Article | The Lions' Den

End of an Era

Posted on December 20, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Adison Poole

Fans walk out of the stadium leaving glitter on the floor and friendship bracelets behind after superstar Taylor Swift closes her tour.

After over a year of touring, Swift has officially wrapped up her longest tour ever, The Eras Tour. The tour opened on March 17, 2023, and ended on Dec. 8, 2024.

Over the course of The Eras Tour Swift played a total of 149 shows, which brought in around $2 billion, making The Eras Tour the highest grossing tour of all time. The tour consisted of 51 different cities that spanned over 21 different countries.

Taylor Swift shows off her new bodysuit in Miami N1.

Photo By: Adison Poole

GS students have attended shows all over the U.S. Senior Cecilia Ecklund attended Cincinnati N2 and shared her experience of the show.

“I enjoyed every moment of the show, but if I had to pick just one part it would be the surprise song segment,” Ecklund said. “Taylor brought out two special guests, Aaron Dessner and Gracie Abrams. Additionally, it was the first time she played three surprise songs.”

Every night Swift opened the show with songs from her seventh album Lover. She then went through the rest of her eras as the show went on, usually playing five songs from each of her 11 albums, for a total of 44-46 songs a night.

The surprise song segment was different every night of the show, making it a unique experience for those in attendance. Swift opened with a song or mashup on guitar followed by a song or mashup on piano.

“On other nights, I would occasionally watch the livestreams on TikTok and YouTube,” Ecklund said.

When people couldn’t attend shows, many tuned into different livestreams on social media platforms. Over the course of The Eras Tour many creators on sites such as Tik Tok gained followers by livestreaming the entire concert for everyone to enjoy from the comfort of their own home.

Viewers at home not only followed along just for the show, but some also even took part in a game known as Mastermind. The game was presented by a mobile app named Swift Alert. In the game players selected each of Swift’s outfits for the night and answered open ended questions such as what surprise song she might play or if she’d bring out a special guest.

“I was late to the game, but I started playing Mastermind during the second leg of the U.S. tour,” Ecklund said.

Senior Lauryn Swierczynski attended Pittsburgh N2 and spoke highly about the experience.

“My favorite part had to be the electric atmosphere in the stadium,” Swierczynski said. “When the Reputation era [started], the stadium legitimately shook beneath your feet.”

The shows brought people together all over the world. All over social media influencers posted different videos and pictures that showed them traveling and following the tour. Much like some of those people, sophomore Reese Pittler traveled to attend Nashville N2.

“When I went to the show it was the night after she announced Speak Now Taylor’s Version,” Pittler said. “Everything around the stadium was purple and very magical.”

Over the course of the tour Swift was also able to release both Speak Now and 1989 under her own name. She also announced and released her newest album The Tortured Poets Department.

Swift made an effort to create this atmosphere on each night of the tour. In her recently published book on The Eras Tour, Swift spoke about her experiences and said this tour was her most “ambitious” project yet.

Swift was able to bring people together in and out of the stadium over the course of her tour. Each night fans gathered outside the event and hung out while Swift performed.

By the end of the tour Swift was able to play to a grand total of 10,168,008 Swifties inside the stadiums. This number does not account for the fans outside, but on certain nights such as Munich N1 there were an estimated 50,000 fans outside as well.

“It was such a once in a lifetime experience,” Swierczynski said. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it.”

Fans gather before the Pittsburgh N2 show.

Photo Courtesy: Lauryn Swierczynski

Blood Drive Update

Posted on December 20, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Emma Helmick

The high school blood drive was a success.

46 total units were collected from 44 donors. There were 41 procedures which made the event one of the best conversion rates compared to all other high schools around.

“I thought SADD club did really well,” Secretary of SADD Lola Slavnik said. “I am excited for the Spring semester blood drive.”

Students and teachers filled in every single appointment, leaving 20 extra people on the waiting list. Most of these donors were left with the same question, where was their blood going and what was it going to do?

“It was a great experience, they were all so sweet for my first time donating, but I would like to know how they store and test it,” junior Marley Perrone said.

Perrone poses for a photo as she gets her blood taken.

Photo By: Emma Helmick

After the blood is donated to the Red Cross, it is sent to a processing lab in Johnstown where it is tested and tagged.

