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Smoke Signals
November 24, 2008 • volume 40 • issue 01 • Peters Township High School

Congratulations PT Boys and Girls
Soccer! Great Season!

PT Fundraising
Altered By
State Policy

Renée Wunderlich	

Editor -in-Chief

Photos By: Stephanie Nitschmann and Kelsey Hoskins

Students Selected for
Westinghouse Honors Institute

Andrea Briggs	
Assistant Editor

Left to right: Erica Schwotzer, Julia Girouard, Ben Gauthier, and Claire LaRosa

President-elect barack
Obama takes office,
makes history
– page 3

Inside
BEYOND THE BUBBLE
SPOTLIGHT:
THE GREATER PITTSBURGH
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN
pITTSBURGH
– page 9

opinion

Sports

cROSS cOUNTRY Season
RUNS ON TRADITION
– page 11

the same interests as they did.
	
“I know that anything I
learn in this program will help
me narrow down what field of
medicine and science I want to
eventually pursue as a career,
and having fun along the way
is certainly the way to go,” said
Schwotzer.

features

great thing to have on a résumé, and
I know that I’ll enjoy myself, too.”
	
Participants
were
also
able to attend a special field trip to
the nuclear reactor at Penn State
University after the lecture on
nuclear power and engineering. By
participating, the students were able
to interact and socialize with peers
outside of their school that shared

news

	
Four PTHS juniors were
recently selected to participate in
the Westinghouse Science Honors
Institute. The course consists of a
series of lectures held on Saturday
mornings, with topics ranging from
meteorology and putting humans
on Mars, to using human fat as
a source of stem cells. After an
intense application process, Erica
Schwotzer, Claire LaRosa, Ben
Gauthier, and Julia Girouard were
the lucky applicants chosen to
attend this program.
“All of the speakers are
very qualified and known in their
field for their subject,” said junior
Erica Schwotzer. “For the lecture
on knee injuries and repairing the
ACL, Dr. Freddie Fu will come and
speak. I’m very excited to attend
– my dad had the kind of injury that
Dr. Fu is famous for masterfully
repairing.”
	
In order to apply, students
had to complete an application form,
as well as write a 100-word essay to
be turned into the guidance office.
Junior Ben Gauthier said, “It’s a

Sprung up from concerns over the
lack of nutritional value present in the average
Sarris chocolate-covered pretzel, new standards
are now in place to encourage the selling of
products dubbed as healthier alternatives. Fruit
and cheese, naturally low fat pretzels, specialty
shaped pastas, boxes of citrus fruits, and bottled
water with a PTHS label are some of the options
suggested by the School District Administration.
“I love chocolate and other candy,”
said District Superintendent Dr. Nina Zetty, “but
because some students, especially in the middle
school and high school may not eat breakfast, we
as a township should be able to provide them with
something healthy that can give them the right kind
of energy, rather than a sugar rush.   Research
has proven that students who grab a piece of
fruit rather than a candy bar perform better in
class, on tests, and in after school activities.  We
teach classes like Health and Personal Wellness,
and need to start practicing what we preach.”
Zetty supervises Peters Township’s district-wide
approach to follow the guidelines set by the state
of Pennsylvania to promote proper nutrition and
physical fitness.
The Board is also proposing alternative
fundraisers such as Bowl-a-Thons, Fun-Runs,
and horseshoe competitions in an effort to
promote healthy physical activity.   As far as
material fundraisers are concerned, Board
members suggest first-aid kits, bath accessories,
and cookbooks for easy and healthy after-school
snacks.
“This is only one of the many aspects
that will be changing to reflect the state’s new
nutritional standards.” said Zetty, “A few years ago,
soda machines were stocked with flavored water
and fruit drinks, replacing more sugary drinks.  
That was another aspect of the Wellness Plan.  
The Plan does not limit the selling of candy items
outside of school – it is the in-school environment
that it focuses on.”
While the School Board and other District
Administrators are optimistic about the transition
from junk food to healthy snacks, many students
are reported as being uneasy to the change.
“We should be able to choose what we eat,” said
sophomore Andy Shope, “We should make those
choices – not the state.”
Through the selling of food during school
through fundraisers is still permitted, all sales
will be restricted until at least thirty minutes
after the last lunch period.   All fundraising
projects must still be submitted for district
approval – meaning they must pass through the
principal’s office as well as be reviewed by the
school board. Any questions concerning the
new fundraising policy, nutritional standards, or
activity guidelines, visit the district web page at	
http://www.ptsd.k12.pa.us/index.php.

– page 4
Photo By: Casey Dunleavy

Photo By: Amber Doerr
reference

November 24, 2008

Sunday
23

Monday
24

Tuesday
25

Smoke Signals

Wednesday Thursday
26

27

28

1

2

3

9

10

1973: NASA’s
Pioneer sends
images of
Jupiter

NO SCHOOL

8

Pearl Harbor
1941
14

c
e
D

21
22
HANUKKAH
begins at
NO SCHOOL
sundown
Winter Begins

23

28

30

NO SCHOOL

NO SCHOOL

Smoke Signals

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Renée Wunderlich
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Andrea Briggs
LAYOUT EDITOR
Emily Correal
MANAGING EDITOR
Katie Ellis

2
r
e

b
m
e
17

Slavery
Abolished

	
Smoke Signals is produced
eight times during a school year
by the students of Media II, III,
IV Journalism and extracurricular staff at Peters Towship High
School, 264 E. McMurray Road,
McMurray PA 15317. Telephone: 724-941-6250 x.5379.
E-mail: sitlern@pt-sd.org.
Commentaries, reviews, and
opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author
and not of Smoke Signals, its
advisor or the Peters Township
School District. Member of the
Pennsylvania School Press
Association.

8
0
0

5

12

6

13

Frank Sinatra
Born 1915

16

29
NO SCHOOL
HANUKKAH
ends at
sundown

4

11

National
Brownie Day
15

	

29

November 2008

National
“Stay Home
Because You’re
Well” Day

7

Saturday

NO SCHOOL
Black Friday

NO SCHOOL
30

Friday

24

NO SCHOOL

18
19
National Bake
Cookies Day
25

26

NO SCHOOL
CHRISTMAS

20

1988: NBC
signs lease to
stay in NYC for
33 years

27

NO SCHOOL

31

NO SCHOOL
NEW YEAR’S
EVE

Sudoku

NEWS EDITOR
Stephanie Cotugno
FEATURES EDITORS
Dana Hoelle
Bridget Stasenko

Directions
Fill in the grid so
that every row,
every column,
and every 3x3
box contains the
digits 1 through
9. The grid is
9x9, so all digits
appear only one
time on every
row, column and
in every box of
3x3.

OPINION EDITOR
Emily Estep
SPORTS EDITOR
Taylor Relich
MARKETING EDITORS
Shelby Miller
Paige Burris
STAFF WRITERS
Gabrielle Brinsky, Amy
Burzotta, Averi Clements,
Conor Jackson, Ian Jackson, Colleen Lugar, Monica
Paterra, Kaitlyn Richert,
Matt Schilling, Matt Sikora,
Bethany Suchy

LAYOUT TEAM
Shelby Miller, Paige Burris,
Taylor Miller
ADVISOR
Mrs. Sitler

Courtesy of www.mrbaxter.com
news

November 24, 2008

Stephanie Cotugno	

Smoke Signals



Chemists’ Glowing Accomplishment
News Editor

	 Last summer at Hilton Head Island, junior Sean

Berry was stung by a jellyfish. Berry had inadvertently swam into the middle of a jellyfish pond, which
led the 16 year old in aching pain. The jellyfish had
stung Berry on his ankle, which left him with many
dark red lines around the wound. The wound stung
at first, and then became itchy to Berry who had to
endure the stinging pain until the wound healed a
few days later. “I am not afraid of jellyfish,” stated
Berry, “But it was definitely a scary experience.”
On October 8, 2008, Osamu Shimomura,
Martin Chalfie, and Roger Y. Tsien won the
Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and
development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP.
GFP was first observed in a remarkable brightly
glowing jellyfish, Aequorea victoria in 1962. Since
the discovery of the protein, GFP has become
one of the most important tools in contemporary

bioscience. The acid of GFP has been used by
researchers to develop ways to watch processes
that were previously invisble like how cancer cells
are spread by making cells organs, and tissues light
up. The two American scientists, Tsien and Chalfie,
and the one Japanese scientist, Shimomura,
were presented with the award for the initial
discovery of GFP, which has helped researchers
use the protein as a glowing marker to watch the
movements, interactions, and positions of different
proteins. With the help of GFP, researchers have
been able to look into specific diseases like the
damage of nerve cells during Alzheimer’s disease,
or how insulin-producing beta cells are created in
the pancreas of a growing embryo. “It’s fascinating
to think of how far we have come in the world of
science over the centuries. What these scientists
did was truly an amazing accomplishment,” stated

Transition to Power, Transition to Change
Kaitlyn Richert	

junior Carly Hancherick.
Together, the three scientists brought
together their talented skills to discover the
protein and successfully accomplish their goal.
Shimomura first isolated GFP from the jellyfish
Aequorea victoria. Then, Chalfie demonstrated
the value of GFP as a genetic tag for various
biological phenomenas. Finally, Tsien contributed
to the general understanding of how GFP glows.
He also extended the color palette beyond green
allowing researchers to give various proteins and
cells different colors, which enables scientists to
follow several different biological processes at the
same time. The three will share not only a title in
history, but 1.4 million dollar prize. “This is all really
cool, because jellyfish sting thousands of people
every year, but they have the ability to help save
millions,” stated senior Jack Hareza.

Backstage Pass

Gabrielle Brinsky	

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

	
As the final
curtain of the 2008
presidential
election
closes, the future of
America will be in the
hands of the man who
will be our new president:
Barack Obama. The
young and charismatic
politician from Illinois
steps into the White
House with only one
mission– change. His
motives have been
questionable
among
citizens, as they wonder
if the concept of fighting
for change is something
the country is ready to
accomplish. However,
the majority of students
who voted for Obama
on November 4 believe
that this election will
have a positive impact
on their generation.
	
”I
believe
Obama was the right
choice because he
understands that we
need change. Our
‘trickle down’ theory
hasn’t worked in the
past, and personally, I
don’t think it will now,”
stated junior Devan
Vachon. Although more
than three fourths of high
school students weren’t

old enough to vote,
many held preference
to one candidate in the
election. Regardless of
whether or not some
students could vote,
many held colossal
beliefs that determined
their personal opinion.
	

social security, and their
future. The video also
stresses that by voting,
one can make an
effective impact in our
country’s development.
After viewing the video,
they emphasize sending
the link to five friends,

“America, this is our moment.
This is our time. Our time to
turn the page on the policies of
the past. Our time to bring new
energy and new ideas to the
challenges we face. Our time
to offer a new direction for this
country that we love.”

– Barack Obama
What’s better than
watching history unfold?
Being a part of it. The
positive message of
campaign ads caused
young citizens to vote.
The popular YouTube
video, “Five Friends,”
features
celebrities
directing the importance
of voting to concepts
such as ,global warming,
financial disasters,
healthcare, education,

What In The World...?

so the message may be
	
passedon.
Influential campaign ads
such as “Five Friends”
have ultimately helped
the number of young
voters multiply. This
year, an estimated 22 to
24 million young people
voted in this election, an
increase in turnout of at
least 2.2 million over
the 2004 election.While
young citizens saw the

2008 election as an
immediate opportunity
for a change in the
entire nation, they also
concluded how it would
greatly affect their own
generation. This election
will impact everyone in
some way, but students
are concerned with how
the election will affect
the cost of education,
as well as the economy.
These concepts are
essential to consider,
since many students
will soon be entering
college or venturing
out into the job market.
Points such as these
were prerequisites when
students
determined
which candidate should
receive their vote.
	
T h e 2 0 0 8
election will undoubtedly
go down in history,
not only for obvious
reasons,
but
also
because this was the first
election that reached
out and grabbed young
Americans’ attention.
As the final decision
was made, America
welcomes their new,
confident leader in
playing a role in the
change in America.

The typical teenager loves music, whether
they’re blasting it through headphones or in a car.
Of course, everyone’s favorite genre of music
differs according to his or her own personality.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability and talent to
make your own music? Well why not support the
ones who can, who are brave enough to go on
stage and perform.
There are multiple bands that participate;
our school is lucky enough to have a band that
participates in Battle of the Bands. It is an event
that’s put together to encourage students from
different high schools to attend. The bands that
come play to gain the winners title. Each school
has a chance to host the battle of the bands.
The last event was October 13, held at PTHS
cafeteria. “I went to support my friend’s band, and
didn’t expect it to be that exciting,” sophomore
Rachel Belack remarked.
Band members are given a total of 40
tickets to sell to their peers. The price is five
dollars in advance, and eight dollars at the door.
The event usually sells out and the cafeteria is
packed. Peter’s band is called PITA. “We came up
with the name PITA before we started the band. It
stands for Pancakes In The Afterlife;” said senior
band member Adam Meyers.
Members of PITA include Meyers, Keith
Quinn, Trevor Oliver, and Jake Locke. The last
event sold t-shirts and had a DJ. They performed
on a stage and encouraged the crowd to cheer. “I
was really pumped about the crowd’s participation;
three kids got broken limbs, no one saw that one
coming,” commented senior Keith Quinn. When
the results were eventually revealed, they were
proud to hear that PITA came out on top. But who
will become victorious on December 30th?

