“The situation is over,” said senior Mei-Belle Sun. “People have moved on.” In contrast with the tumultuous week of December 17, Wallingford-Swarthmore has since settled back into its normal, peaceful routine. Sophomore Maria Andraos added that “The whole thing has sort of blown over. ... No one really talks about it anymore.”
Sun agreed that winter break served as a decompression period. “I was mad at first, like most people, but mostly I was shocked that something like this would happen in Wallingford of all places,” said Sun. “But as time passed, I’ve come to accept that things like this will really happen anywhere.” Understandably, when the time came to return to school, everyone had absorbed the events and came to terms with the circumstances in their minds, like Sun did.
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Continued on Page 3>>
Abby Loiselle, ‘19 Co-Editor-in-Chief
Two months have passed since the incident that rattled the community to its core. However, the ghost of the racist letter continues to silently haunt Wallingford-Swarthmore.
According to Nether Providence Police Chief David Splain, the Police Department became aware of the note on Monday, December 17, at which point the investigation began.As of the most recent reports made public by the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, the investigation has been handed off to the Delaware County District Attorney, Katayoun M. Copeland. There are currently ten detectives working on the case under her supervision.
PantherPress
On January 2, 2019, the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District hosted an evening meeting to hear concerns about the issue, present the facts of the case, and take questions. Formally, the situation was mediated.
be almost more difficult than the events leading up to it. Wallingford-Swarthmore would have to not only live with what had happened, but continue to function and thrive as a community in the wake of it.
months have passed since the letter and the photograph surfaced, and many students believe that the time has diluted the issue significantly.
Two
It is undeniable that the school and community have gone practically silent about the issue. Many were wary about the return to school from winter break, which fell the week after the height of the incident. However, hardly a word of it was whispered, causing the community to wonder how the issue slipped out of minds so easily.
Wallingford-Swarthmore, Post-Letter
STUDENT VOICES: Haven students participate in a walkout on December 19, 2018 to protest administrative re sponse to the letter and photograph that surfaced earlier that week. Many students who protested felt confused and angry due to lack of information from administration. Photo courtesy Lilianna Torpey
Photo courtesy WSSD Facebook
800 marches, 115 school shootings, 98 deaths, 69 gun control measures, one year. February 14th, 2019 marks one year since the infamous Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting. As Emma Gonzalez expressed during her speech at the March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C.: “In a little over six minutes, 17 of our friends were taken from us, 15 more were injured, and everyone, ab solutely everyone in the Douglas community was forever altered.”
Haven High School, Wallingford PA Janbruary 2019 NEW TECHNOLOGY First semester of Chromebooks has come and gone... did they meet expectations? Page4 MODEL STATUS Haven sophomore gives a glimpse into her life of pageantry. Page11COFFEEHOUSE CATCH-UP • Pages 8 & 9 •
But on January 3, 2019, the district and its surrounding area woke up tasked with a challenge that would prove to
The tragedy at Stoneman Douglas reached far beyond the small community of Parkland, Florida as it once again showed the reality of gun violence in schools across the nation. Students throughout the country, from Florida to Wallingford, felt the aftershock of the deaths at Stoneman Douglas. Parkland followed a long string of mass school shootings, dating back to the Columbine shooting of 1999, where 13 people were killed at the hands of two students. Since that day in April, there have been an average of 10 school shootings a year. 2018 surpassed all previous statistics with an average of one school shooting per week. Labeled as the “Mass Shooting Generation,” Generation Z has used 2018 as a platform for “March for Our Lives,” a movement to end gun violence in schools.
Strath
STUDENT ACTION: One month after the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Haven students participated in a walkout to remember the victims and call for action.
Maddie Marks, ‘19 Co-Editor-in-Chief Shock, anger, and sadness. These are three of the many emotions that settled upon the Wallingford- Swarthmore School District and surrounding community the week of December 17, 2018. Surfacing from the social media landscape of the area came two appalling displays of racism and hatred: the first being a picture of a note addressed to “non U.S. citizens” and the second being a picture of two figures in what appear to be makeshift Ku Klux Klan hoods.
On December 19, 2018, students held a walkout to protest the lack of discipline from administration to the individuals behind the letter. On December 21, 2018, Dr. Brown addressed the situation via a video shown to all Haven students and staff; in it, he explained that this type of hatred is not acceptable in the community. Later in the day, students were invited to an optional forum in the auditorium to express their thoughts and emotions.
Haven OneStudentDiscussesSafetyYearLater
Despite the drastic growth in school shootings, 2018 was also marked by the greatest change in gun control since 2012 and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Following the advocacy of students from Parkland and a surge of movements across the country, state legislatures passed 69 gun control measures. More than half of the states passed at least one gun control measure in 2018. The March for Our Lives policy agenda explains the students’ fight for universal background checks, high capacity magazine ban, and funding for gun violence research. Florida has seen the most radical changes to gun laws and received the most backlash from the National Rifle Association (NRA) as a result. Florida legislature passed a bill named after Marjory Stoneman Douglas that raised the minimum age to purchase a gun to 21, a move that the NRA claims to violates the 2nd and 14th amendments of
“I think winter break was pretty well-timed in that it gave everybody a chance to sort of breathe,” said visual communications teacher Ms. Kate Plows.
Ryan Krouse Sports
Afew weeks ago, I was wandering around Philadelphia with a group of friends when we stumbled upon a bookstore with an adjoining cafe. To some, this is no surprise. Who wouldn’t expect a bookstore to be sitting beside Walnut Street? To many, however, myself included, I was far from expecting its appearance. I have walked those streets countless times, and yet this was the first time I had ever seen the tiny store tucked between two clothing shops. In entering the store, I was instantly comforted by the warm smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sight of hundreds of
LEDITOR Editors-in-Chief Abby MaddieLoiselleMarks Advisors Mrs. Danielle Perricone-Munn Mr. Robert ZakrzewskiSTAFFPRESSPANTHER 2019Janbruary
walls for my next pick. Judging by covers, I’ll admit, and discovering new titles rec ommended by store owners. There is a feel ing of comfort and security that engulfs me when I step foot into a bookstore. The newly printed pages call out my name as the book covers beg me not to bend their pages too much. There is a greater excitement taking home a book, whether new or used, from a bookstore than there is purchasing one on line. If I were to order one for a kindle, I lose the experience of sipping a cup of coffee in the attached cafe and discovering the story within the pages.
THIS EDITION, WE ASKED OUR EDITORS:
Coming to terms with our school environment not being as open-minded as we thoughtittobe.
Decreasing and almost nonexistent efficacy. Whether it’s discipline, academics, etc., we’re content with a status quo isn’t as beneficial for students or teachers as possible.
Maria Andraos Will
Learning how to live with technology and using it in ways that can help ourselves and others without causing any trouble or forcingnarratives.false
Dear readers,
Students figuring out what their interests in school are apart from what they think they “need to take” or what their choosefriendstodo.
Maddie Marks Co-Editor-in-Chief David Ren Opinions
I’m guilty of owning a laptop and often resorting to the cheaper option of purchas ing a book online. But I’m always on the search for a bookstore, and I’ll never avoid the chance to explore the treasures that await inside.Sincerely,AbbyLoiselle
AvaPerrySamahOlzewskiSharminSosiSzepessy FIND MORE AT WWW.SHPANTHERPRESS.COM Page 2 Janbruary
Abby Loiselle Co-Editor-in-Chief Lynnea Zhang Haven Happenings
What is the most pressing issue facing Strath Haven students this year? and Columnists Garrett
Editors’ Page
Conor McCambridge Cece
The Panther Press is first and foremost a reflection of the opinions and interests of the student body. For this reason, we do not publish any anonymous or teacher-written submissions, and we do not discriminate against any ideology or political opinion. While we are bound by school policy (and funding) and we will not render any article neutral, although individual points may be edited for obscene or inflammatory content. Finally, the articles published in the Panther Press do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or advisers.
Recognizing how we want to make a difference in the world. We see how discrimination and inequality work within society, so we should think about how we want to change that.
Chloe Gong Arts and Entertainment
Panther Press Disclaimer
shelves covered with books. It was a sudden transition from the loud sounds of traffic and the putrid smells that waft over Philadelphia. An avid reader and a sucker for a good bookstore, I was shocked that I had never visited before. Similarly to hundreds of other bookstores across the world, it had lost its popularity when the world of digital reading became available. Who is willing to spend the time driving to a bookstore, searching for a book, and lugging it home when it is within grasp in a matter of seconds and one quick click of a button? To those who still remember the Barnes and Nobles that used to sit on Brookhaven Road, the disappearance of bookstores is all around us. So my question is this: is the speed and accessibility of reading on a kindle worth the demise of bookstores?Ipersonally have spent countless hours in bookstores and coffee shops, scouring the
Abby Loiselle, ‘19 Editor-in-Chief
A lack of preparation for standardized testing.
Student say in school safety. Students have a lot to contribute to the discussion, so there should be more communication between students and administration.
Editors Lynnea Zhang David Ren Chloe Gong Kuba Naum Ryan Krouse Editor-in-ChiefAssistant Evelyn Meeker Online Editor Luke Mandel Copy Editor Sam Charney Staff Writers
Kuba Naum Detours
On the Loss of Bookstores
We should get rid of the trailers because they are dirty and cold, and hinder the education process for students.
Luke Mandel Online
Ian ElenaMadisonEmmaEricGuildayHadleyHunterLinLawrence
“Nobodywalls.knows
Many voices in the community believe that Wallingford-Swarthmore must engage in a self-reflection in order to prevent such immense hatred from infiltrating and uprooting the community again.
Some students took issue with the way this discontentment was being
By the end of the week of December 17, reacting to the incident had become a balancing act. With hardly any information other than what was spread through word of mouth, the community had to decide how to feel, what exactly to have feelings about, who to direct those feelings towards, and how to express thoseClashesfeelings.soon ensued between information-holders. Students and parents went up against administration. Those who sought the truth faced off with those complacent with reacting to rumors. The people who thought of the situation as a joke conflicted with the school’sHowever,activists.after winter break, the administration formally addressed the situation and provided the truth. The battle of the information-holders ended because everyone had the exact same information. As a result, many community members found that the anger that comprised their initial reaction diminished; instead, what is left is an invisible buzz of discontent hidden beneath the surface of Wallingford- Swarthmore.
represent Wallingford-Swarthmore. But many students believe the only way to ensure that issues like this never arise again is to acknowledge that this incident does represent Wallingford-Swarthmore. Sophomore Will Garrett said, “This is a community that claims tolerance and understanding yet has allowed instances like this to take place. I’m ashamed to say it, but I’m sure this was not the first time something like this has happened. But hopefully it’s the last time.”