 “When we say that your one donation can save up to three lives it is because there may be three products derived from your blood, such as red cells to treat trauma, plasma to help a premature baby and platelets to help a patient battling cancer,” Red Cross Strategic Business Planning Manager Cletus McConville said.

The Red Cross also takes the blood cells and separates them from red cells, platelets and plasma.

They take two units of blood from each person; it takes 51 ml to fill a bag.

“You never know when you or someone close to you will need blood,” McConville said. “Giving today ensures that lifesaving blood is available to patients in need. So, it is likely that if you or a loved one ever have a need, you would desire that others have the same generous spirit as you.”

Operation Santa Claus

Posted on December 20, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Quinn Isenberg

It is important especially during the holiday season to help the community.

This season the Student Council Association (SCA) at GS did their part by participating in Operation Santa Claus.

Operation Santa Claus is a collaborative effort by Shop ‘n Save, Trib Total Media and the Salvation Army that aims to feed holiday meals to needy families across Western Pennsylvania.

Members of SCA pose for a group picture after helping the Salvation Army

load food into trucks.

Photo Courtesy: Ella Helman

“This year we served 2,500 families through 24 Salvation Army units across eight counties,” director of marketing at Trib Total Media Ms. Lindsay Bock said.

This is accomplished every year with the help of incredible volunteers. For the last 10 years members of SCA have given up their time to this cause.

“This gives back to local families, so having a chance to do that during a tough time of the year is a good opportunity for the kids,” SCA Advisor Mr. Christopher Gazze said.

This year was no different as SCA members went to help get the food out to those in need.

“While we were there, we took pallets of food, boxes and cans and loaded them onto different trucks that got shipped to places around town,” SCA communications liaison Julie Elias said.

Members of SCA were more than happy to spend their time doing this volunteer work.

“It was very fulfilling to be able to help members of the community who are less fortunate,” SCA President Rocco Himes said.

Many students are familiar with the benefits of volunteering, but not many think about volunteering as an opportunity to learn. Experiences like this can help those giving their time learn more about themselves and the community they are serving.

“It opened my eyes to the number of families who need a little extra help and are lucky enough to have programs like this one,” Elias said.

The program was praised by the volunteers as an all-around excellent experience.

“As a whole I think Operation Santa Claus is an amazing thing that not only brings volunteers together but also helps out families who need food in these times,” she said. “I think it is an amazing program.”

While Operation Santa Claus has come to an end, there are still many more opportunities to help the community. SCA will continue to lend a hand by volunteering throughout the school year.

“It’s good to help people out and I take pride in that,” Himes said.

Book Talk

Posted on December 20, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Ari Case

The high school’s library is home to hundreds of books across every genre imaginable and provides a sanctuary for many students throughout the school day.

“I’ve worried in the last couple [of] years that kids aren’t reading as much as they used to,” librarian Mrs. Carrie Vottero said. “But I think reading can still be cool.”

This year has brought many successful new releases that have been popularized online through content creators and advertising campaigns. She cited online book clubs and social media as ways some students are encouraged to read outside of school.

“I think part of the reason we have such [a] good reading culture is that we have [an] amazing staff that read,” Mrs. Vottero said.

Several teachers share books with each other and are often seen chatting about recent reads in between classes.

“It’s a positive community, lots of people are reading and I see a lot of books on desks,” science teacher Mrs. Rachel Sassani explained.

The science book section of the library.

Photo By: Ari Case

Both Vottero and Mrs. Sassani shared that students have been reading a diverse collection of books. Science book recommendations—both fiction and non-fiction—can be found in the library and the science wing.

Senior Raegan Goulding has noticed a lot of thrillers, mysteries, and Westmoreland Interscholastic Reading Competition (WIRC) books in the hands of students.

Last year, the GS WIRC team took home the first place trophy and they have hopes of keeping it this spring.

The WIRC sign in the library.

Photo By: Ari Case

Goulding said the team is “very committed” and “there’s really not a kind of book you can’t find” on the list.

Her favorite book from this year’s list is Rez Ball by Byron Graves, a realistic fiction YA novel about an Indigenous American high school basketball player.

“I could connect with it on a personal level as an athlete, and it had a lot of [elements] that meant a lot to me,” she said.

Despite the wide selection in the library, fewer and fewer students are checking out books.

Vottero expressed concern that screens are “stealing young people away from their books,” which was echoed by Sassani and senior Dakota Nepple.

