by: Emma Helmick

GS will now have four early dismissal days scattered across the school year to create more collaborative and planning time for teachers. 

These days take place October 6^th, November 9^th, February 16^th and May 9^th. All students will leave two hours earlier while the teachers stay in the building for extra working and planning time. 

“We want better class time and class experiences for kids and it’s providing time for planning and preparation for teachers,” Superintendent Dr. Ken Bissell said. 

These days will allow teachers to come together to make GS schools more advanced and creative without any distractions around. 

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Lion holding a clock that is showing the time of the dismissals for the Middle and High School.

Editorial Cartoon by: Ksena Spencer.

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“Act 80 days and In-Service days used to be enough time for schools to do a lot of planning and prep, or at least it was adequate time, but the state of Pennsylvania has given teachers and educators so many mandates and mandated training that they have to complete, and those trainings take time,” Dr. Bissell said. 

They have the same intention as an Act 80 day, but with all the training that goes into them, there is hardly any time for teachers to get work for their classes done. The early dismissal days will not have anything for teachers to learn and they are strictly for preparation. 

“My biggest concern is sending students home two hours early-especially elementary-parents have to shift schedules, parents may have to find day care,” Bissell said. “There’s an equity issue there because for some people, they have the means to provide for that daycare or family supports and others do not and that creates a stress and a strain on them.” 

While the changes might not affect those in 6-12^th grade, the younger children of the district may experience challenges. 

“It will make it difficult to meal prep and have meals made for when my parents are at work because they won’t be home till five and my siblings and I would be getting home earlier,” sophomore Neela Harrison said. “For some jobs being able to get off early or switching around their schedule is extremely difficult.” 

Parents with younger children will have to figure out a way to ensure that their child will be taken care of if they can’t, which can add additional stress. The early dismissal days have been added to the school’s calendar for parents to plan ahead. 

 “I am happy about having these days added to our school calendar,” 2^nd grade teacher Miss Michele Cribbs said. “This will give teachers the opportunity to meet for professional development without being out of the classroom on days of instruction.” 

Teachers will get the opportunity to do things they may usually miss out on due to being too busy. 

“I think it will provide time to do some things that we are not able to do like meet with teachers even within our own content area,” Science Teacher Mrs. Rachel Sassani said. “I don’t always get a chance to talk to the other science teachers. I would like to collaborate with them more or even people outside my content area if there was time to work with them, or even if they give us time to dive into some student data for planning purposes. It would be nice to have that extra time to do this as well.” 

Being able to work together could give them a chance to bring new material into their own classrooms. This extra time can introduce teachers to new things that they can teach to their own students. 

“Any decision that I make some people are going to be happy and some people are going to be stressed from,” Bissell said. “It’s just knowing where those stresses are and if it’s worth them in the long run. That’s what we have to make the determination, but by not doing anything, that doesn’t help. We need to take a risk and do something and see where the stresses are then take care of it and get better.” 

by: Adison Poole

Get ready for bonfires, football and dancing. 

For the first time in four years, GS will be holding not only several exciting events, but also a school wide Homecoming Dance.  

“I’m excited we’re finally having a homecoming this year,” junior Ruby Hohman said. “I think it will be nice since we haven’t gotten to have one in years.”    

This year’s Homecoming Dance has raised excitement for many students at GS because unlike the spring prom, this dance will be open to any students throughout the high school, meaning all grades nine through twelve will be welcome to attend. 

“I know a few freshmen that are already planning to go,” Hohman said. “So, I’m sure there’s a lot more who will end up coming.”  

The dance is not the only event coming up, though. Several other events are taking place this month to raise excitement for this year’s homecoming. Some of the events include activities such as a Senior Sunrise, an after-school bonfire and festival and a Homecoming pep rally. Just like years prior, there was a Homecoming Court that was elected by students and voted on to choose a queen. The winner will be announced at halftime during the football game held the night before the dance.

Calendar of upcoming events that can be found on the first floor by the cafeteria. Photo by: Adison Poole

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GS Homecoming Court of 2023: Giavanna Rosensteel, Taylor Carr, Ashlan Price, Natalia Kane, Lea Kasmer, Mackenzie Halfhill and Ella Henry (not pictured: Alethea Tressler) Photo by: Adison Poole

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“We planned the homecoming bonfire and senior sunrise before school started,” senior Ashlan Price said. “We also planned out the spirit week ahead of time and the theme for Homecoming.”  

