FREE! January 30, 2015 Vol. XXIV, Issue 2

The Leopard Tales

Tyler Steeber Staff Writer

The newly re-named

Student Government Asso-

ciation has rung in the new

year with major plans!

Meeting every other Friday

after school, the group of

student body-elected repre-

sentatives and at-large

members have voted on a

vast number of new plans

that will be implemented

before the 2014-2015

school year ends. Mark

your calendars folks.

On Saturday, February 14,

be prepared to show some

“love” on the famous holi-

day with Belle Vernon Ar-

ea High School’s first ever

Nerf Gun war from

10:00am-2:00pm! Hosted

by the junior and senior

class SGA members, this

will surely be an event to

remember.

If you’re looking for a

more relaxed event, SGA

will hold the first ever

Spring Fling Dance on

Friday, April 17. This

only makes sense be-

cause the freshman and

sophomore classes are

not able to go to prom,

and they deserve a fun-

filled night close to the

end of the year.

Stay tuned for more in-

formation regarding the

Student Government As-

sociation and upcoming

events!

Six Students in National History Day Competition

Student Government

Association Update

Leopards’ Winter Sports Highlights

Joe Sabolek Staff Writer

Boys Basketball

The Leps got off to

a rocky start before

winning (4-3) and

taking home the 2014

Charleroi Christmas

Tournament. Phil

Baldini was awarded

the tournament MVP

and Travis Snyder

made the all-

tournament team.

The Leps seniors in-

clude Phil Baldini,

Travis Snyder, Devin

Hannan, Jimmy

Yanko, and Billy

Burrows. “The team

practices hard and

strives to get better

everyday”, said fresh-

man Griffin LaCarte.

The Lep’s senior night

will be held February

6th against Elizabeth

Forward.

Girls Basketball

The girls basketball

team have officially

clinched a playoff spot

after a victory against

Thomas Jefferson. The

Lady Leps are 12-6 in a

tough section. The

team is led by 6’3”

Bucknell recruit Kaitlyn

Slagus who recently

scored her 1,000th point

against Thomas Jeffer-

son. Other seniors in-

clude Sam Mendicino,

Bria Rathway, Meaghan

Murphy and Kaitlin

Thomas.

Bradley Kennedy

Staff Writer

It is almost time for the

first event of the annual

National History Day

Competition.

National History Day is a

competition where stu-

dents from all over the

country ranging from

grades 8-12 present their

documentaries, websites,

plays, displays, or histo-

ry papers to a panel of

judges. National History

Day in the BVA School

District is hosted by two

of the middle school’s

history teachers: Mr.

Farmer and Mr.

Divelbliss.

Students wishing to par-

ticipate in NHD should

be thankful that Mr.

Farmer and Mr.

Divelbliss are willing to

put their work and effort

into the project. There

aren’t very many local

school districts partici-

pating in NHD, and if it

wasn’t for them, our

school probably would-

n’t be participating ei-

ther.

Each year there is a dif-

ferent topic that each

student must build their

project around. Last

year’s topic was “Rights

and Responsibilities”

(Continued on p.2)

2

The Leopard Tales 425 CREST AVENUE • BELLE VERNON, PA 15012

Tyler Steeber Staff Writer

Hailey Gratto Staff Writer

Marissa Perozzi Staff Writer, Lead Editor

Margarita Hart Staff Writer

Bradley Kennedy Staff Writer

Joe Sabolek Sports Writer

Jessica Hindman Staff Writer

Mr. Curran

Advisor

SGA Launches Google

Doc Student Opinion Form while this year’s is

“Leaders and their Lega-

cies”, which leaves an

enormous

list of op-

tions for

students to

choose

from.

There are

five stages

for the

competi-

tion. The first one is prac-

tice, held at California Uni-

versity. Regionals are held

at the Heinz History Center

in Pittsburgh. States is held

up in Lancaster County. Of

course nationals are held in

Washington D.C.

Six students are represent-

ing the senior division at

BVA High school. Jessica

Moody, who is a senior,

Tim Hudak, who is a soph-

omore, Bradley Kennedy,

Taylor Cooper, Jacob

Davis, and Hannah Sam-

oda, who are

all freshmen.

