The Leopard Tales February 2015
Transcript of The Leopard Tales February 2015
FREE! January 30, 2015 Vol. XXIV, Issue 2
The Leopard Tales
Tyler Steeber Staff Writer
The newly re-named
Student Government Asso-
ciation has rung in the new
year with major plans!
Meeting every other Friday
after school, the group of
student body-elected repre-
sentatives and at-large
members have voted on a
vast number of new plans
that will be implemented
before the 2014-2015
school year ends. Mark
your calendars folks.
On Saturday, February 14,
be prepared to show some
“love” on the famous holi-
day with Belle Vernon Ar-
ea High School’s first ever
Nerf Gun war from
10:00am-2:00pm! Hosted
by the junior and senior
class SGA members, this
will surely be an event to
remember.
If you’re looking for a
more relaxed event, SGA
will hold the first ever
Spring Fling Dance on
Friday, April 17. This
only makes sense be-
cause the freshman and
sophomore classes are
not able to go to prom,
and they deserve a fun-
filled night close to the
end of the year.
Stay tuned for more in-
formation regarding the
Student Government As-
sociation and upcoming
events!
Six Students in National History Day Competition
Student Government
Association Update
Leopards’ Winter Sports Highlights
Joe Sabolek Staff Writer
Boys Basketball
The Leps got off to
a rocky start before
winning (4-3) and
taking home the 2014
Charleroi Christmas
Tournament. Phil
Baldini was awarded
the tournament MVP
and Travis Snyder
made the all-
tournament team.
The Leps seniors in-
clude Phil Baldini,
Travis Snyder, Devin
Hannan, Jimmy
Yanko, and Billy
Burrows. “The team
practices hard and
strives to get better
everyday”, said fresh-
man Griffin LaCarte.
The Lep’s senior night
will be held February
6th against Elizabeth
Forward.
Girls Basketball
The girls basketball
team have officially
clinched a playoff spot
after a victory against
Thomas Jefferson. The
Lady Leps are 12-6 in a
tough section. The
team is led by 6’3”
Bucknell recruit Kaitlyn
Slagus who recently
scored her 1,000th point
against Thomas Jeffer-
son. Other seniors in-
clude Sam Mendicino,
Bria Rathway, Meaghan
Murphy and Kaitlin
Thomas.
Bradley Kennedy
Staff Writer
It is almost time for the
first event of the annual
National History Day
Competition.
National History Day is a
competition where stu-
dents from all over the
country ranging from
grades 8-12 present their
documentaries, websites,
plays, displays, or histo-
ry papers to a panel of
judges. National History
Day in the BVA School
District is hosted by two
of the middle school’s
history teachers: Mr.
Farmer and Mr.
Divelbliss.
Students wishing to par-
ticipate in NHD should
be thankful that Mr.
Farmer and Mr.
Divelbliss are willing to
put their work and effort
into the project. There
aren’t very many local
school districts partici-
pating in NHD, and if it
wasn’t for them, our
school probably would-
n’t be participating ei-
ther.
Each year there is a dif-
ferent topic that each
student must build their
project around. Last
year’s topic was “Rights
and Responsibilities”
(Continued on p.2)
2
The Leopard Tales 425 CREST AVENUE • BELLE VERNON, PA 15012
Tyler Steeber Staff Writer
Hailey Gratto Staff Writer
Marissa Perozzi Staff Writer, Lead Editor
Margarita Hart Staff Writer
Bradley Kennedy Staff Writer
Joe Sabolek Sports Writer
Jessica Hindman Staff Writer
Mr. Curran
Advisor
SGA Launches Google
Doc Student Opinion Form while this year’s is
“Leaders and their Lega-
cies”, which leaves an
enormous
list of op-
tions for
students to
choose
from.
There are
five stages
for the
competi-
tion. The first one is prac-
tice, held at California Uni-
versity. Regionals are held
at the Heinz History Center
in Pittsburgh. States is held
up in Lancaster County. Of
course nationals are held in
Washington D.C.
Six students are represent-
ing the senior division at
BVA High school. Jessica
Moody, who is a senior,
Tim Hudak, who is a soph-
omore, Bradley Kennedy,
Taylor Cooper, Jacob
Davis, and Hannah Sam-
oda, who are
all freshmen.
