Sports

Boys Lacrosse & Softball

Page 3

Seniors 2016

College Enrollment

Page 7

Inside Sports Page 3 AG Life Page 4 Art Show Page 6

The Devil’s Herald

Avon Grove High School, West Grove, Pa.

AG COMMUNITY

Thursday, May 26, 2016

SENIORS

Volume 17 Issue 9

AG Talks advise, teach, and Stand-out connect past and current seniors discuss students success By Emily Lytle Senior Editor

dents who are in the same shoes as she was when she graduated from Avon Grove in 2015. This giving-back attitude seemed to drive the event. The founder of the inaugural AG Talks, Marcus Forst, “wanted to give

college. That community came piling through the doors as soon as they opened at 6:30p.m. Despite this While entering through the familiar major outpouring, the organizers, front doors, greeting recognizable led by Marcus’ mother Mrs. Forst, faces, and hearing the everyday had all attendees moving in quicksqueak of those comforting ly, even using a link on the auditorium chairs; parents, school website to sign people grandparents, alumni, and in faster. current students found themAll alumni and current stuselves in foreign lands, givdents were encouraged to ing birth to Ghanaian babies, wear name tags that included learning about the spirits of their graduating year, as well, Indonesian music, confrontto stimulate conversation—a ing social problems on the major focus of the talks. Internet, and changing the As audience members way they think about thinking moved towards the doors to and speaking. the high school auditorium, Although the audience alumni were seen embracing did not exactly book any and reconnecting already. last minute flights across the But, their excited chatter globe the evening of May 16, would soon be silenced as the event came alive through Marcus Forst took the stage, the power of storytelling. standing in front of a projecThe AG Talks­­—a commution screen, on it: AG Talks. nity alumni-networking event The presentation aspect of organized by alums Marcus the event was inspired by AP Forst and Emily McCarthy— Talks, which had its pilot run introduced the audience to during Marcus’ junior year. new perceptions and opporThey were studying TED -Photo by Emily Lytle Talks, and turned to their AP tunities, especially concernDaphne Bonner discusses political correctness at the English Language teacher ing life after high school. Caroline Hannon, an first AG Talks on May 16. Mrs. Buono, asking, “Why alumnus speaking on behalf can’t we do this?” Buono exof sororities during the reception back to the community in some plained. and booths portion of the event, way,” and show how well Avon said she wanted to speak to stu- Grove prepares its students for SEE AG TALKS PAGE 5

SUMMER WORK

Summer assignments prepare students for their upcoming year By Cheyenne Lauesen Staff Writer

Reading the novels, small group discussions on the book, and teacher encouragement “may be essential components to success” in the classroom according to the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional As-

mer reading loss.” This is also why the amount of homework assigned is based Papers are scattered, textbooks on the course level a student will flipped open to important pagtake. In honors and AP courses, es, pens uncapped, highlighters the workload is more than it is in in hand, and comfy clothes on. a college prep or standards class. Stress can be felt from This occurs a mile from the room. because the levThis is what last minel of difficulty in ute summer homework AP and honors looks like. classes is more Many students comthan in college plain about summer prep or standards assignments, which classes. is understandable “In advanced because there is no courses, the asschool. So why, if class signments help isn’t in session, do students get teachers assign homeready for the dework? manding work to Keeping the brain come and, once sharp is one. With two classes begin, aland a half months off lows teachers to for summer vacation jump quickly into and not a lot of learna jam-packed -Photo by Cheyenne Lauesen ing, students can lose curriculum,” said Students entering Honors English 10 read some of these books last year. a lot if their brains arLeslie Postal, en’t stimulated. a journalist for Math problems, history ques- sistance. school and education at the Ortions, English reading, are all They believe that many stu- lando Sentinel. examples of assignments that a dents “experience a decline in “Students are going to have student must do to prepare for the reading comprehension over the some summer work so you next school year. summer months, known as sumSEE SUMMER WORK PAGE 4

By Lauren Patel Staff Writer

The four years of high school are what you make of them, and some students, such as seniors Amanda Addiego, Kyle Denton, and Chris Arencibia have taken these past four years to their advantage in order to reach great achievements. As the class of 2016 valedictorian, Amanda Addiego exemplifies high school success. “Since I started high school,

py program. Overall, Addiego has enjoyed high school because it allowed her not only to succeed and become involved, but also because she had been able to “meet people, share experiences with them, and build friendships that will last a lifetime.” Next fall, Addiego plans to take her talents to Notre Dame University to major in biological sciences with a premedical track. She plans to continue on to medical school, to achieve her ultimate goal of becoming a surgeon.

-Photo by Lauren Patel Kyle Denton, salutatorian, and Amanda Addiego, valedictorian, pose together. I had hoped I would be able to achieve valedictorian because I have always wanted to challenge myself and to achieve as much as I could,” shared Addiego. However, achieving high goals does not come without consistently putting in hard work. “I had learned not to expect anything, because I knew it would not be easy. I just focused each day on doing the best that I could knowing the rest would work itself out,” she said. Addiego attributes her intense work ethic to her level of ambition and dedication. “Ambition is necessary to want to achieve and have the intrinsic motivation to get there. Dedication was also essential for me because in any endeavor there will be setbacks and problems, but I learned to persevere and to become more determined to learn and grow from my experiences when I made mistakes,” explained Addiego. Her ambition and dedication have not only helped her achieve in school, but in other areas of life as well. Throughout high school, she has participated in a variety of activities, including: Leo Club, Chemistry Club, cheerleading, orchestra, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she is an avid piano player, and even uses these talents to participate in the Christiana Hospital’s music thera-

