The Silhouette

The Quest for the Grail: An Insider's View

by Hannah Fernandez

In the Beginning

August 3, 2009: A dreadful week of muggy heat, exhausting days and roasting in sunscreen. It's that time of year for Band Camp, a week full of intensive drills, music rehearsals and good times. While we knew we had our work cut out for us, Mr. Rohrbaugh was confident we were up for the challenge of the new show, Medieval Images.

Competition Time

We started off the season with an exhibition score of 81.25 at the Colonial Classic on September 12, 2009. Six competitions later, we were at Championships. Each week we had two 2.5 hour practices and a football game to prepare for that Saturday's competition and hoped that it would be good weather. Most of our performances were outside, but even on the ones held inside, we still showed everyone what we were made of. With each passing competition, we did better than expected, but we knew that there was a lot that we could have improved or added to make the show even better. And we saw the scores of those other fine area bands who were within our reach: 86.75 - Greencastle Antrim; 87.50 - Warwick; 89.95 - Southwestern. Each week we continued to grow to a point where we were first in the state in our division.

The Week Before Championships

Saturday, November 7: As the drum majors walk across the field to the front sideline, the stands go quiet. The announcer started with the Independence Conference first, then the American Conference, finally the Liberty Conference. Our hearts stop. There are nine bands in our division including us. Ninth place, eighth place, seventh place, sixth place, fifth place, fourth place and third place were all announced. Finally second place, and our hearts flutter because we know it’s between our band and Warwick's. You can hear a subtle chant “Warwick, Warwick, Warwick..." -- who would be second and who would be first? Could they keep us hanging on any longer?

“And second place in the Liberty Conference with a score of 91.25 Warwick High School!”

We held back our cheers until the announcer said that we had won, because we knew that we had just taken first place in our last competition until Championships.

“And in first place in the Liberty Conference with a score of 93.25....New Oxford!”

Now all you could hear was the band going wild with joy. All we knew was that we had a lot of work to do in this final week of practice, because this is our year. We knew that there were only four practices until performance day, and we were going to do everything we could. It would take a lot to reach the point where we want to be, but everyone wants to get there, so we put 10000% into our preparation to make this a spectacular show.

Conquering Chocolate Kingdom

Saturday, November 14th, 1:00-3:30. Our Saturday practice may not have lasted a long time, but it provided us with the extra edge we needed. Tomorrow would be the big day-- the day we worked so hard to earn...and we planned to win. We had a practice where we were able to go set by set, by set, until we got it right. It was less than 24 hours until we had to report at school for Championships.

Sunday, November 15th, 12:00. We report to school for our final day of rehearsal and performance. We were pumped. The decorating committee came in and made the band room look like we were from the medieval era; we each received a little gift… chocolate for all our hard work. At 12:30 we could feel the weather smiling on us: it was perfect for what we were about to do. Practice began, and we were "in the zone," locked in, in sync and all of the other phrases that indicate readiness for a peak performance. When practice was over, we kept to our usual routine: pack, eat, hang out, get ‘half-dressed’, load the bus, leave.

Except this time it just wasn’t leave for another competition. It was leave for the last day of our 2009 season. We arrived at Hershey stadium, the stands were packed, and the level of excitement inside the stadium grew and kept growing like we were inside one of those Jiffy Pop Popcorn packages. The parking lot outside of the stadium was full of bands, color guards, pits and drum lines, all getting in their final practice, awaiting their turn to show the judges what they have. At 6:45, the battle was about to begin: we fell into position and headed toward the gate, our game faces on. As we headed out onto the field, we could see our fans scream and cheer, like they never did before. They knew, as the Black Eyed Peas sang, “I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night.”

The judges and our drum majors were ready. This is it. It’s now or never, we had to give it all we had. We performed, and it was an amazing performance. After the performance we went and had our “meeting,” Mr. R was excited, and Andy W, (our head percussion instructor) was so excited that he couldn’t even talk to us. We knew at that point we had won. We had to go for pictures, all excited that we didn’t no what to do with ourselves. After pictures, the wait began. Millersville University performed. Then the drum majors walked across the field. They started awards with Liberty Open. Now us; Liberty A. Our hearts stopped the closer they got to the end, 3rd Warwick, 2nd South Western. Only one place left; only one band left. Us.

1st place Overall to New Oxford High School also winning high visual, high music, high overall effect, best auxiliary and high score in division! We went ecstatic. For the first time in school history, we had just taken home the trophy. After we left the stadium, we went to the parking lot to give a victory performance for our fans! It was the worst performance musically, but it was the greatest overall. We left the stadium, and headed for the square of New Oxford. Victory laps. We did our three, then unloaded. Arriving at the center, we got tons of pictures taken, then reloaded and headed back to school.

A throng of elated supporters awaited us in the square where we did a few more victory laps on the bus and mingled with our loyal fans.

While the end of the 2009 New Oxford Marching Band season had finally come, it will give us lasting memories for the rest of our lives. And now as our awesome seniors pass the torch to next year's band, we will get to taste the experience that comes in defense of our title.

The Battle of the Bots
by Kyle Keating

“Look it’s a remote-controlled athletic turtle …or is it a futurisitic astral-physics robocop?! Neither. It’s New Oxford’s Robotics Team’s prize-winning entry in Spring Grove High School's VEX Robotics Competition. That was not what you expected, was it? Neither did the robotics team. The win against other area schools was not only a little surprising, but inspiring.

Hosted by Spring Grove High School, the competition was announced in mid-October. Registration had to be filed in by October 12, and then seven days later on the 19th, the participants picked up all of the pieces that would become the crowdpleaser. There were some standard ground rules: the kits were not allowed to be altered in anyway. No adding extra parts and no manipulating the parts in any way. What you were given is what you had to use, just as it was. The robot had to be built by the 19th of November which gave every team exactly one calendar month to complete this project.

Once the process began, hope began to wax and wane. Mr. Rehm stated that all of the team members had to learn first hand the “trial and error, hit and miss” nature of the scientific process. It was vital not to get too frustrated by early failures but to let those failures lead to new questions, new ways to try working through a problem. In the end, patience was rewarded, and everything worked out just fine.

