A PUBLICATiON OF HAMBURG AREA HIGH SCHOOL

December 14, 2016Volume XXIII

Issue 9

January brings awareness to Glaucoma Gabby Krick – 10 The month of January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is the disease in which increased pressure within the eyeball gradually causes a person to lose their sight. It begins with peripheral vison and works its way into the center of the eye until one can no longer see anymore. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, and in most cases by the time the symptoms start it is too late and vison loss has already begun. More than three million people in the United States have glaucoma and half of the people affected do not even realize it. In order to raise awareness about this tragic disease first learn about it. Telling others to care and take note on this disease can only be effective as long as true information is being told. Watch or read news stories and share these things with those around. Mention the amount of people with glaucoma, what glaucoma is, and how it can be prevented or dealt with. Also figure out what symptoms may occur and if a person is at higher risk. Glaucoma in children older than two years old is often secondary to other diseases related to the eyes or vision. If surgery or a trip to the doctor for someone’s eyes has been taken checking to see if glaucoma is beginning to take place is the smart thing to do. Unfortunately the only way to prevent glaucoma is recognizing the disease in its early stages, which is often rare because of the lack of symptoms. Even if recognized early enough there may still be vision loss or blindness depending on how far the disease has progressed. There is treatment for those who find the disease before they have lost their vision, but ten percent will still lose their vision. Everyday people live with this disease and in fear that they may wake up and never see again. Although it is not deadly they are losing something quite large, their vision, so at all costs raise awareness in not only January, but year round. For more information visit: http://ludwickeyecenter.com/help-raise-glaucoma-awareness/

Journey to a new visionPaiton Albrecht - 9

Lexi Gerner a freshman has struggled with her eyesight her whole life. She was diagnosed with cataracts at seven days old and had her first surgery at seven days old and left surgery with a glaucoma that led to a lazy eye. Her glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be treated by surgeries. 14 years after Lexi has had over 18 surgeries to try to better her right eye. Lexi says she struggles with her sight but also with how people view her. She has fought through people’s hurtful comments toward her eye. “It’s really hard to talk to people when all they do is stare at my eye.” Through all of Lexi’s struggles she is happy to still have her sight. Every day she is thankful for another day to see.

Appreciating the winter solstice in different culturesAshley Lojko – 11

The different cultures in our world is what shapes us as humans. We have many different religions, customs, and holidays. Along with holidays are the ways different groups of people celebrate them. As the winter solstice approaches on December 21, many people recognize this holiday in diverse ways. When asking Eliza Moseman about the holiday, she stated her thoughts that the winter solstice was “the shortest day of the year.” Katelynn Sepke, a junior as well, shared her thoughts on the subject as the solstice being “the longest day of light of the year.” The winter solstice is the longest night of the year, and many cultures celebrate it in many ways.

First, as the custom most familiar to the American people, is the Christmas celebration. Christians celebrate this holiday on December 25, and some believe it is observed because of the strengthening light after the solstice, represented by the birth of the “true light”. A pre-Christian festival in Scandinavia called the Feast of Juul also commemorated the light that the winter solstice brings behind it. The people would set a Juul log aflame, the light and heat a reminder of the coming months of longer days, and the ashes from these logs were used as fertilizer or kept as a charm. Finally, in another pre-Christian society in Poland, the winter solstice was celebrated with the sharing of food and giving of thanks, a tradition much like ours of Thanksgiving today.

For more information on these traditions, visit https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice-customs.html

Alumni Spotlight: Monica FisherSierra Fisher - 11 Monica Fisher is an alumni of Hamburg Area High School who graduated nine years ago in 2007. While attending high school at Hamburg, Monica was involved in many musical activities like Band, Chorus, Chamber Choir, Jazz Band and school musicals and was also involved in Wilderness Club. Even though she did not participate in sports, she was still very involved in musical activities. After graduating in 2007, Monica went on to college, first attending Reading Area Community College and later enrolling in Penn State Berks for a major in Kinesiology (Exercise Science). She recently decided to enroll in Walden University for a master’s in Business Administration. When asked how college differs from the experience gotten in high school, Monica said it is drastically different. While there is more freedom in college than in high school, the relationships built during high school form into lasting relationships, whether it is with teachers or fellow students. Along with this, Monica also stated “In high school, you get to have a closer relationship with teachers because the classes are smaller.” Monica says that she attributes some of her success after her high school career because of the high school experience she got at Hamburg. “The tough grading system helped me to realize that you have to work hard to get an A, which ultimately helped me to succeed and get good grades in college.” She also says that the college prep courses offered at Hamburg helped her to be better prepared for the courses she enrolled in at college. Finally, when asked the advice she would give to students currently in high school, Monica said to “Enjoy your time with your friends while you can.” She says that her high school years went by so fast and that everyone should try to make the most of the time spent in high school.

