Fiesta Friday

Yummy Columbian treat, made by Mikayla B.

With break right around the corner, most students are not very focused on school. On the last day before break, teachers have to find a way to incorporate learning into parties and fun activities. 

In Señorita Leid's Spanish II class, they had a fiesta! But, to incorporate Spanish culture, students had to bring in deserts from different Spanish speaking countries. Mikayla B. made a Colombian desert called Natilla. Natilla is a hard custard from Columbia, that is a common Christmas desert.

Señorita Leid found a perfect way to incorporate learning into this fun Friday. These yummy treats were a great way to keep students learning about Spanish culture.

More sleep before break

Snow covered the ground as the sun rose at 6am Tuesday morning. 

Phone calls around 6:00 am Tuesday morning informed Loyalsock students there was going to be a two hour delay today. A light snow fall throughout the night and into the morning, along with freezing temperatures, led to this delay. Senior Alexa M. says "I was happy to have a two hour delay but I wished we got of school altogether. The roads up by my house were really bad."

The two hour delay caused Loyalsock to run on a condensed schedule. Each block class was about an hour in length and period classes were cut back to about a half an hour. Reach was removed from the days schedule. 

With the holidays fast approaching, this delay provided much needed relief from a stressful, crammed week.

Formal changes

The excitement has been building for the last few weeks, mostly for the girls. This is because the Loyalsock Winter Formal is planned for December 14. Everyone is looking forward to dressing up in festive attire. Some are going out to dinner with a group of friends or having dinner at their house. Parents will be hanging around taking pictures of everything and everyone.
Today we received the bad news that the formal has been postponed Because a big storm is headed toward the area. We are supposed to get 4-8 inches and maybe some ice too. The formal has been moved to next Saturday the 21st of  December. Mother nature had other plans for this Saturday and the impending snow storm caused great concern for safety. Student government had decided that the risk is too high and that the formal should be moved. Disappointment is the best way to describe everyones reaction to the sad news. But look at this this way we still have something to look forward to.

Trip to the Museum of Glass

(Credit: www.depauw.edu)

Today many of Loyalsock's Art class students made a trip up to New York to visit the Corning Museum of Glass. The Museum of glass is an impressive and diverse showcase of the artistic and physical capabilites of glass. Corning is about an hour north of Loyalsock and makes for a great day trip, especially for those with in interest in seeing just how amazing glass is. The students of Loyalsock enjoyed their trip to the Museum thoroughly, with senior Micah R. saying "Going to Corning was definitely one of the most memorable field trips I have gone on. It was cool to get a close-up look at the history behind the art of glass."

Corning is a city that knows it's glass. The museum was founded by Corning Glass Works, now named Corning Incorporated, which is a Fortune 500 company based around the production of glass for industrial uses. This deep history revolving around glass is what led to Corning earning the nick name "Crystal City." One major landmark in the city of Corning is the Gaffer Tower, a blue and white tower with a mural of a gaffer, or glass blower, adoring the top. The art students are fortunate to be able to visit such a historic city and museum known for their glass art and industry.

Today, representatives from an Ohio school came to Loyalsock to ask the students questions about our iPad initiative.

The Ohio school is considering launching their own iPad initiative and wanted to see how it was working for our school. The representatives met with various classes, asking them questions and hearing their feedback. The overall consensus seemed to be a positive on, supporting the initiative.

"The iPads have their fallbacks, but overall, I think they're a really effective tool." says student Sierra B.


Picture from: http://www.macrumors.com/2013/02/07/size-comparison-of-ipad-4-ipad-mini-iphone-5-and-upcoming-ipad-5/

Let it snow

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Loyalsock students, as well as staff, were excited to see the school dictrict's name pop up on the two-hour delay display early this cold, icy morning.

The best feeling on a Monday is to comprehend that you can stay in the comfort of warm blankets for just a bit longer without making up an entire school day. Not only was this the first two-hour delay of the school year, but also the first day of C.I.'s historical gym to be displayed. Kicking off the basketball season with a bang, the boys are well on their way to victory this winter. Not only will we be looking for more delays, but also keeping an eye out for the amazing season coming our way.

                         



Photo from: http://ayay.co.uk/background/weather/snow/basketball-net-after-sudden-freeze/

Creating Art History

Who said that learning history is boring? Not if it is history of art, and not if you are doing fun projects!

Today in AP Art History class, students learned about Bayeux Tapestry, a Romanesque embroidery that depicts the conquest of England. The embroidery is 230 ft long and consists of multiple scenes with captions in Latin.

To make the learning process more interesting, Mr. Kaplan gave the students a project, where they had to recreate some of "class quotes" (funny phrases that students said in this class) in the old English using only pictures and words from Bayeux Tapestry. Now the students will easily be able to remember this piece of art and recognize different scenes from it.  

