May & June Issue

An unforgettable evening!

By Keely Brown

On the night of April 27th, the excitement and joy were displayed as students mingled, took photos, and enjoyed the festivities at the Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg for the 2024 MASH Prom. The atmosphere was electric, with the twinkling lights and Tangled-inspired decor adding to the enchanting and fun ambience.


The prom committee worked tirelessly to create a beautiful setting with handmade, creative decorations to ensure the students had an amazing time. From the delicious food such as carefully decorated Tangled-themed cookies and an assortment of beverages to the energetic music and recognition of prom court, there was something for everyone to enjoy.


As the night unfolded those selected for the Prom court made their way up to the stage for the crowning ceremony. Students lined up cheering for those selected as they walked down the aisle. Cameras and videos were up as every student wanted to see the royalty walk down the aisle. Up on stage was Mr. Laudenslager who held the crowns for the winners. The court for Queen and King consisted of Maddie Stare, Teagan Valente, Olivia Rengen, Sarah Meyers, Evan June Pineo, Calvin Cavada, Henry Notarfrancesco, Ben Rhodes, Jeff Lougee, and Tyler Weicht. Then following in their footsteps was the court for Princess and Prince; Josie Gibbons, Veronica Vogt, Alexandra Black, Lacy Crowell, Dani Klinger, Quentin Chow, Elijah Beya, Josh Smith, Nathan MacDonald, and Wyatt Lehr. The crowned royals were Maddie Stare for Queen, Tyler Weicht for King, Josie Gibbons for Princess and Nathan MacDonald for Prince. 


As the night drew to a close, the students of Mechanicsburg Senior High School took to the dance floor one last time, surrounded by the twinkling lights and the magic of their special night. Jr. Josie Gibbons explains the impact of the night, expressing, “ I had a blast with all my friends and created new memories that I will keep forever!” It was a truly unforgettable evening that will leave a special memory to be cherished by all who attended for years to come. 

The Muse - Endless Artistry

By Alevia Durham

It’s Muse Month! 


For those who don’t know or are new to MASH, The Muse is the literary arts magazine for the Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, created by the students, for the students! Throughout the year, The Muse staff works to collect literary art and writing from all grade levels and compiles it into a magazine for all to enjoy and display their talents and interests. In The Muse, you’ll find the work of your peers from photography capturing the essence of nature to paintings and poems about having a countdown to Halloween. The Muse not only gives students the chance to show their interests and incredible talent, but it also holds a record of how art and literature have evolved at MASH through time! With that in mind, let’s take a deep dive into The Muse’s 18th edition! 


There are sixty-seven total pages to the magazine this year with over thirty submissions! If that doesn’t scream talent, I’m not sure what does. Each page of the magazine combines two or more artists that complement each other, highlighting their work alongside their peers. For example, on page six, “The Dreaming Painter” by So. Chelsea Guan is displayed beside two acrylic origami paintings on page seven by Sr. Kyla Mitchell and Jr. Alexandra Berger. Not only is The Muse a chance to show your talent outside of school, but you can also submit class assignments like the origami acrylic paintings done in the Art II course! 


Students who submit to The Muse are never confined to just one submission. Students like Sr. Lydia Davenport, who contributed over two pieces this year, can display their love for many different kinds of art! The limits are non-existent when it comes to The Muse, making it a place for students to express themselves endlessly.  


Students who are interested in photography also have time to shine. With submissions from students like So. Kayleah Sloane, Sr. Emily Hammaker, and Jr. Adam Bordlemay, The Muse is filled with a colorful array of photos that never cease to amaze. 


Here at MASH, we are lucky to have as strong of a community as we do. The Muse allows that community to express themselves in the most open and creative ways, and we can never be thankful enough to the staff of the magazine that made this possible. From formatting and creating the magazine to occasionally submitting their own work, we are forever thankful to the students and teachers who helped all students express their creativity. 


If there’s one thing we know from looking at The Muse this year, it’s this: here at MASH, the limits on imagination are nonexistent and artistry is endless. Never stop creating, and we’ll see you next year for the 19th edition of The Muse. 

Things to do This Summer

By Emma Faro


The end of school is rapidly approaching! It’s finally time to kick back, relax, and enjoy three months of blissful nothing. At least it sounds great until you get bored after the first week of lazing around on your phone. With so much free time and no obligations, we usually end up bored. Here are some great ways to stay busy during your summer vacation.


Summer means perfect weather for spending time in the great outdoors. There are lots of places where you can hike the Appalachian Trail or go for a bike ride. When it’s too hot for anything else, go swimming in the pool or kayak along the Yellow Breeches.

Volunteering is a great way to serve our community. Using your time off to help others helps you feel more fulfilled. Some places to volunteer could be an animal shelter, nursing home, or a food bank. Connect with local non-profit organizations here.

