A PUBLICATiON OF HAMBURG AREA HIGH SCHOOL

January 4, 2016Volume XXIII

Issue 11

Juniors planning futuresLydia Warner - 11

While many juniors think that the day will come to worry about college and they can just push it to the side for now, there are necessary steps that juniors are and should be currently taking in order to ensure a spot in their dream college. The major thing that should be in mind is the type and location of college. There is the basic four-year university, community college, private, public, and even online colleges. There are in-state colleges (the cheaper route) and there are out-of-state colleges (the pricier route). While making this decision, items of personal importance should be considered such as family, friends, pets, jobs and relationships. Is it worth it to be hundreds of miles from family and friends? If so, then an out-of-state college is the way to go, but if not, staying close to home and maybe even commuting could be the better option. These are all things that juniors should begin to consider while deciding what college is best for them. Scheduling a date to take the SATs and other standardized tests is another important factor while thinking about college. Many colleges will look at these scores and determine the readiness of the student. Another thing to keep in mind is making sure that any requirements are being met, such as certain classes or even certain sports requirements. A few other important things are to stay organized with college information, mail, letters and emails. Also, applying for jobs, going on college visits, beginning scholarship searches, visiting colleges and gaining information regarding financial aid are vital in the college-search process. Sophomore Kaylah Lenhart is ahead of the game in her preparation process. She said, “I have taken the SATs and I have a few college visits scheduled for my top choice schools. I am glad that I am preparing ahead of time and can’t wait to see where the future takes me.” Senior David Madara wishes he would have started the college-prep process sooner, “I wouldn’t recommend waiting until the last minute like I did, you can get away with it but it would be much easier to just start planning ahead of time.” By following these steps, getting into college will be more pleasant and planning for the future will be enjoyable rather than stressful.

Aerial Boundaries, Chamber Strings and Pep Band perform at First Energy StadiumMiranda Pinder – 12

On December 9, 2016, Aerial Boundaries, Chamber Strings – a select group from orchestra – and the Pep band performed at First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA. The groups performed multiple Christmas tunes. Aerial Boundaries performed Masters in this Hall, which was directed by student Tyler West, Menorah’s Journey, and Silent Night. The Chamber Strings and the Pep Band also did a variety of songs at this event. They started to perform around 6:00 pm, then again at 6:45, then finally around 7:15. First was the Chamber Strings, then Aerial Boundaries, then the Pep band. The Chamber Strings and the Pep band were directed by Ms. Dowd. Aerial Boundaries by Mrs. Jackson, Dr. Ryan’s long term substitute. In between the musical performances, there was a light show on the field. The Stadium was lit up with lights for the holiday season.

Layering summer pieces for the colder monthsSydney Buchfeller - 10 Tank tops, crop tops, and skirts do not have to be restricted to the summer months. Each of those pieces are great for layering, especially during the colder months. Getting into the heart of winter can be great for pulling out the chunky sweaters and scarves, but reusing a summer piece can easily be modified to stay warm, even through the snow. Tank tops and crop tops seem like the basic summer piece, but never underestimate the power of imagination. For tank tops, take the most neutral colored one and throw a cute, warm colored cardigan overtop. If colorful ones are more pleasing, then simply take a white, grey, or black cardigan and pair it with some leggings and knee high boots. Crop tops are also a great way to add some color underneath a cardigan, but wearing high waisted pants or jeans can hide the tummy while staying warm and classy. The last piece is based on the style, but wearing tights underneath a skirt with a sweater tucked in is the cutest and most festive way to spice up any winter outfit. No matter the style, reusing some great pieces throughout the whole year is fun and can save a lot of money. Adding simple necklaces or a fun choker can amp up any boring outfit, no matter the weather. Outfits are only as great as the styler m, so be confident in every outfit and it is bound to look great on everyone.

Mental Illness Awareness: SchizophreniaOdessia Schwinger - 9

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that only 1% of Americans have. Despite how unpopular it is, it is a very serious illness. People with Schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions, not being able to think clearly, trouble dealing with emotions and many more. Most people diagnosed with Schizophrenia are in their early 20’s for men and early 30’s for women, and it is very unlikely to be diagnosed under the age of 12 or over the age of 40. There are multiple things that can cause schizophrenia. Genetics is a important thing that may cause it. A person who is related to someone with schizophrenia is 10% more likely to be diagnosed with it. Another thing that could cause schizophrenia is substance abuse. If a person is taking certain drugs, depending on how young the person was when they started, will affecton how much more likely they are to get it. While schizophrenia is a serious mental illness and there is no cure for it, there is plenty of ways of treating it. These treatments include antipsychotic medicine, psychotherapy, and self m a n a g e m e n t . Schizophrenia is a very serious mental illness and should be treated so even if it is not so popular it is still important.