Compiled by Katie Ellis

“It’s a hard knock life for us!” German inmate Hans Lang took a page out of Annie and hid himself in a box of dirty laundry
in order to escape jail. The box was then packaged and loaded onto a FedEx truck. At the next stop, Lang tore himself
out of the box, picked the lock, and escaped into the nearby woods. A spokesman in charge of the group hunting the
criminal said, “It’s the kind of thing people think only happens in films – but in this case, it’s very real.”
A dying dog in East Finchley, London had his life restored by a very unusual drug – Viagra. After lungworm spread to one
of Bently-the-dog’s heart artery, owner David Roach rushed his pooch to the vet. Veterinarian Ben Harris administered
the drug to relax the blood vessels and, luckily, it worked. Bently will now have to use Viagra for the rest of his life, though
it will not have the same effect on him that it would on a human.
The restoration of First Churches in Northampton’s 180-year-old pipe organ has been delayed indefinitely because four
delicate pipes have been damaged. The pieces were damaged after a homeless man mistook the pipes to be rolled-up
rugs and preceded to take a nap. The damage he caused is estimated to be about $15,000, but the church will not press
charges.
Halloween’s come a little late this year for an elderly woman who has been living with two skeletons and one badly
decomposed body of her siblings for at least twenty years. Authorities discovered the remains in covered in sheets in
various parts of the Evanston, Illinois home, but do not suspect any foul play. The woman, whose name has not been
released to the public, has been taken into a facility for care, and autopsies will be performed on the bodies as quickly
as possible.
features

November 24, 2008

Speak

OUT

what should
Obama’s numberone priority be
once he takes
office?

“He needs to work
on attaining world
peace”
- Eric Zalewski
	
Senior

Smoke Signals

Tough Medicine for Tough Acne
Bridget Stasenko	
Features Editor

Acne is a problem that most
teenagers struggle with. It can be
embarrassing and can leave long term
scaring. I suffer from acne, and have tried
every face wash, antibiotic, and topical
cream out there, but nothing worked. My
doctor finally suggested one last option: the
controversial acne drug, Accutane.  I have
only been on Accutane a couple of months
but it has already been a roller coaster. First,
my skin completely dried out. Then, I got a
severe rash all over my arms, forcing me
to take another medicine to treat the rash.  
My skin cleared up at first, but then some
acne returned. My dermatologist said my
skin was going to get worse before it got
better.  Hopefully, I will start seeing major
improvements by the end of next month.
Accutane is an oral acne medicine
people take when they have severe acne,
and is nothing more than vitamin A. It helps
reduce the oil in your skin allowing the skin
to renew itself more quickly. A doctor may
suggest Accutane after topical creams and
other antibiotics prove to be unsuccessful.
For clear skin, the drug is usually taken

Monica Paterra

for four to six months.   So why is this
medicine so controversial?
In order to receive an Accutane
treatment, you have to go through a
system called IPLEDGE. This program
is designed regulate Accutane and
use it in the safest way possible. The
IPLEDGE system requires female
patients to go on a form of birth control,
answer questions monthly online, and
have two forms of pregnancy tests done.
Both males and females must have
blood work taken every month. After all
of these requirements are completed,
the doctor is then allowed to write the
prescription. The prescription must be
picked up within seven days, or you will
have to wait until the next month to start
the treatment. If you miss a dose then
you have to wait until the next day
to take it as to not overdose on the
medication. If an overdose does occur
seek emergency help immediately.
The reason Accutane causes
fear in users is due to its severe side
effects. The biggest concern is  that

Accutane causes life-threatening birth
defects if the patient should get pregnant
while taking the medicine. A baby’s ears,
face, eyes, skull, heart and brain can be
affected in just one dose. The doctors and
the IPLEDGE program stress this point.  
Other side effects to the patient include
hives, difficulty breathing, depression,
severe dryness, blurred vision, hearing
loss, fast heart rate, hallucinations,
seizures, and severe stomach pain.
 While on Accutance, patients
should not give blood. If they do give
blood and a pregnant woman happens
to receive the blood, it could cause birth
defects to her child. Accutane patients
should avoid sun light, waxing, and taking
vitamin supplements that include Vitamin
A.   Accutane is a potentially dangerous
medication, but it has an 80% success
rate. Every patient responds differently to
the drug, but some users start to notice
a difference after a couple of weeks.
Accutane is a tough medicine, but it can
clear tough acne.

Text Messaging Hazards
Staff Writer

“Obviously, the
economy needs to
improve .”
- Zoltan Latinovich
	
Junior

“He needs to make
the economy
better.”
- Sara Cavolo
	
Sophomore

“The economy
needs to be
reformed.”
- Nicole Monti
	
Freshman

Most people agree that life without electronics would
be very difficult. Since the 1980s, technology has been booming
and taken over a BIG part of American culture, transforming
the typical American’s way of life. One of the biggest means of
communicating today is a little hand-held device known as a
cell phone. The advent of the cell phone soon led to another
form of communication known as text messaging.
	
Although this way of communicating with friends
may seem fun and hassle-free, using it at the wrong place
and time comes with consequences. The state of California
is considering banning the use of cell phones while driving a
vehicle. “We have had far too many tragic incidents around the
country that are painful proof that this is a terrible problem,”
stated California senator Joe Simitian, in a recent New York
Times article. Residents of California are now required to use a
hands-free device while in conversation behind the wheel.
	
Ever since phones were transformed into portable

instant messaging devices, the number of messages sent worldwide
has increased into the billions. According to the Cellular Telephone
Industries Association, in June of this year, approximately 75 billion
text messages were sent in the United States alone, compared to 7.2
billion in 2005.
	
Researchers believe that texting while in the course of
another activity can cause injury. Hospitals are treating more patients
flowing into the emergency rooms from cell phone related accidents,
such as head injuries resulting from car crashes.
Research was recently conducted by Nielsen Mobile, which
kept track of 50,000 phone accounts. They concluded that Americans
sent out more text messages than phone calls, 357 to 204. In today’s
society, text messaging seems to take precedent over phone calls.
Because texting has become a major aspect of communication,
it is beginning to interfere with safety. Although cell phones may be
an easy way out to making a call, accidents can always happen with
the touch of a button.

Beyond the Bubble: Greater Pittsburgh Community
Food Bank

Renée Wunderlich	

Assistant Editor

This month, we focus on The
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food
Bank (GPCFB), a non-profit organization
fights against hunger by providing food
for the less fortunate. The Food Bank
participates in food pantries, shelters,
after-school programs, soup kitchens
emergency-related food stations, and
Meals on Wheels. Through the selfless
dedication of Board members, staff, and
volunteers, GPCFB is able to serve an
estimated 18 million pounds of food per
year to the less fortunate. The Food Bank
is also a member of Feeding America,
the nation’s leading charity organization
for hunger-relief.

Sadly, 11.6% of all Pennsylvania
residents live in poverty (2007 American
Community Survey, US Census). There are
16.4% of children 18 and under in Allegheny
that live in poverty. And because junk
food costs more than ten times less than
healthy food, the majority of those eighteen
and under in poverty-stricken homes
are suffering from poor health, involving
inadequate nutrition and developmental
complications. (Children’s Sentinel Nutrition
Assessment Program (C-SNAP) February
2007 report “Food Stamps as Medicine”
http://doc2.bumc.bu.edu/csnappublic/)
When it comes to the world of
modern food banking, opportunities to

contribute to GPCFB are growing through
the web. There is now a Virtual Drive,
located on the organization’s website, where
monetary donators can contribute directly to
the types of food/supplies they wish to give
(ex. $13.00 may be donated specifically for
buying peanut butter). The organization also
holds multiple events on a monthly basis,
including drives, auctions, and even regular
Steelers events.
To volunteer for the Greater
Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, log on
to http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/ to
join the mailing list, email a local volunteer
coordinator, or organize a food donation to
end hunger in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
features

November 2008

Dress Code Daze
Assistant Editor

Colleen Lugar	

Amy Burzotta	

Thankful for Health:
Eat in Moderation

	
Thanksgiving Break is almost here!  But after all that Halloween candy was consumed
it could be hard to resist all the temptations a Thanksgiving feast brings us. We all know
candy is bad for us, but you have to realize that a typical Thanksgiving meal could be just as
destructive.  An average person eats roughly 4,500 calories per day during this holiday.  This
is nearly double our calorie needs compared to a usual day. Did you know it would take over
forty miles of walking to burn that all off? Yes, you get your servings of vegetables from your
green beans and high intake of protein from all that turkey, but you might be more hesitant for
a second helping once informed about the calorie and fat content. Our bodies will be thanking
us for later if we choose to pay attention to the nutritional facts now.
	
As far as serving sizes goes, feel free to try everything, but keep the pies, sweet
drinks, and heavy cream-based dishes to a minimum. These foods are simply empty calories,
and will not keep you full long enough. This could lead to going back for more leftovers than
you would like. The nutrients that keep you full are the amount of protein and fiber inside food.
Protein can be found in turkey, beans and nuts. Fiber provides you with sustained energy and
a sufficient amount of nutrients, and can be found in green vegetables, carrots, and oats.
	
When filling your plate, try to have more vegetables and protein packed foods to fill
up on 	 rather than the usual carbohydrates found in breads, stuffing and mashed potatoes.
Just cutting back on carbohydrates alone will save you from gaining the typical ten pounds
over the holidays.
	
With this in mind, a second, third or fourth helping of your favorite dish is going to
make a difference. This special holiday only comes once a year, and a brisk thirty-minute
jog could potentially help burn up to 100 calories or more; just don’t go back to the leftovers
afterwards.  It is important to realize we just don’t need to consume that many calories in one
day.   It is not necessary to cut yourself off completely from all of those specially prepared
recipes, but everything in moderation is the way to go.
Food
Turkey

Serving Size
3.5 ounces

Calories
160

Total Fat (g)
4

Sat. Fat (g)
1

Butter

1 tablespoon

100

11

7

Sweet Potato
Casserole

7 ounces

470

17

6

Pumpkin Pie

1/8 of twelve inch
pie
1/8 of twelve inch
pie

320

15

5

500

25

5

Corn bread

2 inch slice

170

5

1

Cranberry
Sauce
Campbell’s
Green Bean
Casserole
Cooked Carrots
Stuffing

1 cup

418

1

1

1 cup

160

9

3

1 cup
1 cup

50
110

1
3

1
0

Mashed Potatoes

½ cup

125

3

0

Egg Nog

1 cup

342

19

11

Staff Writer

FAshion

underpants, no matter how adorable the
plaid boxers may be. As far as girls are
concerned, visible bra straps and other
unmentionables are prohibited as well.
Excessive cleavage or other clothing
deemed to be immodest will also require
you to make a quick change into something
a little more appropriate.
So with all these restrictions, what
can you wear? As long as it’s not something
you wouldn’t wear in front of your grandma,
you should be okay. Long pants are always
in fashion, and if it truly is too hot to wear
them, Bermuda/cargo shorts and kneelength skirts are wonderful substitutes…
if they’re all in one piece. Lightweight
cardigans or zip-up sweaters can easily
cover up bra strap slips and keep you warm,
and hoodies are the perfect way to show
support for a school organization.

Staff Writer

Pecan Pie



Winter Wear

Andrea Briggs	
Now that the first nine weeks
have passed, most students have become
acquainted with the rules of the school.
Unfortunately, one of the most overlooked
parts of the handbook deals with the dress
code, and it’s time for a refresher course.
However, with the ever-changing fashions of
today, what is a style-savvy student to do?
	
While it might be autumn now,
the weather is steadily getting colder. You
wouldn’t wear mile-high shorts and bare
your shoulders in the middle of a snowstorm,
would you? You also wouldn’t wear them in
school, according to the dress code. Shorts
and skirts must be fingertip length, and for the
guys, muscle shirts are a no-go.
Torn jeans or shorts aren’t allowed,
and pants that are not properly secured
about the waist are not acceptable. (And
really, gentlemen, is that difficult to wear a
belt correctly?) We don’t want to see your

Smoke Signals

	
As the seasons change, so does
fashion. If you remember these three
things when you’re shopping, you’ll be
staying warm and still looking great.
1.	
Signature Scarves
	
When the temperature feels
like it’s negative 10 degrees, all
anyone wants to do it bundle up in
their warmest attire, purchasing that
signature scarf can help do that. So try
a scarf if you have a plain sweater and
need something to spice it up or you’re
just attempting to keep warm. Popular
styles include animal prints, and darker
colors such as a deep pinks and blues.
Sold at numerous stores including
HM, Forever 21, and Delia’s, a scarf
is a must have for all of the cold nights
we have ahead of us.
2.	
Stylish Sweater Vests
	
A plain sweater in a gorgeous
color is a definite must have. But
you may need to make is a bit more
interesting; this can be done by adding
a sweater vest over top. There are
countless styles and patterns to chose
from including argyle, checkered, deep
v-necks, or bold colors. Add a little zest
to your plain sweater with a vest.
3.	
Beautiful, Big-Collared 		
	
Sweaters
	
When going out for a fun night
this winter, we all obviously want to
look cute but still stay warm. A sweater
with a big collar is the perfect fit. A
stylish big collar is a must have look
with beautiful shades such as crèmes
and maroons. Add your own touch with
a bracelet or necklace, and then you’re
ready to go out and have a good time
with your friends.
Keep these three trends in mind when
ry
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October 21, 2008

Under Pressure

Don’t Text While You…Walk.

