The Spoke March 2016

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MARCH 15, 2016 CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL BERWYN, PENNSYLVANIA WWW.SPOKE.NEWS VOLUME 66 NO. 5

T

he fact that you can feel that awful using a bathroom, something that everyone needs — it just shouldn’t happen,” said senior Livvie Forbes, president of the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA).

For students who identify with a gender other than their biological gender, daily occurrences, such as using the bathroom, become huge obstacles. As the transgender

movement is gaining attention nationally, the Conestoga community has responded to address this issue.

Conestoga High School labeled specific bathrooms as gender-neutral for the 2015-16 school year. In prior years, the only gender-neutral bathroom accessible to students was located in the nurse’s office, far away from most classes. This created a challenge for students who identified as

Hazing p. 3

Transgender p. 6

transgender and/or non-binary.

The three newly designated bathrooms have made students’ daily routines more convenient.

However, transgender students enrolled in physical education classes must still change in the nurse’s office.

For sophomore Bobby Lenix*, the trek to the nurse’s office is not one of embarrassment, but rather one of pride.

Print Milestone p. 14

“Instead of the boys’ or the girls’ locker rooms I go straight back like, ‘You can’t gender me!’” Lenix said.

Outside of the local spectrum, other areas are making adjustments. On March 7, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an executive order that all people must be allowed to use the public restrooms of their identified gender, not their biological gender.

Beyoncé p. 17

Mayor de Blasio pointed out that New Yorkers have an “obligation” to take charge of the nation’s pursuit for transgender equality.

From the “Big C” to the “Big Apple,” the transgender movement is evolving.

See pages 6 and 7.

Pins 100 p. 23

News

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Six hours of dance: ’Stoga to hold first ever Mini-THON Betty Ben Dor Photography Editor As Four Diamonds fliers fill the halls and “What are you doing on April First?” ads run on Good Morning ’Stoga, Student Council and Key Club prepare to host Conestoga’s first ever Mini-THON. “I think that it will be great for school unity, which is something that we’re always trying to improve,” said Planning Committee Co-Chair and senior Maddie Detwiler. “I’m hoping to see a big turnout and see everyone have fun and enjoy it with their friends.”

Mini-THON will run from 6 p.m. to midnight on April 1. Planning Committee Co-Chair senior Rachel Dixon is hoping 600 students will attend so that the clubs can raise as much money as possible toward Four Diamonds, an organization which helps families battle childhood cancer.

The event will be a six-hour “activities marathon” held in the large and small gyms and in the cafeteria. It will feature Cornucopia-style inflatables, as well as dancing with a DJ and basketball and pingpong tournaments. Once students pay the registration fee, everything at Mini-THON is free, including the food and participation in all of the activities. The clubs organizing the event are working with Chick-fil-A, Rita’s and Handel’s to get food and are in the process of attracting potential speakers. They are working on recruiting groups such as the Hip Hop Club and the drumline to perform.

Student Council and Key Club got the idea for the event from

2 The Spoke

Penn State’s annual THON, which also raises money for Four Diamonds. However, while Penn State’s THON is a six hour dance marathon, ’Stoga’s version will

“I’m looking for a big turnout from the student body. We want to raise a lot of money, but this year, we just really want to get it started so it becomes something that we do

planning committees focus on tasks such as selling advertisements, overseeing registration and organizing activities, food and fundraising.

Paula Miller/The SPOKE

Encouraging registration: Senior Luke Robbins promotes Mini-THON registration through a video on Good Morning Stoga. Mini-THON will be held on April 1 and will run from 6 p.m. until midnight.

One of the main roadblocks focus more on various activities. every year, and it becomes part of The planning committee has not something that everyone is excited facing the planning committee is motivating students to attend the been working with Penn State but for every year,” Gallo said.

Since early September, rep- event. Registration, which initially has been using Four Diamonds for help in putting together the event. resentatives from the two orga- cost $50, has been lowered to $20 Four Diamonds works alongside nizations have met every Friday to encourage more participation.

Penn State Hershey Children’s to work out details. Seniors and Students that signed up by March 1 Hospital to conduct research, help Key Club members Michaela received a free T-shirt, and the first kids with childhood cancer and Caldwell and Dixon as well as 50 to do so received a Pura Vida provide support for their families. Student Council seniors Alex bracelet. While students can sign up Student Council adviser Elizabeth Moon and Detwiler serve as the until March 18, they will not be alGallo said that the event will still take co-chairs of the planning com- lowed to pay at the door. Once they place regardless of how many people mittee and work with Gallo and register, students are encouraged to register. As of now, about 175 people Key Club adviser Leanne Pretz. privately fundraise in their neighhave signed up to attend Mini-THON. In addition, several specialized borhoods to raise even more money

for Four Diamonds.

Detwiler said that she hopes the Mini-THON will become a recurring event so that the school can help families in need.

“I’m looking forward to making something that will become a lasting tradition at Conestoga. I want it to be something that future classes will be able to enjoy and look forward to,” Detwiler said. “We have so many little clubs and little things that fundraise (on their own), but maybe we can do something big as a school and make an impact through that.”

Dixon is enthusiastic about the process of organizing such a largescale event and believes it will make a substantial difference in the lives of the children that Four Diamonds supports.

“There’s a lot of planning that is going into this and the money is going to a really great cause,” Dixon said. “These kids are going to be so excited when they can be cancer-free because it’s something that they have alway dreamed of and it’ll be really great if a lot of students turn out.”

Associate Director of Four Diamonds Leigh Anna Hilbert believes that the elements of putting together a Mini-THON has been a group effort.

“Whatever your skill set is, there’s a place for you in MiniTHON. I think it really brings out students to feel that they can make a difference. I just think that it has so many great things to it,” Hilbert said. “I’m really proud of what these students are doing with MiniTHON. It blows me away every day what students are capable of.”

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

News

School Board proposes free laptops for all students Eric Xue Co-Convergence Editor The Education Committee recently proposed providing laptops for every student as the next step in improving the district’s wireless infrastructure. Similar to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), the new program, “One:One,” will allow students to utilize the power of technology as a means of enhancing their learning experience.

According to Education Committee Chairman Scott Dorsey, the One:One program had been in consideration for quite some time before its formal introduction during the Education Committee’s Feb. 10 meeting. The Educational Committee has been looking for ways to expand student exposure to technology as it becomes more prevalent in today’s society. Dorsey feels that placing laptops in the hands of every student will transform and enhance their learning experience.

“In recent years, we updated all the technology, computer systems and everything in the whole school district, so this (new program) is part of the next step in looking at how we can take all that technology that we have updated and use it to be more effective,” Dorsey said. “One

of the things I was always interested in is not only how our students are competing nationally but also internationally, and this technology will allow us to do that.”

If the new program is passed, which Dorsey believes is probable, implementation will begin with the freshman and sophomore classes. The implementation of the program is expected to start in the fall of 2016 with the ninth and tenth grades, but according to Dorsey, the proposal is still in its investigative phases and nothing is set in stone. According to Dr. Michael Szymendera, the director of instructional technology, the district is working with Dell, HP and Lenovo to create a custom built model so each student will have the same resources at his or her disposal. Nonetheless, because of the district’s previous history with Dell, the computer technology company is likely be chosen over the other two.

The laptops are each projected to cost approximately $385 along with a $170 four-year warranty for a total cost of $555. In order for the district to pay for the number of laptops they need, two financing options were offered at the Finance Committee’s Mar. 8 meeting. The

GETTING TO KNOW 1:1 Begins fall 2016 for Grades 9 & 10 $600 in district funds per laptop 24/7 student access

1:1 Schoolwide usage by fall 2018 Graphic by Michael Zhang

district can either buy the laptops or lease them, both choices having their advantages and disadvantages.

The school board is currently considering which of the two would best suit the needs of Tredyffrin/ Easttown while guaranteeing that the laptops can be afforded by all.

“There are a lot of students who may not have the opportunity to have that technology at home — to be able to afford that technology because of financial issues,” Dorsey said. The new program “is another way to provide everyone that same technology, put it in their hands and help them to be able to use it effec-

tively. It’s important to do this so every student has the opportunity to use technology to the best of their ability.”

With growing awareness of the program, there are some students who express their doubts regarding the digital privacy of students and the need for laptops.

“I’m kind of ambivalent about it because although it would really nice to have a free laptop at least for one year of high school, at same time they would presumably be able to track everything that you’re doing,” junior Jason Vassiliou said.

“I also think this school district, es-

pecially Conestoga itself, is pretty affluent so other than a handful of students, most people have access to computer at home regularly.”

Vassiliou also feels that the new program could be a waste of money. He instead suggests that laptops should only be given to students who do not have access to computers at home.

By the fall of 2018, the program is projected to be in use for seventh and eighth grade students as well as every student in the high school. Access to these laptops at home is also being considered by the school board. By increasing students’ exposure, Dorsey believes that they will be able to utilize technology to its maximum potential, an important skill to have in today’s day and age.

“We want to teach students how use computers and also be protected. We have so much free social media, so many things that you’ve got to be careful of because everything you do leaves a digital footprint.

We want to teach students how to be a good digital citizen, and part of using technology is how to use it safely,” Dorsey said. “We want to be careful in protecting the student and making sure that the student is secure and their privacy protected.”

Hazing allegations flood Conestoga; tensions rise Andy Backstrom Co-Editor-in-Chief Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan announced on Friday, March 4 that three Conestoga varsity football players, all 17 years old, were charged with sodomizing a freshman varsity football player with a broomstick when he refused to participate in a hazing ritual last October.

On March 9, Principal Dr. Amy Meisinger addressed students about the hazing incident. Meisinger conceded that she knew there was a range of emotions among the student body following the release of the allegations and charges, spanning from anger to anxiety to disappointment. But, she affirmed that students should stand tall and continue to have pride for their school, as she stated that the actions of a few do not define who Conestoga is as a whole.

She further noted that if any student wished to discuss the incident with another adult, they would be able to with an administrator or a guidance counselor.

Although some express outrage about the reported conduct, others suggest that it is too soon to make a judgement. In fact, some students organized a voluntary “Stoga Pride” spirit day.

This entailed wearing Conestoga gear

Andy Backstrom/The SPOKE

Timeout: Three senior varsity football players have been charged with sodomizing a freshman varsity player. The school will be conducting a “thorough” investigation and has told students to be patient. to school on Monday, March 7 to toga’s athletic director Dr. Patrick show support for the school.

Boyle has been talking to the athAs all involved are minors, nei- letes and coaches of all of Conesther those charged nor the 14-year- toga’s spring sports teams. He has old victim, who has since left Cones- given a powerpoint, describing the toga, were identified. However, at expectations for conduct from a Hogan’s news conference, he said Conestoga athlete. Then, he covthat the incident occurred on a so- ered the school’s hazing policy, in called “No Gay Thursday,” in which light of the allegations and charges. football players engaged in humiliThe incident has already instigated ating acts in the locker room which change in the locker rooms for spring were not considered “gay” because sports. After athletes leave the locker they were part of a weekly team “rit- room for practice, the locker room ual.” According to the DA, no gay in- door is locked, and if an athlete needs dividuals appeared to be victims, and to get back in, a coach must unlock the no coaches or adults were present. door for them.

Beginning on March 7, ConesAs reported earlier, Chester Coun-

ty Detectives commenced an investigation into hazing at Conestoga in February. A week prior to the release of the charges, The Spoke sought a comment on the investigation from Hogan, but he did not return the call.

In a prepared statement for the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District, superintendent Dr. Richard Gusick announced that Conestoga’s Boyle, now will conduct the district’s own investigation and that the head football coach, John Vogan, has been suspended from coaching pending the outcome. Boyle declined an interview with The Spoke.

The story became national news almost immediately after the charges were announced. A number of profes-

sional media organizations noted that Conestoga recently received a very high rating for academics.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the victim is one of three boys accused by the DA last November of harassing other students by distributing sexually explicit photos of a 13-year-old classmate. But, Hogan told the Inquirer that “no evidence suggested” that the current case is connected to the earlier sexting case.

The sexting scandal was reported in the December issue of The Spoke.

Spoke.news will follow this important and developing story and post news online as it becomes available.

We expect to publish more in-depth coverage in the upcoming May issue.

The Spoke 3

News

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Career Week lands at Conestoga Jeff Xue Staff Reporter “Think of our bodies as a hollow tube,” Dr. Andrew Wells said. “The outside has all sorts of bacteria and fungi on it, and that’s normal. And the inside of the tube is still the ‘outside’ surface, so your entire digestive tract has millions of microbes on it and that’s also normal. Your immune system is there to make sure that those bugs stay on the outside and don’t contaminate the inside.”

Dr. Wells is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and overseer of an Autoimmunity Research Lab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. On March 8, he gave a seminar along with his wife, Dr. Merle Elloso-Wells, during second period as part of Conestoga’s annual career day event. Held in March each year, Career Days started in 2006 as a way for students to learn more about subjects they were interested in.

This year’s event, called the “2016 Career Day Summit,” occurred from March 7-10 and featured 36 speakers from a variety of jobs and backgrounds. It was organized by the 2016 Career Days

Jordan Liu Staff Reporter

Committee, which is headed by Chairperson Jennifer Showers.

“Most of our students go to college, and most of our speakers have taken the college path, and that’s an expensive endeavor,” Showers said. “There are thousands of careers out there for you in five years from now and some don’t even exist today, so basically we ask ourselves ‘where are the opportunities for our students?’”

