1. Smoke Signals
October 21, 2008 • volume 40 • issue 01 • Peters Township High School
News
Obama or McCain?
Why it matters, and
why YOU should vote
New Facebook Layout: A Big Turn Off
Monica Paterra
Staff Writer
Page 3
Facebook has recently
overtaken Myspace as top dog
in the social networking arena.
With over 100 million users, it has
been quite the craze for teenagers
clamoring to connect with friends.
The history of Facebook dates back
to 2004, when then Harvard student,
Mark Zuckerberg, was searching for
a way to communicate with friends
through the internet.
Recently, a new layout was
introduced that the company believed
would become a welcomed change.
The hope was to gain new members
as well as include advertisements
from various websites. This new
design has disappointed many,
causing quite an uproar. “It is too
difficult to figure out,” said senior
Julie Staaf.
One of the most obvious
changes is the way that user
profiles are arranged. Previously,
all information including photos,
applications, and “The Wall”
(comment section), were all
displayed on one long page. The
new set up requires clicking on each
Features
“Beyond the Bubble”
spotlights volunteer
and commuity
service oppertunities
Page 4
Opinion
The Twilight Series:
sucking the life
out of you
Page 8
separate tab to view different parts
of the profile. This is more timeconsuming for the user, and makes
for a bigger hassle to deal with.
Soon after the new look
premiered, complaints and protest
groups such as ‘1,000,000 Against
the New Facebook,’ ‘PetitionAgainst
the New Facebook,’ and ‘People
Against the New Facebook Layout,’
were popping up everywhere. A
majority of the groups already total
more than 2 million members. It
has become apparent that this new
Facebook format is not very user
friendly. “ I just do not think that it
was necessary to make a whole
new layout, because the original
was fine,” explained Kayla Henry,
a senior. Many people argue that
the switchover was simply not
needed.
Only time will tell whether
Facebook will take suggestions
into consideration. Hopefully, some
time soon when a user logs on, he
will be greeted with the way it used
to be.
Photo by Andrea Briggs
Classic Comedy Opens
Theatrical Season
Sports
Undefeated Field
Hockey team
prepairs to face
the playoffs “Don’t freak out!”
Page 10
Photo by Rachel Sunday
How Much is
Too Much?
Barry Wood
Bethany Suchy
Guest Contributor
Staff Writer
The classic 1939 American
comedy “The Man Who Came to Dinner”
by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
will open the Thespian’s 38th theatrical
season. Under the direction of Barry N.
Wood, this family comedy tells the story
of a famous radio celebrity who is forced
to move into someone’s home after he
falls on a patch of ice on their sidewalk,
and proceeds to make life miserable
for all concerned with his comic hijinks.
This comedy features a large
talented cast consisting of Drew
Caliguiri, Linsey VanNewkirk, Kelsey
Boze, Darby Kern, Harrison Buzzatto,
Taylor Laster, Hannah Hobbs, Kyle
Gramling, Julia Devine, Marco Femiani,
Olivia Bayer, Amy Richards, Chelsey
Sweeney, James Northrop, Tom Norton,
Lauren Hobbs, Billy Kohne, Tyler Deiley,
Mike Jasek, David Bayani, Wesley Groll,
John McGovern, Lindsay Bayer, Skyllar
Sciple, Lauren Spinabelli, Rebecca
Burns, Kaleigh Fitzgerald, Breann
Keebler, Kaitlin Wiegman, Lynnsey
Garlick, Ryanne Konno, Katie Schultz
and a black lab dog named “Murphy.”
Assisting
Mr.
Wood
will
be Mr. Dave Walsh, Technical
Photo by Ben West
Drew Caliguiri and Lauren Hobbs rehearse their
lines at one of the many play practices held
throughout the months preceeding the show.
Director, with Ben West serving as the
show’s Assistant Director and Chelsey
Sweeney serving as the Stage Manager.
This classic comedy will be staged at
the high school on Thursday, October 30 at
7:00 PM and Friday and Saturday, October
31-Nov. 1, at 7:30 PM. Tickets will be
available at the door for all performances.
Excruciating stress,
piles of paper and books
scattered across my desk,
struggling to keep my eyelids
from closing while studying
until the early hours of the
morning, all in order to receive a
passing grade- sound familiar?
This is a typical weeknight for
me during the school year,
and I know that I am not alone
in my suffering. As another
academic year begins, all of our
schedules seem to suddenly
fill, leaving no free time for
anything, especially not extra
homework. Between sports,
extra-curricular activities, and
a seven-hour school day,
we have to decide between
completing homework and
getting the proper amount of
sleep. Every year the workload
forced upon us exponentially
increases to the point where
homework is detrimental. So
the question can be raised:
how much is too much?
(Continued on page 8)

2. reference
October 21, 2008
Sunday
October 2008
Monday
19
20
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
21
22
23
27
2
28
29
End of First
Report Period
4
Daylight
Savings
Ends
9
25
30
31
Premiere of
Fall Play
7:00
Halloween
1
Fall Play
7:30
5
6
7
8
12
13
14
15
Election
Day
10
No School
11
Veterans
Day
Parent
Conference
Day
1973
Nick Lachey’s
Birthday
16
17
23
24
America
Recycles Day
18
1928 19
20
21
22
25
26
27
28
29
”Steamboat Willie”
Premieres
No School
No
School
Saturday
Football
Game @
Canon Mac
November 2008
3
Friday
24
1973
Sydney Opera
House Opens
26
Smoke Signals
Smoke Signals
Smoke Signals is produced
eight times during a school year
by the students of Media II, III,
IV Journalism and extracurricular staff at Peters Towship High
School, 264 E. McMurray Road,
McMurray PA 15317. Telephone: 724-941-6250 x.5379.
E-mail: sitlern@pt-sd.org.
Commentaries, reviews, and
opinion columns are the expressed opinion of the author
and not of Smoke Signals, its
advisor or the Peters Township
School District. Member of the
Pennsylvania School Press
Association.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Renée Wunderlich
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Andrea Briggs
LAYOUT EDITOR
Emily Correal
MANAGING EDITOR
Katie Ellis
No School
Thanksgiving
No School
30
No School
NEWS EDITOR
Stephanie Cotugno
FEATURES EDITORS
Dana Hoelle
Bridget Stasenko
OPINION EDITOR
Emily Estep
SPORTS EDITOR
Taylor Relich
MARKETING EDITORS
Shelby Miller
Paige Burris
STAFF WRITERS
Gabrielle Brinsky, Amy
Burzotta, Averi Clements,
Conor Jackson, Ian Jackson, Colleen Lugar, Monica
Paterra, Kaitlyn Richert,
Matt Schilling, Matt Sikora,
Bethany Suchy
LAYOUT TEAM
Shelby Miller, Paige Burris,
Taylor Miller
ADVISOR
Mrs. Sitler
Announcements
the Barnes
Fair on
OHelp support the High8School Library by going toPM. Mentionand Noble Book Peters
Saturday, November from 10:00 AM until 9:00
that you’re with
Township and the library will receive a portion of your sale, which will then be used to
purchase more things for the library.
books lately? What about books you didn’t like
The
ORead any goodwill be accepting reviews on any and every bookso much?read High
School Library
that you
through-
out the year. Each review should summarize the book in 100 to 200 words and should
express whether or not you enjoyed the book. Please do not include any spoilers and
adhere to the school handbook. Submissions may be turned in to a box in the library. See
Mrs. Morriston for details.