-KiaraJuniorDavis,
In the few days that followed the Parkland shooting, there was a question lurking in everyone’s mind: “what comes next?” The past year has seen some of the greatest achievement by this generation, from 800,000 people marching together in Washington D.C., to millions more across the world. It has also seen further heartbreak and loss, with the death toll increasing at a devastating rate.
365 days is not enough time to change a country rooted in antiquated ideals dating back to 1787 and the birth of the U.S. constitution, but it has proved enough time to start waves in the fight for gun control.
the US Constitution.
Other aspects of the school have been aimed towards students’ safety, like the installment of new security cameras. The improvement of the school’s security system was not in response to a specific event— such as the numerous bomb threats received last school year, or even the shooting in Florida—but instead as a way to be proactive in the school’s safety measures. One reason that many schools are upgrading their security and informing students and faculty of safety policies is to make each student feel safe in school—a concept that the March for Our Lives group feels is too greatly overlooked by gun advocates such as the NRA.
WALKOUT SAFETY: Students move out of the way of a car before spilling onto Providence Road again during the walkout on December 18, 2018. Nether Providence Police Chief Mr. David Splain said that the Nether Providence Police Department was called by the school to come to the scene “for the safety of the kids.” The police eventually closed a portion of Providence road for the duration of the walkout. Photo courtesy Lilianna Torpey
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In the past year, Strath Haven has increased its efforts to ensure the safety of its students. The most change has come from the amount of attention the school puts on its safety policies. Dr. Brown emphasized this by stating, “Students and staff have been much more vigilant about our safety protocols. Parents have shown an increased interest in our safety protocols as well.”
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-Dr. Brown, SHHS principal
Haven Happenings
Dr. Brown said, “The fact that we can place a call to a parent and share our concerns or that they will call or email us with concerns, shows that we have a strong working relationship with the community to be able to provide our students with as much support that they need.”
Wallingford-Swarthmore,
addressed; to some, the administration almost seemed dismissive of it. “They were expecting people to move on as if the problem had been resolved,” said former senior Ruth Tilis, who was present at Haven during and shortly after the incident. “It seems the attitude is just that people are trying to move on and protect Haven’s reputation rather than realizing there is something wrong with this community.”
Every place you look in all five of the district’s schools, love and acceptance is unwavering. Respect statements are hung in every classroom, quotes from civil rights leaders are painted on the walls, and multiple clubs exist dedicated to equality for all. But during the time of the incident, many people, especially students, took on the daunting responsibility of looking into the depths of the community that were not plastered colorfully on the
Seventeen flowers and counting, And we can’t make the wilting stop. Why won’t the wilting stop?
what goes on inside of this school,” said junior Kiara Davis during the walkout. Tilis echoed this sentiment after the meeting on January 2, saying “[One] thing I found frustrating is that people think, ‘this isn’t Strath Haven,’ and act as if it is an inclusive community. It’s not.” One of the points of motivation for the community during this time has been refusing to let this incident
In one year, the wilting hasn’t slowed. In another, will it stop? Or will its pace only quicken?
Haven Discusses, 1
aboutand“Studentsstaffhavebeenmuchmorevigilantoursafetyprotocols.”
Photo courtesy Lilianna Torpey
Aside from guns themselves, March for Our Lives has advocated for proactive help for those with mental health issues. At Strath Haven, the counselors readily available to students, as well as good student-faculty relationships, has helped to maintain a safe atmosphere for learning.
A powerful poem published in the book by survivors of the shooting describes the thoughts and emotions of students after February 14th. Daniela Ortiz-Machado writes:
English teacher Mr. Matthew Wood spoke on this issue, saying: “My initial reaction was disappointment. But also, I wanted to have reservation and wait until the facts of what was being put out there were established.” He went on to say, “Having been teaching in public schools for over a quarter of a century and living much longer than that, you gather that the first version of the story that you hear is often not the correct story.”
“Nobody knows what goes on inside of this school.”
Rationality seemed to be the element amiss in most minds when the incident first came to light. Information and with it, fury and despair spread across the community. Students were and are outraged about the situation. However, the passion and anger in combination with the freedom and accessibility of information-spreading by social media resulted in panic and chaos that consumed the community. Some believe this explosive reaction only added to the situation. “I think before, it was way too blown up in our school,” said Andraos. “That was mostly by the students.”
Many in the community agree with Garrett: hopefully nothing like this will ever happen again. But senior and Student Council President Andrew Spangler believes that the most important action coming out of this situation is not to forget it happened. “The best thing the school can do is promote having discussions about difficult topics so that people can be more aware of things that may not affect them directly,” he said. “We need to make sure that communication is open. That should be a goal for everyone to bring our school community closer together.”
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LEADERSHIP LISTENS: Dr. Brown addresses students during a lunchtime forum held on December 21, 2018. The purpose of the meeting was to allow students to speak their minds about the letter situation and converse directly with administration.
Freshmen and Chromebooks? The idea could be the plot of a sci-fi horror film. However, aside from occasional misuse in class, teachers report few, if any, problems with Chromebooks. In fact, when interviewed about them, both teacher and student responses were overwhelmingly positive. Among the highlights were that Chromebooks allow students to write essays and research topics in class, leading to more individualized studies and technology incorporated into the classroom. However, the largest complaint was about blocked websites, with both students and teachers arguing that they often impede
-Ms. ScienceSzeligateacher
a student’s ability to research effectively.
don’t make the cut for certain classes. For example, Ms. Shepard feels that using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint are skills that every student requires. Unfortunately, Chromebooks hinder the ability to use these programs, potentially leaving students behind their more technologically adeptAltogetherpeers.
On January 16th, educators of the Los Angeles School District hit the streets with picket signs and a purpose. Rain or shine, teachers have been diligently protesting for pay increase, reduction of class size, and more support staff in schools. California’s reluctance to fund education triggered the strike, district officials are averse to providing more funds because it could result in bankrupcy. Protesting caused around 900 schools in the district to shut down, although many have been reopened after substitutes were hired. However, many parents still choose to keep their children home, either because they support the cause or they do not want their kids being taught by an ever-changing staff.
Though some minor inconveniences with the technology exist, freshman students and teachers agree that the pros of Chromebooks outweigh the cons.
“I feel bad when teachers work in a district where they aren’t supported”always
Photo courtesy Maddie Marks
After six days of striking, an agreement was finally reached between the Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, the union, and Los Angeles Unified School District. The arrangement entails a pay increase by six percent, reduction of class sizes within four years, and more support staff. To pay for these necessities California is depending on a hopeful increase in state revenue and a state tax poll that could produce $1.4 billion for Los Angeles’ schools. Strikes such as this may continue to give rise to many more around the country, by proving teachers do have a voice and will not stand idly by when not given what they deserve.
the inability to download apps leads to problems, because the simplified apps that Google provides, like Google Spreadsheets and Slides, simply
CHROMEBOOK CRAZE: (Above) Freshmen work on their Chromebooks during a fourth block Visual Communications class. The students often use the technology available to them to work on projects for the class.
But the ultimate question remains: are Chromebooks worth it? Many students say yes, indicating that Chromebooks are likely here to stay.
Haven staff wears red in solidarity with boycotting Los Angeles schoolteachers.
Teachers Boycott for Better
slowly creeping up.
Teachers across the nation wore red on behalf of those who are on strike. Even teachers here at Strath Haven
-AdahFreshmanKauffman,
decided to wear red to show their support, like Ms. Szeliga and Ms. Stadnicki. “I feel very lucky to be in such a wonderful school district, and I feel bad when teachers work in a district where they aren’t always supported,” said Ms. Szeliga. When asked if teachers feel as though they are given the resources they need, answers seemed to vary based on the subject. Ms. Szeliga explains, as a biology teacher, materials are often perishable so more money must be used to fund the experimental learning science requires. Ms. Stadnicki and Ms. Kimball-Kelly, who teach in the foreign language department, feel as though they are provided with the technology and textbook programs they need to perform as best they can, but even they say class sizes are
Samah Sharmin, ‘20 Staff Writer
Page 4 Janbruary
The idea of having Chromebooks in class initially seems counterproductive: yes, students will be able to work on online assignments in class more easily, but it doesn’t take long for students to become distracted. However, according to math teacher Mr. Benzing, “Freshman are generally distracted anyway.” It’s difficult to assess if the Chromebooks are making freshmen any less focused. Instead, Mr. Benzing believes that Chromebooks allow students to bring their classwork
home. Combined with Google Classroom, he’s excited that now the “course can continue from home.” In fact, many students echo his thoughts. Freshman Adah Kauffman said that because “There’s a lot of people at [her] house, so it’s nice to have [her] own laptop” to work with.
Unfortunately, Chromebooks aren’t always easy to work with. On top of technical difficulties, like troubles logging in and turning the laptop on, Ashrith Kandula told me that often “blocked websites interfere with research” and other schoolwork. Students and teachers alike hope for new, more liberal firewalls that prevent distractions but don’t impede with learning.Additionally,
Haven Happenings
students agree that they would rather have the Chromebooks than be without them. Mr. Benzing seems to reflect the popular opinion when he says that “the benefits outweigh the harms.”
Elena Lawrence, ‘21 Staff writer
“There’s a lot of people at my house, so it’s nice to have my laptop.”own
Statewide assembly to be held about new student hotline • Strath Haven High School will participate in a statewide training for the new program Safe 2 Say Something. The training for this anonymous tip hotline is required to be held in all Pennsylvania high schools under the instruction of the PA Office of the Attorney General.
This year the team is working on ways to help new members find a position suited to them, which will make joining the team much easier. During Saturday meetings, the team leaders have created a looser environment which provides for bonding experiences for the players instead of focusing strictly on their work. The Robotics Team has become a place where members can have fun as they work in a collaborative environment.
New technology allows access to Youtube • Wallingford-Swarthmore School District has implemented Smart Play as part of its LightSpeed Internet filter. This enhancement will allow WSSD to turn on YouTube for Strath Haven High School students. The change comes as a result of frequent requests from many high school teachers, administrators, and students this school year.
