THE LITITZ, PA.

, RECORD EXPRESS

The Warrior beat

News and Features written by Warwick High School Students

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 A17

Drama department gears up for Fulton competition

MARY HOFFMAN
WHS Journalism Student
Warwick High Schools drama department, led by teacher and creator Connie Hilliar, is preparing for an acting competition at the Fulton Opera House this fall. Hilliar teaches drama to interested students as a part of the regular curriculum at Warwick. Five or six ago, she decided to create a school club specifically for drama students who do not get enough of acting in class. Today, the club has nearly fifty students--roughly double the size of the average club at Warwick. The school contributes nothing toward the clubs expenses so Hilliar oversees and helps the kids run fundraisers to cover costs. They hold candy sales and sell gift cards in order to pay for things such as the one hundred dollar Fulton rental fee. The competition is like American Idol without the singing, according to Hilliar. Hilliar judges alongside two students at the Fulton Opera House when Warwick students perform a two-minute monologue in front of a theater filled with family and friends. Callbacks are given to worthy competitors. Hilliar noted that this years drama department is particularly strong. Due to the improved program at the middle school, the freshman class is stronger than it has been in the past. Hilliar clearly cares about her students and feels that the drama club gives them a positive outlet that keeps them busy.

Photo by Maddie Rohr Brendon Hagen reads the policy poster on a teachers door.

Warwick becoming bully-free

SARA SCHOUTEN
WHS Journalism Student
Anyone who has walked the halls of Warwick High School this 2011-2012 school year has probably noticed the bully-free zone signs on every teachers door, but have you ever thought of what it means? According to Mrs. Tracey Weller, Warwick High School Assistant Principal, there are two reasons why these signs are up. First, Warwick staff saw a rise in bullying with the use of Facebook and cell phones, and the other reason is because the government is asking schools to have something related to bullying around the school. Its the best thing for the kids, Weller said. The new posters are placed in every teachers room, and they inform students that bullying will not be tolerated in or out of school. Weller said the posters are on the door because students see them when they leave every class. In an i-SAFE study, one in every three people experiences cyber threats online. With Facebook and other technology being used more frequently this has led to an increase in online bullying. Students are becoming more fearless, said Mrs. Tiffany Miller, a guidance counselor at Warwick High School. A brief, informal survey done by a student recently at Warwick High School about bullying found that half of the students the student surveyed said they do see bullying every day. Although the posters have only been up for two months, Miller says she has seen a difference already. According to Miller, there are more instances of bullying being reported. People are more aware, Mrs. Weller said. Warwicks goal is to be a bully-free zone, and these posters have given Warwick a leap ahead of the other schools. I would love to see bullying stop, for kids, for adults, for everyone, Weller said.

Photo by Mary Hoffman Teacher Connie Hilliar and student Ariella Trough pose for a picture during after-school drama practice.
Senior Casey Thomas has her sights set on winning the title at the Fulton acting competition. Thomas enjoys playing different characters because it is a form of expression. It allows me to express myself without really having to be myself, said Thomas. Thomas plans to minor in theater at college and says preparation for this competition is excellent practice.

Education forum held at Warwick

LARISSA MILLER
Warwick Journalism Student Approximately 40 people attended the Warwick School District public education forum at the Warwick Middle School Nov. 1. There have been several modifications in state legislature recently, which may cause drastic changes for Warwick in the near future. The forum presented information on where Warwick stands in regards to community involvement, legislative issues, monetary issues, and student assessment. Yvette Line-Koller, Director of Student Services, said she was very pleased with the assessment results from the last two years. Not only have our elementary and middle schools continued to meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) targets and perform well, the performance at our high school has enabled Warwick to be dismissed from the Corrective Action and School Improvement processes laid out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for schools that are not meeting AYP targets, Koller said. Superintendent Dr. April Hershey said that Warwick will continue to focus on getting the most achievement now that the district is out of the Corrective Action and School Improvement processes. We can never stop getting better, and well continue to use a continuous improvement model, Hershey said. The forum also brought attention to the approximate $1.1 million cut in funding for Warwick from the state government. This has taken a toll on how much the district can spend and has caused administrators to make some tough decisions. Hershey said that the cost of electricity, gas, and retirement for staff keep going up, and the expenditures and revenues for Warwick dont match. In addition, the PSERS retirement system for staff is mandated, and hours and staff were cut to save money. Tuition vouchers was another topic discussed at the forum. According to Hershey, If vouchers come to fruition, the school district would lose funding from the state for every child who accepted a voucher and went to another school, and this would have an impact on our districts current programs. Hershey said the governor also wants to expand charter and cyber-schools, which are run by companies. Private schools are not assessed in the same way that public schools are. Of the twelve cyberschools in Pennsylvania, only two met AYP. The state also wants to change the standardized tests to assess students in cyber-schools. Were glad to compete with organizations as long as theyre held to the same standards, Hershey said. Hershey said she would like to have a more open dialogue with the governor or state representatives in the future. She said the governor surrounds himself with people who support special kinds of education such as private and parochial schools, but that he doesnt have anyone representing the public schools of Pennsylvania, which represent the majority of schools. Theres this assumption that public education isnt working, but we have data to prove otherwise, Hershey said. Another forum will be held on March 6, 2012 to speak about similar topics. It will also be held in the Warwick Middle School auditorium.

