Serving up a fundraiser with a smile - Manheim Township School ...

Volume 67, Issue 6 Manheim Township High School PO Box 5134 Lancaster, PA 17606-5134 Monday, March 3, 2003
Serving up a fundraiser with a smile
by Courtney Monson
Contributing Writer
“Would you like fries with that?”
This was the attitude of Manheim Township
High School teachers Thursday night.
On January 23, 2003 the high school teachers
worked at McDonald’s from 5 to 8 P.M
on Manheim Pike.
The teachers working at McDonald’s were
trying to raise money
for the Good Citizenship
program. This program
gives rewards to
freshman students who
show good behavior.
This includes students
who exhibit a good effort,
maintain a positive
attitude, uphold a relatively
respectable disciplinary
record, and
who are not frequently
tardy. All in all, 320 of
440 students benefited
from the teachers working
at McDonald’s.
January 23rd was the
first time the teachers tried this fundraiser.
Mr. Robert O’Donnell, the 9 th grade principal,
does not know whether he will repeat
this fundraiser, depending on its success
this year.
by Sammy Davis
Feature Editor
It began late Saturday night, Feb. 15, and
it never seemed to stop—at least until Monday
(Feb. 17). Those wonderful translucent
hexagonal ice crystals glazed Lancaster
County’s picturesque, rolling farmland landscape,
making everything glisten with a
blinding gleam as far as they eye could see.
In simpler terms, about two feet of snow
dropped into Lancaster within forty-eight
hours.
Although talk proceeding the storm had
revolved around terrorism, the threat of war
with Iraq, and the increasing value and protection
of duct tape, these previously pertinent
topics became old news once the snow
began to fall.
Rebecca Carnes, a junior at MTHS, is an
employee of Stauffer’s grocery store on
Roseville Road in Township. She was not
scheduled to work on Sunday, Feb. 16, one
of the two days filled with snowfall, but due
Inside Hi-Lite
February/March 2003
Check out the latest news,
features, sports, and editorials
based on events going on right
here in Township!
Some jobs the teachers perform are attending
the Drive-Thru, operating the french
fry machine, taking orders, greeting customers,
and cleaning the restaurant. Miss Lisa
Sargent, a math teacher, was working the
register.
“I learned how to do the register and I’m
so proud!” said Sargent. “I think I have
found my summer job.”
The teachers arrived at McDonald’s at
4:30 P.M. for “high level” training, according
to Mrs. Nicole
Pollard. They learned
how to package orders,
wipe tables,
empty trash, and different
acronyms. Pollard
felt the chilly
weather may have
been a damper, but
the turnout was impressive.
“The staff is
friendly,” she said. “I
also like the hat.”
Other teachers ex-
pressed their appreciation—and,
more
importantly, understanding—for
the hard work that
McDonald’s employees exhibit on an everyday
basis.
“I think [the opportunity] is great. It has
definitely given me an appreciation for the
people behind the counter,” said Miss Kristin
Mrs. Sargent eagerly awaits customers.
Photo by Sammy Davis.
A Big Fat Greek flop? Check out Sam &
Sam to find out.
see page 3 for more
Miss Livengood and Mrs. Lindenburg take a well-deserved break during work.
Livengood, an English teacher.
Dr. Sharon Nelson, Manheim Township’s
Superintendent, also made an appearance
at McDonald’s to oversee the teachers’
progress.
“I think it is a great kind of spirit, but
most importantly it just looks like fun,” said
Nelson. “There is a good mix of student and
faculty. I love seeing everyone in their
different roles.”
For their hard work, teachers received
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Township blanketed by winter storm
to the overload
of shoppers and
a terribly understaffed
store, she
was called in for
emergency assistance.
“People really
love the drama of
a blizzard,” said
Carnes. “It was
so insane!”
Although the
arrival of snowflakes—and
lots
of them at that—
may have excited
Township
students in their
elementary and
middle school- Snowed in? A familiar sight in Township’s recent blizzard. Photo by Sammy Davis.
aged years, high
school students only became bored and “I was soooo bored!” were some of the
agitated once they realized they were snowed normal complaints Township students made
in and that not even their car could save
more “Blizzard” on page 2
them.
Grammatical issues, Krempa’s inner child,
and lemony-freshness: this issue’s Faces
in the Hallway.
see pages 6, 7, and 8 for more
twenty percent of profits made from the
fundraiser. The total for the night reached
nearly $250.
Mr. Randy Butson, a history teacher,
speaks for many when he declared the
evening an overall success.
“It is a great opportunity for students to
see their teachers in a different light. It is
awesome,” he said. “Anytime you can get
Mr. Vertucci behind a McDonald’s counter
you have done something stellar.”
Senior athletes
sign scholarships
by Jessica Miller
and Sam Flynn
Sports Editors
Three Manheim Township student
athletes signed athletic scholarships on
National Letter of Intent Signing Day,
February 5, 2002. Seniors Brian
Kersmanc, Kelly Trevisan, and Sarah
Way all signed letters of intent to their
respective colleges. The signing of the
contracts ensures a scholarship in exchange
for participation in the sports.