Many of the speakers are members of Conestoga’s local community and many are experts in their fields. With only 36 slots available, the selection process was tough, with only the jobs showing the most growth and opportunity for students after high school and college being picked. Student feedback from previous years was also taken into account. The presenters represented a wide range of careers, from the sci-

ences, like biology and chemistry, to culinary arts, to entrepreneurship, to fashion, art, education and aviation. Speakers told students not only about the career they’ve chosen, but also the path they took to get there.

Dr. Wells explained how he came to become a professor in microbiology.

“After you get your Ph.D. you become what’s known as a post-doctorate fellow or researcher, and you go into a lab and you’re

Students branch out to save trees

At precisely 9 a.m., the volunteers arrive at the scene, clad in waders and thick rubber gloves, ready to free the captives from their mossy cages. With delicate incisions and brute strength, the students drastically transform the landscape, restoring the overgrown nature preserve to its pristine beauty.

Since 2006, Vine Day has aimed to reduce invasive vegetation that limits tree growth. Held on the second Saturday of each month, Vine Day is a three hour event organized by the Open Land Conservancy of Chester County (OLC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving undeveloped land and managing this land for educational and recreational purposes. Greening

4 The Spoke

Courtesy Dylan Bendit

Heli-cool: Crew members of the JeffSTAT helicopter arrive at Conestoga for Career Days. Over 36 different professionals came to the high school to talk about their work on March 8 to 10.

a professional researcher,” Wells said. “You’ll learn how to research, how to think scientifically, and it’ll be your job to spearhead a project and figure something out under a professor.”

Junior Bharathi Kolluru was one of the students that attended Wells’s seminar. She spoke about the knowledge she took away from her speaker.

“I personally want to become a marine biologist, and I thought that going to see what these biologists do would help me decide whether or not I really wanted to pursue that career,” Kolluru said. “It definitely did give me a few pointers and good information that would help me make a decision.”

Showers emphasizes the importance of the insight career days bring and encourages students to attend.

“A lot of our students, whether accelerated, honors or AP, are working really hard. Breaking them away from a class during this time is hard,” Showers said. “We’re not asking students to miss a whole day of school, but to pick a couple subjects that are interesting to them and to please come and listen to what the speaker has to say.”

’Stoga and Key Club regularly send volunteers, who, in return for their services, receive community service hours. In the past, Conestoga groups such as the Ice Hockey team have participated in Vine Days.

Senior Kitty Latoff, who has participated in Vine Days for the past year, appreciated the community aspect of the event.

Vine Days “were a fun way for me to give back to the community while also participating in Key Club,” said Latoff. “It helps give a nice view of the nature to the people who go to the preserve.”

Environmental science teacher and Greening ’Stoga advisor Kevin Strogen supports Vine Days for the ecological benefits and advocacy.

“You’re physically doing something to eliminate the vines, and at the same time, raising awareness

about invasive species,” Strogen said. “It’s important to spread the message that invasive vines are an issue and that there are things that you and I can do to better our community and the ecosystem.”

Past Vine Days have been held at the George Lorimer and Cool Valley Preserves, which had been notoriously overrun by invasive vegetation. Species such as the Wintercreeper vine threaten the development of native trees, as well as the health of the ecosystem as a whole.

According to Ray Clarke, 65, who currently serves on the Board of Directors at the OLC, Vine Day was created primarily to restore the ecological health of the local preserves.

“Preserves were being overtaken by these vines, and we were worried that trees were slowly but surely getting overtaken by these vines,” Clarke said. “It grew to be a good way for folks to spend a relatively short time and actually make a really big difference, freeing the preserve from any invasive species.”

Strogen recognizes the devastating impact that the invasive vines have on native trees.

“The invasive vines are reaching out from the ground into the tree canopy and therefore taking nutrients from the trees and adding weight to the limbs and breaking

Courtesy Ray Clarke

Stemming the problem: Members of Key Club help preserve a Shagbark Hickory tree. The cleared folliage will help the tree grow for 350 more years. them,” Strogen said. “The vines are generally contributing to a lack of diversity in the preserves.”

Despite having organized the project for almost ten years, the Open Land Conservancy claims that, for at least another decade, the problem of invasive species will persist, and there will continue to be large areas with untouched vines.

Currently, the Conservancy plans on starting a new project this spring to combat phragmites, or common reed, in the Valley Creek and Cedar Hollow Preserves.

In addition to supporting the health of the nature preserves, Vine Days bring like minded individuals from around the area, joining together in a common cause. Strogen

appreciates how enjoyable Vine Days can be for the community, while also helping the OLC maintain healthy nature preserves.

“It’s a fun and cathartic activity, especially when you’re outside on a nice day,” Strogen said. “It feels good to destroy the vines, but also knowing that you’re benefiting the ecosystem.”

For Clarke, Vine Days are rewarding experiences, both environmentally and socially.

“The best part is when everyone gathers around at the end, sipping their hot chocolate, and they just stand around and look at what they’ve done,” Clarke said.

“They’re glowing a bit, and they feel that they’ve made a difference.”

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

ticular attention. “Tangerine,” a students to use the bathrooms he also identified as transgender. gender, explains that just findcritically-acclaimed Sundance and locker rooms corresponding After a couple of months and ing the right identity can be a Three of the sources included more research, he felt confident big step. in this piece are anonymous as film released in July, follows the to their biological sex. in his decision.

“You’re questioning yourself story of a transgender sex worker The primary legal action a precautionary measure to pre“From that, things made sense. for so long and you don’t feel who discovers that her boyfriend on the issue is being taken by vent potential bullying, judgment And I think it is really good when like you fit in,” Kerry said. “So is cheating on her.

The Academy the states, largely because it is or discrimination. The anonymity Award winning film “The Danish a developing social concern. you realize, oh I’m not weird, it’s when you find that identity and is a means of protection. While Girl” tracks the challenges and Eighteen states clearly prohibit not only me. There’s a ton of oth- feel that it fits you really well, the transgender movement is pro- obstacles of the recipient of one discrimination against transgen- er people and it’s not abnormal,” it’s just a huge sigh of relief.” gressing, it is not tolerated by ev- of the pioneering sex-change sur- der people, including Massachu- Lenix said.

However, transitioning can eryone in our community or across gical operations.

For junior Shawn Cameron*, be an extremely difficult prosetts, Maryland and New Jersey. the nation.

Junior Jill Sharples states that Pennsylvania has not formally determining gender identity was cess. When coming out to their parents, both Cameron and Lethe release of a film pertaining to passed a law that specifically a more gradual process.

Andy Backstrom and “I started realizing that a lot of nix had a hard time explaining the transgender movement can outlaws transgender discrimiPaula Miller open the gateway for discussion. nation, but is affected by fed- the time I just didn’t see myself their situations. Cameron also boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boylaw, boy boywhich boy boy boyhas boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boy boyjust boy boy boy boy boy with boy boy boy boy boy boyat boy boy boy boy boy asboy a boy girl,” Cameron said.

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Editor’s Note:

VENU S

transgender. However, 16.9 million people tuned in to view Caitlyn Jenner’s “20/20” segment with Diane Sawyer on ABC in April 2015, in which Jenner introduced her true self.

While the number of transgender people is relatively small, the number of people who are willing to offer support appears to be growing.

After Jenner came out publicly, the media focused new attention on the transgender movement, and some of the most popular transgender icons began to receive recognition as role models in society. Laverne Cox, a transgender actress, is best known for her role in the Netflix series, “Orange Is the New Black.” Cox is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy award, be on the cover of Time Magazine and have a wax figure modeled after her in Madame Tussauds.

The film industry has also addressed the transgender movement in recent years. In 2015, two films garnered par-

6 The Spoke

and research. Kurtlan Massarsky, Director of Development and Marketing at Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Youth (BAGLY), believes that the web serves as a safe zone for the transgender community.

“With streaming services and online content, people’s knowledge of their community and the people that they’re not usually around has increased. It has given trans people a platform and a safer space in which they can come out,” Massarsky said.

Forbes understands that national icons of the transgender movement are essential, but also that people need to be aware that the transgender community is local as well.

Conestoga High School is not the only high school to have opted to designate gender-neutral bathrooms. In fact, in some areas of the country, much is being done to ensure the rights of trans people in the larger community.

On March 2, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard vetoed a bill that would have mandated state public school transgender

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Transitioning to becoming transgender “is a thing that happens and there are people like this, not just on TV. (The transgender movement) needs to become normal, because it is normal,” Forbes said.

Personal

While public figures and mainstream media have made strides for the transgender community on a national front, one particular story influenced sophomore Bobby Lenix*. During his freshman year, Lenix read about Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen who took her own life in December of 2014. Alcorn gained national attention for the suicide note she posted on Tumblr, which described her difficult experience as a transgender teen and called for gender education. From Alcorn’s story, Lenix realized that

started to bother me being called girl, daughter, she,” Cameron said.

Last year, Cameron came out to their parents, then later decided to change their name and ultimately switched to gender neutral pronouns. Many transgender and non-binary people select prefered pronouns to reflect their self-identified gender: he/him, she/her, they/them.

Now Cameron identifies as “a non-binary transgender person.

So non-binary as in not a guy, not a girl. Transgender as in I’ve transitioned from my birth gender to where I am now.”

Senior Sam Kerry*, who identifies as genderfluid and trans-

this behavior to a lack of understanding, but also notes its serious effects.

“I would have to do a lot of explaining all the time. And that just gets tiring in and of itself. So you just kind of almost feel like giving up on it after a while,” Cameron said. “It was hard, it was very hard. I mostly depended on my friends and my mom to try and get through it.”

Kerry and Lenix also found comfort in their friends, who supported them throughout the process. Lenix was even surprised at the support he received from classmates.

“I have a ton of support in school. People that I didn’t even imagine supported me,” Lenix said.

Despite many positive reactions from friends and class-

Continued on p. 7

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Continued from p. 6 mates, Kerry worries that the adults in their life won’t understand. Kerry finds that older generations may not be completely accepting.

“A lot of people think it’s a phase, they’re faking or they’re trying to get attention,” Kerry said. “You get a lot of stress from that because you feel like people won’t believe you and that they think you’re too young to know about that, which I think is ridiculous.”

Even when others did not accept Cameron as transgender, they were able to rely on friends who accepted them regardless of how they chose to identify.

They believe that this kind of support is vital to anyone who is transitioning.

“Come out to someone that you know will accept you first because that always is the most reassuring thing. And just to someone that you know won’t judge you for it and you know that however you do decide to transition, they’ll be ok with every step of it,” Cameron said.

School

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News

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

With over 60 students signed up for the club and about 30 active members, GSA plays an important role in advocating for LGBTQ students.

This year, Forbes notes that a large percentage of GSA members identify as transgender or non-binary. Forbes estimates that the number of transgender students at Conestoga likely ranges from 15 to 30. This year, the GSA has focused specifically on making Conestoga a safer place for these students.

Dr. Oscar Torres, curriculum supervisor, began working closely with Forbes and the

GSA after their presentation at the Diversity Committee meeting in November.

“At the Diversity Committee meeting, the GSA student presenters asked that I share their (transgender and non-binary students’) information with teachers, especially the importance of pronouns in regards to transgender youth,” Torres said.

“Our generation is the first generation that is really coming out and accepting everyone and trying to treat everyone as equal. That’s not always true, but I think our school can breed that equality,” -Junior Caroline Kneeley In response to the GSA’s presentation, Torres committed to address LGBTQ topics during the New Teacher Induction Workshop on Diversity. To further this initiative, GSA members will present again during the inservice day on March 28 to the entire Conestoga staff.

Aside from the GSA, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also works to advocate for and support LGBTQ students. After training, ADL members learn to teach and practice tolerance.

“We just want to create an environment where people feel comfortable enough to be themselves, however they identify themselves,” ADL President se-

nior Madison Niness said.

The administration strives to create a positive environment for students.

“We always look at the idea of being an inclusive environment and making sure that we are programing for all students in our school and that we have facilities in our school that are available to everyone,” Athletic Director Patrick Boyle said.

Many transgender students and allies reiterate that one of the biggest challenges in creating this safe environment is awareness, especially regarding proper terminology and pronoun use.

Forbes believes this awareness should begin in the classroom with more extensive education on topics such as gender identity. Forbes would ideally like for the GSA to host a school-wide assembly to educate students on LGBTQ topics.

“We need to start actually doing something instead of pretending that everything’s ok, because it’s not and these kids feel it, and it can affect their school work, it can cause people to drop out of high school and not graduate, and it can just set them up for failure, and it’s not fair. It’s not fair at all,” Forbes said.

A lack of education on these issues prolongs the process of acceptance. Senior Adrian Gutierrez-Sanchez observes confusion and misunderstanding, which often result in intolerant behavior.

Gutierrez-Sanchez believes people should emphasize “awareness over everything. I feel like very few people are bigoted deeply at their core, though a lot of people are uninformed.”

Niness agrees with this sentiment, but concedes that it requires time to learn and adjust to the transgender movement.

“I think everyone tries to be very considerate of it in general,

but the problem is how little they know. I still don’t know, and I still get stuff wrong too. So it definitely is a learning process for everyone,” Niness said.

Through working with the GSA, Torres has realized that he also has more to learn, and that by being willing to learn, teachers and administrators can make a difference.

“We must continue to educate ourselves and ask questions that will allow us to better understand and support our students. A simple question such as ‘Do you have a preferred pronoun?’ can make a student feel valued and supported,” Torres said.