Call-Backs and Nervous Wrecks

This year Loyalsock has decided to put on a production of Fiddler on the Roof, a classic and well-known musical that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! As with all musicals, the directors are forced to place their available cast into roles that are best suited for them and the show. This process is a long and difficult one, and the directors of Fiddler on the Roof have been thrown into decision time today after call-backs.

Call-backs are given to actors and actresses who the directors of a show wish to hear speak for certain roles in a show. Call-backs for Loyalsock's production took place today and were an exciting and nerve wracking experience. The students who were called back really brought their A-game, and I'm sure that they made it very difficult for the directors to choose parts! Junior Brennan Hepler says, "Call-backs this year were a lot of fun! The characters in this show are very expressive and it was fun to put my own swing on certain lines. Overall, I'm super excited to start the show!"

The performers will begin rehearsals for their musical within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned to find out more information about the show!

Directors of "Fiddler on the Roof" look over their notes in order to place people in certain roles. They are in the middle of a lengthy, yet essential, process.

Catching fire, catches eyes

With Thanksgiving break right around the corner and The Hunger Games Catching Fire coming out on the 22nd of November this was a way to help everyone get through the last couple weeks of school! Starring in this movie is the beautiful Jennifer Lawrence and very handsome Josh Hutcherson. They play intense roles and have a strange love affair. It truly is a teenage favorite but catches adult eyes as well. Many students from Loyalsock went to the opening showings and people would definitely say their jaws dropped at the end! This is an amazing movie and it is fully recommended for all audiences!

Surprise snow day

Today was the mark of the first strong snow fall in our area. At 9:10 this morning the students of Loyalsock got a wake up call they all were hoping for. What was thought to be a long day for the high school turned out to be the opposite. 

This morning Dr. Reitz came on the intercom announcing our 12:15 early dismissal due to the snow. As the class began to cheer the snow did everything but clear. Although students were excited they also hoped for Wednesday off as well however that mystery is still un solved. 

Although no one likes the work that comes with the snow or the chills it brings there is one aspect to it that everyone except some teachers enjoy. It provides both an excellent reason to get out of school and screams hot chocolate and a warm blanket. 

Kaila enjoying the snow. 

Lunchroom troll

A lunch lady serves popcorn chicken and noodles to the students.

Today's lunch really psyched a lot of students out. Today, we had popcorn chicken with noodles. However, when we hear popcorn chicken, our minds automatically drifts to one thing; Popcorn chicken bowl. 

Popcorn chicken bowl is a craze at Loyalsock. You never fail to see teenagers running to lunch on the days that it is served. Nothing surpasses the crispy chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, warm gravy and zesty corn. It is loved by most, and enjoyed by all. 

Popcorn chicken bowl is one of the greatest traditions at Loyalsock that will hopefully live on; not be replaced with less enjoyable things, such as whole wheat noodles.

Snacks for class

While reading Hamlet in Mr. Smith's English 11 class on Thursday, November 21, 2013, his students got to enjoy Little Ceasar's pizza and soda.

At Loyalsock Township High School on Thursday afternoon on Novemeber 21, 2013, Mr. Smith's third block English 11 class got to enjoy fresh pizza from Little Ceasar's and a nice cup of soda. Mr. Smith stated in the beginning of the semester that he was the kind of teacher that loved to enjoy snacks during class due to the fact that he, and many other students, eat a very late lunch.

Students love that Mr. Smith is willing to order pizza for the class and are very understanding that students are responsible for bringing in a few dollars per person in order to pay for the food and drinks.

SPaCE

One program that many senior students get involved in every year is SPaCE Senior Professional and Career Experience. This allows the students to intern at a job they plan on doing after they graduate college and to make sure it is the right choice for them. Instead of having a regular block class the students go to their job location and spend an hour and a half there interning and getting an idea of what it's like to work on a daily basis.

Senior, Allison C, is currently interning at Susquehanna Health Physical Therapy located on River Avenue. She stated "SPACE has assured me that the career field I'm interested in is definitely the right one for me. I am grateful to have this opportunity so I know what I am getting myself into to." 

Loyalsock's Bold New Flavors

Students enjoying a new entrée 

This year, the cafeteria workers at Loyalsock have really battened down the hatches to provide the students with new meal choices. Today's lunch featured, what most students would consider awe-inspiring, pizza pasta as the main meal.

With increasing standards for school lunches being pushed by the government, one could see it as being difficult to expand the menu. Increased fruit and vegetables, fewer calories, and less fat are all being enforced, so options are slim. Thankfully though, Loyalsock provides top-tier cuisine that still meets the increasingly difficult requirements.