First American astronaut to orbit Earth diesCalysta Hinkle - 10

John Glenn was a marine pilot who then became a NASA astronaut. He is best known for being the first American to orbit earth. He also served as a US senator from Ohio for 25 years. On Thursday December 8, the world learned about the loss of this American hero. He was 95 years old. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Glenn quit college to join the US Army Air Corps. For preflight training he attended the University of Iowa, then continued training in Kansas where he had his first solo military flight. He completed his training in March of 1943 and was promoted to first lieutenant in October of 1943. In 1952, John was ordered to South Korea for the Korean War. Glenn received more than 20 military honors including the Presidential Unit Citation, World War II Victory Medal, and Korean Service Medal, before being recruited by NASA. In 1958 NASA started a recruiting program for military test pilots and John barely made the requirements due to his age and lack of a science based degree. He was back at the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics when he got the call offering him a position as one of the “Mercury Seven”. On February 20, 1962, John Glenn flew the Friendship 7 mission, becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. He was eventually awarded with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. “In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. He named his spacecraft “Friendship 7.” He made three orbits around Earth. He spent about five hours in space.” John Glenn resigned from NASA on January 16, 1964, at 42 years old. In 1974 he became a Democratic Senator for the state of Ohio. He was a member of the Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees where he focused on a strong foreign policy, as well as chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs. Glenn’s main focus however, was on science and he was known as an advocate for science and health research. He served the state of Ohio for 25 years until his retirement in 1999. Haley Savastano, a sophomore here feels that, “it is upsetting knowing that someone who has accomplished so much has passed.

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January is hereVictoria Baumert – 12

January has a very intriguing background. Has anyone wondered why it was the first month of the year? Where does the name January even come from? What special holidays are celebrated during the month? There is so much history behind January and the other months; it is interesting to delve into them and learn about what makes them so significant. January is the first month of the Roman calendar. This was decided in 153 BC by the Roman Senate, along with the idea that January 1 would be the first day of a new year. The month itself is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions. He is the namesake of this month due to the fact he has two heads, and his one head looks towards the New Year and the other head reflects on the past year. Previously, March would be considered the first month of a new year. A select few countries around the world look forward to January for cultural holidays and celebrations. Some of the major ones include Haiti and the Czech Republic on January 1 and Ukraine on January 22. Those of the Eastern Orthodox religion celebrate their Christmas on January 7 and their Christmas Eve on January 6. It lasts ten days leading up to January 7. Many celebrities are born in January, including Bradley Cooper, Marilyn Manson, deadmau5 and Zayn Malik. If someone is born in January, they were born in 8th most populous month, meaning that not many people are born in the month. Also, if someone is born in January, they are either a Capricorn or an Aquarius- two very different zodiac signs.

Explore the top 10 songs of 2016Julia Doklan - 10 Top 10 Songs of 2016 according to thetoptens.com: Blackstar - David Bowie Starboy - The Weekend Don’t Let Me Down - The Chainsmokers Heathens - Twenty One Pilots “Overplayed, but has a good beat” -Carl S.I Took a Pill in Ibiza - Mike Posner “The original is better than the remake.” - Phaon Thomas (10)Ride - Twenty One Pilots 7 Years - Lukas GrahamSucker for Pain - Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine DragonsJesus Alone - Nick Cave & The Bad SeedsAll My Friends - Snakehips

Top 10 overplayed songs:7 Years - Lukas Graham “I like Lukas Graham, but I do not like this song very much anymore because it constantly got played on the radio.” - Alexis Mengel (10)Love Yourself - Justin BieberOne Dance - DrakeWork From Home - Fifth Harmony My House - Flo Rida Can’t Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake “I like the song, in the eight times I’ve listened to this song it’s grown old.” - Levi Halye (10)Cake by the Ocean - DNCESorry - Justin BieberHello - Adele “I love Adele, but the radio played it so much so this song has become exhausted.” - Mikalee Kerr (10)Closer - The Chainsmokers “This is still my favorite song... “ - Jenny Chen (10)