“I am looking forward to meeting so many people in college and forging new friendships,” she said. “There is a great sense of spirit and community at Notre Dame that I am excited to become a part of.” Kyle Denton, salutatorian of the class of 2016, is another example of a student who took advantage of his time in high school, and used it to achieve incredible success. “From the very start it was a goal of mine to be either one or two [in the class], but freshman year, when there weren’t any class ranks yet, I saw so many other smart and deserving people that I thought I barely had a chance in the top ten,” explained Denton. However, Denton did not let his early doubts get in the way of continuing to pursue his goal. “I was really surprised, but also elated, when I saw that I was number three at the end of freshman year. That was when I realized that being in the top two was a real possibility and it was definitely a motivator for me to continue working hard because I was so close to my goal already,” said Denton. Denton, like Addiego, also attributes his academic success to his determination and perseverance. “There’s just a part of me that never lets me turn in something that’s half done. Even if I have to SEE SENIORS PAGE 7

NEWS / OPINION PAGE 2

The Devil’s Herald

HIGH SCHOOL LIFE

AG CLUBS

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Ms. Livingston reflects on NHS raises money for first year at AG Twilight Wish Foundation By Aimee Feuda Staff Writer

Your first time doing anything is always scary. But for Ms. Kara Livingston, it was a learning experience not only for her, but for her students as well. This school year, Ms. Livingston became a full time art teacher at Avon Grove High School, but she got her start as an educator much earlier in her life. Livingston went to Central York High School and continued her education at James Madison University in Virginia. She started her major in art history, “mainly because my parents were teachers and I was anti-teaching, and then I realized art education was the career path I wanted to take. I liked being around people and interacting, so I changed to art education.” A career in art education seemed to come naturally to her. “I realized in college that everything I’d been doing in high school had been centered around helping others, and I like helping others. That’s kind of what I’m passionate about,” said Livingston. One of the first things every teacher must learn is patience. Ms. Livingston admitted that patience is not her virtue, but patience with people is. She learned how to allow student creativity while structuring it around the curriculum with unique projects, like casting in AP Art History and pinch pot whistles in ceramics. A goal of hers is to change

projects each semester to create more interest in the class. Avon Grove is a unique school and when entering it, you have to learn its ways. Ms. Livingston became accustomed by “lots of questions and lots of watching,” she said. By watching and seeing what she needed to ask, it helped her understand how the art program was run. The best thing about being an art teacher? “The students, because when they get excited about the projects, you can be excited about the projects,” she said. Her enthusiasm is very evident as well. “She knows how to work with us and how to explain what to do with the clay,” said one of her former students Kelly O’Hora. Obstacles are something everyone must overcome when experiencing something new. Ms. Livingston had “big shoes to fill” as well because she was replacing long time art teacher Mrs. Locke. But her positivity and energy quickly made her a well-liked instructor. Another challenge she faced was music. “Some students don’t want to listen to the music we play even though we pick the music together,” she said. However, helping less creative students may be the most difficult obstacle of all. “It’s trying to help them, but not telling them what idea to go with because you want to help guide them to where they should feel

By Liam Blakey Staff Writer

-Photo by Aimee Feuda Ms. Livingston poses in the kiln room in front of ceramic projects. comfortable with and keeping up their enthusiasm,” said Livingston. As her first year comes to a close, she reflects on the memories that were made: “Having all the wonderful and positive energy from the students is the best memory you can have because you can see their excitement about their projects and you can see how much they’ve learned. You know that they’ll remember you as a teacher in a good way.” Currently, Ms. Livingston is working on earning her master’s degree. After that, she plans on getting her administrative certification. “As of right now I just know that I’m very happy and content doing what I’m doing,” she said.

Twilight Wish is an organization created by Cass Forkin. Avon Grove’s National Honor Society has been fundraising for the Twilight Wish Foundation for the last few years. The idea for Twilight Wish is to look for people who are 68 or older and who also earn less than 200% of the poverty level annually. They also must live in a nursing facility. The Twilight Wish Foundation then attempts to grant a wish for this particular person. On January 16, 2004, it began as a local organization that granted wishes for the elderly. Since that first wish, the Twilight Wish Foundation has granted over 1,940 wishes. On average, the foundation grants one wish every other day. For instance, Dorothy Potts, a Pennsylvania resident, recently got her wish granted: to see her whole family once again. While it did begin as a local organization, that did not stop it from spreading across the country. Nor did it stop the Avon Grove’s National Honor Society from taking notice. When the club heard of the Twilight Wish Foundation, Avon Grove’s National Honor Society

decided to begin to fundraise for it. “It’s a group we found three or four years ago that we decided we would kind of adopt them as our cause,” said Mrs. Weyman, a National Honor Society club advisor. Ever since that decision four years ago, the National Honor Society has continued to fundraise for the Twilight Wish Foundation. A large part of the money they get for the foundation comes from private donations and donations from businesses within the community. They were only able to fundraise four times this year; one time being at the Food Truck fundraiser. While this did put a bit of a dent in their goal, they made up for it by selling food throughout the spring. While they might have not had many opportunities to fundraise, this did not seem to intimidate the NHS students. They doubled their goal by making a total of $2,000 to give to the Twilight Wish Foundation. They even talked about expanding their fundraising opportunities in the future, though nothing is set in stone. “We should be able to help 40 residences at the Luther House over in Jennersville,” said Mrs. Weyman.

Opinion

Opinion content in The Devil’s Herald expresses the singular view of the writer. The Devil’s Herald invites letters to the editor. Please email Mr. Gregory ([email protected]).

Seniors offer insight into high school life By Cassie Billig Staff Writer

As high school is coming to a close for the year, the class of 2016 will not be returning, and instead will be continuing on their journey in life. One of the most stressed topics amongst those who were interviewed was that students should try and get involved in as many things as possible. “Participate and try as many things as you can because you’re bound to like at least one of those things,” stated senior Emma Beck, who has participated in multiple sports and clubs throughout high school. By getting involved, people will find new things that they love to do and meet new people, which can create strong friendships built from a common ground. “Getting yourself involved in a lot of different things can expand friendships. Some of my best friends through high school were the people I met through being in clubs and sports,” said senior Lexie Dixson, who has played field hockey all four years and participated in SADD, NHS, and the German Club. One of the most useful classes has proven to be keyboarding. Although that may seem boring on a surface level, it is shown to be a useful acquired skill that can be used in any class and, in general, any type of life scenario.