Halloween Fun Facts
Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the Fall
Harvest, and black is associated with darkness and death.
There really are vampire bats, but they’re not from Transylvania. They live in Central and
South America, and feed on the blood of cattle, horses and birds.
The ancient Celts thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween
night. They began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human.
Pumpkins also come in white, blue and green. Great for unique monster carvings!

3. news
October 21, 2008
Why YOUth Should Vote
Stephanie Cotugno
News Editor
The United States has a democratic
government, which means that Americans have the
right to vote for who runs the country, and on how
the country is run. Americans have the opportunity
to make a difference by using their voice. People say
youth do not care. Prove them wrong and get rid of the
stereotype. One voice may sound like a whisper, but
when one vote is combined with the votes of others,
the whisper becomes a shout. Americans, together,
can make one voice be heard. A government by the
people, for the people, cannot work without the people.
It’s your democracy. Make it work. Register and Vote.
Top 10 Reasons To Vote:
10. To keep college tuitions from rising.
Politicians represent the people who are registered
to vote, and they want to be reelected. They have
the power to fund higher education and financial aid
programs, but college students must be registered.
9. To counter another vote.
If a voter does not agree with another candidate, he
or she has the power to cancel out a vote that may
support that candidate.
8. To help the community.
Communities with a higher number of registered
voters get more attention from politicians.
7. To become a part of a network.
When a person registers to vote, he or she becomes
a part of a network that shares his or her concerns
and interests.
6. To promote diversity.
13% of Congress members are of color, 14% are
women, and the remaining are white males. Voting
can bring more members of color and more women
to Congress.
5. For NOW.
The biggest election issues directly affect the
youth. The War in Iraq (young soldiers are dying),
education (funding for both public and postsecondary schools), and employment/job training
programs.
4. For the future.
Think about the concerns involving the environment,
fossil fuel consumption, as well as farming and
livestock funding, which will all affect teenagers in a
few years.
3. For federal money.
Federal money helps promote youth programs,
the environment, and HIV/AIDS and breast cancer
research.
2. It is a right.
Young people, women, and underrepresented
groups all fought hard for the right to vote. Even
today, some countries do not have this right. For
example, Saudia Arabia had their first local election
in 2005, and women were not given the right to
vote.
1. Every vote counts.
Remember the 2000 election? The difference
between the popular votes was .5%, determining
the next President of the United States.
What In The World...?
Smoke Signals
Apple iPods: The Beat Goes On
Kaitlyn Richer
Staff Writer
Regardless of the colossal profits and praise
the company has received since the first-generation
Nano was released, Apple knows it must continue
improving technology. This is why the new version of
iTunes continues to impress customers around the
world.
Since 2005, Apple has remained on top
when the first iPod Nanos emerged. “Over 300 billion
songs have been sold, and 600 million copies of
iTunes have been downloaded, making iTunes the
number one music store in all twenty-one countries
we operate in,” stated Steve Jobs, the co-founder
and CEO of Apple Inc. at an iPod special event this
year (engadget.com).
“Speed and usability is
better than ever with
the new iPod.”
The new iPod Nano requires users to
download iTunes 8.0, but before you run off to add
the new nano to your wish list, consider that this
iPod is not capable of substituting any other media
player for it besides iTunes. According to cnet.com,
iTunes 8.0 is a mandatory installation for the fourthgeneration Nano. On the contrary, a download of the
new version of iTunes also includes software that has
come to be known as Genius. This feature is designed
to find other tracks in the person’s iTunes library that
correspond to songs that a person already has, and
then creates a Genius playlist. It’s like having your
own highly intellectual, personal DJ. Soon to be
the most popular feature with iTunes 8.0, Genius is
just one of the many new extras that come with this
iTunes download.
Speed and usability is better than ever with
the new iPod. However, the sound quality and battery
life haven’t improved. The overall performance of the
fourth-generation Nano has changed little since the
third-generation Nano was released.
The remaining extras on the fourth generation
Nano still receive high ratings. The ability to watch
movies and search through photos remains, along
with new game applications that can be purchased.
The games respond to the way you move, making
them addictive and a blast. A new option to tilt the
iPod sideways to view cover art has also been
developed. Finally, it includes an exciting, convenient
feature that allows users to shake the iPod to shuffle
the songs. With these impressive extras, the new
generation seems tempting as ever. Ultimately, with
another recent update from Apple, their high quality
company remains on top, and the beat goes on.
Pleasant Valley Takes on Haunted Hallways
Gabrielle Brinsky
Staff Writer
Every Halloween season, the Students
Against Drugs (SAD) and National Honor Society
(NHS) members put together what is called “Haunted
Hallways,” held at Pleasant Valley Elementary School.
The students in the two organizations decorate a dark
hallway with a Halloween theme. They also have
tables in the cafeteria full of games and crafts interesting to children. The October event is supervised
and planned by two of the high school’s chemistry
teachers, Mrs. Gearhart and Mrs. Kendrick.
This year will be the eleventh year of the
event. “The students strive to create a safe and fun
Halloween activity for the kids to participate in,” Mrs.
Gearhart stated. All money made at this event benefits Washington City Mission. With the three-dollar
admission fee, Peters Township is able to pay for a
Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds of people.
“The eleventh annual Haunted Hallways
is an amazing event that unites two high school
groups, SAD and NHS for one important cause. The
purpose of Haunted Hallways is to provide a safe,
fun place for younger children in our community
to celebrate Halloween. In addition we are able to
raise enough money for Washington City Mission’s
Thanksgiving dinner. I think it is a wonderful event
for our community,” said Mrs. Kendrick. National
Honor Society puts together the hallways; they ask
the children what degree of scary they want the hall
to be. Meaning if they want it super scary or not very
scary they have the right to speak up and say so.
SAD is in charge of the crafts, games, and
food. They give the children many options, including
painting pumpkins and decorating cookies. “Haunted
Hallways is a fun way to celebrate Halloween with
little kids but takes a lot of planning and preparation,”
commented sophomore SAD member Kierstin
Ference.
Children in kindergarten to third grade are
encouraged to attend. Each year, four to six hundred
kids enjoy this event. “Haunted Hallways is great,
I would love to participate in it again and one day
possibly bring my own kids,” noted a senior Nick
Ceccarelli. Many of the students that put the event
together enjoy it just as much as the attending
children.
Compiled by Katie Ellis
Forty-two-year-old David Huckvale of Earlshilton, Leicestershire lost his leg in his teens after a benign tumor was removed from his knee. For the past ten years, he had been saving up for a bionic leg, available only in America for a cost
of nearly $58,000, but he managed to raise only $4300. He stopped into a pub for a pint and was tapped on the shoulder
by Alistair Gibson, one of only ten doctors in the world that can fit the computer-controlled limb, who then offered him a
spare limb – for free. Now that’s what we call “paying it forward.”
