School News

            Madsen delivers magnificent concert

Ellyn Stanton, senior

            On October 25^th, 2011, the German Club at Canon McMillan received the excellent opportunity to see Madsen, a popular German indie rock band, play live at Shady Side Academy’s theater.  Madsen is made up of three brothers, Sebastian, Johannes, and Sascha and their long-time friend, Niko.  Their U.S tour started on October 14, 2011 and this is their first time being in America!

            Mrs. Hartmann, German teacher and head of the German club said, “Es war Super!  It was the greatest field trip the German Club has been on in 15 years.”  Another German Club Member, Amy Lisowski, a junior at C-M, said, “Madsen put on quite a show!”

The concert was quite a hit with many other C-M German Club members as well as many other attendees.  Madsen is a very popular band in Germany and they started an American fan base at their concert.  There were many teenage girls at the concert with signs and screaming their hearts out.  However, every song they sang was in German.  A popular one is "Du Bist Wie Du Bist" which in English translates as you are like you are.  Shannon Barnes, a senior, said, “it was really cool seeing this band close to home, then learning they are one of the most popular bands in Germany.”

Before the concert everyone enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Atria’s in Fox Chapel.  It was a German-styled buffet with food such as Noodles with Sauerkraut and Bratwurst. Veronica Rothka, a junior at C-M, said, “[the food] was a great German-styled buffet!  I have never had such authentic German food before.” The C-M German Club is also looking forward to many more future field trips such as a possible tour of the Pitt Nationality rooms with a lunch at the Hofbrau house!  And of course, the always popular German Dinner on the Gateway Clipper Fleet which would be an evening event. 

Geist Gives back to Environment

By Andrew Miller, sophomore

            With the help of C-M Environmental Club members and other community volunteers, a messy patch of woods has evolved into a wonderful nature trail, The Geist Trail. On October 22nd these volunteers all contributed to the construction of the trail. Mrs. Chelsea Geist, sponsor of the Environmental Club and teacher at CMHS, was the trail's mastermind.
            “But the trail could not have been done without the help of our students and volunteers,” notes Geist at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, November 1^st.On this day Mr. Helinski, Mr. Hall, Mrs. Dziak, school board members and everybody who volunteered came together to make the trail an official part of Canon-Mac.  During this event, Geist stressed that everybody is welcome to walk the trail behind CMHS. 

            Around last year is when the idea for the trail came to Geist. Her influences behind the trail were Mrs. Steinmiller, who encouraged her to write for the grant, and her student teachings at the McKeever Environmental Center. With the school board's encouragement, Geist wrote a four page paper outlining her plans and estimated budget. She later received an $800 budget for the trail.

           After careful planning, students, Geist and community volunteers all helped the Geist Trail became a reality. Geist explains that her main goal for the trail is to get students out of the classroom and have them apply their knowledge.  “There is too much lecture in the classrooms today. We need to be able to apply our knowledge with hands on activities,” asserts Geist. She plans for her Zoology and Environmental Science classes to complete labs and other activities on the trail. "The technology department and I are also working on building tables around the trail for the students to use."
            Geist still plans on adding to the trail. Pitfall traps which will trap small animals and critter cams which will capture smaller animals on video for studying purposes will both be added this spring. Geist will maintain the trail herself during summer break. "I also hope to have a summer and elementary curriculum some day." says Geist.
           Students are also excited about using the trail. “It is really neat to know that I contributed to something that will benefit our school long after I graduate,” explains 10th grade C-M student and volunteer Cara Paraska. Students in all science classes will have the benefit of the trail. “It will definitely make science classes a lot more interesting,”  Paraska says. Although the trail is  incomplete, science classes hope to start using the trail as early as spring.

Red Ribbon Week raises drug awareness

By Natalie Paonessa, senior

October 24th through the 28th, Canon-McMillan High School is promoting drug and alcohol awareness through the annual “Red Ribbon Week.” Red Ribbon Week is traditionally honored during the last week of October to raise drug wariness in teens across the nation in remembrance of DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena. By having theme days like “wear your clothes backwards to turn your back on drugs” and “dress like a geek to avoid drugs,” students and faculty create a hype to let kids have fun while learning about the dangers of drugs.