Teaching Unbalanced Forces in a Creative Way

Ryan Muggleton demonstrating the lab

This week in Physics, as well as AP Physics, Mr. Peterman's class has been going over unbalanced forces. Today, he took the class on an in-class field trip to participate in an activity using a scale and the school's elevator. Students measured their weight, and recorded the difference as the elevator proceeded to move.

While Physics may not be every student's favorite class, Mr. Peterman makes an effort to teach in interesting ways that captivate and motivate students. This unit was no different, as he included something as trivial as a bathroom scale in an elevator to provide a top notch explanation of how things work in the world.

New $100 Bill

New bill compared to old

The Federal Reserve Board recently released the new $100 bill, and most are not happy about it. Some have even said that Benjamin Franklin himself would be sad about it. Whether the opinions are right or wrong, the bill will be put into circulation October 8, 2013.

Of all people though, the youth seem to be the least bothered by it. It may be because of the fact that many teens will never hold a $100 bill, or it may be that change is, most of the time, good. With these changes, a large amount of anti-counterfeiting strategies are now in play. These include, but are not limited to, the funky, blue line that goes through the middle of the bill, which is actually a 3-D security ribbon, as well as a bell semi-hidden in the inkwell.

If an individual disagrees with the changes, they can certainly agree that it is a step in the right direction to stop counterfeiting.

Picture: http://www.enzocreative.com/blog/?p=2201

Twist in time

Twist in time

Time to bring out your old records and throw your hair into a bright colored scrunchy. Yes, it is Throwback Thursday.

Students and faculty here at Loyalsock Township High School, spent the Thursday of Spirit Week dressing in some of their favorite throwback clothes. Outfits varied between generations from as early as the Prohibition Era of the 1920s, to the grungy 90s look. It was great to see so many people participate in such a fun activity the week of homecoming.


                           

On the fast track to fiddler

It's the middle of November. You know what that means at Loyalsock...Musical auditions! This year Loyalsock's choir teacher, Mr. Saville-Iksic and the elementary's Mrs. McQue, agreed that this years musical would be the famous, Fidler on the Roof.

Students of Loyalsock have been anxiously awaiting auditions for Fiddler and today was the day! Seniors including Jasper VD, Andru M, Anna and Emily H have all been preparing for their final audition. Juniors Connor M, Brennan H and Alexis C, planned their auditions between today and tomorrow. The students are very excited for the up n' coming show. 

Good luck to all those auditioning! We can't wait for the musical production awaiting us in March! 

Picture: http://www.cressonlake.com/2012/10/30/fiddler-on-the-roof-june-20-july-6/

Naming the US

Above shows a practice worksheet Mrs. June sent around to her students to complete. 

Mrs. June's AP Language and Composition class has been studying language and education over the past couple of days. Today, students took turns filling in a blank chart of the United States. After the first few easy states were recorded, students struggled to correctly place the remaining states.

While discussing an area where the educational system has failed, some students agreed that a general knowledge of US geography was lacking. Senior Allison C. explains, "I never learned my states because we were never forced to in school."

This topic brought up questions as to what else our educational system is failing to provide for students. Is it lack of passion of teacher, lack of interaction in classes, or lack of scheduling organization? Most everybody has issues with the current educational system, it is our responsibility to identify and fix these problems.

Artwork on All Hallows' Eve.

On October 31, Loyalsock high school celebrates with fun treats and little tricks. 

Although not everyone did anything on the spooky day one student went to the lengths of getting on a student teacher's nerves in order to complete a masterpiece with oil paint. Sabrina a very art crazed girl spent the day creating this master piece that caught the attention of both faculty and students. 

Although our school does not go all out like others we do have students like Sabrina to give the day it's spooky feel. 

Artwork by Sabrina S.

"Work for treat"

All students who have, or who have had Mr. Smith has an English teacher at Loyalsock Township High School know that his candy box is full all year round and not just on Halloween. Even though it's the day before Halloween, Mr. Smith had no intentions of saving his candy stash for the children tomorrow night.

Mr. Smith is not secretive about his love for candy and is surely not one to be greedy with it either. Any time the class is working on a worksheet or participating in any class work given for the day, his candy box comes out from hiding and students have the opportunity to earn a piece of candy. The students like this because it's always nice to get a little snack during the long school day.

If students do their work consistently and work diligently in Mr. Smith's classroom, it could be considered Halloween every day of the year.

The end of football means the beginning of basketball, and this is certainly going to be an incredible season. Not only will the team be supported by their family and friends, but this year is the first time we are going to have our band play at all games. We asked coach Ron Insinger what he thought about the idea and he said, "I think it would be positive and maybe get the crowd into it more." I also asked player Omar L. what he thought and he said "It is going to make the games crazy with our band and our student section." We will see how it works out and hopefully we can have it happen again next year.