Moana sails into theatersLeah Bertschy – 12 On Thanksgiving, the diverse and beautiful story of Moana hits theaters. Moana is a Disney movie based around the beliefs of the Hawaiian people. Moana is the story of a young Hawaiian girl searching for who she actually is. She has the struggles of choosing between becoming the chief of her island or go out and explore the world that has yet to be discovered. The movie dwells into the history and beliefs of the Hawaiian people and teaches young girls to be different and diverse in their society. The movie follows Moana, her trusted chicken, and a demi-god named Maui who help her deliver peace and tranquility back from the evil that roams and consumes the life from her island. “As soon as I went home, I downloaded the entire soundtrack. It was that good,” said Taylor Millette. The movie stars Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson with music from Hamilton Star, Lin-Manuel Miranda and is directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. Overall, I loved the movie and would definitely rate it in the top five best Disney movies. It is a great family friendly movie and is a must see for any Disney fan.

Alumni spotlight: Hoshauer takes on Albright Jennifer Hoshauer – 11 Travis Hoshauer graduated in the class of 2014 and now in his junior year at Albright College. Albright College is a liberal art college. Travis is involved in the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He also serves as president of Lion Diplomats, an Alumni outreach organization. Also, he is also a writer for The Albrightian newspaper, and the Albright Art Magazine. Finally he is editor-in-chief for The Cue, the Albright College yearbook. The class that prepared Travis for college most was his 12th Grade English class that Mrs. Trubilla taught. In that class he learned APA style, how to do annotated bibliographies, and more to prepare him for going to college. This helped him in general studies classes and now, his new major. When he first started at Albright, he went into psychology major and he was interested in it because of taking the class here at Hamburg. After his first semester, he realized it was not for him. The class at Hamburg was very different than the one at college. During his second semester, he switched to communications. This did not affect him because Albright is a liberal arts college and encourages students to take different classes. Travis switched to communications because he saw the job market being very broad and open ended. After he finishes his communications major the year of 2018, he has a desire to apply to graduate school at the University of Central Florida to obtain a master degree in business administration.

Freshman class start to a good school yearPaiton Albrecht - 9

The class of 2020 is off to a great start already in the school year. They have organized two fundraisers so far and are continuing to come up with more exciting ideas to raise money for their class. The class officers are busily working away to come up with new and improved fundraisers. The class has done three bake sales through the soccer and football season. The class officers have said they have had great success and are looking forward to do some more bake sales into the winter. Another fundraisers for the class is class t-shirts. The class held a t-shirt contest and then voted on a t-shirt design. The students even got to pick the t-shirt colors themselves. The class officers meet every day four in Miss Flack’s room and are always welcoming anyone to come help or offer any suggestions and ideas.

5 ways to help remember assignments.Mia James - 9

Sometimes people forget the homework at school. These tips are to prevent that from happening. First get a whiteboard or a chalk board and keep it in the locker and then during the day write down what is needed to take home. This will help to have every binder and folder needed to study and do homework. Always have an agenda with. Make sure to know where the homework is at all times. Keep all homework at the same place every day.

These are ways to make sure not to forget homework at home. Keep a check list next to the door. This will help to remember to check the backpack before leaving home. If the homework is online try to print it out after doing it online. This way if the homework is at home it can be reprinted and still have the work. These were some tips to prevent to from leaving homework behind.

www.cocaberks.org/timetotalk.html

Silence is dangerous. Waiting for the “right time” to talk to the children in your life about drugs and alcohol may result in no talk at all.

Find the confidence you need to start the conversation. Contact the Council on Chemical Abuse for information about workshops and resources. It’s time to talk!

ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME to talk to your kids about

drugs and alcohol.

HAWK HAPPENINGS January 4, 2016 PAGE 3

Introducing the volleyball clubKayla Wright - 9 Clubs in Hamburg School District are a big deal and almost everyone likes to get involved in them. Clubs are usually two days out of the month held first period. On club day a there is the Volleyball club run by Mr. Commisso. The volleyball club shows the members a lot of different techniques and helps show a lot of different things to people that did not have a clue of before. There are many people that have joined the club and enjoyed it a lot. Kiana wright, a member of the club, stated that, “They play volleyball, learn teamwork, and gain new friendships.” Most people that join this club are very open with everyone else that joins and everyone they are surrounded with. The volleyball club is for people who enjoy playing and are interested in going into further depth with learning more about the game and experience playing with different people in different ways. All anyone has to do to signup is ask the teacher or ask one of the other members to sign up. When joining there is no fee. If anyone has had trouble building new friendships, getting active in a club or sport is a good place to start. Volleyball is one of the many clubs or activities at Hamburg that is open to new people. As fun as volleyball sounds already and just enjoying playing and being a fun time to enjoy time doing something enjoyable, there is a volleyball tournament at the end of the school year that is run by the volleyball club and there are many people that take interest in it. There are many of clubs and many of opportunities for people that do not have clubs, to join one. Volleyball does not have to be something people are good at, but it is something that someone can learn.