Christmas Village lights up for the upcoming holidayShawna Hauck - 9 Koziar’s Christmas Village is a nearby attraction, located in Bernville. The village is actually one of the top Christmas displays in the United States. In this attraction they use almost a half million Christmas lights and other decorative items. Visiting this holiday attraction is a must on the Christmas bucket list. At first this attraction was a farm, it was known as the Spring Lake Dairy Farm. It was decorated for the holidays and eventually the displays became so popular that cars drove by just to see the lights. Eventually a parking lot was made and people were permitted to visit. The Koziar Christmas Village is family owned and is very successful today. The Christmas Village is usually open from the first Saturday in November through the first Sunday in January. This attraction sometimes turns into a tradition for many families throughout Pennsylvania. Children who are 3 years or under are free. Kids ages 4 to 10 are $8. Ages 11 to 64 are $10 and lastly seniors who are 65 and up are $9. The lights surely bring out the Christmas spirit in everyone. Koziar Christmas Village is definitely on the Christmas to do list for a lot of students. For more information about this amazing attraction visit: www. KoziarsChristmasVillage.com.

243 students attended annual Christmas dance at CJ Hummels in Lenhartsville on December 3. The Snow Court consisted of: Seth Boyce, Quin Bucheit, Colton Nester, Bryce Berger, King Logan Her-ber, Queen Natalie Clark, Kiana Wright, Brinn Albrecht, Kyra Neff, and Logan Albrecht.

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Percy Jackson & the Olympians journeys the world of Greek gods and demigodsAlexandra Kline - 9

Percy Jackson & the Olympians is a five book series written by Rick Riordan. The books, in sequential order, are The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan’s Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian. The journey starts with 12 year old Percy Jackson in a school for troubled kids with his best friend, Grover. When monsters attack him at the school, he needs to get to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for demigods, like him. When he arrives, his teacher at the old school is really centaur, his best friend is a satyr, and they are many demigods like him out there in the world. When he figures out that his father is Poseidon, one the Big Three gods who were not supposed to have demigod children, Percy must go find the master bolt stolen from Zeus before monsters attack him and his friends. He takes Grover and his new friend, Annabeth, a daughter of Athena, with him to his quest to find it before the summer solstice and his father and Zeus go to war. Will they make it in time? Will Percy be able to save what else was lost? In The Sea of Monsters, Percy, Grover, and Annabeth must find a cure for Thalia’s tree, a huge pine tree that protects Camp Half-Blood from the monsters that constantly harass demigods. Thalia was a daughter of Zeus who gave her life to save three demigods, her friends, and when she was dying, Zeus found another way for her to live, the tree. On this long and dangerous journey, Percy will need the help of his half-brother, Tyson, a Cyclops, Annabeth, Grover, and Clarisse, a daughter of Ares. Luke, a son of Hermes, is working against Camp Half-Blood and is the reason that Thalia’s tree is dying. Luke wants nothing more than to see the Titans defeat the Gods of Olympus. Luke is working for Kronos, king of the Titans, and the father of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and a few other gods. Percy must not let this happen, so he must go to an island in the Sea of Monsters, the Bermuda Triangle, to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which has healing powers to heal Thalia’s tree. Will they be able to retrieve the Fleece? What do they find out about Luke’s army? How much will the Golden Fleece work? The Titan’s Curse is a real page turner. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Thalia have to work together to find the goddess, Artemis. When Artemis goes away to hunt a monster by herself, the Hunters of Artemis grow anxious when they cannot contact her or find her. Percy, Thalia, Grover, and a two of the Hunters go across the world in search of Artemis and Annabeth, who they think is with Artemis, before the winter solstice when the gods have their Winter Council. During this adventure, Luke sends as many monsters in his army to stop them from reaching Artemis and Annabeth. What is Luke brewing with the Titans? Who will perish to find the goddess? Will they find answers that will help them defeat the Titans? In The Battle of the Labyrinth, Percy, Annabeth, Tyson, and Grover have to go through Daedalus’ famous labyrinth. The labyrinth is one of the most dangerous things in the world. It grows on its’ own and is always changing. They have to stop an invasion from Kronos’ army into Camp Half-Blood. During this journey, Grover and Tyson have to leave the group and go in search of the god Pan, the god of the Wild. Percy and Annabeth have to find Ariadne’s string, which is the only thing that can navigate the maze to the center. What do they find in the maze? What kind of tests will they have to pass? Will they reach the string first? What happened to Grover and Tyson in the search of Pan? Will they stop the invasion? The Last Olympian is the final book in the series and the most exciting. Percy must lead Camp Half-Blood into war against Kronos’ army in New York City. When the rest of the city is sleeping under the spell of a god, the final battle begins. They have to do everything they can to stop the army from destroying the thrones of the gods on Olympus, which would destroy the gods. The gods can’t help them because they are trying to destroy a Titan that is slowly making its’ way toward Mount Olympus on the Empire State Building in the shape of a storm. In the end, there are many casualties on the both sides of the war. With the help of the Party Ponies, siblings of Chiron, they have a chance of winning the war, but will they? Who dies in the war? What happens after the city wakes back up? Will Kronos/Luke win or will Percy? What did Percy have to do to be able to have a fighting chance against Kronos? What kind of cost does that have on Percy? Jasmyn Keeney, a freshman, has the read the book series twice. She says, “I think my favorite book was probably The Battle of the Labyrinth because it’s like the official start of the Titan War, so it’s filled with a lot of action. My favorite character is probably Annabeth because I can relate to her. She is very intelligent and she thinks very logically, and when I am in a certain situation or problem, I tend to think more logically. I actually didn’t know that much about the Greek Gods. I like mythology, but I didn’t know much about them. He displays them differently than what I thought, but I think he portrays them accurately.” The demigods were not treated well or acknowledged by the gods most of the time. Keeney’s response was, “I actually knew nothing about demigods. I did think that the gods wouldn’t interact with humans because they are of higher power. I learned a lot of Greek culture in these books. Yes, of course I would recommend this book to others, because it’s filled with a lot of action and emotions.” The Percy Jackson series is a book to read!

