Reflection: Cooking: Love Made Visible by Siena Rainey

My first memory of cooking is squishing creamy dough into baking tins shiny with grease, painting on a glittery coat of sweet cinnamon with a basting brush fit only for masterpieces. My father and I made these delicate sticky buns often, from a favorite cookbook, at a time that I was so small my nose could barely poke over our countertops, peeking my wide eyes up at my father. I easily recall his blue pinstriped apron speckled with flour and the funny white hat he always pulled on over his messy brown hair.

Over a decade later, he still wears that cap, though the locks beneath match the flour on his apron more closely than the cinnamon I sprinkle. Our recipes are now slightly more refined than the beloved sticky buns: sizzling pineapple stir fry, colorful margherita pizza, bright yellow polenta blanketed with fresh mozzarella and vibrant vegetables. It's difficult for our vegetarian family to stray from pasta, yet every bowl springs a fountain of noodle youth, different ingredients in each dish. Our ancient recipe box overflowing with rows of chicken-scratch notecards and magazine clippings must be infinite. However, my mother is never hesitant to pass a recipe on; “It’s sharing, not hoarding, that ensures survival [of recipes].”

Often sous-chef to my father, ingredient prep is not always fun and games. The mezzaluna is a familiar tool; I’m used to the monotonous rocking of the knife back and forth until thick thyme stems transform into specks of forestlike green. The lackluster tasks are enjoyable with my father’s words of wisdom. One often declared within the kitchen, “There’s just two things I need: good food, and good conversation.” I know from household experience that days with both are the best type.

Growing up with the privilege of my kitchen being smoggy with swirling aromas (or perhaps it is simply the smoke that occasionally sets off our alarm), I reflect on the fact that not all families experience this. Visitors rave about the dinners served in my home, not accustomed to the meals brought together so lovingly. Food is one of the many labors of love that knots my family together; what better motivation than a good meal for the half-dozen of us to attend family dinner? Something printed in each line of a recipe book is an ingredient many don’t read: somewhere between the miles of kale waiting to be washed, and the accidental burns and spills, a bond is formed, laughs are shared, and love is melted into every pot and pan. Pick up a recipe, and begin to love cooking.

Opinion: Is Gaming a Sport? by Liam Neary

A sport is defined as “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Let’s admit, there’s a ton of activities that can fall under this definition, so what is and what isn’t a sport? Gaming for a long time has been considered just an activity, but with the rapid growth of eSports in recent years, the question is more prevalent than ever: Is gaming a sport? With that being said, let’s dive into the definition one section at a time.

The first part of the definition is “an activity involving physical exertion”. I don’t think anyone will dispute that gaming is an activity, but the second part is what most critics point out to disqualify gaming as a sport. Before I begin, I am not trying to say that gaming requires more physical exertion than all recognized sports. I am simply describing the various ways in which gamers need to physically move parts of their person. With that said, most critics will say something like, “All they [gamers] do is move their thumbs.”  That is partially true. Gamers use their thumbs like most other people do, but they also use the rest of their hands and their mouths (Yes talking is included in physical exertion).

Moving on to the next part of the definition, “skill”. I decided to dedicate a whole section to this. This is where I argue that gaming takes more skill than any sport on the planet. Skill is muscle memory. Skill is knowledge of the game.Skill is communication. Skill is awareness of surroundings. Skill is having godlike reactions.

Muscle memory is important in all sports, but due to the size of the monitor and the movement of the mouse, this has extremely less room for error. A millimeter off in any direction can result in failure, whether it is blocking off a path for enemies to go through or hitting the enemy with the last shot. No sport can say it requires that much accuracy.

Knowledge of the game and opponents is vital. In many eSports, there is a variety of different characters, all with a unique skill set and abilities. Knowing the weaknesses of the opponent's character can give a player or team the upper hand. The players also need to know the map or arena of play. This will aid in creating a strategy and in finding spots like nade spots -- areas where grenades can be thrown to either get a pick (kill) or to block a vital sight line or areas of the map.Knowing vital parts of the map can also assist in the next topic, communication.

Communication will make or break a match, whether it is saying whether an enemy or game objective is dropped or spotting enemies. In most maps, areas of given names to allow for easier call-outs (for example top red, arches, banana, taco, cafe, dd, ruins, mini).

