THE FRONT PAGE

New Teachers, New Cooking

By: Kayla Eichelburger

Meet Miss Allebach

 Miss Elizabeth Allebach is a new teacher in our Family Consumer Science department.  Some think that a personality reveals a lot about teaching style.  Miss Allebach is a very energetic young teacher. She also has a bubbly personality, is very outgoing, and is active in sports.

            Miss Allebach taught before she came to New Oxford. For one year, Miss Allebach has been substituting at another school.

             She said her aunt influenced her to become a teacher. Her aunt is a professor at a college and also gave her a lot of encouragement throughout her years.

             When it comes to teaching her class, she likes to have her students participate in a lot of group work, individual work, and give her kids multiple activities to work on through out the block. She wants her students to try their hardest everyday during class, use what they’ve learned in her class, and not be intimidated by cooking. The most challenging thing she faces is planning activities for her students.

I gave Miss Allebach an imaginary scenario and asked her what she would do if a student ever came up to her and told her that, “You are the worst teacher I ever had.”  Miss Allebach’s answer was very poised and shows that she is ready for the challenges educators face.  “Well, I would take such a statement  very seriously and would try to make the relationship better.  I would ask that student what was said or what had happened that caused her to say that.  Then I would  ask the student to reflect on what he or she did and how she can change it.”

I also asked her how she might respond  if a student would come up to her and say:  "None of the other students like me.” She would tell him or her to “think highly of yourself, and  don’t let anyone change what you think about yourself….I would try to give them encouragement and give them suggestions on how to make their situation better.  No one has the right to make another person feel like he or she doesn’t belong.”

Miss Allebach believes that beginning and experienced teachers accept and embrace the idea that each day gives us an opportunity to only get better; the same challenge is also true for students.  In high school, Miss Allebach was very active. The sports she played were cross country and track. So obviously, she likes to run. She remembered some of her own struggles in school, but that didn’t stop her from trying her hardest and she hopes to apply this in order to help students who may need some additional   patience and understanding.

Miss Allebach does a lot of things outside of the school doors. Some days she runs, visits her friends, and teaches beginner lessons for swing dance. She has been swing dancing for about six months and says she would like to start a club at the school for this type of dancing.

Miss Allebach is an interesting and enjoyable teacher to be around. She makes  her classroom a safe and positive environment for her students and her professionalism helps the people around her feel more relaxed.  Her lively personality, sense of humor, and love of life will make her classroom a great place to be.

Ms. Allebach Outshining the Lockers

Meet Miss LaSota 

            Miss LeeAnn LaSota also teaches Family Consumer Science with Miss Allebach, also a new teacher at New Oxford High School.  Miss LaSota’s is a vibrant and energetic person but she also comes across as very relaxed, comfortable and poised.

            Before Miss LaSota came to teach at New Oxford, she worked at a summer camp. Her first year working at the summer camp, she was an Arts and Craft teacher. By her second year she was a counselor.  During her final year at the summer camp, she was a teacher for autistic children. Miss LaSota’s Family Consumer Science teachers influenced her to become a FCS teacher. Her first FCS teacher was very strict, but when it came to her second FCS teacher, she “fell in love with cooking”, and wanted to be her “mirror”.

            Miss LaSota’s approach to education is that learning is an essential part of life. She also believes in the value of organization. A teacher’s classroom organization is important to the learning process.  Miss LaSota also prefers to teach her students with hands on activities.  She wants her kids to remain active learners.

            I asked Miss LaSota how she would respond to a problem student. Someone who might say to her -- “You are the worst teacher I ever had.”  Miss LaSota explained that she would speak with the student privately after class to find out why there was a problem. She would get the student to speak openly about what was on his or her mind, but ultimately see and reflect on the importance of the lesson she was teaching to that  student’s  life.