The leaders are also re-writing the guide book in an effort to help bring the team closer together, and they hope to continue this atmosphere for future members. According to Zeibekis, having strong leaders is one of the most important aspects of the team. “As a student leader, I’ve experienced many difficulties in robotics,” Zeibekis said. “It was actually very intimidating at first because all of our seniors from the past few years have left and I’ve looked up to them in many many ways. So when they went to college it was up to my friends and me to not only
In fact, according to junior Sophie Kujawski, Strath Haven isn’t the only high school to host a THON dance. Numerous other schools in the area host it as well, which is part of what makes the event so special. Seniors Sabrina Caputo and Tommy Bennett participated in a THON event
Strath Haven’s robotics team emphasizes the importance of teamwork and community in this year’s season.
According to Junior and Positronic Panthers secretary Dora Zeibekis, “Robotics has so many components to it that you really never get bored. There’s always someone to ask for help. All of our student leaders are really helpful if someone wants to learn more about a topic of programming, engineering, or even art.” With multiple areas to participate in and contribute to, the Robotics Team is always open for new members to join.
The Strath Haven Robotics Team, the Positronic Panthers, kicked off their season this January with the challenge for this year, announced by the First Robotics Competition (FRC). The theme for this year’s competition is Deep Space, which was revealed through a video published on the FRC website. The Positronic Panthers are currently designing their robot with 15-20 individuals who participate in programming, strategizing, and building the robot all throughout the week and even on weekends. With all of the effort and time each member puts in, the Strath Haven Robotics Team is looking to score major points this season.
As the competitions near, the Positronic Panthers are working to spread robotics and STEM to the community. They are collaborating with the Haven art department to create new designs for spirit wear. After the competition, the team is thinking of hosting a robotics night; anyone who is interested is encouraged to come and participate in the event. Competitions officially begin on February 27th, and there is one held almost every week. The Positronic Panthers are aiming to go far in this year’s competition so come and show your support for the Robotics Team!
ROCKIN’ ROBOTS: Positronic Panthers advisor Mr. Landolph instructs team members on how to improve their robot.
help manage the team, but to help improve aspects and bring us closer together.”
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Photo courtesy Sabrina Caputo
Photo courtesy Dora Zeibekis
DAY OF DANCE: Haven seniors Tommy Bennett and Sabrina Caputo celebrate after finishing their hours of dancing last April at Springfield High School. Both look forward to THON coming to Strath Haven.
To learn more, follow the club on Instagram (@ shminithon) and join the club Slack (shminithon.slack. com) for updates.
FYI
Samah Sharmin, ‘21 Staff Writer
With the help of teachers and peers, juniors Hope Graham and Lilian Liu have founded what they call “Mini-THON,” a smaller version of the nationwide THON fundraiser. THON is a dance marathon designed to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer with the hopes of one day finding a cure. Next fall, students at Strath Haven High School will be able to participate in this event in a day of dancing and other fun activities. But even before the event, there will be numerous fundraisers. The best way to help is to attend, spread the word, and get involved.Founded in 1973 at Penn State, THON is an exclusively student-run foundation that has collected over $157,000,000 and helped 4,000 families nationwide. THON is famous for its 46-hour dance marathon, although the dance at Strath Haven will likely be around 4 hours. Apart from raising money, the goal of Mini-THON is to bring people of all different backgrounds together for a common cause: creating a strong support system for those who need it.
last April at Springfield High School and agreed that it is an event that should come to Haven. Communicating with other schools, club members are able to exchange ideas with other students arranging THON dances. This sense of community is not lost on junior Lillian Liu, who says that THON is supposed to be about “reaching out to the community.”Sowhat can the community do? Kujawski stresses that the most important thing is spreading the word. Tell friends, family, neighbors, everyone about the club and its fundraisers to increase attendance and awareness. Apart from reaching out to the other schools, the club has also hosted a Flower Gram fundraiser. More events are coming up, like a potential Movie Night or Coffee Cart, so be sure to keep an eye out for announcements.
Haven Happenings
Students Plan to Host Mini-THON at Haven
Positronic Panthers Begin 2019 Robotics Season with Claws Out
Tax increase approved • The school board has approved a plan to increase taxes for the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District by 3.2 percent. The vote took place at the school board meeting on February 11, 2019 with a unanimous 9-0 vote. This new budget will be adopted on June 11, 2019 and will take effect July 1, 2019.
Second annual Rainbow Dance held • The student-organized Rainbow Dance proved a great success in its second year. Held on February 14, 2019, the dance was organized to celebrate the pride of Haven’s LGBTQ+ students and to raise money for the LGBTQ+ youth homeless shelter, the Ali Forney Center.
Maria Andraos, ‘21 Staff Writer
The dance marathon will be hosted next year to raise money for childhood cancer treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alleges that the current influenza season within the U.S. (which is usually active from October to May) has, so far, resulted in an estimated 6.2 to 7.3 million cases of influenza contractions, an estimated 2.9 to 3.5 million medical visitations, and an estimated 69,300 to 83,500 hospitalizations.
-Richie Michael, ‘19
Blood Drive is Back
*Responders were given a choice whether or not to have their name published. Quotes without a name attached were provided by students who abstained from giving their name.
-Jack Walters, ‘20
the influenza season and discontinue common illness avoidance practices.
-Andrew Spangler, ‘19
David Ren, ‘21 Editor
-Dana Hubbell, ‘19
To put that into perspective, the CDC alleges that each influenza season within the U.S. results in an estimated average of 9.3 to 49 million cases of influenza contractions, an estimated average of 4.3 to 23 million medical visitations, and an estimated average of 140,000 to 960,000 hospitalizations, alongside an estimated $10.4 billion spent in direct medical expenses and an additional $16.3 billion lost in career earnings, annually.Itmust also be noted that the aforementioned statistics represent only a mere fraction of the cases of, effects of, etc. of influenza; most persons who have contracted influenza tend not to go to the doctor, tend not to get tested for influenza, tend not to report their contraction of
And thus, in conclusion, so as to ultimately avoid spreading easily preventable diseases, and by extension, to keep Strath Haven students and staff, alongside the general population safe and sound, students Strath Haven students should get influenza vaccinations.
“With both the Emergency Team and Student Council, I’ve been working at the blood drive since sophomore year, distracting people from the needles and helping with organization and logistics. I think that the blood drive is a really great event that demonstrates the generosity of the student body. Strath Haven has one of the highest participation rates for blood drives around the area. Every year, we actually have to turn a number of people away simply because there are not enough time slots available. That really says something great about our school.”
“I have done it five times and I plan on continuing. I donate because I have had a family member in need so I thought I could help with something I have plenty of.”
-Lindsay Belliveau, ‘19
“One coughcontractedpersonwhooping[...]attherelativelyrecentStrathHavenvs.MarpleNewtownbasketballgame.”
“Why not?”
due to the administration of vaccinations after an outbreak occurred in the State of Washington.Thecommon argument used by antivaxxers—the one which links vaccinations to autism—can be disregarded; no evidence from the scientific or medical community gives any credence to that ludicrous proposition. And while other thecertainasofunconventionalnon-mainstream/forms“medication”,suchginger,honey,garlic,vitamins,etc.havepotentialtocombat
“I’m not eligible due to a medical “Icondition.”don’tapprove of the fact that the Red Cross is a for-profit organization and sells blood donations to hospitals.”
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the influenza surveillance season (which began on October 1, 2018, and will last until May 19, 2019) has so far indicated an increased level of influenza activity within Pennsylvania; with, so far, 66 out of the 67 Pennsylvanian counties reporting confirmed cases of influenza, a total of 12,000 cases of influenza contraction, and a total of 15 (adult or senior) deaths as a result of influenza contraction, the current display of influenza activity is higher, although thankfully not by much, than the epidemic threshold for the Pennsylvanian region.However, despite the results of the influenza surveillance season, Strath Haven High School is relatively lucky—according to Ms. Sweeny, the school nurse, the number of influenza contractions in Strath Haven have been very few in number, with the only major health concern being a few cases of gastrointestinal illnesses. This, however, does not justify a situation in which students should become lax about
influenza, etc.
Why do you participate in the blood drive?
-Chloe Gong, ‘19
“I would if I could, but I do not meet the weight requirement for donating blood through Strath Haven’s drive.”
“I didn’t want to.”
With Strath Haven’s annual Red Cross blood drive coming up on February 28, the Panther Press asked juniors and seniors if they participate, and why or not.
Flu Shots Should Be Required for Haven Students and Staff
nfluenza is rampant within the United States of America.
“I just want to be able to do something helpful, and I would feel guilty if a patient could have been saved with a blood donation but instead died without one. Especially since I’m also interested in a career in the medical field, I feel obligated to help in some way before I have the ability to actually practice medicine.”
The least costly, most efficient, and overall best method to avoid catching a disease preventable through a vaccine is, as you might have guessed, to get a vaccine. And even if one was placed within an environment in which the chances of influenza contraction was very small, it is ultimately better to be safer with a vaccine, than sorry without one.
several illnesses, vaccines are guaranteed to prevent one from even contracting the disease—a much more significant and better route than taking the aforementioned “medication” after already having contracted the disease.
“My sister got an infection when she did the blood drive through school, so I would prefer to do it straight through the Red Cross.”
Why don’t you participate in the blood drive?
In order to protect the community from easily preventable sickness, Strath Haven should push for all students and faculty to be immunized against illnesses such as influenza.
I
The absence of vaccines within a community in which physical contact (e.g. sporting events, public transportation, schools, etc.) has become so familiar and easily accessible has only negative consequences. On a small scale, for example, one person contracted whopping cough, a highly contagious illness that could have been avoided with a simple vaccination, at the relatively recent Strath Haven vs. Marple Newton basketball game. On a large scale, 36 people have contracted measles, a highly contagious illness long thought to be eradicated within the U.S.
It thus comes as no surprise that the State of Pennsylvania had been largely affected by the current influenza season.
“I wish I could support this cause but unfortunately I don’t meet the requirements to donate!”
Page 6 Janbruary
“I can’t because I got my ears pierced in the last year.”
Opinions
The question of vaccinations also comes in mind—should Strath Haven students be obligated to get influenza vaccines? The answer is yes.
How effective do you feel Strath Haven is in teaching and celebrating black history and achievement during Black History Month?
-Mr. Babcock, US History teacher
Page 7 Janbruary Many feel that the month is undercelebrated and underacknowledged at Strath Haven.
unemployment remains at twice the rate of white Americans, and black wealth is ten times less than white wealth.
American experiences should be valued, taught, and done so within the fabric of the curriculum,” he said. He also explained how he tries to make sure he covers all American experiences -- black, white, women, men, etc. -- to ensure that “no one [feels] like they are on the outside looking in at their own country.”
