Oct 2024
WSJ October Edition!
Letter From the Editor
Letter from the Editor
By: Emily Foreman
The third class of Journalism & Multimedia began this fall and the class is full of new faces, a modest sign of growth for the new WSJ.
Although some people are still unaware of our paper, the students here at WSJ have been working passionately to produce quality articles. However, with the dawn of a new year, it is clear that passion is a trait seen universally in UPHS students.
Throughout our entire community’s rich history, we have historically strived for success for our whole township. Students at Upper Perk carry on that hard working legacy through their work on projects like the WSJ and UPTV. And through that work, we form close friendships with each other. We form community.
As challenges arise this year, it may cause us to take this community for granted, but our connection with each other is ever-growing.
Homecoming 2024
Homecoming Representatives (left to right): Ashlee Sher, Maggie Simms, Olivia Keyser, Hailey McMaster, Eden Kraus, Mia Ulmer, Morgan Sweed, Brooklyn Shutte
How To Homecoming!
By: Claire Judge
As we get closer to fall, the school is bubbling with excitement, awaiting homecoming. Spirit week starts off the season, getting everyone involved in the spirit (pun intended) of homecoming.
The pep rally and football game will follow, giving the community a show and an introduction to the homecoming court. The dance will draw the week to a close on Saturday evening.
There is a Spirit Week on the days before the dance. In order the themes are, Pajama Day, Jersey vs. Jersey Shore Day, USA Day, and White out Day. Thursday that week, there will be a pep rally during which the homecoming king will be announced. During the football game on the 18th, the homecoming queen will be announced during halftime.
The homecoming dance will be taking place on October 19th from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. in the UPHS gym. Admission prices for the tickets are $25 per person and are being sold at all lunches. The theme of this year’s dance is “Under the Stars." The dance will feature several activities throughout the night including a dance circle led by the homecoming representatives for each grade, as well as the king and queen. As the night continues the event will feature a slow dance for anyone in attendance.
Every dance needs food, so the menu will be supplied by a local pizza shop: Tosco’s! Mrs. Lychock informed the WSJ that, “Drinks will be on sale… but the food is free, food is a part of the price of admission.” There will be 2 servings of food, so if you miss the first one, you’re in luck!
If you went to last year’s homecoming dance, you may wonder why ticket prices this year were raised to $25 instead of $20. As a result of events at last year’s dance, more security was hired to ensure the safety and success of the event for all students and staff.
Because the decided theme this year is “Under the Stars,” the main color scheme will be dark blues, golds, and silvers. The gym will be covered in stars and will feature a half-moon decoration, perfect for photo opportunities.
Homecoming has been much awaited, organized almost entirely by the student council and Mrs. Lychock. If you would like to be involved, the art club has the task of decorating the school for the dance, email Mrs. Lychock to get involved. The Homecoming dance is always a night to remember, don’t miss out!
Under Dogs For the Win
By: Ellianna Smith
Football is among the most prominent subjects of sports culture in the United States. The U.P. football team is the central sport for the Upper Perkiomen community, but why is it? How can the student body contribute to the school's success?
In previous years, at this point in the season, the team has been battling records such as 2-2 or 1-3, and suffering hard losses. However, the team is taking a turn for the better this year. With a record of 3-1, their best in around a decade, and the new team's best, “3-0 for the first time in 18 years”, they are expected to continue thriving with the help of the senior class.
The team is doing remarkably better than the student body predicted before the season's start. The student's electric energy and support contribute to the players' energy, which genuinely unites students with the athletes. According to Coach Heinrichs, the team’s league has “picked up two harder teams on our schedule with Sun Valley and Unionville.”
Upper Perkiomen has ultimately defeated Sun Valley and lost against Unionville by only six points. As for our reputation, this is a milestone that should be remembered and valued. In addition, the team acquired a new coaching staff last season who “connects with players very well.”
This new group of staff has helped improve the team over the past two years. For the remainder of the football season, Coach Heinrichs believes that with the players' resilience and leadership, “There is not a game that we can't win. There is no reason that we can't win out.”
In addition to these football games, the homecoming game will be a whiteout at Keeney Stadium on Friday, October 18th, at 7:00 p.m. This game allows the school to unite as a community: teachers, parents, students, players, and all.
From left to right: Maddux Diaz, Jonathan Strohl, Brody Weiss, Tice Hallman - pulled from @uphs.football.
Overall, the football team is prospering and doing better than ever, thanks to the school’s spirit, coaches, discipline, and, most importantly, players' efforts. Join the student section to support your school and to have ecstatic Friday nights!