Let it snowAlyssa Marzili - 11 Every year the days get shorter and the nights get colder, and then small white sparkles fall from the sky. There are certain facts that are little known about snow, which actually are very fascinating to see, everything taught is not to be. It has been said over and over that no two snowflakes are the same, but that is not true. A Wisconsin snow storm blew in during 1988, and a scientist found two identical snowflakes. The smallest of snowflakes are known as Diamond Dust Crystals, for as they fall they sparkle in the sunlight. The largest snowflake seen was claimed to be seen had a width of 15 inches in January 1887 at Fort Keogh, Montana. However, the largest snowflake photographed was 10 millimeters in diameter. Approximately in a typical year a million billion snowflakes fall she second. However, as the snowflakes are so small, it is impossible to know for sure the true snowfall of each year. Scientists and weathermen, must use their best estimates to calculate the average snowfall per year. Everyone loves making paper snowflakes, but never do they question where the tradition came from. In 1864 a native of Maine, Frances Chickering had a book published by the title, Cloud Crystals: A Snowflake Album. She had watched the snowflakes falling in the one snow storm and studied their unique shape. To chart each one she saw, Frances cut the designs into paper. It then became a tradition young children love to do as a craft for winter. When the word snow is mentioned, the world pictures fluffy white particles lying on the ground. In reality snowflakes are clear as with a polar bear’s fur and is translucent, meaning it can reflect or absorb a color. In Silver Lake, Colorado April 1921 during the course of only 24 hours, 75.8 inches of snow fell. Colorado also hold the record for the most snow falling on one calendar day as of 1913. Colder places up north are used to having snow most of the year and very cold temperatures. Igloos are common farther up north, as a way to help keep warm. Igloos are sealed and have no cracks protecting against the wind and warmed by body heat. An igloo can be close to 100 degrees warmer than the weather outside. Smaller igloos are better and can trap the heat better; larger igloos have more space to fill and it makes it harder to keep warm. Hamburg, Pennsylvania has an average snowfall of 41 inches per year, which is higher than the national average being 22 inches. January of 1996, Hamburg broke its record when it snowed 30 inches. Of course every year the snow patterns are different for Hamburg. Some years a lot of snow falls and other years hardly any. Either way, frost still lies on the ground making morning roads slippery, causing Hamburg Area School District to call for two hour delays several time throughout the year. There are days the roads are still unsafe, and the day must be called a snow day. The students of Hamburg Area High School, enjoy any chance to sleep in. However, they do not like having to make up for snow days and losing breaks. They do not mind two hour delays and appreciate them, just as much as they do early dismissals. Stay warm by the fire this winter, warmed with a blanket and cup of hot chocolate. Enjoy peering out the window as the first snow falls from the sky above, and remember they are really little magical ice crystals. For more information visit: http://mentalfloss.com/article/61089/15-incredibly-cool-facts-about-snow or http://www.snowcrystals.com/facts/facts.html and https://snowfall.weatherdb.com/l/10907/Hamburg-Pennsylvania