It was Carter G. Woodson, a black historian, who founded Negro History Week in 1926. “If race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world,” Woodson said. In other words, there can be no equality if a nation cannot value a race. The idea was that appreciating a people’s history was a necessary prerequisite to equality.Even
Strath Haven, a school which takes pride in being diverse and progressive, falls short in promoting Black History Month. Talking to students at Strath Haven, a major concern is that the school does very little to actually acknowledge the month. “Strath Haven High School no longer does anything to celebrate Black History Month,” an eleventh grader said. Another junior voiced the same concern, saying, “Not many people seem to care.”
rates will change or that wealth disparity will end. But certainly learning black history should go beyond peanuts, and if we fail to impart the knowledge of black people’s role in the United States it creates a deep problem for our nation.
US History teacher Mr. Babcock and English teacher Mr. Zakrzewski, however, discussed ways in which Strath Haven has celebrated Black History Month in the past. Mr. Babcock talked about Strath Haven hosting school-wide assemblies regarding Black History Month, as well as the announcements including facts about black history. Mr. Zakrzewski also mentioned the bulletin boards hung up in the history department. Despite these
Similarly, Mr. Zakrzewski has tried to increase the diversity of voices represented in his class by bringing in books like Passing by Nella Larsen and Kindred by Octavia Butler, which are both told from the point of view of black Americans, with the hope that his students will learn from thoseUltimately,perspectives.students agree that change is needed in both the everyday curriculum and how the school handles Black History Month. While everyone appreciates the effort Strath Haven makes to honor this month and diversity overall, they agree that it seems necessary to revisit the school’s approach to Black History Month.
Everyone who has gone through the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District has spent February learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, giving presentations on Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad, watching “Martin and Me,” and hearing teachers talk about Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges.However, in learning all of these things, it becomes very easy to misconstrue the reason for Black History Month and the necessity of learning black history.
(1 = not effective at all, 5 = extremely effective.)
How important is the celebration of Black History Month at Strath Haven to you?
(1 = not important at all, 5 = extremely important.) I do my job well enough, every day should be BlackMonth.”History
Month.All
Opinions
Results from survey of 126 Strath Haven students during A and B lunch on Friday, February 1, 2019. “If
Today, this issue seems more important than ever. It is a problem that goes beyond our school. Statistics show that while black people only make up thirteen percent of the US population, they account for a disproportionate percentage of people killed by police. The black incarceration rate is five times that of whites, black
positives, Mr. Babcock also expressed his worries about the way the school educates about black history, stating that it “may lead to a trivialization of a people or culture.”
Ava Szepessy & Emma Hunter, ‘20 Staff Writers
Perhaps teaching black history does not ensure equality. Knowing George Washington Carver developed 300 products of peanuts doesn’t mean that incarceration
In addition, both students and teachers discussed the problem of letting the month replace what should simply be incorporated into everyday curriculum. One student said, “We separate black history unjustly from American history, and take only a month to educate students [with] basic information.” Mr. Babcock actively tries to avoid this problem: “If I do my job well enough, every day should be Black History
Juniors Olivia Memeger, Alex Melly, and Annie Mutz introduce themselves before their performance of “This Way” by Khalid. Before beginning their song, Melly tells the audience that Mutz is his best friend, prompting Mutz to hug Melly as audiences members smile and laugh.
Missed seeing your friends perform at Coffeehouse on Friday, February 8?
Sophomore Will Garrett plays the keyboard as he sings the emotional song “Not Above Love” by AlunaGeorge. Garrett was one of the first performers during the B lunch period, and beforehand, expressed a bit of excited nervousness to a few audience members. But of his performance, he said, “I loved doing it; I love performing in smaller, more intimate environments. You can really connect to the audience.”
Senior Virginia Finney smiles as she sings “Femme Fatale” by the Velvet Underground, one of the last songs of the event. She performed alongside senior Gavin Vogel who played guitar for the performance, and sophomore Charlie Pellegrini who played tambourine.
Junior Rie Duncan plays the ukulele and sings for her performance of “Take Me to Church” by Hozier. Duncan was the first to perform during the B lunch period, but many people were still present to cheer her on and applaud her after she finished.
Co-Editor-in-Chief//‘19Marks,Maddie
HOUSECOFFEE UPCATCH
Take a minute to enjoy a recap of the event organized by seniors Sabrina Caputo and Isaiah Kim.
Freshman Cece Olszewski plays the keyboard and sings as a part of a trio performance of “I Go Crazy” by Orla Gartland. Being freshmen, Olszewski and her bandmates were new to the Coffeehouse scene. “It was my first Coffeehouse at Haven so I was a little nervous,” Olszewski said. “But everyone was really supportive and encouraging and we ended up having a lot of fun.”
In between lunches, junior Danny Gallagher sings and plays keyboard for an impromptu rendition of “Africa” by Toto to the delight of the audience. Gallagher impressively performed the piece without any music, conveniently filling the time between two periods of official performances.
SeniorCoffeehouse.Graham
Hogg
taps out a beat on a drum during a performance of “Lemonade” by Jeremy Passion. In addition to the drum, Hogg played the keyboard and sang for a few other performances over the course of the Coffeehouse event.
Sophomore Charlie Pellegrini looks up at junior Annie Mutz as he plays the guitar for their performance of “The General” by Dispatch. Both Pellegrini and Mutz were frequent presences onstage at this year’s first Coffeehouse. “Coffeehouse is always great,” said Mutz. “Performers feel like they’re onstage at a concert, except the venue is a library and Mrs. Cohen is yelling at you for drinking water.”
-Sabrina Caputo Coffeehouse co-chair
Senior Dylan Demo plays the ukulele for a trio performance of the classic song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” This performance was one of a few that Demo participated in, his other instrument being the guitar.
Senior Kylee Davis plays the keyboard as she sings “Fake Love” by BTS. This performance was the second of two by Davis during the event. “It was honestly a really cool experience,” said Davis. “In the past, I’ve done karaoke performances outside of school, but those are all people I will probably never see again. It was really neat to have people in the hallways that I knew comment on my performance afterwards. I think Coffeehouse is a great experience, and I’m so glad our school has it.”
Senior Megan Lowry and co-chair of Coffeehouse Sabrina Caputo share a smile after they finish their rendition of “Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant. Along with Kim, Caputo worked hard to plan and organize the event up until the minutes before the first performer. She is, overall, very happy with how Coffeehouse turned out.
“It was great to see everyone come out and peform, but even better to see everyone who showed up to enjoy the performances and support their friends!”
-Isaiah Kim Coffeehouse co-chair
English teacher Mr. Robert Zakrzewski strums his guitar as he sings the classic Beatles tune “Hey Jude” to a very welcoming audience. Before organizersZakrzewskiperforming,thankedforasking him to perform, saying that he was excited and grateful for the opportunity. The rendition finished with the crowd singing along with Zakrzewski and, after, a warm round of applause.
Freshman EmmanouilidesBella and Ruth Young share a microphone as they sing “I Go Crazy” by Orla Gartland. Being freshman, this was their first time performing in a Coffeehouse. Even so, the crowd welcomed them kindly, making their first Coffeehouse performance quite the success.
Senior and co-chair of Coffeehouse Isaiah Kim sings “Lemonade” by Jeremy Passion, one of the few songs he performed over the course of the event. For the past few weeks, Kim planned, organized, and set up
“It was fun! Hopefully we can have another one this year.”
Junior Olivia Memeger plays the guitar during a rendition of “This Way” by Khalid. Though the song was performed twice over the course of Coffeehouse, Memeger and her bandmates Mutz and Melly received enthusiastic applause from the audience both times around.
far as to harass the presenters. While some students had genuine questions, others were blurring the line between expressing their personal beliefs and blatant animosity.
Gender-Sexuality Alliance faces backlash in health classes
households. Many LGBTQ+ students have intolerant families, unable to truly be themselves at home—but there are also a great number of students with strong support networks. For those who don’t have the support, it is important to create a safe and welcoming environment where they can express themselves and feel comfortable. A wonderful opportunity for students is the Rainbow Dance, which took place on February 14. The Rainbow Dance is an all-inclusive school dance designed to promote equality and pride. Proceeds will go to the Ali Forney Center, a center for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
There is an ongoing crisis in the United States: the inadequate and radically disproportionate funding between schools in the country, in states and in districts. There is strong evidence that this issue affects opportunities for children who are not as fortunate, as seen with the use of affirmative action in America’s colleges. Affirmative action is a band-aid that attempts to right the wrongs of unequal education in this county, but more can be done. If we look at the way public schools in America are funded today, the three main sources of revenue are local, state, and federal. According to the Upper Darby Sentinel News, across the nation, roughly 35% of funding for public schools comes from local property taxes, 44% from state contributions (which come from state taxpayers), and only 13% from the federal government. In Pennsylvania, the numbers are even more startling: 43% comes from local property taxes, 35% from the state, and only 12% from the federal government. For both the nation and Pennsylvania, the other 8% and 10% come from other local sources, respectively.
“I overheard some of my classmates muttering transphobic and homophobic things. They seemed intent on starting a debate despite the fact that the presentations were supposed to be educational,” said sophomore Helen Adair. “There was one particular student who compared trans people to a hypothetical person who thinks they are a dog. I thought that things were a lot more progressive, but I guess it’s a bit worse than I thought.”
Luke Mandel, ‘20 Online Editor
This has several important implications that create fundamental inequality across America.
cutting programs and possibly, the quality of education, when funding is short. Not only does this method strain local taxpayers, but it also bases a significant portion of school funding on the demographics and affluence of a community rather than on what the school needs. In an attempt to compensate for this disparity, the state provides school districts in need with additional funding,
Page 10 Janbruary
but the state of Pennsylvania does not have a constant formula for determining this number. Rather, the state approves the same amount as the year before, accounting for inflationary expenses and some other discretionary adjustments. Unfortunately, “This system consistently fails to react to a district’s change in enrollment, demographics, or level of need,” according to the non-profit, independent newspaper, The Philadelphia Public School Notebook.Whilethe state is currently the go-to solution for many school districts in need, there is a limit to how much weight state treasuries can bear, especially when they are responsible for about 44% of district budgets across the country. Using the states to level inequality in school districts is the right goal, but fails to realize the financial impact this has on states and the inequalities that exist from state to state. Although the court system has not been helpful in resolving this fundamental flaw in America’s education system, there is a relatively simple solution that is better for local taxpayers and for minimizing the disparities between school districts. By federalizing all public education funding,
Amount of funding for PA public schools coming from local property taxes
“Once we [wediversedestigmatizingstartidentitiesmight]beabletotalkaboutwhowearewithouta fight.”