Varsity football player, Brian
Kersmanc, signed with the University of
Connecticut, where he will major in engineering.
He received a full athletic scholarship,
and his talent—as well as academic
ability—prove him well worthy.
Kersmanc has had numerous successes
more “Scholarships” on page 7
Meet this issue’s spotlight athlete,
Mallori Sapovchak.
see page 12 for more

Page 2 NEWS March 3, 2003
Blizzard: too much snow brings boredom
continued from page 1
when asked how they occupied their
time snowed in.
Most students reported that they
had already obtained cabin fever by
late Sunday afternoon.
“I’m getting cabin fever, I’ve
stayed in too long. I need air!” said
Sophomore Traci Trupe.
Other students explained that
“the snow was just too much to look
at,” and this desire became so extreme
that they actually closed the
blinds or shut the curtains of the
windows in their home. Students
became so sick of the snow that they
simply couldn’t face the reality that
two glorious feet of it was currently
sitting on the ground.
“I couldn’t stare at the white
anymore,” said Sophomore Kaitlin Wedge.
So what did Township students do to
occupy their time? While some, such as
Carnes, were forced to head into work to
relieve the “blizzard drama,” others simply
found refuge vegetating at home.Most
indolently sat in front of their computers
taking advantage of instant messenger
programs for a source of contact with oth-
by Mandi Lehnherr
Staff Writer
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a
volunteer as “one who renders a service or
takes part in a transaction while having no
legal concern or interest.” While that may
be, there is a lot more to someone who volu
n t e e r s .
Volunteering takes time, energy and dedication.
A person must make time in their
busy schedule in order to do things they
will not get paid for. So why, may you ask,
would one want to volunteer?
“Volunteering is a good way to give back
to the community,” said Mrs. Tate, who
works in the Career Center. “It also gives a
student the opportunity to see what they
are interested in and may even lead to a job.”
There are many students at Manheim
Township who volunteer. The most popular
places are Hands-On-House and
Lancashire Hall, though many are volunteer
firefighters and EMT’s.
A Township student shovels out after the storm. Photo by Sammy
Davis.
ers. This was probably the safest method of
communication since even airports such as
BWI and JFK were closed.. Still, friends
within walking distance of one another got
together to watch movies and eat junk food,
while others just slept and ate all day. Boredom
tends to compel people to do things
they otherwise wouldn’t, such as devour a
bag of chips or in this case, the remaining
Sophomore Brooke Mastromatteo volunteers
at Lancashire Hall, Hands-On-
House, and the Envisions Program at Neff.
“I volunteer because it allows me to work
with many people I normally wouldn’t encounter,”
said Mastromatteo.
Senior Sarah Way volunteers at the Boys
and Girls Club and Students Against Starv
a t i o n .
“Boys and Girls Club is a place for kids
to go after school when their parents are
working or they just want to come and hang
out. And mostly everyone knows what Students
Against Starvation is; we do food
drives and have the 30 hour fast coming up
soon,” said Way.
Many students get their start volunteering
in their free time over the summer, but
others choose to volunteer year-round.
“Most students will choose to volunteer
in the summer, mostly because of lack
of things to do. Also, some of the younger
students who are not old enough to have a
job, will volunteer,” said Tate.
“I volunteer about two or three weeks in
supply of Valentine’s Day candy.
“It’s not like you’re even hungry,
you just eat to eat,” said Junior
Brandi Clawson.
With Valentine’s Day only occurring
two days before the snow hit,
couples of Township became desperate
to see one another and decided
to venture out into the blistering cold
and blowing snow, regardless of driving
conditions and warnings from
their parents or the media. They may
have made it to their significant
other’s home before it “got too bad,”
as some commented, but they were
then forced to spend the night due to
the increasing severity of the weather.
On account of unsafe driving conditions
for the Township area, students
of the MT school district were
granted with another day off on Tuesday,
Feb. 18. With the addition of yet another
snow day, the last day of school for MTSD
students is now June 11. Due to a fixed
graduation date, Seniors will still graduate
on June 5.
Volunteer work provides students with opportunity, insight
the summer at Hands-On-House. I volunteer
at Envisions and Lancashire both about
two or three days a week,” said
M a s t r o m a t t e o .
Most students volunteer to give back to
the community, because their parents are
making them or because they
know it looks good on college
applications. But sometimes,
volunteering somewhere long
enough will lead to a job.
”My daughter volunteered
at a place long enough and
soon she obtained a job at that
place. They also wrote her an
excellent recommendation for
her college application,” said
T a t e .
Many times, volunteering
can show a person what they
are interested in or if there are
any setbacks in the area of interest.
For example, if a student
volunteered at a local veterinary
clinic because he was
planning to go into the profession,
but then found out he
was allergic to a certain
animal, the student would be
well aware of the allergy before
he would go all the way
through veterinary school.
Whatever the reason for
volunteering-college applications,
parents, not old enough
to have a job, or for the simple
of enjoyment of it—it is almost
certain that most everyone will
be able to obtain interesting
experiences from volunteering.
Sophomores, Seniors,
and Student Council
combine dances into
March Madness
What do you get when you combine a
Senior Class dance, a Sophomore Class
dance, and a Student Council dance all
into one? A new tradition.