The end of a season

Above, the Lancer football team gathers for one last group prayer. 

Tonight, the Loyalsock Lancers were defeated by the Danville Ironmen. The game ended with a score of 21-28. The Lancers held the lead going into the locker room at half time, but the Ironmen came back with a fight. Both teams did an incredible job tonight, especially the Lancers who fought until an interception was thrown with less than a minute on the clock. Unfortunately, the loss of this game ends any hopes the Lancers had of winning a championship this year. 

For many football players, cheerleaders, and band members, this football game was their last night under the lights. As tears filled up her eyes, senior cheerleader, Addison R. said, "I can't believe its my last game."

This is the second time these two teams have played each other this year. Danville won the earlier game by just one point. Loyalsock - Danville football games have become an exciting event, and who knows, maybe one day a rivalry will form between these two teams. 

Friday Night Football

This Friday the Loyalsock Lancer Football Team will be traveling away to Danville to play the local team. The team has had a good streak going with some very exciting wins, so it will be interesting to see how they perform. Danville has managed to beat Loyalsock off of very close games in the past two years, so this should motivate them to play as hard as they can, not to mention that this is a play-off game. Only time will tell with what happens tomorrow!
I talked briefly today with senior Robbie N., a member of the football team, about what to expect for the game tomorrow. He told me to "anticipate a close game," and he explained to me a bit about the previous games they have played against Danville. Robbie definitely seemed excited to play and seemed passionate about his sport.
Tomorrow night's weather is supposed to be cold but that won't stop the fans from showing up to the game. The stands should be packed with tons of fans for both teams and the parking lots will be filled. I know that many of students will be on the field and in the crowd so it will be a fun event for the school. Just be sure to dress appropriately for the weather! Come on out and support the school team!

(Courtesy the Lancer Football Homepage)

"Gravity"

I recently previewed the movie "Gravity" which stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. In the movie the astronauts are on a a routine  mission to service the Hubble telescope. The mission goes horribly wrong. It just so happens that the Russians try to remove a defunct satellite from orbit and they fail and send the satellite crashing through space. This leaves the two stars stranded in space, unable to make contact with mission control. While watching the movie you feel as thouhg you are adrift in space, absolute total and complete isolation. The acting is superb, as you actually get a strong sense of Bullock's character through her backstory. Mr. Clooney plays himself, in a space suit so what else do you want?

Now, because this is the 21st century I am going to tell you about the special effects. They were brilliant, and even in 3D, it added more to the film. Normally I think 3D is just extra money for a headache. But this movie utilizes it brilliantly.  It really gives you the vast depth of space. Oh, and the debris flying at you through the screen is pretty mind blowing. 

I rate this movie a 9 out of 10. I personally feel that the only weak point is the ending(I promise no spoilers).  This weekend you should take your daddy and go see Gravity.    

                                                              

Mrs. H-The New Beiter

Mrs. Beiter's time to depart has finally come; but not before training her new replacement.  Mrs. H certainly carries a similar persona to Mrs. Beiter, similarly providing a smiling face at all times. Though new to the senior english classroom, Mrs. H is not new to teaching or even to Loyalsock High School. In 2008, Mrs. H did a long term substitution for our very own Mr. Joe Smith. During the following fall, Mrs. H headed down south. Teaching seventh graders language arts in Greensboro, Mrs. H said it was awesome being able to teach the fundamentals of reading and writing. During her time in Greensboro, Mrs. H simultaneously studied at the University of North Carolina for her masters in Women's and Gender Studies. In 2012, she moved to Washington DC to teach ninth grade English. She remained there until 2013. Mrs. H pointed out that teaching ninth grade is different from seventh grade because it is no longer about teaching fundamentals, but rather reinforcing previously learned skills.  Since arriving at Loyalsock, Mrs H. said that she enjoys being more of a facilitator and less of an instructor. With a class of seniors, the students are easy to oversee; it is more about applying the learned skills and working on their own. Most of all, Loyasock is a breath of fresh air for her. The students are motivated, the faculty is welcoming, the technology is awesome and the possibilities are endless. Mrs. H said that teaching at Loyalsock High School would be her ideal teaching job; and it's great to have her aboard!

Veterans Day

Today, on November 11th, Veterans Day is observed. It is an official United States holiday that honors all people who have served in armed service. On the exact same day, in 1918, an armistice was declared between the Allied Nations and Germany after the World War I. In 1938, Veterans Day became a federal holiday in the U.S.