On the day of the competition, the team felt they had a solid entry, but wondered what other schools may have had up their sleeves. Jake Auer and Nick Skursky, two members of the robotics team, said that they expected only to be in the competition, not winning it, especially since the other schools had been in the competition the year before. “We figured that the other schools had more experience and knew what the judges were looking for.”

They only hoped that when the time came the robot actually worked as it had been engineered to perform. When it came time for the robot’s close-up, it was clear: this robot was ready for the runway.

The contest consisted of three main events:

1. An exercise ball push, in which the robot had to move a weighted ball.

2. A ball pit goal activity in which the robot had to get color- coded balls to their correctly colored goal.

3. And lastly, their robot had to build a lego wall.

After each activity, there was an intermission in which the teams could fix up their “bots”. Mr. Rehm stated that the other schools robots had seemed like they were just “put together”. “Some of the competition’s robots had system failures, some of them broke, and even some were not able to be controlled properly by the remote controller!” After seeing this, Mr. Rehm and the team were glad that they had focused on each individual part inside their robot—clearly focused on its sense of self-esteem.

The three events drew to a close and the judges began to debate who would be the champion. The air seemed to thicken, and anxiety grabbed the teams. Seconds turned to minutes, and the decision was finally made. The results were in…both human and robotic fingers were crossed as the winner was announced: "And in first place--New Oxford Senior High School!”

New Oxford won? Our robotics team had won first place in this competition? Even though it is true, the team was in a state of mild shock. Not expecting the win, but glad that it had happened, the team whooped and hollered in unrobotic glee.

When asked what it was that they felt had made them stand out the most from all the other entries in the competition, Mr. Rehm said it was the flexibility of the students and their ability to troubleshoot. “The students worked within all the rules for the competition and made the most of them. “

Jake and Nick, when asked the same question stated that it was their “simplicity” and the fact that they were all wearing polo shirts.

An outcome of such a win, and indeed entering the competition itself, is, as Mr. Rehm says, “ to show that New Oxford is just as competitive and educated as any other school out there. We’ve proven just how smart New Oxford really is.”

Jake and Nick both stated that they wanted their robot to illustrate that simplicity can be better. “Not everything has to be complex to be worthwhile.” Both students and all of the other participants on the team had to gain experience in the robotics field, as well as a better understanding of robotics science.

In conclusion, not only did New Oxford win first place in an area wide competition, but students gained valuable experience in a field which is sure to be a part of America's resurgence in advanced technologies. Everyody, Robot Dance!

A Note of Thanks from the Advisor

Welcome to the Winter edition of The Silhouette. Based upon the thousands of hits, our first issue seems to have caught on among readers both near and far. In addition to students accessing The Silhouette from school or from home, we have a readership in other parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. We are also picking up traffic from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, UK, The Netherlands, and Kenya. In other words, we’re spreading. Colonial Spirit meet world. Of course, the vast majority of our hits are from the students and teachers who are right here, and I wish to thank you all for valuing our work.

Shortly after our launch, and with the help of the indefatigable Kay Jones, students from the Journalism 1 class went to The Brethren Home to be interviewed on their TV program, In Touch. We discussed our new online venture, and it is safe to say that our school was represented well by our editor, Sarah Rudasill, and reporters Shaiann Daniels, Kelly McMaster, Devan Poist, and Allie Mack. We are hoping to return to the show in January with an update on our progress.

We wanted to have this issue out to everyone before we left for the holiday, meaning our coverage of winter sports may be a little slim at first. We plan to update this upon our return in 2010.

Of course, we have some presents for Lt. Col. Hirniesen to open and we certainly hope these will lift his spirits in the time between his current deployment and his safe return home to friends and family. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Christmas Card project for our friend, colleague, teacher, and soldier. Feel free to share this with anyone, Mr. Hirniesen, who needs to have a helpful reminder of Home. Visitors may continue to view his blog from Afghanistan via the link to the Fall Edition of The Silhouette.

To access our various departements, all you need do is click on the month of November to navigate to the page of your choice.

In this edition, I would like to direct your attention to the blog from one of our former students, Matt Greenholt, an artist now enrolled in Ringling and whose work just keeps getting better and better. Both he and his brother Mike, now an animator for Disney Studios, have made the most of their gifts which they honed while students here at NOHS. We are very proud of their achievements in the world of art and wish Matt and Mike continued success in the years to come.

For the most part, I will leave the articles to your discovery, but I would like to draw your attention to some of the newer items in this issue. First, if you go to the Arts and Entertainment section, you will be treated to a unique look at one of Livy Long’s paintings. You will see Livy’s "Still Life" (pictured below) morph from a blank canvas into a fully realized painting before your eyes. A process of weeks of work compressed into 2:01.

Also, we have a couple of champions to honor in this issue: our high school band led by Mr. Rohrbaugh and our robotics team led by Mr. Rehm. Whether it is in the classroom, in the athletic arena, or in the general functioning and maintenance of our building, New Oxford continues to exemplify the commitment to excellence of our students and staff.

In the wintry days ahead, should we be snowed in for a day or two (and you are struck with a profound desire to read a good book), you may visit the Read Print site and find whole books to read there entirely online. This resource provides over 8,000 titles by 3,000 authors (and growing). You are a few clicks away from a vast library of great books. Of course, there is a great deal of material on my reading list over the holidays, His Dark Materials trilogy, Carl Jung's The Red Book, an interesting book on Mary, fifty or so research papers, and something to read on the way to the Y.

Finally, we have made an effort to reach out to our greater community in this issue, so you will see some coverage on our local harvest festival, an article on the reunion of the NOHS class of 1969, and an area business which is hoping to pump you up! We look forward to making community news a part of our publication in the future.

My warmest wishes to everyone for the solstice. May your light increase.

A special thank you to my wonderful Silhouette staff. I value your efforts and appreciate the talents each and every one of you have brought to our new online venture this year. In many ways, I feel a little bit like Jamal in Slumdog Millionaire. Did I hit the lucky jackpot or was it destiny? Perhaps a little of both. Thank you so much for stepping into your moment of starlight.

