Arts Review: Les Misérables by Maria Bordonaro

On November 18 and November 19, the Abington Heights Theatre Club put on a stunning performance of Les Misérables: School Edition. Such a shame that on only these dates the audience could catch the show, as the performance was so wonderful and enjoyable, countless other dates would have been deserved. If you did happen to see the show on Friday or Saturday night, I’m sure we could all agree that it was immaculate. Every single person involved, crew, cast, band, directors and producers were insanely talented.

Being that this was a school performance of the critically acclaimed musical, it was not the full length, however, the plot flowed just as well. Another interesting point for those unfamiliar with Les Mis, not one word is spoken...even dialogue is sung! The amazing cast completely pulled this off. Raw emotion was poured into each scene and every role, large or small, was filled with an actor and singer that truly became their character and made the performance all the more enjoyable.

Firstly, bravo to ensemble. Without the ensemble, plays and musicals would be nothing compared to the liveliness of a full cast. Secondly, the production crew is a phenomenal group that really pulled it all together in such a short amount of time.

Regarding the actual musical, the classic and iconic song, “I Dreamed a Dream” was fabulously sung by Alyssa Lazar. Listening to her sing spread goosebumps up and down my limbs. Furthermore, Cosette by Kyler Epstein was a breakout, stunning performance. “Master of the House” was a favorite of mine. The innkeepers and ensemble make the song humorous and very, very memorable. Also, seeing the little children get involved was amazing and in plainest words: very cute. “Cafe Song” and “Epilogue” stole my heart, conjuring up the memories of all the songs performed by the talented cast. Reflecting on the ruins and those who have past only to look forward to the light. A beautiful and meaningful story told by the Abington Heights Theatre Club. Beautiful and meaningful, indeed.

Interview: Getting to Know Mr. Lemoncelli by Victoria Munley

As we near our midpoint in the school year, filled with long nights of studying and midterms, it feels as if just yesterday, I was sitting in the auditorium of the school on a Thursday summer afternoon, listening to Mrs. Theony introduce our new assistant vice principal, Mr. Lemoncelli, to the members of the Transition Team. It had not even been a month into summer vacation, and his excitement to be involved in the upcoming school year was apparent.

Throughout the summer, I spent much of my time in the school, completing various projects for several clubs, and nearly every time I was there, Mr. Lemoncelli would greet me with a “Hi, Tori, how are you doing today?” which was then followed by a simple, “If you ever need anything, my door’s always open!” It was this welcoming and genuine attitude that made me look forward to coming to the school during the summer and throughout the school year, knowing that I was sure to be exposed to positive energy and a welcoming smile.

This past week, I took the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Lemoncelli and talk with him regarding his life prior to Abington and now.

As a former faculty member of Pocono Mountain School District and Bishop Hafey, Mr. Lemoncelli’s passion for teaching and working with others has always been evident in his work.

“I originally wanted to be a cardiologist, but science and math were never really my thing,” he laughs. Instead, he chose to focus moreso on social studies and history, which was influenced greatly by his teachers throughout high school and college.

After twenty years at Pocono Mountain, Mr. Lemoncelli felt a desire for change and took the opportunity to apply for the position at Abington.

“The interview process was rigorous, and I remember walking out that day and thinking, ‘Man, I hope I get this job,’” he recalls. “I was so impressed with Abington’s student body and strong community.”

When I asked him about his transition into the school district, he had one adjective to describe it: “flawless.”

“I had a lot of questions, but I also had a lot of people who helped me,” he says. Through his summer involvement in the Transition Team and the assistance of his fellow faculty members, he immediately felt welcome into the Abington Heights community.

Since starting at Abington, Mr. Lemoncelli has adjusted quite well. His role as an influential instructional leader remains the same since his move, yet Mr. Lemoncelli notes that there is something different about Abington Heights that makes it so special to him.

“Every school has its issues, but there are also a lot of really great things going on here,” he notes.

When asked if he has any advice for seniors as their final year of high school slowly draws to a close, he answered with a simple message: “Take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way.”

