By: Jordan Bowe
We are not just a group of students, we are the future leaders of this world. To be a leader is to work hard, even though you do not believe anyone is watching, to try your hardest, even when you are told you cannot succeed so you can prove them wrong, to lend a helping hand, even when you do not have to, and to be the difference that we, as future leaders, need. Here are some of the individuals that have done just that in the month of November.
On November 2nd, we honored our veterans. One way we did so was through our assembly, where we listened to the stories of four female veterans. For The Art Club spent the week before this day decorating the auditorium during their lunches and after-school time in order to give their honorable visitors a visual thank you, wrapped in a bow of red, white, and blue. Our students responsible for the patriotic scene were Jordan Arici, Jordan Bowe, Amanda Gonzalez, Deanna Harris, and Vivian Tran.
Math can be difficult, but these girls make it look like a piece of Pi. On November 5th, Hallahan's Varsity Mathletes team “A” took first place in their mathletes competition. This team consists of Jordan Cerone, Julia Alexandrakis, Brigid Hurst, Jacqueline Coval, and Angelina Maniero. Our Mathletes team “B” took 4th place. The honor of this achievement went to Shelby Bettendorf, Ainsley Arquitola, Brenda Shou, Bejee Paleng, and Amanda Shini. They beat Little Flower, Roman Catholic, Saint Joseph Prep, Gwynedd Mercy, and Merion Mercy.
From November 12th to November 16th, the Respect for Life Club raised money in an original and creative way. They hosted a Chromebook raffle that was available for everyone in the school to take part in and enjoy. The money was used to pay for their bus trip to the March For Life. The March for Life is an annual rally in Washington D.C., protesting both the practice and legality of abortion. They raised $405! This was achieved by the hard work of the members of the Respect for Life Club, who gave up their lunches to sell tickets and volunteered their time. The students responsible for this were Madeline Ortiz, Alyson Legensky, Gabby Maffei, Phoebe Leposki, Shelby Bettendorf, Maggie Popielarz, Julia Alexandrakis, Hailey Skea, Bejee Paleng, Hanul Lee, Brianna Santiago, Summer Dib, and Pin Jen Su.
Other than academics, one thing that high schools try to succeed in is school spirit. Nothing says school spirit like honoring your mascot for a week. For the week of Mickey’s birthday (November 12th to November 16th) Hallahan took part in many activities such as a door decorating contest, gifts, pictures with Mickey, dress down days, Mickey-themed desserts, games, and a pep rally. However, these events took a lot of time to plan out and to achieve. The girls responsible for this dedication are none other than our Student Council girls. These girls include DeOvionne Brown, Lauren Skrocki, Christine Powell, Empress Graham, Ava Miller, Bernadette Mooney, Ava Cima, Indreal Morris, Katherine Dang, Tia Tropea, Nina Rowan, Sophia Isaacson, Bridgid Hurst, Tia Tropea, Julia Alexandrakis, Madeline Urbine, Kathleen McCann, Angelina Maniero, and Jada Marcial.
November 16th was an important day to the Theater Club as some of their cast members stepped into the spotlight to audition to be core dancers in this year’s school play: “Hairspray”. They stepped up to the challenge of being given a particular dance number which they were to repeat back on the spot and they all showed how worthy they were for their parts.
To express our school’s motto for this year “Empowered Women, Empowering Women”, throughout the month of November, World Culture Club has been hosting a clothing drive in Hallahan through a non-profit organization named “Dress for Success”. This clothing drive is for the women all around the world who are going to job interviews so they can become economically independent. Who is to thank for this great opportunity for those who are less fortunate? Of course, it was our wonderful World Culture Club leaders: Ava Cima and Maddie Navea.
Sara Gov received an award of excellence by the Congress of the Future Medical Leaders. She then attended the Congress in Boston, MA and had the chance to learn and speak to Nobel Prize winners, medical Academic leaders, and Harvard professors.
This particular section goes as a thank you to everyone in Hallahan who, throughout the month of November, donated supplies for veterans being served by the Philadelphia VFW through the Veterans Drive and to those who participated in donating money for turkeys for people who are less fortunate.
We are all the future leaders of this world. Although sometimes life can be difficult, do not give up. Be the person who works hard even though they do not believe anyone is watching, who tries their hardest, even when they are told they cannot succeed so that they can prove everyone wrong, who lends a helping hand, even when they do not have to. Be the leader that creates a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, and become more than they ever thought possible.
Be the difference.