Consider Getting BracesTabitha Engel - 9 Many people in the school have braces now or have had them at some point in time, and some people may still be considering getting them. The first step is to set up a consultation with an orthodontist to see if braces are necessary or if there is a different or simpler way to fix the teeth. If it is determined that the patient does need braces, then the orthodontists will take a mold of the patient’s teeth. Having to get a mold taken of teeth is a rather unpleasant experience. They have to stick a substance resembling putty to the roof of the patient’s mouth and to the bottom of their mouth, the patient then has to keep their mouth open for approximately 30 seconds so that the mold dries. After they take the mold, the braces will be ordered. A few weeks later they will arrive. The price for braces will vary but on average they cost around $3,400, if the patient has dental insurance. The orthodontist will put a bracket on each one of the patient’s teeth and connect them all with a wire. It will hurt at first but it gets better after time. For the next six months to three years the patient will have to get regular check ups. Braces cost a lot and take a lot of work to maintain, but in the end they are worth it. Braces make your teeth perfectly straight and in some cases can even prevent future problems with teeth. For more information visit www.colgate.com.

January brings awareness to Cervical Health Awareness MonthSydney Buchfeller - 10

Cervical Health Awareness Month raises awareness to help women protect themselves from HPV and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer was once the leading cancer for women, but studies and vaccines were developed to lower the risks of women being diagnosed. HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer, however it can be prevented and limited through the teenage population. The HPV vaccine shot can prevent HPV, which will create a lesser chance of anyone being affected by cervical cancer. Screening tests are also required by many gynecologists, Pap tests, and follow-up care. These screenings can detect abnormal cells early, before they can turn cancerous. Along with regular checkups, spreading the word about important steps that women can take to stay healthy. A few ideas to help spread the word are to encourage women to get their well-woman visit this year and to inform parents that their pre-teens should be up to date on their HPV vaccine. The biggest differences start with one voice, be that voice. For more information visit: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/specialcoverage/cervical-health-awareness-month

Facts about catsCalysta Hinkle - 10

Ever wonder why cats have whiskers? A cat’s whiskers is one of the most important part of a cat. It helps them balance, helps them see in the dark, and helps them feel their surroundings. The whiskers are very sensitive and brushing against an object can detect the location and size of it. They also help detect dangers. The end of each hair is stiff with lots of nerves making it easier to feel its surroundings. If a cats whiskers are pulled back they will feel threatened or endangered. If their whiskers remain normal, they will be content. Never cut off a cat’s whiskers. It is a necessity for their survival and without them they would feel unsteady and unsafe. For more info, visit http://www.livescience.com/44196-why-do-cats-have-whiskers.html

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Looking into the history of ChristmasLexi Tessitore - 9 With Christmas approaching soon, many people already know what to expect: a mix of things among getting time off school, family dinners, and exchanging gifts. But, it was not always like this. Before Christmas was Christmas, people have been celebrating the middle of winter for centuries. The Norse celebrated Yule from December 21 all the way to January. They celebrated the winter solstice by collecting logs which they would then set on fire and have feasts until the logs would burn out. Around the time of the winter solstice in Rome, there were large celebrations involving food and drinks. Slaves became masters for a month and peasants ruled the city. Businesses and schools were closed as well. By the time Christmas started to be its own holiday, it started to adopt the celebrations that were previously in its place. It was first called the “Feast of the Nativity” and was spread to Egypt and England. Soon enough, it spread to Scandinavia. But, there have been some rough patches along the way to celebrating the popular holiday. In the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell took over England and tried to get rid of the holiday. However, Charles II returned to the throne and made the holiday possible again. In America, Christmas was also outlawed in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Americans finally started to embrace Christmas in the 19th century and are responsible for making the holiday centered around family. Despite its long history, Christmas was not declared a federal holiday until 1870. For more information, visit www.history.com.