It’s certainly no secret that many more kids and even adults are seen with phones and social media when they could be reading. Reading has been proven to contribute many positive health benefits from positive brain development to stress relief.

“I don’t see people reading as much as I used to,” Nepple said. “We’re so caught up with our phones and [we] stop choosing healthy things we could do in our free time. Plus, as seniors we sometimes get busy worrying about our futures.”

Goulding also shared that reading is different as a senior. Many students find it more difficult to read as they get older and have more to do.

“Whenever I was a kid, I’d read a lot, but now I’m in high school I don’t have enough time,” Nepple said. “I think I don’t always make enough time, and sometimes I choose my phone [over] a book.”

Even though people may not read as much as they used to, those who read at GS are consistently happy with the way they spend that time.

“Every new release I’ve picked up this year, I’ve loved,” Vottero said. “It’s a good year for reading!”

GS Library Trends
Information Courtesy Mrs. Vottero

Most Circulated Book: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
Most Circulated Genre: Graphic Novels and Manga

Popular Titles in 2024
The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Women by Kristin Hannah (One of Mrs. Rachel Sassani’s favorite authors)
The Reappearance of Racher Price by Holly Jackson
Crescent City Book Three: House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Mass
When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
Reckless by Lauren Roberts
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
The Skyward Series Book Four: Defiant by Brandon Sanderson

Highly Anticipated Releases in 2025
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (A Man Called Ove)
Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood (The Love Hypothesis)
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Beach Read)
Never Flinch by Stephen King
Atmosphere: a Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Daisy Jones and the Six)

New Series Installments in 2025
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Series)
Legendborn Book Three: Oathbound by Tracy Deonn
Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me Series)
Fourth Wing Book Three: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

2024 Fall Sports

Posted on December 20, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Ari Case

The 2024 fall sports season held many challenges and successes for GS teams.

Fall sports include football, girls’ tennis, golf, boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, boys’ cross country, girls’ cross country and volleyball.

FOOTBALL

The varsity football team had its best start since 1999.

“We did exactly what we wanted to do, coming out of the gate 4-0,” defensive coordinator Mr. Matthew Boe said.

The team finished 7-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play, placing fourth overall in the conference. Unfortunately, they lost in the first round of playoffs against the Avonworth Antelopes on Nov. 1.

After several difficult seasons, the seniors were very happy with their success.

GS clashes with members of the Valley High School football team.

Photo Courtesy: Brad Skero, Kryptic Media

“We’re kind of going out with a bang,” senior captain Cooper Dann said. “It feels good to win.”

This year, Dann was recognized for his efforts on and off the field. He was invited to be a part of the Steelers All-Peer Team, for which he will be honored at the Acrisure Stadium.

“He’s just a really good person,” Mr. Boe said. “I think it’s definitely earned.”

Boe explained that the return of several varsity starters, like Dann and fellow senior Kai Brunot, allowed the team to work from a better starting point.

For the game against Ligonier Valley on Sep. 30, Brunot was voted the PennLive state player of the week for his touchdown and 142 rushing yards. He received nearly 50% of the votes cast and contributed a lot to the team’s success.

Boe said that despite good plays like Brunot’s, there are a lot of things the team can improve on. He believes that the team can “absolutely control our destiny.”

He and Dann both expressed that the season held a lot of energy and optimism.

“Every single year, there’s an excitement for it,” Boe explained.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Most of the team this fall was completely new to the sport.

The now graduated Class of 2024 filled six of seven varsity starters, leaving the team at a huge disadvantage this season.

They finished the season with a record of 1-10, but there was incredible improvement and individual successes.

“The record doesn’t indicate how much we progressed or how evenly matched the rounds were,” coach Mr. Christopher Gazze said.

Mr. Gazze went into the season with the hope of growth and improvement for the team to set up for next year.

“I feel like I learned a lot, and I ended up making really good friendships,” senior Anna Spigarelli said.

Spigarelli has been playing for three years and was a varsity starter this season.

Despite the record, the team is optimistic looking toward next year with the possibility of competing for playoffs.

“I think they have really good foundations,” Spigarelli shared about the underclassmen. “As long as they put in the work, they’ll do really well.”

GOLF

Having lost a large group of seniors last year, the season didn’t come with the highest expectations.