The dance itself and many of the events will be inexpensive for students to attend. The Bonfire and festival are free for everyone but bake sales and different activities set up for the festival may cost money so all students planning on coming out are welcome to bring along some extra cash just in case.  

“We have a first week special price of $10 a person,” Physics Teacher Mr. Christopher Gazze said. “The second week sale is $15.”  

The Homecoming Dance ticket prices are only $10-$15 this year since the dance will be held at GS rather than a hall like many other dances such as prom in the past. Tickets for the dance will be sold any time between the 6^th through 20^th of September. Mr. Gazze encourages all students to purchase tickets now because no tickets will be sold at the door the night of.   

“The bonfire is free to attend,” Gazze explained. “But there will be concessions and other things being sold through various clubs. There will also be food items and drinks there.”  

The dance is something quite uncommon at GS. For many years there has not been a Homecoming Dance, but this year students pushed to change that. 

“Everyone on SCA executive wanted to have a Homecoming instead of a Christmas Dance,” Price explained. 

Price believes that with all the upcoming events surrounding the Homecoming football game “it just made more sense” to have a Homecoming Dance.  

Themes for this Homecoming have also already been discussed and decided by SCA members and leaders. The dance will be decorated and based around a time theme.  

“This year’s theme for Homecoming is Time is Running Out,” she said. “So, everything will be a clock theme.”  

If all goes well this year, GS may have more Homecoming Dances to come in the future. This year will be a trial to see if students would prefer a Homecoming Dance instead of the usual Christmas Dance.  

“Everyone in SCA really wanted to have a Homecoming instead of the Christmas Dance,” Price explained. “We felt that it would be more enjoyable, and it is at the beginning of the year, which could make freshmen more open to going.”  

SCA hopes that by holding a dance this year, students will have some fun with it and hopefully ask for more in the future. It’s up to students to decide now if this is a dance they want to keep around or if it will stay as a one-time kind of thing every few years.  

“I really do hope this year goes well; I think Homecoming is something GS should make permanent,” Hohman said.  

by: Rubee Stillwagon

With seniors preparing for college and last year’s graduates starting their first year in college, there are things they need to be aware of. Sexual assault cases on college campuses rise each year as back-to-school starts. This issue often goes unreported, but it is important to take a better look at this serious problem.  

The period from August to late November is popularly named the “Red Zone” by groups across college campuses. This is because sexual assault cases are higher in these months than any other, causing back-to-school to be more dangerous for students, especially when they are unaware of this problem. 

Statistics showing college sexual assault rates. Graphic created by: Rubee Stillwagon

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“I’m honestly scared,” senior Sarah Rising said. “It’s definitely not something I want to go through or have anyone else go through.”  

It is extremely important that students know of this rising problem so they can take the proper safety measures to protect themselves. Studies done by the Women’s Health Association show that roughly 50% of sexual assault cases happen in students’ first and second semesters in college. At this time, students are still getting into the routine of things and may be more vulnerable due to back-to-school stress. 

“Keep an eye on friends, always plan ahead and always have a buddy, especially if alcohol is involved,” Sejah Franklin, a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, said. 

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, alcohol and drugs often play a big role in sexual assaults on campuses. 15% of young women experience incapacitated rape during their first year of college, meaning they were legally not able to give consent. It is important to stay with a trusted person and keep an eye on your surroundings. 

“I know a lot of women who go to report it, but it is just brushed off,” senior Alexa George said. 

In most cases, students report their assault to their school before taking it to law enforcement. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) investigated over 100 universities for mishandling sexual assault cases, showing that most times unreported and mishandled cases start at the school level. 

Franklin, Rising and George all said that talking about it more is an important thing. 

Students often don’t report the assaults because they believe nothing will be done. Talking about it and making people more aware of it may help people know it’s okay to ask for help. If an assault happens on campus or the perpetrator attends the school, students can also report it to the school authorities. The school is required to help students continue their education safely. Sex discrimination is also prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. 