A group of seniors pose for a class photo on Class Pride Day. “Everyone should take keyboarding class. When we had to type essays in Honors English in tenth grade, I was able to type a lot more and a lot faster. I can type without looking now, and it’s a really good skill that I’ve learned while I’ve been in high school because I use it nearly every day,” said Beck. If students have the opportunity to take AP courses, they should consider their options thoroughly. From experience, some students have learned what they can and cannot handle. “Everyone should try and take AP courses, but only if you’re interested in them because if not it’ll be a lot harder on you,” explained senior Hailey Maxwell. Although everyone must understand their own personal lim-

itations, everyone should continue to challenge themselves, even after high school. “You need to challenge yourself because when you graduate you want to be able to be proud of what you’ve accomplished and have future goals,” said senior Zoe Pawliczek. Many also believe that people should not be afraid to try new things because they may regret it in the end. “I wish that I would have gotten involved in the Robotics Club because it seems very useful and it seems like it would have been really interesting to be a part of,” said senior Jack Hollingsworth. Dixson explained that when she was younger, she had a difficult time trying to maintain an even balance between excelling

-Photo by Cassie Billig in her academics and having a steady social life, which many others agreed on. “It’s really important to have a good balance between your social life and academics. Sometimes you just need to say no to your friends and just focus on academics when you know you have to,” said Dixson. But when the stress builds up, personal days are necessary, at least in the eyes of the students. “If you need to take a personal day, don’t ever be afraid to do it. You won’t do well that day anyways if you don’t feel good and your head’s not in the right place,” explained Maxwell. Maxwell went on to continue saying that she wished that she would have taken some time to herself when she was younger

because she thinks it would have helped her be less stressed in the end when things started piling up. Looking towards the future, many seniors have come to realize that no one can have their future set in stone and it’s OK not to know. “If you don’t know what you want to do with your future yet, it’s OK. Declaring a major can sometimes be limiting early on. The problem I had in high school was that I felt like I had to choose a path and stay on it even though I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what I liked,” explained Dixson. And even more so, everyone will make some mistakes in their decision making. What really matters is how a person can deal with and process their decisions. “You’re going to make mistakes and you’re not always going to have the answer. Nobody can be perfect,” said Dixson. “In general when you make a decision, you need to be aware of the consequences of that decision. You need to weigh the risks versus the outcomes of the situations,” advised Maxwell. With the seniors moving on, they advise all underclassmen to focus on their school work, while also maintaining a structured balance with their lives. Growing older brings on more responsibilities, but making mistakes is a part of the process.

This Week in Sports

Today

PIAA District 1 Boys Lacrosse Championship at Henderson, 6:00p.m.

May 27

May 31

PIAA District 1 Softball Quarterfinals

PIAA District 1 Softball SemiFinals

June 1

PIAA District 1 Boys Lacrosse First Round

For more information visit http://avongrove.digitalsports.com/

Herald Sports

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Ches-Mont Champs!

Page 3

Teams finish with near perfection, overcoming early defeats SOFTBALL

BOYS LACROSSE

Boys lax continues historic Softball looks for greater season with Ches-Mont title success in districts By Sean Goodwin Staff Writer

The boys lacrosse team clinched the ChesMont title after a 10-0 win at West Chester East. With the win, the team improved to 16-1 on the season, which is their best record in school history. Freshmen Zach Augustine led the way with 3 goals and an assist. Junior Doug Jones and sophomore Jake Smith added 2 goals apiece and sophomore goalie Andrew Spencer had 7 saves in the shutout. With an Upper Dublin loss to Springfield-Delco, the Red Devils secured the number one overall seed in the District 1 tournament. “I think a good amount [of the team’s success] is because we have been playing together for so long and we also get along very well with one another and it translates onto the field as a whole,” said junior defenseman Brayden Peck. The team has won 16 consecutive games entering the District playoffs and a lot of credit is given to the goaltending. Goaltenders Kevin Malone and Andrew Spencer switch every game but that does not take away from the team’s success. “I always knew I could trust both goalies and they have proven themselves this year,” said Peck. “I feel that Andrew and I have a great relationship. Every time we get our chance to play we always want to win and play our hardest. I consider us family,” said Malone on his relationship with Spencer. The team had major goals entering the season and are doing everything they can to achieve them. “Our first goal was to win the ChesMont and now that we achieved that we now have a goal of winning the district,” said Peck. Even with the goal in sight, they are not

AG Boys Lacrosse Regular Season Record (15-1)

March 26 at Spring-Ford L, 9-3 March 29 at Garnet Valley W, 15-14 April 7 vs. Unionville W, 16-4 April 9 at Ridley W, 8-3 April 11 vs. Central Bucks East W, 8-5 April 14 vs. Great Valley W, 11-3 April 19 vs. Sun Valley W, 16-1 April 21 at Kennett W, 16-1 April 23 at Conestoga W, 15-8 April 26 at D’town East W, 10-4 April 28 vs. D’town West W, 14-2 April 30 at Upper Dublin W, 6-5 May 3 at Bishop Shanahan W, 9-5 May 5 vs. Henderson W, 6-3 May 10 vs. Rustin W, 13-3 May 12 at W.C. East W, 10-0 losing focus. “We are taking it game by game and not getting ahead of ourselves,” said Peck. Not everything is going the Red Devils’ way as senior captain Nick Cardile went down with a torn ACL in the win against West Chester East. Cardile is a star on the team and is committed to playing lacrosse for Penn State University. “Nick is truly an outstanding player and we know he will be at every practice and game cheering us on. We absolutely love Nick and support him as we hope for the best,” said Malone.

