NHS Students walkout to remember the 17 who died at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Lauren Walinski
Staff Writer

On March 14, students and teachers across the United States walked out of their classrooms on the one month anniversary of the Parkland Shooting in Florida which left 17 dead. Thousands of students left class, standing outside at 10 a.m. for 17 minutes across all of America. Reasons varied, though the original purpose of the walkout was to protest in support of greater gun control legislation. Schools had varying amounts of participation and even acceptance of the march, though. Some schools had hundreds of students walking out, while others had as few as one. Some students walked for the original purpose of the protest, while others walked out for purposes such as to remember the victims.
    School reactions differed on students walking out. Some schools embraced the students’ right to free speech, while others were not so kind. When Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta held a lockdown drill during the walkout, several hundred students instead decided to kneel and bow their heads through the seventeen minutes. When Sayreville High School in New Jersey threatened students with suspension for walking out, roughly twelve students met outside regardless and were met with two-day suspensions. Other students in the school met in the auditorium and were given detention instead. Both punishments were harsher than what is listed in their school’s code of conduct for cutting class. Not even a snow day could stop students in Boston who marched to their state house to be heard and seen.
    New Hope-Solebury also participated in the walkout, and during third period several hundred students walked out to the track for not 17, but 27 minutes. The students walked out officially in remembrance of the Parkland shooting victims. Some of our students read off the names and ages of each victim, as well as a short bio that included a few hobbies, interests, and traits. This was finished with a speech by Elliot Luicci during which he drove home the point that the Parkland victims were normal people who deserved to go home as much as any of us.

NHS participates in the National “Walkout”

Erica Brennan
Staff Writer

On Feb. 14, 2018, a day meant to celebrate love and companionship, a high school student open fired in his own high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 17 and wounding others. The tragedy caused students to start a movement, beginning with a student walk out planned for March 14, a month after the shooting. Across the nation, students made plans to leave their classrooms at 10 a.m. for 17 minutes, one minute for each of the victims.. With this walkout, most students want congress to pass stricter gun-control laws, including banning assault weapons and requiring deeper background checks. 
  Many schools announced that they would not penalize their students for participating in this act, as students  have a First Amendment right to free assembly. They want to ensure that it is organized and safe and promotes a positive message. New Hope-Solebury will be one of the many schools who is participating in the movement, as administration stressed that we will not be disciplined.
  At approximately 10 a.m., Mr. Seier’s asked for a moment of silence for the victims. After the silence, students were able to participate in the walkout or stay in class. Police were present to ensure everything moved smoothly, while local press also attended to get coverage. A mass majority of students walked from their classrooms to the bleachers on the track and listened attentively as students read speeches they had prepared for the shooting victims. Students wrote short paragraphs about each of the Parkland’s individuals hobbies, passions and future goals in life, ending with the phrase “enough is enough.” Each person spoke with strong emotion and true sympathy resonated from their words and actions. Later, controversy broke out as New Hope’s Free Press published an article with the title “New Hope-Solebury Students Rally To End Gun Violence.” Some students were upset the walkout was labeled as gun-centered, when the school vowed not to take any political stance.  Junior John Mangan tweeted in response to the article; “The event was advertised throughout the school as apolitical and in honor of the victims from the shooting in Florida. There was no mention of pushing gun legislation. A more appropriate title would be: New Hope-Solebury students gather to honor victims.” Students continue to speak out about how this walk out was purely to remember these individuals, rather than for a political   reason such as gun control.

Trump implements steel and aluminum tariffs, exempts Mexico and Canada

Peter Thompson
Staff Writer

Trump signed import tariffs March 15, adding a 25% increase on all steel imports coming into the US. Trump has described the import of foreign steel over domestic manufacturers as “an assault on our country” and pressed that domestic production of steel “was a matter of national security” as he seeks to target numerous countries regarding business and trading practices that harm American interests. However this move has raised concern in his own party over retaliation from other countries. Even Canada and Mexico whom are exempt from the tariffs have voiced discontent over the tariffs believing Washington will use them as leverage in the NAFTA talks.
 Mexico’s Economic minister commented that NAFTA talks would be “independent“ of Trump’s tariffs.
 Canada had a warmer reception to the news however vowed to press Washington until the threat of tariffs disappeared.
 While this bill primarily targets American trading partners around the world, Trump’s interests lie in China, whose steel imports to the US are estimated to be four percent of the total steel used in the US market. China’s commerce minister said Beijing was “resolutely opposed” and that the tariffs would “seriously impact the normal order of international trade.”
 According to Politifact even a micronation such as Taiwan rivals China in US steel exports at an estimated 3.2 percent, in comparison to the European Union (14.55%) and Canada (16.46).
 Another factor that has gone unaccounted for was the effects these tariffs would have in America’s consumer goods industry, commodities that require steel for manufacturing such as home appliances, machinery and car manufacturers would suffer under the new tariffs. The new tariffs are set to take effect in 15 days.   