It was a welcome surprise when three freshmen made an incredible impact that led the team to an overall record of 9-6 with a section record of 8-4. Their section record resulted in third place in the section, only missing playoffs because of a loss in their final match against Mt. Pleasant.

One freshman in particular, captain Luke Sikora, was “a consistent contributor to the team,” according to coach Mr. Erik Doran.

Sikora, along with sophomore Bryce Ferace, qualified as individuals for WPIALs.

Only Sikora made the cut for finals, just missing the cut for round three. He tied for 18^th, the cut for the round, but lost in the second playoff hole—resulting in a final placement of 19^th.

“I didn’t play how I usually do, but it was fun,” Sikora explained.

He earned the WCCA Tournament Co-Champion title as well as the WPIAL AA Section 2 Champion title during the season.

“I’m excited for next year,” he said.

With many consistent players returning next year, the team hopes for another good season.

“Heading into next year, we are one of the favorites to make playoffs and win our section,” Mr. Doran said.

Sikora at the WCCA Tournament.

Photo by: Erik Doran

BOYS’ SOCCER

With many difficulties in a new section, the boys’ soccer team finished with a record of 3-17.

The season started with the loss of five varsity starters and a lot of uncertainty. Injuries constantly impacted the lineup, but the team still made many games closer than anticipated.

“[We] are learning that in order to play a complete match, we have to give maximum effort in practice as well as games,” coach Rich Christeleit explained.

Many players have improved individually, and the team put up a good fight in their new section.

“I think we’ve grown as a team,” junior captain Alex Swatchick said. “We’ll be looking forward to improving over the summer.”

GIRLS’ SOCCER

With a slow start to the season, the team pulled through with a 7-9 overall record and were 3-7 in section play.

Senior captain Alice Wilkinson said she was excited for her senior season but had been “hoping to do better.”

Much of the team, including Wilkinson, were optimistic about a shot at playoffs—which they fell just short of.

“We felt like we were in a good place to be successful,” coach Jess Melodia explained. “Over the last four years, the team has gotten stronger, faster and more resilient.”

Wilkinson expressed that regardless of game results, her favorite part was spending time with her team.

Most of the team share strong bonds that have only grown with them over the years. These connections have resulted in a lot of growth and success as a team.

Hopefully, in the next season it will pay off not only in team morale, but in their record as well.

“We are at a point where we are starting to consistently recognize the results of all the hard work we have put in,” Melodia said.

CROSS COUNTRY

Even with dwindling numbers, the cross country teams this season were very successful.

“It says a lot, to come out and have the record we have after losing who we lost,” coach Mr. Nathan Snider expressed.

The girls’ team had an overall record of 10-3, and the boys’ team had a record of 3-10.

With only four runners for the boys by the end of the season, they didn’t have enough to make a full team—their estimated record, if they would have had a fifth runner, is 9-4.

“It’s very disappointing to not be able to score as a team when you have four good runners,” Mr. Snider said.

The girls won the AA County title and placed 8th at WPIALs.

“We’ve had a lot of success this season,” senior Ksena Spencer said.

Senior captain Nick Reinhart had a positive outlook moving into the individual season.

Reinhart, along with fellow seniors Owen Noel and captain Regan Kerr, placed top 12 at the TSTCA Cross Country Championship Oct. 17 and advanced to the State Meet after qualifying at WPIALs.

Noel and Reinhart placed 80^th and 90^th respectively, out of 249 runners. Kerr placed 63^rd out of 250 runners.

“It went well,” Reinhart said. “We all ran well, and it was definitely a good time.”

VOLLEYBALL

This season the team worked as hard as they could to see success—and it certainly paid off.

With an overall record of 15-4, they made it to the first round of the playoff season against Hampton on Oct. 23. Unfortunately, they were swept, losing the first three of five sets.

“These girls have worked so hard to get to this point,” coach Mrs. Rachel Brannigan said. “They showed up in the off season and show[ed] up at practice every day to work harder than the day before.”

They were excited for playoffs after placing second in the section.

“I have never been part of a team that has such an incredible bond and works so hard,” sophomore Patricia Redinger explained.

After placing last in the 2023 season, the success may be unexpected, but it was certainly earned.

“This is such an amazing group of girls all around,” Mrs. Brannigan said, “They lift each other up and work hard both on and off the court.”