            I also asked her how she might respond if a student would come to her and say: “None of the other students like me.” She would talk to the student’s other teachers and see if that’s also happening in their class, not just hers. For her teaching, she would plan more group activities, so the student can socially interact with other students in their class. If neither of her two options works, she would bring the counselor in and see if they could help out the student in need. Miss LaSota would also tell the student, “Being different is okay.”

            When Miss LaSota was in high school, she didn’t play sports. She was the girl that just got along with everybody. At her school, there were cliques. She found her way into every one of them while still striving to be involved with various kinds of community services.

            Outside of school, Miss LaSota lives a very active life. During her free time, she visits her sister in Maryland and is learning how to play the guitar. On the guitar, she already knows how to play one of the songs from The Sister and the Traveling Pants.

            Miss LaSota has a positive energy around her all of the time.  Whenever I see her in the hallways, she always has a delightful smile on her face. She is very calm, never letting her anger get the best of her with her students. Her students will find that she is  enjoyable to be around because of her great outlook of life.

Ms. LaSota Likes Pies

 

Deutsche Austausch Studierende

(German Exchange Student)

By: Elizabeth Brokenshire

          Imagine stepping off a plane to an unfamiliar country where you’d attend school the following day, but in a completely different language.  Franziska Lonnes did just that when she traveled from Germany to be a part of New Oxford High School’s exchange students.

            “It was tiring, stressful, and confusing to get here.” She came from Frankford, Germany to Washington, where she boarded again to finally arrive in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.         

 Before arriving to America, it was her dream to come here. After encountering new friends, trying new sports, and being present of a football game, she fit right in. She enjoys tennis at New Oxford, but she’s not used to school and sports in the same day. 

Franziska’s favorite experience in the United States was her 16^th birthday with her host family, in Gettysburg. There, she enjoyed her first ice cream cake.

 Franziska can speak German, English, French, and has been learning Latin for six years. As you can see, she is very talented in speaking different languages. Franziska loves to travel and has been to England, Spain, Italy, France, Austria, China, and the Netherlands.

 “I have seen many unique things in America so far. Sunsets, Hershey Park, football games, and everyone singing the national anthem are just some.” I asked Franziska how her school differs from ours and she responded that every grade has the same classes as everyone. Secondly, there is only 30 kids in a class and there is six to seven blocks a day. Uniquely, her school does not have lunch. They have a cafeteria, but they don’t eat there; although, they are allowed to leave and drive somewhere to eat during their break.

 There are similarities and differences between America and Germany. For example, Germany is big on carnivals and being environmental friendly. The town she is from is mostly flat, like ours. The main religion there is Christianity, which she follows. Franziska likes our freedom, space, and the patriotism we have in our country. She noticed that we have our flag everywhere while Germany only places them in important places.   

 Unfortunately, Franziska is only staying until June, when she will continue her journey back to Germany. She is attending college after she graduates and hopes to complete a semester in another country. She misses her family, friends, and her cats, but she will always remember her experience here. 

Michelle, Our Belle

By: Harley Miller 

 

 Thirty-eight year old Michelle Wagamen was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2009. On October 2^nd, 2010 there was a walk of 15 laps around her development, a distance of  seven miles,  held in Michelle’s honor and as a thanks to her from her 9 year-old daughter, Olivia.  Olivia came up with the idea to have a walk for her mother when her teacher was talking about going on a walk for cancer.  Olivia wanted to join, but was not allowed to join since she was too young.  This sparked the idea of having her own walk to raise money for her mom.  Anyone could come, and it was for a good cause.  Donations were greatly appreciated.  

Everybody who came would give anything to help Michelle. The day of the walk was perfect, you couldn’t ask for a better day.  It was clear day, full of sunshine and a cooling breeze.  There were approximately 800 people, some of them family members who were dressed in teal shirts (Michelle’s cancer color)  stamped with the message: “You can really use a wish right now!”  Michelle’s family members started at the front of the walk, with Olivia in the lead.  She started this walk and all of the rest of us followed.  As we hit the bottom of the development to turn around in a loop, it was amazing to see all of the people coming towards you. Lauren Herring, Michelle’s sister in law, had a Skype link up so that Michelle could see all the people there who care about her.

