North Korean Claim on Testing Hydrogen Bomb

Jack Slominski & Jonah Slominski

Staff Writers

On January 6, North Korea bragged about a “spectacular success” of one of its first testings of a hydrogen bomb. This was carried out by leader Kim Jong Un, who said on state television that this will “make the world...look up to our strong nuclear country.”

 There is some speculations about whether this testing actually occurred. Norsar, a group that monitors nuclear testing, estimated, based on seismic readings, states that the explosion was far less of an actual hydrogen bomb that was previously tested in 2013. The group later stated that the testing took place deep underground, and it would be difficult to monitor the radiation levels created by this bomb.

 Mike Chinoy, a person located at the University of Southern California’s U.S.-China institute states that, “evidence seems to suggest it wasn’t a full hydrogen bomb.” He also stated that with every test, North Korea comes closer to having the ability of miniaturizing nuclear weapons and to equip them onto long range weapons. He said, “whether this was a full H-Bomb or not, it is still a worrying development.”

 The United Nations security council, which is consisted of 15 countries, including superpowers Russia, China, and the United States, met on Wednesday, Jan. 7, to discuss how to prevent North Korea from getting more nuclear weapons and how North Korea should be punished for its testing. The U.N previously imposed embargos on North Korea, but those so far have not stopped North Korea from testing nuclear weapons. It will be interesting to not only see whether or not North Korea actually tested a hydrogen bomb, but how the world reacts if the testings did actually happen. If previous U.N embargos did not stop nuclear testing, maybe stronger and stricter punishments need to be handed out.

 On January 9, North Korea called for a peace treaty with the United States and an end to U.S military exercises in South Korea. The United States State Department responded, saying it is still open for dialogue between the two countries, but North Korea would have to show steps towards denuclearization. The U.S still has joint military activities with South Korea, since technically North and South Korea are still in a state of war, as the conflict from 1950-1953 ended with a truce, not a peace treaty. How North Korea reacts to this remains to be seen, and it will be interesting to see what happens as this goes on.

Thon 2016 raises energy levels

by Alexandra Mangano

Staff Writer

In 1973, a group of students from Penn State University created THON to add excitement to their year. They wanted to give back to their community. Today, PSU has the longest dance marathon in the country that lasts a total of 46 hours. Penn State’s THON has grown to engage several other university, high school, middle school, and elementary students to raise money for pediatric cancer. New Hope Solebury high school is one of the schools that does THON.

 The night started out with a THON dance in the high school gym. It lasted from 7-10:30 p.m. After 8 p.m., no more students were able to come in. At 10:30 p.m., the hotline bling video premiered. Several teachers were in the video and it was very funny. Throughout the 12 hours of THON there were several activities in the high school gym alone. There was an open gym from 11-12. Starting at 12 a.m. and ending at 1 a.m., there was a guest speaker and lmbo. Jump the donut was played from 1-2 a.m. and hot potato and musical chairs was played from 2-3 a.m. The hula hoopers competed from 3-4 a.m.  Lastly, twister and bobbing for apples was done from 4-5 a.m.

 The middle school gym had an abundance of activities as well. Dodgeball, handball, Star Wars, soccer, life size hungry hippo and student sumo wrestling were played until the early hours of the morning. Delicious food and drinks were available in the cafeteria the whole THON experience.

 One of the most exciting things about THON was the hoverboard competition. To be eligible to win, students interested had to participate in specific games. The games included were limbo, hot potato, musical chairs and the hula hoop competition. Three winners from each game played a game of twister. The three students who win twister bobbed for apples to decide who won the hoverboard. Tobi Oliveira defeated Grace Wu and Michael Iverson.

 THON was an amazing experience that raised over $13,000 to fight pediatric cancer. I can confidently say everyone left with great memories that they will remember for a long time.

Russian plane crashes in Sinai, Egypt

Lexi Anderson

News Editor

On October 31, a Russian plane crashed in Sinai, Egypt, killing all 224 passengers aboard. Now, the exact cause of this disastrous event is being investigated, causing an uproar of conflicting ideas.

 The plane was en route to St.Petersburg, Russia from Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt when it crashed. About 25 minutes into the flight, the plane suddenly plummeted and disappeared from radar. The wreckage from the plane was spread over an 8 square mile piece of desert, evidence that the plane had disintegrated before it fell towards the ground. A memorial service was held in St. Petersburg at the city's St. Isaac's Cathedral. The cathedral bell was rung 224 times, in memory of each victim. So far, the remains of 58 victims have been identified through DNA testing.

 The source of the crash is still a mystery, although opinions and ideas have been circulating. President Obama thinks that there may have been a bomb on the plane, while Britain has jumped to an even more extreme idea that terrorists were behind the crash. Hossam Kamal, the Egyptian minister of civil aviation, is urging against jumping to conclusions so soon, saying that there is no evidence of a bombing. Egypt also isn’t revealing any information about the event to Western journalists, hoping to keep such accusations from developing.   However, American military officials have satellite footage of a flash of light occurring when the plane broke into pieces, proving that it had to have been blown up in some way, with one of the officials stating that it was 99.9% certain.

 In light of these events, President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi is trying his hardest to prevent any negative publicity from circulating regarding terrorists or poor airport security. Vladimir Putin is working to dismiss the idea that the crash had anything to do with Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria. Britain, on the other hand, is using this crash as an opportunity to shed light on Russia’s indecent involvement in the Syrian conflict.