Matthew Sikora	

Dana Hoelle	

Staff Writer

	
If you play sports then
you have a chance of getting a
concussion. You may not think
the headaches that you receive
from falling or getting hit in the
head are serious, but you must
be very careful in dealing with
severe headaches.
	
The leading cause of
concussions is a hard blow received to the head. There are
three different types of concussions. A type one concussion
causes a temporary change
in mental state. This includes
trouble focusing and confusion, which usually resolves
within fifteen minutes. A type
two concussion has similar
symptoms, but it lasts longer
than fifteen minutes. A type
three concussion will result in
a loss of consciousness. Information from www.mayoclinic.
com
	
Kurt Thyreen, a high
school football player, kept his
concussion a secret and did
not tell his dad. During one
of his football games, he took

Smoke Signals

many hard blows but kept it
a secret from his parents and
the coach. The next week
his headaches were so severe that he could not play
in his school band. Thyreen
did not say anything until the
next game, when he ran off
of the field complaining that
he could not uncross his
eyes. He had a stroke on the
field that paralyzed his left
side. Thyreen was taken to
the hospital where the doctors found a clot on the right
side of his brain. The swelling
was past the point of being
helped. Five days later, Thyreen died.
	
If you are playing any
sport with physical contact
and feel major headaches,
report them to your coach
or parents immediately. You
should not play any physical
sport if you have headaches
or feel dizzy. Don’t try to play
if you still have a headache.
This will cause the symptoms
to continue and increase in

severity.
	
One of the greatest reasons that the players
do not say that they have
headaches is that they feel
pressure of having to play
all the time, to be able to get
a chance at a scholarship.
You will still be able to play in
college if you get a concussion. If you miss one or two
games because you have a
concussion, that will not alter whether or not you get a
scholarship. Another reason
is that the players want to
impress the coach, their parents, and their friends. Even
if they have a serious headache, they do not want to tell
anybody because they don’t
think it is serious.
	
All players should report headaches to the coach
or their parents immediately
to decrease the chances of a
concussion.

Got Facts?

Emily Estep	

Staff Writer

After a grueling two years of
campaigning, Barack Obama pulled
off a landslide victory over John McCain, winning by more than six million votes. However, the greatest
question still remains: Did America
know who it was voting for?
	
Radio announcer Howard
Stern recently performed an experiment in which he asked individuals
in Harlem, New York, who they were
voting for and why. When the subjects responded that they were supporting Obama, Stern followed up
with questions about whether they
agreed with “Obama’s” views of supporting the War in Iraq, being prolife, and his vice-presidential pick of
Sarah Palin. A shocking number of
people that were put on-air during
Stern’s broadcast agreed that they
supported “Obama’s” views… even

though they actually comprised
John McCain’s platform.
	
Howard Stern’s startling
broadcast is just one of many
cases in which citizens were completely uninformed about the candidate they intended on voting for.
The founding fathers of this country
attempted to prohibit uneducated
citizens from voting by only allowing white male landowners – the
educated individuals of the time
– to vote in elections. What has
our country come to that we do not
know whom we are voting for or
why we are voting for him or her?
I urge all voters, whether Democrat or Republican, not to vote in
the next election unless they know
what their candidate supports…
and preferably who their vice-presidential selection is.

He

saying it to, rather than paying
attention to what you were doing before your phone vibrated.
	
And thinking that “Well I
don’t have to look at the screen
to text,” isn’t the answer. In
reality it does not matter because your brain is still doing
two things at once, and one is
likely to get less attention than
the other. Your reaction time
is slower when you text, and it
prevents you from paying close
attention to your surroundings.
You will not have enough time
to react while before completely
wiping out.   “I once was texting while walking down the
stairs, and I completely fell. It
was not a good experience,”
stated senior Kristina Gaudy.
	
For many, it is hard to live
without texting. So the best thing
to do is to manage how, when,
and where you text. Next time,
to avoid injury, use good judgment, and think before you text.

We’ve all heard, “don’t text while
you drive,” but have you ever
heard someone say, “Don’t text
while you walk?” You’ve probably
seen a person bump into someone else or trip over something,
all while texting, but believe it or
not, people can also get seriously
hurt from doing this. Reports of
injuries caused by texting on the
move are increasing, and I think
we can all agree that we need to
be more vigilant about this issue.
	
The problem with texting
while you’re walking is obvious:
people can’t handle the task of
multitasking. No matter how alert
we are, the human brain just is not
capable of giving full concentration
to doing multiple things at once.
You are putting yourself in danger
when texting while doing something that demands your full attention. “When texting, you are too
busy worrying about where your
fingers are on the keypad, what
you are saying, and who you are

Entertainer of the Year: Tina Fey

Taylor Miller	

	

Staff Writer

Said

Opinion Editor

The year 2008 is coming to a
close, so who should be crowned entertainer of the year? Tina Fey. Many know
Fey has been skyrocketing in the industry since her days on Saturday Night
Live (SNL), writing box office gold such
as Mean Girls, but this year is her best
yet. In 2008 alone her television show
30 Rock won a boatload of Emmy’s.
She starred in a number one movie at
the box office, Baby Mama, and resurrected SNL with her Sarah Palin impression.
	
Tina Fey created, stars in, and
writes the phenomenal NBC comedy
30 Rock, which was nominated for 17
Emmys this year and won 7, including Outstanding Comedy Series and
Outstanding Lead actress. 30 Rock
currently holds the record for most
Emmys ever nominated for a single comedy series in one year. 	
	
	
The current season of Saturday
	

Night Live is doing well, almost purely
because of veteran Fey, who used to
be a member and writer of the show.
A recent episode featuring Fey doing an impression of politician Sarah
Palin produced the highest ratings for
the show in 14 years. The ratings for
SNL have been slowly declining up
until this point, and Tina Fey has single-handedly pulled it from the dust
and brought it into the mainstream
once again.
	
When 38 year-old Fey wasn’t
starring in or writing for huge television shows and movies this year,
she somehow found time to raise
her 3-year old daughter Alice. She
was also a very involved member of
the Writer’s Strike earlier in the year
and signed a book deal in October.
Reportedly, the book deal was worth
more than 5 million dollars. It is predicted to be a nonfiction humor.

She Said

Ian Jackson

Amy burzotta

What would be an ideal Christmas gift?

What would be an ideal Christmas gift?

Xbox games

A car!

Do you think there should be a price limit when
shopping for a boyfriend or girlfriend?

Do you think there should be a price limit when shopping for a boyfriend or girlfriend?
No, the price doesn’t matter, if he’s going to like it.

No, if I think she’d like it I’ll get it anyway.
What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Sweet potatoes with brown sugar and pecans

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

What would be the perfect New Years evening?

What would be the perfect New Years evening?

Hanging out with a bunch of people at	
some one’s house.

Pumpkin Pie
Going downtown to a nice restaurant and watching the
ball drop on TV with everyone.
opinion

October 21, 2008

How to Escape the Bubble:
Top 10 things to do in Pittsburgh
Amy Burzotta	


Smoke Signals

Movie
Reviews

Staff Writer

	
When Peters Township
comes to mind, fun and eventful
probably aren’t the best adjectives.
Picture a typical Friday night. It’s
been a long week, you can’t wait
hang out with friends and get out.
You and your friends think, “what
should we do?” Then you all remember, “Wow there is absolutely
nothing to do here in good ol’ PT.”
Here is a list of top ten things to
do in Pittsburgh, PA. Hopefully this
helps you get out Friday night.
10. Andy Warhol Museum
Striking and intriguing both describe
the Andy Warhol Museum. All different sorts of paintings and pictures
are located here, making it a fun
and interesting place to be. Junior
Pat Walker says, “His paintings really show that he wasn’t afraid to
express himself and share his views
of life. I would definitely recommend
everyone visits the museum.”
9. Laser Storm
This may not be the ideal Friday
night activity, but it is definitely
something different to try. According
to laserstorm.org, this pleasurable
place is located on 7715 McKnight
Road. Laser Storm offers not only
laser tag, but food, drinks, and a private party room.
8. Tanger Outlets
You better stuff your wallet if you
plan on spending a day at the new
Tanger Outlets. Located in Washington, this shopping center is
the place to be. Old Navy, Guess,
American Eagle, and (my personal
favorite) Coach, are just a few of the
high-quality stores there. Tangeroutlet.com/Washington provides a
list of all stores, deals, and coming
attractions.
7. Station Square
Always find cause for celebration,
but where should you celebrate?
Station Square offers great restaurants, including Hard Rock, the

Melting Pot, and Buccs di Peppo.
At night there is a gorgeous view,
and Station Square is always
a popular place to be. Whether
or not you are celebrating a sixmonth anniversary or just partying with the girls, Station Square
is definitely a great option.
6. Dave and Buster’s
What better place to kick back, relax, and enjoy some gaming than
Dave and Busters? Dave and
Buster’s offers many things, from
restaurants, to a place to watch
the big sports game, to finally
getting that high score on your favorite video game. Dance Dance
Revolution, Nothing But Net, and
Super Trivia are just a few of the
games there.
5. Ice Skating at PPG Rink
There is no better way to enjoy
the season than with some iceskating in the city. Whether you’re
going with friends, family, a boyfriend or girlfriend it’ll be lots of
fun. With a beautifully lit tree in
the middle, it’s the place to make
some memories. So grab your
scarf and gloves, and come have
a good time.
4. South Side
Located on Carson Street, in
the South Side Wroks is a great
shopping center with the famous Cheesecake Factory. After a long hard day of shopping
from stores such as Forever 21,
HM, and Puma, there is no better place to relax and have great
meal. Choosing your dinner from
the long menu at the Cheesecake Factory can be difficult but
it’s much more difficult to choose
from over twenty-five different
kinds of mouth-watering, moist,
delicious cheesecakes.
3. Seven Springs
Powdery snow, clear skies,
and good weather are the ideal	

conditions for every skier, and
Seven Springs offers these
sorts of conditions. This ski
resort is a great place where
skiers and non-skiers can
have a good time. Because it
offers not only slopes, you can
also kick back in the movie
theater, go bowling, or enjoy a
swim in the indoor pool. Seven Springs offers something
for everyone.
2. Mount Washington
A breathtaking view and delectable dishes are just two
of the things Mount Washington has to offer. A night walk
along the outskirts of the city
will give you a beautiful view
of it. If you are looking for a
fancier place for celebration,
Mount Washington is the perfect place for you with restaurants like Bella Vista, Cliffside,
and Grandview.
1. Pittsburgh Light Up
Night
Pittsburgh Light up Night only
comes around once a year,
and it is definitely an event
you do not want to miss. November 21 is when the city
kicks off the holiday season.
Not only does it give you a
beautiful view, but the PPG
rink opens that day and there
are all sorts of restaurants
around there. So bring your
friends, family, and everyone
you know for a stunning evening in Pittsburgh.
	
PT may not be the
most exciting place in the
world but going into the city
or shopping at the new outlets
can sure help you be entertained on your fun, relaxing
weekend.

As Seen on TV: Products Worth Buying

Bethany Suchy	

Staff Writer

	

Day after day, hundreds of infomercials flash across our television screens. While
most of them are ignored, have you ever considered actually buying something? After interviews
with different people and testing various products, many of these infomercial items are actually worth buying. Ignore the ridiculous slogans
and terrible acting because these products work.
	
The Bender Ball, tested by junior Shannon
Smith, is a premium exercise tool. According to www.
asseenontv.com, this soft rubber ball is designed
to target your abdominals, thighs, arms, shoulders,
and back. Equipped with an exercise video, learn
the different exercise techniques to get into the best
shape of your life. It is portable and affordable with
a diameter of 65 cm and only one payment of $9.95.
“I really like the bender ball because it is easy to
use, but it gives an excellent workout,” said Smith.
	
A best selling product on television is the
Ped Egg. Without spending large sums of money
on pedicures, the Ped Egg allows you to get the spa

experience at home. What does this incredible
item do? The Ped Egg, which conveniently fits
into the palm of your hand, removes calluses
from the foot, making your feet look flawless.
Brittany Woodrow, a junior, exclaimed, “I never
thought the Ped Egg would actually work. It is
simple to use and works effectively every time.”
	
In the foods category, the magical
Green Bags were tested. These plastic bags
claim to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for
many weeks. Twenty bags can be purchased
for one payment of $9.95. Over 40 million
bags have been sold, and the number keeps
increasing. I tested out these bags myself,
and I can honestly say they work. I used the
bags on various fruits and vegetables and
they did remain fresh for weeks. This product will satisfy customers and is eco-friendly.
	
Although As Seen on TV products may seem strange, they are efficient, inexpensive and are worth buying.