“Sexual assault can happen to anyone at any time,” Rising said. 

The most important thing to do if assault happens is to make sure students know they are not alone and that it’s not their fault. Victims often suffer from various long-term and short-term health problems such as sexually transmitted infections, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and more. This is why it is important that people raise awareness and make sure that students know they have people to support and believe in them. In the case of this unfortunate event, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is open 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE. 

“There’s such a stigma around it and there’s also a lot of shame put on people,” Rising said. 

Sexual assault awareness ribbon.

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by: Ava Hardaway

With a new season of sports starting at GS, vacancies for coaching spots opened for two fall sports. Football Head Coach Mr. Dave Keefer and boys’ soccer Head Coach Mr. Dan Anderson both left their positions at the end of last year’s seasons. In looking for new head coaches, one team knew where to look for a replacement and the other had to look a little further.  

In early January of this year, Mr. Tyler George was named Head Coach of the GS football team. Many emotions filled the head of the new coach when hearing the news of his hiring.  

The GS football team lines up to play the Derry Area Trojans. Photo by: Ava Hardaway

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“You know, you’re obviously really excited,” Mr. George said. “It’s a new opportunity, a new experience. There are so many great people here, great kids at GS. I was honored to be able to continue these traditions and things GS has to offer.” 

When he was hired, George added new coaches to the current coaching staff. They were selected as help to George and the team.  

“I keep telling everybody, I am super lucky,” he said. “All the guys I get to work with every single day are hardworking, good guys who truly care about the kids. They want what is best for the kids. It has been great to have them. Again, I am super lucky.” 

Seniors who graduated last year left big openings for the upcoming team. Christian McChesney, Kaleb Riggs, Cody Rubrecht and many other names from last year were off the roster. The rising players for the current team had to step up and fill those spots. Guys like Kai Brunot, Peyton Chismar, Adam DePasquale, Julian Stevens and Ayden Thompson were a few of the names mentioned by Coach George.  

George had no hesitation in his answer about who has stepped up the most as a leader.  

“I will tell you one of the biggest ones is Brady Smith,” he said. “Smith has been such a hard-working kid for us this year. He is a silent leader. He leads by example, and he does the right thing. We are really happy with what he has done so far.” 

Senior Julian Stevens has known Coach George since middle school and has grown quite close to him. With being on the previous coaching staff, George had a close relationship with most of the current players.  

“He’s a great coach that brings energy to the team,” Stevens said on George stepping in as head coach. “He’s worked our tails off this summer. Emotionally, I am excited because there is more faith on this team and an extra edge that he gave us.” 

With the season starting off with two losses and their first win against Ligonier Valley, the Golden Lions hope to gain more wins through the season.  

Along with a new head football coach being hired, a new head soccer coach was also hired. Coach Rich Christeleit was hired to fill in for the previous head coach Dan Anderson, after he left following the previous season. When looking for a new head coach, there was a struggle. Starting to look in the summer, it took a little longer to find a coach. Unable to find someone who was willing to take charge of the coaching challenge, Christeleit stepped up.  

Senior Carter Rizzo has been on the soccer team since freshman year. He has worked with multiple coaches in the soccer organization. With having a new coach this season, the team has had to rebuild themselves.  

“As a senior, we have been through rough season after rough season in my time at the high school,” Rizzo said regarding their previous soccer seasons. “This year, the team seems happier and more focused on winning more games.” 

After having a rough season last year, the boys’ soccer team hopes to continue winning throughout the season. Starting off the season with both wins and losses, the team has looked good. 

“I am looking forward most to living out the rest of my senior season playing as hard as I can,” he said. “Work with the team to achieve the most we possibly can while I have one year left to do so.”  

Athletics at GS has had their starts in the summer and continues through the fall season. Athletic Director Mr. Frank Sundry is excited about the upcoming fall season of sports and the new hires of coaches. 

“Both head coaches provide a wealth of knowledge and passion for their respective sports,” Mr. Sundry said. “They were both able to hire great people around them to help support the team and players. We feel that both hires provide our programs with the immediate and future ability to be successful.” 