—

As seasons end and new sports begin, school spirit at GS is one of the most important things for students to focus on.

“We have to continue to grow as a school [and] come together as a community to succeed,” Mr. Drake D’Angelo, Athletic Director, said.

Hurricane Season

Posted on December 19, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Adison Poole

This year’s hurricane season is bringing catastrophic damage to areas near not only the coasts, but also mountain areas that weren’t built to withstand harsh weather.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall for the first time in Florida. The storm continued its destructive path through Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and both of the Carolinas.

Helene was a category four hurricane with wind gusts up to 140 mph. The storm lasted from Tuesday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Sept. 29.

“My grandma’s house was hit by the storm,” senior Nolan McDade said. “She had trees down all around her house and one even landed on it.”

The damage not only devastated areas along the water, but also several mountain regions. Mudslides throughout the area caused destruction to properties everywhere.

Mudslides like these were reported throughout the Carolinas and Tennessee.

In some cases, these mudslides were deadly and claimed the lives of people caught in them. One family in North Carolina lost 11 members to Helene.

“I heard about how bad the damage was,” McDade said. “My grandma didn’t experience anything like that, though.”

Almost directly following Helene, Hurricane Milton raised concern throughout Florida. Prior to the storm making landfall, several news stations spoke of the threat posed by the upcoming storm. The hurricane reached category level 6 before eventually making landfall as a category 3.

The storm struck the Florida coast near Tampa Bay on Oct. 9. The storm spanned throughout the night and pushed through Tampa straight across Florida all the way to Melbourne.

“My sister Heidi attends USF, which is the University of South Florida,” senior Greta Hagofsky said. “She lives in Tampa, just off of campus.”

A tree down on apartments after Hurricane Milton.

Photo Courtesy: Greta Hagofsky

Many in the area fled to seek safety from the storms. The hurricane caused local hotel prices to skyrocket.

“On the day of the hurricane, they decided that they were going to stay in Orlando in order to stay safe,” Hagofsky said. “They paid triple the normal cost of the hotel because of the hurricane.”

Milton was responsible for 41 tornadoes and counting throughout the affected areas. Once all the damage surveys are completed that number will be expected to rise.

“Once it was over, they went back to their apartment complex,” she explained. “They have multiple buildings there and it wasn’t Heidi’s that got hit, but a big tree fell on one of the other buildings.”

Not only did Milton bring strong winds and flash floods, but also devastating tornadoes and storm surges. The storm also left 2.6 million without power and claimed 12 lives.

“They didn’t have power for three days of being there,” she said. “That was only after being back, but it was the third day they finally got their power back.”

Cleanup from the hurricanes is ongoing.

“There was a bunch of debris everywhere,” Hagofsky said. “There was just a lot going on with all the flooding and trees down. Luckily their apartment was perfectly fine, so they ended up being all good.”

Football Playoffs

Posted on December 19, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Rubee Stillwagon

With a record of 7-3, the GS football team made it to the first round of WPIAL playoffs. Although they lost the playoff game, the team had a memorable season.

By upsetting Southmoreland with a score of 28-21, GS finished their in-conference games with a winning season. This was enough for the team to receive a wild-card seed in the playoffs. This set them up to play Avonworth on Friday, Nov. 1.

“Beating Southmoreland to finish the regular season and sending the seniors off with a win at Offut was great,” Head Football Coach Mr. Tyler George said.

With a record of 2-8 for the 2023 football season, the team put in the work for this year’s winning season.

The GS Football team huddles up during a timeout.

Photo courtesy: Blessing Gantt

The players and coaches did things on and off the field to stay motivated and keep the team together.

“We would have someone come in and speak to the team on Thursday, show inspirational videos of alumni before games and leave motivational messages or goals on the board for players to see before games,” Coach George said.

While coaches put in the effort to prepare the team for what they would face while on the field, players had their own ways of ensuring they were ready.

“I really had to do my best to pay attention, work hard and lock in on and off the field,” senior Brady Smith said. “We also had team dinners and other things we would do that put me and the team in the right mindsets for Friday nights.”

The last time GS football went to the playoffs was in 2019. The team played against Blackhawk High School and lost 36-7.

Aside from this being the first time since 2019 to make playoffs, there were also other achievements.

“This was our first time starting 1-0 since 2013, first time starting 4-0 since 1999 and first winning record since 2011,” Coach George said.