“What would you do for a Klondike Bar”… or rather, what would you do for $100 worth of gasoline? David Partin of Orlando, Florida, became the winner of WHTQ’s radio Unusual Trade Contest when he offered the rights to name his son
in exchange for the $100 worth of gasoline. His unborn son’s name? Dixon and Willoughby Partin, after the station’s
hosts.
Just as Harry Potter had “I must not tell lies” engraved into his hand, twenty-seven-year-old Daniel Cleland of Kalamazoo,
Michigan, will have his son’s advice “taped or written on his hand” for the next seven months. The advice, “Daddy, stop
stealing,” is in place of a seven-month jail sentence for theft and heroine possession. At least it’s not written in blood…
Many teenagers and adults log onto Facebook every day, but grandmothers? 102-year-old Ivy Bean became the oldest
person to sign up for a Facebook after hearing from the site from the staff at the nursing home where she lives. She
has a blast on the site, saying, “I love being online and it beats writing with a pen.” As of now, she only has nine online
friends, but she hopes to have more soon.

4. features
October 21, 2008
Speak
OUT
DO you like the
new
facebook
Layout?
“ No, the new Facebook
is way too confusing,
and its starting to get
obnoxious.”
Jake Barney
Senior
“ No, it’s too elaborate
and I don’t really like
all the new pop-up
menus .”
Max Mazel
Junior
Smoke Signals
Beyond the Bubble: Leukemia Lymphoma Society
Renée Wunderlich
Editor-In-Chief
Welcome to “Beyond the
Bubble”, a section unlike any other in
Smoke Signals. With school, work,
family, and friends, life as a student can
get pretty hectic, and many of us get so
caught up in our own lives that we forget
about the outside world. While schedule
stuffing is understandable, it is not an
excuse.
Everyone is capable of helping
others – it’s just a matter of knowing
where and how to get involved, which is
exactly what this column can do for you.
Each issue, I’ll give you the best the
volunteering world has to offer, including
interviews of organization directors and
staff, feature points on different forms of
involvement, and contact information.
I’m not talking about picking
up trash along the highway or trying to
fluff up your resume. This is hard-core,
hands-on action you can take to really
make a difference in your life and the
lives of others. If you’re someone who
cares about reaching a greater good,
check out this corner to get involved
with charity groups, relief efforts, nonprofit organizations and other volunteer
opportunities in the city of Pittsburgh, the
state, the nation, and even the world.
Our first look into the world of
volunteerism will focus on the Leukemia
Lymphoma Society (LLS) – an
international, non-profit organization that
has been striving to find a cure for blood
cancers through public education and
awareness for the past 60 years.
Leukemia, a cancer of the bone
marrow and blood, is characterized by the
uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells.
There are two major types of leukemia:
myelogenous or lymphocytic. Both can
be either acute (bad) or chronic (REALLY
bad). The two types of lymphoma, another
form of blood cancer, originating in the
lymph nodes - are Hodgkin lymphoma and
non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Myeloma is the
third main blood cancer that deals with the
plasma and white blood cells of the body’s
immune system. In 2007, it was estimated
that every ten minutes, a life was lost to
either leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
Mr. Dan Brailer, a prominent
member on the board of the Society’s
Pittsburgh branch,
spoke to me about the specifics
of LLS, and what can be done to combat
these deadly diseases.
How did you become interested in the
Society?
“About 5 or 6 years ago, I had
some close friends on the executive board
of LLS. They encouraged me to serve. I
realized how influential this organization
really was; we are a non-profit agency
that actually funds a substantial amount
of research that will hopefully lead to a
cure.”
What do you think makes LLS different
from other charity organizations?
“The events, and the people who
participate. There is a seemingly endless
list of events that we do: On Thursday,
November 13, we’ll have Vegas on the
Mon. It’s a casino-themed fundraiser
(with play money) featuring games and
a silent auction – all proceeds go straight
to the society for research development.
We’re honoring Mr. Mark Mason of Oxford
Development Co. for his 25 years of
involvement. It should be a really fun
evening with 350-400 people expected to
attend.
There are also so many resources
available that the Society provides from
patients to professionals. Information and
Services for families and others interested
in learning more are readily available.”
How can high school students get
involved?
“There is so much out there,
it really depends on how much time
someone would want to contribute. The
two big events that teenagers may be
interested in are Light the Night and Team
Training. Light the Night is an evening
walk around Pittsburgh. Teams of about
10 people recruit sponsors for different
distances (so much money per mile),
which is where the fundraising comes in.
Each walker carries either a white or red
balloon – white for those who have been
diagnosed, and red for supporting family
and friends.
The other event, which is
a bit more involved, is Team Training.
It’s the world’s largest sports endurance
training program, involving everydayathletes and professional trainers, who
make up the team. You can either
participate in a marathon, half marathon,
triathlon or century (100-mile) bike ride
in locations across the country. It’s a big
commitment, but those who have been
through it always say it was a lifetime
milestone.
But the best way to get involved
is to check out the website – it has all you
need from donation information to event
registration. Everything helps.”
Log on to:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/
hm_lls
Similar groups working to find the cure
for life-threatening diseases:
http://www.thecancersupport.org/
volunteers.htm
http://www.diabetes.org/
Food Review: Healthy Fast Food
“ No, I think the old
one was better and
less confusing. Why
did they get a new
one anyway?”
Nika Simonson
Sophomore
“ No, because the old
one was better, and
the new way is too
confusing.”
Sarah Grippi
Freshman
Bridget Stasenko
Red Meat
Features Co-Editor
Eating right is the key to a healthy life style, and with all
teenagers’ hectic schedules, eating on the go is a regular habit.
Popular places to get a quick meal include Arby’s, McDonald’s,
and Wendy’s. Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich, McDonald’s Quarter
Pounder, and Wendy’s Single are the most commonly ordered
red meat items.
Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich turns out to be the healthiest,
coming in at 320 calories, 14g of fat, and 124 calories from fat.
Far behind it is McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with 410 calories, a
fat content of 14g, and 170 calories from fat. Wendy’s Single has
430 calories, 20g of fat and 190 calories from fat. Clearly, Arby’s
is the healthiest of the three products.
When I tasted all the sandwiches, Arby’s was the most
delicious and satisfying. It was filling because it had a lot of meat
on it. However, it was plain; it didn’t have lettuce or cheese. Arby’s
was also grease free, unlike the sandwiches at Wendy’s and
McDonald’s. I felt unhealthy just eating the sandwiches at Wendy’s
and McDonalds. Sandwiches at Wendy’s and McDonald’s had a
little more flavor because their sandwiches came with ketchup,
onions and mustard,
Being healthy is not cheap; Arby’s was the most expensive
place to eat. Arby’s regular roast beef sandwich cost $4.19, while
McDonalds and Wendy’s cost $3.50. If it were up to me, I would
pay the extra few cents to be healthy. A meal on the go can be
healthy. It is just a matter of picking the right food to eat when one
goes to a fast food restaurant.
Dana Hoelle
Chicken
Features Co-Editor
“Mmm, this tastes like chicken.” You won’t hear this too often
at most fast food restaurants, but you will at Arby’s, McDonalds,
and Wendy’s. Most people think fast food is unhealthy, but guess
again. The nutritious trend has made its way towards fast food, and
I went to investigate which chicken sandwich is truly the healthiest.