The development of transgender and non-binary equality is dependent on the up and coming generations. Junior Caroline

Kneeley feels that this goal is attainable.

“Our generation is the first generation that is really coming out and accepting everyone and trying to treat everyone as equal.

That’s not always true, but I think our school can breed that equality,” Kneeley said.

Even though the transgender movement is still maturing, Lenix recognizes that in the past, his journey would have been virtually impossible.

“I think afterwards, at the end of the day I’m really thankful that this is the generation I’m living in because I know a lot people who love music from the 50s or the 60s, but I know that if I had lived in that time I don’t know how I would be able to face this,” Lenix said.

Andy Backstrom/The SPOKE

Bearing awareness: A transgender student wears a “Nobody Knows I’m Transgender” T-shirt. They and their friend, whose shirt reads “Nobody Knows I’m Lesbian,” created and printed the T-shirts together over a weekend. They plan to continue to wear them to school to increase awareness.

In Terms of Transgender Transgender: Non-binary: Genderqueer: Genderfluid: Agender: Cisgender:

Not identifying with your gender assigned at birth Identifying as a gender other than male or female (Same definition as non-binary) Having a different gender identity at different times Not identifying as any gender Identifying as your gender assigned at birth The Spoke 7

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

STUDENT LIFE

O

O

Meagan O’Rourke and Lyvia Yan Co-Convergence Editor and Staff Reporter

The Anthem of the Opera: ’Stoga students revive art form

Students at ’Stoga are braving the vocal heights to develop their voices and delving into the dramatics of opera. Opera singing took root in the 16th century and is a combination of dramatic acting and singing.

Even though other genres have surpassed it in popularity, opera still holds its place in the music world, especially for sophomore Amelia Dubendorf and junior Joey Fleshman.

PPP

Amelia Dubendorf has never worn a Viking helmet with braids, but two years ago she fell in love with opera. Before singing her first aria, Dubendorf studied Broadway and pop with a vocal teacher. However, after trying out songs from a book of operas given to her by a new teacher, she discovered how much she preferred opera over other types of voice.

“One thing I really like is that (opera) suits my voice better than some of the others,” Dubendorf said.

The switch from pop to opera came with technical challenges, but Dubendorf appreciates the complexity of the music.

“It is a lot more difficult because in pop you do riffs and in opera you do ornaments,” Dubendorf said.

Ornaments are the smaller notes in sheet music which indicate optional notes the singer can hit to embellish a song.

Often, the ornaments are part of one large word, meaning the singer needs tight control to hit each note.

8 The Spoke

“Especially if you are a soprano, you need great breath support, or else it just doesn’t sound right,” Dubendorf said.

In addition to navigating tricky ornaments, Dubendorf sings in different languages.

Dubendorf mostly sings Italian operas and goes through line by line with voice teacher, opera singer Elisa Matthews, to figure out the meaning of the story.

There are some people who can’t stand it, and if you don’t like that type of classical music then don’t listen to opera.

But if you are more open and interested in learning more about it, then do.

-Sophomore Amelia Dubendorf Her favorite opera is “La Bohème” composed by Giacomo Puccini. The 1895 classic follows the romance between baritone Rodolfo, a poor poet, and his beautiful neighbor, soprano Mimi, who meets Rodolfo when she asks him to borrow a match when

h e r cand l e blows o u t .

Their hands A. touch, and they fall for each other.

“That was my favorite — the love in the show,” Dubendorf said.

If she k n e w fluent Italian, Dubendorf explained that she C. would one day want to play the role of Mimi.

“I really like the character Mimi. I really like the soprano characters because I feel like I can relate to them,” Dubendorf said.

Dubendorf is uncertain of whether she will perform in full-length operas in the future, but she knows she wants to keep singing classical music for audiences. Over the summer, she sings in the The Vocalist, a Delaware County competition for singers ages 7 to 24, showcasing her opera skills and occasionally revisiting her Broadway-style singing beginnings.

Opera may not be on the Billboard Charts, but Dubendorf hopes people will consider listening to the musically rich genre she has studied over the past two years.

“It is not for everyone, obviously. There are some people who can’t stand it, and if you don’t like that type of classical music then don’t listen to opera. But if you are B. more open and interested in learning more about it, then do.”

PPP

On the field, an offensive tackle shouts to pump his teammates up for the game. Little do people know that this bellowing cheer can also be finessed into a powerful opera voice. Junior Joey Fleshman is one of the few — if not the only — football-playing opera singers.

“Opera and football are simi-

lar in some ways, such as endurance, technique and talent. I think it makes me unique and more multi-talented,” Fleshman said.

Fleshman’s interest was first sparked

or, which he describes as “a tenor with a more rich, dark, powerful and dramatic voice.”

Opera, although difficult, can be highly rewarding because of its variety in language and storytelling effect.

“You should give it a shot –– it’s beautiful music,” Fleshman said.

Opera terms Libretto: The text of an opera work by his D. mother, member of the board of directors for an opera company in Philadelphia, who invited him to perform in the operatic chorus. In addition to opera, Fleshman sings in the choruses, select choirs and musicals at ’Stoga. However, opera challenges Fleshman the most.

“Opera is more of a technique, and it’s more endurance singing than it is a musical forte, because it’s all singing, there’s no speaking parts in it and it’s a lot harder on the voice,” Fleshman said.

He learns the music and technique from Diana Borgia-Petro, a vocal instructor at Immaculata University. She mainly helps him master the music and offers critique here and there, but Fleshman has the responsibility to learn the music, written in different languages.

“Just memorizing all the different languages is really difficult to do. I t takes a long time to understand, and you don’t really know what you’re singing most of the time, so you kind of got to make words that sound like it,” Fleshman said.

Most people are familiar with the traditional Italian operas, however Fleshman enjoys singing in German the most because it’s “a beautiful language to sing.”

Fleshman not only enjoys German operas because of their language and complexity, but also because they cater to his unique voice. He is a heldenten-

Buffa: Over-the-top comedic opera Recitative: Half sung and half spoken dialogue to get in a lot of text

Who is woman wearing the Viking hat?

Brünnehilde from Wagner’s opera “Ring of the Nebulung” and she is based on Norse mythology. She is a warrior princess with a powerful voice. Her character is better known by the phrase, “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.”

Photos A. Do you hear the people sing?: Sophomore Amelia Dubendorf combines opera with Broadway in a performance of Les Misérables.

B. Hitting the high notes: Amelia Dubendorf sings the aria “Alma del Core.”

She sings mostly in Italian.

C. On Call: Junior Joey Fleshman plays Joey Biltmore in ’Stoga’s “Guys and Dolls.” He sings in operas and musicals.

D. All about that heldentenor: Joey Fleshman belts his part in the Mozart opera “Così fan tutte.”

Photos A and B courtesy Amelia Dubendorf. Photo C courtesy Nik Delgado.

Photo D courtesy Joey Fleshman.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Student Life

Shivani Sanghani and Emma Purinton Public Relations Manager and Staff Reporter “I was just looking online. When I’m alone, I do stupid things,” Wayne baker Stephanie Brown said. “I honestly did not expect anything.”

This spontaneous online search quickly evolved into a major network television experience for Main Line native Stephanie Brown, 24, who competed on the Food Network baking show, “Cake Wars,” in January. “Cake Wars” is a dual-round competition hosted by “Mean Girls” breakout star, Jonathan Bennett, in which four expert bakers compete for a $10,000 prize and the chance to see their creation at the center of a major event—in this case, at the kick off to Disney Infinity’s “Star Wars” video game.

Brown initially came across an online casting call in mid- October and was soon invited to California to compete after applying for the show.

“Beforehand I practiced my

May the frosting be with you techniques for different things so I wouldn’t look like a complete idiot. Because I’ve only done cakes for two years, and compared to the people I was up against, I was an amateur,” Brown said. “One of the people I went up against, he was on ‘Next Great Baker,’ and the other one, she was a ‘Food Network Ambassador.’ She knew what she was doing — -she was on ‘Duff Till Dawn.’ She did ‘Halloween Wars,’ all this stuff.”

However, Brown, the Temple University graduate has a lot of baking experience. She now coowns and co-manages Wayne’s The Ultimate Bake Shoppe.

“I’ve been baking for fourteen, almost fifteen years. It’s my family’s business. We own ([The Ultimate Bake Shoppe)] now, my mom owns the flower shop, so I’ve been coming here since I was very little.

After winning second place in a cake competition in Atlantic City in May of 2014, with an “Alice in Wonderland” cake, she gained interest in cake decorating “I’ve never been taught — I’m self-taught. Most cake decorators, they’ve learned from somebody or

Emma Purinton/The SPOKE

Icing on the cake: Co-owner of The Ultimate Bake Shoppe Stephanie Brown works in her bakery in Wayne.

She recently competed on Food Network’s “Cake Wars.” they’ve gone to school. I learned I have a long way to go.” first-hand from just doing it, and Filming for the competition Google Images, and I do tutorials. took all day, with the competitors So obviously I’m still learning and working in pairs. In addition to

choosing her mother as her assistant, Brown was also provided with two additional helpers.

In the first round, contestants had 75 minutes to create a “miniature cake,” using two secret ingredients for the first round, entitled “Batter Up.” The second round lasted four hours, requiring contestants to assemble a cake that “showcased an epic battle.”

Brown was given “Star Wars” as her theme.

“We had to make a 5-foot tall cake in the final round. It took three of us just to carry the cake. It was about 300 pounds with a base cake of 18 layers and a second tier of 10 layers,” Brown said. “It was crazy. I thought we were going to drop it for sure.”

Brown and her team constructed a 5-foot, “intergalactic masterpiece,” featuring Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda and other characters caught up in a dynamic battle scene.

Despite Brown’s loss in the second round, guest judge and Vice President of Development for Disney Infinity, John Vignocchi said that Brown’s cake’s “flavor [was] fit for a Sith Lord.”

Actor Antonio Fava unmasks Commedia Dell’Arte Warren Zhao Staff Reporter When Antonio Fava puts on one of his world-renowned masks, he becomes the devious Pulcinella, or the heroic Il Capitano. Fava practices the art of Italian theatre, or Commedia dell’arte. On Feb. 18, Fava came to ’Stoga to share his art with students.

“Commedia dell’arte talks about real people in real situations in a very spectacular manner. It is the big show of the collective truth, of us all,” Fava said.

Around the 16th century, Commedia dell’arte began in southern Italy. It is characterized by its use of character archetypes, of which there are three: the servants, or “zanni,” the elders, or “vecchi” and the lovers, or “amorosi.”

Actors distinguish characters on stage through the use of masks that caricaturize and exaggerate certain aspects of the human face. For example, Fava’s most famous role, Pulcinella, who is one of the “zanni,” features a large, beak-like nose.

Warren Zhao/The SPOKE

Fava’s faces: Actor Antonio Fava performs Italian theater, also known as Commedia dell’arte, for students. Fava’s most famous role is Pulcinella, a character with a large beak-like nose.

Meanwhile, the “amorosi” do not have masks, to emphasize their youth and innocence. According to Fava, characters and their masks are the same; they cannot be separated.

On average, it takes Fava

four days to fashion a mask.

Because he creates each one by hand with hand-crafted tools, every mask he produces is different, and Fava believes that each almost has a life of its own.

Depending on their teachers, students had the opportunity to watch Fava’s presentation of Commedia dell’arte.

Fava’s presentation “was very different than I expected, but overall, I thought it was

interesting and I learned a lot (about a cultural art),” sophomore Ashleigh Lake said.

“There are references to Commedia dell’arte in English, Italian and history (classes), so I figured it was something that would appeal to a lot of different subjects. In the audience, we had a lot of people from art, from English, and from history classes,” Italian teacher and organizer of the event Aaron Gutter said.

Gutter first heard of Fava through Karen Saillant, who works with Fava through the International Opera Theater.

Because the Theater is based in Philadelphia, Pa., Saillant brings Fava to area schools every year to present Commedia dell’arte to students.

“It’s extremely important to preserve the humanities, like Commedia dell’arte. In many ways, they tell us how we get to where we are, in terms of art.

We would not have sitcoms today, without Commedia dell’arte. It tells us where we come from and it illuminates parts of us that are worth exploring. It illuminates the parts of us that make us human,” Gutter said.

The Spoke 9

Student Life

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Having the Wright attitude: cheerful in service Ian Ong Centerspread Editor When one first meets Victor Wright, the first thing that resonates may be his deep, rich voice reminiscent of the Jazz Age, or perhaps it may be his tall stature.

However, the most striking feature of Victor Wright is undoubtedly the cheerful demeanor and genuine smile he wears.

Over the years, Wright has had the opportunity to travel as a custodian wherever needed, and in one instance he worked in Florida before arriving in the T/E community. Wright started working at Conestoga in 2004, and has since become a member of the custodial department, which includes 17 people. He serves as a “head team leader” in the custodial department, meaning that he receives calls from the principal and manages the work of other custodians when Custodial Services Supervisor Ciro Cecco is not available.

According to Cecco, Wright is a pleasure to have at work due to his comical attitude and his way of lightening up the moods of his co-workers.

10 The Spoke

Ian Ong/The SPOKE

Spic-and-Span: Custodian Victor Wright stays after school daily until 11 p.m. and is in charge of maintaining the main hallway. Wright began working at Conestoga in 2004.

“They all like him, he gets to a point where he’s good and he’s funny, but he gets them to go and gets the job done,” Cecco said.