Senior Kai Brunot also won fan votes for Pennsylvania Player of the Week for GS’ game against Ligonier Valley. The team won 43-14 and Brunot rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Peyton Chismar won Play of the Week for his interception return for a touchdown. Chismar stepped in front of a pass and ran it for a pick-6 during GS’ game against Southmoreland.

Senior Cooper Dann was put on The Steelers All-Peer Team for going above and beyond to provide support to his team. Dann was chosen along with 11 other high school football players for this team.

“The fans and their support have been beyond incredible,” Coach George said. “The amazing atmosphere on Fridays was because of the energy and passion for the kids and the program. I sincerely cannot thank them enough.”

The 2024 football season was one for GS to look back on. Coach George and the rest of the coaching staff and team will soon be starting preseason to start preparing for another successful season.

“I feel the team worked hard throughout the whole season,” Smith said. “When preparing for games, even if we thought we were the underdog, we stuck together and put our all into the game. This season was one for the football team to be proud of.”

Pumpkin Drop

Posted on December 19, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Emma Helmick

Pumpkins splatter as GS students attempt to build a device that will protect it from a four-story drop.

On Nov. 1 physics and engineering classes went to Lynch Field Park to drop pumpkins off the drill tower.

Almost 75 kids participated in the drop using materials that they brought into class and pumpkins that were donated by Sam’s Club.

A pumpkin protected by the common device materials.

Photo by: Emma Helmick

“I wanted to get the kids more involved in my classroom as well as eventually bring a community element into it,” technology teacher Mr. Alan Gray said. “I did some research on some different projects and what kind are already out there in the GS world; throughout my research I found that West Virginia University did a pumpkin drop, so I proposed it to Mr. Jones last year.”

The pumpkin drop was supposed to be a similar experience to what already exists at GS such as the egg drop, but with a fall twist.

Students were to build a device to protect their pumpkin from the four story drop. Most students used cardboard and pillows, but some went as far as using pool floaties and parachutes.

“I was honestly expecting my box to fail,” senior Hope Shrum said. “I came up with a risky strategy to help the pumpkin decrease its force and impact. It wasn’t cushioned and packaged like all the others, so I thought its chances of succeeding were slim to none.”

Shrum’s device came in first place, which scored her a free milkshake from Main Street Sweets as a reward.

However, most groups’ devices did not end in success.

“My group’s pumpkin drop was not successful because we only had two very thin pillows that gave almost no cushion to the pumpkin,” junior Rhea Outley said. “I think that if we spent more time on our device and gave it more thought it could have worked. We underestimated how high the drop would be.”

Community members and parents came to witness the drops. Sixth graders from the middle school were also in attendance.

“At the end of the day, it’s about the students,” Mr. Gray said. “I saw smiles on faces and collaboration. I saw students wanting to go up and drop again, so it was a really cool thing.”

A pumpkin falls from the drill tower.

Photo by: Emma Helmick

The Golden Lion Shoppe

Posted on December 19, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Quinn Isenberg

Students looking for a snack throughout the school day will be excited to hear that The Golden Lion Shoppe has reopened this school year.

The shoppe is open every Tuesday and Thursday during advisory and is located across from the cafeteria. Students interested in the shoppe can get a pass from their advisory teacher to purchase items.

“There’s mainly food, drinks and snacks like candy bars and chips,” shoppe supervisor Mrs. Leisa Ecklund said. “We also sell school supplies.”

Food and school supplies aren’t all the shoppe has to offer. The Golden Lion Shoppe also acts as a way for students to get work experience.

Students running The Lion Shoppe during advisory.

Photo by: Quinn Isenberg

“We wanted students to learn,” Mrs. Ecklund said. “We wanted the high school students to be able to come and get a snack and drink and then we also wanted our students to learn social skills that they can use for their future when they graduate high school.”

The shoppe is an excellent simulation of what it’s like to work retail for the Life Skills students seeking work experience.

“It feels like you’re actually doing business,” junior Joseph Sabolcik (JW) said.

This business is teaching the students valuable things that they can take with them into adulthood and use in the real world.

“It has taught me the different values of working and how it has more advantages than it seems,” freshman Belle Steward said.

Working for the first time is difficult for most and can take time to adjust to. This opportunity is giving the students a head start in the workforce.