Changeling
Emily Estep
Opinion Editor

Changeling is a long movie. It is roughly two hours
and twenty minutes long. This just goes to show,
how truly fantastic it is, because for all one hundred and forty minutes, it is entirely engrossing.
Changeling is about the true story of single woman
named Christine Collins, whose son goes missing.  The movie takes place in the late 1920s when
the LAPD was considered to be almost completely corrupt and frowned upon by the masses. In an
attempt to fix their reputation, they then return, or
should I say replace, the son. Collins then spends
a majority of the movie trying to convince the police that the boy they gave her, is not her son, and
that he is still out there, in serious potential danger.
Angelina Jolie portrays Christine Collins brilliantly, in such a way that really connects the audience to the character. That is not to say, however, that her performance out shadows that of
John Malkovich, who plays a local reverend fixed
on the idea of taking down the LAPD and is one
of the few who believes in Collins from the beginning. His character is perhaps the strongest in the
whole movie, putting him in the spotlight for a potential Oscar nomination, along with Jolie. The entire cast was flawless to the point that even minor	
characters shine. Changeling is dark, a little bit disturbing, and incredibly entertaining from start to finish. As one of the first ‘Oscar movies’ of the year to
be released, it sets a high standard for the rest of the
hopefuls. One of Clint Eastwood’s bests, and that’s
saying something, it will not go down without a fight
this awards season.

Role Models
Amy Burzotta
Staff Writer

Hilarious, hilarious, hilarious. Those are the three
descriptive words I would use to describe Role
Models. Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, and
Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin’,) are just
three of the ridiculous characters that make up
the cast. Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd) are
two energy drink sales reps who are sentenced to
150 hours of community service, mentoring kids.
Wheeler is given a troubled little boy who has the
mouth of 10 sailors, while Danny mentors a nerdy
teen boy interested in dragons and quidditch. At
first dreading this task, Danny and Wheeler come
to realize this is not such a chore. The two kids
end up teaching them about themselves and responsibility. With (many) screw-ups, and (many)
laughs along the way, Role Models is definitely
a must see hysterical comedy of the season.
10

sports

October 21, 2008

Shaving the Ice:
Pens off to a Solid Start

Connor Jackson

Smoke Signals

Brady’s Abrasion
Injures NFL

Matt Schilling

Staff Writer

	
The Pittsburgh Penguins are
the defending Eastern Conference
Champions, but the 2008-2009
team has changed greatly since last
season. Some key players, including
left-wingers Ryan Malone and Marian
Hossa, signed deals with the Tampa
Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red
Wings. But with newcomers Miroslav
Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko in
the lineup, the Pens should be on
their way to another Stanley Cup
appearance. They have started off with
a respectable record of 9-4. Centers
Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are
leading the team in points, with twentyfour and nineteen points respectively.
Crosby is becoming more and more of
a veteran captain of this hockey club.
He has earned the hype that he has

F
I
S
H
T
A
N
K

Staff Writer

received over the past couple of years,
with players such as center Tyler
Kennedy and defenseman Brooks
Orpik contributing as well. This is an
talented young team that has started
the season with a winning attitude.
The Penguins haven’t been a
really great team and lacked playoff
experience in the past. They had the
worst record in the league until rookie
sensation Sydney Crosby was drafted
in 2005. They have finally proven to the
hockey community that they can live
up to the challenge of being a source
of attraction in the city of Pittsburgh.
With the new stadium expected to be
completed by 2011 and the talented
players performing at such a high
intensity, the future of the Penguins
looks to be a great success.

In Conclusion of Fall Sports in PTHS:

Renée Wunderlich,
Editor-In-Chief

Averi Clements

	
After tearing his ACL on September 7, 2008, reports show that
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady underwent a second surgery. The first
surgery, conducted on October 6, was not as successful as his doctors had
first thought it would be due to complications involving an infected knee. The
wound was reopened to see how it was healing, and Brady was put on an
antibiotic to treat the infection. Even though doctors believe that Brady will be
healthy after six to eight weeks of physical rehabilitation, some rumors state
that Brady may not be completely healed by the start of next season. 	
	
Although the Patriots are third in their division, the race continues to
remain extremely tight. They sit right behind Brett Favre and the New York
Jets and the much-improved Miami Dolphins with the Buffalo Bills just barely
trailing behind. Second-string quarterback Matt Cassel, who has temporarily
replaced Brady, is being pressured from every angle. With Brady, the Patriots
would win with ease against teams such as the Miami Dolphins, but after
he was injured and replaced with Cassel, Miami proved to be too much for
the team to handle. However, the Patriots have continued to prove that they
are still a viable contender; the New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, and
Indianapolis Colts have been the only other teams to defeat them so far.
Cassel has contributed greatly to their success, shattering all doubts and
leading the team in a way that not many backup quarterbacks could. Besides,
replacing a player who has claimed NFL records, gone 16-0 in the 2007-2008
regular season, and won a Superbowl in his first year as a starter is not an
easy task. Even with Cassel’s talent and leadership skills, it is hard to say just
how far the Patriots will go in the race to the Superbowl this year… and how
the NFL will handle the loss of their biggest star.
Whether you like it or not, Tom Brady and wide-receiver Randy Moss are
a lethal combination, making for some heart-pounding NFL action during
every game. Add the rest of the New England’s gifted offense and impeccable
defense and the results are spectacular. The NFL lost a considerable amount
of appeal and luster due to Brady’s injury. Many fans pay top dollar to see
him play football. Even for fans of other teams, Brady was entertaining for a
simple reason: he scores a lot of points. For many people, the Patriots’ games
aren’t worth going to or watching if he doesn’t play.  Due to fans not paying for
front-row seats and the loss of motivation to watch the games, the NFL loses
money for every game Brady misses.

Back on the Mat

Staff Writer

	
New coaches, new wrestlers, new season
– no one is quite sure what effect these changes
will have on the wrestling team. After winning a total
of only four matches in the past two years, one can
hope that things will only improve from here. With
the addition of Head Coach Jason Carpetta and
Assistant Coach Andy Shrader, fingers are crossed
that the old truth “change is good” will stand. Coach
Carpetta’s claim to fame was bringing Fort Cherry’s
varsity team back from the brink, ultimately becoming
the most successful wrestling coach in the school’s
history. There is no doubt in his mind that he will
be able to bring this talented group of athletes to
success as well. “The most important thing I want to
give the team is a good sense of pride,” said Coach
Carpetta.
The coaches will not be the only deciding factors

UnderReview

“13-3, because the Steelers
are AMAZING!”
Meredith Karavolis, ‘11

in the wrestling team’s record this year; the wrestlers
themselves are ultimately going to be the ones who have
the greatest effect on the scoreboard. It will certainly
not be an easy journey – the team lost five seniors to
graduation last year, two of which qualified for WPIALs.
Many former wrestlers will also not be participating in
the 2008-2009 season due to injuries and conflicts of
interest. However, younger wrestlers will be moving up
from the Junior Varsity team to fill in the empty weight
classes and compete for some that are already taken.
The veteran participants are ready to do their own part
in improving the team as well. Many wrestlers began
preparing themselves long before there was so much
as a whisper of after-school conditioning, governed
by nothing but their own motivation. “If I hadn’t started
conditioning before the season started, I think I would die
during practices and matches,” said junior Taylor DiBart.

As any athlete will tell you, though, enthusiasm
provides only a stepstool to victory. The wrestlers
must concentrate on becoming stronger, both
physically and technically. “I wrestle guys who
are bigger and stronger than me every year,”
said senior Taylor Miller. “I make up for that by
being better conditioned and outsmarting them.”
With the team’s first match approaching on
December 17, there is still time to make the
most of a fresh start. The Indians are refusing
to relinquish their future to chance. They are
and will continue to take down the obstacles in
their path, holding their heads high through it
all. It is this drive that will make the difference
between pins and decisions, wins and losses,
and disappointment and triumph.   	

What will the Steelers’ record be and why?

“11-5, because Big Ben will
probably get sacked 30 more
times this season.”

“They’re doing well so far and i
think they will keep it up.”

Bill Campbell, ‘09

Nicole Provident, ‘09
sports

October 21, 2008

Ian Jackson

Swinging to the Top

Smoke Signals

Sports Briefs
“the highlight of our season”

Staff Writer

	
The Peters Township Varsity Boys Golf Team
has a reputation in the area as a powerhouse program.
The 2008 boys lived up to that reputation and then some.
They brought home a WPIAL Championship, and they
ended the season as the runner-up in the PIAA State
Playoffs. Chris Resnik, John Ross, Hunter Stanchik,
Corey Martinez, Taylor Relick, and Stephen Radke led
the team to their impressive accomplishments. I took
a few of these players and asked them about the past
season.
Q: How did it feel to finally break out and win the
WPIAL title with the tough competition in the
conference?
Corey Martinez: It was a pretty good feeling. It was like
our hard work finally paid off.
Hunter Stanchik: It was great. It was the best moment of
my life. I ate a five-dollar-foot long afterwards and also
gave my mom a kiss.
Steve Radke: I was so pumped. The rivalries that we
have in the conference just made it so much sweeter to
win it.
Q: Which accomplishment was your favorite this
season?
CM: I think I will go with PIAA runner-ups. I mean second
in the whole state was a cool experience and the whole
trip was really fun.
SR: I disagree. I am going to have to go with the WPIAL
Championship. As a wise man once said, “If you ain’t
first, you’re last.” I’m happy with our season if we just
beat USC, let alone win the WPIAL.
Q: What was the funniest moment of the season?
HS: The funniest moment was probably when we won
our semifinal match in the WPIAL playoffs, I took off my
shirt and rode the bull around the green. The other teams
got really angry and actually threatened me.
Q: If you could summarize the season in one word
what would it be?
SR: Glorious.
CM: Fun
HS: Domination.
Q: Ok, this is for Steve and Corey only. What will you

Taylor Relich

Football
(2-7)
Beating Baldwin in our first
AAAA section game
-Jack Hareza

Cross Country
(13-5)
Trick-or-treating in the hotel
up in Hershey
-Kayla Keddal

Girls Soccer
(15-1-2)
Beating Seneca Valley in
double over time
	
	
Photo By: Stephanie Lusk

guys miss most about the team next year when you
go off to college?
SR: I will just miss being one of the guys. I’ll miss the
coaches and the free golf. I will miss the sweet clothes
we get to wear.
CM: I will miss my teammates and the coaches. I will miss
John Ross’s stories and Hunter of course.

Tradition: Keep on Running
Sports Co-Editor

The boys’ and girls’ crosscountry teams have been built on
a tradition of success, and the 2008
campaign did not change that. The
teams had a combined record of 135, with the girls’ team having only
one loss to Mt. Lebanon. The girls’
team was not only impressive in the
team events, but also in
the individual tournaments.
Sophomore Kayla Keddal
qualified for the WPIAL meet
and placed seventh overall.
From there she advanced
on to the PIAA meet, which
was held November 1 at
Parkview Cross Country
Course in Hershey, PA.
Keddal finished sixth in
the entire state, running
a time of 18:14 in the 3.1mile event. Keddal was not
the only contributor to the
Indians success though.
“We all had to work together
because
cross-country
is not an individual effort;
every runner matters,”
said senior captain Bridget
Stasenko. She and Katie
Nerone anchored the girls’
team, with Wes Groll, Will Bowler, and

Ricky Palacios as their counterparts on
the boys’ team, all of whom have four
years of experience running for the
team. Several underclassmen were
also vital parts of the Indians’ winning
seasons such as Mike Chamberlin and
Jon Radolec for the boys, and Laura
Crummie and Melissa Zuccarini for the

Photo By: Samanha Higgins

11

girls.
“Cross-country
is
an
experience; the people, the
coaches, and the atmosphere are
all so different from other sports.
Cross-country is like a family,
not just a team,” said senior Bill
Campbell. He also mentioned
that his favorite parts
of the season were
getting to run at the
Tri-State tournament
and painting his face
for the WPIAL meet.
	 The Indians’ unity
and team chemistry
have boosted them
to success in what
some
believe
to
be
an
essentially
individual sport. With
the
hard-working
underclassmen
and
team
unity,
the Indians look to
press on to another
winning season in
2009, carrying on
the
seldom-noticed
tradition of PTCC. 	

-Courtney Hannan

Boys Soccer
(13-5-0)
The highlight of our
season was definitely
winning WPIALs and
getting to states
	
-Greg Weimer

Girls Golf
(16-1)
Making it to the Western Regionals
-Jesse Parham

Boys Golf
(16-2)
Winning WPIALs

-Chris Resnik

Volleyball
(14-11-1)
We won one game in
the USC match; they
were expected to
crush us!
	
-Julia Broglie

Field Hockey
(12-0-1)
Kayla Howard: Being
Section Champions
-Kayla Howard
Voices Hall
in the

What unique family traditions do you have for thanksgiving?

Freshman Zach Sewada
“I go to my grandma’s house”

Sophomore Eric Yechley
“We go to Florida”

Junior Juliana Makrinos
“We go to California”

Senior Megan Graysay
“We go around the table and
say why we are thankful”

What are you most thankful for this thanksgiving?

Freshman Nico Summaria
“Food on the table”

Sophomore Kurt Sickmund
“Veterans overseas”

Junior Tom Norton
“Friends and family”

Senior Ben Kennel
“Family”

What do the Teachers think?