The next part of the definition “in which an individual or team competes against another or others” is pretty self explanatory and generally not disputed. Teams generally consist of anywhere from one to five players depending on the game.

And finally, the last part of the definition is “for entertainment”. This is what many people do not understand. How could someone enjoy watching another person play video games? It is actually almost exactly like every other sport. People have their favorite player. People have their favorite team. They watch over these players and teams as they compete in fast-paced matches with a lot at stake (sometimes millions of dollars on the line). They feel the excitement when a player on their team goes off and eliminates the entire enemy team, the joy when their favorite players win a match, the anger when their team loses. But no matter the odds, they watch and cheer on whether from the stadium filled with others like them or from home like millions of others. Yes, I said millions. Millions of people watch some of these events. The League of Legends world championship in 2015 reached a total of 334 million unique users, most watching for well over an hour. The most viewers on at one time was during the finals, with over 36 million viewers. Just as a comparison, that was more than that year’s major league world series and NBA finals combined (34.6 million). Yeah, who enjoys watching other people play video games? And this is just one eSport. There are dozens of titles gaining maybe not 36 million viewers at once, but still millions.

Gaming fits the definition in its entirety, and many organizations are starting to recognize it. The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) has recently took actions to bring eSports onto its lineup of shows, with gaming events and highlights appearing on ESPN 2 and ESPN 3 and Turner Broadcast System (Tbs) also presents eLeague events. Many social media accounts have also been created by companies such as ESPN and Yahoo!. And private businesses aren’t the only ones starting to recognize eSports as sports. The United States government has recently started issuing athlete visas for professional gamers, which makes it much easier for these athletes to go to events. As each day, each month, each year passes, eSports are becoming more popular whether you like it or not. It is getting harder to deny that eSports are actual sports and it’s hard to determine just how quickly these sports will grow in the future.

Opinion: Don't Get Old by Sharon Houlihan

Because of the aging population and the increase of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, there is a growing need for proper care for the elderly.  Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to stay home and have a family member care for them. The cost of around the clock care at home is prohibitive for all but the extremely wealthy. If a facility is the only option, say goodbye to all your savings (short of a few dollars) and any additional income you may receive. If outstanding care is received, then perhaps the money would be well spent.  However, from personal experience, whether it be a hospital stay, respite care, or a nursing home facility, they are all short staffed.

There were one or two nurses in the Alzheimer’s Unit at the hospital that treated the patients with dignity. There were others, who found humor in the patient’s behavior. They thought it hysterical that a patient ate a tube of someone’s Polident. If it were their family member, I wonder if they would have found it as amusing? The patients were lined up in chairs in the hall. How did the patient manage to go into someone’s room and eat their denture paste?   Who was watching them?

Experience with respite care was far worse. For slightly less than $5,000 for the month, the patient was sent by ambulance back to the hospital on the first night. The days back in the hospital counted against the thirty-day deposit, to guarantee the room back. Upon return (nearly two weeks later), the patient never saw a room. The room-mate wanted to be alone. The family was assured that they were aware of the situation and it would be resolved. There was an entire week that patient spent 24 hours a day in the common area, sleeping in a chair (not even a recliner) at night.  It wasn’t until the family staged a sit-in that another room was made available.  Talk about understaffed, the one aide said she had to assist with forty showers one night. That would be virtually impossible. Then there was a good week and a half before the call came.  They found the patient on the floor and they were once again sent by ambulance back to the hospital.  After x-rays, which showed no injury, the patient was taken home never to return.

At the same time, another family member was staying in a nursing home recuperating from an operation and receiving therapy. Meals from home had to be brought in, the staff thought it necessary to puree their food. At every meal, a big plate of mush was placed in front of the patient. Our request for perhaps a cream soup went unanswered. Did you ever see pureed salad? One Sunday, the patient was placed in a wheelchair and left in the community area. She was visited at 11:00 a.m. with her home-made meal and upon return to the facility at 6:00 p.m., the patient had not been moved from her original location. Another time, the patient slipped out of the wheel chair and sat on the foot rests for we don’t know how long. The worst scare, however, came when she was given her pill in a reclined position. Upon return from the vending machine for a bottle of water, a family member found her surrounded by four or five staff members as she gasped for air choking on the pill.