When three school dances were scheduled
in a very close time frame in February
and March, the Student Council, as well
as the Senior and Sophomore class officers,
put their heads together and came up
with the idea of sponsoring one big dance
at the end of Winter Spirit Week.
The resulting event, the March Madness
dance, will be held on March 8 from
7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. If this dance goes
as well as planned, students can expect to
see similar events in the future.
“They’re going to try to make it a tradition
for the next couple of years,” said
Sophomore Class President, Jared
Itkowitz. “At the end of spirit week, we’re
going to have a big dance.”
The DJ, the apparent star of the show,
is going to be comparable to the one at
Homecoming. Big screens, spectacular
lights and good music are to be expected.
The Student Council is generously helping
to pay for the DJ even though they
are not sharing in the profits. The profits
will be split between the Senior and Sophomore
classes for their proms.
HI-LITE
Manheim Township High School
P.O. Box 5134, School Road
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17606
(717) 560-3097
Editor-in-Chief
Carrie Roush
Managing Editor
Jenn Troupe
News Editor Editorial Editor
Jessica Piero Emily Files
Feature Editors Sports Editors
Sammy Davis Sam Flynn
Sara Shangraw Jessica Miller
Photography Editor Cartoonist
Katelyn Burgess Rob Kelser
Business Circulation
Jared Schenkel Aaron Sherman
Rob Ramsay
Advisers
Martin Pflieger
by Jenn Troupe
Managing Editor
Staff Writers
Laura Donofry
Maggie Downey
Meghan Hemphill
Rachel Horn
Mandi Lehnherr
Melanie Ranalli
Meredith Rosenberg
Tech Support
Mark Linn

Page 3 FEATURE March 3, 2003
Sam & Sam
At The Movies
Sam Flynn Sam Davis
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING
Wedding: nothing more than mediocre romantic comedy
by Sam Flynn
Sports Editor
Due to the fact that there were a limited
amount of movies in theaters that I was willing
to see at the time of this article, Sammy
and I decided to review the critically acclaimed
independent film My Big Fat Greek
Wedding.
The story is about Toula Portokalos,
(played by Nia Vardalos), a frumpy middle
child in a traditional Greek family who is thirty
and still single much to her family’s dismay.
She decides to leave the family restaurant
and after a makeover and a few college
courses, works in her aunts’ travel agency.
While working at the travel agency, she
starts a ‘window’ romance with Ian Miller
(John Corbett) who finally enters and asks
her out on a date, to which she says yes.
They continue to see each other until they
get engaged which poses a large problem
because Ian is not Greek. This sends the
family in uproar.
I found this direct route to engagement
unrealistic and trite. It might be the bitterness
in me, but I had higher expectations for
the so-called ‘independent film of the decade’.
This movie has so much potential,
and would have been a million times better if
they didn’t take the cookie cutter romantic
comedy route.
After the family finds out of the engagement,
Ian is basically forced to be baptized
in the Greek Orthodox Church, making him
by Sammy Davis
Feature Editor
With the myriad of movies debuting in
the theatres each week, it becomes practically
impossible to distinguish between the
worthy and the worthless films. Hollywood
has the tendency to simply take the plot of
past lucrative movies and add a few twists;
a blonde leading character as opposed to
brunette, an action scene containing exploding
cars instead of buildings, a few more
love scenes to spice things up, and voila!
You have effortlessly created the next box
office sensation.
But are the so-called “hits” in the movie
industry truly worth your time? Are we brainwashed
into thinking that just because the
Greek so that he has the family’s blessing to
marry Toula. After that, the movie really
starts to pick up with Toula having to deal
with a proud Greek father (Michael
Constantine), who believes that Windex is
the cure for any illness, A crazy, nagging
Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin), Nikki, a less
than prude cousin (Gia Carides) and Nick, a
practical joke playing brother (Louis
Mandylor).
The movie produces some very
next fresh face of celebrities holds the starring
role that we should motionlessly sit in a
dark theatre and simply absorb the images
that dance across a screen? I suppose that
most of us have these preconceived notions,
the false ideas that good actors make good
movies, fame creates entertainment, or that
popularity equals quality.
Although one should not completely
eliminate mainstream movies from potential
sources of delight, one should not shelter
themselves from film creations in the world
outside of Hollywood. My Big Fat Greek
Wedding, an independently created film, offered
its audience a humorous experience
that is rarely felt in traditional comedies, regardless
of their critical acclaim. My Big Fat
Greek Wedding contains a different perspective
on movie making that I personally be-
humorous parts, most of them taking place
during the planning of the wedding, but I
felt that the movie was a little flat. Maybe it
was because of the PG rated story line and
the overabundance of the statement “If
someone isn’t Greek, you should educate
A Big Fat Greek Washout? Photo courtesy of Playtone Pictures.
them about being Greek.” I’m not saying
that it’s not good to be proud of ones
heritage, but this movie carries it a little too
far.