Mr. Farrelly

farrelllyj@conewago.k12.pa.us

Open for Business
by Sarah Rudasill

Need a morning pick-me-up to get your day started? The Future Business Leaders of America has opened a brand new coffee shop that debuted on November 20th. Located near the cafeteria in the faculty lunchroom, the ‘Java Lava’ coffee shop serves hot chocolate, tea, cappuccinos and coffee. Each drink costs just $1.00, and whipped cream is added for an additional $0.25. Java Lava is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the cold winter season.

Jon Gates, President of the FBLA, stated he felt the coffee shop has been “very successful.” He went on to say, “I feel like without our team collaboration, this plan would go nowhere.” Vice President Kyle Krouse stated, “Without our customers, we would not be successful. We hope you come into our coffee shop and try it.”

Advisor Ms. Topper stated where the money would be going. “Our goal is to send students to the state conference. It is a large expense to stay overnight, so we will use the money to defray the cost,” she said.

Students agree the coffee shop is great to have. Freshman Braxtin Leatherman said, “The service is fantastic. Every time I go in the coffee shop, there are always smiling faces.”

See what everyone is raving about. Visit the coffee shop between 7:00 and 7:25 to purchase your hot drink before class.

Chelsea Swanger, Self Portrait

The Facebook Phenomenon
by Sarah Rudasill

What do 350 million people spend greater than 8 billion minutes each day? Facebook, one of the largest social networking sites, boasts these large statistics, but if you thought your profile on Facebook was set to private and entirely secure, think again. Recently, two Facebook fans published a weakness in the social networking site’s security system which allowed them to view information on everyone, even if the profile was set to private.

To prove this feat, the two bloggers hacked into the profile of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg (see at right). “With a simple hack, everything listed in a person’s ‘Basic Information’ section can be viewed, no matter what their privacy settings are,” they wrote in an online post.

Security experts agree the vulnerability in Facebook could lead to identity theft. “You can’t consider the information up there totally trusted and private,” John Harrison, group product manager at Symantec Security Response, stated. “I think people need to think twice about the information they put out there.”

The problem with hacking is just the first of many new concerns over Facebook. The Consumerist reported on a slight change in Facebook’s Terms of Service (the pages of fine print which no one ever reads) that makes a huge difference legally. To put it simply, everything you ever uploaded to Facebook can be used, modified or licensed by its executives in any way possible, even if you quit the service. The following is an excerpt from the Terms of Service:

“You hereby grant Facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to (a) use, copy, publish, stream, store, retain, publicly perform of display, transmit, scan, reformat, modify, edit, frame, translate, excerpt, adapt, create derivative works and distribute (through multiple tiers), any User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with Facebook Service… (ii) enable a user to Post…”

Do you find this confusing? You are certainly not alone. Online discussions have had heated debates over what these new terms mean for its users. Although most people do not care or do not even know about this change, it is frightening to think Facebook can use your information, pictures and name without your consent in any way they want. Worse, you cannot stop them since you waived your right when you accepted the terms without reading them. Even people who do not have a Facebook are still affected by these changes. Someone can still take your picture, upload it to Facebook and tag you. Then, neither you nor the person who uploaded the photo can keep Facebook from using it however they wish.

It gets even worse. If you decided to remove your information or delete your profile, Facebook retains the right to use your info, which is archived permanently. A commenter on Consumerist was blatant in telling the truth, saying, “…yes, it also means they can sell your photos or use them in advertising with no recompense to you.”

Why does Facebook suddenly need this change in its Terms of Service? CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a blog post, “Our philosophy is that people own their information and control whom they share it with. When a person shares information on Facebook, they first need to grant Facebook a license to use that information so that we can show it to the other people they’ve asked us to share it with. Without this license, we couldn’t help people share that information.”

He went on to say, “In reality, we wouldn’t share your information in a way you wouldn’t want. The trust you place in us as a safe place to share information is the most important part of what makes Facebook work.”

Contradicting to what Zuckerberg stated, the Terms of Service state that they “…do not guarantee that User Content you post on the Site will not be viewed by unauthorized persons.” Even though Facebook promises its website is safe, they won’t assure you that strangers cannot look at your webpage.

It gets even scarier. Another statement in Facebook’s Terms of Service says, “Facebook may also collect information about you from other sources, such as newspapers, blogs, instant messaging services, and other users of the Facebook service through the operation of the service.” This statement sparked debate in the online community, who were wondering just how Facebook gathers information on you. Conspiracy theorists say more information is building to support the idea that the government is secretly keeping an informative database on a large portion of the human population.

Not only that, but everyone knows someone who plays the entertaining applications on Facebook, such as “Farmville” or “Café World.” Before you begin playing those addicting games, you have to agree to allow third parties who develop the games to have access to all of your profile information.

What is the big deal? These companies are basically using us. By accessing our information, they sell our data to market researchers who find trends, examine the popularity of a television show, or discover a whole other wide array of facts. Ever notice the customized advertisements on the sidebar of your Facebook? Companies can tailor ads they think you will be more interested in by using your information.

Although this use of our information is seemingly not harmful, it is the future of this technology that worries so many. If they can use our information however they want to, one can only imagine the possibilities. We can only hope that Facebook abides by its promise to not misuse our personal information.

A Washed Out Harvest Festival
by Sarah Rudasill

Rain poured down from the darkening sky, while people stood clustered under tents and nearby pavilions. This was the scene at New Oxford’s Harvest Day Festival. Yet inconvenient weather didn’t keep everyone away.

Earlier that morning it was sunny and warm, although strong gusts of wind blew autumn leaves all over the ground. Children laughed loudly as they slid down the giant moon bounce, while little ones giggled with glee on the entertaining ‘Tumble Bus’. Aromas of delicious popcorn, funnel cakes and hotdogs filled the air. Kids ran from game to game, often with their faces painted as butterflies or pumpkins. Free pumpkins were handed out to children, who painted them in a variety of colors.

Many people walked around the various vendors, showing off everything from crafts to the history of New Oxford (see picture at right). A large number of people sported “I Love NO” t-shirts. Even the fire department was present, demonstrating the many aspects of their fire trucks to eager boys and girls. Crossing guards helped pedestrians cross the busy circle, and the police were there to talk to the public.(editor's note: Thanks to local government for placing the brightly colored safety flags for pedestrians navigating the circle walkways!!!)