What happens to the people without anyone visiting or checking on them? There is a definite need for quality care. When unexpected circumstances occur and decisions must be made quickly, people are at the mercy of the facility that is available.  Perhaps if there were a larger staff, some of these incidents could have been avoided.  For a cost of more than $150.00 per day, patients should be given more individual attention.  Where does the money go?

School: SAT Experience and Advice by Maria Bordonaro

For those reading, either you are anticipating taking the SAT in the upcoming years or have already trudged through the arduous journey of standardized testing. Either way, hopefully you will take heed to the advice or slightly nod your head in agreement.

I recently took my first SAT at the Scranton High School on March 11, 2017. Preceding this, I took two PSAT’s, both complete blunders. I made it my mission to make my official SAT experience enjoyable and with a good score (we can only hope). After scouring the internet and scouting advice from friends, my parents and I listed my options to prepare for the SAT: tutors (approx. $50 a session), Princeton Review ($300), SAT practice books ($20 each), or free online resources. I didn’t want to fall into the deep hole of consumerism, but I also didn’t want to miss out on an experience that could potentially be beneficial. I am sure many students faced or will face this dilemma; however, the answer lies within everyone’s own personal preference. I have always been a self-driven learner and like to work independently. Although the online Princeton Review was tempting, I knew in my heart that with an SAT book or two and a couple hours to spare every weekend, I would be able to prepare enough for my first SAT.

I blocked 3-4 hours every weekend, for two months, dedicated to taking a practice SAT. It may sound like a waste of time, but the time flies by, especially if you do it in the early morning like I did, which leaves your entire day free. I recommend doing this no matter how busy you are just because it makes you accustomed to the format and type of questions asked. It definitely helps with time management as well. I remember my PSAT experiences, and how I was breaking a sweat just trying to finish all the questions on time. When I took my SAT, I easily went through all sections with time to spare. This advantage made me less nervous than I would’ve been if I were rushing.

I know this next piece of advice might sound radical to some, but skipping school the Friday before a big exam like the SAT could be a real advantage. Take someone like me, for example. I am severely influenced by my environment and I knew that if I went to school and stayed up late like I always do on a Friday, the Saturday morning when I take my SAT would be stressful. The Friday before my SAT was a snow day, so this technique worked in my favor; however, if it is a regular school day and you want to relax, treat yourself and just stay home (if you can afford the absence, of course).

Focus on your weak points. If you know you are stronger in reading/writing, work on math and vice versa. It’s good to practice all sections, but if you are continuously lacking in some areas, pay special attention to it. I did this with math and felt like I did quite well on those sections walking out.

The SAT experience is YOUR experience. Not only make sure you are well prepared, but also ensure that you feel confident and relaxed. Don’t try to live up to someone else’s expectations or scores and do what’s best for you. Soon, success will follow the trail that hard work leaves. For all those anticipating taking the SAT soon, good luck. To those waiting for their scores like me, well, godspeed my friends.

Survey: Technology Views in Mod 4 Lunch by Maria Bordonaro

Being a devout follower of tech news due to the necessary class participation points in my Comp Sci class, (weekly, we are required to summarize a current tech article), I have discovered a reoccurring trend amongst technology bloggers. Reporting the advancements of three major technologies circulate online websites daily. These consist of virtual reality or VR, autonomous vehicles, and drones. Similarly enough, I have stumbled upon the quick survey or two asking the general public their thoughts about these up and coming technologies, so it seemed only fitting to conduct my own survey while 2017 is still fresh.

Going around to diverse groups of people in my mod 4 lunch, I asked the simple question:

What technology do you think will be the biggest trend in 2017? VR, autonomous vehicles, or drones?