As the dead-
line for the
competition
grows closer
and as the stu-
dents put the
finishing
touches on
their projects, we ask that
the students and teachers
wish them luck and hope
that they bring home the
gold for BVASD.
Margarita Hart
Staff Writer
The Student Government
Association would like to
inform students of a new
way to voice your opin-
ion on certain subjects
that may be a concern to
you or your friends.
Sophomore class sponsor
Mrs. Edwards had sug-
gested recently that there
should be a student opin-
ion form for all BVA stu-
dents to voice their com-
plaints.
Jessica Moody, head of
the committee, created a
questionnaire which is
now in the form of a
Google document, acces-
sible to all students.
Along with Jessica
Moody, she had the help
of Jarod Verkleeren, Paul
Amicucci, Justin Ivill,
and Tyler Steeber.
Moody states that, “The
Google doc. was a way of
ensuring that all students’
views were heard and that
the SGA could do their
part of bettering our stu-
dent body.”
To find the student com-
plaint form, log on to
Bellevernonarea.net and go
to the high school page.
The document is located on
the left hand side of the
screen with the title
“BVAHS Student Com-
plaint Form’.
When you open the form,
remember that you MUST
put your name or else you
will not be recognized.
From there, tell us any sug-
gestions or opinions you
might have! We’d love to
hear any ideas for upcom-
ing school events or ideas
in general to help strength-
en the student body.
Keep reading The Leopard
Tales for more SGA events
and new ideas!
National History Day (from p. 1)
School News
EVENTS and CAUSES WORTH NOTING:
Boys Basketball senior night: Feb. 6th
Wrestling: WPIAL team semis and finals:
TOMORROW @ Penn Hills HS starts at 1 PM
Support MIC/SADD’s fight against heart dis-
ease: Wear RED next Fri. Donate $1
3 Opinions and Features
Choosing Electives? Try Preschool Jessica Hindman
Staff Writer
Many people know
about the preschool that is
an elective in the high
school. Juniors and seniors
that took the child care
class in 10th grade can take
this class.
The high-schoolers have to
teach the class of about 20
preschoolers, help their
specific child, and create
lesson plans every week.
The kids come in every
Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday. Monday and
Friday we plan what we are
doing for the following
week, taking tests, learning
lessons, and talking about
the kids.
This class gives students
who like to work with kids,
are thinking about being a
teacher, or anyone who
wants to further a child’s
learning. Many students
who take this class enjoy
their time during their class
period. The preschoolers
in the class all enjoy their
time here too.
I didn’t have the chance
to interview Mrs. Kozell
because she was hard at
work with her students,
but I did have the chance
to interview Mr. Grice.
and
asked
him vari-
ous
ques-
tions
pertain-
ing to
the pre-
school.
He believes that the pre-
school elective is benefi-
cial to students that want
hands on experiences
with children or people
who want to become
teachers. I also asked him
a question about his per-
sonal opinion on what the
preschool does. He re-
plied, “It helps students
learn how to deal with or
speak with the kids. Get-
ting on their level and
putting things in their
terms is important.”
He also believes it helps
the high-schoolers be-
cause they are practically
responsible for someone
else’s learning. “It also
gives stu-
dents a re-
sponsibility
because
they have to
prepare
their les-
sons and for
them.”
The major question I
asked was where does he
see the preschool going?
He stated, “I don’t think
the preschool is going
anywhere.”
The preschool is also
very good PR for Belle
Vernon's school. Some
people can’t afford a day-
care or a preschool so
they send their kids here.
When people hear good
things, they spread the
word.
Many people have this idea
about teenagers that we are
disrespectful and that we
are on our phones twenty-
four seven. The preschool
shows that we aren’t the
typical teenager stereotype
that many teens portray.
Here at Belle Vernon, we
enjoy our forty-two
minutes with those kids
every Tuesday, Wednes-
day, and Thursday.
They make me enjoy my
day, even when I’m having
the worst day possible.
Working with these kids is
something everyone in this
high school should try. Pre-
school an elective you can
take in high school to rule
out what you want to do
when you move onto col-
lege. If you like working
with kids and you are
thinking about a job that
deals with education, I
would take this class.