Watching a movie from the past Jennifer Hoshauer – 11

During the holiday seasons it is always a good time to watch a movie. A popular one is The Polar Express directed by Rober Zemeckis. Zemeckis also directed Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It takes place on Christmas Eve, when a train stops by his house. This is a kid friendly movie, but also for all ages because it tells a great story. Some people might think it is an old movie because it came out in 2004, but it is such a magical story that runs one hour and 40 minutes. The main character is Hero Boy. Once he gets on the train his friend is Hero Girl who is a young African American girl and he starts his adventure on the train with her. Another character is a hobo that lives on top of the train while it is traveling to the North Pole. The magical part of this movie is the Hero boy loses his ticket to visit the North Pole and the Hero girl saves him. He then makes it to the North Pole and gets to sit on Santa’s lap. On the weekends of winter, sit down and relax and watch The Polar Express. For more information: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-polar-express-2004

Become aware of anxiety Julia Doklan - 10

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about something with an uncertain outcome. It is normal for people to experience this every once in a while such as when taking a test or about to speak in public. Some people feel this more often than they should, and it interferes with their daily life. When that is the case, it is considered a mental illness. General symptoms include, but are not limited to, dry mouth, nausea, trouble sleeping and shortness of breath. Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States. It affects 18 percent of the population age 18 and older; hence, the US spends 42 billion dollars on it a year. It can develop from any number of things including genetics, life events, brain chemistry or personality. One in eight people below the age of 18 are diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Treatment is available, and if people are not treated, they are at a higher risk of doing poorly in school and substance abuse. Someone could be suffering from this illness, and it is not apparent to the people around them. “Anxiety is something not many people like to talk about, which I find strange. There are many people suffering this silent battle. Anxiety is not something that can leave physical damage, and is often overlooked by many, since it is not visible. It is like a silent battle within the brain. Sometimes the thoughts win and people feel trapped with irrational fears and panic attacks. It strips all of the energy out of people and leaves them scared and confused.

It is not all beautiful poems read in the comments of Instagram or inspirational posts from strong hearted girls. It is panic attacks, self-doubt, irrational fears and confusion that sums up anxiety. I find it hard to stay positive through everything, so I write in a journal or pray to feel relief. I talk to friends that can relate to me and support me when I need it. It is not something to ignore, but it is not something I will let ruin my life. Take some time to learn about it, and that can be used to help someone going through it. A little can go a long way.” -Jillian Wesner (Sophomore) “If a student struggles with basic social interactions, social

anxiety, we decide who they are going to say hello to or talk with that day. We then discuss how the interaction played out and what they would do differently. Some students need a break from the crowds of the hallway and they stop by the

Counseling Office or wait until the hallways are less crowded to move to their next class. If a student

with true social anxiety panics at the thought of being called on in class, we ask the teacher to only call on

them when their hand is raised.” - Mrs. Wyles-Herbert (Guidance Counselor) Visit webmd.com and adaa.org for more information.

Observation of Cigarettes are Hazardous to Your Health Day Carly Levan – 11

January 11, 2017 is National Cigarettes are Hazardous to Your Health Day. During this time it is important to learn about the dangers of smoking and to teach other people why they should not smoke. Cigarettes are made from tobacco which contains the drug nicotine which is highly addictive. If nicotine is injected into the blood stream, it can kill someone in under an hour and yet people still put it in their bodies. The small amount of nicotine in a cigarette is not enough to kill someone on the spot, but it does cause health issues such as constricted blood vessels, increasing blood pressure, and raises blood fat levels. Tobacco smoke also contains over 4,000 chemicals and most of them are harmful to the body such as Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide, and Hydrogen Cyanide. These chemicals form together and create a sticky tar that gives the smoke the smell that it has. The tar is the reason that the smell of cigarette smoke sticks clothing, skin, and even the inside of smokers’ lungs. The tar also sticks to a part of the lungs called the cilia. If the cilia is completely covered in tar it is unable to perform its job, which is to fight germs and keep out dirt, and it makes it easier for disease to invade the lungs. The combination of nicotine and tar can cause deadly diseases such as throat cancer, mouth cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease. Every year 40,000 people die from diseases cause by smoking and smoking one cigarette takes 5 to 8 minutes off of a smoker’s life. Even second-hand smoke can be deadly! Second-hand smoke is when someone breathes in the smoke from someone else’s cigarette. Prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke can cause ear infections, asthma, bronchitis, and tonsillitis and kills hundreds of people every year. Smoking does not only hurt the smoker and the people around them, but it hurts the environment as well. Cigarettes are made with paper and with young people smoking 6,000,000 cigarettes per day many trees get cut down for no good reason. Plus, cigarettes cannot be recycled and take over five years to biodegrade. Additionally, with the land used to grow tobacco it would be possible to feed ten to 20 million people if crops were planted there instead. Many people start smoking because they think that it makes them look cool based off of the media. However smoking is not cool and it only causes harm to the smoker both physically and financially. “I think smoking is dumb in general because it is so expensive and deadly,” said Alyssa Ide. In fact, a smoker that buys two packs of cigarettes a week will spend $4,704 on cigarettes in a year. Kyra Neff added that, “Over time you are just killing yourself and it makes you smell bad and look unattractive so there are really no positives.” While smoking is extremely addicting and it is very difficult to quit, it is still possible. The most important thing to do is to find a reason to quit. It will be impossible to break the habit without the motivation or incentive. It is also important to avoid alcohol or any other triggers. The best way to get clean is to keep clean, so clean the smell of smoke out of any clothes or furniture that can cause temptations or relapse. One of the best ways to help quit smoking is nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine gum or nicotine patches. Quitting may not work the first time but if problems continue a doctor can help. For more information visit: https://betobaccofree.hhs.gov/health-effects/smoking-health/