After the walk, the family went to the Hanover Hospital to do a little walk with signs and balloons for Michelle to see. Afterwards we went into the hospital to visit her. When I asked her how she felt, she said, “It’s just amazing that’s all I have to say.” As the tears started to roll, all of us tried to look back on the good times and tried to stay away from the bad.  At the end of the day, when we all left, we thought of the good we did for her, not only her but also others who have experienced cancer.

One of our family traditions is to give one another balloons on special occasions. After the walk was finished, family members gathered outside the hospital while Michelle looked down from her room and on the count of three, we let the balloons go with a loud and sincere -- “We Love You, Michelle!”

I said that I would do anything for Michelle, and this little remembrance is proof of how many of us feel about her.     

                                Photos                http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_16237975



SCIENCE, NATURE, and TECHNOLOGY

Gulf Oil Clean Up

By: Savannah Fletcher

From the moment the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the Louisiana coast on  April 20, 2010, nearly everyone in our country, from the President to the fishermen in the Gulf, are asking, “How are we cleaning this mess up?”

205 million gallons leaked in the Gulf of Mexico this summer, oil covers the gulf and the Pacific Ocean around Florida. The spill has effected the under water habitat; sharks, turtles, fish, dolphins, and birds have been effected by the oil. People close to the shore are also impacted by the oil damage. Not only the people and the animals but, the economy will be greatly impacted.

           

So, cleaning the oil is the next step, BP, Oil Company, donated to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). BP contributed a large sum of 5 million dollars for the clean up in the gulf. Tony Hayward, BP's chief executive officer stated, “With its successful 25-year track record of identifying and funding solutions to America's toughest conservation challenges, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a strong and responsible steward for this money from the wildlife fund.” NFWF is currently working on helping the high risk species.

           

            There are various methods of cleaning up the oil in the gulf and in the Pacific Ocean around Florida. Chemical dispersants separate the oil and shrink the oil so oil-eating bacteria consumes the oil. The chemical dispersants are efficient and quick. The downside of the Chemical dispersants is it’s a hazard to the environment and it changes over time preventing the separating reaction. Keeping the oil from the shore, controlled fires can burn the oil. However, this technique is dangerous for the weather and the environment. The one of the ways to get most of the oil is natural clean up. It consists of waves, microorganisms, sunlight and natural water flow. Skimmers and boomers are the most popular way to clean oil spill. Since, most of the oil is too thin for this method, natural clean up might be the best way. Only 15 percent of the oil is has been cleaned up since the oil has leaked this summer.

             

            Still, people are working hard to trying to clean the oil. Workers everyday are helping and volunteering to help clean up the ocean and the communities hurt most by the oil spill.


(Editor's note:  Samantha Joye, a professor of marine sciences, has been staying on top of the environmental impact of the Gulf Oil Spill through her very in-depth blog.  Interested readers may also get a sense of the area of devastation by moving the oil spill itself as it were happening in our own backyard.  If it were my home?....'tis)

Hey There, Pumpkin!
By: Taylor Fleshman

Ah, there is nothing like the smell of pumpkin pie in the air to tell us that it’s October again. But as you can see from the picture above, not all pies were created equal.  This pie was made from the mother of all pumpkins.  

The world’s biggest pumpkin for 2010 was set by Christy Harp. Her story is absolutely incredible. Her pumpkin weighed 1,725 pounds as she took it to the annual Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh-Off. What is so incredible about her story is that she has been growing pumpkins since the eighth grade and has a rivalry with her husband, Nick. Last year she said that Nick beat her by 200 pounds. But that’s when she decided she was gonna whip him by a sound margarine, um, make that margin. She beat him by 400. The competition is all in friendly fun as she and Nick work together in their pumpkin patch but somehow avoid stepping  foot on each other’s side.