When so many public schools across the country are struggling, we need a practical solution to the problem of funding to help students and teachers alike.
a school budget will no longer rely on the affluence of its community or state, but rather on a common pool of funds to be distributed proportionally to every district in the country. On a national scale, then, a tax increase for education has a much smaller impact on an individual taxpayer. This plan also eliminates the need for schools to rely on property taxes which are dependent on the socio-economic level of a community and have no direct connection to personal income. A local taxpayer may be out of work, yet still have to pay property taxes that they cannot afford when they have no income.
Eric Hadley and Madison Lin, ‘21 Staff Writers
-Grayson Ray, GSA presenter
Focusing specifically on Pennsylvania, this statistic shows that local sources are responsible for nearly half of all school funding, placing a significant strain on local taxpayers. School districts and their municipalities have the dilemma of raising property taxes to better the schools, or
“Overall, most of the class was pretty open-minded, but the reactions from a few of the students had a negative impact on the classroom’s atmosphere. Personally, I thought the presentation helped me with the clarification of certain terms,” another sophomore who preferred remain namelessDespitesaid.the backlash received, the importance of learning about the LGBTQ+ community continues to be the reason that the GSA presentations go on. These presentations provide students with information that they might not usually be exposed to on their own. A lot of gender and sexual minority students across the country do not feel welcome or safe in the school environment, so the incorporation of presentations and education regarding LGBTQ+ topics opens a door to selfacceptance and Discriminationbelonging.and inequality extends throughout society, our communities, and even individual
Leaders of the club recall struggling to educate classes on LGBTQ+ issues.
In December of 2018, the Strath Haven High School’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) club came into tenth grade health classes to talk about the LGBTQ+ community. GSA is a club that promotes equality and inclusivity for everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender identity. For over 10 years, GSA has provided students with the opportunity to learn from their peers about various LGBTQ+However,topics.the presentations of this year did not go so well. Some classes were particularly resistant, but problems occurred throughout all of the presentations. A number of students refused to acknowledge the prevalence of the LGBTQ+ community and issues, even going as
Opinions
This may not be the perfect remedy to educational inequality in America, but it would diminish the most glaring problems in our current method of funding public education. While it is risky to put all of our eggs in one basket, especially when the government can be shut down for an indeterminate time, I believe this is the simplest solution to efficiently get teachers decent pay, students a decent education, and taxpayers decent stewardship of their money.
Grayson Ray, one of the presenters, elaborated on the issue. “I almost think the more important thing to think about in this situation is all of the LGBTQ+ people who sat in that room silenced by hatred. Teaching about people’s identities is beyond important. The LGBTQ+ community fits into so many aspects of schooling, and more times than not we get overlooked and the topic is pushed away—it’s like it has to be an unspoken topic. Why don’t we get taught sex education? Why are we excluded from the timelines in history class? Growing up, we spend the majority of our time in school and a lot of our opinions and views on the world are based off our experiences in these years. How can we expect our peers to respect us when even the people teaching us are ignorant to the topic? Once we start destigmatizing diverse identities [we might] be able to talk about who we are without a fight.”
It is important to reflect upon what happens in our school on a daily basis because we do have the power to help end it. What causes students to be so unaccepting of the LGBTQ+ community? What leads them to turn towards hate instead of love? Most importantly, how can we work together to create a safe environment for everyone, regardless of our differences?
STUDENT TEACHERS: Juniors and GSA leaders Grayson Ray and Sybilla Moore smile during a fifth block GSA meeting. Ray and Moore, alongside other GSA members, visit health classrooms every year to educate students about LGBTQ+ issues. Photo courtesy Zoe Feinberg
43%
Federalized school funding proves to be a superior method of funding public education
Student places in Top 15 during PA Teen USA Pageant
York at 6 in the morning and not getting home until 1 the next morning. Other times it’s a day full of volunteering and still others, a fashion show. On a normal weekend when I’m not leaving the state, I am either volunteering or practicing at home for the shows. On most Saturdays I go to City Team homeless shelter to prepare lunch for the homeless for around three to five hours. Practicing for pageants doesn’t really have time limit; it’s either you do it or you don’t. For PA Teen USA, I competed in three different categories. There was Gown, Fitness, and Interview. For Gown, I practiced in my six-inch heels in my dining room or kitchen. I did it over and over again. When I got my gown, I practiced in it because I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t step on it or trip onstage. Fitness is similar but in sneakers and leggings, because that was the required outfit. Interview is harder because I don’t know what they are going to ask. I have to prepare for everything, know what is happening in the news, the pageant world, my community, with my platform, and what I want to do when I graduate. There was a lot I had to do to prepare but it was definitely worth it.
MUSIC MEN: Sophomore Mason Lang and senior Richie Mi chael practice their parts during a Panther Jazz Band rehearsal on Wednesday, January 30.
The whole pageant is a series of quick changes and no time. If get you called for top 15, then you must re-compete in fitness and gown. If you get called for top 10, then you get asked on-stage question. That is the deciding moment. I placed top 15 and it was a great experience. I’m excited to return to the pageant world in about a year.
The idea for a more rhythm-centric band arose out of a need for schedule modifications and has started out their first year strong.
Arts and Entertainment
WillItalyexcitedSilvertonesfortripGarrett,‘21
Staff Writer
Recently, the music department welcomed a brand new ensemble. In past years, Haven had four jazz groups: the Panther Jazz Band (directed by Mr. McLaughlin), two smaller jazz ensembles, and the Sax Quartet (directed by Mr. Fischer). But this year due to Mr. Fischer’s schedule, the two smaller ensembles were cut and replaced by a Rock and Soul Band, directed by Mr. Rudolph—who, as some may know, is also the drumline advisor during Marching Band season.
Mr. McLaughlin said the reason why he and Mr. Rudolph decided to start the new band was because they saw a need for “real world” rhythm section playing in the Jazz program. “Mr. Rudolph and I wanted to ensure our students have an experience playing in a smaller, combostyle ensemble, as these groups are more prevalent outside of academic ‘big band’ programs.”
ensemble will continue into the future, giving students an opportunity to connect with, and learn from genres generally not performed in an academic setting.”
Addressing the future of the Rock and Soul band, Mr. McLaughlin is optimistic: “We are hopeful that this
Lunch is half an hour and then we get back into rehearsal. There was an hour in between rehearsal and the finale to get ready. In that hour, I touched up my makeup and did my hair. Because it is a pageant, I need to have perfect hair and fancy makeup. To do that, I need 45 minutes to fix everything and get in my outfit. I need to have my jewelry and the correct shoes, and I need to make sure I am wearing the right thing at the right time with only five minutes to change between segments. Yes, that sounds like a lot of time, but when you are trying to not mess your head up and make sure you have everything, it feels like 30 seconds.
“Rehearsals have gone well, as students are interested to learn their role in this smallensemble setting performing classic rock material such as ‘Birthday’ by The Beatles and soul classics like ‘Cissy Strut’ by The Meters,” says Mr. Rudolph. “We plan to expand the repertoire during the band’s weekly rehearsals, and students are encouraged to make artistic recommendations regarding programming the ensemble or even writing their own arrangements.”
sleep the night before at 12:45 because we had to finish preliminaries and then check into the shared hotel room with another contestant. I did my makeup at the beginning of the day, as to not waste time in the hour we had before the finale. I re-curled my hair and put it into pin curls to save time as well. Then, I had breakfast and went directly into a 2 hour rehearsal. In the rehearsals, we learn all the walking patterns, the opening number for both preliminaries and the finale, and to ultimately get a feel for being onstage.
Chloe Gong, ‘19 Editor
A s Strath extracurricularsHaven’sseem to
Photo courtesy Maddie Marks
Haven sophomore gives a look into her life of pageantry.
multiple around school, our reach outside of WallingfordSwarthmore only grows in kind and number. One of Haven’s farthest reaching trips is the Strath Haven Silvertones’ trip to Italy during the springtime. The group plans to travel all around the northern part of Italy performing at every opportunity. The trip culminates in a final performance of an Easter Mass at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. In preparation for the trip, students learn classical, spiritual and modern songs to add to their repertoire. The trip is just one of many our school’s outreach makes, but it sure is one of the most coveted for any Strath Haven singer.
Jazz Band has always been a great way for students who are passionate about music to further pursue their interests in a smaller, less constrained setting than the symphonic band or orchestra. Many pieces have room for solos and improvisations, allowing musicians to fully showcase their instrumental talents. While offering all the benefits of the jazz ensembles, the Rock and Soul Band also provides an chance to explore a different genre of music.
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Olivia Fox, a sophomore alto saxophone player in the rock band shared her thoughts. “I am thoroughly enjoying being in the Rock and Soul Band. It’s very fun, and Mr. Rudolph is a great teacher.” She says that the group is mostly working on soloing at the moment. When asked whether her current experience in the rock band feels different from being in the Panther Jazz Band last year, Olivia replied, “The biggest difference is the size. There are not as many people in Rock and Soul, nevertheless, it is still a good group of musicians. I have gained different experiences from both, so I do not like one over the other.”
We look forward to following the group’s progress in the coming months, and seeing their performance along
Irecently competed in the Pennsylvania Teen USA State pageant. I’ve been competing since I was 7 and I’ve won a handful of titles. Because of pageantry, I’ve traveled to California numerous times, Oregon, Florida, Texas, and the Bahamas. Even though it is awesome to be able to travel around the country, it is really time consuming. I have dedicated almost all of my time to preparing for my upcoming competitions, as well as volunteer work. I currently have over 1,000 hours of community service and three Golden Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. It’s a lot
Pageant weekend is a different story. Teen USA was three days but I went two days earlier because it is in Pittsburgh.Themost important day was Sunday, the day of finale. I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to start doing hair and makeup. I went to
Lilianna Torpey, ‘21 Staff Writer
Rock and Soul Jazz Band Forms in Light of Two Dissolved Jazz Groups
Photo courtesy Maddie Marks
Will Garrett, ‘21 Staff Writer
Legally Blonde Cast and Crew Prep Enthusiastically for Upcoming Shows
“Hands down, the best part is interacting with students,” said Pignataro. “I miss them when they’re not here. It’s crazy to say this, but I sometimes wish that they’re here when they aren’t.” Throughout the season, Pignataro emphasized the importance of self care and managing stress, showing that he genuinely cares about his students and their well-being. The worst part of his job? “You’re just constantly tired, and you’re constantly— not stressed, but overwhelmed. You’re just tired all the time. I’m sure students can relate to that.”