Student Inducted into National Technical Honor Society Jocelyn Hess - 9

Jonah Stemko is a junior at Hamburg Area High School. A lot of freshmen like Courtney Stambaugh, Elaina Koller, and Eliza Hunsiker know and like Jonah for who he is, which is a very outgoing and talkative person. He is always there for his peers and anyone else who needs i t at any time. Inside of school Jonah is involved in Military History and the Agriculture clubs. He is also in the Hamburg choir and Aerial Boundaries and helps out on the side with the Lifeline club. Recently he was just selected his shop teacher Thomas Tanner to be apart of the National Technical Honors. Requirements that were needed to be selected are, skill, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. Jonah Stemko meets all of those requirements and had the opportunity to attend the inauguration service October 25, 2016. He attends BCTC’s east campus for heating, ventilating and air conditioning/ refrigeration. After he graduates Jonah plans on attending UGI for nine years in commercial refrigeration. “Being accepted into the program feels really really amazing because a window of opportunities will be opening for my future.”

Music travels around Berks CountySam Everley – 12

On November 14, 2016, a handful of Hamburg students went to Kutztown University for their musical talents. Sarah Yoder and Brittany Freed were among the group, and exclaimed the fun they had in Kutztown. They specifically learned different playing techniques such as how to play a clarinet with curved fingers and mouth formation. They have been involved with music since elementary school, and have a strong passion for their work. There are many more opportunities for them to come inside and outside of high school. Music is a great way for a person to find him/herself, to learn, become a better learner, and to come face to face with many great opportunities. These opportunities may come to one as making new friends or getting into more schools of choosing. Either way, new and exciting possibilities will find any hardworking and dedicated student.

Hawk Happenings Publication Information:Adviser: Miss Terri McCarthy; Editor in Chief: Eliza Moseman; Issue Layout Editor: Sam Everley ; Writers: Paiton Albrecht, Victoria Baumert, Leah Bertschy, Sydney Buchfeller, Kiera Correll, Julia Doklan, Tabitha Engel, Samantha Everley, Sierra Fisher, Lexi Gerner, Sarah Gould, Meredith Haas, Shawna Hauck, Jocelyn Hess, Calysta Hinkle, Quinn Holl, Jennifer Hoshauer, Mia James, Alexandria Kline, Gabby Krick, Megan Krick, Karlene Kuzan, Kylee Landis, Daniel Lee, Carly Levan, Ashley Lo-jko, Erin Maloney, Kiara Mariano, Alyssa Marzili, Amanda McLaughlin, Miranda Pinder, Erika Rome-ro, Odessia Schwinger, Stephen Sherwood, Trayton Smith, Michaela Sturm, Lexi Tessitore, Gabriel Vazquez, Gabrielle Velez, Bryce Wagner, Lydia Warner, Kayla Wright. Hawk Happenings is a weekly publication created by the students in the Publications class at Hamburg Area High School and is printed by School Publications Company. It is distributed free of charge throughout the Hamburg Area High School community. The opinions in this newspaper represent those of the student writers and do not represent the opinions of the faculty, staff, administration, or school board of the Hamburg Area School District. We are a member of the Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA), the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), and Quill and Scroll. If you have any questions or comments re-garding Hawk Happenings, anything that appears in its pages, or if you would like to sponsor our paper with a donation, please contact Miss Terri McCarthy, Hawk Happenings, Hamburg Area High School, Windsor Street, Hamburg, PA, 19526. Our email address is termcc@hasdhawks.org and our phone number is 610-562-3861, x2327.

