By Taylor Cook
Siren video editor
Junior Sara Lavin shares her dance moves with us in the brand-new installment of Student Spotlight!
Archive for November 2011
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
Thanksgiving Traditions…How Do Yours Compare?
By Jess Jones
Siren staff
Everyone has their traditions for every holiday. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and celebrate with family. Lincoln Park students and faculty celebrate Thanksgiving with their families a little differently, however.
Sophomore Megan Popps celebrates Thanksgiving by having family come over to eat. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to go well, “ I get frazzled and cry.” Her little brother and sister sing Thanksgiving songs they learned in school to end the evening.
Junior Ryan Johnson’s Thanksgiving is a happy one, “We come, we sing, we eat food, and we reminisce.” Which makes sense because the people who come to his house haven’t seen each other in a while.
Mr. Wesolowski goes to his wife’s aunt house and eats turkey, though he used to play Turkey Bowl and have his uncle kill the turkey for the meal. There’s that PA swag!
Junior Alex Black goes to her step dads aunt house to have an early dinner and go visit more friends and family to go home and eat some more before they fall asleep. Be warned, turkey does this to you.
Ms. Mulye’s family doesn’t celebrate holidays, so she goes to her boyfriend’s house.
Though many people celebrate Thanksgiving normally, there are a few people that have some very original traditions.
Ms. Ko has a potluck Thanksgiving while watching football, and even playing it! Then to wrap up her night she attends a movie at the movie theatre. That’s how I would do it.
Freshman Curtis Sirkoch’s family is pagan and drives an RV up to Georgia to have rituals and hear his Great aunt chant. One ritual is, “ Orange juice, hair from Rabbits tail in each cup, ready for the punch line, we pour it on our heads.” Congrats Curtis –you take the cake.
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
Combining Like Terms
by Shannon Cavender
Siren Feature Reporter
This past summer, a change occurred in Lincoln Park’s dance department. Their department head, Maria Torrence, along with one of their teachers, Ken Nickel, turned in their resignations. Mrs. Torrence was one of the earliest people hired at Lincoln Park and she played a key part in the arts program. However, both she and Mr. Nickel left on good terms. “They were ready for a change, and so was the department,” says Stephen Catanzarite, Managing Director of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.
The dance department was not left without a head for long. The head of the theatre department, Gavan Pamer, a very strong and well trained dancer, stepped up to take the job. He has been dancing since he was six years old and has performed in dance related shows such as Chorus Line and Cats. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s fulfilling,” he says.
“It has always been a goal to have the dance department working more closely with the theatre department, because dancers also have chorus parts in musicals,” says Mr. Catanzarite.
“It is also much easier to set schedules for the students [since they share some of the same classes],” adds Mr. Pamer.
Dance classes have always been a part of a theatre major’s schedule, however dance majors were not able to take classes related to theatre until this year. Dancers are now offered singing classes, because in some musicals dancers can also have vocal parts.
It is unknown if the dance department will ever hire a new head, or if Mr. Pamer will permanently fill the position. They are exploring their choices. One option is bringing in more guest teachers to teach master classes. A step towards achieving this is the partnership with Attack Theatre. Attack Theatre produces performances that are dance based. Michele de la Reza (Julliard graduate) and her husband Peter Cope are its directors. The two enjoy coming to Lincoln Park and sharing their knowledge. The department also has partnerships with P.B.T. (Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre), Kent State, Point Park, and Slippery Rock.
With all the changes going on in the dance department, some parents were getting concerned. However, Mr. Catanzarite assures them not to worry. “Give us an opportunity. Give us your trust. We take what we do very seriously.”
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
Where Are They Now? Levi Keller
by Robin Turici
Siren Staff
Berklee College of Music in Boston only accepts 30% of their interested applicants each year. “We seek students who show high potential; who are creative, collaborative, and open to new ideas; who are problem solvers and entrepreneurs; who have something extra that sets them apart,” explains the Board of Admissions.