A solid 5 people voted in favor of VR. I completely understand where they are coming from. CES 2017 in Vegas, also known as the Consumer Electronics Show, one of the largest technology conventions in the country, had an enormous amount of different companies showcasing their VR headsets and technology headed to consumers soon. In the middle, 4 people voted in favor of drones. I was surprised as I imagined drones to be the fad of 2016, however my own bias got in the way of interpreting results, most likely due to the fact I have seen way too many vloggers adapting to the use of drones in their video transitions (i.e. Casey Neistat on YouTube). Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful footage, yet repetitive. Finally, only 3 people voted in favor of autonomous vehicles, also known as self-driving cars. This also was a bit shocking as the Tesla X has gained major media traction and new laws have been being passed in favor and against self-driving cars back and forth. Uber has been testing implementing autonomous vehicles in their fleet, and most signs point in the direct of the popularization of self-driving cars in the near future...possibly even in little old Clarks Summit.
It was intriguing to hear the opinions of people, many of those not particularly concerned with the technology world. If I had more time, I would love to pick their brain and ask why they think one technology will be more popular than the other. Until 2018, we will see whose predictions were the most accurate.

Video: Boys Basketball PIAA District 2 Highlights by Thomas Kerrigan

Video: Girls Basketball PIAA District 2 Highlights by Thomas Kerrigan

Cartoon: Greasers vs. Socs by Frank DeFazio

Video: Diversity Day 2017 by Thomas Kerrigan

Book Review: David Quammen's Spillover by Richard Fried

In Spillover, David Quammen describes what “the Next Big One” is and why we should be so afraid. Basically, the Next Big One is the next killer disease. The next influenza. The next AIDS. His main contention is that this disease will be “zoonotic,” or one that passes from animals to humans. By examining past diseases such as Hendra, Ebola, SARS, Q Fever, Lyme Disease, and AIDS, he explains how animals and humans are deeply connected, for better or worse. 

I must say this book is a rare bird indeed. Few are so easy to read without sacrificing scientific integrity. By reading this book, one can also understand how epidemiologists prevent diseases. He shares several enlightening stories about disease hunting such as catching bats and scanning them for Nipah. This book is also incredibly well-researched. David literally travelled around the world collecting evidence, personal statements, and expert testimonies to make a fantastically researched book. 

David Quammen crafts a beautiful but terrifying image of just how scary some diseases can be. Whether discussing his travels to Bangladesh where he trapped and tested bats or speaking to disease experts, Quammen’s passion for biology shines though. The second half starts with general information on diseases (basic reproductive rate, morbidity and mortality, virulence, cohort studies.) Quammen manages to take an incredibly dry subject and make it mildly entertaining. This information is riddled with personal stories to show how epidemiologists use this information in the real world. My favorite is when he explains his journey into Indonesia in hopes of finding the reservoir of the hidden herpes B virus. This monster is hard to transfer from person to person, but it has a high chance of death when it does. 

The biggest portion, however, is on the most significant current zoonosis--HIV and AIDS. Tracing the complicated origins, Quammen tells the history of its discovery from start to finish. Apparently coming from a closely related SIVcpz , HIV spilledover after a meat hunter prepared his meat incorrectly. Spreading rampant throughout Africa, it was only a matter of time before it traveled to America. Soon epidemiologists around the world focused on solving the biggest problem in disease studies--”What is this new pathogen?” Scientist discovered that this pandemic was a retrovirus, a special type of virus that causes devastating effects. In the end, Quammen clearly convinced me on his point; zoonotic diseases are a force to be reckoned with.

Spillover also doesn’t claim things that we’re not sure of as well. It leaves the readers with a variety of questions such as “Where does Ebola come from?” and “What is the evolutionary lineage of Malaria?” He presents the latest research and discusses its implications. Overall, if you are in any way interested in science and biology, I can’t recommend reading this book enough. 

News: Bob Costas Steps Away from the Olympics by Tyler Kusma

Bob Costas, who has helmed NBC’s Olympic coverage since 1992, announced on the Today Show that he will be stepping away from anchoring the Olympics. Mike Tirico, who anchored the daytime Rio Olympics coverage after joining NBC from ESPN in July, will be the new primetime anchor for the Olympic Games. His first Olympics will be the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang.

This is not retirement for Costas, but rather a transition towards a lighter workload. Costas will not contribute to NBC’s Olympics coverage in 2018, his first time not being part of the Olympics since the 1980s. However, Costas will continue contributing to NBC’s baseball coverage and the MLB Network that NBC has a partial ownership in. One name that often came up when Costas discussing his future was Tom Brokaw, who stepped down from NBC Nightly News but still frequently appears on NBC’s news coverage to provide analysis and perspective. Costas said that his contract has a “Brokaw clause” and that he will take on a role similar to the newsman. Costas will anchor NBC’s coverage of the Super Bowl in 2018, however, because Tirico will be in South Korea preparing for the Olympics.