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Students overthink high school Jocelyn Hess - 9

Have students ever heard their parents or siblings say, “High school was one of the best times of my life! I wish I could go back.” I guarantee a lot of people have heard that saying at least once in their life. When we hear this type of phrase, we get excited to go into high school and experience new things.

There are so many different things that happen in high school. People and things are constantly changing. When comparing the work in the middle school to the work in high school it is way different and twice as hard. High school is finding out who is really a true friend and who is not, High school is meeting new people, High school is expanding the brain and learning so many new things. One of the main things that may stress people out so much is grade checking. Some people are really smart so they do not have to worry if they forget to do homework or they fail a test once, while others stress when they get an eight out of ten on an assignment.

Over thinking in general is very common I feel at our ages. People are coming and going and what we are taught gets harder instead of easier. The things that students and I may over think are things that should not be over thought about. For example, not everyone but some people stress about what they look like (clothing wise) in school and what people will think and say about them if they don’t wear the proper clothing or proper brand name. That is something that should not be a stressor.

Freshman Olivia Lesher said, “One of the things that stresses me out a lot in school is the teachers. The teachers stress me out a lot because they push all of us to certain standards and punish us for not having our work done even though they do not understand why we could not do it.” Olivia Lesher is not the only one who feels this way, there are more students who agree with what she has to say.

In the end, high school is just high school and I feel like we are just people stressing about pointless things.

How Christmas Traditions are celebrated around the worldVictoria Baumert – 12

Christmas, despite being a holiday with Christian affiliations, is celebrated all around the world in many different countries with different religions. It is celebrated on December 25 in countries with large populations with Western Christianity and its derivatives and January 6-7 in Eastern and Armenian churches. People who do not associate Christmas with religious context celebrate it culturally.

A country besides the United States that celebrates Christmas with as much intensity is Finland. Located in Northern Europe, Finland houses a huge Christmas park, called Christmas Land, which is a worldwide attraction. Finns have traditions for Christmas Eve, Christmas day and even the day after Christmas, called Boxing Day. Christmas overall in Finland is a time where family comes together and genuinely enjoys each other’s company. This is a common theme throughout Europe, and the traditions differ drastically in continents such as Asia and Africa.

In Asian countries, only a small percentage of people are Christians and celebrate Christmas. For example, in China, Christmas is only celebrated in major cities such as Beijing. They also have some stores around in the major cities, but it is almost like any other holiday celebrated. Africa, much like Asia, does not have a large Christian population as well. However, there are some countries like Ghana that celebrate Christmas for more than a week, from December 20-the first week in January. It is a time in the small country to reunite with family and friends. There is no one, custom Christmas tradition in Ghana due to the fact there are so many cultural groups that reside in the country. It is a time to observe the religious part of the holiday and churches tend to be crowded during the timespan.

Despite the world being split by racial and ethical differences, it is very heartwarming to see the world come together over a common holiday such as Christmas.

If someone wants to learn more about Christmas in other countries, he/she can visit: www.whychristmas.com/cultures/.

The mood of Christmas shoppingKayla Wright - 9

It is the time of year that everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit and preparing everything from gifts to the food. The presents under the Christmas tree make up a big part of the Christmas day for many households. Getting gifts is not what Christmas is about, but it is something that affects everyone and something that has been tradition for a long time, ei-ther people are giving presents or receiving them. When Christmas shopping comes around, there is a lot of people that we need to cover so the cheaper the presents, the better it is. Shopping for different age groups would have very different expenses. When it comes to older generations for shopping for, home made things are very dear to them. Frames with pictures and scrapbooks of memories are something they like to have so they can look back on memories and old times with friends and family. For younger kids, toys are the most popular thing right now. Toys however are not cheap, unless you shop in a specific way. Online shopping just started getting really big the past couple of years and getting toys off of Amazon and Overstock.com would be good choices because of the inexpensive prices. Teenagers like makeup, clothes and sports item. Inexpensive shopping for teenagers could be online at Daisyduxie.com and Old Navy. A lot of people put a lot of time into getting Christmas items because of the many different people with many different personalities. Shopping for someone might not be the easiest thing, but it people find a good store that has many different things in it, it should be easy to find what everyone needs. This day in age it is not easy to find cheap item that are “in” unless people go online shopping at certain places. Not a lot of people get into couponing but it is something that works very well for a lot of people and helps save a lot of money during the holiday season. Even though most people spend tons of money throughout these months, they do not have to if they are smart with what they buy and how they buy it based on the person who is receiving it. A lot of people in the High school have shopping they need to get done and it could be very easy and stress less doing it the right way.