Super Bowl Fun Facts Did you know….
Though there have been a combined five AFC or NFC Championship games go
to overtime, but no Super Bowl ever has gone past regulation.
Nine of the 10 most-watched U.S. television programs in history were Super Bowls.
The Browns, Lions, Jaguars and Texans are the only teams to never appear in a Super Bowl.
On Sunday Americans will order 12.5 million pizzas.
(courtesy of nypost.com and The Wall Street Journal)
Local Interest 4
Who’s Jim Weir? By Joe Grata, Member
BVA Board of Education
Belle Vernon Area students and residents are well aware of James Weir Stadi-
um, a.k.a. “The Weir.”
It’s our venue for athletics, band activities, cheer practice, commencement
and other events, an epicenter of town-and-gown relations and a landmark for
more than a half-century.
But it’s understandable if you’ve wondered, “Who’s he?”
The stadium was named for the legendary Mr. Weir in 1982, before you were
born. He retired in 1987, before you were born. And he died in 2008, before you
arrived at high school.
Teachers and administrators who are post-Weir era hires or who come from
outside the area also know the name yet likely know little about the man.
“Who’s he?” could take this entire edition of Leopard Tales to answer, as at-
tested by a seven-page bio prepared for his induction into the Mid-Mon Valley
All-Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.
So the following few highlights must suffice to introduce the colorful, soft-spoken
yet firm former teacher, coach and athletic director, testimony to why the stadium was
named in his honor and therein symbolizes the esteem afforded him by so many BVA people:
--Although a knee injury forced him to watch from the sidelines, Mr. Weir was captain of the Waynesburg College
football team that played in the nation’s first televised football game (against Fordham at Randall’s Island Stadium in
New York in 1939).
--He was paid $50 a game by the semi-pro McKeesport Olympics who, “in the day,” played the Pittsburgh Steelers.
--Three months after beginning his teaching career in 1941 at his alma mater, the since-demolished Rostraver High
School, he was drafted into the Army where he coached football in a World War II military activities program initiated
at the direction of then Gen. Dwight Eisenhower.
--Mr. Weir coached football (and drove the team bus to away games) at Rostraver High through the mid-1950s. He
and his players made up the security detail when President Harry S Truman visited. His protégés included former NFL
star Bert Rechichar, who still lives here, and former Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Ernest P. Kline, a Webster native.
--When Rostraver and Bellmar merged into today’s BVA School District, Mr. Weir was named “coordinator of ath-
letics,” using diplomacy to smooth the transition of two old rivals.
--In 1974, when BVA had a girls’ gymnastics team but no coach, Mr. Weir stepped in, overseeing them as they per-
formed remarkably to win the state championship despite his professing to know little more than a “belly roll” about
the sport. The achievement earned him recognition in the Sports Illustrated feature, “Faces in the Crowd.”
--For his retirement (I was co-chair), a banquet was held in his honor at the high school cafeteria, a sellout that over-
flowed into the gym. Even Pittsburgh Pirates hero Bill Mazeroski showed up. Old cronies participated in a “roast” that
climaxed with the surprise presentation of PeeWee II, a dachshund puppy that replaced his first dog and constant com-
panion, a gift that caused the guy once known as “The Bear” to break out in tears.
It wasn’t the first time that sentiment overtook Mr. Weir, also affectionately known at various times as Big Buddah,
Fox, Nup and, in latter years, simply as “Captain Jim.”
At the 1982 dedication of BVA stadium in his honor, while he was expressing appreciation to the crowd, faces
turned to the sky to watch a single-engine plane that appeared overhead.
“All of a sudden, nobody was paying attention to me,” he would say later. “I stopped and looked up too.”
The plane towed a banner declaring, “BVA Loves Our Jim Weir.”
Those of us who valued his friendship, who appreciated his guidance, who respected his demeanor, who embraced
his objective of creating a better BVA…well, we still do!
Who’s Jim Weir?
Now you know.