Community Bonfire Returns
By Julianna Keller
Homecoming is right around the corner Upper Perk, which means spirit week! Now, Spirit Week is not only about dressing the part for each day’s theme, it's about having fun! And this year, Link Crew is excited to announce that it is bringing back a beloved tradition. In light of this year's homecoming week, there will be a community bonfire!
When interviewed, Mrs. Hoglund, a Link Crew advisor, gave important insight into the event. “This is a community event to kick off the homecoming season! It is a way to build connections across our community.”
All students and families in Upper Perkiomen School District are welcome to attend the bonfire. The event will be held Thursday, October 17th, and “will take place in the front of the school building by the main entrance.” Be sure to park in the student parking lot by the tennis courts!
From 6 pm-9 pm, all who attend can expect an enjoyable evening. The Red Hill fire department will light the fire at 7 pm, and throughout the night there will be food, hot chocolate, cider, and music! “We are excited to share that Blue Haze BBQ, WOW Wagon, Waffle Cabin, and Hippie Chippie Cookie Co. will be joining us!”
On the night before the homecoming football game, get out and enjoy the first engaging event during the homecoming weekend. Sit around the bonfire with your friends and family and don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect across the community!
Sports
Set for Success
By: Sophie Matta
The Upper Perk Volleyball team is taking the PAC by storm this year. One of the uprising teams that has grabbed our school and the PAC by storm is the Upper Perk High School Girls Volleyball team. The question is, how did the team turn around their losing streak from last season to now winning their first tournament and being a known threat on the court?
Added in 2022, girls' volleyball is a relatively new addition to the variety of sports at UPHS. It is coached by Physics teacher duo Mr. Gregory and Mr. Tirjan, who both have first-hand experience playing volleyball. Last year, the girls struggled to get by, with a record of only 3-14. However this year, the team is on the surprise with a record of 5-3 and a Red Rover Invitational tournament win under their belt, which they participated in on Saturday, September 7th.
Coach Tirjan tells the WSJ that off-season work is a major contributing factor to the success. “The impact that club volleyball had on the current varsity team is incredible, and it's crazy how much it improved their skills,” he says, “it really made us a different team.”
Both coaches agree that other factors contributing to this new and improved varsity team include harder drills at practice, coachability, a strong team bond, and an understanding of dynamics. “In the end, it’s all about their drive and determination.” Coach Gregory adds, explaining how the girls’ motivation has helped to make the team even stronger. “We’re going to need that because PACs and districts are all new to us, it’s a whole different animal” Coach Tirjan explains.
Although there is no doubt the team is coming together, there is always room for improvement. Some skills the coaches reveal they want to continue building on are serving, hitting to targets, and better passing to the setter.
If you want to keep up with our high school girls' volleyball team as the season continues, check the school athletics page located on the UPSD website to find their schedule, fundraisers, and more. Good luck to the volleyball team with the rest of the season and keep pushing forward!
Ava Steinmen hitting the ball, pulled from Christmas City Studios.
Run Fast or Get Passed
By: Ashlee Shafer
Winning a cross-country trophy takes lots of difficult training and perseverance. Not only do cross-country athletes run difficult practices with tough terrain, but they also push through physical and mental blocks. Nonetheless, these challenges haven’t stopped the boys’ cross-country team from achieving success.
On Saturday, September 7th, the boys’ cross country team headed to compete at the Desales Centaur Invitational in Center Valley Pa. The varsity top 7 consisted of John Kuzmission, Sean Donahue, Roman Macedo, Ben Sensinger, William Godshall, Gavin Duun, and Porter Fryauff. John came in 12th and Sean came in 25th for the Varsity boys.
After calling up different teams at the awards ceremony, the announcer declared that Upper Perkiomen secured 4th place with a team score of 165. The team has had an undefeated season in the Pioneer Athletic Conference - holding onto their record of 5-0. Coach Nieman told the Walt Street Journal this year the team is “a great mix of upperclassmen and younger runners. John Kuzzmisson and Sean Donahue both ran personal records and won medals.”
Moving forward at these upcoming big meets, like PACS and Districts, the goal is for the boys to be 4-5 in the league and top 40 in the district. The top 3 runners on the team are junior John Kuzzmisson, freshman Thomas Daub, and sophomore Sean Donahue. Coach Niemann stated, "We are lucky that Sean has joined us this year. Our performance will improve as Roman's health gets better."