We concluded our time together by conversing about his inspirations, hobbies, as well as his love for Star Wars and the New York Yankees. Though our conversation was rather brief, I found that there was more to Mr. Lemoncelli than his job as an administrative leader: a caring, enthusiastic individual whose passion lies in helping and watching others succeed.

Holiday: On Christmas by Maria Bordonaro

Is the internet ruining Christmas? With the ease of a simple click, any speculation or uncertainty one may have can be answered. Why is it that at younger and younger ages, children stop believing in Santa Claus? The innocence and amazement that once ran through children’s faces has been slowly dwindling as Internet access is available to younger demographics Take, for example, a friend of mine’s sister. When I was her age, I believed in Santa, as well as my friends. Imagining Saint Nick coming down the chimney and placing presents for all children made me excited for Christmas. It allowed children to see past the commercialism and stress, the draining bank accounts and frustrated parents. However, after my friend’s little sister heard a child in school refuting his existence, she immediately turned to the Internet to ask the question, “Is Santa real?” You can imagine what the results were. Yes, it is saddening to realize that Christmas won’t be as magical; but for many of us, the transition between believing in Santa Claus and not believing was not painful. However, the most concerning part extends the effects of Santa. Children have been exposed to more than they should at certain ages. Usually these instances leave temporary scarring, and no permanent psyche damage, like the time I saw a certain YouTube video in which the creator made two of my favorite cartoon characters engage in bloody battle. Not something you’d wish to see when looking for some funny videos when you’re six years old, but something I could get over nonetheless. On the other hand, many younger children find themselves on vulgar sites, sites promoting extreme political stances, and material just not suited for those who are not mature.

In this day and age, I find it extremely unfair that a solution to this problem would be restricting Internet access to younger children (12 and down). The internet provides valuable information and life lessons that even some of the best parents can not give to their children. I also do not think that parental locks on certain websites help either. Just because your child cannot access a certain site at home does not mean they won’t go over a friend’s house and access those restricted sites. What I personally believe is, well,  nothing can be done. It is an unusual stance on the subject, but from personal experience, I find it the most plausible. If the parents and child have strong communicative skills and trust, any concerning material a child finds should be not hidden from parents. Parents should also place trust in their skills and their child. When I was growing up, not once did it cross my mind that it was a good idea to continue on an Internet page I found shady, or even look it up in the first place.

Concerning my friend’s sister, it wasn’t her fault or her parents. Simply, I believe, it was her time to realize that Santa was not real. But for many children, this is not the case. Exposure to the crude and disgusting, suggestive and mature corrupts and sometimes leads to real life violence in children. So, the real question isn’t if the Internet is ruining Christmas, but is the Internet ruining innocence?

Cartoon: Election Day Celebray with Bald Eagle by Frank DeFazio

Health: Tell Someone about Depression by Ray McDonald

Mental health problems occur everywhere all around the United States. Different people go through very different struggles, some worse than others. Unfortunately, many depressed teenagers go undiagnosed. This can be dangerous because subsequently, the teenagers do not get the help that they need to live a happy and healthy life. Some of the symptoms of depression are constant mood swings, sleeping too much or too little, appetite change (whether that be eating more or eating less), feeling hopeless and alone, getting angry easily, a lack of concentration, weight loss or weight gain, constantly thinking negatively, and having low grades. If you are reading this and you believe that you have some type of depression, do not hold it in and suppress it. Do not tell yourself that this is just a stage and it will pass. You need to tell somebody, even if you think your problem isn't severe enough for attention. Go to your doctor and take a depression screening. You will not regret it, because once you go in and tell somebody, that is the first step to happiness. Although depression isn’t curable, according to www.psychologytoday.com, it is still very treatable. Once you get help, they can start you on medication and you can talk to a therapist. Most people say that they do not need help, but deep down, it's essential to getting better.