Webpage design creates futuresGabrielle Velez-12

There are many electives within Hamburg Area High School that could be written about, but the chosen one this month is web page design. Webpage design can be defined as the process of creating websites which contains several different aspects, including webpage layout, content production, and graphic design. Web page design is run by the wonderful Mr. Hetrich.

Throughout the class the students will learn the purpose, background information, the do’s, the don’ts, and how to create the webpages. Mr. Hetrich teaches two methods of webpage design; the two ways are through coding and other website creators. There is not much homework or tests given in this class. Instead there are a couple of note packets and projects that are needed to get done.

This class is only half a yearlong so there are only one or two projects that get completed. The creation of web pages is a very timely project and the teacher knows that, so time is given for the projects to be done with full potential. These websites created can be for one›s own purpose or for businesses that need one. There is also the chance for the websites to be published for the world to see. There is no time for being shy in this class. Most of the class contains peer or independent work time. Anyone with some creativity and interested in learning a new skill should definitely take webpage design.

Peanut butter blossoms, a great Christmas treatGabby Krick – 10 Peanut butter blossoms are one of my favorite Christmas cookies to make around the holidays. Ingredients:

• 48 Hershey kisses • ½ cup shortening• ¾ cup Creamy Peanut Butter• 1/3 cup granulated sugar• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar• 1 egg• 2 tablespoons milk• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour• 1 teaspoon baking soda• ½ teaspoon salt• 1.3 cup additional granulated sugar for rolling (optional)

Directions: 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove wrappers form chocolates. 2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup

granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar, if desired; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 48 cookies.

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Lydia Warner – 11 On the third Monday in January, one of the most significant figures in American history is remembered. In 2017, that day happens to fall on January sixteenth. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and a social activist who played a vital role in the American Civil Rights Movement starting in the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King was motivated by three main factors: a vision of all people equal free from discrimination, a better country for his children to grow up in, and advocates for nonviolence such as Mahatma Gandhi. There are a few events that many people can pin point while thinking of King, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, which brought about acts such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent approach to racial prejudice. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech has touched the lives of many people across the country, bringing an even greater attention to the Civil Rights Movement that had been going on for a few years. So, while relaxing at home on January sixteenth during a day off school, take a moment to reminisce on the lasting impacts that one man’s vision has left on the country and remember to never take freedom for granted.

Students taking midterms around the countryAshley Lojko – 11

While nearing the end of the calendar year, some students, whether in college or sometimes in high school, are preparing to take midterms as well before the holidays.

AP classes are sometimes required to give a midterm in high school, though not all teachers have to. In some other classes as well, teachers see midterms and finals as great ways to review the material they have gone over so far and a significant preparation tool for college. In Mr. Wolfe’s chemistry class last year, we took a midterm around this time on all the concepts we had learned so far. When asking him about this subject, he recommended studying with groups or at least other people, and making a mock test to see if the material needs to be reviewed. Studying for these huge tests is hard, considering the test will be on subjects that were taught close to half a year ago.

When asking students in the school if they have ever taken midterms before or are preparing to take one Bradley Levan, a junior, pronounces “I have never had to take one before. I would hate it if I had to in any of my classes.”

The biggest thing to keep in mind is to not start studying the night before the big exam. There are many studying strategies that any student can employ, including making note cards and rewriting notes, but since this is such a giant test, they may need to be tweaked. Not studying one hundred percent of the material is recommended, considering the amount.

