By Raven Rodriguez Staff Writer Many people are finding more money left in their wallets lately as gas prices have dropped. AAA reports also suggest that prices will continue to drop in the summer of 2015 if there are no refinery issues and things stay stable in the Middle East. The gas prices have been rising and dropping over the years. In January, prices dropped to the lowest they had been in six years, with the average price being $2.03 per gallon. Prices rose again and were up to an average of $2.43 per gallon in March, according to an April report by AAA. “I would like to see gas prices continue to go down,” Biology teacher Mr. Jeremy Granger said. “Prices on gas are too high.” Junior Natalie Couret said. “I would hope that they would stay at an exact amount that was cheap.” When crude oil prices go up or down gas prices follow. With changes in the world supply and demand oil prices have been going down. The gas price has a lot to do with demand. For example, during the summer a lot of people go on vacation/trips, with using more gas than a person usually would on a regular basis it causes the demand for gas to spike. There are other small factors to changes in gas prices. With things as simple as competition between gas stations. Competition may not seem like a big deal. But it does happen between gas stations. According to an article from U.S. News and World report from 2011. There could be two gas stations right across from each other and they’d both have different prices for the gas. Competition is however not the only reason that these two gas stations have different prices. One gas station might lower the price in order to bring in more customers. As always, the cheaper the gas the better for the wallet.
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By Helen Zeidman Staff Writer Every little girl dreams of having the perfect dress for prom. With the help of Student Council, everyone will get the chance to find their fairytale gown. This is the second year for the Lion Queen dress drive, though it is now called the formal fashion fair, since the merchandise is not restricted to prom dresses. In addition to dresses, Student Council also collects shoes, bags, and accessories to give away or consign. The dresses are not limited to prom dresses; homecoming and other formal occasion attire are accepted, too. The fair this year will be expanded to include everything for the prom experience, not just dresses. Last year, the drive was only open to Red Lion students, but this year, anyone can donate, consign, or buy the dresses and accessories. Some dresses will be given away for free and others will be sold for up to $100. “The general idea is that people with less money should be able to get great dresses, too,” Elizabeth Gable, a member on the committee that organized the event, said. Mrs. Jane Dennish, the student council adviser, came up with the idea from the nationwide event, The Cinderella Project. “I thought that it would be neat to provide free prom dresses locally,” Dennish said. According to Mrs. Dennish, Student Council is planning on having a hairstylist, a nail stylist,, and a Mary Kay consultant at the event this year. The goal is to help students figure out how to do the rest of their outfits after they find their dresses. There will also be raffles for various gift baskets at the event with everything from hair tools to makeup. The main goal of the event is to bring people together during the chaotic prom season, not for Student Council to make a profit. “The students make all of the money. It is not like a typical consignment where the business takes a cut of the profit,” Dennish said. “We do it as a service.” “We want to entice mothers and daughters to spend the day together. They can make it a mother and daughter day,” Dennish said. By Allie Thomas Staff Writer Sometimes some things are too good to be true. Especially, recently in Red Lion Senior High School. Already this year, there have been 10 reported cases of theft in school locker rooms, according to Officer Mark Greenly. But those are only the cases have been reported, many others have gone without any further investigation. Most of the objects that have been stolen in the locker rooms are money and cell phones. Officer Greenly summed up the problem recently, “The gym classes do not line up together, so there are a minutes where some kids are in the room all alone and they’re near everyone’s stuff, so it just makes it even easier to steal something without getting caught,” he said. Another problem with theft is sometimes the kids don’t have their - stolen but they lose it, so they report it stolen so that way they don’t get in trouble with their parents, so it becomes a case that has no thief, he said. Greenly reports that he has caught a lot of kids in the act of stealing before. One particular time he remembers specifically was on February 26, he had heard about some kid skipping study hall and going into the boys swimming locker and stealing money. So Greenly set up a chair in the boys locker room after they all had left and waited for this thief to try to make another attempt. Little did he know that Officer Greenly was in there waiting for him, and when he tried to go in there and steal something, Greenly caught him in the act and was able to save someone from getting money stolen. “It’s hard to get students to confess, and that just makes the challenge even harder,” said Greenly. Greenly recommends that students lock up valuables so that way they are not reachable. Then, the criminals have no motive for their madness. By Allie Thomas