Depression can make a person think scary and irrational thoughts. Unfortunately, that is what occurs; however, those who suffer from depression have the opportunity to fix that state of mind and alter those thoughts for the better. When someone has these hazardous thoughts, they tend to self harm. Self harm is when one causes injury to themselves on purpose. It is a way to cope with what you’re feeling at the moment and it gives a quick relief from the pain. Self injury can also be a way to have control over your body when you feel as if you cannot control what is going on around you. It could be seen as a reminder that someone is still, in fact, alive and breathing. Different types of self harm can be cutting of the skin, hitting yourself / banging your head, burning, pinching, or scratching. Those are not the answers. If you feel as if that helps you I promise it just makes you much worse. There are plenty of different ways that one may cope with this pain that they are feeling at that moment. One of the ways is to talk to somebody; if one doesn’t want to talk to anybody, there are different alternatives. For example, you can draw, go for a run, take a shower, read a book, listen to happy music, call a friend, call a therapist, tell your parents, write poetry, etc. For more alternatives visit www.adolescentselfinjuryfoundation.com.

If you are depressed or feel a friend is depressed, the best thing to do is to tell somebody. You may not think that isn’t the best idea but it is. You may save a life if you tell somebody. Many suicide victims suffer from major depression disorder. Save a life and tell somebody if you are worried about a friend. One may ask, “But what if I made a promise not to tell?” That is the most common line friends use to tell each other how they really feel. If someone says that to you, no matter who they are, you need to warn and tell somebody of the situation. If you feel that you are in a state of emergency and you just know that you are going to do something you regret, call 9-1-1 and they will send help and support. If you are in a crisis and want to talk to someone immediately, call the national suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255). The line is open 24 hours a day and someone is always willing to help.

Question of the Day: Voices of Fourth Mod Lunch

“What are you looking forward to most about Spirit Week this year?”

In honor of Spirit Week and homecoming, we decided to pose this question to the students of fourth mod lunch. Here are some of the responses we received:

“Definitely getting together with the school

and having a good time.”

-Ashley Mulherin, Grade 12

“Fun Friday!”

-Jane Mecca, Grade 10

“America Monday.”

-Dani Beamish, Grade 10

“Gym Class Heroes!”

-Macy Marturano and Annie Wesolowski, Grade 12

“Dressing up everyday.”

-Kayleigh Tokash, Grade 12

Cartoon: Spirit Week by Frank DeFazio

Photos: Spirit Week 2016!

Superhero Day...

                                                                 Lumberjack Day...

                                                                   America Day...

Culture: The History of Homecoming by Maria Bordonaro and Clare Reed

Ah, homecoming. The famous fall night we associate with football, friends, and fun, but most importantly, high school. It seems synonymous with American high school nowadays; however, when tracing back the homecoming tradition, a college campus is its birthplace. Although it’s still up for debate, the University of Missouri has the strongest claim to fame for being the pioneers of homecoming. It all started in 1911, when alumni of the college were invited back to the campus for the annual football game against rival University of Kansas. Rallies and parades soon followed in becoming important components to the tradition.

High schools soon followed suit, ramping up the voltage with week-long festivities, expensive parades, homecoming court, and dances. Homecoming, over the past century, has become integral in high school social life, almost becoming a rite of passage.

Some high schools take school dances to the extreme, with expensive tickets to compensate for the extravagancy. Floats, red carpets, professional music, food, and decorations model A-list events. This theme, partnered by the need of many students to acquire a date, makes homecoming a noise-filled, stress inducing time. Although this may paint a chaotic picture, many students wish for the highly anticipated event to come sooner. Attending these high school events creates the feeling of inclusion and immersion in the “high school experience.”

Through the many divisions that separate students in America, events like these bring them together. It is deep rooted in teen American culture that homecoming, prom, and other dances is a staple--so much so, that foreign teenagers become fascinated with the idea of such events occurring multiple times a year, every year in America.

So join in on the historic tradition bringing millions of teenagers together and come to the 2016 Abington Heights Homecoming on October 15th from 8-11 pm!

Culture: Scranton Fringe Festival By Zoe McGlynn

It all began in 1947, Edinburgh, Scotland. The first Fringe festival took place when many artists felt that they weren’t receiving the respect the deserved for their pieces. They all unified and got the support they needed from venues and businesses to put on their own shows without the restraints of the companies they worked for. Over time, the festival has evolved into a worldly attraction, and Fringe became a part of everyone's lives all around the globe.