As the dead-

line for the

competition

grows closer

and as the stu-

dents put the

finishing

touches on

their projects, we ask that

the students and teachers

wish them luck and hope

that they bring home the

gold for BVASD.

Margarita Hart

Staff Writer

The Student Government

Association would like to

inform students of a new

way to voice your opin-

ion on certain subjects

that may be a concern to

you or your friends.

Sophomore class sponsor

Mrs. Edwards had sug-

gested recently that there

should be a student opin-

ion form for all BVA stu-

dents to voice their com-

plaints.

Jessica Moody, head of

the committee, created a

questionnaire which is

now in the form of a

Google document, acces-

sible to all students.

Along with Jessica

Moody, she had the help

of Jarod Verkleeren, Paul

Amicucci, Justin Ivill,

and Tyler Steeber.

Moody states that, “The

Google doc. was a way of

ensuring that all students’

views were heard and that

the SGA could do their

part of bettering our stu-

dent body.”

To find the student com-

plaint form, log on to

Bellevernonarea.net and go

to the high school page.

The document is located on

the left hand side of the

screen with the title

“BVAHS Student Com-

plaint Form’.

When you open the form,

remember that you MUST

put your name or else you

will not be recognized.

From there, tell us any sug-

gestions or opinions you

might have! We’d love to

hear any ideas for upcom-

ing school events or ideas

in general to help strength-

en the student body.

Keep reading The Leopard

Tales for more SGA events

and new ideas!

National History Day (from p. 1)

School News

EVENTS and CAUSES WORTH NOTING:

Boys Basketball senior night: Feb. 6th

Wrestling: WPIAL team semis and finals:

TOMORROW @ Penn Hills HS starts at 1 PM

Support MIC/SADD’s fight against heart dis-

ease: Wear RED next Fri. Donate $1

3 Opinions and Features

Choosing Electives? Try Preschool Jessica Hindman

Staff Writer

Many people know

about the preschool that is

an elective in the high

school. Juniors and seniors

that took the child care

class in 10th grade can take

this class.

The high-schoolers have to

teach the class of about 20

preschoolers, help their

specific child, and create

lesson plans every week.

The kids come in every

Tuesday, Wednesday, and

Thursday. Monday and

Friday we plan what we are

doing for the following

week, taking tests, learning

lessons, and talking about

the kids.

This class gives students

who like to work with kids,

are thinking about being a

teacher, or anyone who

wants to further a child’s

learning. Many students

who take this class enjoy

their time during their class

period. The preschoolers

in the class all enjoy their

time here too.

I didn’t have the chance

to interview Mrs. Kozell

because she was hard at

work with her students,

but I did have the chance

to interview Mr. Grice.

and

asked

him vari-

ous

ques-

tions

pertain-

ing to

the pre-

school.

He believes that the pre-

school elective is benefi-

cial to students that want

hands on experiences

with children or people

who want to become

teachers. I also asked him

a question about his per-

sonal opinion on what the

preschool does. He re-

plied, “It helps students

learn how to deal with or

speak with the kids. Get-

ting on their level and

putting things in their

terms is important.”

He also believes it helps

the high-schoolers be-

cause they are practically

responsible for someone

else’s learning. “It also

gives stu-

dents a re-

sponsibility

because

they have to

prepare

their les-

sons and for

them.”

The major question I

asked was where does he

see the preschool going?

He stated, “I don’t think

the preschool is going

anywhere.”

The preschool is also

very good PR for Belle

Vernon's school. Some

people can’t afford a day-

care or a preschool so

they send their kids here.

When people hear good

things, they spread the

word.

Many people have this idea

about teenagers that we are

disrespectful and that we

are on our phones twenty-

four seven. The preschool

shows that we aren’t the

typical teenager stereotype

that many teens portray.

Here at Belle Vernon, we

enjoy our forty-two

minutes with those kids

every Tuesday, Wednes-

day, and Thursday.

They make me enjoy my

day, even when I’m having

the worst day possible.

Working with these kids is

something everyone in this

high school should try. Pre-

school an elective you can

take in high school to rule

out what you want to do

when you move onto col-

lege. If you like working

with kids and you are

thinking about a job that

deals with education, I

would take this class.