After the emotionally-charging performance of the fall drama The Laramie Project, the Strath Haven Theatre Department plan to begin March with a bang: Legally Blonde has been chosen as this year’s spring musical. A Tony nominated Broadway show and 2000s classic that sits up with Mean Girls and Bring It On as some of the most beloved movies of that time, Legally Blonde is a classic that is sure to impress. This high energy show is exciting, hilarious, and not something you would want to miss out on.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Director and instructor Mr. John Shankweiler works on the Legally Blonde set during fourth block on Thursday, February 21. Shankweiler said that the snow day interefered with the building schedule quite a bit.
Strath Haven’s new Band Director, Nick Pignataro, reflects on the obstacles and successes of his first season as band director and discusses the future of the Panther Marching Band.
“We want to [...] keep the high standard of excellence peopleencouragingwhiletorealizewhattheirskillsare.”
responsibilities of the band. He noticed that he didn’t have to be physically in charge of everything, remarking “I felt much more like a CEO than a hands-on teacher. In past roles, I’ve always had to do every little thing, but here, there’s other adults and actually tons and tons of student leaders that handle so many of the day-to-day operations.”
“We’re so excited to bring this heartfelt, exciting, and feel good show to the WSSD community,” Thack said. “The cast and crew have worked so hard to bring the important lessons of acceptance to the stage.” The show is an endless energy extravaganza, unlike last year’s Les Misérables, but still filled to the brim with the same amount of talent, emotion, and expertise the whole department brings. Lively dance numbers like “Bend And Snap” and “What You Want” break up captivating emotional scenes, and the use of jump ropes in “Whipped Into Shape” has been a workout for everyone in the number. The show also has its fair share of uplifting songs like, “Positive,” “So Much Better,” and “Legally Blonde.”
Senior Julia Thack will star as the leading Elle Woods, a UCLA Sorority President turned successful Harvard Law School graduate. She plays across from senior Chris Dahlke, her tutor and friend Emmet Forest.
So, what is the future of the Panther Marching Band? Mr. Pignataro will mostly leave that up to the students. All we can expect in the future is a superb level of performance and brilliant energy, something the Panther Marching Band has always been praised for. Pignataro has taken on the responsibilities and obstacles that come with running a band of over 400 students with a contagious level of confidence and positivity that will continue to lead the band to success for seasons to come.
When he first took on the role of band director at Haven, Mr. Pignataro was tothatstudentadultsofthesurprisedpleasantlybyamountdedicatedandleaderscontributedthemany
like the interview opportunities because it allows me to [communicate] with students more than I normally would and it gives everybody yet another chance to prove themselves to the staff,” said Pignataro. “I also think it makes it a little bit more fair and it gives everybody the understanding that this is a really big Followingdeal.”Jack Hontz’ legendary 34 year career as band director, Pignataro has been honoring Mr. Hontz’s values of inclusivity and excellence for the band. Regarding any new traditions with the band in the future, Pignataro doesn’t necessarily want to influence the band himself; he would rather have the band influence him. He wants to increase the musicality and the responsibility of the students, while continuing everything that Hontz did, to ensure the success of the band. “It’s really about what the students want,” said Pignataro. “I’ve already been to high school, I’ve already done this, and this isn’t for me, it’s for the students. Whatever they want, we’ll do.”
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Cece Olszewski, ‘21 Staff Writer
Whether you are a diehard for the Strath Haven Theatre Department’s performances or have never seen one in your life, everyone is invited to come out and experience these energy filled performances (and yes, there will be a dog). The production team is going out of their way to create lively sets and costumes for each moment in the show. All in all, this year’s show is going to be a sight to see. As said by sophomore and ensemble member Julia Staranowski: “Legally Blonde is going to be blast! Everyone should come to see it!” The show runs March 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 with shows at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Mr. Pignataro encourages students to pursue all activities that interest them, and believes they should never feel stressed out about conflicting schedules. “Strath Haven students have lots going on, so sometimes they’re stressed out. But band should not be stressful.”This past season, the Panther Marching Band performed a number of both classic and modern pieces, from “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen to Pitbull’s “Give MePignataroEverything.”choosesthepiecesforhis
Arts and Entertainment
-Mr. Pignataro, Band instructor, teacher
A common obstacle with the marching band is that for students participating in fall sports, their preseason typically conflicts with band camp. This has always been an issue at Strath Haven, and according to Pignataro, “We’re off to a good start. Because I was hired so late in the summer—just days before band camp began—I had to react to everything and couldn’t be proactive. I think there was a perception that as a new band director, I was discouraging people from doing other things, and that’s simply not true. I think band students make better athletes and athletes make better band students.”
Pignataro Finishes First Band Season with High Hopes for Future Tackling the 2018 Panther Marching Band Season was a challenge, but reaped great rewards.
ensembles based on a couple of factors. “A lot of it comes from my training and background in education; music that I’ve studied, conducted, heard or performed. From there, it comes from my own personal exploration. I study music on my own all the time. Also, students often come to me withWhatsuggestions.”about Bandfront? What obstacles do they have to deal with? According to accounts from many Bandfront members, there has always seemed to be an underlying hierarchy among the various positions on Bandfront. In the past, Haven students have raised concerns about this controversial topic: are the positions all viewed equally in the eyes of Bandfront members and directors? Will Silks ever get skirts? Putting much thought into his answer, Pignataro replied, “I’ve noticed that the three groups have three different roles, and they all function differently. If students feel like some are better than others, I don’t see it that way. With Ms. Hahn and Ms. Vernon retiring, one of the things we want to continue to do is keep the high standard of excellence while encouraging people to realize what their skills are. I’d like to celebrate how they’re different a little bit more. And Silks are getting skirts! They’re getting skirts next year.”Another addition to the Panther Marching Band is Mr. Pignataro’s updated procedure for choosing student leaders. Major student leadership positions are now chosen by interview, as opposed to being selected by the band director based on performance and leadership alone. “I
Strath Haven Theatre embraces the unique energy of this pop culture phenomenon with everything from jumping rope to walking dogs.
44: A cash machine
25: A large extinct flightless bird resembling the emu, formerly found in New Zealand
58: A suffix commonly used to form adjectives and is also oftentimes used with nouns
41: Ouch!
Page 13 Janbruary No Bev... Yo bro what do You want man? CROSSWORD: Kuba Naum, ‘19, Editor // COMIC: Perry Sosi, ‘19, Staff artist
23: Ancient or medieval Indian texts used in religious thought within Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism
31: A meal similar to soup but of a thicker gravy-like consistency
38: A form of diving which involves using a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, allowing the user to truly swim with the fishes
45: Everyone in Haven has been to and most likely loves this place
1: A complex and poignant movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal and a giant malicious rabbit named
1: What Freaks and Geeks character said “All right fine, I’ll be a dwarf, but my name is
6: Indie folk rock singer who fled to a remote cabin in Wisconsin to record his lauded debut solo album For Emma, Forever ago
27: A short and pudgy bro, who gets hurled out of his plumber life into a treacherous expedi tion to save a princess
35: Any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other permanent surface. Currently there are 3,600 of them in
10: The name of India’s successful uber rival
34: A character in greek mythology who is the daughter of the earth goddess Gaia and the sky god Uranus. Also the sister and wife of Cronus
known to hold grudges, have best friends and mourn loss (plural)
5:theticAsmall ornamental case, typically made of gold or silver, worn around a person's neck on a
7: This word meaning what's up in Turkish is similar to the word neighbour, but more to the point (in terms of word structure)
55: What environmentally beneficial organism never dies of old age (singular)
32: The name of a company that produces water supplements that supposedly improve your immune system amongst other numerous health benefits
Detours
37: What does every kiss begin with
24: A third-person plural personal pronoun used to refer to two or more people
33: What type of message are The Police at tempting to send out into the world
61: The first name of the French philosopher who said “I think, therefore I am”
40: Aisle and this word are homophones
50: The magician raised his hands and just as he was about to take his bow, in a blink of an eye, he disappeared with a hazy cloud of smoke faintly bordering his silhouette...
16: The most common spelling of the nick name Tonto calls the Lone Ranger
13: An intensive or sudden military attack. A common strategy for the Germans in WW2
29: We have done it! After battling unrelent ing waves for over weeks we finally made it
62: What did Jay-Z call his wife before they were married
47: The shortened last name/nickname of one of Havens math teachers
26: A religious concept that has to do with the immaterial essence found within all living things. Generally exes don’t have these
18:MindhunterAwordsome people use to describe feel ing sick. Also a slang word some people use, primarily in rap music, to talk about something being dope or tough
42: What do sailors do to the deck
11: The community owned food cooperative store in Swarthmore
12: The stock name for a gold mining company headquartered in Vancouver
57: What do Winston Churchill, Michael Phelps and Drew Barrymore all have in com
44: A Japanese color word that includes what English-speakers would call blue and green
28: Holden Commodore (VK), Holden Com modore (__), Holden Commodore (VN)
6:chainLegendary reggae icon who has a song about three little birds
51: IMDB describes this actor as “raven haired” and “suavely handsome”. However most people probably know him through his humorous imitations of Trump in SNL skits 52: Christian Bale won a Golden Globe for best actor in what recent movie
28: A piece of fine material worn by women to protect or conceal the face. Frequently used during weddings
63: Last name of the eccentric and lively lead singer and guitarist of the band Talking Heads
48: The last name of the Austrian medical doc tor/psychologist who said “The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well”
38:PhiladelphiaDoeshe have a mustache
21: A gentle alien that wanted nothing more than to harvest some plants and call his bud dies to pick him up
4: An abbreviated term for something teachers give to students when they’re feeling sympa
19: That’s neither ____ nor there
24: A term people use when someone is shar ing too many intimate or boring details (abbrv)
56: On May 2, 2011 the New York Post head lined their paper with “Got Him! Vengeance at last! US nailed the bastard”. Who were they referring to (abbrv)
14: An unorthodox rebel group lead by Joseph Kony which operates in northern Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (abbrv)
43: A sound very familiar to NPAA superstar, Conor McCambridge
2:FrankEutrophication causes what type of bloom
58:monThe name of a language and the conse quent speakers of this language; an ethnic group that resides in northwestern Uganda and northeastern Democratic Republic of the 59:Congo.Boo ___
60: The word you would most likely shout in a cave or some other narrow/bordered passage
15: A delicious oven-baked flatbread found in the cuisines mainly of West Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent
19: A person who inherits and continues the legacy of a predecessor
36: C-3PO, R2-D2 and BB-8 could all be placed under what Star Wars specific umbrella term (singular)
53: The active hallucinogenic compound in ayahuasca, an illegal substance primarily used for ritual purposes by the indigenous people in the Amazon
46: An incorrect and commonly believed prop erty of water
50: A movement and political ideology (19th century) which was concerned with the advancement of integrity and unity for the Slavic-speaking peoples
Across
20: A word used to describe the mood or atmo sphere of something or someone
9: Say “raise up lights” outloud. What word does it sound like you’re saying, but in an Australian accent
16: Last name of an American serial killer who is extremely tall and has an IQ of 145. Most notably seen portrayed on the Netflix show
42: What broad term could be used to describe the workplace of Dante and Randal in the indie drama Clerks
54: An amazing english and journalism teacher
3: Last name of renowned spanish tennis play er who won last years French Open (singles tournament)
30: A rectangular or square piece of cloth loosely worn over the shoulders, upper body and arms invented by the Tibetans in order to survive their severe winters.