Observing Nation Blood Donor MonthCarly Levan – 11

The month of January is National Blood Donor Month. Donating blood is important because it could save someone’s life. Many hospitals have shortages of donations especially after natural disasters or any type of crisis where there are many injuries. However anytime is a good time to donate, especially rare blood types such as AB negative because there is the biggest shortage of those. Before donating blood it is important to stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy meal. It is also important to wear a shirt that has sleeves that roll up easily. Also, prepare a form of ID, list of medications and a friend if needed. The donating process is pretty easy and only takes 8-10 minutes on average and there are blood drives at the high school February 2 and May 5. The first step is registration which is just filling out some basic forms at the donation center. A donor card, driver’s license, or another form of ID is required for this step. Step two is a mini physical along with some health questions. This step is exactly what it sounds like, a nurse asks the donator some questions about their health and takes their temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level present in a sample of blood. Step three is the actual donation which may seem scary but it is not anything to be worried about. The nurse will cleanse an area on the donator’s arm and insert a brand new sterile needle for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds. During the entire process the donator remains seated and it only takes a couple minutes. When about a pint of blood is taken the staff bandages the donator up and they are done. The last step is refreshments which may be the best part of donating after the satisfaction of helping someone in need. The donation center supplies snacks and drinks and after 10-15 minutes, the donator is free to leave. After donating the donator should make sure that they are still hydrated. They also should not lift weights or exercise for the rest of the day after donating.

Sadie HawkinsDance Friday Feb. 10

6-9 pmGirls ask Boys!

HAWK HAPPENINGS January 4, 2016 PAGE 4Haters back off!Eliza Moseman - 11

She can do it all: she can sing, dance, act, and she is even a magician! Meet YouTube star Miranda Sings (Colleen Ballinger) as she slowly, but surely makes her way to fame. After filming her first video, a cover of Wicked’s “Defying Gravity”, Miranda Sings, and her uncle Jim (Steve Little), create a 5-step plan to fame. With the help of Patrick (Erik Stocklin), her mother Bethany (Angela Kinsey), and an unsupportive sister (Francesca Reale) she slowly climbs the ladder of fame. Will she become famous after all? Check out Haters Back Off!, a Netflix original series, on Netflix.

Haters Back Off! is a Netflix Original TV series based around Colleen Ballinger’s YouTube personality, Miranda Sings. Miranda is a fictional character created/portrayed by Colleen after she was bored with her job at Disney World and used Miranda to entertain herself and her coworkers. Miranda Sings uploaded her first video in 2008, and has since then been ranked the number seven most popular YouTube account- complete with over 1.1 billion views.

Haters Back Off! was just what I expected from Colleen/Miranda and so much more. I am not a huge fan of Miranda Sings or Colleen Ballinger, but I have watched lots of each of their videos and enjoyed them. I came across Haters Back Off! after completing Netflix’s Stranger Things and wanting to watch another Netflix original series. The show only has eight episodes, which, in my opinion is the perfect amount. Though it did have some pretty expected jokes, I did find myself laughing at Miranda’s mannerisms and her mother’s’ self-diagnosed fibromyalgia. The ending was an absolute plot twist, so if anyone plans on watching it, be sure to stay until the end. I would rate Haters Back Off! a stars because it was original content and very different from most shows, especially on Netflix.

Staying productive during holiday breaksLexi Tessitore - 9

The weeks leading up to school breaks are usually filled with taking tests and finishing up last-minute assignments. The stress of school seems amplified before break, which makes it so much more rewarding when students finally get to take off of school. However, after days, or sometimes weeks of being off school, readjusting to the workload can be difficult. It is important that students keep in mind the importance of maintaining a schedule. If students keep a schedule during their time off, it will be an easier transition when the time to go back to school comes. Keeping a good sleep schedule is one of the most important things students can do while on break. If students get used to staying up late every night, they will be exhausted once they start attending classes early in the morning. Being that tired can also lead to getting sick. Breaks are good times to catch up on missed work and finish work ahead of time. Hamburg Area High School freshman Auradeva Nyer commented, “You need to set goals and motivate yourself. You have to realize that you need to get the work done.” If students did a little work over the break for the future, it would have a big impact on the amount of work they need to do once back in school. While continuing to keep a good routine during break is important, it is also a good time to catch up on sleep and time with friends and family. Students should take advantage of the time they have off while still making responsible decisions.