Banners for boys’ soccer seniors line the fence at Offutt field. Photo by: Ava Hardaway

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by: Emma Helmick

To eliminate all distractions for students, GS has enforced a no-phone rule. 

It is now mandatory for students to put their phones in a holder at the beginning of every class. Today, phones are viewed as a distraction and in the past few years they have become a problem in schools around the world. 

While most students have been cooperating with the new system, frustration has built up within the school and many are questioning the reasoning behind this decision. 

A phone holder is attached to the inside of a teacher’s door. Students must put their phones into the holders when they enter classrooms now. Photo by: Emma Helmick

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“If we never had any problems, if 150 kids came in, didn’t use their phones inappropriately, weren’t walking around with earbuds in or whatever, this wouldn’t exist,” High School Co-Principal Mr. Adam Jones said. “But to expect 15–18-year-olds, having been one if I had a cellphone, I would’ve been misusing it and I would’ve been super distracted in class.” 

The evolution of cellphone usage during school hours has extremely increased since they were invented, but in the past few years, some student’s grades dropped which may be because of the distraction to their learning environment. 

“Every teacher who I have spoken to has thanked me, and I told the teachers that the decision in their classrooms was ultimately theirs, so if a student doesn’t have a device and they absolutely have to use their phone for an educational purpose, the teacher has the ability to let them, but on the flip side I also told them that if they let students use phones and something happens, I don’t want them to be sent up to me,” Mr. Jones said. 

Originally, teachers had the decision on what they wanted to do for their individual classrooms, but at some point, that structure fell apart and left the District no choice but to take away that freedom. 

Without phones, students are more likely to become more engaged in the content they are learning and more likely to socialize with the people around them. 

“People need to communicate back and forth, so that was a big reason why,” Jones said. “You should be focusing on school, not Snapping the kid in the next classroom.” 

This rule seemed to be a positive step for GS, however, not everyone was thrilled with the restrictions put in place. 

“Everyone is definitely mad about it because we’re being treated like children as almost adults and it just kind of sucks, but there is not much we can do about it,” senior Bryonna Macioce said. 

While this has caused students to become more involved with their learning, most of them are not happy with the situation. 

“I feel like if somebody is on their phone and obviously not paying attention or not doing what they are supposed to, they should get their phone taken and it should go to the office,” Macioce said. “Everyone shouldn’t be punished just because of what some people do.” 

This could feel unfair to the people who followed the rules and only used their phones at the appropriate times.  

Not only did this make some people upset, but it also created challenges for some students who have already experienced a hard time adjusting to the change. 

“There’s so many classes that we used to use our phones in, and it was just so much easier than using the slow computers, I don’t even have a charger for mine,” she said. 

There are many faults with this approach that are tricky to work around and the main one is that phones are a very handy tool to have when computers become unavailable.  

“People just sat in class on their phones and the school definitely just got sick of it,” she said. “I know a lot of people who were on their phones who had really bad grades and that does affect us as a school, too.” 

Students being distracted in class also reflected badly on the teachers who had to work around the disturbance. 

“It was becoming such a problem for some people and I’m not saying everybody because there were people who were fine with their phones, but it was just becoming such a distraction that they had to try something and this may not be perfect, but at least they are trying something,” International Studies Teacher Mr. Robert Lehman said. 

There is no flawless solution for this; there will be obstacles to tackle no matter what route is taken. 

“This was something that was coming; it was inevitable,” Lehman said. “The studies show that phones are a distraction; I think it’s just going to get to where people get used to it; they just come in and do it and that’s that.” 

Now that the phones are gone, students have a better chance of being more involved with the content they are learning, but some cons come with this. 

“Now if I want kids to use their phones, I have to let them get up and go get them then go back to their seats so timing wise you have to adjust a little bit, but that isn’t much,” Mr. Lehman said. 

For some classes, cell phones are often used, so having to get up and get a phone could be a distraction in itself.  

“People who use their phones when they are supposed to are losing; a phone is a resource that gives me access to every bit of knowledge that civilization has that I can use for my research,” junior Ari Case said. 

The school computers have certain topics that students research for classes that are blocked. If students must use their phone to search for those things it may be hard for the teachers to keep track of who is using their phone as a resource and who is using it to mess around. 