One of Lincoln Park’s very own, Levi Keller of Pittsburgh, joined the mere 1,000 students at Berklee this fall. Now a proud freshmen, he is working hard towards his dream; “…to be a recording artist and tour around the world performing.”
Though these are high aspirations for such a young man, Levi is already pushing to the front of the pack. As stated by the college, “All students are required to complete a core music curriculum. Based on a written theory placement exam… you will be placed in appropriate levels of the required courses. You can declare a major once you have attained your second semester standing at Berklee.”
“‘The instruction in music [at Lincoln Park] prepared me for college, and my knowledge helped me test out of many of the required classes here at Berklee,” Levi says eagerly. “Now I can fill my schedule up with classes that are specific to my major.”
Berklee is known as one of the most prestigious higher level education institutes that our country offers, yet Levi has already placed himself above a few of their courses. A feat that impressive was not easily attained, and he advises LP students, “work hard and do your personal best at everything.”
With an enthralling new college agenda , you wouldn’t expect him to reminisce over his four years at LP, but Levi admits to me, “I miss the teachers.”
To hear some of Levi’s originals, check out his myspace page, www.myspace.com/levikellermusic
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
One Ambitious Smoothie
by Maria Capelli
Siren Food Columnist
Feeling ambitious?
This fast and refreshing Orange Julius recipe packs a punch, and is credited to my neighbor, Scott. It served the both of us sufficiently with even a bit leftover!
All you need is:
1 can (6oz.) frozen juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup cold water
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 ice cubes
Procedure:
1. Combine all ingredients (except ice) in the blender and blend until smooth.
2. With the blender running, add ice cubes* through the hole in the lid. Do this slowly.
3. Continue blending until all ice is gone. Serve immediately.
*We added three ice cubes at a time to make less of a mess.
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
The Strangers That Wander Our Halls.
by Ashley Emanuel and Jess Jones
Siren Administration Reporters
Ever wonder, who those people are that greet you at the door, or stand around the atrium at lunch, or are seen around shows and events. Well there is no excuse anymore. Here they are…
Mrs. Manning
Mrs. Rebecca Manning; the woman that sits outside the school, and hugs anyone that wants a hug, is our very own Chief Executive Officer or CEO. “I ensure the continued growth in respect to academic excellence coupled with high end arts infusion. In other words, I am responsible to give our students the best!” she says about her job. She was brought Lincoln Park, by none other than Lincoln Park’s own founder Dr. Trombetta. “I have known Dr. Trombetta for many years, we actually taught together in East Liverpool, Ohio. He was well aware of my passion for the arts and my love for education.”
She says Lincoln Park has changed education because “arts education at Lincoln Park is unmatched and is competitive to many college programs in some respects. School choice is all about giving students the right to choose their educational path.” Finally, if she were stuck on an island and only had one wish, (and this is a clever wish) she’d wish for Aladdin’s genie lamp so she could have three more wishes.
Mr. Poling
Mr. P.K. Poling, as many know, is Lincoln Park’s principal. His job includes a list of many things, such as curriculum, instruction, staff development, budget, hiring and evaluation of staff. Mr. Poling was led to Lincoln Park by the chance to work in a school of choice and the opportunity to work with great staff and students. “[Lincoln Park] has raised the bar for arts instruction, and academic instruction as well,” he says. Finally, if he were stuck on an island and only had one wish, he would wish that someone would come and get him.
Make sure to keep looking back here on The Siren, for more administrators coming soon!
Sunday, November 13th, 2011
Add your own caption in the comments for your chance to win free Siren swag! Oh Snap!
Oh Snap!
The Siren’s Caption Contest.
Here’s the deal: your trusty Siren staff snoops around the building every week, collecting rare, candid photos of your favorite Lincoln Park personalities. All you have to do is come up with witty captions to accompany each week’s photos, and you could win free Siren swag, as well as the real reward: the undying respect and admiration of your peers.
Come up with a caption for this photo by visiting lppacs.org/siren. Leave your comment – we’ll post the best ones and give a reward to the winner each time!