Arby’s Grilled Bacon and Swiss sandwich was the
best tasting of the bunch, but not necessarily the healthiest
or the cheapest. It has 442 calories, 151 calories from fat,
and 18 grams of total fat. That is almost ¼ of the calories
you will consume all day, and it costs $4.19. Even though the
sandwich is delicious, consider taking off the bacon and cheese.
McDonalds
Grilled
Premium
Classic
chicken
sandwich is the second healthiest of the three, coming in at
420 calories, 90 calories from fat, and 10 grams of total fat.
Not only was it healthy, but it was also cheaper than Arbys,
costing $4.10. I was surprised that it wasn’t the healthiest
because it contains vegetables and is served on a wheat bun.
Wendy’s Ultimate Chicken Grill sandwich is the
healthiest, containing 320 calories, 60 calories from fat, and
7 grams of total fat. The sandwich has lettuce and tomato on it,
making it a healthy choice. Nutritional quality is not only the
good thing about it, but it is also the cheapest, costing $3.79.
To make a healthy choice, pick Wendy’s, but if you’re looking
for taste and you want to pay for it later by exercising, go for Arby’s.

5. October 21, 2008
features
Dangerous Gaming: World of Warcraft
Addiction
Smoke Signals
Fall Fashions
Andrea Briggs
Colleen Lugar
Syntax/Assistant Editor
Staff Writer
takes away from jobs and friends, as well as
basic necessities such as eating and bathing
in extreme cases. Playing Warcraft becomes
your new job, and if unemployed, it can turn
into a full-time position. “I’ve definitely arrived
late to work and called in sick because I
needed to finish fighting a top-level boss,”
admits Khaliyeh, a level 58 Rogue. At $15 a
month, the subscription fees begin to add up,
especially if you’re not earning as much at
work by calling in sick to play.
Another concern for those addicted is
their social life – or rather, lack of a social life.
Real life relationships deteriorate as the user
spends all of his time in front of a computer
screen, interacting only with virtual people.
Notes Khaliyeh, “It’s nice for a common bond,
but you never actually meet the people outside
of the game. They’re just characters.” Addicted
users find that it is not only their friendships
that wither and die, but several accounts of
child neglect have been observed and reported
where the parent is addicted to Warcraft.
FAshion
With the newest World of Warcraft
expansion pack about to be released, the
danger of addiction to the game is becoming a
more prominent threat to players than ever.
World of Warcraft is a popular fantasy
video game in which users control characters
to fight monsters, complete quests, and
compete with other players. Because it is
based online, you can interact with users
from all over the world as you navigate the
landscape and enhance your character. The
pursuit of making your character the best it
can be (and maybe achieving a little glory on
the way) quickly becomes addicting, resulting
in hours devoted to the task. “You definitely
spend most of your free time on the game,
and even when you’re not logged on, you’re
thinking about it constantly,” said Bilal*, a level
70 Paladin.
Due to the nature of the game, there
is no definitive goal to be reached – no single
moment when the game ends. The storyline
goes on indefinitely, and newer, better armor
and weapons are constantly being released,
rendering the previous items obsolete. The
time commitment involved with playing the
game can quickly become all-consuming, and
*Character names have been used to protect
the identity of the addicted.
F
I
S
H
T
A
N
K
The transition from summer to fall has
come full circle. This means fall and winter
fashions are officially here. Unfortunately, for
most people, this means we have to put our Daisy
Dukes to rest until next year. There is so much to
look forward to in the world of fashion awaiting us.
Its important to have your own style and “keep it
real,” but it is always nice to have a few essentials
that you can build off of, putting your own personal
spin on it. The fall essentials can be broken down
into three simple pieces.
The first necessity without a doubt is a
reliable boot to suit your walking needs. You
could choose the classic leather boot, or go for
the crocheted textured kind. Most people will be
happy to know that it does not have to have a heel
on it to be fashionable. A tighter-fitting heeled
boot would be more appropriate to dress up your
outfit, or you could go the casual route and wear
the Ugg-like boots that reflect the comfort level of
slippers.
Second, I would suggest an oversized
leather tote that would have a little more storage
space than just your average purse. It does not
need to be ridiculously huge, but it has to have
enough space to fit in all your belongings and then
some. If it fits a few books, that is all you need.
Finally, if you are looking for something
besides your old worn-out hoodie to keep you warm,
try a knitted wrap sweater in a neutral color. This
immediately takes your outfit from casual to dressy.
It’s a step up for comfort. The warmth and coziness
is still all there, and it could transform your outfit to
a different level.
As far as color goes, the most popular
ones included in this season, deep colors including
purple and greens. With that, neutrals are the
perfect balance to an outfit. Shades of grey go
great with the darker colors. Metallic accessories
can be used as the perfect accent.
So if you have those three select pieces
added with your own personal touch, you
are golden. Find what suits you, and always
remember anything can be pulled off with a little
confidence.
Myth Or Fact
Juniors can drive to school.
Students spent up to 100 dollars on their senior servants at the P-rade auction.
Fries can be bought separatley from lunches.
The Boys Golf Team has the opportunity to qualify for states for the first time.

6. Homecoming 2008
“Happily

7. y Ever After”
*All photos submitted

8. opinion
October 21, 2008
Carrie McGraw
Smoke Signals
Lunch Prices Through the Roof
Authors or Screenwriters?
Matthew Sikora
Staff Writer
Guest Writer
Books have been replaced. No, not just
books – literature in general. Screenwriters have
replaced authors, books have been replaced by
movies, and moviegoers are replacing readers.
On paper, it’s a frightening prospect. Frightening,
but true. It is a simple fact, proven by thousands
of statistics found on hundreds of websites.
These statistics prove what is already observed.
The cinema, mostly movies based on books, is
destroying modern literature, because people
would rather see a movie than read a book.
Why bother staring at the boring, old,
musty pages of Pride and Prejudice when you
can simply watch Keira Knightly and Matthew
Macfadyan play Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy?
This is the mindset of millions in the world today.
According to the Washington Post, 27% of adults
have read no books in the past year, while Nielsen.
com tells us that 70% of people went to the movies
at least once last year. This data is taken from an
adult population, but I know from experience that
the members of society that are most susceptible
to this disease are the youth of the world. And our
schools are doing nothing to help. Yes, they give
us reading assignments, and they give us tests
on those assignments, but does that mean the
assignments will ever be read? If all one wanted
to do was pass the class, then it would be possible
to just watch the movie and get the basic idea
of the plot instead of actually reading the book.
Our schools ever encourage this sort of behavior
by letting students watch the movie of the book
during class. What hope does an author have of
being noticed unless her book becomes a movie?
This is why an author who actually wants
to make a name for herself must write a book that
is made into a movie. Authors are no longer writing
books; they are writing screenplays. Stepenie Meyer,
author of the popular Twilight series, also fell victim
to this stereotype. She wrote a book with which
the world fell in love and Hollywood wasn’t going to
pass up an opportunity to make money. As soon as
this began, her writing changed, still wonderful, but
it was clear that she was now writing books for the
purpose of making movies, instead of just writing
good books. As for the movie, drastic changes
had to be made to the book to make it compatible
with the silver screen, so it is hardly recognizable.