Mrs. Polard
“Every Thanksgiving morning, my
family and I play flag football”

Mr. Sussman
“Hines Ward”

Mr. Maize
“About twenty family members
come to my house ”

The PT Minute

Ryan Cassaday

Favorite holiday tradition?
My family comes over for dinner
What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving?
Turkey
Last year for break, I went...
Nowhere
If you were a vegetarian, what would you eat
instead of turkey?
Tofu turkey
Any Thanksgiving disasters/special memories?
My mom burned our turkey
What float would you add to the Thanksgiving Parade?
A Coldplay float

Alison Forbrich
Favorite holiday tradition?
Playing flag football with my family
What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving?
Pumpkin roll
Last year for break, I went...
To my cousin’s house
If you were a vegetarian, what would you eat
instead of turkey?
Pasta
Any Thanksgiving disasters/special memories?
My dog’s birthday is on Thanksgiving
What float would you add to the Thanksgiving Parade?
A root beer float

Ms. Ring
“My family, the people here at
school, and my health”

Teac

her

MRS. GEARHART

Min

ute

Favorite holiday tradition?
Sharing what we are all
thankful for before we pray
for our meal
What’s your favorite
Thanksgiving food?
Turkey and Pecan Pie
Last year for break, I...
Walked with my children
Any Thanksgiving disasters?
I baked a Jello dessert in the
oven in place of a spinach
casserole
What float would you add to
the Thanksgiving Parade?
A float celebrating chemistry!

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Nov. 2008 Smoke Signals Issue 2