Sophomore gleams in spotlightErin Maloney - 9 Sophomore, Brady Adams, is used to the arrangement of the high school now his second year. He says freshman year was a change due to the step up from the middle school to the high school. Freshman year was a little difficult to him at first, but then he became used to it and knew where everything was. Sophomore year is going by easily since he now knows what to expect. He enjoyed coming to the high school and engaging with the upperclassmen. Brady likes having classes with his friends and getting to learn new topics. His favorite class is World Cultures because he is entertained by learning the history of the world. Brady’s favorite teacher is Mr. Brown since he is outgoing and always has a good time in his class. His advice to the freshman now is to complete all their work. Brady is the youngest, and has an older brother Logan Adams, in college at Albright. Brady plays both soccer and baseball. He had traveled to Myrtle Beach for baseball. He also went to the district championship last year. In his free time, he likes to hang out with friends. After high school he plans to attend Albright as well. He is unsure of what he wants to go for, but he has gotten as far as business. Brady is looking forward to seeing how his skill increases as an athlete by the end of senior year, along with his academics.

Hot chocolate savored by the Aztecs Quinn Holl - 9

Hot chocolate is a soothing drink that is most commonly consumed as the temperatures begin to drop and water morphs into crisp flurries. Even our school is selling hot chocolate for others to enjoy. Surprisingly enough, hot chocolate has a quite intriguing background and history as to how it was first created that most are unaware. The delightful beverage that we all relish today was originally from what is now known as Mexico. In the year 1519, Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez was trekking through the jungles of Mexico in order to have a meeting with Montezuma, king of the Aztecs. During his visit, he noticed that the king and his subjects were constantly imbibing a thick, frothy and brown drink that perked Cortez’s interest in the wildest of ways. The Aztecs called this drink xocoatl and the conquistadors pronounced it “chocolatl.” Shockingly enough, the Spaniards did not find the drink to be the most pleasant. Supposedly, the drink consisted of ground cacao beans mixed with chili peppers and was described as being bitter. Montezuma would prepare his drink with cacao bean paste, chili peppers, vanilla and a variety of other species. The drink was then said to be dyed red and served cold and frothy, unlike being served hot today. Legends bring us to believe that Montezuma’s court drank 2,000 glasses of xocoatl per day with 50 servings being consumed by the king. Nevertheless, it is clear that the drink was rather popular among the Aztec kingdom. Whether rich or poor, both consumed the beverage at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The drink was most commonly known for its benefits, such as fighting fatigue and calming an upset stomach. Not only that, but the Aztec culture favored the cacao bean to such a high extent that it was even used as a form of currency. The Aztecs and Mayans were not the only ones to drink the chocolate beverages, in fact they were not first to imbibe upon such a refreshing liquid at the time. In Southern Mexico, archeologists discovered chocolate residue in drinking pots that dated back to about 2,600 years ago from a civilization known as the Olmecs. Anyhow, after the meeting that was held between Montezuma, Hernando Cortez brought the drink to Spain in the early 1500s. While in Spain, the drink soon morphed into the luscious chocolate beverage that we are most familiar with today. The drink was served hot, sweetened and without chili peppers. It wasn’t until the drink reached London in the 1700s and milk was added, which became the form of the beverage that is consumed today. In fact, Spanish royalty savored the beverage so much that they kept its existence as a closely guarded secret for years to come. As mentioned previously, the Aztecs form of hot chocolate had many healthful benefits. Apparently, a moderate cocoa consumption that does not contain high amounts of refined sugars can be a healthy addition to an individual’s diet. It is known that cocoa has more antioxidants than red wine or green tea, which means that it can reduce the risk of heart disease. Even though a cup of unsweetened hot chocolate does not tend to appetize most, it is still a traditional and great source when trying to improve an individual’s health. Overall, the beverage we know today underwent many alterations until the final result became one of the most popularized and favored drink of our modern day society. A couple students have provided their opinions relating to the history of hot chocolate. Student Lexi Kline said, “I was surprised. I didn’t know they put chili peppers in the hot chocolate.” Jasmin Keeney agreed that hot chocolates past it quite surprising. It is clear to say that many students were not aware of how hot chocolate came to be what it is today. However, it is simple to say that learning about the past of hot chocolate will shock many individuals who haven’t heard its full story. For more information visit: https://rcg.org/youth/odds/0701-wihc.html