This success came in part from the team’s preparations during the preseason. The team focused on increasing their mileage and incorporating hill workouts on Fridays. The team had a few workouts this season and continues to keep up with the mileage. Coach Niemann said, “Coach Dusza has done an outstanding job of training the boys and the boys have done an outstanding job of trusting that training.”
If you want to continue to see how the boy's cross country team is doing, check out their Instagram @upboysxc or the upper perk athletics page at upperperkathletics.com.
Boys XC celebrating their win, pulled from @upboysxc
Clubs
Link Crew: Beyond Orientation
By: Emily Foreman
You may recognize their bright-colored shirts on the first day of school, but Link Crew does much more than just orientate incoming freshmen. Link Crew begins preparing for freshman orientation in the spring of the previous year.
Before school is out, Link Crew members attend a meeting, called the June Jamboree, to prepare for the upcoming year. This is done through team-building exercises and general preparation. According to Maggie Izzi, a junior in Link Crew, the meeting helped them to “get comfortable with each other and get into the mindset of working on the spot and working with each other.”
In the past, Link Crew has sponsored a freshman tailgate in the fall and assisted the 9th graders through the first couple of days of school. Link Crew member Ruth Padilla added, “I was late to almost every period [of the first day of school] because I was helping someone.” Members also help freshmen through some of high school’s toughest weeks, including midterms.
Outside of helping freshmen, however, Link Crew members participate in large school events and assist staff and students as needed, acting as a general service to the school. This includes running the pep rallies and attending meetings to prepare for events.
During an interview, Mrs. Hoglund, who directs Link Crew with Mr. Hansley, stated, “They help out with other events depending on the need.” These other activities help to involve new students with upperclassmen and the high school community. T
hese Link Crew responsibilities are significant for the transition from 8th to 9th grade. Mason Harward, a freshman at Upper Perk, said, “The hardest part of high school was getting used to the layout … [Link Crew] especially helped a lot with understanding how to get around the school.”
Although all high schoolers have been through freshman orientation, Link Crew is heavily involved in much more than improving students’ first year of high school. Link Crew’s contribution has and will continue to help freshmen acclimate to the new school for years to come and strengthen Upper Perk Pride.
Let The Games Begin!
By: Madeline Warden
Esports is skyrocketing in popularity, gaining global recognition and even earning a spot in its own Olympics! Keeping up with the times, Upper Perk High School is going into a new generation of sports.
Until recently, the only type of Esports done at Upper Perk was in the gaming club. Changes have been made this year, with a brand new Esports room! Since its rise, scholarships have opened up for players nationwide. Schools have gradually added these rooms, so much so that competitions have started between districts like any other sport. Several people have asked why individuals watch esports.
We asked the same question to the Esports and Gaming club advisor, Mr. Gregory, who responded, “We want to see people do something they are awesome at, whether it is throwing a football or doing a cool flip-reset in Rocket League.”
Esports Gaming Setup taken by Mr. Gregory
The new Esport room has new gaming computers set up with LEDs and gaming chairs. This allows students to start gaming on more professional equipment than they might have at home. One might ask; what’s the difference between the gaming club and Esports team?
According to Mr. Gregory, “In Esports we are more competitive, but in the Gaming club, it is more chill. We relax and play Mario Kart and maybe some Minecraft.” Both are meant for devoted gamers to get together to show their skills, either on a Peer-To-Peer level or a more professional level.
The new rise in Esports holds a lot of promise in the future, both for Upper Perk and for the world. It is taking gaming to the next level, turning it into a competitive sport just like football or volleyball. With the rise of platforms like Twitch and YouTube, many have turned gaming into a career entertaining people worldwide.
Those interested in joining should email Mr. Gregory at tgregory@upsd.org!
School Updates
Our Highschool’s Makeover
By: Marcus Kennedy
Over the summer, Upper Perk’s administration and staff have dedicated time and effort to enhancing and renovating the high school. From the windows to the walls, these new improvements are transforming the high school.
Various improvements have been made in multiple areas of the school. The installation of bollards helps prevent cars from going on certain roads or places surrounding the school premises. Located “down on the on the north and the south end of the building,” as noted by Principal Flank Flanagan, the sleek black bollards line the perimeter of the most traffic-bound areas of the high school, surrounding the main entrance as well.
The office underwent extensive renovations, including taking down the office’s old wallpaper that Mr. Flanagan described as “falling off the walls” and repainting. Additionally, the new office created space for the school’s new Secondary Special Education Supervisor.
Attendance has a new home as well. Miss Catarious has been relocated to the security desk by the main entrance, providing a more accessible and efficient layout for her and the students.
