Gersbach said. Senior Raymond Shreve, who used to competitively ski for the Jack Frost race team but now skis as a hobby, notes that the main issue this year has been “the rain on the weekends that can freeze overnight and make bad ice.” However, other than that, his skiing has not been affected by much. “The snow hasn’t been outstanding this winter so far, but we’ve had a couple okay snows,” Shreve said. “All you need is a little bit of snow and some below freezing weather, and the mountain should be able to take care of the rest with snow machines.”

Jim Davenport, the general manager at Big Boulder Mountain, a ski resort in the Poconos, said the slopes are in good condition this season despite only receiving 20 inches of snow, compared to the usual average of 61 to 70 inches each year, according to the National Weather Service. “We started off on Nov. 16 with excellent conditions,” Davenport said. “We’ve made snow after each time we’ve had a warm spell or a rain session.” Addressing the ’Stoga skiers and snowboarders’ concern that the slopes have been especially icy this year, Davenport assures that the slope maintenance crews have taken care of the problem. “We use our groomers, and we groom the whole mountain every night,” Davenport said. As a result of these efforts, Big Boulder (as of Feb. 2) has been able to keep all 16 of its trails open. Thus, even without significant amounts of snow this year, ski resorts have kept conditions up to par with artificial snow, allowing some ’Stoga students to do what they enjoy most in the winter— skiing and snowboarding.

Courtesy Ryan Harris

Icy Slopes: Junior Ryan Harris slides down the side of a mountain at Snowbird in Utah. Harris snowboarded multiple times this season, and even traveled to Wyoming hoping to find perfect conditions. Harris said he will continue to snowboard despite the low snow levels.

SCORELINE B Basketball

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B Ice Hockey

G Ice Hockey

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Wrestling