Books are meant to be read. In order to
make a movie from a book, entire plots are often
redone so that the original message is lost, and
then it is no longer the author’s work. Pride and
Prejudice has been popular since the 1800’s. Of
course there have been many movies made with
the same title, many of which I have seen and
enjoyed. These movies, however, have all but
replaced the original work. Because it was written
so long ago, the movie was adapted to be easier
to understand. This means that part of the effect
of the story is lost. This is also true in the case of
The Da Vinci Code. Those of us who actually went
to see the The Da Vinci Code because they had
read and loved the book were sadly disappointed.
The movie was almost entirely unrecognizable from
the book. Characters were erased, as were large
and important sections of the story. This made it
difficult to understand and disappointed many fans.
As a avid fan of reading, and also a fan of
the movies, I know how fun and interesting it can be
to see one’s favorite book on the screen. I also know
how much is lost in translation from book to cinema.
It is this lost information that is causing the collapse
of modern literature. Books are being replaced.
Literature is being replaced. Reading is being replaced.
How Much is Too Much?
Continued
At the turn of the century, homework was outlawed in
several states, considering it to be a form of child labor. Today
our mindset is drastically different; if one was to call homework
“child labor” now, it would unfortunately be considered a joke.
Homework, like communism, does more damage than success.
Both are good ideological thoughts, but are unsuccessful when
put into action. Homework is used to reinforce class lessons, but
according to npr.org, it leads to stress among families and can
cause students to fall further behind.
It is essential to receive a top-level education with the
state of the world we are living in. We are a global economy with
international competition, but giving hours of homework every
evening is not the solution to staying on top of our game. A 1994
study (physorg.com) found that the amount of schoolwork assigned
in a nation correlated with the level of academic achievement
within the nation. Many countries with the highest scoring students,
such as Japan, the Czech Republic, and Denmark, have teachers
He
Said
Deciding which lunch to have is a hard choice. There is the
regular lunch, which varies everyday, the premium lunch,
which is pizza or a chicken burger, and the panini. The
price of the regular lunch is $1.85 - that’s reasonable. But
this year the price of a slice of pizza went from $1.85 to
$2.50, and the panini went from $3.00 to $3.25. Snacks?
Forget about it; the price of a hot pretzel and a Gatorade
are more than the regular lunch.
“The overall price of food has gone up because of the
stock market status and global warming,” says senior Ian
Jackson. “Without those two things we would probably be
getting free lunches, but you need to protect the ozone
layer.”
I agree with Jackson that two of the factors which lead to
the increased price in lunches, and food overall are the
stock market and the price of gas. Besides, if someone
wants lunch and they are hungry, then they will pay whatever the set price is. Let’s get practical and look at the
prices.
The regular lunch ($1.85) includes an entrée, a side dish,
salad or mixed fruit, and milk. The premium lunch ($2.50)
consists of pizza or chicken burger, a side dish, a salad
or mixed fruit, and milk. The panini ($3.25) includes the
panini of the day, a side dish, a salad or mixed fruit, and
choice of milk. Let’s apply these prices to the real world.
The best value would be the regular lunch. This lunch offers a well-balanced meal that includes the nutrients to
keep you going for the day. At a fast food restaurant, $1.85
would enable someone to purchase a hamburger and fries
from the dollar menu. The best tasting and the most filling
lunch would be the panini. The sandwiches are toasted on
a griddle and made fresh everyday. In terms of satisfaction, this would be the winner. In comparison to size, this
would relate to a Subway six-inch sandwich. The regular
lunch, would amount to 9.25 a week, or $37 a month. The
premium lunch, would amount to 12.50 a week, or $50
a month, and the panini lunch, if purchased daily, would
amount to 16.25 a week, or $65 a month.
Although the lunch prices are ridiculous, they are lower
than any restaurant.
that give little extra work. Countries with lower scores, including
Thailand, Greece, and Iran, have teachers who assign large
amounts of homework. This proves that homework is not the key
to success.
Teachers must realize that homework is not necessary
in order for their pupils to excel in their classes. They need to
recognize students have multiple classes in which they all want
to perform well. “I am sick of getting crossword puzzles and word
searches for homework on top of having to study for three tests
all in one night,” stated Freshman Gabriella Santa Lucia, “It is
really overwhelming as a ninth grader to receive so much work,
and we’re only in the first quarter of school.”
There is nothing wrong with receiving homework,
but it must be assigned within reason. Out of school work can
reinforce lessons learned throughout the school day. “It’s not
that I have a problem with doing homework,” commented junior
Christine Aaron, “It’s just that I don’t have the time to do it all.”
She Said
Ian Jackson
Amy burzotta
How long does it take you to get ready for a date?
How long does it take you to get ready for a date?
15-20 minutes
30 minutes
How much money do you bring?
How much money do you bring?
Put it on my card
None...
Where would you go?
Red carpet mini golf.
Where would you go?
Dinner and a movie
Who are your two dream celebrity dates and why?
Who are your two dream celebrity dates and why?
Penelope Cruz or Carmen Electra, because they seem
like really nice, good looking, talented women who I respect a lot. Plus, Penelope is kind of exotic.
James Lafferty or Chase Crawford, because they are
from my favorite TV shows... and for other obvious
reasons.

9. opinion
October 21, 2008
Wanna Be On Top?: America’s Next Top Model
Amy Burzotta
Smoke Signals
Movie
Reviews
Staff Writer
I can remember when I was six or seven;
I would wear the most elegant outfits, the fanciest
shoes, and extraordinary makeup. Then, I would strut
the runway with the flashes from the cameras blinding
my eyes. By this, I mean I wore my mom’s old dress
clothes, her three inch heels that were five times too
big, so much make up I looked like a clown, put down
an extra piece of carpet and hobble on it as if it were
a runway. Little girls dream of being a supermodel
someday, and the women on the inspirational show
America’s Next Top Model are actually able to make
that dream a reality.
Tyra Banks is one of the most successful
supermodels to ever walk the runway. She began with
Elite Model Management, later moved to Victoria’s
Secret, and is currently on her tenth cycle as the host
of America’s Next Top Model. This show promotes a
positive message for girls’ body images, but it hasn’t
always been that way. America’s Next Top Model has
developed immensely over time. There used to be only
one requirement to be on the show in the earlier cycles:
be skinny. They would have the one token plus size
model that would immediately be sent home. Seasons
10 and11 of the show have changed that negative
outlook.
Whitney Thompson is a size 10 and could
not be prouder, according to abcnews.go.com. She
was the winner of cycle 9, and is now a model for
the popular make-up brand Covergirl. Whitney has
inspired girls who aren’t necessarily a size zero to be
proud of the way the look and work with what they
have. She helps them deal with the pressures they
feel to be thin, and she shows them it’s acceptable to
be different. “I thought it was great to see someone
who was comfortable in her own skin who wasn’t a
stick. She’s a good role model,” states junior Bethany
Suchy. Many people are happy with the outcome of
Cycle 9.