 While the cause of the plane crash is still unknown, investigations are continuing every day to determine the root of the problem. In the meantime, different countries will use this crash as means to benefit themselves, or to place blame on another country.

Contributed by Alexandra Buchler

Troops in Afghanistan continue to serve until 2017

Bernadette del Prado and Parker Miele

Staff Writers

On October 15, 2015, Barack Obama, announced that the United States national troops stationed in Afghanistan would continue serving there at least until 2017, the end of Obama’s term, but could possibly be stationed there for longer. The continuing issue of the Taliban, ISIS, and other terrorist associations rose in the Middle-Eastern area, yet there have been a multitude of possible solutions that have not yet been established.

Obama claimed, “To the Afghan people, who have suffered so much – Americans’ commitment to you and to a secure, stable and unified Afghanistan, that remains firm … And as you defend and build your country, today is a reminder that the United States keeps our commitments.”  The main objective of the stationed U.S. troops in Afghanistan is to train Afghan soldiers, as well as make alliances with their national forces to create a stronger military to go against terrorists groups in Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan. The Afghan military do not obtain an air force, a stable medical evacuation system, nor experienced training. The stationed troops in Afghanistan will create a more significant and beneficial relationship with the United States and Middle-Eastern nations suffering with the existence of terrorists groups in the country.

In 2001, approximately 100,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Currently, the U.S. obtains 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, and will attempt to maintain at least 5,500 to remain in Afghanistan. Withdrawal of troops was a constant dilemma with stationed soldiers in Afghanistan, but finally had the solution to reduce the amount, as the national military is experiencing the dilemma of medical limitations and having too many military forces, Obama hopes that this many troops will protect individuals from terrorist attacks through Asia and Africa.

Although all these very respected individuals have to experience a multitude of hardships being about from the thousands of emotional families, the troops have the job to serve our nation and play influential roles for our future generations.

Deer storms campus

Anna Sirianni

Editor-in-Chief

A deer charged through a pack of football players before the team’s practice on Oct. 8 at approximately 2:45 p.m. The team chased the deer as it ran from the woods near the weight room and past Junior Victoria Kalinovich.

 “I thought it was coming at me, but it wasn’t. Then it fell like three feet in front of me and made a big noise,” Kalinovich said. “I was actually terrified.”

 The deer ran into the library courtyard, which is a dead end. It was trapped as the football team quickly formed a crowd around it.

 “The deer kept hitting the walls of the school,” said Senior football player Alec Coburn.

 Within seconds, the deer charged through the crowd and back towards the weight room. The football team chased it away while shouting. Senior Cameron Skoroda filmed the deer’s escape with his iPhone.

 “I don’t know why we chased the deer...That thing came flying at us,” Coburn said.  

 “I don’t think [chasing the deer] was a good idea. It was on school property,” Kalinovich said.

 Deer are most active in September and October, so it is easier to spot deer at this time of year, even on campus.

Freshmen Visit Middle Bucks Institute of Technology

Alexandra Buchler

Staff Writer

The freshmen visited the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology to discover new career fields they may be interested in on Oct. 14. With career training in cosmetology, culinary arts, mechanics, movie making, child care, computer technology, construction, human health services, and more, MBIT is an extremely diverse trade school. Students heard the teachers in each department speak about their classes, giving a small overview of each individual course. Each class counts as credits towards college, and up to 18 credits can be earned.

 “It was cool to see how there was an actual daycare where students can go one-on-one with actual kids,” said Jordyn Sherman.

 “Me and some of my friends were really interested in the medicine department,” said Jon Li.

 “I never knew cosmetology could be so complicated!” said Lauren Adler.

The students toured MBIT in groups, each led by someone who worked there. The tour guides answered any questions the students had. All of the departments had people with all different experiences. Tours were in the morning and the students were there from 8:30 to 10:30. Most groups did not get around to all 23 programs, but MBIT is having an open house night in January for all students who wish to visit each program and receive a thorough explanation of the courses.

Hope for Haunted Woods

Julianna Slominski and Jack Slominski

Staff Writer

Rumor has it this will be the last haunted woods. With renovations occurring throughout the school, the woods are bound to be cut down. However, Mr. G said, “It won’t all be cut down.”

 If Mr. G’s prediction pulls through, then haunted woods will face changes. It is most likely that the route will be redirected throughout the remainder of the woods. With a smaller amount of space, is it going to be too cramped? Bernadette Del Prado said, “I don’t want to be able to hear or see what is going to happen before I even get to it.”

 Mr. Sherman is disappointed for what is going to happen to the haunted woods, but excited for his new workout room to take its place. Students question if it is worth it for new shiny equipment and more space.

 “If this plan were to follow through, then we all would feel something missing during the month of October,” said Parker Meile. He worries that the land is not being put to good use.

 As for this year, students have been working hard to make it the best year yet. Each section follows the central theme inspired from the hit TV series American Horror Story.

 Each grade level decided on a season from the show to decorate their section in the woods. The order isn’t the same as the previous years. The sophomore class has chose the first section similar to they did last year. Will they be brave and find new places to spook you or can you remember where they were hiding last year? The freshman follow the sophomore taking the second part and the seniors claimed the third spot leaving the juniors with the last section. All grade levels are hopeful for a frightful haunted woods this year.