Todd Amsler, our vice principal, said stickers and decals were applied throughout the school to “freshen up the look and make everything look a little nicer here.” Circular stickers featuring the “UP” logo have been added to all of the exterior doors of the building. A “Main Entrance” decal was also added above the main entry doors (seen above). The improvements enhance the facilities by creating a welcoming environment for students and staff alike.
Main entrance to the high school. Photo taken by Jacob Carl.
Re-designing the Library
By: Austin Nesmith
Do you have technology issues? Does your computer blue-screen, die frequently, or scream error messages at you? Are you doing a research project, but don’t know where to look? Look no further, for the Upper Perk High School Library has been upgraded!
Inside the library, students are welcomed with brand-new charging stations. These stations, positioned at the central table of the library, can be used to charge both computers and personal devices within the library only. Although these stations are accessible to all students, new rules that disallow individuals from borrowing chargers have been put in place, so make sure to bring your chargers.
Online, a new interface for library materials through Destiny Discover has been set in stone for all to use! This resource is linked in UPSD Chrome Bookmarks and helps students gather information on the books within the library with ease. This trusty new resource will provide students with all the library books, categorized by genre, and inform them of their availability.
The tech support room can be found within the library, just behind the main desk. Inside, you’ll find UPHS’s residential tech support, Mrs. Yaroch. If Mrs. Yaroch isn’t inside, students may wait in the library for her return or ask Mrs. Hawthorne for assistance.
Mrs. Hawthorne started her role as the new school librarian last year. Along with keeping the library in tip-top shape, she also teaches a variety of classes. Classes commonly utilize the library during a project or miniature lesson. The Upper Perk High School Library is setting the foundation for our ever-improving school.
Thanks to the librarian, tech support, and all of the supporting teachers and staff, Upper Perk is continuing to progress and further benefit its students. Be sure to take advantage of these updates and stop by the library whenever you're thirsty for knowledge… or need to charge your phone.
Reconnecting and Growing
By: Quentin Landis
As the new year begins, new faces are making their debut at Upper Perk, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to our school community. Alongside these newcomers, familiar teachers are returning, ready to continue their dedicated work and build on their relationships with students.
WSJ takes a close look at the new staff members Upper Perk welcomes Ms. Mccarthy, who’s replacing Mr. Mercon as the Gym Teacher, and Mrs. Beinhauer, who is replacing Mrs. Mendez as the Spanish teacher.
This is Ms. McCarthy’s first year teaching at Upper Perk, and her third year teaching overall. When asked about her influence to begin teaching, Mrs. McCarthy stated, “I think back and I pick out one specific teacher I had in high school… She was a health and PE Teacher, but she made school so much more enjoyable because she didn’t just care about the classroom. She set out a good example of how teachers should care about their students.” Ms. McCarthy hopes that her students know that she cares about their success, both inside and outside of the classroom.
This year marks Mrs. Beinahauer’s first year teaching, particularly as a Spanish teacher. ”I’ve always loved kids and helping others, and I love Spanish, so I kind of just combined the two together…” Beinahauer continues by saying “My high school teachers as well, I spent a lot of time in their classrooms and they kind of sparked my desire to do this.” Although her official teaching name is Mrs. Beinahuer she prefers the form of address Rita B. When asked why, she said, “It’s to give more of a personal feel to better build a relationship between student and teacher, and saying Señorita Beinhauer is just really long.”
Two teachers have entered the school year with different surnames. Media and News teacher, Miss Barker, is now Mrs. Herron. Miss Smolinski, one of our Social Studies teachers and current MTSS coordinator, is now Mrs. Hoglund. Both teachers were married, ensure to extend your congratulations!
There are also some more re-entering staff! Mr. Nomland and Mrs. Burns have returned from their time off. Mr. Nomland is one of our Math and Geometry teachers, and Mrs. Burns teaches Accounting and Web Design. If you see any of the new or returning teachers, be sure to wish them luck for this upcoming school year.
New Theme! New Year!
By: Mia Lopez
Looking back on old school pictures in yearbooks brings back treasured memories for alumni and current students alike. This year’s Yearbook and Advanced Publication class are working hard to make all the preparations perfect. Here’s all you need to know about the upcoming yearbook. Voting on the yearbook theme was open to students at the beginning of the year. In late September, the official winner for the theme was announced.
Ava Sensey’s “Capturing Memories” was the chosen theme by majority vote. The concept includes a camera-based images and graphics.
Now that the theme is picked, a professional artist from Jostens, a memorabilia manufacturing company, is collaborating with the yearbook team to finish the cover.