In Loyalsock, this day was observed as well. The day started with a moment of silence to honor veterans. However, this was not it. At the end of the day, during reach, a short video filmed by History club (Anastasia K., Emily K., and Micah R.) was shown to the students. In the video, some of the students in Loyalsock were interviewed; they were asked to state how the fact that someone in their family is in the military influenced them. It was a great way to honor veterans and remind students of their great service. 

Sock tore up Towanda

Loyalsock killed Towanda in the quarter finals with a score of 48-20. Well, Loyalsock had a total of 500 yards, it was a good game on both parts but Loyalsock came out ready to play and ready to win. Kyle Datres had 5 rushing touchdowns. Kyle had 233 yards of rushing last night putting him at 1,129 rushing yards and throwing 1,374 yards. Omar little also had a good game he had an interception and a touchdown. Robert Klein the first year senior also had an outstanding game, in the game against Lewisburg he had two high ankle sprains, but that did not stop him last nigh he had a touchdown.  Next week they will play Danville at Danville hope they can come home with the win. 

Vroom vroom

The fun began at 1 pm outside the football stadium on Friday, October 11. With the help of Ms. Warren, everyone was able to get into their parade positions.

The parade was a way to end Homecoming Week with a bang; it was also a way to start off the annual Homecoming pep-rally. The whole high school came outside to watch clubs display their floats, football players proudly sport their jerseys, and to watch the Homecoming court ride in on the off-road golf carts. There was a miscommunication of the parade route to the cart drivers which made the transition from parade to pep-rally a bit hectic. However, all in all, the parade was a success!

This was the first year for both the outdoor parade and for these interesting buggies. When asked for his opinion on the form of transportation this year, two-time escort Ryan L. responds, "It sucks that ours is the only one without a roof but at least we don't have to walk!"

(Leah N., Ryan L., and Ryan M. waiting for the parade to begin)

The yerds go marching one by one

November 7th was an important day for the yearbook staff. When the bell rang at 12:19 pm, everyone on staff began to diligently wrap up the work-week. 

Today was a day to "tie up loose ends" and make the finishing touches on some projects the yerds have been working on. The first official candid assignment was due by the end of class, both business and student life sections were stuffing and licking the last batch of envelopes, and several groups were getting together to complete a 50 point weekly assignment due tomorrow. Obviously, the hard working yearbookers never stop creating a high-quality product.

The completion of these few projects marks the start of a whole new cycle for a couple sections. The senior section received their portraits today and the business section is preparing for a big wave of personal ads coming in tomorrow.

(Jarred B. displaying a "word-splash" on golf)

Fresh Meat-ing

The freshman class has undergone some primary initiation in the first marking period, but now it's time for them to get down to business! The class of 2017 had their first meeting today and started to form bonds that would last all through high school. These bands were not only between the class members themselves, but also between the class's advisors and their students.

The advisors of the class of 2017 are Mrs. Sekel and Mrs. Remsnyder, two young and driven individuals that will promote a hands-on and energetic class! The freshmen have already proved themselves with spirit, but they still have a few things to learn. The meeting today was preliminary and worked to set up a system for electing class officers and creating a class budget. This budget will be used for events such as prom and the senior trip. When asked for her opinion of the freshman class, Miss Girio responded, "I think that they are adjusting really well into high school and they seem really outgoing and will bring a lot of positive energy to the school."

Overall, the freshman class has a lot of work to do, but meetings like they had today will help keep them focused and involved. Remember: high school is a place full of hard work, but it can all be made fun if your doing the work with your class!

Baby Bump Beiter

We've all been thinking it: how is Mrs. Beiter still fighting through a school day? She's certainly brave. Not only has Beiter battled many rough school days, she hasn't even been phased. She still shows up everyday with a smile on her face and a seemingly positive attitude.  However, it's probably safe to say that we can start counting down the minutes until Beiter goes into labor; it's also safe to say that she will be missed. As a yerd, it's going to be tough to walk into a classroom everyday and not be met with Beiter's charming greeting. It won't be the same to have to work under new authority; to be trained by a new face. So, if you see Mrs. Beiter in the halls, make sure you wish her the best and let her know that you'll miss having her around.

Beiter beams a smile with Hannah, one of her students

Mrs. Carpenter

Just two weeks ago, the loyalsock marching band ended their season finishing 9th in districts. The color guard instructor was one of the proudest members of the group. This was her first year here as a lancer. And she sure enjoyed. "It was really great and helped me get to know the kids better" Carpenter said, "Im definitely doing it again next year." Band is'nt all Carpenter does. She also teaches LIFE, Computer Apps, and Intro to business. "I think Mrs.Carpenter is a fantastic teacher" Said Josh Grove from Intro to Business, "No other teacher in the school has better relations with kids. Welcome to Loyalsock Mrs.Carpenter!