    Fringe was just introduced to Scranton in 2015, and returned this year on the first weekend of October. “Fringe gives both local and visiting artists the chance to flex their creative muscles and take a chance they might not get elsewhere. The community gets to sample from a multitude of different platforms, including new experiences!” Says Chantel April, a member of the Scranton Fringe board. “We have theatre, dance, improv, comedy, performance art, magic, puppets, etc.” Writers cast their shows locally, and present their pieces with minimal tech and set. The festival offers an extremely wide variety of genres, from magic shows, to comedy acts, to improv, to dramas, to classics. Whatever you may be interested in is probably presented at Fringe. Not only will you be amongst family and friends, but you also get a chance to meet some of the thousands of people who attend the festival. According to Chantel, the festival plans to grow in all aspects including shows, venues, and even days!

    To get involved is easy. Fringe is based on the community, so without the help of volunteers, patrons, and local artists, the Festival wouldn't be able to share its magnificence to our area. Students also get their opportunity to get their own show into the festival! There is a playwriting group for junior high through high schoolers, where you can write your own piece and have actors read it to an audience!

     Fringe is a great way to connect with the community and broaden your perspective through fantastic shows that appeal to all audiences. Support Fringe andsupport the community. Read more about the festival at http://scrantonfringe.org

Crossword: Back to School by Maria Sutton

To try the crossword, click on the link below. Enjoy!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzDxVFdfYXgmRTNqMXh0cW1XU1U/view

Video: 50 Years of the Abington Heights High School by Thomas Kerrigan

News: Pennsylvania Establishment Coalesces around Katie McGinty by Tyler Kusma

Photos Courtesy of the McGinty and Sestak Campaigns

Tyler’s note: This piece was published before the primary that McGinty won.

In Pennsylvania, Democrats sense an opportunity to defeat Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) who was elected as part of the Tea Party wave in 2010. There are three major Democratic candidates lining up for an opportunity to take on Toomey in November, Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, former Secretary of Environmental Protection Katie McGinty, and 2010 Senate candidate and former Representative Joe Sestak.

Primary polling shows Sestak leading his closest competitor, McGinty, by double-digits. General election polling shows Sestak the closest to Toomey and the only one that Toomey does not lead by double-digits. However, the Democratic Party establishment has almost completely lined up behind McGinty in her Senate run.

Last week, Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA) endorsed McGinty, his former Chief of Staff and gubernatorial opponent, in an email to supporters. Of McGinty, Wolf wrote, “While Katie may have been my opponent for governor two years ago, I was still impressed by her dedication to working hard for Pennsylvania families.”

McGinty has also been endorsed by former Governor Edward Rendell (D-PA).

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee took the unusual step of endorsing in an open primary and endorsed McGinty. “Katie knows how to get the job done and she will be a powerful voice for college affordability, equal pay and ending corporate tax breaks for companies shipping good U.S. jobs overseas,” executive director Tom Lopach said in a statement. In 2010, the Democratic Party lined up behind Sestak’s competitor, then-Senator Arlen Specter in a bid to save the Senator who had recently switched to the Democratic Party. The Obama White House enlisted former President Bill Clinton in an effort to try to convince Sestak to leave the race and offered him a spot on a presidential board if he dropped out. Sestak refused to and went on to defeat Specter in the primary, but narrowly lose to Toomey.

Party organizations typically remain neutral in open primaries as to not anger potential future colleagues. TKNN reached out to the DSCC repeatedly to ask why the group got involved, but there was no response.

Sestak’s campaign has one high-profile endorsement in the form of Congressman Matthew Cartwright. The Cartwright campaign did not respond to a inquiry regarding why the Representative decided to endorse Sestak. However, Cartwright did tell the Morning Call that “Joe Sestak will be a great senator.” Sestak was one of the earliest and highest-profile endorsements for Cartwright’s hard-fought primary fight against Representative Tim Holden in 2012.