Super Bowl Fun Facts Did you know….

Though there have been a combined five AFC or NFC Championship games go

to overtime, but no Super Bowl ever has gone past regulation.

Nine of the 10 most-watched U.S. television programs in history were Super Bowls.

The Browns, Lions, Jaguars and Texans are the only teams to never appear in a Super Bowl.

On Sunday Americans will order 12.5 million pizzas.

(courtesy of nypost.com and The Wall Street Journal)

Local Interest 4

Who’s Jim Weir? By Joe Grata, Member

BVA Board of Education

Belle Vernon Area students and residents are well aware of James Weir Stadi-

um, a.k.a. “The Weir.”

It’s our venue for athletics, band activities, cheer practice, commencement

and other events, an epicenter of town-and-gown relations and a landmark for

more than a half-century.

But it’s understandable if you’ve wondered, “Who’s he?”

The stadium was named for the legendary Mr. Weir in 1982, before you were

born. He retired in 1987, before you were born. And he died in 2008, before you

arrived at high school.

Teachers and administrators who are post-Weir era hires or who come from

outside the area also know the name yet likely know little about the man.

“Who’s he?” could take this entire edition of Leopard Tales to answer, as at-

tested by a seven-page bio prepared for his induction into the Mid-Mon Valley

All-Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.

So the following few highlights must suffice to introduce the colorful, soft-spoken

yet firm former teacher, coach and athletic director, testimony to why the stadium was

named in his honor and therein symbolizes the esteem afforded him by so many BVA people:

--Although a knee injury forced him to watch from the sidelines, Mr. Weir was captain of the Waynesburg College

football team that played in the nation’s first televised football game (against Fordham at Randall’s Island Stadium in

New York in 1939).

--He was paid $50 a game by the semi-pro McKeesport Olympics who, “in the day,” played the Pittsburgh Steelers.

--Three months after beginning his teaching career in 1941 at his alma mater, the since-demolished Rostraver High

School, he was drafted into the Army where he coached football in a World War II military activities program initiated

at the direction of then Gen. Dwight Eisenhower.

--Mr. Weir coached football (and drove the team bus to away games) at Rostraver High through the mid-1950s. He

and his players made up the security detail when President Harry S Truman visited. His protégés included former NFL

star Bert Rechichar, who still lives here, and former Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Ernest P. Kline, a Webster native.

--When Rostraver and Bellmar merged into today’s BVA School District, Mr. Weir was named “coordinator of ath-

letics,” using diplomacy to smooth the transition of two old rivals.

--In 1974, when BVA had a girls’ gymnastics team but no coach, Mr. Weir stepped in, overseeing them as they per-

formed remarkably to win the state championship despite his professing to know little more than a “belly roll” about

the sport. The achievement earned him recognition in the Sports Illustrated feature, “Faces in the Crowd.”

--For his retirement (I was co-chair), a banquet was held in his honor at the high school cafeteria, a sellout that over-

flowed into the gym. Even Pittsburgh Pirates hero Bill Mazeroski showed up. Old cronies participated in a “roast” that

climaxed with the surprise presentation of PeeWee II, a dachshund puppy that replaced his first dog and constant com-

panion, a gift that caused the guy once known as “The Bear” to break out in tears.

It wasn’t the first time that sentiment overtook Mr. Weir, also affectionately known at various times as Big Buddah,

Fox, Nup and, in latter years, simply as “Captain Jim.”

At the 1982 dedication of BVA stadium in his honor, while he was expressing appreciation to the crowd, faces

turned to the sky to watch a single-engine plane that appeared overhead.

“All of a sudden, nobody was paying attention to me,” he would say later. “I stopped and looked up too.”

The plane towed a banner declaring, “BVA Loves Our Jim Weir.”

Those of us who valued his friendship, who appreciated his guidance, who respected his demeanor, who embraced

his objective of creating a better BVA…well, we still do!

Who’s Jim Weir?

Now you know.