Maybe it was the fact that while Toula
lieve is most frequently found in independent
films. My Big Fat Greek Wedding, although
created in part with the famed Tom
Hanks and his movie production group, the
Playtone Company, was essentially formed
away from the conforming eye of the movie
industry.
Inspired by her experiences growing up
within the American Greek culture, Nia
Vardalos, or “Toula,” the main character of
the film, used her experiences from her Greek
heritage and designed a play primarily based
on her life, or rather, a Greek’s life times ten.
Admitted Vardalos in an interview, “I basically
took every Greek wedding I’ve ever
been to, including mine, and one a scale of 1
to 10, I turned it up to an 11,” she said.
Before attracting the interest of Tom
Hank’s wife, Rita Wilson, Vardalos performed
was a frumpy, unattractive girl, Ian did not
glance her way twice, but as soon as she
turned into a beautiful Greek goddess, he
was all over her and willing to jump through
hoops for her. It would have been better if
Toula didn’t need to change her looks to get
a husband, I bet that a bunch of frumpy girls
have no problem finding true love.
Or maybe it was the fact that Joey Fatone
from *Nsync was in the movie. Considering
his acting credits consist of ‘On the line’
which starred fellow *Nsyncer and pseudo
astronaut Lance Bass, I’d have to say that
whenever he was on screen I found the scene
annoying and lame. Probably because everyone
had an authentic Greek accent while
Mr. Fatone seemed to sound like someone
from Brooklyn trying to sound Greek. A hint
for the future, if you’re going to make an
independent box office smash, you might
want to forget all members of boy bands for
potential roles.
All in all, this movie is ok. The funny areas
are overshadowed by either annoying
or unrealistic parts. I was disappointed in
My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I would cast
this off into the slew of nameless romantic
comedy’s that have failed before it. If you
don’t see it, no big deal, you won’t miss
much. The guy is going to marry the girl at
the end of the movie…no big surprise. I’d
suggest saving your money and going to
see an intelligent movie, or at least one that
doesn’t appear be the reincarnate of twenty
million films that came before it.
Vardalos redefines independent films in one word: success
the play in Los Angeles, gaining successful
ground in an area of entertainment that normally
receives little or no recognition. Once
preparation of the movie began, Vardalos
was given complete control over every aspect
of the film, from the choices of actors,
sets, and music to even contributing to the
wardrobe decisions.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is truly an
independent film. Shot on a mere $3 million
dollar budget, the film has grossed ten,
twelve, even fourteen times of the costs it
took to make the film. With a budget that
most top of the line actors receive in a tripled
form for their salaries, the film still gained
instant success among America’s people,
whether they be Greek or not. Utilizing very
limited advertising (a couple of afternoon
more “Wedding” on page 6

Page 4 FEATURE March 3, 2003
FACES IN THE HALLWAY
SENIORS AT THEIR BEST
Name: Jason Hagelgans
What do you wish to do after high school?: I will become a film maker
and be recognized as the greatest artist of the 21st century.
If you could be principal of the MTHS high school...?: I would destroy
all school records, all paperwork, and personally give the Pep Club a
spelling lesson.
If you only had mor e day left to live, what would you do with it? I
would spend it with my girlfriend, and finish the day by staring into the sun
until I went blind.
Describe yourself in three adjectives: Depressed, manic, lemon -fresh.
Something you want, but believe you’ll never have: A world in which
the human race is not headed for self destruction.
If you could BE one person for a day, who would you be and why?
The Pope. Except I don’t want to be old. But the Pope-mobile is pretty
cool.
Final words: I would like to talk about graffitti. If you are going to deface
school property, you had better be writing a profound statement about life
or the education system. And please check your spelling and grammar.
Name: Tristan “the Red” Ravitch
What do you wish to do after high school?: Devote my life to
approximating Pi. I’m at five digits. Go me.
What extracirricular activities do you participate in?: Pen and paper
RPGs. More worthy of a varsity letter; the rolling and subsequent picking
up o f dice is hardcore.
Who is your best friend?: Krempa’s inner child.
If you could be principal of MTHS for one day...?: Dedicate the rifle
range to Bruce Campbell. Paper and pencil RPG team. Increase the stickynote
budget. Compensate by replacing slim-jims with artificial mechanically
separated chicken.
If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be, and
why?: Guy Fawkes. When a country celebrates treason, there must be a
good story.
What do you want for Christmas this year?: 2.5 foot tall Domokun
plush doll, 1:10 scale replica of the Kremlin, and Vorpal longsword +5.
Final words: Remember kids, whenever you butcher a sentence God kills
a kitten. Please, think of the kittens.

Page 5 EDITORIAL March 3, 2003
LOVE CONQUERS ALL?
In the spirit of recent Valentine’s Day, two of our writers battle out the significance of high school relationships.
“If you love something, let it go...”
High school-college relationships impractical, unrealistic, and hurtful
by Sammy Davis
Feature Editor
Maybe it’s because I’m heartbroken (or
just plain bitter), but I am about to take advantage
of my editorial right and discuss
one of the many inevitably tragic aspects of
a teenager’s life. More specifically, I am about
to talk about love. Not just any kind of love,
but the feelings between college students
and their high school-aged significant others.