Ava Senseny states, “The students are an important part of the committee that makes the yearbook possible. As a team, the yearbook is working on making this year a positive experience for everyone and making our publication stand out.” Overall, many are impressed with the improvement the yearbook team has made in their work and execution. Full appreciation goes to the students and faculty who are making this project happen. Their hard work and dedication will help preserve Upper Perkiomen students’ high school memories for years.
Community
Haunted Halls: Costume Contest
By: Ella Fox
As the leaves begin to fall, and the Homecoming season approaches, students at Upper Perk prepare for the school's yearly costume contest for Halloween! This event offers students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and imagination through various categories such as “Most Original,” “Best Couple,” “Best Group,” “Scariest” and “Funniest.”
Applications are available at the school store for students who wish to participate in the event. Students who have applied in the morning will be considered for the contest. This spooky event will be held on Thursday, October 31st at UPHS.
Participants and other students willing to dress up should arrive at school in appropriate costumes on the day of the contest. Hats may only be worn for judging purposes, and students are prohibited from wearing masks that cover their faces. Additionally, costumes containing gore or weapons are strictly forbidden. Upon registration for the contest, participants will receive a slip containing where to go for the voting process and who the judges will be. The judges in this contest will include various staff members, including as secretaries and security members. Participants with top rankings will be rewarded with a bag of candy, and their costume(s) will be featured in the yearbook. Mrs. Lychock, the host of this event, has expressed her belief that it provides a chance “for kids to be creative and show their school spirit.” If you are seeking somewhere to unleash and showcase your creativity, this event offers a great opportunity to do so. WSJ is looking forward to seeing the artistic and imaginative costumes our students can come up with so come out and participate in this yearly tradition! Stay tuned for the big reveal of who will wow the judges with their costumes and take home the prize.
Mrs. Lychock participated in the costume contest. Taken by a former student.
Battle of the Bottles
By: Maggie Wambold
Stanley, Owala, Hydro Flask: the list continues! Members of senior generations may feel confused or opposed to the idea of "micro" trends. These trends often mean teenagers feel inclined to purchase the latest thing, whether it be clothes, shoes, technology, or in this case, water bottles. If their friends or the majority are buying it, why shouldn't they buy it too? Mrs. Austin and Mr. Moyer gave their stance on the big question: what is with the water bottles?
The interviewees were asked whether or not they had an opinion on the obvious trends surrounding water bottles. junior believes "it is weird for everyone to jump in on a group mentality that says to buy every latest product."
Contrary to Mrs. Austin's stance, Abbie Strohl, who is a junior at the high school, states that the Stanley brand has "something for everyone." She does not see any particular issue with the trend, as these cups are "nicely designed, hold large amounts of water, keep everything cold, etc…"
Mr. Moyer is also up on the trends, especially since his daughter is a teenager. He does agree that the trends have spiraled out of control, however, he wonders if it is "any different than us having Coca-Cola shirts from when we were younger." He claims "If drinking more water is the worst thing that is happening then it sounds like we're in a pretty good spot."
It is clear that these trends grab the attention of young people of various ages with various opinions. Now… what's next?
Blue Ribbon for Marlborough
By Julianna Keller
On the morning of September 23rd, Marlborough Elementary School was officially named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School for the first time since 1994! Up to 420 schools can be nominated across the state annually. This year, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona presented a total of 356 schools as National Blue Ribbon recipients.
According to Upper Perk Updates, Marlborough, one of only 13 schools in Pennsylvania to receive this award, was recognized as excelling in “academic performance” and making “significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.”
According to the United States Department of Education, “National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards.” Schools that receive this reward present effective teaching methods and “offer robust professional development for their staff.”
Marlborough Elementary students and staff celebrated this achievement with a Blue Ribbon Award ceremony! Our very own UPHS Tribe Talk crew went out to cover the event. One Tribe Talk member who attended, Jeremiah Peguero, said, “It was a great experience seeing how excited everyone at Marlborough was, especially all of the kids.”
To kick off the celebration, the students were brought to the gym, receiving blue shirts and pompoms to show off their Marlborough pride. “They played a special video about the award for all of the kids to watch.” Afterward, they were brought outside to the blacktop, where UPTV staff members recorded the students throwing blue streamers and celebrating via drone. “After the kids went inside some of the camera crew helped the custodians clean up.”
Upper Perk is proud to call Marlborough Elementary its Blue Ribbon School, and it would not have been achieved without the teachers, students, staff, and administrators. This awards reflects the hard work and dedication of the Marlborough Elementary School.
Calendar!