Season 11 has caused uproar because there
is a transgender, named Isis, on the show. Many
people ask, “Isn’t America’s Next Top Model for
girls, not guys?” I think this controversy promotes a
great body image. Isis has been motivational to the
transgender and gay community, telling them to get
out there and be who they are. “I love that she’s on
the show. It makes it interesting,” said senior Colin
Mullett.
Tyra, Whitney, and Isis are all encouraging
people who are different, but still beautiful not live
their life in fear because they may not be the “ideal”
pretty. America’s Next Top Model may be viewed as
a superficial show, but it is actually much more than
that.
Edward Cullen
Andrea Briggs and Emily Estep
Syntax Editor, Opinion Editor
Now that we have your attention… the popular
book series Twilight is the biggest literary
phenomenon since Harry Potter. The obsession
amongst young girls is truly unparalleled, and
some readers are concerned as to what effect
this obsession may be having on the general
population. Here is a compiled list of the reasons
why you should maybe put down your copy of
Breaking Dawn, and go outside into the sunlight,
glitter-free.
EDWARD CULLEN IS NOT REAL
Let me say it again… Edward Cullen is Not
Real. Edward is a depiction of the perfect
man. However, his actions set such high
standards for today’s girls that they don’t
realize real boys could never live up to
them.
BELLA IS A POOR ROLE MODEL
Bella Swan, the protagonist, is severely lacking
in self-esteem and consistently makes poor
decisions. As the book is written in the first person,
you “hear” all of her thoughts… in which she
never misses an opportunity to put herself down.
Girls are looking at Bella and seeing themselves
through her self-deprecating eyes, destroying
their positive body image in the process. After the
disaster with Edward in New Moon, she purposely
puts herself in life-threatening situations and goes
so far as to jump off a cliff, simply because her
relationship failed.
INSTANT LOVE- JUST ADD WATER
“Love at first sight” has long been
used in romances to move things along;
however, Bella and Edward have set a
speedy new world record. The two have
known each other for – what, ten pages?
– and suddenly Bella is ready to give up
everything for him and vice versa. It
doesn’t work that way in real life, and again
the Twilight series is setting readers up for
unrealistic expectations of love.
MESSAGE OF THE SERIES
The Twilight series sends the message
that “It’s okay to give up your values, future,
and free-will… as long as you have your man.”
That teenage girls are reading these books
and getting this message is really disturbing,
especially because they’re at the age when
romantic relationships start happening.
WHO NEEDS MORALS AND ETHICS, ANYWAY?
Bella’s decision to become a vampire doesn’t
warrant much discussion in the books. She
doesn’t seriously consider the fact that she
will potentially become a serial killer, all for
the love of one boy. Throughout the series,
Bella makes poor choices that contradict
basic values, such as respect for human life,
and more importantly, respect for herself.
WHAT HAPPENED TO “MISS INDEPENDENT?”
Ah, Bella, the quintessential Damsel In
Distress. She seems incapable of doing
anything for herself. When she does, it only
ends up causing more trouble for her, and
she again needs to be rescued. Her complete
lack of coordination, while cute and serving
as an effective plot device, makes her totally
dependent on those around her to come to
her aid.
Quarantine
In this remake of the Japanese film REC, a reporter
follows a team of fire fighters into an apartment complex and they are consequently shut in with the residents and a mysterious zombie-esque rabies disease.
Perhaps the highlight of the movie is the Cloverfieldlike feel of viewing the whole movie through a video
camera, giving it a far more realistic feel. With an idea
that is fresh to American audiences, a gore factor that
isn’t over the top, and a feeling of ‘what would I do?’,
Quarantine promises not to disappoint horror fans as
one of the first good films of the scary movie season.
Body of Lies
Body of Lies has impressive enough credentials, with
a cast and crew consisting of Leonardo DiCaprio, Russel Crowe, and hotshot director Ridley Scott. Unfortunately, this may not have been enough to save this
complex, drawn out war flick. DiCaprio plays a CIA
operative working in the Middle East, and Crowe plays
a snarky CIA veteran, contacting Leo via cell-phone
from the United States. Body of Lies would have been
dramatically improved if it were twenty minutes shorter, and had less Leo and more Russel. American audiences haven’t been treating war movies well in the
recent past, and perhaps for good reason.
Nick and Norah’s
Infinite Playlist
Everyone’s favorite awkward teen Michael Cera and
relative newcomer Kat Dennings star as Nick and
Norah in this novel adaptation. Stuffed with too-cool
music and nonconformity, it’s pretty cliché, but hey, it’s
still cute and has a funny scene or two. Nick and Norah
perfectly captures the thrill of an action-packed night,
when you don’t know what will happen next, and the
city setting only intensifies that feeling. If you’re looking for a light movie that is fun and won’t make you
think (at all), this might be the movie for you.
is not a particularly healthy one. Edward reigns over
Bella with an iron fist, going to such extremes as
holding her hostage against her will, blackmailing her
into an unwanted marriage, and intentionally lying to
her. What is truly troubling is Bella’s reaction to this
behavior – acting flattered and falling even more in
love with him. Had Edward done these things in real
life, he may have well been thrown in jail.
THOSE CRAZY FANGIRLS
The level of seriousness and obsession to which this
series has been taken is probably the most disturbing
thing of all. Readers are taking all of what the books
have to say to heart, and treating it as a sort of
manual to life and love. If the Twilight series had
been accepted and loved as merely fiction, perhaps a
generation of teenage girls could have been spared the
heartache and angst they invited in by taking these
books so seriously.
“DEAR DIARY, MY TEEN ANGST HAS A BODY
COUNT”
New Moon, the second book in the series, is written
with such a bleak tone and mood, that one reader
felt “caged, moody and irritable for several days”
after reading it. If the book had this generally levelheaded reader feeling so down, imagine what it does
to those who read the series constantly. Combine
that with Bella’s image problems, and the series is a Please feel free to send a response* to the Editor to tell
us your opinion of or reaction to this article for possible
breeding ground for unstable teen girls.
publication in next month’s newspaper. Turn in all responses to
room A114
DYSFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 101
The relationship between Bella and Edward
*A representation of all the responses will be published.
Responses may be edited for length and content.

10. 10
sports
October 21, 2008
Smoke Signals
Par for the Course
Taylor Relich
Sports Co-Editor
Jessy Parham, a junior member of the girls’ golf well as competition with the team.
team, is finally getting a chance to exert her leadership.
“Jessy has always been a key element
Parham has always been one of the best golfers on the to the success of our team,” said senior captain
team, but this year she is the unquestioned leader both Ellie Stanchak. Stanchak also mentioned what
on and off the course. From the moment she came onto a spectacular influence Parham has been on
the team as a freshman, she contributed in one of the top the underclassmen girls new to the team. With
spots. This year in individual play,
her
performance
as
she qualified for the Girls’ WPIAL
an individual and as a
Finals, which was held on October
teammate, she will surely
6th at Valleybrook Country Club,
be on the short lists of
her home course. Parham placed
many top college teams
sixth overall with a score of 81.
come next season.