Kids, I’m sorry to break this to you, but
relationships between college and high
school students—in the long run—never
work. I admit, however, that not too long
ago I thought they could. Yet as I recently
learned, maintaining these types of relationships
only bring about unnecessary pain
and heartbreak that could be easily prevented.
Touching on the personal motivation of
the opinion I am about to express, I would
like to first publicize the fact that I was recently
dumped. My ex and I were together
while both attending Township, he being a
senior while I was a sophomore. We decided
to maintain the relationship while he attended
a college three hours away. Big mistake. He
ended up dumping me one week after our
one year anniversary as well as approximately
one week before Christmas. Apparently,
he had the sudden desire to date some-
Allow me to bust out in Chorus Line fashion
belting the words of a late Beatles rocker
as I begin my defense of relationships in
general… “All we need is love… love…
love is all we need!” Eh, ok, ok—although
John Lennon’s controversial relationship
with Yoko Ono could withstand the pressures
of life with the ease of Anna Nicole
Smith scarfing down a dozen bear claws, not
all of us are that fortunate.
I must admit that I’m not a likely candidate
to stand up for mushy love letters and
late night phone conversations, but a little
affection never hurt anyone. And as far as
one else.
Besides the well-known fact that boys
can be mean, I must realize that my ex has
done the right thing, not only for himself,
but for me as well. As my mother had told
me numerous times, we are living in two different
worlds. It is better to date within our
own world rather than attempt to do otherwise.
With this said, of course he would
rather be with this girl—she’s
in his world, while I’m
back in Lancaster, still attending
the wonderful institution
known as high
school. I have
come to face
this fact, but
unfortunately,
it
was
after
the breakup. I
could have
saved myself
many hours of wonrying
and crying if I
had realized this beforehand.
Allow me to
explain.
I thought it would
work. I believed in our
love. Hello! Did I really
think that our so-called
perfect relationship would
maintain its faithfulness
relationships with college-bound sweethearts
go… sure, why not. Contrary to popular
belief, worlds can collide, and sometimes
true love really is enough. So maybe it’s predictable
that the relationship will end, but
you never know, I mean, if Justin and Britney
could last that long, there’s hope for us all.
Relationships are purely circumstantial.
Therefore, I have no right to delve into the
blurry abyss of any one person’s relationship,
but for the sake of argument, what the
heck.
My current love interest decided to be
Rico Suave himself recently and go out of
his way to get me flowers. Why you may
ask? Not a clue. You see, these are the types
of things relationships are made of… memories
of watching TV together, awkward con-
forever, physically as well as emotionally?
Stupidly, I did believe this. I
trusted the “I love you”s and other
empty promises that led me to think nothing
would ever take us apart. Ha—a college campus
full of beautiful girls, beer, and a room to
oneself? Please. What was I thinking?
On the other side of things, I admit that
the relationship did go well for the first
couple of months away from one another.
The wonderful instant messenger
program known as AOL allowed
constant communication between
my ex and I. Incredible memories
were made during his breaks
and visits back home. I
loved every second
spent with him. Yet,
while I was at
home by cur
few on the
weekends,
I
versations with your significant other’s parents,
and getting flowers stuck in your car
for no apparent reason. This guy in particular
will be graduating in May, going off to do
his own thing, and sadly enough, whatever
we have may end.
So should I throw in the towel and call it
quits right now to spare my ever so fragile
teenage heart? I think not. After all, I still
have plenty more trivial romantic things to
drag out of him. And, who knows? Not everyone
turns into a raging alcoholic and suffers
some college-awakening period in which
they develop a severe case of premature
amnesia in which they forget their pre-university
lives.
Bottom line, you can’t help who you fall
in (and sometimes out of) love with. We’re
instinctively knew that he was partying in
his dorm, amongst older, “more mature” and
easily accessible girls. Yeah, that’s where
those hours of worrying and crying came in.
Thus, my worst fears came true. He “fell
in love” with someone else—someone college
age and NOT living three hours away.
Teenagers are capable of love just like
any adult, but the love they share between
one another is rarely ever lasting. It is highly
unlikely that your high school relationship
will result in marriage. We must let go.
We need to release our significant other
as they embark on the next phase of their
life, that being college. If we do not learn to
do this, then feelings could be even greater
harmed and the relationship itself—friendship
or not—completely destroyed.
I have to admit that I am a hypocrite. Everyday
I hope for some word from my ex,
may it be proclaiming his undying love for
me and begging for forgiveness, or even a
simple “how are you.” Each time the telephone
rings I hope to hear his voice on the
other end. I know that he will not call, but I
continue to hopelessly wish as well as pitifully
love.
Still, no matter how much I would want, if
the opportunity should arise, I could never
take him back. I, along with every teenager,
must face reality and the pain that goes along
with this realization. We must not forget that
we will fall in love again. Somehow, life will
go on.
Feeling as if your heart’s being
ripped out? You’re not alone. Cartoon by Rob Kelser.
Sometimes all it takes is a little honesty, trust, and idealism
by Jen Fromal
Staff Writer
in high school... and let’s face it, hearts are
made to be broken. Although there are the
occasional high school sweethearts that
continue their relationships through college
and tie the knot before moving into their 2.5
bathroom houses surrounded by white
picket fences, this is definitely not the norm.