At one point in mid-summer her pumpkin was growing 33 pounds a day. She kept her massive pumpkin going by plying the soil with a mixture of compost, coffee grounds, and cow manure.

For those of you who want to try this at home—it’s good, clean gardening fun. You too can grow a massive pumpkin like hers by first finding seeds with good genetics then using the guide to play with the agricultural elements in making your own humungus backyard pumpkin..

" Taking the pumpkin-growing title was a thrill for the entire family,” says Christy.  Her parents are very proud of her and her husband got emotional, but so did she. Winning the annual Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh Off was a very proud moment for Christy and her family. 

That's a great pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

 A Pumpkin Pie for the Ages

(World Guiness Record Setter)

SEASONAL SPORTS

Rough Start, Hopeful Finish       

By: Ryan Wallen  

            The Colonials lost their first game of the season to cross-town rival Delone Catholic Squires by the score of 14-0. In the first quarter, the Colonials shut down the Squires, and the score was 0-0 by the end of the first. At the start of the second quarter, the Colonials gave up an early 43-yard touchdown run to Delone’s Kodi Reed. On the next drive, the Colonials had a chance to score, but they could not convert. On Delone’s next drive, Tyler Smith ran the ball in for a 12-yard touchdown. Linebacker Brett Riser had fourteen tackles and Jared Hagerman had two forced fumbles. Quarterback Quinn Starner led all rushers with 70 yards on 18 carries. The following week the team will attempt to even the record in a contest between the Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils (1-0) at home.

           

The Colonials took on the heavily-favored Blue Devils of Greencastle-Antrim. The Devils got of to a quick start by scoring an early touchdown, but they missed the extra point. After the first quarter, the Blue Devils started to dominate. They scored two touchdowns and held off New Oxford in the second quarter. Then in the third quarter, Colonial star linebacker, Brett Riser was injured on a goal-line stand which resulted in a touchdown for Greencastle. Riser was able to walk off under his own power, but did not return. Steve Sanders had fifteen tackles and a sack for the Colonials while Joe Murren added another twelve tackles. Starting quarterback, Quinn Starner, completed two passes for twenty-five yards and threw two interceptions in the losing effort. Greencastle running back  Devin Schaeffer ran for 169 yards on twenty carries, had three rushing touchdowns, and threw for one touchdown. The final score ended up being 37-0 in favor of the Blue Devils (2-0).  Looking forward to the third week of the season, the Colonials (0-2), who were underdogs once again, hit the road to face off with the Waynesboro Indians (0-2).

                                                                                                                                   

The Colonials won their first game of the season on September 17^th, 2010, beating out the favored Waynesboro Indians 21-10. The Colonials started off fast by scoring an early touchdown. Waynesboro then stormed back to take a 10-7 lead at the half. After the half, the Colonials then put on the assault, scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter to claim their first victory of the season. The winning score was put up by Colonial A-back (running-back) Jarrod Hagerman on a three-yard run. Hagerman also had a 41-yard bolt for a touchdown. The Indians, (0-3), couldn’t stop the Colonial’s running game led by quarterback the fleet-footed Quinn Starner who ran for 97 yards on 20 carries.  There is another chance to even things up as the Colonials return home to face off with one of their old rivals, the Central York Panthers (1-2).

                 The game against CY is one night that the Colonial football team wants to forget-- and fast. The Colonials were blown out by the Panthers of Central York by a convincing 54-0. The Colonials (1-3) couldn’t stop the Panthers (2-2) from dominating the field on both sides of the ball. Colonial quarterback Quinn Starner completed three of five passes for ten yards, and linebacker Brett Riser had eight tackles in the loss. The Colonial offense put up a very disappointing - 9 yards and had not a single first down.  The offense was looking for ways to put up points and would look to turn things around against a tough old Division 1 rival, the Red Lion Lions (3-1).  