-Photo courtesy of Jeff Kerr All 11 seniors on the team smile for a picture after their senior night win against West Chester East on May 12.

By Vincent Garguilo Staff Writer

The Avon Grove girls softball team have dominated their division this season. The girls learned how to work with each other and their new head coach Mike Deluzio. “His philosophy about the game is very different than our previous coach. He focuses more on the mental aspect than the physical aspect. There have been plenty of ups and downs which is to be expected because he’s getting to know all the girls and everything. His philosophy is definitely helpful to the girls,” junior second baseman Megan Nolan said. Yet, his philosophy did seem to help the girls this year as they are 18-2 this season and earned their third straight Ches-Mont championship. “We have been really trying to improve our bats this entire season, but we are going to try and manufacture more runs. So that means bunting more, sacrificing at bats to get runners into scoring positions and just really trying to execute,” Nolan said about how the girls are starting to prepare for the playoffs. Nolan feels that a key element that helped them win this season was senior pitcher Maggie Balint. “Maggie is not only an outstanding pitcher, but an awesome teammate and co-captain. Working with her is such a great thing. Her love for this sport rubs off on all of our players, and she helps our team in every way on and off the field,” Nolan said. “Without Maggie we probably wouldn’t have won as many games. I mean, we are good but Maggie is a key player and pitcher for us,” said sophomore first baseman Ally Wallauer.

AG Softball Regular Season Record (18-2)

March 29 vs. Henderson L, 4-1 March 30 at Unionville W, 7-0 April 1 vs. West Chester East W, 10-0 April 5 at Coatesville W, 4-1 April 6 vs. Kennett W, 10-0 April 8 at Conestoga W, 16-1 April 11 at West Chester East W, 2-0 April 13 vs. Bishop Shanahan W, 8-0 April 15 vs. Coatesville W, 1-0 April 18 at D’town East W, 4-0 April 22 vs. Octorara Area W, 10-0 April 25 at Oxford W, 1-0 April 27 vs. D’town West L, 4-3 April 29 at Henderson W, 1-0 May 2 vs. D’town East W, 4-3 May 4 at Sun Valley W, 8-2 May 9 vs. Great Valley W, 1-0 May 11 at D’town West W, 6-2 May 12 at Bishop Shanahan W, 13-0 May 16 at Rustin W, 4-2

-Photo courtesy of Jenn Balint The softball team poses for a picture after winning the Ches-Mont championship.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 26, 2016

PROM 2016

Senior Prom Friday, June 10, 6:00p.m.

AGHS Graduation

Monday, June 13, 7:00p.m. Bob Carpenter Center, University of Delaware

Tuesday, June 14

AG Life

Juniors dance the night away By Faith Lipford Staff Writer

Last Student/ Father’s Day Sunday, June 19 Teacher Day

tivities, confetti rained down on the dance with a fury that excited the crowd. While prom usually marks an end to the year, this one is getting students ready for their final year and their final prom. There were many takeaways for students from pictures to picture frames with the AGHS Class of 2017 logo on it. But for now, it will be an exceptional ending to an amazing year that students will not soon forget.

Friday the thirteenth turned out to be very lucky for Avon Grove’s juniors. The prom went off without a hitch. Hosted at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester on May 13, Avon Grove’s juniors danced the night away. The junior prom had many extraordinary touches to truly make it a night to remember. The entrance had a walkway encased by twinkle lights to set the scenery. The junior class decided this year to forego a theme to keep ticket prices low. The disc jockey played a wide array of music from Justin Bieber to Shakira. Food was served at stations across the room with a variety of choices. It contained a pasta bar, a taco making station, a beverage area, and throughout the night a fry and ice cream station were served. “The food was great and it had variety like the music was. I loved Shakira, “ said junior Vanessa Rodriguez. “I was only there for the tacos,” expressed junior Courtney Hodges. The venue presented many different sceneries to take photographs. However, the most important part of any prom is definitely the dance floor. The dance floor was outside with a tent covering the allotted space. The area was perfect for the restless students as they danced the night -Photo courtesy of Janice Fitzsimons away with their peers. Courtney Hodges and Sarah Fitzsimons get geared up for their Midway through the fes- junior prom.

Page 4

PROM 2016

Drama free prom? By Carli Hunter Staff Writer

Yikes! He didn’t compliment your dress, and she didn’t chime in on your fresh new haircut. Is prom night ruined? Well, don’t worry, you can’t have any stress wrinkles creasing your spray tan! You spent the last two months pumping iron in the gym and drinking green smoothies just to see the look on your hot date’s face when they see all the work you have put in. In order to ensure the most drama free prom, junior Madison Porter insisted that, ”You absolutely can’t get hung up on the little things. When you get to the dance just remember that you came there to have fun. Dance until your feet break and make memories that will last forever. If your date didn’t say something you’d hope they

would, odds are they just forgot to because they were caught up in the moment.” Experienced prom-goer, Ava Ahern insists that, ”as long as you’re comfortable in your skin and your friends are all there with you, it’s impossible not to enjoy yourself.” But ladies and gents, don’t forget that all that dancing and grooving comes with a large sum of sweat and stench. “Bring something that will keep you looking and feeling fresh. I brought deodorant and makeup wipes, but for guys they might want to bring that cologne too because it does get really hot in there,” explained Ahern. It’s true, you don’t want that onion odor lingering off your pits to be the reason you didn’t get your awkward slow dance. ”You can’t be afraid to look like an idiot. Be afraid of letting all your pre-prom effort to go to waste. Enjoy yo-self,” said Porter.