Cartwright held a fundraiser for Sestak in Scranton while McGinty has been the benefactor of several, including three in Washington, D.C. The political group Emily’s List, CNN Democratic strategist Hillary Rosen, and Democratic operative Stephanie Cutter co-hosted a fundraiser for Katie McGinty and congressional candidate Kathleen Matthews in January with a suggested donation of $500 to attend. A search of Sunlight Foundation records finds four such events for McGinty and none this cycle for Sestak.

One of the other events for McGinty was hosted by Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA). Sestak is a former colleague of Doyle’s having served in the House together. Efforts to reach the Representative were unsuccessful.

McGinty also has endorsements from Senators across the country. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), whose political group, Off the Sidelines, supports female Democratic candidates, endorsed McGinty as did Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), the senior Senator from Pennsylvania, has endorsed McGinty as well. A total of seven Senators have endorsed McGinty’s Senate run.

Dr. G. Terry Madonna of Franklin and Marshall University says that much of the support is personal. McGinty has been worked with the Clinton, Gore, Rendell, and Wolf campaigns and has cultivated these personal relationships over many years. Sestak, on the other hand, angered much of the party establishment with his 2010 Senate run. Sestak also has a reputation as a maverick.

Madonna also points out that many voters are undecided. In the latest poll from Franklin and Marshall, 46% of voters in the Democratic primary are undecided. Madonna says that with the big money behind McGinty, the airwaves will be flooded to support her. Wolf in his gubernatorial race blanketed the airwaves for roughly two weeks to introduce himself to Pennsylvania voters and skyrocketed to the lead.

When the Sestak campaign was contacted for comment, they directed TKNN to the candidate’s comments following the DSCC endorsement. He told reporters, “What most concerns me is not the DSCC endorsement. The people of Pennsylvania know that there are no more kings and there are no more kingmakers in America, anymore – there is only ‘We the People.'”

The Fetterman campaign, for its part, said in an email to TKNN, “The last seven months of her campaign have shown establishment endorsements don’t equate to campaign momentum or support from actual voters.”

Efforts to reach the McGinty campaign for comment were unsuccessful.

Editor's Note: Tyler Kusma was the winner of the 2016 Tom Bigler Young Journalist of the Year Award.

Prose Poem: The Uncertainty of Spring by Siena Rainey

“O, how this spring of love resembleth the uncertain glory of an April day!” - William Shakespeare

The sweetness of spring: unexpected rainy days full of churning skies and rushing streams, excitement filling hearts when flora begins to bud. Spring is the eternal sign of life, love, and hope. It is full of beauty, and in that beauty, there is uncertainty. Literature often illustrates springtime as the universal symbol for youth. Much like adolescence, spring is unpredictable. Will the windows you wake next to show sunshine or rainclouds? Will life slowly bloom over the next three months, or will everything burst into color in the last week of May? Though unexpected change is often times portrayed as negative, it truly is beautiful. Uncertainty brings opportunity. It provides personal growth, self discoveries, and new beginnings. Although teenage years feel like a confusing whirlwind of decisions and emotions, they are full of the beautiful idea of not knowing what is coming next. Embrace the springtime of life, appreciate

yourself and your surroundings, and bloom.

Faculty Feature: Dearly, Deleted by Cyndi Roe

I exchanged phone numbers with a boy today—a boy who was born the year I turned thirty. We had only been in graduate class for about an hour together, but in less than thirty seconds, there I was, tapping his number into my phone, and pressing “Save to Contact List.”

I didn’t even know his last name.

My phone is burdensome. It weighs me down. It accuses me without mercy. My contact list has three “Abbies,” two Caitlins with a “C,” two Kaitlins with a “K,” and the names of six ex-boyfriends whom my daughters used to date. I am not going to contact any of these people—especially not the garage-band boyfriend. One night before a “killer gig” of his, I walked in on band boy in my bathroom using my nail polish and mascara. No, I will not call these people, but I am not going to delete them either, at least not today. Someday my inner helicopter-mom may need to hover.

My contact list does contain three of my best girlfriends whom I haven’t talked to in a long time. It is one thing to say, “I’m sorry I haven’t called you for two weeks.” It is quite another to utter, “I’ve been thinking about you for the last three years, but somehow in the past 1,095 days, I’ve been either too busy or too disinterested to call.” 