35: Who had a little lamb
22: The list price, or the price at which the manufacturer recommends that the retailer sell the product (abbrv)
8: The Vietnamese word for elephants
49: Who did the gauntlet
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 —
Black Mirror manages to undermine the whole idea of interactivity while simultaneously pioneering it. The viewer is eventually asked whether a murder should be committed, and if the answer is yes, they must decide how to dispose of the body. This is the very beauty of Black Mirror and its deceptive, yet crushingly honest perspective, which has rightfully garnered a great deal of praise as well as a dedicated fanbase.
Malorie, the main character, is calling out to her children, Boy and Girl, whom she hasn’t named in order to avoid getting attached. However, in this moment, where they are all separated and blindfolded in the forest, she begs the monster, wherever it is, “Please don’t take my children!” Malorie has survived not by being nurturing, but by becoming distant and survival-focused, though those barriers begin to break down. With all things considered, A Quiet Place is the apocalypse movie we need, if any, in times of uncertainty. It handles life and death with much more value than its less mature cousin, Bird Box, which kills off characters left and right before the audience has the chance to care. Really, the characters in Bird Box feel like token archetypes, placed there to fill the space and dish out awkward dialogue. A Quiet Place focuses more on familial bonds and the colossal weight of each life lost, even in a world where that is so much more common.
Bird Box is a promising concept that falls flat. If anything, what the internet has done with the movie is better than the movie itself. The drama of the film is the concept of an invisible monster which we have no power to detect, in a world where we have no ability to protect ourselves or control our fates. Of course, the hope is that the protagonist will defy the doom of the apocalypse and fight for freedom, and essentially that is what happens. Yet, it doesn’t seem to matter much. The characters are flat and hard to get attached to, especially as they are killed off with the efficiency of a factory line. Because of this, the movie isn’t able to dig past surface-level shock and fails to evoke emotion any deeper than slight horror at the blood and gore. Also, while not knowing exactly what the monster is keeps the audience guessing, it simultaneously isolates the viewer from the film. It’s a loselose. They can never completely comprehend the terror which the movie relies on, and if they do, the terror is lost. In A Quiet Place, with little sound or dialogue, the audience is transported into the world
4. Far Cry 5 — Ubisoft
7.GamesGod of War — Sony Santa Monica
8. Monster Hunter: World — Cap
3. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds — 4.BlueholeHearthstone — Blizzard Entertain
By Evelyn Meeker ‘21 Staff Writer
7.mentCounter-Strike: Global Offensive — Valve Corporation
Aside from this, Bird Box somegarneredhas
2.TreyarchRedDead Redemption 2 — Rock star Studios
Black Mirror if it didn’t address humanity and provide a greater commentary, leaving viewers on the brink of an existential crisis. Bandersnatch puts the viewer in control of the film, but if a wrong decision is made, they provide the option to go back and fix things. This creates an illusion of control, when Black Mirror knows where they will end up from the moment they choose which cereal to have for breakfast. The film makes the viewer consider if free will even exists at all, or if there is a higher power making their decisions for them, just as they are controlling Stefan’s. The entire concept of free will is shattered and the viewers are left to draw their own conclusions about Bandersnatch and what its true intentions are.
Black Mirror has launched the future of interactive films and the ability to choose one’s own adventure, while simultaneously commenting on free will and our sense of control over things we do every day. Could this be the start of a filmmaking revolution? Absolutely. It’s always exciting to see innovative forms of entertainment, especially on something as widely accessible and popular as Netflix. Black Mirror loves messing with our minds in the most twisted yet thoughtprovoking ways, and we love it too.
cereal do you choose? It is unclear whether this decision is simply to introduce the interactive feature, or if it could affect the entire storyline. The options appear at the bottom of the screen for only a matter of seconds, and the person watching must make a choice. As the movie progresses, the choices have increasingly higher stakes, affecting Stefan’s mental and physical health, as well as that of others.
By Cece Olszewski ‘21 Staff Writer
3. NBA 2K19 — Visual Concepts
5.mentDota 2 — Valve Corporation
9.EntertainmentGrandTheft Auto V — Rockstar
5. Madden NFL ‘19 — EA Sports
10.StudiosDead by Daylight — Behaviour Interactive -Twitch.tv
Page 14 Janbruary
Bird Box and A Quiet Place: Obsession With Our Own Demise
6. Overwatch — Blizzard Entertain
“What becomes more scary is humanity and its potential to turn on itself.”
and therefore, much more is at stake.
2.GamesLeague of Legends — Riot Games
Sam Charney, ‘20 // Copy Editor
Bandersnatch is set in the year 1984 and follows Stefan Butler (played by Fionn Whitehead), a computer game programmer who is about to pitch his new game, called Bandersnatch to a video game company. Bandersnatch is a choose-your-own adventure game (just like the movie), and for the era, it’s the first of its kind. The film opens in Stefan’s bedroom, where we hear the song “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood as his alarm. The 80’s soundtrack establishes the story’s era from the get-go, something Black Mirror has always tackled with flawless grace. Stefan enters his kitchen and his father offers him two different cereals for breakfast: Sugar Puffs and Frosties. Here is where the audience receives their first choice: Which
8. World of Warcraft — Blizzard
Black Mirror released Bandersnatch over winter break, after only a twoday notice on its social media pages. This is typical for Black Mirror, but it still managed to surprise its loyal viewers with a film (which runs about an hour and a half, though I ended up spending hours on it) rather than the multi-episode fifth season that everybody was expecting. Netflix further surprised its viewers by making this release its first ever interactive film, allowing the viewer to choose what happens next in the story by selecting one of two options that appear on the screen throughout.
Top 10 mosT WaTched games of 2018
9.comAssassin’s Creed: Odyssey — 10.UbisoftFIFA ‘19 — EA Sports -NPD.com
1. Fortnite: Battle Royale — Epic
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Poses a Revolution in Filmmaking
With the similar concepts, pressing themes, and instant impression on popular culture, the question remains of why these films are so relevant now. The postapocalyptic genre is a fairly recent trend, and may be due to a growing, universal fear and sense of uncertainty. In a different way, the idea of an apocalypse is becoming a very real thing. That uncertainty is especially dire for parents attempting to raise and protect their children in times of turmoil.Evelyn Abbott, a main character, mother, and wife in A Quiet Place, says, “Who are we if we can’t protect them?” She is talking about her children, and this is a very real thought for parents today. The world is uncertain, and we do not know life without fear: fear for the political state of our country and world, fear for the environment, and fear for the atmosphere in which the next generation will grow up. Bird Box touches on a similar note, when
6. Marvel’s Spider-Man — Insomniac
We see violence broadcasted on the news like it’s the Sunday morning cartoons. To combat becoming desensitized, or being reduced to the “assholes and the dead,” as Douglas from Bird Box describes humankind, it is essential to handle real life with more value, care, and selflessness, rather than viewing the lives of foreigners and strangers, or anyone not immediately contained in our own egos, as token characters that we could stand to lose.
comparison to A Quiet Place, a movie directed by John Krasinski which came out earlier in 2018. Bird Box is a survival story where people have to give up sight in order to live another day. A Quiet Place depicts a post-apocalyptic world where if you make almost any sound, a grotesque monster will track you down and slaughter you in an However,instant.
Stefan’s character actually becomes conscious of a higher power manipulating him and he directly addresses the viewer, breaking the fourth wall and dragging us out from behind our screens to face his Ofreality.
Detours
Still, Bird Box deserves credit where credit is due. The movie manages to shine a light on the sometimes monstrous quality of humanity itself. Where the actual monster loses power, the antiheroes gain it. What becomes more scary is humanity and its potential to turn on itself. While seeing the monster drives most to suicide, a few individuals grow stronger from it. In a sense they are recruited, and it becomes their goal to remove others’ blindfolds and “enlighten them.”
course, this wouldn’t be a piece from
If you spend any time near the internet, you’ve probably heard of a movie called Bird Box. The Netflix film is centered around the breakdown of a society when an invisible force becomes the cause of mass suicides. When an individual sees this monster, they take any and all means to end their life. However, the people around them cannot see what they see, only the horrific actions at the other end. That is, until it is their turn to lose their own life at the hands of this cruel, unstoppable force. No one can reason with them or try to interfere with the act, at least not without putting themself in serious danger. The only way to survive in the new world order is blindfolded.Sinceitsrelease, Bird Box has caused quite the buzz online, not only breaking first-week viewing records for Netflix, but also becoming the inspiration for a new wave of memes and internet challenges alike.
Top 10 BesT selling Video games of 2018
PP: Do you have any advice for younger athletes aspiring for such a milestone?
SportsPage 15 Janbruary
PP: What lessons have you learned particularly from the game itself?
Strath Haven proudly congratulates Mr. Brian Fili for his impressive accomplishments on the baseball diamond and the positive impact he has had on his players.
Ryan Krouse ‘19 Editor
Panther Press: What was your most memorable moment playing baseball at Villanova?
Haven coach inducted into Villanova Athletic Hall of Fame
BF: Definitely my Head Coach George Bennett. Coach Bennett took a chance on me offering me a Division I scholarship and I have him to thank for that chance. He is the reason I got into education and coaching. I realized how many lives he has touched in his years as an educator and a coach and I figured what a way to spend your life doing something that you enjoy doing every day and now I am also living that same dream.