SUMMER WORK

Summer work keeps minds fresh SUMMER WORK FROM PAGE 1 can get a head start,” said Mrs. Schenker, a social studies teacher at Avon Grove. “This is in anticipation of things like snow days or other interruptions that might keep the students from reaching the goal or finishing the curriculum by early May.” In early May, students in AP classes begin their AP exams. Therefore, if the curriculum has not been finished, then the student does not know everything they should know for the exam. “I think summer assignments can be beneficial to a point, especially if you are taking an AP course because you need some type of introduction to the information because students can have a difficult time acclimating to the level, pace, and depth of AP courses,” said sophomore Catherine Marani. “I think summer assignments are valuable so that there is no lost time at the beginning of the year. I am sympathetic with students who take classes where there are multiple summer assignments in every subject, but it does teach time manage-

ment skills because you have ten weeks to plan it all out,” said Mrs. Worrell, an English teacher at Avon Grove. For all the work that is assigned, if a student breaks it into more manageable chunks, they won’t struggle as much as they would if they procrastinated and tried to cram in the homework the week before the school year. “Summer assignments are kind of boring, I don’t like doing them. I understand the necessity of them, but I think there could be a much more engaging way of doing them such as online reviews using programs that people can make throughout the school year,” said sophomore Mark Weiler. If teachers made the assignments more engaging, than Weiler believes that more students would complete them. “I don’t think that some assignments are as necessary as others to do over the summer. It is called summer vacation for a reason; it should be when your mind can rest and you can have a break from school. There are pros and cons to summer assignments,” continued Marani.

BAND

Band springs into action with May concert By Kaitlyn Morrison Staff Writer

Jittering with anticipation, three different music groups in black and white had to wait to be called onto the stage. After months of practicing multiple times every day, their hard work was finally going to be paid off. From tubas to pounding drums, the whole auditorium filled with a unique combination of sounds, almost drowning out the cheering crowd. With a loud applause after each solo and song, this was just the turnout that everyone had hoped for. “It goes to show how dedicated this group is [with] how hard they work all semester,” said band director and teacher Mr. Davino about the success of the concert. All three groups that make up the band (the jazz band, concert band, and wind ensemble) have been working at least once a day to perfect the songs that they learn.

These pieces included “Chase the Clouds Away” by Chuck Mangione, “Persis” by James Hosay, and “Estampie” by W. Francis McBeth. Titled “Dances and Meditations,” the concert mixed both very upbeat tunes and calming songs to create a unique atmosphere. What may be surprising is that the band has done more than just concerts this year. As of November 2015, the band finished their marching band season with their show entitled “Heartbeat.” This is very different when compared to only concerts, as the elements of the color guard and competitions come into play when marching on a field. On Wednesday, May 11, the 2016 marching band actually came together to announce their theme for the fall. With the title “Hide and Seek,” members look forward to the upcoming season. The new show will include their most challenging songs yet, making the band work harder than

ever before. More than anything, the focus is on how far the band has come. “The new show this upcoming season is not a prepackaged

music set and we are adding a lot more dancing. We are becoming more and more like a professional band each year,” stated sophomore Lucy Eppert. “The plans for

our upcoming season add more [challenges] and is a more complicated show, which will give the band [the ability] to get better than they already are.”

-Photo by Kaitlyn Morrison The jazz band starts up the evening with upbeat pieces like “In the Stone” by Maurice White.

NEWS PAGE 5

Thursday, May 26, 2016

The Devil’s Herald

HIGH SCHOOL LIFE

Summer of service for underclassmen By Daniela Morales Senior Editor

The thought of summer reminds us of many different words— beach, sun, friends—but there are two words that most likely do not come up: community service. With summer just around the corner students are pondering their possible plans. Community service is not the first thing on students’ minds. “I never really thought of do-

HIGH SCHOOL LIFE

ing anything like that before now. During the school year I have so many other responsibilities, so getting the experience and hours during the summer would be better. I would have more time to focus on my school work too,” sophomore Brandon Byrant said. “I want to help the community in anyway I can. I still have time but the sooner the better.” Some colleges now require a certain amount of hours in order to get accepted. Others require you to get involved after you have

been accepted. “It’s important for students to get involved now. The hours add up and can only benefit them. It not only helps with colleges but also scholarships and jobs,” Nurse Flad said. Most of the scholarships offered at Avon Grove have specific requirements, one of them being an amount of service hours. There are many places in the Avon Grove community that students can go to help. The Bridge at the Nazarene Church, The Lu-

ther Home and Jenners Pond in Jennersville, and the Goddard Clean-up crew with NHS. Getting involved with clubs in the school can help lead students find a place to volunteer. The Humanitarian Club, National Honor Society and Leo Club are some of the many clubs that go out in the community. For the first year, a student needs 10 hours and for the second year the student needs 20 hours in order to be in the National Honor Society.

“The Humanitarian Club often goes to The Bridge to help out. Students will feel comfortable around people they are familiar with,” Nurse Flad explained. It is a summer closer to leaving their homes and going to college. Students should be eager to get community service done to impress colleges and to have more opportunities.

Interview jitters eliminated with strategies By Lauren Davis Staff Writer

Job interview jitters are unlike any other kind of nervousness. No matter how many times you adjust your shirt collar, you can’t shake the anxiety. An interview is the first impression one makes to their future employer. A positive, lasting impression requires preparation prior to the interview. Before the interview, one needs to apply for the job or the internship. “Start online and look at places that are hiring. Look for something that interests you,” suggests Kate Schultheis, a high school junior from Lancaster. “Assess yourself and your summer job goals: which industry would you prefer to work in? What skills are you interested in developing? What job or career do you eventually hope to pursue?” advises Kathryn Knight Randolph of Fastweb.com No luck on the Internet? “If you can’t find anything, start looking around in newspapers,” adds Schultheis. If a student is searching for a summer job or internship, but does not know what industry to enter, Schultheis suggests taking an online career test. “If you know what kind of field you want to go in, start looking online for job openings or internships in that position and then take the necessary steps to become qualified. If it says to fill out an application [and] turn in a resume, make a resume and turn in the application.”