“When I start working a 9-5 after high school, I’m not going to have to put my phone in a pocket,” Case said. “I’m going to have to know how to not look at my phone while I’m working and that’s not something this is teaching.” 

High school is preparation for adulthood. Learning responsibility and self-control is part of that, but when the majority of students prove that they are not capable of that and it starts to reflect badly on the school, it becomes not just a problem for an individual student, but the entire District. 

“I understand the benefit broadly for a lot of students in classes, and there are other perspectives here and it’s not like they didn’t think about it,” they said. 

There was no solution to this problem that would have left everyone completely satisfied.  

“It’s also something to help you, it’s not from a punishment perspective, it’s from a helping perspective and I know that may be hard to see as a teenager, but I hope in 10 years they can see why I did this,” Jones said. 

by: Leah Kaylor, Theresa Schuetz and Luke Shevchik

Sophmore Alexxus Reynolds. Photo by: Theresa Schuetz

Students may be unaware of ICWA and its purpose, however, they may know about Native Americans in the mid-20^th century being forced to assimilate into American life and its long-lasting devastation to Native American culture and tribes.

“It’s kind of sad I haven’t heard about it (ICWA) until you brought it to my attention,” sophomore Alaysia Tarpley said.

Although many don’t know about the Indian Child Welfare Act, it still holds significance in the Native American community. ICWA is an Act that has existed since the late ‘70s; it is used to protect Native American children from being removed from their tribes. The Act gives tribal governments exclusive jurisdiction over children who live on a reservation; it also prioritizes sending adoptee Native children to Native American families as a way to preserve culture.

Recent controversy has been raised stating the Act is unconstitutional and makes it harder for Native American children in foster care to be adopted.

“This Act is only looking out for the best interest and well-being of a minority group,” sophomore Alexxus Reynolds said. “Removing it would rid the child of their culture and roots.”

Many families, after fostering Native American children, attempt to adopt them, but are often times rejected or are told to prove they are good people. Many believe this process is too strict and greatly limits their ability to adopt children whom they have been fostering long-term.

The strict process of adopting Native American children raised arguments that were heard in the Supreme Court on November 9^th, 2022. These arguments have the possibility of overturning ICWA and are currently being reviewed.

“I would find a more sustainable alternative to overturning the Act,” senior Evan Malie said.

One of the other main arguments against ICWA is that it goes against the 10^th Amendment’s anti-commandeering Act. The anti-commandeering Act ceases federal control over states’ choices.

“I do not believe that this Act is unconstitutional because it is not giving anyone an unfair advantage,” Reynolds said.

The Supreme Court is said to reach a decision on whether to keep or overturn ICWA by June of this year, which has many outraged because of ICWA’s long-standing protection towards Native American children and culture.

“It’s such a sensitive topic that should have more attention brought to it, and I would learn more about it and talk to those offended to gather their perspectives,” Civics teacher Mr. Nicholas Diehl said.

by: Theresa Schuetz

College board outside of the main office. Photo by: Theresa Schuetz

The paths people take after high school vary, and it’s not easy to choose which one to go down. Students can choose to further their education, go into the workforce or even take a gap year to enjoy time out of school.

The most popular path people tend to choose is university or college. Furthering education is what students tend to do most often because it is said to be the most reliable way to get a job.

Each college has many different options to include people with different interests and goals. There are many different professions people are passionate about and can choose to pursue.

“I chose to go to school for criminal justice because I have always been fond of crime scene investigating and doing things hands-on,” senior Kaidence Thompson said.

Not everyone wants to jump into college life; others want to spend time out of school to follow their passions. Senior Owen Tutich will be playing hockey somewhere during his gap year.

“I plan on attending a four-year college after my gap year and continuing to play hockey while studying business,” Tutich said.

Student-athletes often take their passions and try to turn them into pursuable futures. According to NFHS.org, only two percent of student-athletes make it to college teams on a scholarship and fewer than two percent of college athletes go pro. Even with these odds, many athletes don’t let it stop them and continue chasing their dreams.

Role models heavily impact what people dream of doing in the world and even change what people choose to do post-high school.

“My biggest inspiration growing up was my grandfather who served in WWII; he’s what got me into the idea of it from a very young age,” senior Alex Toth said.