“That one of the reasons why he’s a team leader. He has that ability.”

The job of a custodian is not limited to simply keeping the halls and rooms clean as many students may believe, it also consists of snow removal, summer work

and setting up courts for games.

Wright himself is in charge of raising and lowering the flag each day. Custodians work 12 months a year cleaning and maintaining the facilities for students and staff even while they are on break. The school is divided up into wings that are assigned to individual custodians, who ensure that the cleaning is done by day’s end.

“I’m downstairs where the clay room is at, I’m in charge of that wing right there,” Wright said.

Maintenance occurs during three main shifts (the first starting from 5 a.m. and the last ending early the next day), meaning that, in the words of custodian Marcus Stokes, the building “is open 24/7.” Wright works during the busiest shift, which runs from after school until 11 p.m., when his work is complete for the day.

In his freetime, Wright enjoys watching documentaries and relaxing at home listening to music, especially jazz artists, like saxophonist Kenny G. “I turn my music on (when I get home), and then I turn PBS on. I mute the TV and listen,” Wright said. “If you take the volume out of a TV, you can pretty much read the lips of what people are saying.

So that’s what I do.”

At work, Wright has been complimented numerous times about his deep and easily identifiable voice, which he claims to have neglected to utilize when he was young.

“When I was 13 or 14 years old, I used to kind of not use it,” Wright said. “But after people

started saying, ‘Oh man, you got a nice voice,’ I started to use it.”

Despite his extraordinary vocal timbre, Wright does not have any current aspirations to become a singer.

“I love music, but I don’t sing music,” Wright said. “I’d just rather listen to it.”

Both at his job and in his per-

“Pretty much you just have to go with the flow. Be seen, not heard. If you do your job, I’m sure that people will notice.”

-Custodian Victor Wright sonal life, Wright lives by the Golden Rule, namely treating others the way you want to be treated.

His advice to students is to follow this advice and, above all, “think before you speak.”

“Pretty much you just have to go with the flow,” Wright said. “Be seen, not heard. If you do your job, I’m sure that people will notice.”

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Student Life

Ms. Krista Sanelli Spanish teacher Krista Sanelli discusses her fear of fish, passion for ballroom dancing and first experience eating pigeon.

Allison Reagan Staff Reporter Design by Ian Ong Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Bucks County, in Doylestown. (I went) to Central Bucks South High School.

Why did you choose to become a Spanish teacher?

I always really liked languages in general and I also was always very interested in the idea of teaching. And then I got to a point where I realized I actually want to teach a language. Originally I thought maybe I wanted to be a history teacher for a while, and then there was just something about Spanish and learning about other cultures and getting to explore new places and talk to people from different walks of life that I really liked.

If you weren’t a Spanish teacher, what do you think you would be?

I actually always wanted to be a teacher, to be honest.

When I was very young, I wanted to be a marine biologist, but that was before I realized I was afraid of fish.

So I think that wouldn’t have worked out. Maybe something like working in the community with some kind of community group, like a nonprofit. Maybe even the business world, like working in international business.

What are your interests outside of school?

I like to ballroom dance.

I’ve been taking lessons for two years, since I started working here basically. Initially, I wanted to learn how to salsa dance, and that was my motivation. I have a lot of friends who can do salsa dances and other Latin dances, so I jumped in because of that. But then I just really got caught up in the whole world of it.

It’s a v e r y

important part of the culture, and I realized that, and it was a part I felt like I couldn’t take part in, so I wanted to be able to access that side of the culture as well.

Why do you travel and where have you been?

I love being able to use Spanish, and maintain it, and being able to use it in context.

I studied abroad in Argentina when I was in college, and I went back a couple years after that. I’ve been to Italy. I spent a lot of the summer in Spain last year. Spent a little bit of time in Uruguay as well when I was in Argentina. The Bahamas and Canada. I love it. I think it’s a great way to see how other people live and also it has given me a different perspective on the world. Not looking at things so much from the perspective I grew up with, but trying to see things from a different standpoint.

Have you kept in touch with a lot of the people you met during your travels?

I have a lot of friends that I still maintain contact with from Argentina. My best friend is from Venezuela — lives in Venezuela. I met her when I was in Argentina and she, in particular, has had a major impact on me. Just the way she sees the world. She was raised in a very different sort of setting.

I think I’ve learned a lot about being open and even more tolerant towards other people, other cultures as a whole.

Are there any specific cultural differences you notice when you’re in a Latin American country?

The first time that I had met (my friend from Venezuela), kind of early on when we were becoming friends, she had this impression that I didn’t like her.

It was because in Latin America, there tends to be a little bit more of a closeness associated, based on how far away you stand from someone when you talk to them. In the U.S.,

that’s not super common. So I didn’t do those things because I wasn’t fully used to being in that setting yet, and she took that as me either not liking her or not wanting to be a friend to her. A cold American tends to be the impression that is given because of the fact that we tend to maintain more personal space.

What is the most interesting thing that you have ever eaten?

When I was in Spain in the summer, I had pigeon at this restaurant in San Sebastian. So that was kind of weird.

That was something I wasn’t sure if I would like. It was a little different. I think it was also the idea of it. I couldn’t really get over that (I was eating pigeon).

Have you ever met anyone famous?

I think I passed by Conan O’Brien on the street in New York, but it was one of those things where you didn’t recognize them right away. And also one time when I was in Disney World when I was very young, I walked by (Dylan and Cole Sprouse).

And I met my favorite singer, KT Tunstall. (She’s) not super well known, but I got to see her.

Favorites: Movie: “It’s A Wonderful Life” Book: “Harry Potter” series Food: Italian Sport: Swimming Color: Blue Spanish Dialect: Argentinian Song: “Heal Over” by KT Tunstall Quote: “Sólo una cosa vuelve un sueño imposible: el miedo a fracasar.” By Paulo Coelho “Only one thing makes a dream impossible: the fear of failure.”

The Spoke 11

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12 12The The Spoke Spoke

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Student Life

UnSPOKEn Advice: Ides of March Dear The Spoke, Between homework, softball practice, tuba lessons and work, I have very little time left for sleep. I have noticed that during history class, my eyes want to close and I really want to take a nap. My teacher likes to embarrass me, and I wake up with lots of rude post-its stuck to my back. What are some tips to increase my snooze time?

Mary Mei and Camille Kurtz Student Life Editor and Copy Editor March is notorious for being one of the most uneventful months of the year. Unlike February, with its theme of love, or April, with its air of playfulness, March generates little excitement. The threat of AP Tests and college decisions also contribute to the stressful environment. The Spoke has noticed the pressure and decided to offer some candid and extremely specific advice.

Dear The Spoke, The month of March is especially stressful to me. I love St. Patrick’s Day, but my friends keep suggesting I wear hats with the slogan “kiss me, I’m Irish.” This is particularly distressing for me because I am not Irish. I am Asian. How do I navigate these choppy, politically correct waters?

Review by Staff Reporter Jahnavi Rao

Wawa, the gas station turned convenience store, is the lifeblood of many Conestoga High School students. Whether it be something to grab on-the-go or to bring home and eat at the table, Wawa has it all. From quesadillas, to milkshakes to petroleum, there’s not much you can’t find at this store. The question is, does this catch-all brand beat out homemade products and stores on the Main Line that specialize in these food items?

Dear Kick Me, We are very sorry to hear that you are not getting the beauty sleep that you deserve. If you are feeling targeted by your peers, you need to retaliate. Like the old saying goes, “fight paper with paper.” Cut out a pair of paper eyes and carefully place them in the depths of your eye socket. With this precaution taken, you are free to snooze in peace.

Dear The Spoke, I am a procrastinator, and I wait until the last minute to do my homework. How can I get motivated more quickly?

Dear B. O. (Bad Organizer), Like your teachers never told you, “it’s not homework unless it’s due tomorrow.”

In fact, you’ll be more motivated the later you begin your assignment. For example, we are currently writing this advice column days after the deadline. And guess what? We are as motivated as ever! Take it from some A-level procrastinators: late work is great work.

Dear Lepre-con-artist, We are no experts on the subject of race, but we believe that St. Patrick’s Day has more to do with drinking than Irish people.

Which means you are too young to be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Round 1:

MILKSHAKES Even though Punxsutawney Phil has deemed it winter, cold vanilla milkshakes are the dessert of choice for many an epicurean. The classic $3 F’real at Wawa is a delicious treat with the added bonus of blending the beverage yourself. The regular thickness button spits out a milkshake with a thick at first consistency that thaws to a runny one, both of which have a great flavor.

A $4.72 milkshake from Handels, the Main Line’s very own year-round ice cream store, has a thickness that doesn’t quite come up the straw. The flavor is still there, but standing out in the freezing cold with a line of other shivering patrons doesn’t get you quite as excited for a milkshake as making one yourself with a giant blender at Wawa.

WINNER: Wawa Both stores have a wide array of flavors, with 68 varieties at Handels. However the Wawa option, $2 cheaper, has the same aspects of the homemade chunky milkshake at the Handels in Berwyn. Instead of waiting in line for upwards of 40 minutes, the five minute trip to Wawa not only is far quicker, but also includes the exciting experience of using the F’real machine.

Dear The Spoke, I’ve been hearing a lot about March Madness lately. Many of my friends are comparing their brackets and planning how they are going to win the $1 billion prize money. I am personally not a basketball fan, and I feel left out during conversations.

Should I make more of an effort to get involved in March Madness?

Dear Dubious Baller, You don’t have to feel obligated to participate in the March Madness frenzy. However, it would be very infuriating to your friends if your bracket did better than theirs.

As a non-basketball aficionado, you have almost every advantage. Forget about analyzing team records and statistics and go with your gut. Cool mascots, pretty jerseys and good-looking players are great themes to build your bracket around. And if all else fails, you can always pay a basketball expert to fill one out for you; if you are sure your bracket will win, you can even afford to invest up to $1 billion.

The Wawa Test

Round 2:

QUESADILLAS

Andy Backstrom/The SPOKE

This advice column will be a recurring piece. Tweet @thespoke questions you would like to have answered in the April issue. The next theme is Prom.

When wandering into Chipotle, you can order their $4.50 quesadilla. Plain cheese and with a side of guacamole, each aspect is made with care and served on a single plate. The portion of the meal may be a bit excessive, but leftovers are always an option. Just remember to ask the waiter or waitress to box it up. That’s 50 cents saved right there. The food is great, but lingering on your mind is the recent food poisoning scare and if you’ll wake up that night just to heave into your toilet.

Quesadillas from Wawa, also plain cheese, are $4.00, without sides. However, a hot food item ready to go at various convenient Wawa locations makes it a simple and filling option. One downfall is that the lack of dipping sauce leaves the dish a bit dry, but if eaten fast enough, the melted cheese can address that concern.

WINNER: Wawa While Wawa does not have guacamole, the cost is about the same at both stores.

The quality of the one at Chipotle is not that much better than Wawa’s quesadillas, and the convenience of Wawa makes it a much more viable option. The nearest Chipotle at the moment is in Wayne, but the Mesa in Wayne will soon be replaced by a new Chipotle. Even with this new location, the sheer amount of Wawa stores and their ever-present locations surpasses Chipotle. Add in the fact that Chipotle has the longest line in existence and Wawa’s line is, tops, five minutes, Wawa definitely wins.

Round 3:

CINAMMON BUNS The premade pastry aisle in Wawa offers a variety of items, including cinnamon buns. While a great snack to have on the road, they are rather dense and cold. The quick trip into the store to purchase this cheap product is easily below five minutes as the lines tend to be short and the buns in full display.

As a change of pace, homemade cinnamon buns from a Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll packet are the comparison item.

WINNER: Homemade. However if these buns are burnt, you have no one but yourself to blame. Wawa cinnamon buns, while having a cardboard-like texture, are nothing if not consistent. This is likely due to the fact that they’re largely processed, but it also could be that each member of Wawa’s staff does not have the touch of a true baker.

The Spoke 13

Centerspread

The Spoke, 1969-1970 The Spoke has been around since Conestoga’s first school year, 195556. First called The Conestoga Spoke, the paper’s name was shortened to The Spoke between 1969 and 1970.

June 11, 1987

Eastfrin Echoes, Oct. 16, 1952

Adam Lockett Designer

F

or as long as there has been a Conestoga Senior High School, there has been a Conestoga Spoke, and this year we are celebrating our 60th year of print.

To understand how The Spoke came about, let’s rewind to the final days of Tredyffrin-Easttown High School and its newspaper. In its fifth year, the last issue of The Eastfrin Echoes was published on May 27, 1955.

Conestoga Senior High School was to open after a year and half of construction, so the staff of 11 students planned to give the paper a new image to match the new school. A reader submitted the name, “The Conestoga Spoke,” in the spring of 1955 — a beginning of a new era.

The first cover claimed, “Ultra-Modern Senior High School Opens in Paoli Area,” and highlighted its ultra-modern amenities within four pages, published in time for the

14 The Spoke

first day of school. The gymnasium that could seat 1,200 and an auditorium with an “unusually large stage” and electric organ were the first to be highlighted. The original structure had a final price tag of $2 million (worth about $17.68 million today). Back in the day, there were still college fairs, countless clubs and everyone still wanting to be on some “committee.”