BF: Yes. Set your goals high. You can accomplish anything if you are willing to work for it. Things are not going to come easy. No matter what sport you play, you are going to have your strengths and you are going to
have your weaknesses. Maximize those strengths to the best of your ability and work on your weaknesses. I tell my players before every practice, “What are you going to work on today?” Practice how you play and the game will slow down and become easier for you.
Mr. Fili discussed aspects of his playing career as well as the impact the game has had on him with the Panther Press.
PP: Who, whether it be a coach or teammate, influenced you the most during your career at the university?
This past December, Strath Haven eighth grade math teacher Mr. Fili was announced as a member of the Villanova Athletic Hall of Fame class for 2018. It is surely a well deserved honor, as he finished his collegiate career as a .300 hitter, with career totals including 181 hits, 190 runs scored, 86 runs batted in, 34 doubles, five triples and 13 home runs. In addition, Fili ranks in the top 20 in the Wildcats record book in eight different career categories, including having the best stolen base success rate in school history. Fili was selected for first team All-BIG EAST in 1995, a season in which he had a .325 average accompanied by 67 runs scored, 46 walks, 22 stolen bases and a .471 onbase percentage while helping lead Villanova to a 40-win season and an appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament. The team made three straight conference tournament appearances from 1995-97 and reached the BIG EAST championship game in his senior year. Continuing with his love for the game, Mr. Fili works as the head varsity baseball coach for the Panthers.
Conor McCambridge ‘19 Staff Writer
PM Tennis: Boys JV, Varsity 3:45 PM Softball: Girls Varsity 3:45 PM Lacrosse: Girls Varsity 5:00 PM Lacrosse: Girls Junior Varsity
SMILES FOR NATIONALS: Strath Haven cheerleaders celebrate their performance at Kutztown, which earned them a trip to Nationals.
Brian Fili: My most memorable moment was in the Big East Tournament my senior year where we upset Notre Dame and Brad Lidge twice to go to the Big East Championship where we ended up losing to St. John’s in the Championship. Had many great moments, but this one stood out.
BF: This is a great question. I am actually using this question as part of my speech on February 2nd at the Hall of Fame Banquet. People do not realize what it takes to be a successful baseball player. All I hear is that sport is boring or I get bored playing or watching baseball. Baseball is a game of failure. At the plate you are going to fail more than you are going to succeed. There are many people that can not handle failing or dealing with adversity. The people who can not handle failure or dealing with adversity, baseball is not the game for you. I honestly feel that how you deal with these situations is what defines you as a person and an athlete. The lessons I learned in the game of baseball has not only helped me as a player and now a coach, but with my profession as a teacher. I have this conversation with my players every year at Strath Haven.
Hard work of Haven bringsCheerleadingthemto Nationals
3:30
Photo courtesy Haven Cheer Facebook
Photo courtesy Ryan Krouse
Mar. 16 Mar. 17 12:00 PM Crew: Mixed Varsity Mar. 18 Mar. 19 3:45 PM Tennis: Boys Varsity
Mar. 12 Mar. 15
ON THE DIAMOND: Haven baseball coach Mr. Brian Fili talks strategy with his team during a game. Fili emphasizes the importance of patience and practice on the field.
Finding out the regional results was nerve-wracking for the team, but they managed to pull through and secure themselves a trip to Florida. The team gave an impressive performance at Nationals, which took place from February 8 to February 10.Obviously, it takes a great deal of hard work to sustain such a level of excellence in cheer for multiple years in a row. This year is no different, as the team is putting in just as much practice and dedication as they were before. In order to prepare for Nationals, they attended rigorous practices three times a week, running straight through their routine so they would be totally comfortable once they got to Orlando. Hundreds of teams from all across the country competed at Nationals. It was an extremely exciting weekend for these girls. Junior cheerleader Kelly Deihl said, “It feels good to qualify for nationals” knowing all of Haven is behind them.
The girls cap off a successful season at nationals after qualifying in the district round.
Strath Haven Cheerleaders scored a great achievement on December 9th, qualifying for Nationals in Orlando, Florida for the second year in a row. Districts were held at Kutztown, and in an exciting performance they managed to beat out numerous other teams for the chance to win a national championship.
As we move towards the end of the winter sports season, this edition’s athlete spotlight focuses on John Crawford. John was voted a captain for his senior season and has been living up to the expectations. With a personal record of 16-2, Crawford has helped the Panthers to a 11-8 team record with five events left in the regular season. His success has garnered attention from college coaches as well, as he has committed to wrestle at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In his interview, he discussed aspects of the sports, as well as personal and team goals to pursue.
Senior John Crawford Leading Haven Wrestling to Success
English and History
interview saying, “[Foles’s] contract would be huge, and with all due respect, we drafted Wentz for a reason. He is our QB, and we have to focus on his recovery and his return next Althoughseason.”theend of the season is upsetting, the playoff loss is not a time to focus on the missed opportunity and our hero’s departure. It is a time to reflect on the Eagles’ successes in the face of massive adversity, and a time to think of the future of the team. Due to injuries over the course of the season, the Eagles were forced to call upon unknown defensive backs, who evolved into starters as their season progressed. In addition, re ports have indicated that Carson Wentz, who some argue should have taken more time to rest his torn ACL, will be fully recovered in time for offseason training this Spring. Wen tz, who was having an MVP caliber season before his injury back in the 2017-2018 sea son, will reinvigorate the offensive scheme, and will hopefully play at relatively the same level he was before the injury. In addition, the offseason will give other injured players -like star Cornerback Jalen Mills- time to recover from their injuries, and will add depth to the team. So despite the heartbreaking end of the season, loyal Eagles fans have plenty to look forward to in the com ing seasons. To Haven’s starting quarterback Jake Fisher, it simply comes down to “playing with the same swag ger and attitude they played with during their Super Bowl run.” If the Eagles can find it again he says, “They’d be unstoppable.”
Panther Press: What is it about wrestling that really drew you to the sport?
PP: With the season already underway, have your expectations for the team changed in regards to your cumulative success?
With the season finished and Nick Foles’ contract expiring, what’s next for the Eagles?
Favorite sport besides FavoriteFootballwrestling?high school wrestling memory?
PP: Did you make any personal goals for yourself in the beginning of the season?
JC: Our strengths are that the team camaraderie is strong, every kid on the team shows up to practice and works hard, everyone has a winning mentality, and our coaches know exactly what we need to be doing to achieve our goals and be the best. Our only weakness
Foles’ Magical Playoff Success in Philly Comes to an Abrupt End
Ian Guilday ‘19 Staff Writer
John Crawford: The physicality of the sport and the hard-work and preparation that goes into it. Being in the best shape possible ( strength wise, endurance wise, technically, and mentally)
JC: The school has everything I was looking for academically and athletically. They have a fantastic coaching staff and the team seems to get along great.
-PerrySeniorSosi,
is that we have such a young team, many of the kids have only been wrestling for a couple of years, but I only see us improving and getting better as the season goes on and we continue to work hard and grow.
PP: What do you see as the team’s biggest strengths and weaknesses? In what ways do you wish to see the team develop in the following weeks?
Beating Ridley last year at our home dual meet for the first time in history definitely was one of my favorite memories. And then qualifying for states last year is also one of my favorites.
When asked about the prospect of Foles’s departure, life long Eagles fan Perry Sosi shared, “It’s a little sad to think about this, just because of the kind of man Nick Foles is and what he brought to this city as a player. He’s a class act and he will easily go down as one of the great est Eagles quarterbacks of all time. I am very grateful for his time here, and for the fact that he brought me one of the greatest experiences of my life as an Eagles fan in that Super Bowl win. I hope he balls out wherever he ends up.”
The senior wrestling captain sat down with the Panther Press to discuss the current season.
PP: What matchups this season, if any, really stick out to you? Why?
JC: We have a big dual meet against Wissahickon which will be a big test for us as a team. After that, Postseason is where we are going to truly see where we are in comparison to the rest of District 1.
PP: What factors played into your decision to wrestle at Franklin and Marshall?
SportsPage 16 Janbruary
Fellow fan Nikhil Gaur shared the same senti ment, also commenting on Foles’s meaning to the city of Philadelphia. However, Gaur concluded our brief
JC: To get on top of the podium in Hershey.
Favorite school subject?
Ryan Krouse ‘19 Editor
JC: I think that everything we have experienced so far this season has been an opportunity for growth and development. We are only getting better as we approach the post season and I know that we will be peaking just as we get there. I’m looking forward to seeing our team make a strong run this postseason.
As most football fans are aware, there is no comparison to the environment surrounding the NFL Playoffs, especially when your home team is making a champion ship run. After the 29-23 loss in week 14 to our divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, most Eagles fans had given up on the prospect of the Eagles making the playoffs. Fans were even more disheartened when they received the news that starting quarterback Carson Wentz would again be missing the rest of the season. However, as the city of Philadelphia learned last year, you shouldn’t bet against Nick Foles. After stunning the Rams in Los Angeles, as well as momentous wins against the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins, the Eagles finished the regular sea son with a 9-6 record, and had solidified a spot in the play offs as the #6 seed in the NFC.
WRESTLING CHAMP: Haven senior John Crawford gives a thumbs up to onlookers from the top of the podium after winning first place at a wrestling meet at Ridley High School. Crawford recalls beating Ridley as “one of [his] favorite memories.”
Photo courtesy John Crawford
“It’s a little sad to think about this, just because of the kind of man Nick Foles is and what he brought to this city as a player.”
ABOUT THE ATHLETE
and carried them to success. In their Wild Card game, the Eagles were pitted against the #3 seed Chicago Bears, who were equipped with one of the best -- if not the best -defense in the league. However, after four back-and-forth quarters and the infamous “double doink,” the Eagles were victorious, and had set their sights on the #1 seed New Orleans Saints. To an Eagles fan, the week of anticipation before the Eagles-Saints game felt like an eternity, but the day finally came. All over the greater Philadelphia area, fans were set ting in with wings and cheesesteaks, pray ing that the Eagles could upset arguably the best team in the NFC (at the time). Unfor tunately, the Eagles fell just short, and due to an interception with just under 2 min utes to go in the game, the Eagles’ season was over. This, along with the fact that the Saints game was probably Nick Foles’s last game in the green uniform, filled the hearts of Eagles fans everywhere with sadness.