Staff Writer It’s very easy to get trapped into a trend when everyone else around is doing it. It’s one thing when it’s all fun like ‘The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge’ or ‘Flappy Bird’, but this is a different type of trend that has started, Vaping. According to Google, Vaping is described as to “Inhale and exhale the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device.” In the past month, administration apprehended three vape pens in the high school. School nurses Kathy Miller and Sherri Taylor explained vaping’s health concerns in a recent interview. Originally designed to help smokers quit cigarettes, vaping is considered dangerous because of the lack of knowledge medical professionals have on vaping. They pointed to the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that it has been linked to cancer, it is not regulated by the FDA, and it contains formaldehyde and other animal carcinogens. Officer Greenly explained that what makes vaping seem so “cool” is how society advertises it. By marketing it and making the “hipsters” make it seem like it’s fun. In addition to vaping some students have been caught for marijuana, and spice, a kind of synthetic kind of marijuana. Just like smoking was once extremely popular then it became less “cool”, Greenly believes vaping will too. “Prevention is tough because kids will be kids,” Greenly said. “Maybe we as a district could make their punishment more strict, and start educating our student population about the risks of it. From his research on this topic, Greenly said, “Just like smoking, it can’t be good for you.” By Ian Adler Multimedia Editor “What’s going on in her body is now a battle.” “Mrs. Smeltzer” has become an almost household name in Red Lion. Known to some as a health teacher, and others as a source of inspiration, “The Smeltz” has recently been tasked with her newest challenge in life: cancer of the cerebellum, spinal and meningeal fluid. “On Feburary 9, I arrived at school with a migraine,” Smeltzer said in an email interview. “Very quickly, the migraine turned into something different. The school contacted my husband and I was sent to Cancer Care.” After several scans and imaging, a small cancer spot was found on the base of Smeltzer’s cerebellum. The medical team also tested her spinal and meningeal fluid, where several other spots were discovered. However, this is not Smeltzer’s first run-in with cancer. On Dec. 20, 2011, just 13 days after her thirtieth birthday, Smeltzer was tested positive for triple negative breast cancer. She received various treatments, including radiation chemotherapy. “It was completely conquerable, and I thought it was just a temporary inconvenience for her,” Ms. Heather Fogell said, a co-worker and close friend of Smeltzer. “I was scared a little bit, but I knew that breast cancer is curable.” Along with support from her students, staff, family and friends, Smeltzer won her first bout with cancer. “It’s just not something you would automatically ever think would happen to somebody as young as her,” Mrs. Susan Hinkle said, another co-worker and friend of Smeltzer. “It was sort of a shock and reality check to everyone, but also a “why?” Why would she have this?” Not even two years later, on June 13, 2013, Smeltzer had learned that the cancer had metastasized (spread) to the bones in her left shoulder, left collar-bone, sternum, both hips, and a spot on her right ribs. After hearing the news of the second diagnosis, Hinkle described her reaction as a “wind out your sails” feeling. “I really felt for her,” Hinkle said. “I really felt her celebrating to have it behind her. You automatically think when it starts going to other parts in the body, it gets a whole lot more serious. This isn’t something that you take just care of and it goes away, it’s going to be a challenge.” Fogell also knew that this was “now a fight for her life.” “I know that she is a fighter,” said Fogell. “At that point, I knew that she had responded really well to chemotherapy, so I knew there was a good chance for a good prognosis.” For both the first and second rounds of chemo, Smeltzer received her treatment at Cancer Care at Apple Hill Medical Center. After discovery of the cancer in her spinal and meningeal fluid and also cerebellum, Smeltzer received a radiation cycle from Feb. 12 to Mar. 5. “Needless to say, it has taken it’s toll on my head,” Smeltzer said. “My hair has thinned and actually started to hurt, like when you have the flu.” “About six days after radiation, I told John, my husband, that I wanted to buzz cut