  • 1. Smoke Signals November 24, 2008 • volume 40 • issue 01 • Peters Township High School Congratulations PT Boys and Girls Soccer! Great Season! PT Fundraising Altered By State Policy Renée Wunderlich Editor -in-Chief Photos By: Stephanie Nitschmann and Kelsey Hoskins Students Selected for Westinghouse Honors Institute Andrea Briggs Assistant Editor Left to right: Erica Schwotzer, Julia Girouard, Ben Gauthier, and Claire LaRosa President-elect barack Obama takes office, makes history – page 3 Inside BEYOND THE BUBBLE SPOTLIGHT: THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN pITTSBURGH – page 9 opinion Sports cROSS cOUNTRY Season RUNS ON TRADITION – page 11 the same interests as they did. “I know that anything I learn in this program will help me narrow down what field of medicine and science I want to eventually pursue as a career, and having fun along the way is certainly the way to go,” said Schwotzer. features great thing to have on a résumé, and I know that I’ll enjoy myself, too.” Participants were also able to attend a special field trip to the nuclear reactor at Penn State University after the lecture on nuclear power and engineering. By participating, the students were able to interact and socialize with peers outside of their school that shared news Four PTHS juniors were recently selected to participate in the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute. The course consists of a series of lectures held on Saturday mornings, with topics ranging from meteorology and putting humans on Mars, to using human fat as a source of stem cells. After an intense application process, Erica Schwotzer, Claire LaRosa, Ben Gauthier, and Julia Girouard were the lucky applicants chosen to attend this program. “All of the speakers are very qualified and known in their field for their subject,” said junior Erica Schwotzer. “For the lecture on knee injuries and repairing the ACL, Dr. Freddie Fu will come and speak. I’m very excited to attend – my dad had the kind of injury that Dr. Fu is famous for masterfully repairing.” In order to apply, students had to complete an application form, as well as write a 100-word essay to be turned into the guidance office. Junior Ben Gauthier said, “It’s a Sprung up from concerns over the lack of nutritional value present in the average Sarris chocolate-covered pretzel, new standards are now in place to encourage the selling of products dubbed as healthier alternatives. Fruit and cheese, naturally low fat pretzels, specialty shaped pastas, boxes of citrus fruits, and bottled water with a PTHS label are some of the options suggested by the School District Administration. “I love chocolate and other candy,” said District Superintendent Dr. Nina Zetty, “but because some students, especially in the middle school and high school may not eat breakfast, we as a township should be able to provide them with something healthy that can give them the right kind of energy, rather than a sugar rush. Research has proven that students who grab a piece of fruit rather than a candy bar perform better in class, on tests, and in after school activities. We teach classes like Health and Personal Wellness, and need to start practicing what we preach.” Zetty supervises Peters Township’s district-wide approach to follow the guidelines set by the state of Pennsylvania to promote proper nutrition and physical fitness. The Board is also proposing alternative fundraisers such as Bowl-a-Thons, Fun-Runs, and horseshoe competitions in an effort to promote healthy physical activity. As far as material fundraisers are concerned, Board members suggest first-aid kits, bath accessories, and cookbooks for easy and healthy after-school snacks. “This is only one of the many aspects that will be changing to reflect the state’s new nutritional standards.” said Zetty, “A few years ago, soda machines were stocked with flavored water and fruit drinks, replacing more sugary drinks. That was another aspect of the Wellness Plan. The Plan does not limit the selling of candy items outside of school – it is the in-school environment that it focuses on.” While the School Board and other District Administrators are optimistic about the transition from junk food to healthy snacks, many students are reported as being uneasy to the change. “We should be able to choose what we eat,” said sophomore Andy Shope, “We should make those choices – not the state.” Through the selling of food during school through fundraisers is still permitted, all sales will be restricted until at least thirty minutes after the last lunch period. All fundraising projects must still be submitted for district approval – meaning they must pass through the principal’s office as well as be reviewed by the school board. Any questions concerning the new fundraising policy, nutritional standards, or activity guidelines, visit the district web page at http://www.ptsd.k12.pa.us/index.php. – page 4 Photo By: Casey Dunleavy Photo By: Amber Doerr
  • 2. reference November 24, 2008 Sunday 23 Monday 24 Tuesday 25 Smoke Signals Wednesday Thursday 26 27 28 1 2 3 9 10 1973: NASA’s Pioneer sends images of Jupiter NO SCHOOL 8 Pearl Harbor 1941 14 c e D 21 22 HANUKKAH begins at NO SCHOOL sundown Winter Begins 23 28 30 NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL Smoke Signals EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Renée Wunderlich ASSISTANT EDITOR Andrea Briggs LAYOUT EDITOR Emily Correal MANAGING EDITOR Katie Ellis 2 r e b m e 17 Slavery Abolished Smoke Signals is produced eight times during a school year by the students of Media II, III, IV Journalism and extracurricular staff at Peters Towship High School, 264 E. McMurray Road, McMurray PA 15317. Telephone: 724-941-6250 x.5379. E-mail: sitlern@pt-sd.org. Commentaries, reviews, and opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author and not of Smoke Signals, its advisor or the Peters Township School District. Member of the Pennsylvania School Press Association. 8 0 0 5 12 6 13 Frank Sinatra Born 1915 16 29 NO SCHOOL HANUKKAH ends at sundown 4 11 National Brownie Day 15 29 November 2008 National “Stay Home Because You’re Well” Day 7 Saturday NO SCHOOL Black Friday NO SCHOOL 30 Friday 24 NO SCHOOL 18 19 National Bake Cookies Day 25 26 NO SCHOOL CHRISTMAS 20 1988: NBC signs lease to stay in NYC for 33 years 27 NO SCHOOL 31 NO SCHOOL NEW YEAR’S EVE Sudoku NEWS EDITOR Stephanie Cotugno FEATURES EDITORS Dana Hoelle Bridget Stasenko Directions Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. The grid is 9x9, so all digits appear only one time on every row, column and in every box of 3x3. OPINION EDITOR Emily Estep SPORTS EDITOR Taylor Relich MARKETING EDITORS Shelby Miller Paige Burris STAFF WRITERS Gabrielle Brinsky, Amy Burzotta, Averi Clements, Conor Jackson, Ian Jackson, Colleen Lugar, Monica Paterra, Kaitlyn Richert, Matt Schilling, Matt Sikora, Bethany Suchy LAYOUT TEAM Shelby Miller, Paige Burris, Taylor Miller ADVISOR Mrs. Sitler Courtesy of www.mrbaxter.com
  • 3. news November 24, 2008 Stephanie Cotugno Smoke Signals Chemists’ Glowing Accomplishment News Editor Last summer at Hilton Head Island, junior Sean Berry was stung by a jellyfish. Berry had inadvertently swam into the middle of a jellyfish pond, which led the 16 year old in aching pain. The jellyfish had stung Berry on his ankle, which left him with many dark red lines around the wound. The wound stung at first, and then became itchy to Berry who had to endure the stinging pain until the wound healed a few days later. “I am not afraid of jellyfish,” stated Berry, “But it was definitely a scary experience.” On October 8, 2008, Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie, and Roger Y. Tsien won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP. GFP was first observed in a remarkable brightly glowing jellyfish, Aequorea victoria in 1962. Since the discovery of the protein, GFP has become one of the most important tools in contemporary bioscience. The acid of GFP has been used by researchers to develop ways to watch processes that were previously invisble like how cancer cells are spread by making cells organs, and tissues light up. The two American scientists, Tsien and Chalfie, and the one Japanese scientist, Shimomura, were presented with the award for the initial discovery of GFP, which has helped researchers use the protein as a glowing marker to watch the movements, interactions, and positions of different proteins. With the help of GFP, researchers have been able to look into specific diseases like the damage of nerve cells during Alzheimer’s disease, or how insulin-producing beta cells are created in the pancreas of a growing embryo. “It’s fascinating to think of how far we have come in the world of science over the centuries. What these scientists did was truly an amazing accomplishment,” stated Transition to Power, Transition to Change Kaitlyn Richert junior Carly Hancherick. Together, the three scientists brought together their talented skills to discover the protein and successfully accomplish their goal. Shimomura first isolated GFP from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. Then, Chalfie demonstrated the value of GFP as a genetic tag for various biological phenomenas. Finally, Tsien contributed to the general understanding of how GFP glows. He also extended the color palette beyond green allowing researchers to give various proteins and cells different colors, which enables scientists to follow several different biological processes at the same time. The three will share not only a title in history, but 1.4 million dollar prize. “This is all really cool, because jellyfish sting thousands of people every year, but they have the ability to help save millions,” stated senior Jack Hareza. Backstage Pass Gabrielle Brinsky Staff Writer Staff Writer As the final curtain of the 2008 presidential election closes, the future of America will be in the hands of the man who will be our new president: Barack Obama. The young and charismatic politician from Illinois steps into the White House with only one mission– change. His motives have been questionable among citizens, as they wonder if the concept of fighting for change is something the country is ready to accomplish. However, the majority of students who voted for Obama on November 4 believe that this election will have a positive impact on their generation. ”I believe Obama was the right choice because he understands that we need change. Our ‘trickle down’ theory hasn’t worked in the past, and personally, I don’t think it will now,” stated junior Devan Vachon. Although more than three fourths of high school students weren’t old enough to vote, many held preference to one candidate in the election. Regardless of whether or not some students could vote, many held colossal beliefs that determined their personal opinion. social security, and their future. The video also stresses that by voting, one can make an effective impact in our country’s development. After viewing the video, they emphasize sending the link to five friends, “America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for this country that we love.” – Barack Obama What’s better than watching history unfold? Being a part of it. The positive message of campaign ads caused young citizens to vote. The popular YouTube video, “Five Friends,” features celebrities directing the importance of voting to concepts such as ,global warming, financial disasters, healthcare, education, What In The World...? so the message may be passedon. Influential campaign ads such as “Five Friends” have ultimately helped the number of young voters multiply. This year, an estimated 22 to 24 million young people voted in this election, an increase in turnout of at least 2.2 million over the 2004 election.While young citizens saw the 2008 election as an immediate opportunity for a change in the entire nation, they also concluded how it would greatly affect their own generation. This election will impact everyone in some way, but students are concerned with how the election will affect the cost of education, as well as the economy. These concepts are essential to consider, since many students will soon be entering college or venturing out into the job market. Points such as these were prerequisites when students determined which candidate should receive their vote. T h e 2 0 0 8 election will undoubtedly go down in history, not only for obvious reasons, but also because this was the first election that reached out and grabbed young Americans’ attention. As the final decision was made, America welcomes their new, confident leader in playing a role in the change in America. The typical teenager loves music, whether they’re blasting it through headphones or in a car. Of course, everyone’s favorite genre of music differs according to his or her own personality. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability and talent to make your own music? Well why not support the ones who can, who are brave enough to go on stage and perform. There are multiple bands that participate; our school is lucky enough to have a band that participates in Battle of the Bands. It is an event that’s put together to encourage students from different high schools to attend. The bands that come play to gain the winners title. Each school has a chance to host the battle of the bands. The last event was October 13, held at PTHS cafeteria. “I went to support my friend’s band, and didn’t expect it to be that exciting,” sophomore Rachel Belack remarked. Band members are given a total of 40 tickets to sell to their peers. The price is five dollars in advance, and eight dollars at the door. The event usually sells out and the cafeteria is packed. Peter’s band is called PITA. “We came up with the name PITA before we started the band. It stands for Pancakes In The Afterlife;” said senior band member Adam Meyers. Members of PITA include Meyers, Keith Quinn, Trevor Oliver, and Jake Locke. The last event sold t-shirts and had a DJ. They performed on a stage and encouraged the crowd to cheer. “I was really pumped about the crowd’s participation; three kids got broken limbs, no one saw that one coming,” commented senior Keith Quinn. When the results were eventually revealed, they were proud to hear that PITA came out on top. But who will become victorious on December 30th? Compiled by Katie Ellis “It’s a hard knock life for us!” German inmate Hans Lang took a page out of Annie and hid himself in a box of dirty laundry in order to escape jail. The box was then packaged and loaded onto a FedEx truck. At the next stop, Lang tore himself out of the box, picked the lock, and escaped into the nearby woods. A spokesman in charge of the group hunting the criminal said, “It’s the kind of thing people think only happens in films – but in this case, it’s very real.” A dying dog in East Finchley, London had his life restored by a very unusual drug – Viagra. After lungworm spread to one of Bently-the-dog’s heart artery, owner David Roach rushed his pooch to the vet. Veterinarian Ben Harris administered the drug to relax the blood vessels and, luckily, it worked. Bently will now have to use Viagra for the rest of his life, though it will not have the same effect on him that it would on a human. The restoration of First Churches in Northampton’s 180-year-old pipe organ has been delayed indefinitely because four delicate pipes have been damaged. The pieces were damaged after a homeless man mistook the pipes to be rolled-up rugs and preceded to take a nap. The damage he caused is estimated to be about $15,000, but the church will not press charges. Halloween’s come a little late this year for an elderly woman who has been living with two skeletons and one badly decomposed body of her siblings for at least twenty years. Authorities discovered the remains in covered in sheets in various parts of the Evanston, Illinois home, but do not suspect any foul play. The woman, whose name has not been released to the public, has been taken into a facility for care, and autopsies will be performed on the bodies as quickly as possible.
  • 4. features November 24, 2008 Speak OUT what should Obama’s numberone priority be once he takes office? “He needs to work on attaining world peace” - Eric Zalewski Senior Smoke Signals Tough Medicine for Tough Acne Bridget Stasenko Features Editor Acne is a problem that most teenagers struggle with. It can be embarrassing and can leave long term scaring. I suffer from acne, and have tried every face wash, antibiotic, and topical cream out there, but nothing worked. My doctor finally suggested one last option: the controversial acne drug, Accutane. I have only been on Accutane a couple of months but it has already been a roller coaster. First, my skin completely dried out. Then, I got a severe rash all over my arms, forcing me to take another medicine to treat the rash.  My skin cleared up at first, but then some acne returned. My dermatologist said my skin was going to get worse before it got better.  Hopefully, I will start seeing major improvements by the end of next month. Accutane is an oral acne medicine people take when they have severe acne, and is nothing more than vitamin A. It helps reduce the oil in your skin allowing the skin to renew itself more quickly. A doctor may suggest Accutane after topical creams and other antibiotics prove to be unsuccessful. For clear skin, the drug is usually taken Monica Paterra for four to six months.  So why is this medicine so controversial? In order to receive an Accutane treatment, you have to go through a system called IPLEDGE. This program is designed regulate Accutane and use it in the safest way possible. The IPLEDGE system requires female patients to go on a form of birth control, answer questions monthly online, and have two forms of pregnancy tests done. Both males and females must have blood work taken every month. After all of these requirements are completed, the doctor is then allowed to write the prescription. The prescription must be picked up within seven days, or you will have to wait until the next month to start the treatment. If you miss a dose then you have to wait until the next day to take it as to not overdose on the medication. If an overdose does occur seek emergency help immediately. The reason Accutane causes fear in users is due to its severe side effects. The biggest concern is  that Accutane causes life-threatening birth defects if the patient should get pregnant while taking the medicine. A baby’s ears, face, eyes, skull, heart and brain can be affected in just one dose. The doctors and the IPLEDGE program stress this point. Other side effects to the patient include hives, difficulty breathing, depression, severe dryness, blurred vision, hearing loss, fast heart rate, hallucinations, seizures, and severe stomach pain.  While on Accutance, patients should not give blood. If they do give blood and a pregnant woman happens to receive the blood, it could cause birth defects to her child. Accutane patients should avoid sun light, waxing, and taking vitamin supplements that include Vitamin A.  Accutane is a potentially dangerous medication, but it has an 80% success rate. Every patient responds differently to the drug, but some users start to notice a difference after a couple of weeks. Accutane is a tough medicine, but it can clear tough acne. Text Messaging Hazards Staff Writer “Obviously, the economy needs to improve .” - Zoltan Latinovich Junior “He needs to make the economy better.” - Sara Cavolo Sophomore “The economy needs to be reformed.” - Nicole Monti Freshman Most people agree that life without electronics would be very difficult. Since the 1980s, technology has been booming and taken over a BIG part of American culture, transforming the typical American’s way of life. One of the biggest means of communicating today is a little hand-held device known as a cell phone. The advent of the cell phone soon led to another form of communication known as text messaging. Although this way of communicating with friends may seem fun and hassle-free, using it at the wrong place and time comes with consequences. The state of California is considering banning the use of cell phones while driving a vehicle. “We have had far too many tragic incidents around the country that are painful proof that this is a terrible problem,” stated California senator Joe Simitian, in a recent New York Times article. Residents of California are now required to use a hands-free device while in conversation behind the wheel. Ever since phones were transformed into portable instant messaging devices, the number of messages sent worldwide has increased into the billions. According to the Cellular Telephone Industries Association, in June of this year, approximately 75 billion text messages were sent in the United States alone, compared to 7.2 billion in 2005. Researchers believe that texting while in the course of another activity can cause injury. Hospitals are treating more patients flowing into the emergency rooms from cell phone related accidents, such as head injuries resulting from car crashes. Research was recently conducted by Nielsen Mobile, which kept track of 50,000 phone accounts. They concluded that Americans sent out more text messages than phone calls, 357 to 204. In today’s society, text messaging seems to take precedent over phone calls. Because texting has become a major aspect of communication, it is beginning to interfere with safety. Although cell phones may be an easy way out to making a call, accidents can always happen with the touch of a button. Beyond the Bubble: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Renée Wunderlich Assistant Editor This month, we focus on The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB), a non-profit organization fights against hunger by providing food for the less fortunate. The Food Bank participates in food pantries, shelters, after-school programs, soup kitchens emergency-related food stations, and Meals on Wheels. Through the selfless dedication of Board members, staff, and volunteers, GPCFB is able to serve an estimated 18 million pounds of food per year to the less fortunate. The Food Bank is also a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading charity organization for hunger-relief. Sadly, 11.6% of all Pennsylvania residents live in poverty (2007 American Community Survey, US Census). There are 16.4% of children 18 and under in Allegheny that live in poverty. And because junk food costs more than ten times less than healthy food, the majority of those eighteen and under in poverty-stricken homes are suffering from poor health, involving inadequate nutrition and developmental complications. (Children’s Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP) February 2007 report “Food Stamps as Medicine” http://doc2.bumc.bu.edu/csnappublic/) When it comes to the world of modern food banking, opportunities to contribute to GPCFB are growing through the web. There is now a Virtual Drive, located on the organization’s website, where monetary donators can contribute directly to the types of food/supplies they wish to give (ex. $13.00 may be donated specifically for buying peanut butter). The organization also holds multiple events on a monthly basis, including drives, auctions, and even regular Steelers events. To volunteer for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, log on to http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/ to join the mailing list, email a local volunteer coordinator, or organize a food donation to end hunger in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