Battle of the bridge

Battle of the bridge

The stands, as well as hills, were filled last Friday night as students, parents, and alumni came out from rivals Loyalsock and Montoursville high schools.

The games was intense from the start, a quick earned tie at 7 points each. Montoursville surprised us all with a field goal adding three points to their tally. The game was 10-7 Montoursville. The second half excited us all when Sock scored the winning touchdown leaving the field with 14-10, ruining Montoursville's chance at a perfect 10-0 season. Students congratulated the boys by running onto the field in a whirlpool of excitement over one of our most important victories. Displayed proudly in the high school is our new favorite trophy, the bridge.

       

                                                 

The last step

On Wednesday, October 30th the seniors had to complete the last step of their graduation Project, Mock Interviews. To pass this interview the seniors had to get at least an 80%. This is a requirement for them to graduate.

Four adults who hire and fire every day came into Mrs. Beiter's and Mrs. June's English classes and each had a group of around four or five students they had to interview. They asked the students questions like "What would your teachers say about you?" "What is your greatest stength?" Or "What is your biggest weakness?" At the end of the interviews they announced who would of gotten the job out of their group.

This assignment prepares the students for their future. It shows them what it will be like once they graduate high school or college and have a interview for their future career. Loyalsock has done a great job in shaping their students into young adults and preparing them for the next step!

No time for a siesta in spanish class

        Sara G. works diligently on her Spanish project about the Incas 

Spanish is a fun class but just like any other class, there are many assignments and projects that come along with it! Señora Confer's Spanish 2 class is learning about the Incas. They all have to make a project based on different ideas about Inca history. Sara is working hard and putting in the extra effort during Reach today because she is determined to get a good grade! 

"Go Fish!"

Hannah B. and Kyle D. play "Go Fish!", chemistry edition!

Mr. Connor's Honors Chemistry class has a fun and exciting way to help memorize common ions. This chemistry edition of  "Go Fish!" is a great trick kids into learning!

This Honors Chemistry class has a quiz on about fifty ions this Thursday. In order to help review, many teachers include a game that will get students involved. Mr. Connors' game of choice required students to find pairs that created neutral bonds. Not only that, students are also required to ask for the ions by their correct name. 

The review sheet for the test will consist of the bonds that the students are able to create with the matched-up pairs. The bonds created were recorded on the iPads and labelled by the correct name of the ionic bond.

A bigger field, a better win

Football season is coming to a close. With seniors preparing to play their final games, every player is pushing their limits.

The boys headed out to Susquehanna University on October 25 for their last away game against Lewisburg. Playing on a bigger field while also on the local news, the boys felt all eyes on them. But our lancers came through so swift and confident that they brought home another win with a score of 34-7. Awesome work lancers!

Preparations for Graduation: Caps and Gowns

Today during REACH the Senior class organizied a meeting in the auditorium to order a very important part of the graduation ceremony, the cap and gowns. Representatives from Jostens came in to assist with the ordering for the gowns which was done immediately to make sure everyone was on the same page. President Leah N. addressed the class quickly about some of the plans for the senior year, and despite a shortage of pens, everyone made it through the paper work.         While it may seem like a small thing, the ordering of the cap and gowns is just another reminder to the Loyalsock seniors that graduation is very much a reality, and is coming soon. This was the first step of the many preparations that go into the graduation and ceremony, and while many of the seniors might not have realized it, this truly was the beginning of the end of our public schooling. They submitted their order forms for the outfit that they will walk in front of a crowd of friends and family in and recieve their diploma. 

However the class meeting did not end on a bittersweet note, as discussions of the senior trip were brought up, and it is very likely the trip will be to an amusement park. That is certainly something to look forward to if the graduation robes didn't excite you!

Loyalsock students submit their order forms

Return to glory

Loyalsock swimmers were called upon on Friday October 18, to participate in the a special half-time presentation at Williamsport Area High School's Homecoming game. The half-time event was held to officially launch a program sponsored by the WASD Education Foundation. The program is a capital campaign called "Return to Glory." The goal is to raise money to help restore the Williamsport High School's athletic complex. Student athletes from many sports participated to show the their support of  the campaign.

Loyalsock students are fortunate to be given the opportunity by our school district and WASD to be able to participate on the swim team. Loyalsock members of the team were honored to be asked to participate in the event.

This program is responsible for getting some of the necessary funding to upgrade and improve many of the athletic facilities, including the WAHS Natatorium, which has list of much needed renovations. The plan is to replace the ventilation, pump, heating, ceiling, and lighting in the pool area, as well as renovations to areas around the pool such as the locker-rooms. The school opened in 1973. Age, over-use and diminishing funds for building maintenance have all played a role in  the pools deterioration.  