            The first half of the season wrapped up with the game against Red Lion, and unfortunately we took our lumps again as the team was blown out 56-6,.   The Lions got off to a quick start by scoring 28 points in the opening quarter.  The Lions dominated both sides of the ball just like the Panthers of Central York did the week prior to the Colonials. The Colonials did improve however by actually putting up 10 first downs instead of the zero that they put up against Central. Quinn Starner threw seventeen passes, completing six of them for 50 yards. Nick Slusser had the lone touchdown for the Colonials coming with 3:27 remaining in the game. The Colonials are hoping that Divisional play will create a different ending story for the season and give us a chance to compete for a playoff berth. Our first test would be against the Northeastern Bobcats (1-4).  


            On Friday, October 8^th, the Colonials notched a much needed win against the Bobcats of Northeastern. The Colonial defense came out shaky, giving up a big run to Bobcat running-back, Aaron Greene, who eventually scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge. The Colonials had a good chance to score on the following drive, but Quinn Starner was picked off in the end zone.  In the second quarter, the Colonials got started with a 6-yard touchdown run by Starner. On the Bobcats next drive, Greene had another big run this time for a 53-yard score. Norhteastern led at the half by a score of 14-6.  At the start of the third quarter, the Colonials came out firing by marching downfield and scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Starner to Justin Hoffman. On the next Bobcat drive, a bad snap from center caused Colonial safety Dennis Greenholt, to tackle Norhteastern quarterback Nick Small in the endzone for a safety. After the third, the score was 14-14. The Colonials put the icing on the cake by moving quickly down field, topped off with an 11-yard run by our stalwart running back, Jared Hagerman. Quinn Starner led the offensive attack with 79 yards on 19 carries, and completing 8 of 17 passes for 138 yards a touchdown pass three interceptions, and a rushing touchdown. Colonial safety Aaron Yeely nabbed a big interception in the fourth quarter, while Steve Sanders led the Colonials defensive attack with 8 tackles. Also, defensive lineman Gage Bunner forced a fumble while Joe Murren had a fumble recovery. The Colonials are now 2-4 for the season and have a 1-0 record in divisional play. We will take on the Rams of Kennard Dale for at Colonial Stadium for Homecoming.

Coach's Corner: 
An Interview with Coach Muller

By: Ryan Wallen

I recently sat down with the head football coach of the New Oxford Colonials, Mr. Matt Muller. I asked him about how he thought the team was doing so far, and he responded by saying, “The  first two games we played were against two playoff teams from last year-- Delone Catholic and Greencastle. Both are really good teams.” He also said, “The game versus Greencastle where they blew the door off of us, I felt a change in the team's attitude.” He added, “With the win versus Waynesboro, it really helped the team grow into a better unit.”  

I then asked him who he thought had been the key contributors to the team so far.  He replied, “I believe on defense, Steve Sanders who has had a lot of tackles, and Brett Riser who also has a lot of tackles.” “On offense, Jarred Hagerman because he has had two touchdowns for us on the ground, and he has been effective. And on special teams, it has to be Conner Neiman because when he gets the chance to return the ball, his returns are electric and exciting to watch.” 

I followed up by asking him what teams he is the most excited to play. He answered, “Northeastern, because they are our first new division (Division 2) game at home.” “Plus, Northeastern has only had a football team for 2 or 3 years, so I’m excited for those reasons.” 

I also asked him how he planned on keeping the momentum going heading into a tough few weeks. He replied, “We have to keep having good practices and the boys have a different buzz now that they won the game, so I plan on keeping doing what I am doing.”

 I then asked what he thought the teams’ downfall has been so far. Coach Muller answered very quickly:  “Youth. We only have three seniors starting this year on both offense and defense, and I truly think that is our downfall.” 

The final question I asked him was who he thought has been the most improved player so far this year. He replied by saying that all the boys have improved, but the junior safety Austin Johnson is the one who has improved the most. I thanked him for his valuable time and said that I hoped we could have another opportunity to interview him as the schedule turns our attention to our Division 2 opponents. 