Unfortunately, the drizzle gave way to a downpour quickly dispersing much of the crowd and some of the vendors. Although the rain was untimely and stopped the festivities for a while, the Chamber of Commerce, who put on the festival and its events, remained positive as a brave few wandered around.

Karen Millar, President of the Chamber of Commerce, attempted to explain the amount of planning and the stages of preparation that goes into a large-scale event like the festival. “The purpose of this event is to serve the community and promote local businesses. The first stage of planning is brainstorming, but after that we thought of our objective. We wanted this to be a community builder, as well as a forum for business awareness. We had 2,000 attendees last year, and this event gives people an opportunity to appreciate our town. The Chamber’s other big event is the Antique Market, so we make the festival family and kid -friendly. We also pay for everything and make it free to the public.”

She went on to explain, “Planning is a huge part. We contact existing vendors at other community events to see if they would like to be a part of the festival, as well as those from local craft shows. Most are within a nearby radius, but we have some as far away as Bloomsburg. In addition, we talk to the Farmer’s Market and any other associations that could be interested, since we are all about supporting local organizations.”

Not only does the Chamber of Commerce plan for the festival, they also plan for the parade. “For the parade, we call bands, groups, individuals, antique clubs, the fire companies, businesses and any other organization that would be interested in participating. This year we actually have the Golden Chamber Chest award for businesses with the best float, and the winner gets to decorate it, and next year it will be passed to the new winner. The Chamber inherited the former Halloween Parade in 2008, and since then we have made some changes. We moved it from a Thursday night to a Saturday afternoon, so we could have more participation. Since it is earlier, we do not have to worry about lighting the parade route. In addition, we changed the name from Halloween to Harvest in order to incorporate the involvement of more churches.”

The Chamber continues to introduce new ideas to make the day-long festival attract more people. “This year we had a 5K race, and in the evening we have a Block Party in which a band will perform,” she said. “We had to coordinate the band schedule as well as manage the budget for the entire event, including donations. Overall, it took quite a lot of planning.”

With the enormous amount of preparation put into the festival, it was disheartening that the weather kept crowds to a minimum. Yet many organizations, like the New Oxford Food Bank, which held a make- your- own-scarecrow booth to raise funds, stayed the entire day.

The square was nicely decorated to the theme of autumn, with cornstalks on light poles and scarecrows everywhere. Hay bales littered the ground and served as benches, while beautiful trees with their leaves changing colors provided a gorgeous backdrop to the area.

The rain managed to clear up in time for the Harvest Parade, when as many as 250 spectators lined up to watch the 30 minute parade. The high school marching band participated, along with the middle school’s marching band and color guard. Judges awarded prizes in several different categories. Creative floats with an Indian scene, old Rock N’ Roll tap dancers and cattle cars proceeded down the street. Walking participants were in costumes such as cows, lions, and autumn leaves, including a Wizard of Oz group. Soccer players and a Boy Scout troop also paraded around, along with saddled-up horses. Children waiting for candy stood along the side of the road. Antique cars, a Cadillac and a car carrying Ms. Hanover and Ms. New Oxford passed by as well.

The day may have been hindered by the weather, but many still viewed it as a success and something to build on for next year. Morgan Yiengst, a freshman, stated, “It was really fun, despite the weather.” Leah Laughman also commented on how she enjoyed the parade. “I think it was very successful, even though we had bad weather prior to the event.”

A Portrait of Resiliency
by Kristen Gregory

Some people may describe this New Oxford freshman as a survivor with a lot of strength and courage. Others that pass her in the hall look at her with curious thought. When given the chance to interview her, I was not sure if she would accept because of the emotional hardship of all that has happened. She accepted the interview. For this 14-year-old freshman at New Oxford High School, Heidi Miller has been through a loop of serious health conditions. Heidi was diagnosed at the age of nine with Osteosarcoma Cancer ( a type of bone cancer).

Silhouette: What surgery had to be done to fight the cancer?

Heidi: I had cancer in my left leg and had to have half the tumor taken out for the doctors to check, to make sure it was Osteosarcoma. My left leg was removed and was replaced with a prosthetic leg. After I received my prosthetic leg, I realized that the doctors had put in a broken prosthetic leg that required them to make a custom prosthetic leg to fit my body.

Silhouette: What was the hardest adjustment to having a prosthetic leg?

Heidi: It is difficult to ride my two horses, and I find it hard to run.

Silhouette: How did you stay positive knowing that you would have to have your leg removed?

Heidi: I knew it was something that needed to be done. I wanted to just get rid of the cancer completely.

Silhouette: What was the hardest adjustment to make throughout the whole process?

Heidi: At age nine, I didn’t attend school much because of the cancer treatments, and I was in and out of the hospital. So when I did go to school, I had other nine year olds looking at me, wondering why I didn’t have hair. At nine, other kids didn’t understand why I was losing hair. I think they just didn’t understand my situation at the time.

Silhouette: What activities do you take pleasure in?

Heidi: I have been riding for eight years and enjoy riding my two horses Billy and Spritz. I also have been a participating member of 4-H for eight years.

Silhouette: What do you want to do after high school?

Heidi: I would like to be a horse trainer or go to college for Psychology.

I think there is a lot to be said for this young lady. For a nine year-old to go through prolonged cancer treatment is a difficult thing to imagine for most of us. We can learn a lot from Heidi and her struggles when we have difficult days. When we reflect on what she has been through, it makes our so-called troubles look trivial by comparison. Perhaps her example will let us take a step back and realize that there is a bigger picture to life. Heidi's perseverance is inspiring to anyone who gets the opportunity to know her. And once you do, you will agree--Heidi is the portrait of strength and can teach all of us a thing or two.

A Rising Controversy:
The Argument Over the Driving Age
by Sarah Rudasill

On average, two people die every day across the United States in vehicles driven by 16-year-old drivers. With statistics like this, auto safety experts around the country are trying to raise the minimum driving age to 17 or even 18. The National Institute of Health recently released new research that helps scientists understand why younger drivers are more inclined to be involved in a fatal accident, and in response to this study, people across the country are calling for a raise in the driving age.