There are plenty of places within driving distance where you can spend the day with friends or family. Some popular road trip destinations are Pittsburg, Philadelphia, or the Gettysburg War Park. Buy tickets to Hersheypark or a concert at the Giant Center. State parks like Ricketts Glen or the Poconos mountains are the perfect place to get some fresh air. 

There are lots of job opportunities for high schoolers over the summer. Fast food restaurants and grocery stores are often in need of workers and getting a job is the perfect way to make some money for yourself. Find some companies that are hiring here.

Sounds cliche but reading is a great way to relax and unwind during the summer. There’s a genre for everyone to enjoy! Check out book recommendations from our MASH English teachers in the March and April editions of the Torch.

Summertime can be busy with training for fall and winter sports, but a great way to keep your skills fresh is to play in a rec league with some friends. Here are some options for leagues to play in. Mechanicsburg Rec Department also hosts some volleyball tournaments and sports camps over the summer. Those can be found here.

Bake or cook something, crochet, plant a garden, take pictures, build something out of wood, try a new sport, do a 5k, sew, enter a writing contest, paint and sketch, learn a new instrument, anything that gets you out of your comfort zone.

There are so many ways to stay active over the summer. Go to the gym, swim laps, go for a run, go for a bike ride, or hike the AT.


Enjoy your summer!

Ricketts Glen State Park


Retiring MASH staff

By Chelsea Guan

Summer break is near and while some students will be returning to MASH later this fall, the same cannot be said about MASH seniors who are looking forward to exciting journeys ahead, as well as MASH teachers and staff who have decided to retire this year. 


Mrs. Bohrer has been a teacher for 30 years and has been with MASH for a total of 24 years teaching AP Literature, Theatre I-V, 11th grade English, and some other classes that are no longer available. When asked about her experience, she expresses gratitude for her colleagues and for the opportunity to work with students, saying, “Teaching at MASH has been rewarding because of the colleagues I’ve worked with over the years, and the many students who I’ve been lucky enough to teach or work with in an extra-curricular capacities. Those two factors make me feel lucky to have taught here as long as I have.” 


Mrs. Bohrer also mentions that the moments in her teaching career that stand out to her the most are when students are overwhelmed with what they’re reading--she recalls instances where students cry while re-reading out loud--as well as when students are hit with sudden epiphanies. Mrs. Bohrer further comments saying, “...the connections where something resonates with a student, those are great moments to have as a teacher.”


 She also loves helping students with the fall play and musical, to be able to see students express their creative talents and hard work really stand out to her too. Additionally, despite the hard work that goes into coordinating trips, Mrs. Bohrer has thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations outside of school--the annual trips with theater to NYC, theater banquets, as well as her time with the NHS crew. 


Mrs. Bohrer’s message to staff and students expresses her gratitude for the MASH staff once again and hands over some advice to students: “First, thank you to the staff for your many years of friendship. So many wonderful people inhabit this building, and I’m grateful for them. Students, I would tell you to invest more into not only getting involved in the experiences that high school has to offer, but also creating them. There is more to gain from high school than grades and credits. Don’t build your schedule based on how quickly you can get out of the building. There are memories to be made here. College life and/or work life will still be there for you later.” 


Mrs. Kopacko has been an instructional aide--starting in the social studies department, then later expanding to other subjects--at MASH for the past 18 years. She has really enjoyed her time here and similarly, her favorite moments have been with “...students [who] make those ‘Aha’ connections. Those who have been struggling but the connection is finally made and their eyes light up and they are genuinely excited about their discovery and success.” To elaborate, she states, “Of course, the other part is the amazing staff. Every teacher I have had the opportunity to support has been inviting and inclusive, viewing me as being a valued part of their classroom.” Mrs. Kopacko continues to learn each year from students and the staff and encourages everyone to “continue to push yourself to learn as much as you can every day.” 


Her message to MASH is short, yet sweet: “I hope that each student will embrace the educational opportunity that is offered to them, never take it for granted.  I hope that all of the teachers realize how important they are to the success of their students and will continue to persevere and be the excellent role models and educators I have come to know and respect.” 


Ms. Hiestand has been a school counselor for 30 years here at MASH and has had a wonderful experience. She talks about how this was where she met some of her dearest friends--she calls them “my tribe”--and notes that from the moment she first started here, MASH has always felt like “one big family.” She adds on saying, “We supported each other through the ups and downs of life. We are so blessed to live in a community with such great students/families.” The moments Ms. Hiestand loves most about her job is sitting with students and “helping them navigate life’s challenges and plan for their future.” Her connections with students and families have been her greatest joys and mentions how profound it is to “[watch]  the process of a student coming into the high school as freshmen and transforming into a young adult about to embark on the next chapter of their life…” 


Ms. Hiestand expresses how her wish is, “...that I had a small part in their journey.  That maybe something that I said or did made them feel important/valued and that they know someone cared about them.” All in all, Ms. Hiestand is also excited for her retirement plans, including continuing to work in a private practice as a personal therapist, traveling not just during the summer months, hanging out with Bailey, playing more golf, and working on her garden. 