High school is a time of dating experimentation,
taking some chances, and learning
from mistakes. You see, dating is like a
big gas station of love in this way. You cruise
around until you find the best price, fill ‘er
up until you have all you can take, and then
pull away quickly without looking back. So
I say date, and while you’re at it, fall in love.
Milk that tank of gas for all it’s worth while
you have it, and when it’s gone, simply refuel.
You Speak Out: Are long-distance relationships practical?
“Never trust your girlfriend and your
best friend if they are two states away.
It will always end in bad consequences
because you will call her up to say ‘Hi’
and your best friend will answer and
you will find out the truth about them
and that your girlfriend is the
personification of pure evil.”
-Mike Avishai, Junior
“Distance is no obstacle when it comes
to true love.”
-Ginny Payne, Sophomore
“I feel that long-distance
relationships last longer because
you don’t see each other every day.
I think you get more the relationship
that way.”
-Mark Springer, Junior
“If love conquers all, and is itself
unconquerable, then why let
distance separate?”
-Mallory Pelland, Junior
“Long-distance relationships are
certainly not the easiest type of
relationship to have, but I do
believe that there are perfect
couples in imperfect situations.
Trust, maturity, and realistic
expectations all fit in the
equation.”
-Ms. Alexandria
Short,Virditional Teacher
“I think long-distance relationships
can work if you take the time to see
one another.”
-Danielle Albert,
Sophomore

Page 7 EDITORIAL March 3, 2003
SPORTS
Scholarships: athletes “excited” for college play
continued from page 1
in his high school football career that have
contributed to receiving the scholarship,
including being named to the League and
District All-Star teams many times and the
All-State teams three times. Kersmanc said
he is “anxious, but very excited” to begin
his college football career this fall.
Varsity field hockey player Kelly Trevisan
signed a partial scholarship with
Bloomsburg University. Trevisan is the recipient
of eight athletic awards for playing
forward and mid-field outstandingly. These
awards include Lancaster Lebanon league
first team all star, Individual award all star at
the East Coast Field Hockey Camp and has
played in the National Field Hockey Festival.
Trevisan is known as the “work horse”
on the field hockey team and scored four
goals and had three assists this past year.
Varsity field hockey player Sarah Way
FEATURE
Wedding: a unique viewing experience
conintued from page 3
television commercials and no billboards or
other forms of ads) the release of the movie
only achieved attention through word of
mouth.
“No billboards, no buses, nothing. It was
an email campaign, an internet campaign
where people told their friends about it, and
word of mouth,” said John Corbett, or “Ian,”
the man that Toula marries, in an interview.
Even when the movie attained a remarkable
$30 million dollars, commercials were
still rare for My Big Fat Greek Wedding although
sufficient advertising funds obviously
existed at that point. Unlike the constant
publicity of other independent films
such as the not so frightening Blair Witch
Project and annoyingly-subtitled Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon, My Big Fat Greek
Wedding continued along the path of success
without the assistance of television and
other forms of advertisement.
Vardalo’s Greek life adaptation had meaningful
content that did not need constant
signed a partial scholarship with Villanova
University . She has received nine athletic
awards for field hockey as well including
All-State first team, Lancaster-Lebanon
League first team All-Star, and Penn State
Camp All-Star. This year in the Lower Dauphin
Tournament, she alone had fourteen
interceptions and thirteen tackles. Way comments
that the opportunity to sign an athletic
scholarship was an “overwhelming feeling.”
Way is also a member of Key Club and
SAS and, like Trevisan, when not on the
field hockey field, can be found on the soccer
field.
“I’m very proud of them and their accomplishments,”
says Principal David Hanna.
“This shows their hard work and outstanding
performance both academically and athletically.”
media attention to attract its audience. For
me, the most appealing characteristic of the
movie was the fact that its creators found it
unnecessary to “hop on the bandwagon”
of past successful independent films (i.e.
Fargo, Being John Malkovich, and
Monster’s Ball) and inform the public of their
mastery of the making of noteworthy films.
If you wish to see an independent film
that has been untainted by the pressures of
filmmaking and Hollywood fame, I adamantly
recommend My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Its
genuine portrayal of acting and laugh out
loud humor, although obviously exaggerated,
is worth the time of mindless movie viewing.
Even if you do not enjoy the movie, you
will be sure to learn one of the most important
cultural lessons of your life. As Toula
states in the beginning of the movie, “Nice
Greek girls are supposed to do three things
in life. Marry Greek boys, make Greek babies,
and feed everyone until the day we
d i e . ”
Where’s the phsyicality in
physicals?
by Sam Flynn
Sports Editor
Another issue of Hi-Lite, another opportunity
to rant. So what’s bugging me
nowadays? Three words: female sports
physicals. In order to play a sport, an athlete
must have a physical from a doctor
stating that they are healthy and able to
play. Due to the fact that physicals are
costly and must be scheduled weeks in advance,
the school is nice enough to have a
physician come in and give athletes free
physicals.