Exactly what is the problem with teenagers driving? According to the research, the so-called “executive branch” of the teen brain, which weighs risks, makes judgments and controls impulsive behaviors, is remarkably undeveloped. This area of the brain, crucial to driving, is not fully matured until age 25.

Just like a younger teen might be taller than an older teen, some sixteen-year-olds are fully mature. However, support is growing as evidence reveals most teen brains are far less developed than those of adults. One in five new drivers will have a car crash within their first year of driving. In 2003 alone, 937 drivers age 16 were involved in fatal crashes. This rate is nearly five times higher than of drivers 20 or older.

Most adults agree with the experts. In a USA Today Gallup Poll, 61% said they think a 16-year-old is too young to drive. Many states have already begun imposing restrictions on teen drivers, including limiting passengers or barring late-night driving. New Jersey went even farther by forbidding a sixteen-year-old from driving without parental supervision; it is currently the only state that issues licenses at age 17. That restriction has paid off; the death rate related to fatal car accidents among sixteen and seventeen-year-olds is only 18 per 100,000 in New Jersey, compared with 26 per 100,000 in nearby Connecticut.

“Privately, a lot of people in safety think it’s a good idea to raise the driving age,” says Barbara Harsha, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. “It’s a topic that is emerging.”

It’s not surprising teens hate the idea, and many of their parents agree. With teens involved in everything such as sports, clubs and musicals, most parents do not have the time to chauffer their kids around for all of high school. Another frequent argument is kids are becoming too dependent on their parents. “Do we really want our kids dependent upon their parents for virtually everything until they go to college, can vote and serve their country?” asked Margaret Menotti, a concerned mother from Massachusetts.

The debate is evoked by disturbing images of teen reckless driving and teens driving under the influence. In reality, only 10% of the sixteen-year-old drivers killed in 2003 had an illegal blood-alcohol concentration. This is a relatively small portion compared to adults, for which alcohol is involved in 43% of crashes. Instead, a shocking 77% of crashes are a result of driver errors, such as losing control of the car or speeding. This is the highest error percentage for all of the age groups, and inexperience and immaturity are attributed to this.

According to researchers, a crucial part of the brain that thinks ahead and considers consequences is mostly undeveloped in teens. “It all comes down to impulse control,” Jay Giedd, Chief of Brain Imaging in the Child Psychiatric Unit at the National Institute of Mental Health, says. “The brain is changing a lot longer than we used to think. And that part of the brain involved in decision-making and controlling impulses is among the latest to come on board.”

Giedd says in the future, a teen’s brain could possibly be scanned to determine if their brain was ready to drive. He also acknowledges this is too radical and expensive to seriously consider in today’s society. “We are just at the threshold of this,” he stated.

With motor vehicle crashes killing 5,000 teenagers every year, experts everywhere agree something needs to be done to stop this number one killer of teens. Lawmakers in most states are hesitant to adopt legislation to raise the driving age, but with pressure from outside groups, no one knows what the future holds for teens.

A Virtual Coffeeshop Conversation

With Our Teachers of Yore

by Bianca Garcia

Silhouette: Are you from this area originally? How many people are in your family, and what can you tell us about them?

Mr. Cross: I was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, raised in Maryland, and I went to high school and college in PA.

Mrs. Krumrine: I am from Hanover; I am married with two children and live in York.

Mrs. Gingerich: I grew up in Waynesboro, where the majority of my Mom’s family is from. My mom is an elementary school physical education teacher and a really awesome person. My maternal grandparents are also from Waynesboro, and before my Pap passed away, he was the unofficial “town historian.” I got my love of history from him. I also have a half-sister who is 15 and in 10th grade named Annie.

My husband is from Spring Grove and the majority of his family still lives in the York area.

Ms. Johnston: I grew up in nearby Gettysburg where I lived all of my life in the same house. My parents had four kids, of which I am the youngest. I have two older sisters and an older brother. They are all married and both of my sisters have little girls.

Mrs. Zinn: Yes, I graduated from NOHS in 2001. My husband graduated from Delone (but we won’t hold that against him), so he is local, too. Both of my parents were teachers here at NOHS. My dad, Mr. Topper, just retired last year after teaching here for 35 years, and my mom, Ms. Topper still teaches here. I won’t say how long she has been here, though, or she will kill me. I have a younger sister who just started teaching 6th grade at CVIS this year.

Ms. Lehman: I grew up in Carlisle, PA where I lived on a farm with my parents and older sister. Since Carlisle is only about 45 minutes away, I try to go home to visit them as often as possible.

Ms. Felix: Yes, I grew up in Gettysburg, PA. I have two great parents and a sister who teaches French in Gettysburg. My brother-in-law is a naval pilot.

Silhouette: What are your hobbies and interests outside of school?

Mr. Cross: Music. I have played in bands of all influences since high school. Camping, hiking.

Mrs. Krumrine: I love outdoor activities such as kayaking, backpacking, snowboarding, rock climbing, and Frisbee golf to name a few. Otherwise, I love hanging out with my family and working out at the gym.

Mrs. Gingerich: I like to do projects around the house, hang out with my friends and family, go out to eat, play volleyball, watch my sister’s sporting events and hang out with my yellow lab, Levi.

Ms. Johnston: I’m a pretty busy person, I am the head middle school field hockey coach. I also ref hockey on the weekends and night games. I will be playing in an adult field hockey team over winter at Allstar. I coach middle school track and field in the spring. I am currently teaching adult education sewing class at the high school. I just finished my masters over the summer, so I am now working on my +12.

Mrs. Zinn: I like to work out, especially running. A lot of people hate running, but I love being outside, and it helps me relax…gotta love those endorphins! I also like to cook and bake. Unfortunately, I love to shop. I’m trying to curb that habit, though!

Ms. Lehman: Outside of school I love to travel. My goal in life is to visit each of the seven continents; I have made it to two so far. I also love to read (of course), bake, and watch movies.