This performance has catapulted
The Lady Indians
her to an appearance in the PIAA
as a team are also racking
State Individual tournament. This is
up the accolades. Peters
the first time Parham has qualified
Township’s
girls’
golf
for the state tournament, and will
program
has
always
be competing at the highest level
been one of the best
in girls’ high school competition. Photo by Bill Parham
in the WPIAL, but this
Parham is looking forward to her
year
especially
has
Jessy Parham helps teamate Sadie Martinez line
continued individual success, as up her putt during a match at Rolling Hills
been a banner year for
the program. The Lady Indians are undefeated
through their regular season schedule, and the
girls are looking forward to contending in the
WPIAL team championships on October 13th and
16th at Cedarbrook Golf Club. The girls’ team has
knocked out section opponents all season, such
as Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Seton La Salle,
and Elizabeth Forward. Unfortunately, the Lady
Indians were runner-ups in the WPIAL playoffs
last season to their section rivals, the Lady
Blue Devils of Mt. Lebanon. The girls’ team has
already beaten the Lady Blue Devils twice earlier
this season, making them the favorites in their
section. “I think the girls will really come together
this postseason, because they now know how to
play together more effectively,” said second-year
coach Pat Chastel. With Jessy Parham leading
the way and the team’s unparalleled motivation
and drive to win, the Lady Indians are more than
up to par.
Girls Field Hockey Shoots For Success Fantasy Hots and Nots
Matt Schilling
Matt Schilling
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
“We practice every weekday unless we have
a game instead,” said junior Carly Ellis.
“We get just enough practices to perform
at the level that we do. It feels great to be
undefeated; I really believe we can make it to
the Championship this year.”
Theirs is the only undefeated team in
their conference, and have a few games left
before the WPIALs. “I think we have a good
shot to make it to the Championship as well,”
remarked junior Brianna Kilberg, another
member of the team. “We’re undefeated so
far, and we’ve played every team. We just
have to beat them again, and we already
know that we can.”
Many people feel that
going undefeated is nearly
impossible, so pressure is on
the team. These girls have
shown they can manage
that challenge and show the
opposition that they will win at
the end of the day.
“We are taking one
game at a time and pretending
that it’s the first game of the
season,” said Kilberg. “That
helps us focus on the game
and not worry about losing.”
The girls’ attitude
towards their undefeated
season shows promise that
they will bring home the trophy
Photo by Alex Phillips
for Peters Township this year,
Laura Maydak, Carly Ellis, and Stephanie Cotugno work together against
and even do it undefeated.
Woodland Hills leading to a 12-0 win
After a disappointing season last year, the
girls’ field hockey team is ready to bounce back and
show opposing teams what they can do. The girls’
field hockey team was 11-5-2 last year, going five to
overtimes.
“One word to describe our season was
‘overtime,’” senior Emily Trier said last year. They
lost their first game in the WPIALs but knew it
wasn’t the end. “The future looks promising for
this team,” stated Alexa Walnoha, a senior on last
year’s team.
The girls’ field hockey team is having a
surprising year. They are 11-0 and on their way
to going undefeated. One reason that they’re so
well prepared is because of their grueling schedule.
UnderReview
Hello, fantasy football fans.
Choosing which
players to start and bench during any given week can be
very difficult, as many aspects of the game have to be
considered. The Smoke Signals Staff has come together to
give you advice on which players are hot and which players
are not.
Let’s focus on two key players that are owned
in every league right now: Willis McGahee and Chad
Johnson.
Willis McGahee, mix of a power and speed, and the Baltimore
Ravens are off to a great start; the Ravens are ranked
first in the running game and have an amazing offensive
coordinator in Cam Cameron. Cameron is famous for
steering running backs to their prime. He was the offensive
coordinator in San Diego when LaDainian Tomlinson was
setting records. Cameron was also the head coach of
the Miami Dolphins when Ronnie Brown was leading the
league in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage.
Cameron is now the offensive coordinator of the Ravens.
With an amazing running back in McGahee and the skill of
Cameron; McGahee is definitely a hot choice.
Chad Johnson, known for being one of the league
greats, is having a terrible season thus far. Most of his
atrocious playing can be attributed to the horrible offensive
attack run by the Bengals. Although he has the caliber to
be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, the Bengals
don’t show any promise in sparking their offense. Johnson
won’t be getting many fantasy points, and is only as good as
a third-string wide receiver right now.
Who is the best football team in the NCAA?
When I think of the best team in college football right now, I think
of the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions have one
of the most potent offenses in the nation. Quarterback Daryll
Clark, who has thrown for 896 yards with a rating of 168.3,
anchors this offense. The Lions are stacked at all the skill
positions with their three senior wide receivers, Williams, Butler,
and Norwood, in addition to running back Evan Royster, who is
averaging over seven yards per carry. They will be a force to be
reckoned with if they can successfully get through their difficult
Big Ten schedule this season.
The best team in college football is without a doubt the Pitt
Panthers. Since the Bowling Green loss, the Panthers have
rattled off four straight wins. They include victories over Iowa and
the #10-ranked South Florida Bulls. The Panthers are led by the
best running back in the country, Shady McCoy, and the best
linebacker in the country, Scott McKillop. They have climbed back
to #24, with a 4-1 record since though, and I expect them to be in
the top five by season’s end. They will win out the Big East and go
to a BCS bowl, at the least. The Panthers are the team to beat in
the Big East, and will be the team to beat in the NCAA.
The best team in college football this year is definitely Oklahoma.
Quarterback Sam Bradford is putting up record numbers this
year. Demarco Murray and Chris Brown also provide a double
threat at running back; both average about 5.0 yards per carry.
Between the pass and run game, the Sooners seem to be an
unstoppable powerhouse on offense, scoring nearly 200 points
in only four games. Current BCS #1 Oklahoma has a solid
chance to remain on top if they can continue to expose the
defenses of their opposition.
Taylor Relich, ‘09
Ian Jackson, ‘09
Taylor Miller, ‘09

11. sports
October 21, 2008
Connor Jackson
Indians’ Time of Essence
Ian Jackson
Football
(2-5-0)
Senior Brady Ashe and Brian Hays hope
to lead the way to a playoff birth for
Peters Township this season
Cross Country
Girls (8-1)
Boys (5-3)
Bridget Stasenko hopes to lead the 81 girls’ cross-country team to victory on
October 23 in the WPIAL finals.
Photo by Zack Malanos
The offensive coordinator, “Coach Mo,” motivates the starting offense with
an enthralling speach before the game winning drive against Kiski.
the big dogs we are 0-0 week in and week out,” said Coach Milchovich.
The positive motivation going into the locker room is that if the
Indians go out and practice hard every day, they will become bigger and
better. The team has confidence that they will be able to come together as a
solid football team to win the games that really count –back when the team
was conditioning, senior defensive Alex Smith ended the practice by saying
“1, 2, and 3, playoffs!”
Gone In a Flash
Sports Co-Editor
The Pittsburgh Pirates 2008
season didn’t go as planned, to
say the least. The team struggled
early, attempted to battle back to
respectablility, and then traded
away the top stars on the team for
prospects, causing the rest of the
season to be a total disaster. As
always, there were a few bright spots
to give us a little false hope for 2009.
Paul Maholm established himself as a
quality starting pitcher, Nate McClouth
emerged as a top outfielder, and the
dominant hitting of Ryan Doumit.