An Insider’s View 

of the Girls’ Tennis Team

By: Sarah Rudasill

The New Oxford girls’ tennis team has had a record-breaking season this year on and off the court.  Tennis is a sport that is often misunderstood or assumed to be “easy,” but the girls on the team will tell you differently: it takes a lot of skill to hit the ball with force and keep it in the court.  Outlasting your opponent both mentally and physically in grueling three-and-a-half hour matches can be exhausting.  They also mention returning 80 mile-per-hour serves and working to win crucial break points is incredibly difficult while maintaining a good mental attitude.  Yet the girls on our tennis team have had great success this year in doing all of the above.

Under head coach Travis Martin and assistant coach John Henne, the girls have had the most successful season ever.  As of October 1^st, the team was in third place in the league, their highest ranking in the history of the program.  They have conquered challenging opponents such as Biglerville, Red Lion, and West York during the course of the season.  They have improved their record against dominating teams like Dallastown and Central York by working hard to earn several points in each match. 

One may wonder why this year’s team has found so much success.  The girls say it is because of the team’s close bond and ability to work together through tough situations, on and off the court.  Like freshman Jenna Doron stated, “Everyone always encourages each other, and even though there can be some problems, we always manage to work them out.”  Sophomore Rachel Storm agrees. “We get along very well as a team.  But our success is also due to our hard work during both matches and practices.”  The girls say one of the key elements to a successful tennis season is working hard and having fun doing it.  Rachel phrased it perfectly, stating, “Tennis is just really fun.  We have fun together and make new friends.” 

Tennis is a very unique sport for several reasons.  It is the only sport where you can lose more points than your opponent but still win the match.  It also gives players the priceless opportunity to totally “start over” the match if it is not going their way.  Since tennis utilizes a three-set scoring system, if a player loses the first set, they can start fresh and come back to conquer the next two!  Another reason why tennis differs from other sports is that it is a huge mental game.  During the course of a tennis match, players make dozens of mistakes.  The best tennis players are the ones that can shake off those mistakes and focus on winning the next point rather than getting angry after missing a shot. 

Jenna Doron pointed out another exclusive attribute of tennis: it is one of only a couple sports where a player decides their spot on the team.  Players challenge each other to determine their order on the team rather than having a coach choose who plays.  “It is also a team sport, but you play individually and can move up as the season moves on,” Jenna stated.  Five singles matches and two doubles matches are played, each worth one varsity point.  Players compete individually but come together collectively for the team to win.

Looking into future seasons, it appears the girls are destined to get even better.  The team is young with only one senior, and the junior varsity team remained undefeated for the entire season.  That demonstrates the Colonials’ depth on the roster, and as players continue to develop, the team will only improve.

Co-captains Sarah Rudasill (sophomore) and Erin Luckenbaugh (senior) play numbers one and two, respectively, in varsity singles. They also pair up together as a force in number one varsity doubles.  Sophomore Emily Groft dominates in the number three spot, junior Jordan Mlsna conquers in the number four position, and junior Sam Brzenk rounds out the top five for singles.  Emily and Jordan team up together as the number two varsity doubles team. 

well everyone always incourages each other and even though there can be problems we always seem to work them out\

The success of the team on the court does not stop there: the girls give back to the community multiple times throughout the season under Coach Martin’s philosophy of making the community a better place.  The team raised money and participated in the American Heart Association’s annual heartwalk in Gettysburg.  They also coach Jr. Tennis, a program that teaches younger kids basic tennis fundamentals each week. 

Overall, the girls are incredibly happy with their achievements this season and plan to continue their hard work during training in the offseason.  Although no one knows what the future holds, one thing we know for sure: their strong work ethic and desire to play will carry them far in their tennis careers.  

Cross Country

By: Bryce Culp

                                               

            Cross Country takes endurance, stamina, ability, and effort. It takes a lot of training to get ready for XC. Cross Country is growing in popularity as each year more runners become  interested in one of the world's most ancient sports. 