Mane Event talent show proves to be better than the Gong Show

Chloe Miller and Stella Kelley

Staff Writers

On the second to last day of Spirit Week, student government put on the annual Spirit Week talent show for students. In previous years, the talent show incorporated aspects of a gong show, however, this year the gong was eliminated and guidelines were put in place for the amount of acts each grade needed to have. Each grade needed to have one act that involved lip syncing, one act that involved dancing, and one act that involved some sort of an unusual talent. Students from each grade also participated in “Minute to Win It” inspired competitions, such as stacking cups and shaking ping pong balls out of a box, known as “junk in the trunk.”
 The results were tight, with Blue starting off strong - sweeping the first four challenges - however Gold soon started to catch up with some creative and original acts, such as an usual act done by Valentina Washbusch and Mackenzie Meyers, a hand clapping dance routine by a group of junior girls, and a lip sync to a song mashup performed by Logan Waterman, Mike Borys, Thomas Raupp and Zach Griffiths. However, the Blue team ultimately prevailed over the Gold team, with the final score coming to 100-60 points. The Blue team earned points towards their victory by sweeping the “Minute to Win It” challenges, as well as a dance routine by a group of senior girls, a lip syncing performance by Kevin Dougherty, Matt Benda, and Hunter Pala, and a dance routine by senior Bernie Del Prado, and freshmen Riley Bultimier, Travis Gawason, and Jonah Silberman.
 Overall, reviews of this year’s talent show compared to last year’s gong show were positive. A senior, Charlotte Taylor, said that this year’s talent show was “much better compared to last year. I liked that we got to see every act all the way through instead of them being interrupted by a gong.” Sophomore Connor Fitzgerald also gave rave reviews, saying that “the talent show this year was much more organized than it was in the past. Having each grade perform an act in each category gave the show much structure and made it more enjoyable to watch than in past years.”

New Hope’s prom venue returns

Chloe Miller and Stella Kelley
Staff Writers

Last year, juniors and seniors travelled to the Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn to have their 2017 prom. The Cairnwood Estate consists of a main house, adjacent courtyard, garden house, and formal gardens. The estate was built in 1892 and has been preserved since then.
  In the days after prom last year, many students voiced concerns about two main issues; the food and the layout of the venue. The menu last year consisted of salad, chicken, pasta, and a sushi bar. Although the sushi bar got mostly rave reviews, students claimed the chicken was dry and lacked flavor, and that the salad had an odd taste.
  Students were also concerned with the layout of the venue. The Cairnwood Estate has multiple rooms where tables were placed, which often made people feel isolated and far from their friends on a night that is all about being with people you enjoy being around. Many students are hoping that this year, there will be more flow and connectivity throughout the venue to make everyone feel more comfortable.
  While last year’s theme of Fairytale made for a perfectly decorated venue with delicate lights, pastel colors, relaxing candles, and beautiful tulips, this year’s Gatsby theme will ensure that the “same old venue” is completely different. Many of the decorations and ideas for bringing this Gatsby party to life are currently confidential to the junior class officers and prom committee, however Junior Class President Larissa Borys states, “We are going back to the ‘Roaring 20’s’, which is exciting because most students have read The Great Gatsby and now they get to experience it too.”
  Additionally, there will be a photo booth, with theme-fitting photo booth wear and accessories. The layout of the prom will be very different from last year’s and the officers have guaranteed “plenty of gold, glitter, feathers, and jazzy music.” This year’s prom seems like it will definitely be the “party of the century!”

Survey Says: Mr. Achenbach scored a successful debut as Family Feud host

Jen Abele
Features Editor

Feb. 28- During the heart of Spirit Week in the NHS auditorium, Mr. Achenbach entertained both the Blue and Gold teams with his comical debut as host of the Family Feud.
 Family Feud is a game show where there are four students from both teams competing to win points by answering rounds of questions whose answers were provided by the faculty. Each Family Feud team represents the rest of the Blue or Gold team to earn Spirit Week points. This year, teams rotated every two rounds, and were replaced with different teams to increase participation. Participants were required to keep their phones on the table face down to prevent cheating. Each round was worth 1 point,  the overall award was 50 points, and the Blue team won Family Feud.
 With his sharp wit, organization, and jocular personality, Mr. Achenbach was the perfect host for Family Feud, outdoing Richard Dawson. He has the originality that a comedic game show requires. His jokes weren’t unprofessional or obnoxious. The show mirrored Mr. Achenbach, and was a perfect treat that left you wanting more. It was an awesome show to add for Spirit Week, and will be in high demand for a long time.

Spirit week once again proves to be the best week in the school year

Riley Brennan
Co-Editor-In-Chief

As a senior in high school, I have now participated in four spirit weeks at New Hope. Win or lose, it has consistently been the best week at school.
  A common complaint among students at New Hope is the lack of school spirit and overall attitude that has a tendency to develop towards the school. However, this is never the case during Spirit Week. From Monday to Friday, students show up dressed to fit the various themes (which can be seen in this issue), get involved in all of the activities during and after school, decorate their assigned hallways, and raise money for charity while doing so!
  While attendance at sports games and other activities throughout the year may lack, during Spirit Week, hundreds of students come out for the annual events, such as the Luau, Open Gym night, hallway decorating, Volleyball tournament, and the “I <3 Techno” dance (when snow doesn’t interfere, that is).
  And with this increase of involvement, comes an increase of school spirit and excitement. This means that students bond more than ever and develop an overall sense of comradery with their teammates. The late night hallway decorating, creating acts for the talent show, rooting for each other in the Volleyball tournaments, and cheering each other on during the final games on Friday brings not only entire grade levels closer together, but allows students to get to know teammates in other grades. While negative opinions choose to focus on the division that tends to occur between the students who are on the gold team and blue team, the amount of teamwork and bonding that goes on within each team often goes unnoticed.
  Because so many students become very passionate about Spirit Week, tensions tend to rise amongst students. This can create the occasional drama or lapse in judgement. But, this only occurs because the students care so much about Spirit Week; which makes sense when the amount of effort and time students put into having a fun, and hopefully triumphant, week is factored in. It’s because of how much students care that the week is a success. If no one cared, there would be no participation in games or other activities, no fun memories created, no school spirit generated, no money raised for charity, and eventually, no Spirit Week.
  The Spirit Week I came to know as a freshman has changed in both slight and drastic ways, for better and for worse. But throughout these changes, the amount of enthusiasm for the best week at New Hope has never ceased. And while there are sure to be more changes in the future, I can only hope that the main aspects of Spirit Week stay the same for students to come: teamwork, school spirit, and giving to others.