This is all well and good; the problem,
though, is the execution of these “physicals.”
After school on that fateful Thursday
afternoon, 130 girls sprinted to the
nurse’s office to get in line and sign up for
their designated number. There were a select
few girls that lined up outside of the
nurse’s office before the end of the day.
Now, squeezing 130 girls in a narrow hallway
while the rest of the school population
is screaming and trying to leave and
go home creates a stressful atmosphere to
say the least. Add in the butting in line,
saving places for friends, and the yelling
at everyone, and you’re in the middle of a
danger zone. It’s survival of the fittest and
everyone is making sure that they are not
the dreaded last number.
After receiving their assigned number,
most girls sat in the hallway and waited for
their turn. Some who were low on the list
decided to go home, get a snack, watch TV
and come back a few hours later. I was
lucky enough to be number 10 due to the
fact that I had softball practice and was
able to jump up in the line. However, being
high on the list still did not keep me from
wondering if ramming my head into the
lockers would force the doctor to see me
due to my newly acquired aneurysm.
When I was finally called into the room
my so-called physical lasted about 3
minutes…max. The part that baffled me
the most, however, was how the doctor felt
Springs sports physicals prove to be disorganized,
discouraging, and dangerous
the need to have a conversation with me.
Instead of realizing the fact that another
120 girls were waiting their turn and
hurrying things along, he felt the need to
begin irrelevant small talk. Like if I passed
him on the street in the near future, he
would be able to identify me as the blonde
junior that plays softball and wore high
boots. The doctor took my blood pressure,
checked my heart rate and reflexes, and
asked if I wore contacts. Then a quick
signature and I was “okay to play.” I would
just like to reiterate the fact that I was there
for an actual physical, not a rectification.
“Recerts” took about 30 seconds. The
only question asked was if the athlete got
hurt in their prior sport. A quick “no” and
those athletes were clear. I thought maybe
I should state that when I got my physicals
from my actual doctor, my spine, pulse,
height, weight, vision, and glands are all
checked. The school exam is less than
thorough and would probably only
prevent someone from playing if they flat
out said “I’m a blind amputee that suffers
from epileptic seizures when I run” and
I’m not even sure that would stop the
“okay” from the doctor.
Spring sports physical day was easily
the most frustrating day I’ve had in awhile.
I can appreciate the fact that the school
offers us athletes an opportunity to get a
convenient, free physical, but there should
definitely be a more rigid set of guidelines
as to how they should be administered.
Maybe girls could sign up for physicals at
a certain time before the assigned day that
the doctor comes so that they don’t have
to wait in the hallway unsure about what
time they are going. Another alternative
could be that physicals could span over
one week…maybe twenty or thirty girls a
day. By using one of these alternatives,
physicals could be more thorough and
wouldn’t waste time. And it certainty
wouldn’t anger a plethora of girls that have
places to be and homework to do on a
Thursday afternoon.

Buy the second ever
Cream Tangerine
Soliloquy CD.
Shirts and Skins
Only $5 in room 418.
Neal Shoemaker
Jason Hagelgans
Support all mediums of creativity
at MTHS!
Suicidal Polar Bears
From April Shut Up Gorgeous

Page 8 SPORTS March 3, 2003
ON A WINNING STREAK
QUOTES FROM
THE TEAM
“Our team this year is our most
talented team yet. We are focusing
on polishing up our stick skills,
working on our speed, and
dreaming up new plays.
-Varsity girls lacrosse player,
Senior Julie Brazitis
“With an experienced senior class
and many talented underclassmen,
we hold the highest standards and
hope to become the LL League
champs and continue as far as the
competition will take us.”
-Varsity boys lacrosse player,
Senior Nic Antolick
“Because last season was a
successful one, we have high
expectations for the season. We
have many returning starters who
should contribute to accomplishing
our goals.”-Varsity girls soccer
tri-captain, Senior Mallory
Kamen
“The chemistry of our team is
amazing...all of us our great
friends. We each contribute our
individual part to the whole.”
-Varsity girls lacrosse player,
Senior Sarah Rosenfeld
BY THE
NUMBERS
36 Total number of the
Township swimming
team members who
advanced to League
competition
100 Percentage of
problems answered
correctly on the PA
Math League test by
Senior Amber Bireley
and Juniors Jim
Dombach and Andrew
Patko
1 Total number of matches
the quiz bowl team lost
this year.
DISTRICT
STANDINGS
BOYS’ & GIRLS’
SWIMMING*
*respectively
SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE
Mallori Sapovchak: senior softball pitcher
by Sam Flynn
Sports Editor
Mallori Sapovchak is a skilled softball
player to say the least. She’s been playing
since second
grade and has
been on varsity
since she was a
sophomore. A
valuable player,
when not pitching,
she can also
play first, third
and the outfield.
Softball is a huge
part of her life
that never tires
of.
“I really love
the sport,” says Sapovchak. “I look forward
to every game and I never get sick of
it.”