New store satisfies your sweet tooth

SARA SCHOUTEN
WHS Journalism Student
For people old and young, theres a new store in Lititz to satisfy your sweet tooth called Candy*ology. Candy fills the shelves from head-to-toe. Whether youre looking for the new in candy or the hard-to-find candy, Candy*ology has it. Owner Rita Garson opened the store as a gift to her husband, Gary Garson, who has been in the candy field for over thirty-eight years. Garson is unofficially the starter of gummy worms and sour patch kids. In 1977, he came up with the idea of selling Gummi Bears in 2-ounce plastic bags for twenty-five cents. Before this they were being sold for $6.99 a pound. Candy*ologys grand opening was October 6. It is very scary to open any type of business, especially during a recession. Historically, candy seems to do better in a recession because it is enjoyment, no matter how old you are, Garson said. Garson does not need to worry about the recession holding her down since students pack in every day after school to get their favorite treats. Sophomore Kirsten Mohler visited Candy*ology recently and got Crabby Pattie Gummies and a giant lollipop.

Candy*ology offers a feast for the eyes and the palate.

Its really cheap, Mohler said. Candy*ology focuses more on gummy candies and sugary treats, but dont worry chocoholics, chocolate is still available. The cheap treats come from Garsons childhood experience of walking down the street to get penny candy. Garson said she wanted a store where kids could walk in and get the candy they wanted to get, not what theyre allowed to get. According to Garson, when you walk into Candy*ology all you need is 3 dollars in your pocket, and you will walk out with a bag of goods. There is a little kid in all of us, Garson said. If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth all you have to do is head to 69 E. Main St.

Warwick basketball preview

ZACK HURST
WHS Journalism Student
Winter sports are right around the corner for Warwick High School athletes. This means that the Warriors hoops team is getting into season shape. Warwick is looking to have a successful year in a very competitive Section One. The Warriors lost a strong group of nine seniors last season so the team will have a lot of spots to fill. The Warwick boys basketball team, led by Coach Landis, looks to have good season. With only 2 seniors, Derrick Shields and Jared Grosh, on the team this year, Warwick will heavily rely on junior and other underclassmen talent. The Warriors young talent looks strong. Key junior players who will be returning include Matt Engle, Tyler Morris, Kshawn Mickens, Tyler Stief, Eric Wagaman, and Colby Weit. The team also has some solid sophomore players this year, including Austin Myers, Jake Shilliday, Tom Fishel, and Gavin Schaffer. The Warriors will have to play to their strength this season, speed and quickness. This year, the team is very undersized so they will need to play up-tempo and fast. The team is going to need to be in good shape this year, said Forward Colby Weit. That will be a key for the Warriors; they will need to be faster, quicker, and in better physical shape if they want to be competitive. Manheim Township, Hempfield, and Penn Manor will be very tough games for Warwick this season. The players believe they can compete with the best and look to prove that they are a contender. We are going to be a good team this year, said junior guard Tyler Stief. The Warriors have a lot of potential due to all the young players on the team this year. Eric Wagaman said that he feels the team has a bright future due to all the young talent that will be playing this year. The team is working hard and getting better every day, said Stief. So come out and show your support as the Warriors look to bring the Section One crown to Warwick this winter. The Warriors first game is Dec. 9 at Delone Catholic.

Warwick fills assistant principal position

ALEX HASH
WHS Journalism Student
On Sept. 12, K. Eric Thompson officially resigned his position as Assistant Principal at Warwick High School. Thompson faithfully served as Assistant Principal for two years. In a video announcement to students following his departure, Thompson explained that he left to pursue the same position at a different school in Bucks County in order to be closer to his wifes family. Principal Troy Price affirmed that the district interviewed potential candidates for Thompsons vacated position. Price noted that Thompsons position is vital to the school. The number of assistant principals ultimately is based on the student population. At this point, we feel like there is a need based on the number of students to hire another person, Price said. The application deadline was extended to Oct.r 21 to allow for the district to screen more applicants and set up interviews for the Assistant Principal position. Beyond the professional requirements for the job, such as 5 years of teaching experience, the course work, and an internship, Price said the school is particularly interested in somebody who has had previous administrative experience and compliments the existing administrative staff. After a long, exhaustive search, the Warwick School Board made the decision that Zachary Fletcher would take on the vacated Assistant Principal position. Mr. Fletcher is currently an English teacher and the English Department Chair at Palmyra Area High School where he has taught since 2005. Mr. Fletcher will assume his position of Assistant Principal once he works out his release date from Palmyra. Fletcher will take on all the responsibilities of an Assistant Principal, which according to Price, includes managing student discipline, teacher supervision, and serving all facets of an educational leader.