In order to help alert CMHS students of the dangers of using drugs, an organization called Above the Influence provides an array of drug abuse facts and statistics that are alarming to the 80 million people that participate in Red Ribbon Week in the world.

· Marijuana has over 400 chemicals in it with most being carcinogenic. The short-term effects of marijuana can include problems with memory and learning.

· Young people who use marijuana weekly have double the risk of depression later in life.

· Heavy marijuana users are more likely than non-users to be diagnosed with schizophrenia later in life. A recent study found that people who had used marijuana more than 50 times before the age of 18, had a threefold increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.

· Cocaine can kill you the first time you use it.

· Regularly snorting cocaine can lead to loss of sense of smell, nosebleeds, problems with swallowing, hoarseness and a chronically runny nose.

· Mixing alcohol and cocaine is the most common cause of drug-combination related deaths.

· Cocaine can cause heart attacks even in young abusers.

· Unintentional drug poisoning death rates increased substantially in the United States during 1999-2004. This increase can primarily be attributed to increasing numbers of deaths associated with prescription opioids (which are types of painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin).

· Painkillers, such as Vicodin and OxyContin, are opiates and are very powerful medications that need to be taken under the close supervision of a doctor. These medications, when taken inappropriately, can cause addiction because they impact the same areas of the brain as heroin.

· Chemicals like amyl nitrate and isobutyl nitrate ("poppers") and nitrous oxide ("whippets") are sometimes sold at concerts and dance clubs. They can permanently damage your body and brain even if you try it only one time.

· Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday functions like walking, talking and thinking.

· "Huffing" concentrated amounts of chemicals from paint and gas can directly induce heart failure and death. Long term effects of chronic abuse include brain, liver and kidney damage.

· Among youths aged 12-17 who used inhalants and had also experienced depression in the past year, 28 percent used inhalants before their depression started and 29 percent started using inhalants at the same time as their depression began.

· Some LSD users experience severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings of despair, fear of losing control or fear of insanity and death while using LSD.

· MDMA (Ecstasy) can cause a marked increase in body temperature (hyperthermia). Hyperthermia can lead to muscle breakdown, which can in turn result in kidney failure. In addition, dehydration, hypertension and heart failure may occur in susceptible individuals. Repeated use over a short interval of time can lead to high levels of the drug in the body — increasing the risk of harm.

· Meth can be made from readily available ingredients like battery acid, drain cleaner, lantern fuel and antifreeze.

· Meth users may have cracked or deteriorating teeth that must be extracted. This is often caused by a combination of xerostomia (dry mouth), extended periods of poor oral hygiene, frequent consumption of high calorie, carbonated beverages and tooth grinding and clenching. Some reports have also speculated that the acidic nature of the drug is a contributing factor.

For more information and to read more about the effects of drug abuse, visit http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/.

Canon Mac students raise money for breast cancer

By Abby Miles, senior

Following tradition, Lead C-M is raising money for cancer research through the annual selling of t-shirts. Lead C-M consists of seniors who possess leadership qualities and is used to mentor the freshman class of 2015. Along with helping this year’s freshmen, fund raising for charity is an excellent way to test leadership skills and collect money for a fantastic cause.

Not many know that one out of eight women in the US will get breast cancer in her lifetime and men can also get breast cancer. In order to fight this, breast cancer research facilities need funds to find a cure.

Canon-Mac students recently made a difference by contributing to the breast cancer shirt sale at Canon Mac in order to help this generous cause. The cost for these shirts was $15 including the donations taken for the Susan G Komen for the Cure . Mr. Bell, the head of the Social Studies department at Canon Mac, was also the leader of this fundraiser and C-M Lead and an important influence throughout his time at Canon-McMillan.
"I'm really proud of the entire Canon Mac Community. We always seem to come through when we are doing things to try and help others, which is why the t-shirt says C-M we care," says Bell.
Showing his gratitude towards everyone involved in Lead C-M, Bell continued to express his opinion about the fundraiser. Jess O'Shell, of Lead C-M , says, "I think it's great that Canon Mac can help out and raise money for such a great cause. It's a wonderful thing to see."