                             

                           

                            Loyalsock swimmers Christina R. Nicholas P., and Jolene D. are joined by 

                           fellow Williamsport Swim Team members.  

Early Dismissal Thursday

Today, on Thursday, October 17th, students in Loyalsock had their first early dismissal of the year! 

Because of Parent/Teacher Conferences that are held today in the school, students were released at 12:15 p.m. instead of usual 3 p.m. Just like on any other early dismissal day, students had all of their classes cut short, so that block classes were 55 minutes long and period classes were 25 minutes each.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are held today from 12:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Today is also the day of High School Open House that will take place from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. A form needs to be filled out and submitted in order to set an appointment. This form can be found on the High School website.  

Super Prize for a Super Staff

October 11 concluded Loyalsock Township High School's homecoming week, a week full of spirit and unification of the student body through mutual embarrassment! One of the highlights of this week was the float parade and competition, a contest to determine which club or activity has the best float and wins the grand prize of $500. After some intense work and last-minute fixes, Loyalsock's yearbook staff took the prize!

This year, the APALACO staff decided to go with a superhero-themed staff shirt, thus influencing their float and other activities throughout the year. They took the basic telephone booth concept and added old fashioned photography, a cityscape, and, to top it all off, "kick-butt" costumes that were both hilarious and very well made to represent their superheroes. Among the iconic heroes used were Spider Man, Bat Man, Flash Gordon, Wonder Woman, and Cat Woman. In addition to the super heroes, the staff included a "super yerd" that wore all maroon and white and carried around yearbooks from past years. When asked about her experience in the parade, junior Makenna W. replied, "Dressing up and expressing my inner super hero was so enjoyable. My fellow yerds and I really worked hard and we came out champs!"

Below is a link to Loyalsock High School's webpage with all of it's participating clubs. The staff is expected to release their completed yearbook in June of 2014, but until then they are flying off to save the world...one page at a time. 

The super yerds and their advisor, the "Super Mom," before presenting their float.

http://www.ltsd.k12.pa.us/site/Default.aspx?PageType=1&SiteID=60&ChannelID=93&DirectoryType=6

Tropical Tuesday

 

 

Students at LTHS could almost taste summer again as day number two of spirit week began: tropical Tuesday. 

 

We saw boys rocking coconut bras and girls showing off their oversized Hawaiian shirts in an effort to support Homecoming and show their school spirit. The air was festive and  the kids had a fun day laughing over their silly outfits. Now, if only the school would turn the heat up, it would have really been a tropical Tuesday!

 

 

Brennan shows off his crazy tropical outfit.

 

 

Mustache madness on a rainy day

At our very own school mustaches ran wild today. Spirit week kicks off with students rocking furry faces.   The weather may have been a tad depressing but the students fixed it with a little school spirit.

Kyle, Mike, and Jimmy all rock their very own mustache in Mr. Smith's third block English class. Although some students were wary to wear their own, these guys are proud of their furry faces and happily pose for the Lance & Shield blog. 

All though the weather was down, school spirit was high and mighty.

Kyle, Mike and Jimmy pose together on mustache Monday. 

Bringing healthy back

Junior, Lydia H. eats her baby apple at lunch.

Students at LTHS don't let their health be pushed to the side in the daily chaos and stress of high school. They are always encouraged to develop healthy habits. One of these habits includes eating healthy.

Whether you buy school lunch or pack lunch, students at LTHS have plenty of healthy snacks to choose from. From apples, to yogurt, to veggies, to cereal bars, the Lancers lunch room has it all.

The school even offers incentives for the kids who include these snacks into their lunch. It is considered a "meal" when fruits and veggies are added on their tray. This makes lunch much cheaper, saving parents lots of money.

Prom planning

Gianna R, Brennan H, and Mrs. Williams are discussing upcoming events with the rest of the office.

Junior year can be one crazy ride, especially being a class officer! The five students chose to represent their class are expected to plan one of the biggest events of the year; prom. Everyone looks forward to this special night and hopefully class of 2015 office can pull together a night to remember!  It may only be October, but the officers have a ton of planning ahead of them and with a meeting each week they can surely get it accomplished! 

It's a yerd thing

Every year the Yearbook & Journalism class takes a field trip to Jostens in State College to design the front cover of the yearbook and talk about the design for the inside of the book. The company is always very welcoming and the students look forward to this trip every year.

Not many people are aware of how much time and effort goes into designing the yearbook. The students put in countless hours making sure the book is just right. With many students in the class this year, there are lots of opinions going back in forth. The 2013-14 book will definitely be something to check out and will be something you have never seen before!