Our cross country program extends into the middle school team.  The coach of cross country is Mr. Frantz who also coaches wrestling. He teaches social studies in the high school. He says that the team runs three miles at the minimum each practice. Frantz says that the high school team this year is the biggest group of XC runners that New Oxford has had. The furthest distance our team travels is about two hours away. 

A question most people ask is if there is a difference between cross country and track & field. Coach Frantz said that there is a difference in that "in high school cross country, the team runs a 5K (3.2 miles), while in track, there are many different types of running events that you can do going from something like high jump, jumping hurdles, running relays, mile runs, and more. The nature of the running is just more diversified."  When Coach Frantz was asked what he thinks invites teenagers to run, he said that "the camaraderie that comes with  being on a team and going through training and competitions together is very important. The experience of belonging to something as a team helps that team become more like family as the season rolls along." So if you love to run as a way to boost your fitness, consider joining our cross country team for next season. You can  get the information in Mr. Frantz’s room. 

The girls had a great season with a 10-2 record  and the guys' record was 5-7.  Kaylee Kubisak turned in a stellar performance coming in 11th in districts, thus qualifying for states.  Stay tuned for more about Kaylee's upcoming meet. 

Is Cheerleading a Sport?

                                                                    By: Keely Moore

                                              

Just like every other sport, cheerleading takes strength, flexibility, conditioning, endurance, and stamina. Many people criticize cheerleading and think that all we do is lead the rally cries of fans. Over the years, it has grown into something much more competitive. 

Although the cheerleaders’ main job is to get the crowd rowdy, they also focus on stunting, tumbling, cheering, and dancing. So if dancing and gymnastics are considered sports, why isn’t cheerleading?  Cheerleading is defined as "a sport that uses organized routines that usually range from 1 minute to 3 minutes, made from elements of tumbles, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games, and matches and/or compete at cheerleading competitions."  However, while eighty percent of schools in the United States participate in cheerleading, only fifteen percent have chosen to kick it up a notch and build cheerleading into a competitive sport. 


Cheerleading was started by a man named Johnny Campbell in 1898 when he led on a Minnesota University football game with chants. In 1948, Lawrence Herkimer created the National Cheerleaders Association.  In our lifetime,  ESPN's first broadcast of cheerleading competition was in 1983 at the National High School Cheerleading Competition. But even then, it had still not been widely recognized as an official sport. 


In 2003, it was officially declared a sport by the NCAA.  In colleges and high schools across our country, there are no signs of any let up.  In fact, the sport of cheerleading is about to go global with its addition to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games to held in London, England. 


I asked 33 students (all of them non-cheerleaders) about whether they perceive cheerleading as a sport.  Thirty said it was a sport, and three people said it was not.

Every one has their own opinion about cheerleading, and some may think it’s a sport, while others disagree. But it takes just as much as dedication as any other sport because cheerleaders put in just as much effort as any athlete would--because that is what we are--athletes. 

Major League Baseball Postseason Predictions

By: Ryan Wallen

The end of baseball’s regular season has come to an end and the postseason is looming over the entire sports world. 

For the American League Divisional Series (ALDS), the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays will face off against the AL West champion Texas Rangers for a chance to go to the American League Championship Series (ALCS). I believe the underdog Texas Rangers will pull off the upset to advance. In the other ALDS matchup the AL Central champion, the Minnesota Twins will take on the AL Wild Card Team, the 27-time, and defending World Series Champions, the New York Yankees. The Yankees should win this series with no problem to advance to the ALCS to face off with the Texas Rangers. The ALDS is a best of five series, so the first team to win three games in the series moves on to the ALCS, and the winner of the ALCS, which is a best of seven series, will move on to the World Series to face the National League Champion. 