my hair again,” Smeltzer said. “Let me tell you, hair is overrated. I love my buzz cut and the looks I get! Hair will always grow back, well, unless it’s in your genes to be bald.” As of this March, she is undergoing intrathecal treatment every other week which is injected into her spinal column. Smeltzer also takes an oral chemotherapy pill called Xeloda to help combat and control the disease. Fogell, along with Smeltzer and Smeltzer’s mother, have began to do their own research into different treatments for patients with similar situations to Smeltzer’s. “Now it’s gotten much more serious, and it seems a lot more permanent, but my concern is that she just takes time to enjoy life for herself, in the moment,” said Fogell. “My life has done a 180 in four years,” Smeltzer said. “(The cancer) makes me slow down and suck up the little things. It has made me realize what is important in life. It honestly has made me a better person.” Hinkle believes one of the most difficult things for Smeltzer is her absence here at the High School. “She really cares about her job. She loves being here, she loves interacting with the students and teaching what she teaches. It fulfills her life.” “Anytime that we have sent her any messages or pictures or anything, you can tell it keeps her going, like she’s a part of things,” Hinkle said. “She doesn’t want to be treated with sorrow, she wants you to send her the funny text messages and she doesn’t want you to treat her any different.” “Now I’m thinking that she is an amazingly strong person. Continues, daily, to help others, to be there for others, to give for others,” Fogell said. “I am still very hopeful.” Smeltzer’s attitude is one of the most commendable aspects of her diagnosis. “It is what it is! I don’t care what I have to do, I just want to survive.” By Mike McCarty Staff Writer Students from Red Lion Area Senior High School’s drafting and design level four class have begun a remarkable self-driven project. Seniors Drake Schaefer, Hunter Kinard, Mike McCarty, Sebastian Smith, Joshua Ziolkowski, Ben Clark, and junior McKayla Cooley are those in charge of the effort to restore the Neff’s single-room schoolhouse. Located on 220 Country Club Road, this historic landmark is in dilapidated condition and in need of improvements and repairs. With only a few months and a couple of field trip days lefts within the school year, the pressure is on, but the students of Red Lion are more than up for the challenge. “Simply it has to be done, and it’s a fun challenge,” senior Hunter Kinard said. The one overseeing this project is their very own drafting/design level four teacher Mr. John Royer. With immense enthusiasm he encourages the students to not only do this for a grade, but to find out what this project means for those working on it and to find out what you’re passionate about in life. Mr. Royer’s passion for the project is closely tied to the reason he wants to be involved. “Why? To restore and honor the impacts that single room schoolhouses had on our community, simple hardworking close knit families who loved to help each other was a part of life,” Mr. Royer, said. Neff’s single room schoolhouse was just a stepping stone to many of the students striving to make it to high school, where most of the core subjects were taught, including geography, mathematics, English, and especially religion. What was once a treasure to the town and its students this historic institution is rotting away sadly. “I feel it is important to secure the legacy left behind so future visitors may take a trip back in time. My local history students continue to be amazed at what took place in this building. Education has changed and grown exponentially over the past 65 years but it is important to reflect on our beginnings,” Mr. Sam Cooley, local history teacher said. With panels falling from the ceiling, paint chipping, and splintering floorboards, the school house is slowly decaying, though with the help and compassion from the students, this barely recognizable structure will once again stand proud. “It’s a part of our towns history, not everyone has the chance to tackle a project like this so why not?” Drake Schaefer said. By Bella McCarey Co-Editor-in-Chief In a closing ceremony in honor of the homeowner Ashley Moffitt and her daughter Shaelynn, the year long Habitat for Humanity project came to a conclusion on Mar. 23. The school district has been heavily involved and invested in this project for the last 12 months and that dedication was well represented at the ceremony. With an estimated attendance of over 500 district and community members, the night began with the students from the District Choir singing “Voices of Pride”, a song composed for the Red Lion Area School District and the inspiration for the song comes from Red Lion’s longstanding ability to join together to change the community for the better. The Habitat for Humanity house is sound structural evidence of this comradery. Some of the lyrics of the piece include: “If your world is shaken and torn apart, a helping hand is not so far away. We can