Of course, my brother is in my contacts. He should stay. When I see his name, I’m reminded to call my parents, who live two blocks away from my front door. My brother lives two states away from our parents, yet he talks to them more than I do.

Like many people, I have restaurants and doctors and my employers in my phone, along with the Justus Veterinary Clinic, in case our dog’s allergies flare up. But there are two dozen names I don’t know: a Becca, an Antonio, a “Michael #4,” Harvey, Harodji, and Ho. For the life of me I cannot remember exchanging numbers with a Ho. I search my memory in vain for an encounter with anyone that I would save under a derogatory slur. No one comes to mind.

My ex-mother-in-law is in my phone, even though she’s dead. I thought about calling her number, just to see what would happen. But if I don’t call my friends who are living, what would possess me to dial the dead? I should probably delete her like I deleted her son. Her husband, though, will stay in my phone. After all, he is “Papa” to my children.

My parents, too, will remain in my phone, as will my husband, my daughter-in-law, and six of my seven children. One of my girls changes her phone numbers so often, I don’t know which contact to keep—“New Phone,” “Next New Phone,” or “Newest New Phone.”

The last contact on my list is “Weight Watchers.” If I had called them more often, I’d probably be mowing the lawn in cute white shorts instead of sweatpants. 

It’s time to lose some excess baggage, so tonight my phone and I are going on a diet. I’ll start by deleting the boy from class I added yesterday. In less than thirty seconds I can shed forty-three numbers and six bad memories. I am on my way to being lighter already.

          

Book Review: 13 Reasons Why (You Should Read This Book) by Maria Bordonaro

While watching all my friends read 13 Reasons Why, I honestly thought I was not missing out on much; however, when I was included in a book club that decided to read 13 Reasons Why, I was proved wrong. This book provides a revolutionary way to look at suicide and the way people-- especially teens --have an impact on lives. So, if you think that you would not be missing out if you didn’t read 13 Reasons Why, then think again.

Hannah Baker is a new student at her high school and as soon as she arrives, her presence evokes rumors, scandals about her reputation, crafting and breaking of relationships, and the deterioration of her mental health. As she describes it herself, the events create a snowball effect. She feels like no one cares, and subsequently ends her life. Before doing so, she records audiotapes documenting stories from her high school career that supplemented the “13 reasons why” she kills herself. These tapes are later sent by Hannah to the first recipient who was first mentioned in the tapes. The set of tapes are handed off by each recipient who was mentioned in the tapes to the next. By the time anyone receives their package, Hannah is long gone, but her voice remains present and everlasting, exposing those who contributed to her demise.

Clay, the main character who presents these tapes to the reader, comments on every story, including his own. His character development is built upon the progression of each tape and the story behind it. Hannah’s narration brings insight to not only him, but also the town, the school, and the other characters mentioned in the tapes. Out of all the recipients of Hannah’s suicide tapes, he is the only one whose story isn’t damning. I suppose that’s why the author chose Clay to juxtapose Hannah, due to the special relationship they both share in the novel. 13 Reasons Why breaks many stereotypes associated with teenagers and depression depicted in novels and Hollywood movies. In the tapes, Hannah isn’t a flat character whose only attributes are sadness and depression. She isn’t an outcast, and she doesn’t come from a broken home. In fact, she is the most complex character of the book because the intricacy and layering of her thoughts and motives encompass so much more than suicide. For that reason, she could have been any teenager. Her day to day struggles relate to what teenagers also go through daily.

Furthermore, taking note that depression and mental health should not be brushed off as nothing is vital. The consequences of dismissing mental health issues can be found right in the novel. Mental health has an impact on not only the individual, but also others surrounding them, and ignorance towards this needs to be eradicated. What we can learn from 13 Reasons Why is that every action, every word matters. Big or small, we all have an impact on someone’s life, whether it be directly or indirectly. Being aware of this is frightening, but also uplifting. Knowing you have the power to change someone’s life for the better, even by a sheer moment, is amazing. In better words, as Hannah put it herself, “When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life.

“Everything...affects everything."