And speaking of the National League, in the National League Divisional Series (NLDS) the defending National League and NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies will be facing off with the NL Central Champion Reds of Cincinnati, Ohio. I believe the Phillies are going to win the Series and move on to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) to face off against the NL Wild Card Champion Atlanta Braves of the NL West Champion San Francisco Giants. I predict that the Braves will win this series for their long-time and Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox. In the ALCS, I think that the Yankees will advance to their second straight World Series to face off against the Philadelphia Phillies who will beat the Atlanta Braves in seven tough and grueling games. 

In the World Series I predict that the Phillies will give it their all to get another title, but the Yankees pitching will push through and beat the Phillies in seven games for their second straight World Series title. 

Predictions are always dangerous, but they are a game in and of itself, made even more fun if you get on a winning streak.  So, baseball fans of young and old alike, who do you think will win?

Roy Halladay 
Throws Second No-hitter 

in Postseason History!

By: Ryan Wallen

            Philadelphia Phillies ace, Roy Halladay, made history on October 6^th, 2010 by throwing only the second no-hitter in Major League Baseball Postseason history. Halladay was making his first postseason start of his career after languishing for 12 disappointing seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. He had already thrown a perfect game May 29^th, 2010 against the Florida Marlins. (A perfect game means a pitcher retires all 27 batters without giving up a hit or a walk; a no-hitter is going a whole game without giving up a hit). 

This season, Halladay went 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA (Earned Run Average) and recorded 219 strikeouts. Halladay has been the Phillies ace since coming over from Toronto. This second no-hitter of the season just proves how good of a pitcher he really is. The no-hitter came in Game 1 of the National League Divisional Series against the always dangerous Cincinnati Reds, who led the NL in batting average. 

The Phillies of course won the game 4-0. 

Halladay is the second person to ever throw a no-hitter in the postseason. The first one to accomplish this feat was Don Larsen, who threw a perfect game in the 1956 World Series for the New York Yankees. He also became the first pitcher since Nolan Ryan in 1973 to throw two no-hitters in a season. 

I am not the only sportswriter who believes that Roy Halladay will win the NL Cy Young award this season which is given to the best pitcher in the National League. I also would say that with the kind of stellar pitching by Halladay and friends and an amazing line-up built on power and speed, the Phillies are going to go deep into the playoffs and possibly contend for a World Series title.  

Move over, Reggie, Mr. Doctober is coming to town. 

                                                

Little League World Series Recap


By: Ryan Wallen

            Japan has emerged victorious in the LLWS by taking the crown over United States represented Waipahu, Hawaii by the score of 4-1 on August 29^th, 2010. The Hawaiian squad, who had won the LLWS title in 2008, was looking for their second title in three years, but the Japanese team had something to say about that.

In the title game played in Williamsport, PA, Japan’s Konan Tomori led the way with a home run and three RBI’s to boost his team to an outstanding victory. This was the first time since 2004 that an international team has won the title. Hawaii put up a fight though. After losing the first game in the tournament’s group round, they stormed back to win their next four elimination games to advance to the title game against Japan, who had gone undefeated throughout the tournament.

In the championship title game, Japan had a 2-0 lead, but in the fifth inning Hawaii threatened to make a comeback. With runners on 2^nd and 3^rd and only one out, Ogasawara's wild pitch gave Hawaii their only run of the game. he regained control and snuffed out the potential rally by getting the next two batters to  popup and ground out. While Ogasawara mowed down opposing batters, Japan tacked on two more insurance runs to clinch the LLWS crown.

This was Japan’s seventh overall title and the first one since 2003. After the game, Japan received their gold medals and were given bags to collect some of the dirt off the field.

Before the title game, the 3^rd place game pitted Chinese Taipei against the U.S. team from Pearland, Texas. Chinese Taipei destroyed the United States runner-up by mercy rule, 14-2. Taipei had nine runs in the top of the first inning to seal the game before it even got started.

 

 Championships By Country

United States-32

Japan-7

Mexico-3

Republic of China-8

Chinese Taipei-9

South Korea-2

Venezula-2

Curacco-1

                                                                                 Japan Does their 2010 Victory Lap

                                                                          
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