Mr. Weir at his desk in1970

Courtesy of Steven Russell

5 Features, Sports, and Previews

Perspectives: Part II

Hailey Gratto

Staff Writer

Though, my reactions so far to the weather here such as waking up on a morning to fog at my doorstep and

thinking that that is deemable as a “snow” day, I’d have to say my interest lies mostly in the people I’ve come to

meet. I’ve noticed people here generally are a little less upfront and a little less personal, especially to newcomers.

It’s been harder to make friends and to connect with people than it has been in the past for me. But it’s only reasona-

ble, because most of the school’s students have known each other before they could tie their own shoes. In Phoenix,

many are open to meeting new people because we do it constantly - foreign exchange students, other new students

coming and going and even our crowds accommodated larger amounts of individuals. Whether it’s in conversation or

simply taking note of how they dress or act, every person here has a different aura to them than those from where I

am from. People even speak in a different way! Shoes have become “tenners”, soda has become “pop”, shopping

carts have become “buggies”, and this weird way of merging your words together in a “Pittsburghese” thing is normal

apparently.

I’ve been able to tell when people are born here because they’ve been accustomed to drawing out their vowels,

speaking in higher pitches and even in a faster pace. Coming from the valley of the sun however, we don’t really have

a reputation for having a different kind of accent, but we have been known to speak in a more proper way and add a

bit more diction to our words.

The whole big city versus small town aspect lies here, as well. Seeing the school nurse at the grocery store, being

introduced to your friend’s multiple sets of cousins at your own school or knowing someone simply by their last name

has become something completely new. In Phoenix you’ll see city lights intertwined in every street, shopping centers

nearly ten minutes away, and you’d be able to step foot into your local Walmart without any worry of seeing anyone

you know.

Looking at it in summary, my time being new in this town is slowly fading as every day passes and I come to ac-

cept being here more and more. Moving here has sparked a new outlook of mine in the way other people live and re-

ally, the importance of where you live or how you’ve grown up. In a completely new perspective, I’ve come to be-

lieve that you have to accept that you will be put in odd-ended situations that will cause awkward moments, and ex-

traneous feelings. You’ll need to make choices, difficult or not to look at what is put in front of you in an entirely new

way. If you don’t, you’ll never know the beauty of expanding your horizons and seeing life in new dimensions

Winter Sports Update (from p.1)

Wrestling

The boys wrestling

team continues to add to

a year of success. With a

19-0 record, a section

championship recorded,

and a trip to the team

semifinals ahead, many

are wondering who can

possibly stop this team?

This year’s captains are

Austin Bell, Derek Verk-

leeren, and Jarod Verk-

leeren. The team is also

led by seniors Josh

Godzin and Zach ray.

Boys and Girls

Swimming

The boys swim team is

undefeated at 3-0, while

the girls are 1-2 in the

section. The swim team

will compete against East

Allegheny Thursday,

February 5th at home.

This is also senior night

so come show your sup-

port!

A special thanks to Connor

Locklin, Austin and Mike,

and Ashley Marinos for

contributions to this update.

Think you have something to say?

The Leopard Tales is still seeking new staff

members!

If you have an interest in writing, news, enter-

tainment, opinions and editorials, and reporting,

stop by 210 for our next meeting, February 5th!

Or, stop by room 210 at your convenience.

GET READY

—What to expect in our issue next month?

All things Valentine’s Day

Michelle Obama and School Lunch Standards

Senior Spotlights ARE BACK

Oh no! No cocoa? —and much more!

Student Life 6

MOVIES

February 1 Gimme Shelter (2013) Into the Blue 2: The Reef (2009) King Arthur (2004) Proof (2005) February 10 Dwight Howard: In the Moment (2014) February 11 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

February 16 Save the Date (2012)

February 17 The Overnighters (2014)

February 18 Earth to Echo (2014) The Fluffy Movie (2014) February 27 Ralphie May: Unruly (2015)

TELEVISION Magic City (Seasons 1–2, February 1) Spartacus (Complete series, February 1) Richie Rich (Season 1, February 20) Hawaii Five-0 (Seasons 1–4, February 24) Courtesy of Vulture.com http://www.vulture.com/2015/01/new-on-netflix-february-2015.html

What’s streaming on Netflix this

February?

Featured Comic: Bizarro

Sudoku (we picked a pretty tough one)

Courtesy of Bizarro.com