Costas said that the decision was his, but that conversations dated back five years and that he made the decision a year ago. He said on a conference call with reporters that he wanted to step away while he was still able.

“For a quarter-century, Bob expertly piloted NBC’s primetime coverage of the Olympics,” Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Broadcasting and Sports, said.

“It is with a tremendous amount of pride that I can simultaneously express our appreciation for Bob’s stellar, record-setting run, while also feeling very lucky that we have someone as talented as Mike to take over as our new primetime host.”

Costas said in a statement, “It has been both a privilege and an incredible personal and professional experience to have been part of NBC’s Olympic coverage all these years.”

“I’m especially appreciative of all the talented and dedicated people I worked for and with on those broadcasts. I always felt that, in a certain sense, I was carrying the ball for them. It’s been a wonderful run, but I just felt now was the right time to step away and I’m grateful that NBC left that decision to me.”

“The level and longevity of Bob’s tenure have left an indelible mark on American television and the Olympic Games,” Tirico said. “I am honored to call him a friend, humbled by this opportunity, and thankful to the many people who have helped make this possible.”

Tirico said that anchoring the Olympics was not discussed when he joined NBC.

“Bob Costas and the Olympics has been one of greatest pairings in sports broadcasting history, and there isn’t anyone better suited to inherit his mantle than Mike Tirico,” Jim Bell, the head of NBC’s Olympic coverage, said in a statement. “Mike’s natural gifts as a broadcaster and passion for storytelling are just two reasons he is the perfect choice to host the biggest, most distinguished sports event in the world.”

Tirico and Costas’s day was marked by media. They made the announcement on the Today Show and then held a press conference at 30 Rockefeller Center before also holding a conference call. Throughout the day the two also spoke with members of the media individually. There was also a photo (above) where Costas literally passed the torch to Tirico.