Ms. Felix: I enjoy traveling and exploring new places, cultures and languages. I also like dogs and spend some of my free time knitting and crocheting.

Silhouette: Where did you go to college to get your degree? Were there any professors who inspired you in your field of study?

Mr. Cross: I started at Gettysburg and finished at York . I'm currently working on a Master's at Penn state Harrisburg. Dr. Peter Levy at York College inspired me to think outside the box and be "student first."

Mrs. Krumrine: I went to the University of Delaware and received a masters in biology and a minor in wildlife conservation and entomology (study of insects) I worked as a wildlife biologist for the Delaware Fish and Game out of Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Delaware. I then furthered my education by completing a degree at Shippensburg University in teaching. I received my teaching certification in biology, general science, and environmental science.

I had an entomology professor that inspired me to go into teaching.

Mrs. Gingerich: I went to LVC and majored in history. My favorite professor was Dr. Norton who was a political science professor. He encouraged me to minor in political science which is one of the reasons I love teaching Government this year!

I also have my Master's in Educational Strategies through Wilkes University.

Ms. Johnston: I went to Bridgewater College in Virginia. I received a Bachelor of Science in family and consumer science. I also have certification in elementary education and secondary education (FCS). So, if I decided I didn’t like FCS, I am certified to teach elementary. I really loved one of my education professors, she was so enthusiastic and creative with her lessons and assignments.

Two years ago, I started my Master's at McDaniel College in Maryland. I just completed it in Curriculum and Instruction.

Mrs. Zinn: I went to Western Maryland College (now called McDaniel). While I was there, I got to work closely with Skip Fennell, who is a phenomenal teacher. But the person who inspired me most to become an English teacher is Mrs. Watson. When I was a senior, I was still a bit unsure about what I wanted to do with an English degree. Having Mrs. Watson for senior English made me want to be like her. She’s just such a cool person, and I have so much respect for her.

Ms. Lehman: I went to York College. Professor Speelman (herself a former New Oxford English teacher) really inspired me to be the best teacher that I can be.

Ms. Felix: I attended the Pennsylvania State University.

Silhouette: What is your content area and what led you to choose that content area?

Mr. Cross: I love history because it is the knowledge that fuels our future legacy. It becomes applicable to our lives at different times and is not only useful but incredibly entertaining.

Mrs. Krumrine: I teach/or have taught general biology, biology I, wildlife and natural resource conservation, animal and plant science, and integrated science here at the Ox. My love and respect for the environment and all life has led me to choose that content.

Mrs. Gingerich: I am certified in “Citizenship Education.” That means I can teach American History, World History, Geography, Government, and Economics. I taught World History for the last three years here and loved it, but I am really excited to finally be teaching my favorite subject of Government!

Ms. Johnston: I teach FCS, which used to be Home Ec. I am currently teaching FAST 1, Foods 1, and Child Development. I also teach Housing and Interior Design, and Specialty Foods.

I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. At the end of my freshman year I realized my roommate (an FCS major) had a lot of cool, life applicable classes and I already knew how to do a lot of the classes. My mom is an FCS teacher and I really wanted to separate myself from her and what she does. In the end, I just knew it was a perfect fit because I enjoy teaching an active classroom where my students are always moving around and cooking, sewing, or observing little kids.

Mrs, Zinn: I teach English, and it’s funny because when I tell people what I teach, they all wrinkle their noses, groan and say, “Oh, you poor thing;” like I got stuck with this job or something! I suppose I chose English because I was always good at writing and reading. My mom read to me A LOT when I was younger, so it’s just something that came naturally to me. I actually debated whether I wanted to be a history teacher or an English teacher, but my parents told me there is less competition for jobs for English teachers than history, so that’s how I settled on English.

Ms. Lehman: I currently teach 9th and 10th grade Language Arts. I became an English teacher because when I think back to my own high school English experience, I can honestly say that I felt at home. To me there is nothing better than being able to read and talk about books.

Ms. Felix: I teach Spanish. I took the class in high school. Because of a great teacher, I really liked it. Then in college, I worked at the Migrant Summer Program during the summers and was able to use my Spanish on a regular basis. Also, I have had the opportunity to travel to several Spanish-speaking countries (Spain, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay) and have really enjoyed my time there.

Silhouette: What is your favorite part about teaching thus far?

Mr. Cross: I've enjoyed meeting all the students and learning the different points of view and personalities found in those students. I have learned more in teaching the past five years than I had in all my years of education to this point.

Mrs. Krumrine: This is my sixth year of teaching. I taught at Delone previously. I love sharing my devotion to environmental stewardship and just making a difference in as many student lives as I can.

Mrs. Gingerich: I like spending time with students and seeing them progress.

Ms. Johnston: I really do enjoy getting to know my students and watching them achieve inside and outside of my classroom. If I have bad/disrespectful students, it is no fun for anyone. The students’ attitudes to the subject make or break the class. Right now, I have the most incredible students who are excited and interested in everything that we are learning; I just love to come to school to guide them through the curriculum.

Mrs. Zinn: I like interacting with the kids every day. Right now my first block class makes me laugh so much that I barely need my coffee in the morning. All of my classes are well behaved and respectful, so they’re making my job easy this semester! I also get a rush when the students enjoy what we are doing in class; like right now, we are reading Romeo and Juliet. Most people hate the thought of reading Shakespeare, but most of my students really enjoyed it. When I see them enjoying what I love, it’s very rewarding.

Ms. Lehman: My favorite part about teaching is the relationships that I have built with the students and the staff here at New Oxford. I also love being able to come to work and talk about books and writing all day.

Ms. Felix: When a student doesn’t understand a concept, but keeps working at it, it is great to see when it finally clicks and the student “gets it.”

Silhouette: What led you to decide to teach here at the Ox?

Mr. Cross: I was familiar with the school and had a good feeling about it when I was weighing the different schools that had offered me jobs. It has been a great fit so far.

Mrs. Krumrine: I have always heard about the great and professional teaching staff. I wanted to become a part of such a dedicated team of teachers.

Mrs. Gingerich: It was in a close location to my hometown, the community seemed friendly, and it was the first school to offer me a job.