Everyday from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., there was a focus on student success — whether someone was a member of National Honors Society or had landed scholarship to college. The black and white pages were pressed with notifications of the district’s new hires and went on about how sporting events always united the student body. A subscription to The Conestoga Spoke cost 10 cents an issue or 55 cents a year (worth about 89 cents and $4.91 respectively, today). At this time winter break could still be called Christmas break and senior

superlatives ballots were taken care of by the paper before the first ever class of Conestoga graduated in the Hobson C. Wagner Auditorium. The senior class trip was to New York City by train to visit the U.N. building and Radio City Music Hall. The second Editor-in-Chief, Norma Fernon, attended a workshop at the Columbia Press Conference, held by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), which The Spoke still belongs to today.

School newspapers have always been a perfect reflection of the trends of the times.

The advertisements across the usual eight pages of both Eastfrin Echoes and Conestoga Spoke were for general stores, hardware stores, beauty salons, pharmacies, restaurants and milkman deliveries that told the story of the bustling nature on Lancaster Ave. The best way to contact these small businesses was by phone if you had the operator connect you

to “Paoli 2304” or “Berwyn 0224” before someone could start dialing with “610” or “484.”

Looking back at our history, not much has changed in these past 60 years. Our printer produces a “dummy,” now known as a proof before the final version of our paper is circulated and the size of our staff is still proportionate to the size of the student body: one staff member to every 50 students. Most importantly, it has been the fundamental duty of young journalists at our school to document student life and changes to Conestoga culture. For anyone that comes across this issue in an archive 15 or another 60 years from now, the 2015-16 Spoke Staff hopes that we leave our mark as we all continue not only the Conestoga’s “Tradition of Excellence,” but the tradition of journalistic excellence we have created, renovated and innovated in these past decades.

Read

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Jan. 28, 1957

Jan. 28, 1957

Eastfrin Echoes, Nov. 20, 1952 The “Say Now” column reported on the latest gossip, especially relationships.

Need a summer job? Girls were encouraged to sign up for telephone work at the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania after they graduated. The company ad read: “Girls who like people like telephone work.”

Read all the issues of The Spoke since 1952

www.spoke.news/archives

Conestoga 1956 & 2016

The Spoke 15

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

OPINION Acceptance: the transition to embracing transgender On the road to adulthood, we teenagers face plenty of obstacles both big and small: an essay due tomorrow, a relationship gone awry, a cold that just won’t go away. Some of us have it harder than others. For the transgender community at Conestoga, in addition to these issues there can be other, more intricate hardships that come with being transgender youth living in a community that is still adapting. While The Spoke recognizes the efforts made by the school and community to support transgender students, there is still work to be done.

Nationwide, the transgender movement has seen a recent surge in publicity and support.

In popular media, trans celebrities Laverne Cox, Caitlyn Jenner and Jazz Jennings have spread awareness to the home through hit shows like “Orange is the New Black,” “I am Cait” and “I am Jazz,” respectively.

In the workplace Obama’s Executive Order 13672 updates LBJ’s landmark Executive Order 11246, with sexual orientation and gender identity finally joining race, nationality and religion in the list of catego-

ries protected from federal discrimination. And in a symbolic first, President Obama referenced the transgender community in his 2015 State of the Union address.

“That’s why we defend free speech and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender,” he said.

Here at Conestoga there has also been progress in transgender acceptance. This past summer, a few bathrooms around the school were labeled as gender-neutral bathrooms, a measure of convenience for transgender students. Conestoga also has the Gay Straight Alliance and the Anti-Defamation League, two clubs which have worked tirelessly to help raise awareness for not only the transgender movement, but the LGBTQ movement as a whole. In addition, the expanding discussion between the school and its transgender students is a promising development.

However, the school should do more to improve upon Conestoga’s atmosphere of

acceptance. The best way is through education — and the best time is during middle school, before the turbulence that can come with high school. Family life and health classes are supposed to focus on important — and sometimes delicate — aspects of life, and the topics of sexual and gender identity is as important as any.

The earlier that students are given a chance to discover and understand who they are, the smoother the transition is.

In addition, for a matter as personal and sensitive as gender identity, the policies and procedures the school has surrounding it are relatively vague. This issue’s front page story was in part an attempt to sift through the school’s approaches to the growing transgender movement.

At the end of the day, there is only so much the district can do; the rest falls upon the community. We need to keep our minds open to ideas different from our own, and accept the differences that make us who we are. We can always do more to make the district a comfortable place for everyone, be you a he, she or they.

Liz Lawton/The SPOKE

16 The Spoke

From the Editor: enjoy life in little bits

Michael Hong Co-Editor-in-Chief My friends recently showed me an app called “Neko Atsume” for my phone. The app is purely for entertainment — you purchase toys and food and watch cute cats come to a virtual backyard. Cats that visit will leave gifts that let you buy better toys and food to attract even more cats.

As hopeless cat-lover, I quickly fell in love with the idea of having my own virtual cat playground.

However, upon downloading “Neko Atsume,” I found out that I wouldn’t be able to find any cats in my backyard for a while, since my toys and food weren’t of a high quality. I then remembered a trick I used to use for other time-based games, such as “Tiny Tower” and “Cookie Clicker”: change the date and time settings to the future, thus duping the game into thinking many hours, if not days, have passed.

With this method, I managed to accumulate more wealth in a few minutes than my friends did in many weeks. Naturally, I also managed to attract many cats and take photos of them. Yet perhaps because it took me no effort, I felt empty immediately after the initial excitement of finding my first cats in my backyard. I quickly lost the enthusiasm I had just moments ago, when I first downloaded the app and marveled at the cute art and relaxing premise. Not to mention, when I returned my phone to real time, I was met with a reprimanding notification telling me not to change the time and that the game would be suspended until the time I had fast forwarded to.

It caught me.

Slightly embarrassed by the warning, I was shamed further by the disapproving looks of my friends, who glared at me as though I had committed a felony. After all,

I had just tried to cheat a game designed for relaxation.

My actions embodied the spirit of instant gratification: the desire to experience fulfillment without delay.

Our generation is a victim of this mentality. Technology has made our lives so convenient that we have forgotten how to wait. With technology, we can talk to our friends, listen to music or look anything up whenever we want to. While convenience can be good, we have been spoiled by the access provided to us by smartphones and the Internet.

For example, procrastination plagues high schoolers who, although swamped with work, opt to play games, chat with friends or read articles until the panic of not being able to finish the work sets in. By having games, messaging apps and the Internet literally at our fingertips, we abuse the power given to us by slacking off on our job as students.

“Technology has made our lives so convenient that we have forgotten how to wait.”

Scientifically, the effects of instant gratification have been somewhat quantified. Psychologists have conducted an experiment — the Stanford marshmallow experiment — where they gave marshmallows to four-year-old children.

The children were told that if they waited 15 minutes, then they could get more marshmallows.

Follow-up studies found that children who waited patiently for the extra marshmallows grew up to be more successful teenagers: smarter, healthier and more mature.

So all you instant gratification addicts and procrastinators, try to consider your actions and join the healthy, intelligent group of delayed gratification appreciators. If you’re a diehard procrastinator, try doing your work in chunks. Force yourself to get your work done early so it becomes a habit. All this may seem painful at first, but you’ll learn to love — and get used to — delayed gratification.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Opinion

Black Lives Matter more than ease and comfort

Nour Elkassabany Columnist

Pallavi Aakarapu/The SPOKE

Matt Soderberg Columnist GROUP MENTALITY: PROM IS COMING— It’s only a couple months away.

I don’t mean to scare you, but if you haven’t posted your dress by now, you might as well give up. It’s Prom season, and more importantly, it’s time for the Prom Dress Facebook group. My attention was drawn when I happened upon a girl crying in the hallway last week.

“I only got 15 likes on my dress,” she said.

Hah. I laughed and walked away. How lame. But I was also surprised at the power this group seemed to have.

So I was eager to find out what was up. Why did this group matter so much? Would wearing the same dress be a mortal sin? What’s the most passive aggressive comment ever made?

I answered none of these questions but I did begin to deplore the sexist nature of the institution. Why should boys not be able to enjoy the full prom experience and have our own Group? I set about correcting this. First, I made a group with all the guys in my grade and posted a picture of me in a tux, noting that, by law, no one else could wear a tuxedo. All I got was scorn; I had to step

up my game. So I tried to fully emulate the girls group. I added them all to a new group where I posted a picture of me in a dress. I now have markedly fewer Facebook friends.

Lesson learned, guys. I now understand that this was “offensive” and “weird” and “remarkably sad.”

I worry that some might write off prom groups as unimportant. I think that approach is all wrong: let’s take this more seriously. We have to face it, high school is supposed to be the best time of our lives. And Prom is the culmination of that. Our happiness, and more importantly, our social stock, ride entirely on this one night, and it has to be perfect. So let’s take the brilliant idea of the prom dress group, and amp it up to 11.

Flower group. Limo group. Shoe group. The possibilities are endless.

And why stop there? Why not post our dates? When you get asked to Prom, don’t simply say “yes” or “please go away, you creep me out,” just tell the guy or girl the truth: you have to ask the group. They can provide some pictures, maybe a headshot, maybe an endearing caption. Post it in the group — should you say yes?

A rating system could be implemented. If they’re scoring below a five, maybe it’s time to deliver the no, but you might get lucky and the blessing of the group will be bestowed. It’s no longer “if it fits I’m wearing this one,” it’s “if they ask, I’m going with this one.”

Problems have also arisen in the group with some people posting more than one dress, just in case.

This wouldn’t be a problem when posting dates — in fact, it’s almost impossible to think that any conflict at all would arise from this.

Celebrities have an incredible power in their hands. Regardless of what they’re famous for, they have the capability to reach thousands of people effortlessly. This puts them in a position to do a variety of things, like promote their own work or interact with fans.

In recent months, several black celebrities have used their platform to display their unapologetic blackness and to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Beyoncé’s newest song, “Formation,” celebrated her roots in the American South and staples of black American culture. The lyrics reference traits like “baby hair and afros” and the music video includes images like a young, hooded boy dancing in front of a row of police officers in riot gear. Behind him are the words “Stop Shooting Us.” Her Super Bowl performance that followed drew an equal amount of attention for its allusions to Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party.

Kendrick Lamar turned heads the following week for making references to black incarceration during his performance at the 58th annual Grammy awards. The rapper came onto the stage in chains, his band and dancers performed in cages around him. That night, he won five awards, including Best Rap Album.

Twelve days later, comedian Chris Rock took on host duties at the 88th Academy Awards for another year of all-white nominees.

In his monologue, he made the point of addressing Hollywood’s specific brand of racism, which he called “sorority racism.” His explanation: “We like you, Rhonda, but you’re not a Kappa.” In other words, black talent is not necessarily denied, just dismissed for not being part of the exclusive (allwhite) group.

In a recent episode of Anthony Anderson’s television show, “Blackish,” Dre (Anderson) and his wife discuss what kind of worldview they want their children to have after watching a televised trial of a case eerily similar to that of Eric Garner, who was choked to death for illegally selling cigarettes. Ultimately, Dre’s point was that for as much hope and caution his children could approach their lives with, something like the seemingly never-ending instances of police brutality against black people would keep them constantly living in fear and distrust.

This kind of entertainment tends to make people uncomfortable because they’re simply not used to it. When we listen to music or turn on the TV, we’re expecting to be entertained. We’re just looking to escape our boredom. Once someone throws up the #BlackLivesMatter, the audience is forced to do the unthinkable: examine the world around them.

Quickly, criticisms for being “too political” or “pulling the race card” are fired.

In the case of Beyoncé, some police officers went so far as refusing to provide security on her next tour. While speaking at an event for Black History Month in Long Island, Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, expressed her support for Beyoncé. She praised her ability to “entertain us with a purpose” and asserted that “there shouldn’t be an uproar because Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar say ‘Stop shooting us.’”

However jarring it is, this up front behavior is necessary because we’re not good at talking about race. White privilege and institutionalized racism are still real. Whenever another black life is lost at the hands of police, conversations surrounding it are tense and eventually dismissed. We need more artists like Beyoncé, Kendrick and Anderson to push people out of their comfort zones. No one will change when they feel at ease.

“I think that celebrities have the freedom to say whatever they want about activism, but the impact that (they) have on their fans is huge, so it’s important that (they’re) informed.”

- Tara Moon “Activism should be woven with entertainment. Most people that rise high (in entertainment) come from the same origins and that’s not very diverse nor very interesting.”

- Prathyanka Nagasundaram “Only if terribly necessary. I think the (celebrities) felt like they had great responsibility but the best case scenario is to stay out of it and make the activism a separate event.”

- Michael Fan “Yeah, I think it should. These artists have a message that they believe in that they are wishing to get across. Music with a message is impactful.”

- Evan Haynos The Spoke 17

Opinion

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Peacekeepers: a vital presence or a dangerous threat?

Rose Kantorcyzk Columnist For years, in Third World countries, those with power have been exploiting and abusing those without power.

You might think that that statement refers to some dictator or corrupt regime, some despotic tribal leader, some commonplace local practice too far removed for us to change. And while it could refer to those scenarios, in this case it doesn’t. In this case it refers to the United Nations.

UN peacekeeper troops, sent to conflict areas to provide stability and protection, have long been sexually abusing the women and children of the areas where they are stationed. Allegations were

made in the 1990s in the Balkans, Cambodia and East Timor, in 2002 in West Africa and in 2004 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The most recent report surfaced last month in the Central African Republic, identifying seven new possible victims. A quick Google search for the phrase “united nations sexual abuse” yields hundreds of results, each one describing a different variation on the same chilling scenario.