“They get more comfortable interacting with other people,” Ecklund said. “I also see some students come out of their shell a little bit.”

The shoppe not only benefits those who are working, but also the students who come to buy from them.

“I can see the shoppe benefitting students because it provides a way for the students behind the register to learn how to use it, and it provides the students in front of the register a nice snack before third block,” sophomore Royce Boatright said.

Proceeds from the shoppe are going towards supporting the Life Skills students for their hard work.

“In the past we’ve used it towards field trips or educational tools for students like headphones,” Ecklund said. “Right now, we’re just trying to get up and running.”

Seasonal Drinks in Greensburg

Posted on December 19, 2024 by gshslionsdenadmin

By: Ari Case

From pumpkin spice to everything nice, seasonal menus bring holiday cheer to the GS community.

Greensburg is home to many coffee shops and small businesses that embrace the seasons through special menus and promotional events.

Of course, chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks are consistently popularized during the fall and winter for their menu drops as well.

“I like that they’re something different,” Starbucks enthusiast and band director Mrs. Jaime West said. “It gives you some variety so you’re not always drinking the same thing.”

The fall menu dropped on Aug. 22 this year, bringing back the coveted pumpkin spice latte and new apple drinks many customers enjoyed. Starbucks made the winter menu available on Nov. 7 and is offering classics like the peppermint mocha alongside new concoctions.

Mrs. West said her favorite drink so far is the iced gingerbread oatmilk chai, and that she is glad Starbucks is now offering more oat milk-based drinks.

One of Starbucks’ biggest competitors, Dunkin’, dropped its fall and winter menus Aug. 28 and Nov. 1 respectively.

Many students enjoy Dunkin’ during the school day, and the special menus have been a consistent hit—from a classic pumpkin spice latte to the returning cookie butter cold brew.

“I love them!” senior Blanca Grillo said of the seasonal menus. “I couldn’t say how many [drinks] I’ve tried.”

Although popular chains receive a lot of attention, there are many local options in Greensburg that can be just as buzz-worthy.

“This seasonal approach is used to provide variety not only for customers, but [for] ourselves, and to create new joyful experiences all year round,” Cutie’s Coffee barista and GS alum Sara Thomas said. “This process is also a great way to bring in new customers and give returning ones something new to look forward to.”

Cutie’s has special menu items and promotions like themed flights that change year-round. Grillo and junior Quinn Dieter have both enjoyed some seasonal drinks at Cutie’s and spoke highly of their experiences.

Dieter also enjoys The White Rabbit Cafe and Patisserie, especially their pumpkin spice specials.

“All of their desserts and coffees are just perfect,” she said.

Another local spot, The Cattfeinated Cat Cafe, uses seasonal menus as creative expression for its baristas and new experiences for regular customers.

*A latte from The Cattfeinated Cat Cafe.*

Photo Courtesy: Taylor Wertz

The cafe releases a new menu of specials every month and recently introduced seasonal drink flights as well. They also do themed fundraisers to benefit their rescue partner Wayward Whiskers.

“I think that the seasonal menus are super great because we have customers return to the cafe repeatedly not only to see our cats and kittens, but also they look forward to our new ideas and creations,” barista and GS alum Taylor Wertz said.

Another local shop, Steep Mountain Tea Company, is partnering with a rescue this holiday season. A portion of proceeds from one of their seasonal special drinks—Carl’s Christmas Chai—will go to the Great Pyrenees Rescue of Western PA.

Steep Mountain has done seasonal menus for a few years now, and they’re always a hit among customers.

“They have really good seasonal [menus] that [are] unique to them, and that you wouldn’t find anywhere else,” junior Ty Schlesman expressed.

Many people enjoy seasonal menus for the holiday spirit they provide, including Steep Mountain co-owner Marcus Weakland.

“For me, it has nothing to do with the business aspect,” Weakland explained. “My favorite part [of seasonal menus] is the nostalgia of the flavors. It just makes it feel like the holidays.”

Both Weakland and Thomas expressed thanks to the Greensburg community for giving them the opportunity to share their passions and pursue what they love.

Seasonal menus are consistently well-received by customers of both chains and local spots, and many, like Dieter, West and Schlesman await them every year.

“I get really excited when they come out because there’s so many different [drinks] for the season, and there’s always one I love,” Schlesman said.