Ms. Johnston: My dad saw an ad in the Gettysburg Times the fall of my senior year. So, I decided to apply. Dr. O’Brien called and told me I was hired, so I had to graduate from college early to take the job.

Mrs. Zinn: Well, five years ago, I was actually all set to teach in Frederick, Maryland. I got an apartment; I had my classroom set up. We actually began in-service training for new teachers, and Dr. O’Brien called me and said that he had an immediate opening. It was a very difficult decision for me, but I knew that eventually I wanted to move back to Pennsylvania to teach (it’s a great state to teach in); plus, it is pretty difficult to get a job in our district – you students should be proud of the caliber of teachers that teach here. So I packed up my things and moved back here.

Ms. Lehman: I decided to become a Colonial after student teaching here. I realized that it is a great learning community and that I felt at home here.

Ms. Felix: It is close to home.

Silhouette: Who was your favorite teacher in high school and what did he or she impart to you?

Mr. Cross: His name was Mr. Spatz, and he was my tenth grade social studies teacher at Gettysburg high school. He knew how to get our class involved and had a great sarcastic sense of humor.

Mrs. Krumrine: I had three teachers that pushed me to be my best and showed that they cared about me and my grades. Ms. Pinkos, Mr. Saggedy, and Mrs. Schlock.

Mrs. Gingerich: Mr. Seidler. He taught AP American History and had very high expectations. He stressed to all his students to do everything with “integrity”. For example, don’t rush through an assignment just to get it done and don’t go into a test unprepared. He was very passionate about the subject he taught, but was also very diligent to make sure he was providing us with life lessons!

Ms. Johnston: Mrs. Walde, Mrs. Snyder and Mr. Thomas (middle school). They were all awesome teachers!

Mrs. Zinn: See above. (Editor's note: Teacher, is there going to be a quiz on this?)

Ms. Lehman: My favorite teacher in high school was my senior English teacher, Mr. Tarrant. He really opened my eyes to the world of literature, but more importantly, he treated all of his students as equals and taught us the value of hard work and showed us what we can accomplish if we really focus and put our mind to the task at hand.

Ms. Felix: My favorite teacher in high school was my Spanish teacher of four years, Ms. Edwards. She was a lot of fun and wasn’t afraid to be different.

Silhouette: What might we be surprised to learn about you?

Mr. Cross: That I am currently planning an expedition to Loch Ness with Mike Bivens to capture Nessie and bring her to the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

Mrs. Krumrine: I love kickboxing and have been teaching it for six years as well as other aerobics. I plan to soon get a certification in personal training.

Ms. Johnston: I broke my nose and my surgery was scheduled on the day I was to interview at New Oxford. So I had to have it rescheduled. I can water ski and I love to camp.

Mrs. Zinn: A few years ago I bought a 120 year old house that needed A LOT of TLC. With the help of my uncles and cousins, we totally gutted the house. I mean, we tore out walls, added windows, redid the floors. I painted every square inch of wall, ceiling and trim in that house. I’m actually pretty handy with a paint brush. We just sold that house a few days ago. Now I will start in on my new house – it used to be just my husband living here, so I’ve got the challenge of making the house suit both of us.

Ms. Lehman: You may be surprised to learn that I am terrible when it comes to spelling. Even though I am an English teacher, I have the hardest time spelling words. This weakness has taught me that there is no shame in picking up the dictionary to look something up and the correct my shortcomings.

Ms. Felix: I spent a year as an exchange student in Istanbul, Turkey the year after I graduated from high school. During that year I lived with host families and went to high school, went back and forth between Europe and Asia several times a week, and had a lot of crazy adventures. Also, I currently spend my summers studying for my Master’s Degree in Querétaro, Mexico.

Silhouette: Who is your favorite musician or band? Did you attend any concerts this summer?

Mr. Cross: The Ramones were the most influential on me. The Get Up Kids – made me want to play music; Nirvana influenced me to start a band in high school; Gasoline Heart is my currently eating up space on my Ipod; I saw Frank Turner, Rise Against as well as the Gaslight Anthem this summer.

Mrs. Krumrine: I love Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead. I did not get to attend the Grateful Dead tribute festival this summer or the reunion due to finances and time. However, there is always next summer.

Mrs. Gingerich: I like country music. Sadly, I didn’t get to any concerts this year. But I did go to Fan Fest in Nashville, TN a few summers ago. It was four straight days of country concerts. It was a complete blast!

Ms. Johnston: I really like Joss Stone and the Dixie Chicks, but I’m not willing to pay a few hundred dollars to see them. Ha!

Mrs. Zinn: I like such a variety of music. Right now I’m really into Kings of Leon. But I also like country music – Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney. And I’ve always been a huge fan of the Beatles. I used to like their later albums, but I’ve been listening to a lot of their first albums. You just can’t be in a bad mood when you listen to the oldies!

Ms. Lehman: I would say that right now my favorite band is The Zac Brown Band. Over the summer I had the chance to see him in concert, and he is just as good in person as he is on the radio.

Ms. Felix: I like almost all types of music, especially music en español. I went to a Jimmy Buffet concert with my sister, brother-in-law, and a group of friends this past summer.

Silhouette: Which is your best “wake-me-up” -- coffee or tea?

Mr. Cross: COFFEE!!!

Mrs. Krumrine: Starbucks...Caramel Macchiato!

Mrs. Gingerich: Definitely coffee …… without a doubt!

Ms. Johnston: Neither, I am all orange juice.

Mrs. Zinn: COFFEE!

Ms. Lehman: I love, love, love English Breakfast tea. In college I spent a semester in London, and there I learned the art of making the perfect cup of tea. My day just doesn’t seem to start out on the right foot without a cup of tea.

Ms. Felix: Tea for sure. I can’t handle coffee.

Has the Internet Taken Over?

by Corby Myers

In today’s society, the Internet has made its way into almost every American home. Although the web can be a valuable asset for research and learning, it can also put us in danger in many ways. You can communicate with friends through web cams, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and much more. The Internet can provide a degree of social interaction, online networks and connections that cannot replace the benefits of in-person contact. Teen internet addiction is dangerous because it limits a person’s options when it comes to communication. Much of learning and growing as a person comes from the lessons one learns through friendships, fights, disagreements and trends.