Students and Staff make New Year’s ResolutionsAmanda McLaughlin - 9 The New Year is the time of year for everyone to make their list of goals/resolutions for the upcoming year. Many people all over the world make certain goals to reach every year. Olivia Lesher, a freshman, says that she always makes a list of goals to accomplish 8for the new year. One of her goals that she would like to accomplish is to do a better job in dance. She also would like to get better grades in school. Usually people make certain goals to lose weight, get better grades like Olivia said, or to get better at a subject or sport. Many people use this time of year to get a fresh start on something new. Benjamin Adam, another freshmen, says

he also makes new year’s goals. Ben wants to study more and be able to get better grades. He wants to do a better job at playing soccer because he feels that he can do better. Also, Cora Brown says she usually does not make goals over new years. Miss Heckman makes says she usually makes goals over new years. But, this year specifically she would like to make her math lessons better. People who make resolutions most likely will not keep them. They always say that they want to have a fresh start and to try new things, but that usually does not happen. Some goals people may have are to travel to a new place and experience new cultures. Those goals may be reached, but others may not. Studies show that 45% of people make New Year resolutions but only 8% actually keep their goals. The percent of people that try to reach a goal but fail to is about 24%.That is a very big difference.

Teacher Spotlight – Mrs. JacksonBryce Wagner – 12

Mrs. Sara Jackson is the newest staff member here at Hamburg Area High School. She is a long term sub that is covering for Dr. Ryan. Along with teaching all the music classes, she is taking on the challenge of directing two after school ensembles and helping with the musical. Mrs. Jackson is an alum of Eastern University and has been a lover of music since she was young. Mrs. Jackson started playing piano when she was five years old. In college she majored in flute. “I like music and I like kids, especially teenagers, so this job is perfect.” When asked what she thinks of the staff and students at Hamburg, her response was “I have found that the students and faculty have been really helpful and friendly.” Mrs. Jackson fits right in with the rest of the music department

and is looking forward to working with all the talented students at Hamburg.

Continuing the Christmas Spirit Lydia Warner - 11

Though many people dislike the pressure to run out and get gifts for everybody at the last minute, there is a high correlation between the holiday season and the level of happiness within America as a whole. Maybe the Christmas spirit is a real thing after all. Though Christmas is traditionally a festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, there are many other celebrations that come along with it. People look at the holiday season as a time to gather with friends and family and rejoice in life, love, and all of their other blessings. “Christmas is so special to me because it was so special to my dad, and I now carry on the Christmas spirit” says junior Tara Maloney. Giving is the main reason why so many people are happy around the holidays. Junior Samantha Smith says, “Christmas is just a happy time of the year, it is hard to not feel happy during it”. Giving without the thought of receiving brings people a feeling that nothing else can bring.

Effecting play time in a sportLexi Gerner - 9 A lot of things personally effect a person’s playing time during a high school sport. Playing a high school sport is not easy. It never will be easy and that is why those who are out on the floor during the game are those who work hard and have a desire and a want to be out there playing the game. Not every part of the game is going to go well, A teammate is not going to give a perfect pass every time and a foul may not be called, but it is how it is handled that counts. Coaches look for players who have a desire to be on the floor. They look for the ones who want to be out there. No matter how hard the sport is and no matter how bad they are getting beaten or getting challenged, that they will always work hard no matter how tough it is. It is the kids who will never ever give up even at their worst times when they feel like doing so. They look for the ones that come to practice after a bad day and push everything else aside and focus on the game. Teamwork is extremely important. Teamwork is almost key of some games. Not everyone has to like each other, but playing time depends on how they treat those around them. If someone yells at their teammate after they mess up or does not help them up after they get knocked down then chances are that is not what a coach is looking for. It is those that work hard with their teammates and encourage them to do better. Communication with teammates, advice, encouragement and a good way of working together out on the floor. Attitude plays a big part in any sport someone is playing and also in the playing time they receive. Everyone should be coachable. Being coachable means that someone is willing to make the change their coach wants them to, the first time they are told. It is listening and looking the coach in the eye when they are talking to them and saying ok and making the change right after. All a coach wants for an athlete is the best and listening and being a coachable player is all they could ask for. A bad attitude earns someone a place on the bench. Being nice to your teammates, always working hard and never getting down or giving up is having a good attitude. “Hard work is most important with playing time because if coaches see they are working hard and want to be out there then coaches will know they want to be out there and are willing to play their hardest on the court,” says Tamendeep Saggi. Jim Gerner, Junior Varsity girls basketball coach says, “Hard work is most important, because hard work will always beat talent and I always look for the player who is working hard to be out there.”

Ticket Sales for Sadiee Hawkis Dance $10

on Sale January 20 - 27