This abuse has persisted for so long because the peacekeeping missions undertaken by troops including abusers are vital, and the UN provides very little oversight.

Abuse cases are rarely documented, and for those that are, prosecution is left up to the country where the soldiers are from. Home nations often quietly let soldiers off the hook for abuses committed outside their borders, and as the UN rarely keeps track of these cases beyond accusations, justice is often never served to the rapists and child molesters that wear the peacekeeper uniform.

When these soldiers, the ones who were supposed to provide

peace and safety, commit acts of sexual violence, they no longer deserve the title of “peacekeeper.” They have betrayed the trust of those they were supposed to protect and brought more pain and suffering to people whose lives have already been ripped apart again and again.

Furthermore, these soldiers discredit the UN and undermine its ability to do good. Peacekeeper troops are important; they’re often the only barrier between order and chaos in countries torn apart by civil war or political instability. Overall, they’re a good thing. But these few yet consistent cases of sexual abuse cloud that important purpose.

For many, UN troops are now synonymous with assault, rape, and exploitation. Many people perceive that they’re doing more harm than good to the areas where they’re stationed. Many think they should be recalled, though that would cause a whole host of other issues.

The answer to this problem isn’t a recall of troops, but a thoroughly enhanced effort by the UN to punish sexual abusers within their ranks. Home countries have

to prosecute accused soldiers, and the UN can’t be afraid to exclude countries that don’t comply with their zero tolerance policy for sexual assault. A special coordinator for improving the handling of sexual abuse cases, Jane Holl Lute, was appointed in early February. She has significant UN experience, and her official duties are to better align

the UN’s peacekeeping and human rights efforts and to strengthen their response to reports of sexual abuse.

Hopefully she will carry out these much needed reforms — otherwise, the most vulnerable people in the world will pay the price.

Lyvia Yan/The SPOKE

There is no ‘enough’ : asking the wrong questions

Camille Kurtz Copy Editor When once asked when there will be “enough” women serving on the Supreme Court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg replied, “When there are nine.”

Though her response may seem extreme, she counters that few were shocked when nine men served on the Supreme Court for over 100 years. Ginsburg’s position is a good representation of what it is like to be a woman in the United States: your life becomes dependent on quotas.

How many women are “enough” women? How much women’s history must be covered in school curriculums? As Ginsburg points out, this is never asked of men’s (specifically white men’s) inclusion.

This March is Women’s History Month, which, until recently, I was

18 The Spoke

unaware existed. Despite the celebration, last time I remember doing a women’s history unit in one of my classes is…never — a fact that speaks to women’s status in society, considering even their “history month” gets little media attention.

Women’s History Month is a good idea in theory, as it provides a platform to celebrate women and their contributions to society throughout history. The occasion reminds us to value the achievements of women before us. It points our memory toward abolitionist and feminist Sojourner Truth and first African American astronaut Mae Carol Jemison and Native American activist Sarah Winnemucca. Women’s History Month, like all commemorative months, is crucial in bringing social awareness to the successes and struggles of marginalized groups.

And yet the idea of Women’s History Month is not perfect. It is strange to devote a single month to remembering and honoring women when their accomplishments and issues are present every day of the year. While condensing the occasion into a single month does work to draw more awareness than constant celebration would (one month’s festivities is considered “news,” while

a year-long observance is just “reality”), shouldn’t honoring women be our reality? I’m not by any means suggesting that we do away with Women’s History Month, or any “history month” in general – instead I believe women deserve more than a month of media presence (which is, at best, limited) followed by another 11 months of obscurity.

Just as Ginsburg proclaims only when nine women justices are in power will there ever be “enough” women, Women’s History Day will only be “enough” when every day of every month of the year is devoted to women – when we can turn back time and give women the historical credit white men receive on a daily basis.

Pallavi Aakarapu/The SPOKE

Learning about influential women in history is not a quota that must be filled — it is an ongoing and necessary process. As a young woman, I don’t want to learn about women’s victories and struggles in March; I want to learn about them every day.

Prevailing women’s issues in the U.S. alone substantiate a need for greater focus on women in curriculums and the media, for women’s past achievements are not all that should be the attention of women’s role in society. Women now make up only 19.4 percent of those serving in Congress. Women of color are paid fractions of the income white women receive, which is a fraction of the income white men earn. (Specifically, Hispanic women receive only 54 percent of the salary of a white man.)

Every nine seconds a woman is beaten or injured, with African American women facing violence at a rate 35 percent higher than white women.

All of these horrors, all of the accomplishments of women like Sarah Winnemucca and Sojourner Truth and Mae Carol Jemison, and women only get one month to honor them? To support them? Where is the justice in that?

March should not be Women’s History Month. Every month should.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Opinion

Erasing the line: the case for more united activism

Michelle Xu Opinion Editor People like to draw lines for almost every situation involving slight contention and high emotion. We like to clearly define whether someone is an Us or a Them, a Donkey or an Elephant, a Team Edward or a Team Jacob — it helps us keep things straight while addressing the problem. After all, just like renowned Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu once said, one should always “know thy enemy, know thyself.”

Such a line of division has popped up in the recent protests surrounding the trial of Peter Liang. Back in November of 2014, Liang, an Asian American police officer of 18 months, shot and killed the unarmed African American Akai Gurley in the dark stairwell of a Brooklyn apartment complex. On Feb. 11, 2016, Liang was declared guilty of second degree manslaughter.

Nine days afterwards, over 10,000 Asian Americans rallied together in New York City to protest the court’s verdict; this became the pro-Liang side of the line. Then a few black activist groups and Asian American columnists voiced their

counter-protesting support of the court decision; this became the pro-Gurley side of the line.

One side argued against the evident unequal treatment towards Asian Americans, while on the other side protested against America’s police brutality problem — two equally compelling issues were pitted against each other.

But should they be? Should there be a line at all in this case, dividing pro-Liang and pro-Gurley?

Well, let’s take a closer look at the two sides. For those supporting Peter Liang, their main fuel for their anger that the law is utilizing Asian Americans as scapegoats to appease the pressures of the Black Lives Matter movement. Let this sink in: Darren Wilson escaped indictment for the death of Michael Brown and Daniel Pantaleo comes out clean after the death of Eric Garner, but the rookie Asian cop is going to get thrown into jail for a minimum 15 years. Just because Asian Americans are the so-called “model minority” doesn’t mean they can be thrown under the bus whenever convenient. Part of the protest was to defy the expectation that Asian Americans would just sit quietly and take the abuse — the Tiger moms have got their claws out now.

On the other hand, for those arguing the opposing side, their passionate stance sits upon the argument that society can’t just allow police brutality to go unchecked. Peter Liang was a trained officer who shouldn’t

have shot so haphazardly and then delayed in calling medical help. Moreover, shooting the unarmed is shooting the unarmed is shooting the unarmed; both Asian Americans and African Americans have died from societal injustices before, and the community should be empathizing and supporting the verdict. We need to see past these racial divisions, because police brutality is an issue beyond it.

After analysis, it becomes evident that the stance for neither of the issues directly contradicts the other. As a matter of fact, both sides actually stem from the same broad problem of societal inequality, and there shouldn’t be a line at all; protestors just think there

is one. Asian American and black activists alike can protest both against the unfair singling out of Peter Liang and the trigger-happy side of America’s police system.

So let’s throw out the division separating the two sides and unite to address both problems. There is no need to “know thy enemy, know thyself” in this situation because both sides present justifiable social issues that must be solved. This one case of Peter Liang has the potential to inspire the fight against two separate injustices of racism and police brutality, but the question is whether the two issues will split people apart or bring people together.

Let’s choose to erase the line and stand united.

Report Card End of Downton Abbey +One of the rare times in history when a TV series ending is satisfying - The end of an era...

Damn, Daniel! +Back at it again with the white vans!

-Back at it...again...and again...with the white vans

Facebook Reactions I can finally “love” those Buzzfeed videos What if my reaction is :/ or :P? What then???

Guys and Dolls +Fun for guys and dolls and everyone of all ages -Take back your mink...and your catchy songs stuck in my head

March Madness +A month of thrilling basketball and exciting upsets -Busted brackets and broken hearts Liz Lawton/The SPOKE

Connie Stoga

Pallavi Aakarapu/The SPOKE

The Spoke 19

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

SPORTS

Boys squash finishes all time best at nationals

Kyle Kennedy Staff Reporter

The Conestoga Squash team competed in the High School Squash Nationals Tournament on Feb. 12-14 this year. The team placed higher than ever before in Conestoga squash history and is now the second highest ranked public high school team in the country.

The A, B and C teams competed in the tournament, which was hosted in the Philadelphia area for the first time ever this year. The Conestoga A team ended with a third place finish in Division 2, making them the 19th highest ranked team in the nation and the second highest ranked public school team in the nation. Venues for the competition included William Penn Charter School, Episcopal Academy and Berwyn Squash and Fitness.

Leading up to the match, the team utilized a new method of tournament preparation, splitting from regular season nine-player teams to tourna-

ment seven-player teams two weeks earlier in their preparations.

“We wanted to give the kids some extra time to prepare in the format for the tournament, but we didn’t want to rip the team apart. We had to balance.

In the end, I think it worked very well, and I think we’ll use it in the future,” coach Cam Hopkins said.

The earlier split allowed the athletes to practice with the teammates they would play with in the tournament and adjust to the different style of play that having two less players created.

“I felt very prepared going into the tournament,” sophomore Connor Fahey said. “We practiced almost every day and I feel like all of our hard work paid off and really helped us in the end.”

For many of the underclassman athletes, this high performance in nationals was an effective learning experience and has made them hungry for more success in the future.

Lyvia Yan/The SPOKE

Courtside: The boys squash team takes a photo break during their romp through nationals. They finished third in Division 2, making them 19th overall in the nation.

“Nationals really teachThe Conestoga team is now really playing at a very high es you that the point is never gaining momentum, success level — a lot of the top tier over till the ball bounces twice, and recognition among more private schools are looking and we really worked hard and prestigious high school squash around and asking, ‘Who are pulled out a successful finish. teams and hopes to build on these guys?’ and I think we’re It teaches you your strengths that success to be ranked even going to be a real contender. and weaknesses, and I’m real- higher in the coming years.

And if we keep working hard ly excited to see how we can “Now that we’re ranked as we have a shot to break into the perform in the coming years,” the second best public school top 16 in the next few years,” sophomore Alex Murphy said. team in the nation, and we’re Hopkins said.

Tales from the Extended Experience crypt

Elizabeth Billman Staff Reporter

Deadlines are a fear every student has and when they are critical, like turning in extended experience forms, students may panic a bit more. If extended experience forms are ill-timed or incorrectly filled out, students will have to take additional courses or classes, putting more stress onto a busy academic schedule.

Junior Charlotte Tellefsen had difficulty with her forms in her sophomore year. She had planned to complete her extended experience in the fall and participate in spring track for the second semester, but after a mix-up with her forms she had to double up on exercise in the spring.

“I liked doing spring track and was planning on doing it anyway,” Tellefsen said.

But Tellefsen had to accompany her spring sport with extended experience in order to meet the requirements unfilled from the first semester.

“This year I decided to do cross country instead of extend-

20 The Spoke

Matt Paolizzi/The SPOKE

Angela Nguyen/The SPOKE

Ripped off?: Junior Charlotte Tellefsen expresses her anger at having to redo gym credit.

Forming: Kim Thomsen, secretary in charge of extended experience, passes out forms to students who wish to fulfill gym credit outside of school. She is tasked with logging which students fulfill the requirements.

ed experience to avoid any issues,” Tellefsen said.

Even though Tellefsen did not have to have a gym class scheduled during the day, she still had to do extra work on top of participating in track.

“I did my extended experience at the YMCA and basically put it off until the last month when I got all of my hours in. Doubling up didn’t really take extra time

until that last month, which was really difficult,” Tellefsen said.

Kim Thomsen, secretary in charge of extended experience forms, explains that the additional options for Physical Education credit are to join a team sport or add an additional gym class within the school day.

“As with any new course, students need to understand and commit to the responsibilities re-

quired,” Thomsen said.

She also explains that forgetting to turn in forms is a decreasing trend.

“I believe students are more diligent with their forms than in past years,” Thomsen said Junior Jon Compton did not complete his extended experience participation in sophomore year and had a gym class scheduled into his school day.

“I had Drew Jackson in (the class), so he was my buddy. We had fun and we made the best of it, but it’s definitely not something I look forward to doing again,” Compton said.

In addition to taking a gym class, Compton participated in Conestoga rugby for extended experience credit. With the extra time Compton had to put in to both these activities, Compton noticed that he had less time for his studies.

“Sometimes I had a lot of homework that I planned on doing in a free period and then realized that I really had gym class. That was kinda the worst,” Compton said.

To help future students in applying for extended experience, Tellefsen offers some words of wisdom.

“My advice would be to turn in the form on time and make sure you’ve filled out all the parts. Don’t leave any room for error or you may not get credit.

And if you don’t get credit and don’t want to take gym, do a sport and extended experience in the same semester to catch up.”

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Sports

Ricci pitches positive spin for softball team depth background of how to play the game and years of experience to Conestoga softball. He is confident that he can take the proAfter winning slightly more gram to new heights and make than half of their games last year, his team one of the best.

“Conestoga’s always been the varsity softball team is switching gears. Peter Ricci is now taking good, but I want to be better over as the new coach after former than good and make us a name,” coach Meghan Brogan’s retire- Ricci said.