Joining the military is another popular choice when it comes to post-secondary. According to defense.gov, 87% of the military is made up of 18-year-olds. There are many reasons young adults choose to pursue the military, it could be to fund college, honor a family member or serve their country.

“Initially I wanted to experience what my grandfather had in WWII, then as I was growing up the more I saw and heard, I knew I just wanted to help people,” Toth said.

There are no set paths that students are required to go down post-high school, opportunities grow with each thing that is done.

“Follow your passion, be willing to work for it and not every dream starts at the top,” principal Mr. David Zilli said. “Sometimes you have to enter at the bottom and work your way up.”

by: Leah Kaylor

Healthy substitution board in the nutrition room. Photo by: Leah Kaylor

Over 60% of Americans are affected by some type of ailment, according to the CDC, and most are largely believed to be connected to obesity.   

In the US, 60% of Americans are clinically obese or have chronic illnesses due to what they consume. Americans are more likely to develop illnesses such as cancer, food allergies and diabetes because of ingredients being consumed daily. These ingredients in particular are banned in other countries according to CNN.   

In Europe carcinogens and preservatives are all banned because of the effects they have on someone’s overall health. Americans do not follow the same food guidelines as Europeans do, according to the nutrition website called focusforhealth. When it comes to food supply, Europeans have a mindset of “better safe than sorry,” while the US has a motto of “innocent until proven guilty.”  

An ingredient used in the US called Azodicarbonamide is used in flour which makes dough spongy and rise, but it just so happens the same ingredient is used to make yoga mats and flip flops, the CDC states.   

“It’s sad to think we don’t even think about some of the things we consume, but so much of what we have is unhealthy,” junior Bryonna Macioce said.  

Macioce looks at the photos that are advertised of food to make it look appealing and healthy, but sees photos of food from other countries and the realness of it.   

“I think people really need to take a step back and think about having balance in what you eat,” junior Grace Shrum said.  

Shrum believes some people will consume mostly junk, but they don’t look at the bigger picture of what people eat every day without balance.  

The US food quality crisis is partly because of the government relying on companies producing the products to prove their own guilt. The US uses a system called GRAS, generally recognized as safe ingredients, which essentially means companies are protected from lawsuits from being held liable, which other countries do not have according to focusforhealth.com.  

“When I think about how we are consuming an ingredient that is made in yoga mats and rubber, it’s sad how no one knows that because no one looks at what they are eating,” junior Alethea Tressler said.   

The topic of Americans’ health is shaded and minimized by the fact there is a hysteria that healthy food tastes gross and junk food tastes better. New Food Magazine had an article that states that healthier food is more expensive because it’s less likely to have preservatives. Junk food in America is photoshopped to make it seem more appealing to the human eye, and it is typically cheaper than healthy food.   

“It’s shocking to think that many people are not aware of this problem, but it’s also sad,” Mrs. Morgan Ferczak said. “There is a known problem with the food quality, and it needs to be addressed.”    

Ferczak believes most people don’t have a clue as to what is being consumed into every day diets, nor do people look at the ingredients in the food itself. Ingredients tend to be hard to even pronounce on the back of most processed food and contain about 30 ingredients, whereas in Europe there tend to be five ingredients, all real.   

“Other countries’ ingredients are able to be read, whereas I read something on the back of a product and there are over 20 ingredients I can’t even pronounce,” Ferczak said.  

  

by: Theresa Schuetz

St. Clair Park entrance. Photo by: Theresa Schuetz

Summer is approaching quickly and Greensburg has many events and places for people to spend those hot days.

Ice cream is the perfect summer treat that many use to cool down on sunny days. Greensburg has three main ice cream shops, Dairy Queen, The Meadows and Cold Stone Creamery. Each offers its own twist on ice cream that offers relief from hot weather.

“I like to get ice cream from Dairy Queen,” senior Madison Krofcheck said.

Greensburg usually kicks off the summer spirit with Community Days which are held at Lynch Field on Memorial Day weekend. The event is perfect for families and teenagers to feel the summer spirit and realize how close summer really is. However, due to renovations happening this year to the Kirk S. Nevin Arena, Community Days have been canceled.