Adam Laroche also did a nice job, and
Freddy Sanchez bounced back from
his slow start. The signing of Pedro
Alvarez is a huge sigh of relief for
Pirates fans after a month long circus
with celebrity agent, Scott Boras.
Even with the losses piling up and a
sixteenth straight losing season, there
is still one thing that has been even
more disappointing, the treatment of
shortstop, Jack Wilson.
Jack Wilson played his first
full season with the Pirates in 2001.
He instantly became a hit with the
fans with his strong defensive plays.
He was named the captain in 2003
and has carried that title with him
ever since. He had a two hundred hit
season in 2004 and made the MLB
All-Star game that season, he also
led the league in doubles in 2004.
He has been runner-up for the Gold
Glove Award six times. He has been
awarded the Roberto Clemente
Award the past five seasons as the
athlete that does the most charity
work in Pittsburgh. The city has
11
Sports
Briefs
Staff Writer
Recently,
the
Peters
Township High School football team
hasn’t been successful, but secondyear head coach Nick Milchovich
has been preparing his team to
become a strong and noticeable
force. The young varsity squad,
including sophomore quarterback
Austin Hancock and junior wide
receiver Brandon Hoffman is proof.
“We are very young, but it has
been long enough that we start
playing like a notable football team,”
said senior wide receiver Jace
Cavanaugh. Despite suffering some
disappointing losses, the team has
been a contender.
The Indians lost a couple
of key games that could have been
won. They lost their first game to
Ringgold 21-10 due to some metal
mistakes and letting up big plays.
They won their second game at
home to Kiski 17-13by the defense
holding the Kiski offense at key
points. Then the Indians went on
a cold streak, losing to Knoch 207 and Indiana 41-28 due to some
unfortunate defensive struggles
and offensive turnovers. They went
on to lose their Homecoming game
to Bethel Park, bringing the team
record to 2-4 “ We let some games
go, but being in the conference with
Smoke Signals
truly embraced Wilson and he has
embraced the city right back. Even
with all these accolades, Wilson
has still had to endure trade rumors
the past three seasons.
“It’s hard on my family and
myself. I want to be a Pittsburgh
Pirate. I’m proud to be a Pirate, but
it’s up to the management if they
want me to be a piece of the future,”
Wilson said earlier this season
(www.pirates.com).
“I remain committed to
the organization and the
fans. They’ve been great
to me, and if it was up to
me, I’d spend the rest of
my career here.”
– Jack Wilson
One would think the Pirates would
be ecstatic by Wilson saying these
things, but no. The Pirates can’t
accept the fact that a player loves
the team and the fans love the
player. Jack Wilson is the Pittsburgh
Pirates, but after this season, the
team has a big choice to make.
Wilson is getting paid a team high
$6.25 million dollars this season,
and is set to make $7.55 million next
year. That is, if the Pirates choose
to give him that. They can either
pay him what he is owed or trade
Wilson to a contender that needs a
quality shortstop. It should be a nobrainer, but it is well established that
Wilson has played his last game in
a Pirates jersey. From September 2
through September 20, “Jumpin’ Jack
Flash” didn’t get a single at-bat in the
Pirates lineup. They explored new
options and gave at-bats to young
shortstops during that time period.
“This is where I want to be. I
was brought here to win and I haven’t
gotten the chance to do that. I remain
committed to the organization and
the fans. They’ve been great to me,
and if it was up to me, I’d spend the
rest of my career here,” Wilson stated
emotionally
(www.pittsburghpostgazette.com).
On Sunday, September
21, as Wilson came up to the plate
to pinch hit for Ross Ohlendorf, his
walkup song (Jumpin’ Jack Flash,
by the Rolling Stones) blared, and
the crowd stood and roared for the
player they’ve enjoyed watching
over the past eight years. Wilson
dug in, and ripped a run scoring
single on the first pitch he saw. The
crowd, still standing, again roared in
appreciation. The next batter made
the third out and as Wilson walked
toward the Pirates dugout, he quietly
bent over and scooped up some dirt
off the PNC Park infield and placed it
into his back pocket. With that move,
Wilson silently acknowledged that it
would be his last appearance with the
Pirates. There will be no drama with
him. Wilson jogged off the field, with
the crowd still standing, gave a wave
to the fans and casually disappeared
into the Bucco’s dugout. It was a
fitting exit for a classy player who
deserved that more than anyone.
Girls Soccer
(15-1-2)
The girls’ soccer team hopes to win
their first playoff game against the winner of the South Moreland-Franklin Regional winner on October 21 at 8:00pm,
here at Peters Township.
Boys Soccer
(13-5-0)
Nick Wilcox and the boys’ soccer team
hope to win their first playoff game
against Central Catholic at 8:00pm on
October 21, here at Peters Township.
Girls Golf
(14-1)
Jessy Parham is leading the team with
records like placing 6th out of 27 with a
score of 80. They placed 6th out of nine
in the WPIAL team championships but
didn’t qualify to move on to the state
championships.
Boys Golf
(16-2)
The Boys team won the WPIAL Division
I championship with a score of 401.
Volleyball
(12-7-1)
The girls finished their regular season
game on October 16 and hope to further themselves in the playoffs.
Field Hockey
(15-0-1)
With seniors Stephanie Cotugno and
Laura Maydak, they haven’t lost a game
yet. The first round of playoffs will be
held on October 22 at Peters Township.

12. Voices Hall
in the
IF you could Trick-Or-Treat at any celebrity’s house, whose would it be?
Freshman Molly Doehring
“Ryan Sheckler”
Sophomore Dylan Small
“Dane Cook”
Junior Angela Ranalli
“Adam Sandler”
Senior Nate Croft
“P-Diddy”
What’s your ideal Halloween costume?
Freshman Carly Beck
“Mr. Bastos”
Sophomore Liz Egan
“A Flapper”
Junior Kevin Higgins
“The glasses and mustache
combo”
Senior Brahim Shettima
“A Glass Box”
What do the Teachers think?
Mrs. Seckley
“Brad Pitt”
Mr. Burns
“Toga”
Ms. Cardamone
“Jim Carrey”
The PT Minute
Senior Julie Staaf
Best Halloween Costume?
Tinker Bell
Favorite candy while Trick-Or-Treating?
MM’s or Skittles
Favorite Halloween memory?
Going to fright night with my friends
Which teacher had the best halloween costumes?
Señora Clark as an ear of corn
Favorite scary movie?
“Disturbia”
Senior Ross Lugar
Favorite Halloween costume?
My Amish costume
Favorite Candy while Trick-Or-Treating?
Nestle Crunch Bars or pretzels
Favorite Halloween memory?
When I danced outside the middle school in my Amish
costume while changing the marquee
Which teacher had the best halloween costumes?
None -- they are all equally scary to me.
What is your favorite scary movie?
Any “Saw” movie.
Mr. Demascal
“Elmer Fudd”
Teac
her
Min
With MR. CERVANEK
ute
Best costume?
Sumo Wrestler
Favorite candy?
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Favorite memory?
Bobbing for apples in sixth
grade
Favorite scary movie?
“Friday the Thirteenth”
Which teacher has the best
costumes?
Mrs. Boni