Although the Internet can be used for educational purposes, spending too much time online can deter social and educational development. Most of us take ten minutes here or there to explore our favorite gossip or sports sites, and there is nothing wrong with using the Internet as a tool for research, news, and entertainment. After all, the world wide web is the world’s most accurate, up-to-date resource for almost any type of information. But as the Internet becomes more acclimatized to the individual, it grows and then it is easier to develop a dependency on it. It used to be teens sitting in front of the TV for hours, but now we are surfing the web with greater frequency. Sang Kyu Lee, M.D, Ph.D., and a professor of psychiatry at Hallym University in Chunchon, Korea, said, “The more depressed an adolescent is, the more time he or she will spend on the Internet.” A study he completed with middle school students showed that about 11 percent of teens were highly addicted to the internet. Lee says, “Less than one-third were in the no-risk group.” Although we may have good intentions, we may be at risk of coming across something inappropriate and even dangerous, that we did not wish to come upon.

Sometimes this addiction can lead to suicidal thoughts. Among young people aged 15 to 24, suicide is the third most common reason of death. Four times as many men die by suicide as women, and 73 percent of all suicide deaths were white males.

New studies suggests it is more likely for young people to get addicted to the internet if they are depressed, aggressive or have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or other social phobia. The diagnosis of internet addiction is being considered for the 2012 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Past research suggests that 1.4 percent to 17.9 percent of adolescents are addicted to the internet, with percentages higher in the Eastern nations than in Western nations, according to the study by the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Michael Gilbert, a senior fellow at the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication, says the findings were no surprise. "The study's indication that children who are hyperactive or diagnosed with ADHD are finding an outlet on the Web makes such perfect sense," he says; this is not likely because those children crave the constant stimulation of fast-paced video games and interactive social networks. Kids with depression, anger issues or social problems also turn to the Internet as therapy, adds Gilbert. "They can take on an avatar or a different identity, and can contact other kids with the same problems and social inadequacies; they do not have to function in conventional social ways. I don't get the feeling when I talk to therapists that they really understand the concept of addiction to the Internet," he says. "They think more in terms of pornography sites or gambling sites specifically, but Internet addiction itself is not fully understood yet by the therapeutic community."

The Internet has made it all too easy for teens to withdraw from the pressures of adolescence and remain indoors. The lure of the web can often make it seem as though social networks and online gaming are replacement for real life. We can find acceptance in chat rooms and message boards, while at school we might be an outcast. It is easy for us to be in denial of interacting with our peers and risking rejection in real life, while the Internet can provide for a seemingly relaxed environment. We need to know that Internet addiction and dependence on online forums will only exploit social growth and make life much more complicated in the future.

The Internet may have made our lives easier to manage, but it has also increased our dependence on the advantages it can provide. The dependency it creates causes some people to draw back from outside situations. We must be careful of this trend, for whom positive and negative social interaction help to form valuable personality and intelligence.

"Stoner ???!" .... "Colleeeeeeeeeen?!!!!"

Colleen Quinn and Megan Stone Oil Pastels, Art 3 Class

Le Voyage en France!

by Colby Scutta

A scenic view in France

This year will mark the eighth time that Mrs. Petrie takes her French III and French IV students to travel to France over the spring break. This year’s journey includes exciting destinations like Paris, the chateaux of the Loire Valley and the beaches of Normandy!

The students that are participating in the trip to France will leave on March 24, 2010, and they will return before Easter. Students will fly, many of whom for the first time, from Washington, D.C. to Paris.

This is a costly trip and the students are fundraising for the majority of the money. Various sandwich and pizza sales from Schultz's Deli are mostly how the students are raising the money.

The students prepare for this trip in class by studying the different regions that they will be visiting in the near future, and they often use role-playing situations. They practice ordering a meal in a café, paying for something in a French shop and asking for directions.

“They study French cuisine, French money (the euro), the metro system in Paris, the famous art work of the Louvre museum and the Orsay museum," Mrs. Petrie said. “This is so students will feel comfortable speaking French and will get the most out of what they experience firsthand.”

Students participating in the trip have joined the Bon Voyage French Club and are also in the process of fundraising to help pay for their trip.

Past French trips have always included a home stay with a French teen and his or her family. Other past classes have visited different regions of France, including the southern region of Provence and the French Riveria, which has always been the most popular. The economy is causing less student participation; other trips have had more involvement.

When Mrs. Petrie was questioned about the enjoyment of her trips, she responded, “Yes, each one is different, but it is equally rewarding to see students putting their classroom French to use in daily life.”

Mrs. Petrie was also asked about what her favorite part of the trips were, and she said, “My favorite thing of all the trips was the last trip when I had dinner on the Eiffel tower on my birthday. NOHS students sang 'Happy Birthday' to me in French and had the waiters bring a chocolate dessert with a candle in it.”

Good luck to everyone who is attending the trip. Have fun!

For students or parents wishing to reference the planned trip, you may visit this site for a day by day breakdown of our itinerary. Bon voyage !

Lingering Doubts: Public Reaction to the H1N1 Vaccine

by Shaiann Daniels

While H1N1 is sweeping the nation, many Americans are wondering if they can find or even trust the vaccination.

Pregnant women are one of the highest priority groups to get the vaccine, yet medical officials are saying that it’s not safe for children under six months of age. That doesn’t make much sense considering the woman is obviously carrying a baby under six months of age. Though they try to make it safer by reducing the mercury count in the vaccinations they give to pregnant women, reports of miscarriages after getting vaccinated for the H1N1 virus were reported all over the nation.

Many parents are arguing against getting their child the vaccination as it is too new and there hasn’t been much research put into it. They’re not worried about their children obtaining swine flu, unless they already have another chronic illness, considering it is easily treatable using common sense and doctor aid if necessary.

The shot could be safe, or it could not be. Kathleen Sibelius and many others who work for the U.S. Health Department are urging Americans to get the vaccine when it is available to them, but there are so many conflicting reports on its effectiveness that many Americans are left wondering: do the risks outweigh the benefits?