Although Community Days are canceled, Greensburg’s volunteer firefighters will be holding a one-day “Party in the Park” at St. Clair Park with free admission on May 27^th from 1-9 pm.

“I’m bummed it’s canceled because I feel like it’s a start to summer,” sophomore Anna Shevchik said.

St. Clair Park also starts Music in the Park each Friday in the summer. St. Clair has stands that are set up with food and some merchandise that guests can buy.

“I love all the summer sounds concerts at St. Clair Park; I think that’s one of the coolest things that we do in this town,” Art teacher Mr. Darryl Audia said.

Greensburg also starts off the summer with night markets that start in April and end in December. The market has a lot of different types of vendors to interest a wide variety of people and many kinds of food to choose from. The market takes place in downtown Greensburg and is held May 25^th, June 22^nd, July 27^th, August 31^st, October 26^th, November 15^th and December 14^th of this year.

“I like looking at all the different booths that are at the Night Markets,” sophomore Abigale Lauffer said.

Westmoreland County itself also holds a large variety of events in the summer to bring communities together.  Westmoreland County has announced that this year’s Arts and Heritage Festival is celebrating its 49^th year of operation. This festival takes place annually and is held at Twin Lakes this year from June 29^th to July 2^nd.

“I really like the different art stands, there was a crochet and pottery one when I went that I liked,” Lauffer said.

Westmoreland County also holds the Westmoreland Fair towards the end of summer and this year is no different. The Westmoreland County Fair features games, rides, animals and food from August 18^th to the 26^th. Even though the events do not change, people from all over the County gather to have fun.

“I like to go on rides and walk around with friends at the Fair,” Shevchik said.

by: Luke Shevchik

PNC park during a pirates game. Photo submitted by: Paige Storkel

The city of Pittsburgh is known for its passionate sports fans who support their beloved teams through thick and thin. 

The Pirates and Steelers are two of the most iconic and storied franchises in the city. 

Up to the 2023 NFL draft, fans of the Steelers were excited to see what the team was planning.  

The Steelers had several draft picks, including the 11th overall pick in the first round. They selected Broderick Jones, an offensive tackle.       

“They needed an offensive tackle the most,” sophomore Jake Robl said. “I am very pleased with their draft picks, and amped for this upcoming season.” 

In the 2^nd round, the Steelers settled on Joey Porter, Jr., a cornerback from Penn State when people seemed to be very pleased about.  

Other draft picks included Keeanu Benton, a defensive tackle from Wisconsin later in the 2^nd round; Darnell Washington, a tight end from Georgia in the 3^rd round; Nick Herbig, a linebacker form Wisconsin in the 4^th round; Cory Trice, a cornerback from Purdue, and Spencer Anderson, an Offensive Tackle from Maryland, both in the 7^th round. 

Meanwhile, on the North Shore the Pirates have been taking care of business so far this season.  

The Pirates have faced some struggles in recent years, with a losing record in each of the previous five seasons.  

“I didn’t think we would be sitting in this position and playing this well,” senior Sam Spigarelli said. “Taking aside the losing streak recently, we have been playing fantastic.”  

The Pirates strolled through the month of April, winning 20 out of their first 28 games.  

The hot start had plenty to do with veterans like Carlos Santana, Bryan Renyolds and Pittsburgh’s fan favorite Andrew McCutchen playing above the radar.  

Additional assets include closing pitcher and Pittsburgh native David Bednar, along with the entire starting rotation.  

Mitch Keller has pitched eight games totaling 56 strikeouts, a 4-1 record and an ERA (earned run average) of 2.72.  

The outfield also includes some new faces with Connor Joe and Ji Wan Bae, who both have made extreme impacts for the team. 

Since the month of May the Pirates have entered a slump, dropping 10 of their last 12 games, taking them from a 20-9 record in April to a 22-19 record. With the Milwaukee Brewers sweeping Kansas City, the Pirates find themselves a game and half back of 1^{st place} in the NL Central division as of this writing.  

The Buccos look to catch fire again with a two-set stand coming up with the Detroit Tigers after a dominating 4-0-win to avoid the sweep in Baltimore, while the Steelers look ahead to the new season with hopes of returning to the playoffs.