During the offseason, Sapovchak lifts
weights and pitches twice a week at Overlook
where she practices perfecting the
three pitches she throws: a fast ball, a
change-up, and a drop. She also attends
various clinics over the summer to help
her throw harder and more accurately. All
of these off season practices have helped
Sapovchak be named a 2002 Lancaster-
Lebanon League All-Star Honorable Mention
for pitching. She also received the
Most Valuable Defensive player award in
2002.
SEASON STRATEGY
MT Boys’ Lacrosse Aims High
Coach Rich Lefever and his boys’ Lacrosse
team is looking forward to starting their fourth
season. The program is proud of the
accomplishments that have been made in such a
short period of time; the team has gone from
being a club sport to being in Section II of the LL
League.
“As we enter the 2003 season, our goal is
probably no different than any other sports
program. The team objectives are an undefeated
season, an LL League Championship and a District
III Championship,” said Lefever. “ While this
statement seems generic in regards to ‘sports
talk,’ it is the only sensible goal to choose. Who
dreams of an average season of 12 wins and 12
losses?”
The players have been training hard in the
off-season by means of strength training,
conditioning, and playing in an indoor league.
The training provides each athlete with the
physical and mental foundation that will be
necessary for a successful season.
“ I believe that each player in our program has
the sole objective of being the most complete
person and competitive team in Central
Pennsylvania,” said Lefever.
1. Manheim Twp. 9 1
1. Cedar Crest 9 1
1. Hempfield 9 1
4. Penn Manor 7 3
5. Manheim Central 6 4
6. McCaskey 5 5
7. Conestoga Valley 4 6
8. Elizabethtown 3 7
When not playing softball, Sapovchak
enjoys hanging out with friends, working
at Stauffers (in the produce department),
and watching movies.
“I have so many favorite movies it’s
ridiculous,” she comments. She also
dances jazz, lyrical
and modern styles
and has done so
for thirteen years.
Sapovchak is
looking to have a
great upcoming
season both individually
and as a
team. She especially
looks forward
to future
matchups with
Warwick, a past rival.
“We’ve been really
close to beating them before and I
think we can do it this year,” she said.
Sapovchak plans on trying out for either
the Lebanon Valley College team or
the West Chester College team and vows
to continue playing softball after high
school on either an intercollegiate or intramural
league.Whatever the future holds,
softball will continue to be a part of
Sapovchak’s life in the future.
“Softball has been in my life for so long
and means so much that there’s no way I
can walk away from it after high school,”
she said.
Although the importance of the individual
athlete is an integral part of any sport, Lacrosse
is a sport that necessitates team effort. Several
athletes were recognized as outstanding within
the Lacrosse League and District, but Lefever
and his team insist upon creating an environment
in which the effort of all of the individuals is
emphasized. The Boys Lacrosse Program
concentrates on the IM3 philosophy: Program,
Teammates, Individuals.
Because of this attitude, Lacrosse prefers not
to recognize “star” athletes. Instead, emphasis
is placed on the leadership of senior athletes.
Key seniors this year include Nic Antolick, Dave
Bartges, Tylor Begley, Andy Beittel, Alex
Berlucchi, Evan Bertel, Scott Calhoun, Tri Luu,
Tyler McCarty, Chris Rommel, Will Thayer, and
Tom Weir.
“Learning from the foundation that has been
laid by previous seniors will allow the group to
be very effective in guiding the 2003 team. Seniors
have duty of assuring that all Lacrosse member
are quality people on the field, in the classroom
and in the community,” said Lefever.
Wins Losses Wins Losses
1. Hempfield 10 0
2. Manheim Twp. 9 1
3. Penn Manor 7 3
4. Warwick 7 3
5. Cedar Crest 6 4
6. Elizabethtown 6 4
7. Lancaster Cath. 4 6
8. Manheim Cent. 3 7
COACHES’
COMMENTS
“You can’t judge the success of the
program based on wins and losses,
although ten wins and a fifth place
finish and narrowly missing Districts
was better than most expected or
predicted.”
- Girls’ varsity basketball
coach, Lance Wagner
“The girls’ team has a strong core
of returning letter winners and
should be one of the top teams in
the league.”
- Girls’ track and field coach,
Mark Linn
“The softball team is looking to
rebound from a rough 2002
campaign. One thing is sure- we
will work hard, remain positive,
and support one another in our
effort to become a contender in
section one.”
-Girls’ varsity softball coach,
Ginny Wilson
TOP
PERFORMANCES
Township Chess Team
The chess team defeated their rivals
Hempfield once again, and ended
their season by tripling last year’s
winning record.
Senior diver Nikki Sahd
Nikki Sahd recently advanced to the
District III diving championship by
finishing in second place during the
LL League diving championships.
Sophomore swimmer Lauren
Sindall
Broke yet another one of her own
LL League records in the 50 Free
with a time of 23.96 seconds.
Senior bowler Kevin Kurtz
Named to the 2003 Boys Scholastic
All-Star bowling team. He was
chosen for this from a pool of 85
bowlers.
Tennis players Kristine and Kim
Harclerode
These tennis stars were recently
named to the All-Star tennis team.
Senior field hockey players,
Amanda Buckwalter and Sarah
Rosenfeld
Named to the NFHCA 2002
National Academic Field Hockey
team.