  • 5. features November 2008 Dress Code Daze Assistant Editor Colleen Lugar Amy Burzotta Thankful for Health: Eat in Moderation Thanksgiving Break is almost here! But after all that Halloween candy was consumed it could be hard to resist all the temptations a Thanksgiving feast brings us. We all know candy is bad for us, but you have to realize that a typical Thanksgiving meal could be just as destructive. An average person eats roughly 4,500 calories per day during this holiday. This is nearly double our calorie needs compared to a usual day. Did you know it would take over forty miles of walking to burn that all off? Yes, you get your servings of vegetables from your green beans and high intake of protein from all that turkey, but you might be more hesitant for a second helping once informed about the calorie and fat content. Our bodies will be thanking us for later if we choose to pay attention to the nutritional facts now. As far as serving sizes goes, feel free to try everything, but keep the pies, sweet drinks, and heavy cream-based dishes to a minimum. These foods are simply empty calories, and will not keep you full long enough. This could lead to going back for more leftovers than you would like. The nutrients that keep you full are the amount of protein and fiber inside food. Protein can be found in turkey, beans and nuts. Fiber provides you with sustained energy and a sufficient amount of nutrients, and can be found in green vegetables, carrots, and oats. When filling your plate, try to have more vegetables and protein packed foods to fill up on rather than the usual carbohydrates found in breads, stuffing and mashed potatoes. Just cutting back on carbohydrates alone will save you from gaining the typical ten pounds over the holidays. With this in mind, a second, third or fourth helping of your favorite dish is going to make a difference. This special holiday only comes once a year, and a brisk thirty-minute jog could potentially help burn up to 100 calories or more; just don’t go back to the leftovers afterwards. It is important to realize we just don’t need to consume that many calories in one day. It is not necessary to cut yourself off completely from all of those specially prepared recipes, but everything in moderation is the way to go. Food Turkey Serving Size 3.5 ounces Calories 160 Total Fat (g) 4 Sat. Fat (g) 1 Butter 1 tablespoon 100 11 7 Sweet Potato Casserole 7 ounces 470 17 6 Pumpkin Pie 1/8 of twelve inch pie 1/8 of twelve inch pie 320 15 5 500 25 5 Corn bread 2 inch slice 170 5 1 Cranberry Sauce Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole Cooked Carrots Stuffing 1 cup 418 1 1 1 cup 160 9 3 1 cup 1 cup 50 110 1 3 1 0 Mashed Potatoes ½ cup 125 3 0 Egg Nog 1 cup 342 19 11 Staff Writer FAshion underpants, no matter how adorable the plaid boxers may be. As far as girls are concerned, visible bra straps and other unmentionables are prohibited as well. Excessive cleavage or other clothing deemed to be immodest will also require you to make a quick change into something a little more appropriate. So with all these restrictions, what can you wear? As long as it’s not something you wouldn’t wear in front of your grandma, you should be okay. Long pants are always in fashion, and if it truly is too hot to wear them, Bermuda/cargo shorts and kneelength skirts are wonderful substitutes… if they’re all in one piece. Lightweight cardigans or zip-up sweaters can easily cover up bra strap slips and keep you warm, and hoodies are the perfect way to show support for a school organization. Staff Writer Pecan Pie Winter Wear Andrea Briggs Now that the first nine weeks have passed, most students have become acquainted with the rules of the school. Unfortunately, one of the most overlooked parts of the handbook deals with the dress code, and it’s time for a refresher course. However, with the ever-changing fashions of today, what is a style-savvy student to do? While it might be autumn now, the weather is steadily getting colder. You wouldn’t wear mile-high shorts and bare your shoulders in the middle of a snowstorm, would you? You also wouldn’t wear them in school, according to the dress code. Shorts and skirts must be fingertip length, and for the guys, muscle shirts are a no-go. Torn jeans or shorts aren’t allowed, and pants that are not properly secured about the waist are not acceptable. (And really, gentlemen, is that difficult to wear a belt correctly?) We don’t want to see your Smoke Signals As the seasons change, so does fashion. If you remember these three things when you’re shopping, you’ll be staying warm and still looking great. 1. Signature Scarves When the temperature feels like it’s negative 10 degrees, all anyone wants to do it bundle up in their warmest attire, purchasing that signature scarf can help do that. So try a scarf if you have a plain sweater and need something to spice it up or you’re just attempting to keep warm. Popular styles include animal prints, and darker colors such as a deep pinks and blues. Sold at numerous stores including HM, Forever 21, and Delia’s, a scarf is a must have for all of the cold nights we have ahead of us. 2. Stylish Sweater Vests A plain sweater in a gorgeous color is a definite must have. But you may need to make is a bit more interesting; this can be done by adding a sweater vest over top. There are countless styles and patterns to chose from including argyle, checkered, deep v-necks, or bold colors. Add a little zest to your plain sweater with a vest. 3. Beautiful, Big-Collared Sweaters When going out for a fun night this winter, we all obviously want to look cute but still stay warm. A sweater with a big collar is the perfect fit. A stylish big collar is a must have look with beautiful shades such as crèmes and maroons. Add your own touch with a bracelet or necklace, and then you’re ready to go out and have a good time with your friends. Keep these three trends in mind when
  • 6. ry HistoOW MANY H o High SchoT l A A PLACE TH ESS HAS NO REC You Know You’re THE TALE OF FROM DIFFERENT NATIONS,ORLD, ALL ACROSS THE W PENGAINED THEIR INDE DENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN a Senior If... You Know You’re 5. Your favorite chann Yo 10. clo u know how many times th 4. ck blinks in one e colon on the period 9. You show up to schoo l in the same clo 3. you slept in thes You think to yo ur e 2. 8. more than four timseslf “Why am I still here?” a day, quite poss to three times a ibly up period You have mem 1. orized every sin 7. painting, and decoration in y gle poster, classrooms our teachers’’ Y 6. o ou can tell someone a reca p of any TV show n any given day You n 5. teachfir d yourself trying to talk e s into blowing off class and all your movie instead watch a You act 4. problem ually find yourself doin encet to e g a m to see how low Sci temp d th of a grade you ath get and pass a cla can ss t 3. You know the shortest ways to class bu t take you can talk to y our friends You’re often see n in h 2. on your face from falltine hallway with marks g asleep on your Again. desk. 1. You find the blu will be put in yo e prints for the new spa th at ur room next yea r the long ones so anguagHeER L T MO H AT YO U R O V I E S W C L A I M S MN’T WA N T S H E D O E S H A S TO O E YO U TO S E H O F MUC Bill Amend You bring your tex you can have som to bed You regularly ma leaders in the pas understands them e You can name ev alphabetical order You are able to n he was born, his how many kids he allergies... all in un n a an An erst ofte ig B d d un orl ains are w nt hat y Co ds t ssar e r Wo nnec u You Might Be A S 5. Yo u ha ve th e Mo le Yo ur girlfrien d bre 4. yo u ha ve no ch emis he r wron g using va 3. As a child , yo u toaste r ou t th e flig ht pa th 2. Yo u kn ow wh at “g to sh ou t it du rin g You have no p 1. understandin www.foxtrot.com
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  • 8. opinion October 21, 2008 Under Pressure Don’t Text While You…Walk. Matthew Sikora Dana Hoelle Staff Writer If you play sports then you have a chance of getting a concussion. You may not think the headaches that you receive from falling or getting hit in the head are serious, but you must be very careful in dealing with severe headaches. The leading cause of concussions is a hard blow received to the head. There are three different types of concussions. A type one concussion causes a temporary change in mental state. This includes trouble focusing and confusion, which usually resolves within fifteen minutes. A type two concussion has similar symptoms, but it lasts longer than fifteen minutes. A type three concussion will result in a loss of consciousness. Information from www.mayoclinic. com Kurt Thyreen, a high school football player, kept his concussion a secret and did not tell his dad. During one of his football games, he took Smoke Signals many hard blows but kept it a secret from his parents and the coach. The next week his headaches were so severe that he could not play in his school band. Thyreen did not say anything until the next game, when he ran off of the field complaining that he could not uncross his eyes. He had a stroke on the field that paralyzed his left side. Thyreen was taken to the hospital where the doctors found a clot on the right side of his brain. The swelling was past the point of being helped. Five days later, Thyreen died. If you are playing any sport with physical contact and feel major headaches, report them to your coach or parents immediately. You should not play any physical sport if you have headaches or feel dizzy. Don’t try to play if you still have a headache. This will cause the symptoms to continue and increase in severity. One of the greatest reasons that the players do not say that they have headaches is that they feel pressure of having to play all the time, to be able to get a chance at a scholarship. You will still be able to play in college if you get a concussion. If you miss one or two games because you have a concussion, that will not alter whether or not you get a scholarship. Another reason is that the players want to impress the coach, their parents, and their friends. Even if they have a serious headache, they do not want to tell anybody because they don’t think it is serious. All players should report headaches to the coach or their parents immediately to decrease the chances of a concussion. Got Facts? Emily Estep Staff Writer After a grueling two years of campaigning, Barack Obama pulled off a landslide victory over John McCain, winning by more than six million votes. However, the greatest question still remains: Did America know who it was voting for? Radio announcer Howard Stern recently performed an experiment in which he asked individuals in Harlem, New York, who they were voting for and why. When the subjects responded that they were supporting Obama, Stern followed up with questions about whether they agreed with “Obama’s” views of supporting the War in Iraq, being prolife, and his vice-presidential pick of Sarah Palin. A shocking number of people that were put on-air during Stern’s broadcast agreed that they supported “Obama’s” views… even though they actually comprised John McCain’s platform. Howard Stern’s startling broadcast is just one of many cases in which citizens were completely uninformed about the candidate they intended on voting for. The founding fathers of this country attempted to prohibit uneducated citizens from voting by only allowing white male landowners – the educated individuals of the time – to vote in elections. What has our country come to that we do not know whom we are voting for or why we are voting for him or her? I urge all voters, whether Democrat or Republican, not to vote in the next election unless they know what their candidate supports… and preferably who their vice-presidential selection is. He saying it to, rather than paying attention to what you were doing before your phone vibrated. And thinking that “Well I don’t have to look at the screen to text,” isn’t the answer. In reality it does not matter because your brain is still doing two things at once, and one is likely to get less attention than the other. Your reaction time is slower when you text, and it prevents you from paying close attention to your surroundings. You will not have enough time to react while before completely wiping out. “I once was texting while walking down the stairs, and I completely fell. It was not a good experience,” stated senior Kristina Gaudy. For many, it is hard to live without texting. So the best thing to do is to manage how, when, and where you text. Next time, to avoid injury, use good judgment, and think before you text. We’ve all heard, “don’t text while you drive,” but have you ever heard someone say, “Don’t text while you walk?” You’ve probably seen a person bump into someone else or trip over something, all while texting, but believe it or not, people can also get seriously hurt from doing this. Reports of injuries caused by texting on the move are increasing, and I think we can all agree that we need to be more vigilant about this issue. The problem with texting while you’re walking is obvious: people can’t handle the task of multitasking. No matter how alert we are, the human brain just is not capable of giving full concentration to doing multiple things at once. You are putting yourself in danger when texting while doing something that demands your full attention. “When texting, you are too busy worrying about where your fingers are on the keypad, what you are saying, and who you are Entertainer of the Year: Tina Fey Taylor Miller Staff Writer Said Opinion Editor The year 2008 is coming to a close, so who should be crowned entertainer of the year? Tina Fey. Many know Fey has been skyrocketing in the industry since her days on Saturday Night Live (SNL), writing box office gold such as Mean Girls, but this year is her best yet. In 2008 alone her television show 30 Rock won a boatload of Emmy’s. She starred in a number one movie at the box office, Baby Mama, and resurrected SNL with her Sarah Palin impression. Tina Fey created, stars in, and writes the phenomenal NBC comedy 30 Rock, which was nominated for 17 Emmys this year and won 7, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead actress. 30 Rock currently holds the record for most Emmys ever nominated for a single comedy series in one year. The current season of Saturday Night Live is doing well, almost purely because of veteran Fey, who used to be a member and writer of the show. A recent episode featuring Fey doing an impression of politician Sarah Palin produced the highest ratings for the show in 14 years. The ratings for SNL have been slowly declining up until this point, and Tina Fey has single-handedly pulled it from the dust and brought it into the mainstream once again. When 38 year-old Fey wasn’t starring in or writing for huge television shows and movies this year, she somehow found time to raise her 3-year old daughter Alice. She was also a very involved member of the Writer’s Strike earlier in the year and signed a book deal in October. Reportedly, the book deal was worth more than 5 million dollars. It is predicted to be a nonfiction humor. She Said Ian Jackson Amy burzotta What would be an ideal Christmas gift? What would be an ideal Christmas gift? Xbox games A car! Do you think there should be a price limit when shopping for a boyfriend or girlfriend? Do you think there should be a price limit when shopping for a boyfriend or girlfriend? No, the price doesn’t matter, if he’s going to like it. No, if I think she’d like it I’ll get it anyway. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Sweet potatoes with brown sugar and pecans What is your favorite holiday dessert? What would be the perfect New Years evening? What would be the perfect New Years evening? Hanging out with a bunch of people at some one’s house. Pumpkin Pie Going downtown to a nice restaurant and watching the ball drop on TV with everyone.