CMHS transforms into “Club Rave” for homecoming

By Natalie Paonessa, senior

              On October 8^th, students of Canon-McMillan High School attended the 2011 Homecoming Dance that was themed “Club Rave.” Through elaborate decorations from the efforts of students and staff, the dance provided a new exciting atmosphere to the CMHS gym.

              Although the previous themes of homecoming dances have been traditional, the class of 2012 chose a theme that strayed from the previous year’s choices. Class officers, Dulce Miller, Victoria Ketter, Anthony Sculli and Mary Wattick admit to have got the idea from Carson Fox and expanded upon it to create what they called “Club Rave.” This unique idea came to life on Saturday through extensive work from students and faculty.

              This year brought on astounding ornaments that illuminated the gym in neon colors. Glow sticks hung down from the ceiling of the gym among large drapes of black cloth. Students were thrilled to receive glow sticks upon their arrival. The walls were adorned with splattered paint against the classic black back drop. A fog machine and flashing lighted further portrayed the aura of a club. Students poured into the gym, eager to see the changes that made homecoming 2011 an appropriate rave.

               Most students expected to hear techno music from the DJ because of the rave theme, but a majority of the music was just modern hits and old classics. Students commented that the “music was something you would hear on the radio” which was a disappointment compared to the club music that was imagined.

The atmosphere was composed by glow stick dancing and the student’s energy on the dance floor. Adding to the mixture of entertainment, a dancer brought by the DJ performed a dance using glow sticks. The students joined in the activities and attempted their own dance moves like shuffling, locking and break dancing.

                Although the whole dance was an event not to be missed, the highlight of the dance was when the homecoming court slow danced including Anthony Sculli and Rebecca Veres, Joe Helinski and Breanna McCartney, Hayden Smutney and Mary Wattick, and the king and queen, Mike Reis and Jordan Muckle. Helinski stated that although he wasn’t chosen for king he “was extremely proud to be representing [his] class.” Veres agreed with Helinski and stated that “It’s such an honor to even be considered to be queen.” Muckle who “was shocked and very honored that [her] friends and peers voted for [her]” was proud to be the queen out of the other choices on homecoming court.

PSATs mandatory at CMHS

By Natalie Paonessa, senior

          A sudden adjustment from the school district has now made PSATs, Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests, mandatory for Canon-McMillan high school juniors. The guidance office collectively agrees that “the PSATs will benefit the juniors in multiple ways.” On Wednesday, October 12^th, juniors will take the test during the school day to benefit the students by preparing them for SATs and enhancing their scholarship opportunities.

           “Everyone should be given a chance to take the PSATs for the students' best interests,” comments Ms. Kohlman, school counselor, about the new addition to the junior’s school year. Kohlman reveals that in previous years, students either were unable to take advantage of the test or just chose not to. Not only does the school district cover the cost of the  PSATs for the class of 2013 but it also conveniently provides the test on a school day.

           By requiring students to take the PSATs, the school counselors hope to gain more National Merit Scholars from the junior class. National Merit Scholars are determined by the scores of the PSATs and students who achieve this award are eligible for more college scholarships.

           According to the observerreporter.com, the cost for all juniors to take the PSATs is $6,000. To afford this expense, the money will be split between the high school principal’s budget and the director of curriculum's budget. Mr. Helinski, the principal, sees required PSATs as a necessary advancement for the school and that is why he has invested so much time into seeing that PSATs become mandatory.

           Both the counselors and Helinski hope not only for more National Merit Scholars but also for the students to experience a test similar to the SATs. This test should reveal to them their strengths and weaknesses in standardized test-taking which will show them what to focus on when preparing for the SATs.

           Another addition to prepare students is that sophomores will also be able to have a practice opportunity through the school on the same day and time. Kohlman informs that “sophomores will have a choice to take an optional practice test.” This practice test will prepare them both for the PSATs and also the SATs.

CMHS is providing every opportunity in its power to prepare the students for the future of college.