make a house, a home. A shelter away from the storm and see you through another day.” Ringing true to the Habitat build, it’s laid the foundation for Red Lion to achieve more in the future, possibly even another project. “Who knows, we might do another one,” Assistant Principal and leader of the RLASD Build Planning Team Mr. Grant Gouker. “You don’t realize it’s [the opportunity] out there, people building people houses. It’s amazing how it all comes together.” The rest of the night was “tearful, happy tears of course” commented Gouker. Rev. Dr. Brad Dayett lead the audience in an opening prayer and benediction. “It was an overall simple presentation and dedication,” Gouker said. “There was a formal ribbon cutting, the minister blessed the home, and they had special keys made.” Included in the presentation of the house was a slide show put together by Mr. Keith Blackwell and some of his students showcasing the project from start to finish with a compilation of pictures and numbers showing what materials and manpower went into building the home. From the first piece of trash picked up off the yard to the first nailed hammer into the walls to the last drop of wet paint on the walls, the Moffitt family was able to see their new home start to finish. Dr. Scott Deisley, whose dream was to partake in a Habitat for Humanity project since coming to the district, made a speech and presented the family with gifts on behalf of himself and the district. Included was $100 towards the school store so “they could get rid of that Rocket Clothing,” referring to the fact Shaelynn Moffitt will be transferring from Spring Grove School District to Red Lion next year. The second gift was $1000 to Target so they can buy the things they need to truly make it feel like a home. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Gouker said. “It’s not 100 percent. There’s still a lot of landscaping to be done, the FFA kids are in charge of that once it’s warmer outside.” One of the most memorable moments of the night was the unveiling of the plaque nailed to the concrete in front of the house that reads “York Habitat home built in partnership with Red Lion Area School District.” “It’s nothing big,” Gouker said. “It’s just something that says we’ll always be a part of you, like a cornerstone.” While the settlement of the home takes place April 1, the Moffitt family won’t officially move in until this summer. By Adrianna Clinton
Co-Editor-in-Chief Inconsistent is perhaps the best word to describe Pennsylvania winters. Sometimes, the Keystone State gets the brutal cold with torrential amounts of snow, other times just the sub-zero temperatures. No matter how bad the winter, however, seniors have to graduate at some point come June, and like the senior class before them, the Class of 2015 had a lot of uncertainty about the date of their graduation. In April, the school board finally set the graduation date to be June 3 at 6:45 PM, with baccalurerate at 7 PM on June 2. The last day for seniors will be May 28. In the future, it is the hope of both seniors and administration alike that the uncertainty surrounding graduation will become a thing of the past, as new programs are being implemented statewide to help eliminate added-on school days. In the event that inclement weather does bring a cancellation in future school years, the school district has applied to the state and has been approved to allow Red Lion to use “flexible instruction days.” This program will allow districts to “employ non-traditional strategies to provide a continuity of instruction on regularly-scheduled school days during which circumstances necessitate an alternative approach,” according to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education website. This program, currently in pilot stages, could be online or offline; should an element of the districts’ program rely on technology, an equal option will be provided for those who do not have access for whatever reason. Ultimately, the FIDs can help school districts plagued with cancellations to set a graduation date much earlier. By Claire Krackow
Marketing Editor Seniors, it’s the time of year that you’ve all been waiting for! “All that Jazz” is coming to the Valencia in York on Saturday, April 25 at 7 PM. “So we have many different committees. We have invitations, we have decorations, we have gifts and we have food committees,” Senior Class President Heather Jackson said. “We already picked all the food that we want so that’s taken care of, and we have all of our decorations.” The decorations for this years’ prom will be very fitting to the theme (All that Jazz) as there will be pearls and feather boas. “Also, there will be jazz dancers’ from Joelle (Godfrey’s) dance team and we might be offering some sort of payment to them for courtesy,” Jackson said. They will be dancing as the prom court, King and Queen are announced. Voting for prom court took place the week of April 6-10. Tickets were on sale April 1-10 in Mrs. Wiremans classroom, D227. They are $40 per person. |
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