  • 9. opinion October 21, 2008 How to Escape the Bubble: Top 10 things to do in Pittsburgh Amy Burzotta Smoke Signals Movie Reviews Staff Writer When Peters Township comes to mind, fun and eventful probably aren’t the best adjectives. Picture a typical Friday night. It’s been a long week, you can’t wait hang out with friends and get out. You and your friends think, “what should we do?” Then you all remember, “Wow there is absolutely nothing to do here in good ol’ PT.” Here is a list of top ten things to do in Pittsburgh, PA. Hopefully this helps you get out Friday night. 10. Andy Warhol Museum Striking and intriguing both describe the Andy Warhol Museum. All different sorts of paintings and pictures are located here, making it a fun and interesting place to be. Junior Pat Walker says, “His paintings really show that he wasn’t afraid to express himself and share his views of life. I would definitely recommend everyone visits the museum.” 9. Laser Storm This may not be the ideal Friday night activity, but it is definitely something different to try. According to laserstorm.org, this pleasurable place is located on 7715 McKnight Road. Laser Storm offers not only laser tag, but food, drinks, and a private party room. 8. Tanger Outlets You better stuff your wallet if you plan on spending a day at the new Tanger Outlets. Located in Washington, this shopping center is the place to be. Old Navy, Guess, American Eagle, and (my personal favorite) Coach, are just a few of the high-quality stores there. Tangeroutlet.com/Washington provides a list of all stores, deals, and coming attractions. 7. Station Square Always find cause for celebration, but where should you celebrate? Station Square offers great restaurants, including Hard Rock, the Melting Pot, and Buccs di Peppo. At night there is a gorgeous view, and Station Square is always a popular place to be. Whether or not you are celebrating a sixmonth anniversary or just partying with the girls, Station Square is definitely a great option. 6. Dave and Buster’s What better place to kick back, relax, and enjoy some gaming than Dave and Busters? Dave and Buster’s offers many things, from restaurants, to a place to watch the big sports game, to finally getting that high score on your favorite video game. Dance Dance Revolution, Nothing But Net, and Super Trivia are just a few of the games there. 5. Ice Skating at PPG Rink There is no better way to enjoy the season than with some iceskating in the city. Whether you’re going with friends, family, a boyfriend or girlfriend it’ll be lots of fun. With a beautifully lit tree in the middle, it’s the place to make some memories. So grab your scarf and gloves, and come have a good time. 4. South Side Located on Carson Street, in the South Side Wroks is a great shopping center with the famous Cheesecake Factory. After a long hard day of shopping from stores such as Forever 21, HM, and Puma, there is no better place to relax and have great meal. Choosing your dinner from the long menu at the Cheesecake Factory can be difficult but it’s much more difficult to choose from over twenty-five different kinds of mouth-watering, moist, delicious cheesecakes. 3. Seven Springs Powdery snow, clear skies, and good weather are the ideal conditions for every skier, and Seven Springs offers these sorts of conditions. This ski resort is a great place where skiers and non-skiers can have a good time. Because it offers not only slopes, you can also kick back in the movie theater, go bowling, or enjoy a swim in the indoor pool. Seven Springs offers something for everyone. 2. Mount Washington A breathtaking view and delectable dishes are just two of the things Mount Washington has to offer. A night walk along the outskirts of the city will give you a beautiful view of it. If you are looking for a fancier place for celebration, Mount Washington is the perfect place for you with restaurants like Bella Vista, Cliffside, and Grandview. 1. Pittsburgh Light Up Night Pittsburgh Light up Night only comes around once a year, and it is definitely an event you do not want to miss. November 21 is when the city kicks off the holiday season. Not only does it give you a beautiful view, but the PPG rink opens that day and there are all sorts of restaurants around there. So bring your friends, family, and everyone you know for a stunning evening in Pittsburgh. PT may not be the most exciting place in the world but going into the city or shopping at the new outlets can sure help you be entertained on your fun, relaxing weekend. As Seen on TV: Products Worth Buying Bethany Suchy Staff Writer Day after day, hundreds of infomercials flash across our television screens. While most of them are ignored, have you ever considered actually buying something? After interviews with different people and testing various products, many of these infomercial items are actually worth buying. Ignore the ridiculous slogans and terrible acting because these products work. The Bender Ball, tested by junior Shannon Smith, is a premium exercise tool. According to www. asseenontv.com, this soft rubber ball is designed to target your abdominals, thighs, arms, shoulders, and back. Equipped with an exercise video, learn the different exercise techniques to get into the best shape of your life. It is portable and affordable with a diameter of 65 cm and only one payment of $9.95. “I really like the bender ball because it is easy to use, but it gives an excellent workout,” said Smith. A best selling product on television is the Ped Egg. Without spending large sums of money on pedicures, the Ped Egg allows you to get the spa experience at home. What does this incredible item do? The Ped Egg, which conveniently fits into the palm of your hand, removes calluses from the foot, making your feet look flawless. Brittany Woodrow, a junior, exclaimed, “I never thought the Ped Egg would actually work. It is simple to use and works effectively every time.” In the foods category, the magical Green Bags were tested. These plastic bags claim to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for many weeks. Twenty bags can be purchased for one payment of $9.95. Over 40 million bags have been sold, and the number keeps increasing. I tested out these bags myself, and I can honestly say they work. I used the bags on various fruits and vegetables and they did remain fresh for weeks. This product will satisfy customers and is eco-friendly. Although As Seen on TV products may seem strange, they are efficient, inexpensive and are worth buying. Changeling Emily Estep Opinion Editor Changeling is a long movie. It is roughly two hours and twenty minutes long. This just goes to show, how truly fantastic it is, because for all one hundred and forty minutes, it is entirely engrossing. Changeling is about the true story of single woman named Christine Collins, whose son goes missing. The movie takes place in the late 1920s when the LAPD was considered to be almost completely corrupt and frowned upon by the masses. In an attempt to fix their reputation, they then return, or should I say replace, the son. Collins then spends a majority of the movie trying to convince the police that the boy they gave her, is not her son, and that he is still out there, in serious potential danger. Angelina Jolie portrays Christine Collins brilliantly, in such a way that really connects the audience to the character. That is not to say, however, that her performance out shadows that of John Malkovich, who plays a local reverend fixed on the idea of taking down the LAPD and is one of the few who believes in Collins from the beginning. His character is perhaps the strongest in the whole movie, putting him in the spotlight for a potential Oscar nomination, along with Jolie. The entire cast was flawless to the point that even minor characters shine. Changeling is dark, a little bit disturbing, and incredibly entertaining from start to finish. As one of the first ‘Oscar movies’ of the year to be released, it sets a high standard for the rest of the hopefuls. One of Clint Eastwood’s bests, and that’s saying something, it will not go down without a fight this awards season. Role Models Amy Burzotta Staff Writer Hilarious, hilarious, hilarious. Those are the three descriptive words I would use to describe Role Models. Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin’,) are just three of the ridiculous characters that make up the cast. Wheeler (Scott) and Danny (Rudd) are two energy drink sales reps who are sentenced to 150 hours of community service, mentoring kids. Wheeler is given a troubled little boy who has the mouth of 10 sailors, while Danny mentors a nerdy teen boy interested in dragons and quidditch. At first dreading this task, Danny and Wheeler come to realize this is not such a chore. The two kids end up teaching them about themselves and responsibility. With (many) screw-ups, and (many) laughs along the way, Role Models is definitely a must see hysterical comedy of the season.
  • 10. 10 sports October 21, 2008 Shaving the Ice: Pens off to a Solid Start Connor Jackson Smoke Signals Brady’s Abrasion Injures NFL Matt Schilling Staff Writer The Pittsburgh Penguins are the defending Eastern Conference Champions, but the 2008-2009 team has changed greatly since last season. Some key players, including left-wingers Ryan Malone and Marian Hossa, signed deals with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings. But with newcomers Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko in the lineup, the Pens should be on their way to another Stanley Cup appearance. They have started off with a respectable record of 9-4. Centers Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are leading the team in points, with twentyfour and nineteen points respectively. Crosby is becoming more and more of a veteran captain of this hockey club. He has earned the hype that he has F I S H T A N K Staff Writer received over the past couple of years, with players such as center Tyler Kennedy and defenseman Brooks Orpik contributing as well. This is an talented young team that has started the season with a winning attitude. The Penguins haven’t been a really great team and lacked playoff experience in the past. They had the worst record in the league until rookie sensation Sydney Crosby was drafted in 2005. They have finally proven to the hockey community that they can live up to the challenge of being a source of attraction in the city of Pittsburgh. With the new stadium expected to be completed by 2011 and the talented players performing at such a high intensity, the future of the Penguins looks to be a great success. In Conclusion of Fall Sports in PTHS: Renée Wunderlich, Editor-In-Chief Averi Clements After tearing his ACL on September 7, 2008, reports show that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady underwent a second surgery. The first surgery, conducted on October 6, was not as successful as his doctors had first thought it would be due to complications involving an infected knee. The wound was reopened to see how it was healing, and Brady was put on an antibiotic to treat the infection. Even though doctors believe that Brady will be healthy after six to eight weeks of physical rehabilitation, some rumors state that Brady may not be completely healed by the start of next season. Although the Patriots are third in their division, the race continues to remain extremely tight. They sit right behind Brett Favre and the New York Jets and the much-improved Miami Dolphins with the Buffalo Bills just barely trailing behind. Second-string quarterback Matt Cassel, who has temporarily replaced Brady, is being pressured from every angle. With Brady, the Patriots would win with ease against teams such as the Miami Dolphins, but after he was injured and replaced with Cassel, Miami proved to be too much for the team to handle. However, the Patriots have continued to prove that they are still a viable contender; the New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts have been the only other teams to defeat them so far. Cassel has contributed greatly to their success, shattering all doubts and leading the team in a way that not many backup quarterbacks could. Besides, replacing a player who has claimed NFL records, gone 16-0 in the 2007-2008 regular season, and won a Superbowl in his first year as a starter is not an easy task. Even with Cassel’s talent and leadership skills, it is hard to say just how far the Patriots will go in the race to the Superbowl this year… and how the NFL will handle the loss of their biggest star. Whether you like it or not, Tom Brady and wide-receiver Randy Moss are a lethal combination, making for some heart-pounding NFL action during every game. Add the rest of the New England’s gifted offense and impeccable defense and the results are spectacular. The NFL lost a considerable amount of appeal and luster due to Brady’s injury. Many fans pay top dollar to see him play football. Even for fans of other teams, Brady was entertaining for a simple reason: he scores a lot of points. For many people, the Patriots’ games aren’t worth going to or watching if he doesn’t play. Due to fans not paying for front-row seats and the loss of motivation to watch the games, the NFL loses money for every game Brady misses. Back on the Mat Staff Writer New coaches, new wrestlers, new season – no one is quite sure what effect these changes will have on the wrestling team. After winning a total of only four matches in the past two years, one can hope that things will only improve from here. With the addition of Head Coach Jason Carpetta and Assistant Coach Andy Shrader, fingers are crossed that the old truth “change is good” will stand. Coach Carpetta’s claim to fame was bringing Fort Cherry’s varsity team back from the brink, ultimately becoming the most successful wrestling coach in the school’s history. There is no doubt in his mind that he will be able to bring this talented group of athletes to success as well. “The most important thing I want to give the team is a good sense of pride,” said Coach Carpetta. The coaches will not be the only deciding factors UnderReview “13-3, because the Steelers are AMAZING!” Meredith Karavolis, ‘11 in the wrestling team’s record this year; the wrestlers themselves are ultimately going to be the ones who have the greatest effect on the scoreboard. It will certainly not be an easy journey – the team lost five seniors to graduation last year, two of which qualified for WPIALs. Many former wrestlers will also not be participating in the 2008-2009 season due to injuries and conflicts of interest. However, younger wrestlers will be moving up from the Junior Varsity team to fill in the empty weight classes and compete for some that are already taken. The veteran participants are ready to do their own part in improving the team as well. Many wrestlers began preparing themselves long before there was so much as a whisper of after-school conditioning, governed by nothing but their own motivation. “If I hadn’t started conditioning before the season started, I think I would die during practices and matches,” said junior Taylor DiBart. As any athlete will tell you, though, enthusiasm provides only a stepstool to victory. The wrestlers must concentrate on becoming stronger, both physically and technically. “I wrestle guys who are bigger and stronger than me every year,” said senior Taylor Miller. “I make up for that by being better conditioned and outsmarting them.” With the team’s first match approaching on December 17, there is still time to make the most of a fresh start. The Indians are refusing to relinquish their future to chance. They are and will continue to take down the obstacles in their path, holding their heads high through it all. It is this drive that will make the difference between pins and decisions, wins and losses, and disappointment and triumph. What will the Steelers’ record be and why? “11-5, because Big Ben will probably get sacked 30 more times this season.” “They’re doing well so far and i think they will keep it up.” Bill Campbell, ‘09 Nicole Provident, ‘09
  • 11. sports October 21, 2008 Ian Jackson Swinging to the Top Smoke Signals Sports Briefs “the highlight of our season” Staff Writer The Peters Township Varsity Boys Golf Team has a reputation in the area as a powerhouse program. The 2008 boys lived up to that reputation and then some. They brought home a WPIAL Championship, and they ended the season as the runner-up in the PIAA State Playoffs. Chris Resnik, John Ross, Hunter Stanchik, Corey Martinez, Taylor Relick, and Stephen Radke led the team to their impressive accomplishments. I took a few of these players and asked them about the past season. Q: How did it feel to finally break out and win the WPIAL title with the tough competition in the conference? Corey Martinez: It was a pretty good feeling. It was like our hard work finally paid off. Hunter Stanchik: It was great. It was the best moment of my life. I ate a five-dollar-foot long afterwards and also gave my mom a kiss. Steve Radke: I was so pumped. The rivalries that we have in the conference just made it so much sweeter to win it. Q: Which accomplishment was your favorite this season? CM: I think I will go with PIAA runner-ups. I mean second in the whole state was a cool experience and the whole trip was really fun. SR: I disagree. I am going to have to go with the WPIAL Championship. As a wise man once said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” I’m happy with our season if we just beat USC, let alone win the WPIAL. Q: What was the funniest moment of the season? HS: The funniest moment was probably when we won our semifinal match in the WPIAL playoffs, I took off my shirt and rode the bull around the green. The other teams got really angry and actually threatened me. Q: If you could summarize the season in one word what would it be? SR: Glorious. CM: Fun HS: Domination. Q: Ok, this is for Steve and Corey only. What will you Taylor Relich Football (2-7) Beating Baldwin in our first AAAA section game -Jack Hareza Cross Country (13-5) Trick-or-treating in the hotel up in Hershey -Kayla Keddal Girls Soccer (15-1-2) Beating Seneca Valley in double over time Photo By: Stephanie Lusk guys miss most about the team next year when you go off to college? SR: I will just miss being one of the guys. I’ll miss the coaches and the free golf. I will miss the sweet clothes we get to wear. CM: I will miss my teammates and the coaches. I will miss John Ross’s stories and Hunter of course. Tradition: Keep on Running Sports Co-Editor The boys’ and girls’ crosscountry teams have been built on a tradition of success, and the 2008 campaign did not change that. The teams had a combined record of 135, with the girls’ team having only one loss to Mt. Lebanon. The girls’ team was not only impressive in the team events, but also in the individual tournaments. Sophomore Kayla Keddal qualified for the WPIAL meet and placed seventh overall. From there she advanced on to the PIAA meet, which was held November 1 at Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey, PA. Keddal finished sixth in the entire state, running a time of 18:14 in the 3.1mile event. Keddal was not the only contributor to the Indians success though. “We all had to work together because cross-country is not an individual effort; every runner matters,” said senior captain Bridget Stasenko. She and Katie Nerone anchored the girls’ team, with Wes Groll, Will Bowler, and Ricky Palacios as their counterparts on the boys’ team, all of whom have four years of experience running for the team. Several underclassmen were also vital parts of the Indians’ winning seasons such as Mike Chamberlin and Jon Radolec for the boys, and Laura Crummie and Melissa Zuccarini for the Photo By: Samanha Higgins 11 girls. “Cross-country is an experience; the people, the coaches, and the atmosphere are all so different from other sports. Cross-country is like a family, not just a team,” said senior Bill Campbell. He also mentioned that his favorite parts of the season were getting to run at the Tri-State tournament and painting his face for the WPIAL meet. The Indians’ unity and team chemistry have boosted them to success in what some believe to be an essentially individual sport. With the hard-working underclassmen and team unity, the Indians look to press on to another winning season in 2009, carrying on the seldom-noticed tradition of PTCC. -Courtney Hannan Boys Soccer (13-5-0) The highlight of our season was definitely winning WPIALs and getting to states -Greg Weimer Girls Golf (16-1) Making it to the Western Regionals -Jesse Parham Boys Golf (16-2) Winning WPIALs -Chris Resnik Volleyball (14-11-1) We won one game in the USC match; they were expected to crush us! -Julia Broglie Field Hockey (12-0-1) Kayla Howard: Being Section Champions -Kayla Howard
  • 12. Voices Hall in the What unique family traditions do you have for thanksgiving? Freshman Zach Sewada “I go to my grandma’s house” Sophomore Eric Yechley “We go to Florida” Junior Juliana Makrinos “We go to California” Senior Megan Graysay “We go around the table and say why we are thankful” What are you most thankful for this thanksgiving? Freshman Nico Summaria “Food on the table” Sophomore Kurt Sickmund “Veterans overseas” Junior Tom Norton “Friends and family” Senior Ben Kennel “Family” What do the Teachers think? Mrs. Polard “Every Thanksgiving morning, my family and I play flag football” Mr. Sussman “Hines Ward” Mr. Maize “About twenty family members come to my house ” The PT Minute Ryan Cassaday Favorite holiday tradition? My family comes over for dinner What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving? Turkey Last year for break, I went... Nowhere If you were a vegetarian, what would you eat instead of turkey? Tofu turkey Any Thanksgiving disasters/special memories? My mom burned our turkey What float would you add to the Thanksgiving Parade? A Coldplay float Alison Forbrich Favorite holiday tradition? Playing flag football with my family What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving? Pumpkin roll Last year for break, I went... To my cousin’s house If you were a vegetarian, what would you eat instead of turkey? Pasta Any Thanksgiving disasters/special memories? My dog’s birthday is on Thanksgiving What float would you add to the Thanksgiving Parade? A root beer float Ms. Ring “My family, the people here at school, and my health” Teac her MRS. GEARHART Min ute Favorite holiday tradition? Sharing what we are all thankful for before we pray for our meal What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food? Turkey and Pecan Pie Last year for break, I... Walked with my children Any Thanksgiving disasters? I baked a Jello dessert in the oven in place of a spinach casserole What float would you add to the Thanksgiving Parade? A float celebrating chemistry!