A step closer to playoffs

Tonight, the lady lancers soccer team achieved yet another win. The JV played at 5:30 and Varsity played under the lights at 7. With home filed advantage, the ladies came with their A-game and landed another win.

With starter Alonna Soars on the sidelines due to an injury, it was hard to adjust to the first few games without her near them, but when the ladies went out, they knew their opponent, Central Mountain, would not hold back. So the players went out and gave it their all. Their hard work payed off with a win and on step closer to playoffs. Good work, ladies!

See you at the Pole

http://www.123rf.com/photo_9402862_a-us-flag-flying-on-a-metal-flag-pole-closeup-with-blue-sky.html

Students and teachers of Loyalsock High School gather around the flag pole for See you at 

the Pole. 

On September 25, students and teachers gather early in the morning for the Christian club event, See you at the Pole. The event took place at seven am by the flag pole outsider of the main high school entrance. 

See you at the Pole has become a yearly tradition here at Loyalsock.  Organizing this event was senior Abigail Yates. She says, "This was our biggest outcome yet to date. A total of 71 people came out today."  Abigail hope that this tradition continues to grow once she graduates and passes the torch down to an underclassmen.

Helping the turnout was all the additional advertisement the Christian club did prior to the event. Many signs were hung throughout the school and special shirts were available for purchase. These shirts were worn by the student body the day before the event. 

A special night for Loyalsock men's soccer

Sophomore Matthew C. gets his pre-game warmup as he knows tonight's game is a big event.

       With the stadium lights slowly turning on to light up the field, the Lancer soccer team gets on the field as they prepare to light up the scoreboard. The game against Hughesville is an important one, as it sends a message to the league and puts the team one step closer to playoffs. Warm-up goes by quickly, and as the sun begins to set, the tone gets serious. The Lancers clearly intend to win this home game and continue their five game winning streak.
        Coach Andrew Zimmerman gives a quick speach to the team. "Come on strong and win the 50/50 balls. We have got to send a message to the league on who the top team really is," and with that the Lancers take the field.
       Within the first five minutes, senior Mark O. has scored and the home team takes the lead, followed by another goal from junior Josiah C. The Spartans respond by taking a goal for themselves, reminding everyone that they will not give up easily. However the Lancers remain in control and maintain their teamwork. Each of them know who the better team is, and that they must continue to fight until the very end of the game. Junior Matt H. then takes control on a fast break and puts away an easy unassisted goal. Josiah C. then responds with another goal, putting the Lancers ahead by three. Hughesville gets a break and scores off a penalty kick, bringing them a step closer to equalizing the game. However, Matt H. has different plans for the game. He goes on to score two more goals, earning a hat trick. The soccer team bench and fans erupt in cheers and chants, shouting "Fifty, Fifty, Fifty!" On Matt's final breakaway goal marked his 50th career goal for the men's soccer team, a remarkable achievment. Matt comes of the field accompanied with cheers from friends and family alike, and claims the game ball as a trophy for his achievement. The Lancers maintain the game and go on to win 6-2.
       Today's victory was special in many ways. It sent a message to the local schools that Loyalsock's mens soccer is not to be taken lightly. It puts the team one step closer to playoffs and the fabled district championship, a title that has eluded the team thus far. And finally the game put Matt H. at the fifty goal mark. This left team, the coach, and the fans ecstatic. When asked about how he feels, Matt responds that, "Today might be one of the happiest days in my life."
       Tonight's game was a great sign of the soccer teams strength and accomplishment. But how will the team proceed? Only time will tell, but if tonights game was any indication of the future, the Men's soccer team has a lot to look forward to.

Congratulations to Loyalsock Men's Soccer on the victory, and congratulations to Matt H. for his achievements.

A little piece of Japan

Usually during fourth block students are so tired after a long day that they just want to go home as soon as possible. Not today, however, and not in the AP Art History Class. Not only the students were learning about Japanese art this Monday, but they also got a little traditional snack.

AP Art History covers a huge amount of art - from prehistoric and ancient to modern. Because of the massive content, there is not a lot of time to be spent at some of the topics. However, it does not mean that the class is going so fast that it becomes boring. Quite the opposite, it's a lot of fun! As example, today we have started the Japanese art and architecture. Instead of teaching the lesson in a routine way, Mr. Kaplan came up with an idea of how to make us feel almost like in Japan. He wrote some of Japanese words with English transcription on the board, and we were supposed to use them during class. He even gave each of us Pocky, a Japanese snack! He said it is very popular in Japan, and it really became a traditional food there. What a great way to learn traditions of another country!

Lessons like today's really make the learning process more interesting. After all, what can be better than a little traditional snack at the end of the fourth block?..