Intimidated by the internship search? Mr. Searfoss, the class of 2017 guidance counselor, advises students to stop by guidance and mention that they are interested in job shadowing. From there, they should meet with Mr. Hoffman, the AG career counselor. With Mr. Hoffman, the student can coordinate a one or two day job shadow. The Career Pathway presentations hosted by the guidance department are also a great way to find an internship. After submitting an application, some people do not receive a response. In some cases, if the applicant mentioned that they will not be able to work right away, the company will not respond to them until closer to the date. In the situation that an applicant does not hear back, the applicant should call the company to clarify that the application was received. That way, the applicant can schedule an interview as well. “[You] want to be persistent, but not annoying,” advised Searfoss. Once the interview is secured, the prospective employee should begin preparation. “Research companies before the actual interview, and prepare a few questions to ask the employer. Being knowledgeable and interested go a long way in impressing potential employers,” advised Randolph. Next, plan out the attire for the interview. It will “give you an extra amount of time,” according to Mr. Searfoss. Wear the outfit before the day of the interview. An uncomfortable outfit does not cure the job inter-

view jitters. The classic button up and slacks, dress or pant suit is always sure to impress, as long as the clothing is not wrinkly. For men, “a jacket would be nice” with nice pants and a button down, said Searfoss. Grey, navy blue, white and black are common professional attire colors. Avoid leggings, tights, sneakers, flashy jewelry and heavy makeup; the key is to be subtle and focus on the personality. “If you are not necessarily good at public speaking, definitely practice on your friends or even in the mirror, your family, someone who can objectively give you feedback,” says Schultheis. In addition, she recommends rehearsing frequently asked questions. On the day of the interview, make sure to bring a resume. If one does not have a resume, Schultheis suggests bringing a report card or something that “shows how qualified you are for the job.” An interview is not the time to be someone else. The applicant should be sincere and not lie. Lies can be quickly revealed and does not create a positive impression. Making eye contact is key, even if one is nervous. “Everyone has nerves,” admitted Searfoss. “Take a deep breath, and show how awesome you are,” said Searfoss. Sometimes, the interviewer is nervous too, therefore a smile might help them relax as well. Once the interview is done, shake the interviewer’s hand and say “Thank you.” “After an interview, always, al-

ways, always, write a thank you note expressing your thanks for giving you their time,” instructed Schultheis. With that considered, do not leave the venue without knowing your interviewer’s name. “[A] thank you card is a good way to follow up,” said Searfoss. Even if the applicant does not receive the job, “it’s all about expe-

rience,” explained Searfoss. “You have to put yourself out there.” One should not let the interview anxiety get in the way of a prosperous career. As Schultheis stated, “Do what you love, and the work will find you.” With these skills, a prospective employee is sure to impress.

Frequently Asked Questions During Interviews 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. What are you interested in school? 3. Explain how you overcame a challenge. 4. What is your greatest strength or weakness? 5. What is your past work experience (if any)? 6. (If the previous applies) Why did you leave your previous job? 7. Why do you want to work here? 8. What do you know about (the place you are applying)? 9. What would you contribute to the company? 10. Do you have any questions? 11. When can you start? Source: Fastweb.com

AG COMMUNITY

Alumni return and reconnect with students

AG TALKS FROM PAGE 1 Ever since that year Mrs. Buono’s AP English classes have been organizing AP Talks, a 10 minute research-based presentation on a topic of the student’s choice. Students take ownership of the talks and Mrs. Buono acts mostly as a facilitator, Buono said. The recent AG Talks were indeed inspired by these AP talks and Marcus’ passions for them while in Buono’s class and afterwards. Buono gave Marcus a program from a previous AP Talks event to assist in structure, but he really “made it a passion project,” she said. “It means a lot that students got something out of what we did in class,” Buono said. While Buono’s current students will perform their AP Talks on Thursday, June 2, on Monday, May 16, Mrs. Buono’s students lent their hands and hard work to Marcus’ talks. While Marcus had contacted them a few weeks ago about supporting the event, they took on a more spontaneous role

that night, helping in any way possible, student Brian Armstrong said. These AP English students also voted on and chose two of their own talks to contribute to this event, knowing the context and purpose of Marcus’ talks, Buono explained. The first current student to present was Alex Muller who explained how “our decisions that we make shape who we are,” and how we can improve the thinking behind fundraising organizations to raise more money and awareness. The second of the junior speakers was Daphne Bonner who addressed political correctness, a topic that is really important to her, she said. “This is the perfect venue to say what I’m saying. It’s a message for the whole community,” Bonner said. This greater outreach was expanded even more by the presence of the AGtv livestream crew, providing community members

the opportunity to watch along at home or watch specific parts of the event when the video is later posted on the school website. “I can’t say enough about the stream team,” Marcus said. “I can’t wait to see the recordings.” The stream team even reacted when speaker and alum Savanna Morrison’s presentation went out due to a computer malfunction, also showing the persistence and character of the speakers as a whole. While each speaker, including Anthony Constantini (2012), Joey Delferro (2014), Savanna Morrison (2014), and Chris Persaud (2013), told a different story and shared varying experiences, many had similar messages. One major theme that reocurred was widening one’s perspectives and avoiding a narrow-minded lifestyle. It becomes dangerous if “we keep dividing ourselves,” Anthony Constantini said, having travelled to Russia and achieving a “real cultural experience” outside of his

dorm room Cheerios. “The world is wide enough for your opinions to be challenged,” Constantini said to close his talk. Similarly, current student Daphne Bonner discussed the importance of criticism “telling us wrong so we can make sure that we’re right,” and Chris Persaud, now researching the Internet, spoke about the importance of holding each other accountable. “Things aren’t going to change unless you say something,” Persaud said. Another piece of advice that surfaced frequently was “make yourself deliberately uncomfortable,” said Savanna Morrison, a student of ethnomusicology—the study of the cultural context of which music takes place. This idea of stepping out of your comfort zone emerged throughout. “There are so many ways to get out of this mushroom capital of the world,” said Joey Delferro, a student who studied abroad in Ghana. “Go out and get your own

experience.” Closer to home, Savanna Morrison advised getting involved as soon as one gets onto campus; that includes challenging yourself, a risk-taking experience that allows growth. Each story had its unique moments that resounded with different audience members. “They all had something worthwhile to say,” current senior Kyle Denton. What stood out the most to Sharon Forst, Marcus’ grandmother, was the universality of the themes. “More people my age and younger should have been here to experience and learn how different we are and what we’re facing,” Sharon Forst said. Every community member and speaker interviewed also said they hoped that this event would continue into the future. “Since we set the precedent,” Marcus Forst said, “we can start to coast.”