He is planning on achieving ment. Ricci has coached multiple ’Stoga teams in the past, including success by instilling competitivebaseball. He led the ’Stoga base- ness and drive in his players. For ball team to be district champions every game, he wants his players and runner-up in the district within to simply play softball and to not overthink anything. the two years that he coached.

“We are going to be fundaRicci, a fourth-grade math teacher at Beaumont Elementary mentally sound. We’re going to School, grew up playing baseball, know what we’re doing all the played in a professional men’s time. We’re going to be able to softball team and continued play- run, bunt and do everything by ing softball up until just two years the book to be a solid softball ago. He has coached basketball, team,” Ricci said.

Ricci’s philosophy behind baseball, football and even helped with the golf team at Conesto- succeeding as a coach involves ga. Now Ricci is ready to put his relating to his players and playing in both a competitive and fun stamp on the softball team.

“When I went into the soft- atmosphere. He wants his players ball interview, I knew I want- to know that he has their backs ed it more than anything and I and would do anything for them. think it showed. It was perfect,” Ricci will also make his team a whole, rather than individual Ricci said. players, where every team Ricci is ready to bring a xnew 2015_HS_Newspapers (10.312 5.843).2_Layout 1 8/11/15 4:32 PM memPage 1 levels of positive energy, an in- ber is important.

Ashley Greenberg Staff Reporter

“My big thing is going to be that it’s we, not me. Some teams have a best player and a worst player, but we don’t because everybody is valued. It sounds cliche, but it’s true.

We’re going to need everybody,” Ricci said.

Freshman Emme Rycyzyn is excited to have Ricci as her coach again after playing for his JV basketball team this year. This year was her first year on the basketball team and Ricci made an effort to make her feel like a part of the team.

“I’m really looking forward to having him as a coach because during basketball season he really helped me improve as a player.

He also helped me grow as a person and taught me how to handle a stressful situation,” Rycyzyn said.

Senior Emily Conaway was also coached by Ricci when he coached the Conestoga girls’ basketball team. Conaway thinks highly of Ricci and thinks he will have a significant impact on the softball program.

“During basketball, he knew how to talk to his players, and he was always there to listen and help when someone had a problem. At the same time, he is the type of person that can be serious when

Ashley Greenberg Staff Reporter

“Working with Mr. Clark is like working with an insider in a college admissions office.”

Parent of a senior at Lower Merion (PA) High School, class of 2015

“The list of colleges for application you constructed fit my child perfectly.”

Parent of a senior at Great Valley (PA) High School, class of 2014

Ashley Greenberg/The SPOKE

All smiles: New head softball coach Peter Ricci poses before a softball workout. He looks to use his extensive coaching experience to bring the team together and help the players improve. needed but also joke around,” Conaway said.

With a new coach, new team dynamic and a talented freshman class, Conaway is confident that the team will have the ability to go far this year.

“Not only is he a good coach, he makes the athlete want to be a better player. He also has the ability to make that athlete become a better person and that’s rare to find in a coach,” Conaway said.

A high school senior who completes our program will receive: ■ a personalized college planning timeline, ■ a working list of colleges for application.

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The College Admissions Planning program is under the direction of David Clark, (Ed.M., Harvard Graduate School of Education), an independent college admission consultant with more than thirty-five years experience working with high school students and their families.

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For informative articles about an effective college search plan, visit Mr. Clark’s blog at www.collegesearchnow.net.

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The Spoke 21

Sports

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

HOW TO ASK AN AT H LET E TO P ROM Story, Photos and Design by Co-Sports Editor Caleigh Sturgeon

Along with the start of spring sports comes the arrival of prom season. That means almost half of all juniors and seniors have to figure out who they’re going to ask to prom — and how. With over a quarter of the upperclassmen at Conestoga playing a spring sport, there are ample opportunities for promposals on the lacrosse field, tennis court, track, baseball and softball fields. Some prom hopefuls are bound to spell out “PROM?” in baseballs or lacrosse balls, but how do you spice up your promposal?

How to net a laxer There’s always the classic promposal composed of writing “PROM?” on a lacrosse ball and rolling it out on the field to your anticipated date, but why not switch up this hackneyed lacrosse promposal? Get a friend of your prospective date to take his or her eye mask or helmet before practice. Then either slip a sticky note inside or write your message on the inside (if you think your date won’t mind a daily reminder of the promposal). When your date slips on the eye mask/helmet he or she will be in for a surprise, and when he or she takes the equipment off you’ll be there for a helmet-hair-filled picture to commemorate.

How to hit a home run with a softball (or baseball) player You may be thinking: “This isn’t helping me at all. The hardest part of a promposal is coming up with a clever saying or pun to actually ask someone.” Well if you’re thinking of asking a baseball or softball player to prom, then you’re in luck. Here’s an all-inclusive promposal that requires no clever pun. You’ll need three baseballs or softballs: one labeled “PROM?,” one labeled “yes” and one labeled “no.” Find a way to get them in your special someone’s equipment bag and leave the balls with a note that says, “Pitch me your answer.” Then show up at practice and get ready to catch a hot one.

How to court a tennis player Tennis balls are the perfect size to be squeezed into the diamond-shaped holes in a chain-link fence. But if you don’t think spelling out “PROM?” in tennis balls in the YMCA’s fence is enough for a stellar promposal, you can add a ballsy pun. Since spelling out “PROM?” in tennis balls could take anywhere between 30 and 100 balls, you could accompany your artwork with the pun “I finally got enough balls to ask you to prom.”

How to catch a track star Ask coach if you can run co-ed relays one day at practice and make sure to wind up in the same relay as that special someone. Come prepared with a baton marked with “PROM?” or a catchy slogan such as “Will you run to prom with me?” (Try to add a little personal pun if you can.) Lead off your relay to make sure your special baton gets passed to your special someone. Then be sure to meet your date at the finish line.

How to row your boat to prom Crew is notorious for having long bus rides into the city throughout its spring season. Take advantage of this commute to arrive at the Schuylkill River before the crew team. Tape a sign (prom OAR nah?) to your special someone’s boat or oar.

You’ll most likely need an accomplice on the inside to make sure you get the right boat. There’s nothing worse than promposing to the wrong person…especially if you travel 45 minutes to do so.

22 The Spoke

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Sports

Dan Iredale pins 100 Neil Goldenthal Staff Reporter Ever since he was in first grade, senior Dan Iredale has been stepping and dodging around the wrestling mat. Now, after years of hard work and perseverance, his 100th high school career win is finally behind him.

With over a decade of experience, Iredale is one of the key members of Conestoga’s wrestling team. He ranked second in the district and went on to win two rounds in states, placing eighth. His eighth place finish in the state marks the first time a wrestler has medaled in 13 years. But what sets Iredale even farther apart is his record; 104-20 in his high school career.

On Feb. 27, he earned his 99th, 100th and 101st wins at the District One Tournament and will now have his name put on the prestigious plaque in the wrestling room. However, long before Iredale was worrying about 100 wins, he was just another kid in Conestoga’s youth wrestling program.

Iredale hails from a wrestling family, with both his dad and uncle having been successful high school and college wrestlers. He remembers his early years with the sport, only wrestling around 20-25 matches a year. But as time went by,

wrestling slowly became a bigger piece of the picture.

“My dad never pushed me too hard; he just wanted me to enjoy it,” Iredale said. “But after my freshman year, I started to take it more seriously, and it became more important to me. Before, wrestling had kind of been one of those things that I hated and loved at the same time. But freshman year really made me want to take it more seriously and put all my effort into it, and just really take it for a ride.”

Conestoga’s head wrestling coach Tom Elicker has been coaching Iredale since he was in elementary school. Elicker says it has been great watching him grow as a wrestler.

“He’s become more mature and mentally stronger. And he works for it. He spends time in the weight room and working out with other kids in the summer and he’s very dedicated. But he has the ability to step back from time to time and just be sort of carefree and he can enjoy life, and I think that helps him,” Elicker said.

Iredale is not only a seasoned wrestler, but he is also a role model for the team at ’Stoga. He has been friends with junior and fellow wrestler Eric Hutchinson since they were both around eight years old. Hutchinson has seen much of Iredale and what he brings to the team.

Courtesy Dan Iredale

Down for the count: Iredale pins his opponent during a match. Iredale dominated the Central League this year. He ranked third in the league with an overall record of 36-1.

Courtesy Dan Iredale

One hundred wins is no small feat for a high school wrestler.

Iredale has worked hard these last four years to achieve it, even overcoming an injury during his junior year that caused him to miss around 15 matches.

“Getting hurt last year really set me back in terms of trying to get my 100 wins. There was a real race this season to try and get the 100 wins and get my name put in the wrestling room.

But it feels great to have finally gotten there,” Iredale said.

Iredale is also looking to be successful in the upcoming tournaments he will be attending.

“I kind of flopped last year at regionals, but this year I’m looking to have a great tournament and go on to the state tournament and have fun there,” Iredale said.

Though his high school career is coming to a close, the doors of his college career await him. Schools such as NYU, Wesleyan and Bucknell have approached Iredale with offers, but he came away unimpressed.

“There’s some stuff cooking with some other teams, but nothing else right now. I’ll definitely be able to wrestle in col-

Ready for battle: Senior Dan Iredale poses before a match. Iredale still gets nervous before matches, even “if (he has) beaten the kid ten times before,” yet he still went undefeated in the District tournament.

“Wrestling is just so hard, and “Dan is an easy-going kid.

When we need to work hard in it’s really helped me deal with practice, he’ll work hard. And high pressure situations, whether he’s a funny kid — always crack- it’s talking to an authority figure ing the jokes. He’s someone to or school work and having to look up to, and when it comes work hard to achieve something. to wrestling he knows what he’s talking about,” Hutchinson said.

Both Elicker and Hutchinson recognized that Iredale’s experience is a huge part of his success. Yet even after more than a decade of wrestling, Iredale still gets jittery before matches.

“I just get so nervous out there,” Iredale said. “Doesn’t matter who I’m wrestling, doesn’t matter if I’ve beaten the kid ten times before; I just get nervous. And you’re out there in what some people call a leotard and it can just be kind of embarrassing. It’s just you out there. Sometimes I tie and retie my laces a bunch of times and make sure they’re just how I want them.”

For Iredale, wrestling is just as much about what happens on the mat as what happens off of it.

“Wrestling has definitely affected me and has helped shape Courtesy Dan Iredale who I am today. It’s had a large impact on my life. I’ve made a Head-on: Iredale locks in with an opponent. After his impreslot of great friends through it. sive performance at the District One tournament, he roundIt’s helped me and my dad bond, ed out the season with an 8th place finish at the State Tournament especially after my parents got divorced a few years ago. My Whatever the situation is, noth- lege, it’s just a matter of waiting parents are always at my match- ing compares to that moment for the right team.” es and everything,” Iredale said. before a wrestling match. WresThough his next step is to be Iredale appreciates what the tling isn’t who I am, but it’s defi- determined, Iredale’s future on sport of wrestling has taught him, nitely a large part of who I am,” the mat looks bright no matter but doesn’t let it define who he is. Iredale said. where he ends up.

The Spoke 23

Sports

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Cold or not, here they come: boys rugby prepares Matt Paolizzi Co-Sports Editor Rugby is a sport that doesn’t garner much attention from the average American. However, it’s a sport that a few students at Conestoga are passionate about. After reaching the state championship game last year, the boys’ rugby club was already in their preseason as early as January.

Even though rugby is a spring sport, the team starts much earlier

than many of the other ’Stoga teams, which start their seasons in the spring.

The Pioneers start in January, using as much time as they can to give the players the experience needed to perform. Head coach Alex Johnson has been involved with the club for almost 11 years, this season being his fourth in charge. The team has been practicing at YSC, a local sports complex open to various teams, since Johnson started in 2005. He says the early practices play an important role

Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE

Talking rugby: Head rugby coach Alex Johnson talks to his team before practice. Starting their season early allows Johnson and the rest of his staff to prepare their players more than most teams for the season ahead.

Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE

Getting their hands es a pass from a ups for the team is scending line. This

loose: Junior Charlie McCarthy catchteammate. One of the opening warmpassing a ball down the field in a dehelps with their passing and spacing.

in the team’s development.

“Our first games start at the end of February and we tend to get limited space for practice. We need all the time we can get with our athletes,” Johnson said.

One of the captains of the team, senior Dondre Ross, has been playing rugby for four years. He cites the use of early practice as a crucial part of the team’s preparations.

“We have a reputation of being one of the best programs in the state and in order for us to be successful it starts with preparation,” Ross said.

The weather is often an important part of practices. The team does not cancel meetings often and will still practice in tough conditions. Cold temperatures are a common problem — temperatures have been known to dip down to as low as 10 degrees.

“We tell the players to wear many layers and, as they warm up, to remove them as needed. It is really not too bad once you are moving around

and being active,” Johnson said.

Many of the players see these practices as ways to toughen themselves and help them grow closer. Ross uses the weather as a way to show the team’s dedication.

“We’re all committed to getting better as a team so whatever weather is thrown at us, we will practice no matter what,” Ross said.

Ross also recognizes his team’s resiliency.

“No matter what the conditions are, we are always ready to play no matter what obstacles are thrown in our way,” Ross said.

Senior Daquan Perry, a first year player, has appreciated the support and became impressed with the dedication his new team has shown so far.

“We are working harder than any other team, that’s at least how we like to look at it. It’s a good team to be a part of,” Perry said.