Photo and Poem: Dusk by Samantha Wilkerson and Emily Williams

Dusk

She dances before me like a Colorado sunset

Her eyes reflecting the fading light

An out of order rainbow bounces through her iris

A watercolor mix of lilac and rose

The hills and the wind are her old friends

Hills stretching the horizon as vast as her heart

Wind tugging her hair, wispy and whimsical

Her spirit guided through the unruly strands

Long eyelashes flutter to the beat of the wildflowers

Swaying softly between her toes
Calm and wild, a walking juxtaposition

The painting ends where the silhouette begins

Personal Essay: On High School Dances by Emily Williams

Of all of the pertinent, soul-striking moments that will occur during my life, high school dances are probably the least impactful. Most likely, they won’t matter--in the grand scheme of things they will have nothing on my first promotion, my college graduation, or my wedding. Honestly, I think the first time I pull an all-nighter to finish a college assignment will be much more memorable than prom, homecoming, or semi.
And yet, every year when the time comes for several hundred hormone-induced teenagers to squeeze into a darkened gym and attempt to sing along to painful top-40 hits, I get an overwhelming urge to find a date.
I really shouldn’t care so much. I should focus more on getting good grades, as they will offer much more reward than an incredibly awkward hug at the end of the night from some profusely sweating sophomore. Even with the wisdom of a senior who has been through this many times before, I still find myself getting wrapped up in the homecoming “proposals” that explode all over Instagram every October.
I never really understood the mentality of having to ask someone in an extravagant way to go to a dance. I always see people serenading their girlfriends or boyfriends, writing “HOCO?” in candles, or coming up with punny signs, but I find it all very unnecessary. While being asked is exciting and can be totally adorable, being the person asking is stressful. The few times I’ve done the asking have left me an anxiety-ridden mess, worried that it wouldn’t be good enough or that they wouldn’t say yes. One time my actual girlfriend confessed that she was nervous I would say no, which is completely ridiculous, and I’m still not sure who else she thought I would be going with. It’s just another way for kids to try to one up each other. Prom is on another level, with students utilizing more and more extravagant props--bands, cars, balloons, actual live animals, etc. I loved being asked myself, but when it was my turn I would pretty much rather roll up into a ball and sleep for twenty years to avoid it.
The first dance experience I had was in fifth grade. It was very different from high school--same kids, different stage in life. I didn't have a date back then, most people didn't, but even at the age of ten my friends and I spent the night searching for someone to “slow dance” with. Of course, “slow dancing” required at least a foot of distance and complete avoidance of eye contact at the time, but it was the ultimate goal of the night. I never really wanted to dance with anyone--that was just weird-- but I still acted like I did because it was normal.
I’m not sure how, but I managed to find someone who’s actually really cool and funny to go with this year. I even find her dance moves endearing, although they resemble that of a drunken white dad at a barbecue. However, I haven’t always been this lucky.
The first person I ever went to a dance with was a boy, which was about as uncomfortable as it sounds, considering I’m, you know, attracted to women. You’d think I’d have figured that one out before agreeing to go with him. But it was homecoming, and everyone had a date. Why not? Luckily, as offended as he was when I informed him of my newfound revelation, he and I are still good friends. The night was surprisingly decent, so it wasn’t a total bust. He was a good date. I don’t even think I danced with him, but neither of us really minded.
Then there was the girl I went to my junior prom with. That night was absolutely legendary solely for the fact that it was completely traumatizing. Not only did my date refuse to dance with me, but she actually dumped me while we were at prom, right next to the dance floor. I’ve forgiven her for it, of course, but at the time I decided that I would never, under any circumstance, go to a dance again.
That, of course, was a dirty lie, because the second someone pulled up asos.com and shoved a picture of their dress in my face I was back on the homecoming train. It’s inescapable.
I commend the few people who stay home from dances with a bowl of popcorn, Netflix, and some good company. The art of not caring is difficult to master, and takes tremendous courage. I’m not strong enough for that, and most people aren’t. However, high schoolers need to accept defeat. We whine and complain and vehemently claim that we’re happy being single, but we aren’t, and we never will be. We only have a couple of chances to have these experiences, and even if sometimes they are humiliating and stuffy and awkward, they are a part of growing up, and therefore, they are worth it.

Cartoon: Lumberjack Not Slumberjack by Frank DeFazio

Faculty Reflection: On Directing Les Mis by Nicholas Lazor

There is no greater feeling, artistically speaking, than seeing the fruits of your labor-- be it as a performer, standing on stage taking in the applause of the audience, or as a director/choreographer, hearing the audience’s response to the work you’ve so meticulously put together. Each year, I work tirelessly on multiple shows for anywhere from one four months, perform them, and move on to the next (or, if I’m really lucky, to a period of relaxation!). Before beginning the next project, however, I always have to find a way to mentally and emotionally let go of the one I’ve just completed, whether I danced in it, directed it, choreographed it, or some combination of the three. Abington Heights’s version of Les Misérables: School Edition was no different.

Some may think me crazy for using such a strong word as “mourning” to describe the decompression period or letting-go process one goes through after such an endeavor, but I can assure you, it accurately describes the feelings someone involved in the production experiences. During the preparation and rehearsal process of just about any show, the cast spends a large amount of time together. The week of the show, actors and directors spend just about every spare minute in each others’ company. Inevitably, new friendships are made between people who maybe don’t see each other on a regular basis, with the cast and crew becoming more like a family than friends. The euphoria of opening night, when you finally get to perform the work for a live audience, and the bitter-sweet emotions felt during your last performance, realizing you will never again perform this show with the exact same group of people, both add to the emotional rollercoaster that is being part of a theatrical production.

The next day, all of that emotion starts to fade. The audiences disappear, your fellow cast and crew members return to their own lives, and the directors turn back into Spanish, Chorus and English teachers once again. Something that has brought you so much joy, self-fulfillment, and maybe some aggravation is now over. To make things worse, you even have hours and hours of free time to dedicate to thinking about how great the entire experience was-- what you learned from it, what you would do differently next time, and which moments you wish you could experience again.

However, that experience, as a whole, will never happen again. And in order to fully appreciate what it meant to you in a personal, professional or artistic sense,  you must give yourself time to feel the joy in that it happened, the loss in that it is over, and the realization that this unique experience you have had with a certain group of people will never again happen.