ART SHOW PAGE 6

Thursday, May 26, 2016

The Devil’s Herald

HIGH SCHOOL LIFE

AGSD presents the annual Art Show By Katie Malone Staff Writer The opening day of this year’s art show may have seemed dreary from the outside, but Avon Grove High School’s gymnasium was packed with chattering families and beautiful art. Live music by Amanda Nolan and Jake Elton welcomed visitors into the transformed gym to appreciate the hard work of Avon Grove students and mingle with the teachers that made it all possible. Putting in over 20 hours of

work outside of school to prepare for this day, high school art teacher Mrs. Deleguardia said it was “stressful but worth it.” “It’s exciting because it’s a chance to see everyone’s work showcased at its best,” she added. Deleguardia was especially excited about the diverse amount of art showcased including wearable art, woodworking, and alumni pieces, “I wish I could show everything.” Equally as excited to see it all come together was another high school art teacher, Mrs. Martorello. She thought it was “especially

nice of the gym teachers to accommodate” the art show by providing the space. Student involvement in the setup was also incredibly impressive. Kitsey Shehan mentioned that about 20 students helped with setting up the gym, and although it was laborious she thought it was still “fun to hang out with the teachers.” The time and effort leading up to this event was clearly worth it. Families, friends, and administrators crowded together in the gym to get a look at the artwork. It was packed from the moment it opened, and it was “fun to see

so many people come out,” said Cynthia Thorngate who was selling t-shirts created by the Art Society. “It’s really grown.” An especially unique part of the night was the chance to see live artists creating original work. Sarah Lennon, a member of the art society, was one of the two featured live artists. “I love drawing in front of people because I like seeing their expressions,” she said simply. The chance to see artists creating in such an open way really put their talent into perspective. Students buzzed with excitement as they pointed out their

own pieces. As a featured artist, Alyssa Lytle shared how great it was to show people around and “see students you’d never expect” participating in the art show. “I like how we can celebrate our fellow classmates’ work,” said another featured artist, Lauren Crawford. “Having one of my pieces in the art show is an honor.” “We have a lot of really talented kids,” said AGHS principal Mr. DeShong. He was able to compress the overwhelming beauty of the night into a single phrase, “Every time I see something I think I like the most, I find something else.”

-Photo by Katie Malone This cardboard fabrication by Amarah Park stood alone on one of the many pedestals around the gym.

-Photo by Katie Malone Sarah Lennon, one of two live artists, sketches as she discussed how she“loves seeing all the people that are into art.” -Photo by Katie Malone “I’m excited to be here because there’s a giant version of my head,” Gabby Cressman remarked as she posed with Lianne Covington’s portrait.

-Photo by Katie Malone Avon Grove alum and current Tyler School of Art student, Alyssa Adie, shares her post graduation work.

-Photo by Katie Malone Gavin and Anna Wysocki pose with their featured pieces as their proud mother exclaimed it’s “a joy to see it all displayed.”

SENIORS PAGE 7

Thursday, May 26, 2016

The Devil’s Herald

Class of 2016 Alabama University of Alabama Adam Gaerity Arizona Arizona State University Lani Santos California Stanford University Kyle Denton Colorado University of Colorado Chris Vahey Delaware Goldey-Beacom College Sara Hocking University of Delaware Luke Chalmers Erin Finley Joe Moran Ben Myers Clarissa Nowak Allison Procak Jessica Scovell Emma van Golen Wilmington University Brianna Carlin District of Columbia American University Hannah Dickens Emily Lytle Katie Malone Florida Flagler College Robert Bauer University of Central Florida Emma Mebane Georgia Georgia Tech University Megan Huber Savannah College of Art and Design Maddi Reamer Indiana University of Notre Dame Amanda Addiego Maryland Towson University Grace Crawford University of Maryland Natalie DiFelice Washington College Jess Burns Ashley Davis Mississippi University of Mississippi Will Moran Missouri Webster University Veronica Parcells New Jersey Centenary College Robert Amanto Rider University Justin Carey

New York Cornell University Sophia Patone Fashion Institute of Technology Lianne Covington Pratt Institute Annie McDevitt Syracuse University Sarah Schroder University of Rochester Micaela Holmes North Carolina East Carolina University Mckenzie Townsend Asli Cetin High Point University Cassandra Billig North Dakota University of North Dakota Andrew Rossi Ohio University of Findlay Julia Harris Oregon University of Oregon Maggie Balint Pennsylvania Alvernia University Brooke Davis Automotive Training Center Dante Pesce Bloomsburg University Erica Hellstern Olivia Lolli Clara Mulle Maddi Yarris Delaware County Community College Alyssa Borcky Regina Castaneda Agustin Castano Jon Creamer Susana Estrada Andrew Evans Daniel Flores Ethan Insinga-Tuggle Nathaniel Louk Taylor Malchione Connor McCarthy Wyatt Mowrer Shiyann Mullens Jason O’Keefe Drexel University Chris Arencibia Josh Sweren Marisa Tranchitella Shelby White East Stroudsburg University Justin Rochester Eastern University Mollie Smith Gannon University Benjamin Schunke