The team is always looking for new players like Perry, as well. Ross

Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE

Bursting through: Junior Wesley Reindel runs through an open gap during a scrimmage. By developing and fine-tuning these skills early on, the team is setting itself up for success.

24 The Spoke

sees the team not only as a group of players, but as a close-knit unit. New players often find their place among their new teammates rather quickly.

“The new players are treated like they’re family,” Ross said. “Rugby is a team sport so you need the welcoming feeling so that everyone is comfortable with each other, eventually playing with the high level of chemistry that we usually have.”

Perry appreciates the help that has been given to him so far.

“The experience has been great — the coaches and the players who played for a while do well with teaching the new players,” Perry said.

Johnson praises his players’ passion for the sport. The fact that they share it with newer players makes all the difference to him.

“Our players are out there on that pitch because they love the game of rugby,” Johnson said. “When you love something so much, you will do whatever you can to be around it, and when we get new players, we want to share this amazing game with as many people as possible.”

Ross sees his team’s goals for the season are clear-cut.

“Our goal for the season is to finish off what we couldn’t do last year,” Ross said. “As the runner-up in the state championship last year, we have a lot on our shoulders because now we have a reputation of being the team to beat.”

The Pioneers will face their first major test when they play Cumberland Valley on April 3 at Valley Forge Middle School. The game is a rematch of the state championship last year, which saw Conestoga lose a heartbreaker to the Patriots. With Cumberland Valley ranked 26th in the nation and Conestoga being ranked 41st, it’s sure to be a physical game.

The rematch will be on the team’s minds as they march through the rest of their preseason.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

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The Spoke 25

Sports

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The greatest show on turf ain’t worth it

Matt Paolizzi Co-Sports Editor Having a sports team is an important part of a city’s identity.

Athletes play for their town; they play for the fans. Look at what the 2001 Yankees did for New York City. Look at what the 2009 Saints did for New Orleans. Sports teams represent so much and bring together citizens more than anything else.

They are our modern day warriors, fighting for the honor and glory of their fans. But when this passion is in vain — when your team can be yanked away at the whim of a few corporate fat cats — that’s when things get messy.

Sports, after all, is a business through and through. There’s a reason why the word “franchise” is used to refer to sports teams. Merchandise, ticket sales, concession sales. All that cash goes into the pockets of a few owners. We are merely consumers. And if a new

market shows more promise, teams can easily pack up and move. If Jeffrey Lurie were to move the Eagles to London, he could do it. We now see this greed in the most recent move of a major sports franchise.

The St. Louis Rams are now moving to Los Angeles.

The Rams have a history in LA. The franchise actually played there from 1946 to 1998, finding success in the late 40s and early 50s. The 70s showed promise as well, even culminating in a trip to the Super Bowl in 1979. But the franchise soon sunk in a pit of mediocrity, outshined by both the “Showtime” Lakers and the newly arrived Los Angeles Raiders in the 80s. This growing distaste eventually ended with their move to St. Louis in 1995. The 90s saw the worst of their futility, ending the decade with the most total losses in the league, second only to the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the 1998 season showed promise with young talent flooding in. The next season saw the emergence of “The Greatest Show on Turf.” This explosive offense, led by NFL legends Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk would surprise the league and take the team to two Super Bowl appearances, including a win in 1999. While the Rams have failed to replicate the successes of those teams since then, the Rams continued to be a staple in

the sports culture of St. Louis.

But investors don’t care. It’s sad really. The fans are normally thought to be the most important part of the process. But it’s not the fans themselves that are important. It’s their money. The potential for new capital. I don’t live in St. Louis, so I’m not sure what the environment is. It seems however, that the Rams were being forced out. The two other professional teams of St. Louis, the MLB’s Cardinals and the NHL’s Blues both have found themselves in great positions and the Rams have sadly been left out. Every year they were always on the “breakout team” lists, people always thought it would be the Rams’ year. Who knows, maybe they’ll find success in LA. All in all, the way that the deal went down leaves me disgusted. The Rams owner Stanley Kroenke, who had previously been relatively silent to the media and the fans ever since he became part-time owner in 1995.

When he took full control in April 2010, Kroenke was quoted as saying, “I’m going to attempt to do everything that I can to keep the Rams in St. Louis.” He has since received much praise from other NFL owners but the fan outrage has drowned them out. Officials at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame were even considering the removal of the Missouri native from its ranks. This conniv-

Pallavi Aakarapu/The SPOKE

ing, back-stabbing rascal even had the guts to face the media for the first time in forever. “Silent Stan” was shedding some crocodile tears all along the way.

The St. Louis media has been incredibly harsh to him, the Riverfront Times even gave their reaction piece the title of “F*** You, Stan Kroenke, and the Toupee You Rode in Under,” as the billionaire has a large collection of expensive toupees and an “f-you” is included because, well, “f-you” Stan Kroenke.

The articles that have been published by various news outlets in St. Louis have a sense of sadness to them though, almost a layer of melancholy beneath the anger. And as fans of

the team formally known as the St. Louis Rams have now had a couple months to get over it, the spotlight now shifts to Los Angeles where the fans of a city that has never cared about football get ready to welcome their first team since the Raiders left for their original home of Oakland right after the Rams did. Honestly, I don’t think the Rams will be loved as much as they were in St. Louis unless they start winning right away.

Both St. Louis and LA have always been more baseball towns anyway.

And the Cardinals will always be better than the Dodgers — I tell you that much.

one committed. And even throughout playoffs in which they ranked the same as the boys, the Pioneer students barely showed up to more than a few girls games.

In the spring season, softball suffers from the lack of support from their fellow students. While baseball barely has enough room surrounding the diamond for the fans to stand, similar to girls basketball, softball barely has more than a few parents in the stands.

Last year the softball team made it to playoffs, something they’ve only done a few times since the 90s, but that didn’t raise the popularity of the sport, nor did it change how softball is viewed at Conestoga.

But besides from the fact that girls sports are watched, they aren’t appreciated. Every Friday night in the fall, standing to the right of the football players, are the cheerleaders. They spend countless hours preparing and memorizing cheers and dances that are performed continually throughout every quarter of the game and at every touchdown made. But there is no recognition at how much effort and dedication the girls put in every week. There is no recognition that whether it’s bitter cold or raining, they are

standing out there doing the same touchdown dance repeatedly. There is no recognition of how much the girls stunt, jump and lift weights during the preseason. Most people don’t even believe cheerleading is a sport.

Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. But even though Conestoga follows this law and budgets for training are the same for both sexes, girls don’t receive the same attention. Where are the seasonal promo books for the female sports, like football gets? Why are cheerleading buses being canceled because a school is just too far away and because the price is just too expensive?

And it’s not just Conestoga sports we don’t pay attention to.

Every two years the Olympics roll around and the most watched events are obviously not the female events, but the male ones.

Girls’ sports aren’t given the time of the day to be enjoyed. But the excuses “I didn’t know there was a game” and “they aren’t entertaining” just aren’t believable anymore.

Give girls sports a chance

Avery Maslowsky Staff Reporter FIFA. A worldwide virtual soccer game that has released a new game every year since its initial release on July 15, 1993. But with 23 different games out, it is only FIFA 16, the most recent game, that has the option to create and play as a women’s soccer team — but it’s not half as advanced or detailed as the men’s teams are.

Give girls sports a chance. Both men and women have the same training schedule and train just as hard as each other. Both men and women have the same passion and dedication and give their all to every game. According to the University of South California, between 2004 and 2008 the percent of women’s sports broadcasted dropped from 6.3 percent to 1.6 percent and

26 The Spoke

Liz Lawton/The SPOKE

to this day continues to drop. And it’s not just broadcasted women’s sports that get the short end of the stick; at Conestoga a significant number of “Pioneer fans” actively attend all boys’ sports events, but just seem to disappear when it comes to female sports games.

Conestoga basketball is a prime example. While both teams train the same, boys games always seem to attract the student crowds while girls games attract the parents and the grandparents. Boys games seem to attract so many fans in the Pioneer Pit at home games that the cheerleaders are forced to put tape

out designating their section so they have somewhere to sit among the wave of people. Whereas at most home games for the girls, the pioneer pit is completely empty besides from the few grandparents and the families of the opposite team. Although it’s bad enough that the girls barely have anyone at their home court on a regular basis, boys away games have sometimes triple the amount of people at an average girls home game.

Girls basketball isn’t even given a chance to shine. The girls have senior Ellie Mack going D1 to play basketball and the boys have no

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

SportsLine: winter playoffs

Ian Ong Centerspread Editor Swimming Both the boys’ and girls’ swim teams finished the season as undefeated Central League Champions, which propelled them to the Central League Championships on Feb. 1720. The entire boys’ team qualified for Centrals, along with the majority of the girls’ team. The girls ended up winning the league, beating Radnor by 42 points and Strath Haven by 87.5. However, the boys share the Central League title with Radnor, due to their inability to capture the victory at the league championship meet. Both teams look towards States next week.

Girls Basketball Despite not winning the Central League Championship, the Pioneers qualified for the District One Tournament and after winning both their round one and two contests, the girls qualified for the PIAA AAAA State Championship Tournament. The girls upset the District 11 Champion, Nazareth, in the first round of the state tournament on March 4, before falling to Garnet Valley, a Central League foe, on March 8 in the second round. Although they did not win the game, senior Ellie Mack scored her 1000th point for Cones-

Sports

the PIAA AAAA State Tournament.

But after their state-qualifying victory, the Pioneers were defeated by Lower Merion in the quarter finals of the District Tournament. The team’s playoff journey ended with a loss against Parkland on March 5.

Boys Hockey The boys’ hockey season concluded with a close match against Garnet Valley in the first round of the Central League Playoffs on Feb. 22, and unfortunately Conestoga lost 5-3. Nevertheless, Conestoga still stands as the champions of the Central League North Division.

Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE

Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE

1k: Senior Ellie Mack finished her high school career with 1001 points, scored in only three years on the court for ’Stoga. toga and was recently named the Central League’s MVP. Boys Basketball Conestoga finished the season with a record of 18-12 overall.

During the District One playoffs, the team triumphed over Great Valley, setting the tone for the games to follow. After their second round District One playoff win versus number-three-seeded Downingtown West, the boys qualified for

Tommy Fogarty ’16

Gliding by: The boys hockey team rebounded from last year’s season, in which it only won two games, to clinch the first seed in the Central League North heading into playoffs.

Neil Goldenthal/The SPOKE

In motion: Senior MJ Lezanic brings the ball down the court in ’Stoga’s game versus Great Valley.

The boys won 57-49, advancing to the second round of Districts.

Other highlights include the 7-3 victory over Great Valley on Feb. 17, where junior Tommy Sopko scored three goals, as well as the season performance from Matt Cameron, who garnered the most points this season (37 points): 22 goals and 15 assists in total.

Wrestling As a result of Conestoga’s performance at the Central League Championship Tournament, seven Pioneers qualified for the District One

COMMITMENT CORNER

West Tournament, which took place on Feb. 27. Out of these seven, junior Kade LaMarre and seniors Dan Iredale and Michael Karas went on to qualify for the South East Regional Tournament on March 4-5.

Iredale and LaMarre wrestled well enough to earn a spot in the PIAA AAA State Tournament. The tournament spanned from March 10-12; LaMarre gained valuable experience and Iredale ended his career and season with an 8th place finish.

Eliza Hacke ’16

School: Elmira College Grade: 12 Sport: Baseball Position: First Base

School: University of Denver Grade: 12 Sport: Lacrosse Position: Attack

Why Elmira?

“It was a good fit for me. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a big school.

It was a smaller school, it gave me a chance to play baseball, and the education fit for me too.”

Why Denver? “’As soon as I stepped on the campus I knew Denver was the perfect fit. For me it had everything: great lacrosse, challenging academics, gorgeous mountains and 300 days of sun a year.”

What ’Stoga Baseball taught him: “It’s taught me that even though your team could be filled with great players it’s still about working together and that everyone working together is how we’re going to win.”

Favorite ’Stoga Baseball Memory: “Winning the Central League Championship last year.”

What ’Stoga Lacrosse taught her: “’Stoga lacrosse has taught me to be the best teammate possible and how to be a team player no matter what.”

Favorite ‘Stoga Lacrosse Memory: “Definitely going to Florida for spring break and beating Vero Beach. It was such a fun game and a total team effort.”

The Spoke 27

INSIDE: INSIDE: Olympic SportsTrack Promposals Coach p. p.20 22 Boys Ice Rugby Hockey p. 24 p. 24

December 22, 2015 Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Driving ahead Cradling Success Girls basketball is off to a 4-1 start. The team has only lost to Garnet Valley, a team two years undefeated in the Central League.

Conestoga wrestling sends seven wrestlers to the District One West Tournament, three to the Regional Tournament and two to the PIAA State Tournament.

Caleigh Sturgeon/The SPOKE Andy Backstrom/The SPOKE

Senior Sondra Dickey drives the ball inside in girls’ basketball game against Ridley High School on Dec. 15. Dickey scored four points to contribute S ethe n i o52-33 r J awin, c k with F r ajunior n t z (Sarah 1 7 0 Mascioli, pound w e i g h t c lMaria a s s ) Koblish c r a d l eand s hsenior i s o pEllie p o nMack e n t deach u r i scoring ng a m a t c13 h and a g 23 a i npoints s t S respectively. pringfield to sophomore five, on Jan. 27 - the Pioneers’ “Alumni Night.” Frantz would win his match that night, pinning his opponent.