Mr. Weir at his desk in1970
Courtesy of Steven Russell
5 Features, Sports, and Previews
Perspectives: Part II
Hailey Gratto
Staff Writer
Though, my reactions so far to the weather here such as waking up on a morning to fog at my doorstep and
thinking that that is deemable as a “snow” day, I’d have to say my interest lies mostly in the people I’ve come to
meet. I’ve noticed people here generally are a little less upfront and a little less personal, especially to newcomers.
It’s been harder to make friends and to connect with people than it has been in the past for me. But it’s only reasona-
ble, because most of the school’s students have known each other before they could tie their own shoes. In Phoenix,
many are open to meeting new people because we do it constantly - foreign exchange students, other new students
coming and going and even our crowds accommodated larger amounts of individuals. Whether it’s in conversation or
simply taking note of how they dress or act, every person here has a different aura to them than those from where I
am from. People even speak in a different way! Shoes have become “tenners”, soda has become “pop”, shopping
carts have become “buggies”, and this weird way of merging your words together in a “Pittsburghese” thing is normal
apparently.
I’ve been able to tell when people are born here because they’ve been accustomed to drawing out their vowels,
speaking in higher pitches and even in a faster pace. Coming from the valley of the sun however, we don’t really have
a reputation for having a different kind of accent, but we have been known to speak in a more proper way and add a
bit more diction to our words.
The whole big city versus small town aspect lies here, as well. Seeing the school nurse at the grocery store, being
introduced to your friend’s multiple sets of cousins at your own school or knowing someone simply by their last name
has become something completely new. In Phoenix you’ll see city lights intertwined in every street, shopping centers
nearly ten minutes away, and you’d be able to step foot into your local Walmart without any worry of seeing anyone
you know.
Looking at it in summary, my time being new in this town is slowly fading as every day passes and I come to ac-
cept being here more and more. Moving here has sparked a new outlook of mine in the way other people live and re-
ally, the importance of where you live or how you’ve grown up. In a completely new perspective, I’ve come to be-
lieve that you have to accept that you will be put in odd-ended situations that will cause awkward moments, and ex-
traneous feelings. You’ll need to make choices, difficult or not to look at what is put in front of you in an entirely new
way. If you don’t, you’ll never know the beauty of expanding your horizons and seeing life in new dimensions
Winter Sports Update (from p.1)
Wrestling
The boys wrestling
team continues to add to
a year of success. With a
19-0 record, a section
championship recorded,
and a trip to the team
semifinals ahead, many
are wondering who can
possibly stop this team?
This year’s captains are
Austin Bell, Derek Verk-
leeren, and Jarod Verk-
leeren. The team is also
led by seniors Josh
Godzin and Zach ray.
Boys and Girls
Swimming
The boys swim team is
undefeated at 3-0, while
the girls are 1-2 in the
section. The swim team
will compete against East
Allegheny Thursday,
February 5th at home.
This is also senior night
so come show your sup-
port!
A special thanks to Connor
Locklin, Austin and Mike,
and Ashley Marinos for
contributions to this update.
Think you have something to say?
The Leopard Tales is still seeking new staff
members!
If you have an interest in writing, news, enter-
tainment, opinions and editorials, and reporting,
stop by 210 for our next meeting, February 5th!
Or, stop by room 210 at your convenience.
GET READY
—What to expect in our issue next month?
All things Valentine’s Day
Michelle Obama and School Lunch Standards
Senior Spotlights ARE BACK
Oh no! No cocoa? —and much more!
Student Life 6
MOVIES
February 1 Gimme Shelter (2013) Into the Blue 2: The Reef (2009) King Arthur (2004) Proof (2005) February 10 Dwight Howard: In the Moment (2014) February 11 Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
February 16 Save the Date (2012)
February 17 The Overnighters (2014)
February 18 Earth to Echo (2014) The Fluffy Movie (2014) February 27 Ralphie May: Unruly (2015)
TELEVISION Magic City (Seasons 1–2, February 1) Spartacus (Complete series, February 1) Richie Rich (Season 1, February 20) Hawaii Five-0 (Seasons 1–4, February 24) Courtesy of Vulture.com http://www.vulture.com/2015/01/new-on-netflix-february-2015.html
What’s streaming on Netflix this
February?
Featured Comic: Bizarro
Sudoku (we picked a pretty tough one)
Courtesy of Bizarro.com