Gettysburg College Ryan Hoffman Hanna Michel Courtney Ward Harcum College Mallory McLimans Holy Family University Elizabeth Hawrylack Indiana University of Pennsylvania Camilo Alba Rodriguez Amanda Huss Daniela Morales Jess Simkins King’s College James Pettus Lauren Skurla Matt Walters Kutztown University Claire Chew Cali Heath Zack Herring Alyssa Lytle

SENIORS FROM PAGE 1 stay up really late, that’s better in my mind than knowing I didn’t put in everything I had,” elaborated Denton. Besides his academic achievements, Denton is proud of his success of his continuous support of the American Cancer Society through his carnival fundraiser that he holds annually, and his involvement in the fall plays and spring musicals throughout all four years of high school. “And I’m super proud of getting into Stanford,” Denton remarked. He plans to study bioengineering at Stanford University next fall, but said that his major is subject to change. “College is a place to explore your interests so I’m definitely not a hundred percent set on any career path in particular yet, and I’m looking forward to the diverse range of classes offered so I can take both classes that are useful and interesting,” said Denton. “The California weather is certainly an added bonus to the school.” Although another student with impressive academic talents, Chris Arencibia has succeeded in a different way: he holds the title (and the many responsibilities) of Senior Class President. “I always wanted to be class

president,” said Arencibia. “Ever since we had the opportunity to run in seventh grade I wanted to be able to represent the class because I loved being a part of student government.” Being involved in student government has allowed Arencibia to make notable changes to the school, such as changing the type of pizza served in the cafeteria and allowing student access to school Wi-Fi. While these changes are important, being class president has allowed him to partake in a variety of school events. Arencibia said that his favorite part of being class president is “the opportunities [he has] had in events like Class Pride Day and emceeing at the Holiday Holla.” With such a wide range of responsibilities, one must have the right qualities in order to lead a class in the way that Arencibia has. “I think the best quality for class officer is persistence and motivation,” explained Arencibia. “A lot of the things I have been able to accomplish came from relentlessly pursuing administration until everything I needed was met.” Next year, Arencibia will take his leadership skills to Drexel University to major in music industry.

“I am excited to pursue the things I love to do and music is a really exciting field to enter,” said Arencibia. “I’m also looking forward to the independence that comes with college life.” For high school underclassmen hoping to achieve their own high goals, Arencibia offered some wise words of advice. “The best way to succeed in high school is to get involved,” shared Arencibia. “If you dislike how something is done, it’s up to you to change it. Don’t expect someone else to do it, and don’t stop until you meet your goal. Eventually if you work hard enough, anything is possible.” For those looking for advice specific to academic success, Addiego and Denton offered their insights as well. “In every class, with every assignment, there is the opportunity to succeed. Do not let success pass you by, because you can succeed if you set your mind to it and put in the effort,” explained Addiego. “Manage your time, don’t procrastinate, but mostly just work hard, since success, in my opinion, is mostly determined by a person’s work ethic,” said Denton. “I’m sure success will come your way if you put in your all.”

Maddie Raymond La Salle University Ryan Guckin Danielle Kennedy Lebanon Valley College Gabby Cressman Juna Currie Justin Lytle Mansfield University Erika Strout Messiah College Marissa Donlevie Millersville University Katie Bordas Lexi Colgan Jack Hollingsworth Walter Jones Becca Nichol Catherine Prestianne Jared Seace Kitsey Shehan Penn College of Technology Glen Molitoris Matthew Smida

AG seniors leave legacy

Penn State University Madi Aman Katie Barrett Lizzie Bavuso Heidi Bechtold Emma Beck Mark Bright Isabel Bueno-Presnail Alexis Fisher Alex Gaydos Kaylee Giacomini Yasmin Koudstaal Hailey Maxwell Jacob McMinn Hannah Mogaka Zachary Pettoruto Stephen Ruf Thomas Schmidt Taylor Shellenberger Jennifer Sobon Philadelphia University Ilan DiFilippo Pittsburgh Technical Institute Shane Gentry Saint Joseph’s University Pierce English Shippensburg University Logan Coyle Henry Quinn Morgan Whiteside Slippery Rock University Noelle McGurl Lauren Patel Temple University Carlie Banter Edgardo Barrios Macedo Brandon Berkebile Mike Burritt Eddie Kiesel Mikala Moorech Katrina Paschall Rachel Sabella Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Mike McLimans Thiel College John Smiley University of Pittsburgh Aubrey Behm Jimmy Butler Mairead Heiger Taylor Kveragas Benjamin LeStourgeon Anna Ly Kiersten Maule Delaney Oakes Zoe Pawliczek Abigail Pinto Kira Russell Ruth Stabosz Danyo Nicholas Waters Ryan Wilson Ursinus College

Cole Wood Valley Forge Military College Jori Masho Villanova University McKenna Keegan West Chester University Dylan Black Henry Buchanan Brittany Delgado Shannon Forbes Alexandra Fulmer Brent Griffin Dalton Haggerty Mary Jarusik Alexis Marshall Josh McGibbon Katie McKamey Erin Obetz Sam Schnelle Alison Schultz Aria Swanson Arisha Syed York College Regan Cook Renee Daemer Gabriel Frangiadis Rhode Island Johnson and Wales University Joe Simasek Shayla Willis South Carolina Clemson University Kate Lincoln Coastal Carolina University Brooke White University of South Carolina Mackenzie Valentine Utah Brigham Young University Chelsea Bott Virginia George Mason University Sarah Wheedleton James Madison University Keiva Brannigan Brenna Eakin Virginia Tech University Kelvin DeFeo Ellie Grove María Hernández Kim Kramer Kelsey Nelson Jake Phillips Old Dominion University Sarah Poole West Virginia West Virginia University Jake Ilgenfritz Morgan Thrasher Scotland University of Edinburgh *Based on 213 responses to a Carly survey sent to all seniors Beehler

Seniors’ hopes after graduation

*According to a survey of 213 AGHS seniors.