From Ms. Hiestand to the students and staff of MASH: “I think my biggest message that I would like to leave both students and staff is to get involved! Students, join a club or activity, be part of the musical, join an athletic team. Whatever it is, [find your] niche. Make the most of every opportunity you have in high school because it goes by so fast. Staff, get involved, be an advisor of a club, coach a sport, go watch our students perform, whether that’s on stage, on an athletic field or at a concert. Making connections with our students outside of the classroom is so very important. They know you are there watching them and it means the world to them.”


Mrs. Culver has taught many classes during her time here at MASH, dedicating many years to teaching beginning from 1995, including Accounting, Personal Finance, Logistics, Career Development, Introduction to Business, etc. She mentions saying, “Teaching has been a lifelong passion for me…I have enjoyed my years of teaching and growing with the district.” Her most memorable and rewarding part about being a teacher is definitely building relationships with her students. Two of her core memories include when Mr. Vriens’ face was plastered to the window between their rooms trying to see what her students were doing that disturbed his classes. One thing he observed was the accounting students doing the accounting dance performed perfectly for Mr. Reidy. The other was about her past student, one who loved her hair. Mrs. Culver challenged her, saying if she got 70% on a test, she would give her a sample of her shampoo. The student succeeded and passed, and after that day believed in herself. 


Mrs. Culver tried to make her classroom a place students wanted to be. She further adds on saying, “I was blessed with wonderful students over the years and they made my life complete…young people getting ready to start their lives and then finding out the amazing things they do/become when they leave MASH is rewarding to me. I am proud of each one of them.” 


With her retirement, Mrs. Culver leaves a message to MASH: “My message that I dedicate to my students is the song “Forever Young.” It has what I truly feel in my heart for them. They are in my prayers and will always hold a special place in my heart. People make the organization. It was an honor to work with the staff at Mechanicsburg. I was blessed with supportive, friendly coworkers. The people make Mechanicsburg a wonderful place to work. Thank you for my time at Mechanicsburg, the memories, and the friendships that were made. It is time to pass the torch to my son, the third generation of teachers in the family.”


To all retiring teachers and staff, thank you for all that you’ve done during your time here--you will be dearly missed by our MASH community. Best wishes to everything you have planned ahead!

Spring sports coming to a close

By Evelyn Hambright


As summer gets closer, the end of the spring sports season does as well. This year at MASH, the two spring sports with the most success have been the Baseball and Softball teams. 


Baseball: The Baseball team ended the season winning 17 games, losing three games, and tying one game. Led by Coach McAllister, the team ended up winning the Division 3-5A championship. This is the second year in a row that the MASH Baseball team ended the year as Division Champions. With the loss of key senior players, the season next year is a highly anticipated one. 


Softball: After making it to both Districts and States last season, the Softball team was looking to recapture the magic once again. This season, the team ended with a record of 17-4, qualifying for Districts. The team made it to semifinals before losing a tough battle against Southwestern. With two successful seasons, next year, the MASH Softball team will be one to watch. 

Photo credit- PennLive Vicki Vellios Briner 

Photo credit- The Sentinel Jason Malmont

Volunteering in Mechanicsburg

By Olivia Hopkins



As the school year comes to an end, and we all begin to gain a little more free time, there are many places/organizations around Mechanicsburg that would love to have some new volunteers! To get some easy volunteer hours, I’ve asked a few people who I know have volunteered to help our community to share the opportunities that they have been able to participate in. A few places that will be covered in this article are:


To begin, I was able to talk to current Jr. Corina Curry. She answered that she has volunteered at Country Meadows Retirement Community by “playing piano for the residents there.” However, this is not the only option that you can do. You can volunteer by having friendly conversations, teaching a baking class, distributing the mail, and so much more. The minimum age requirement to volunteer here is 14 years old, and you can apply to be a volunteer at their website (https://www.countrymeadows.com/volunteer). 


Another available opportunity is Backpacks of Hope. Backpacks of Hope is an organization that distributes backpacks full of supplies as well as comfort items to children in the foster care system. This way, when they enter into a new home, they will have something to call their own, and it also provides the foster family with tools to use to help the child feel at home. An anonymous sophomore explains that they volunteered with Backpacks of Hope by “organizing bins of supplies such as toothbrushes, stuffed animals, socks, school supplies, as well as the backpack itself.” Backpacks of Hope accepts donations at any time in Mechanicsburg at The Cracked Pot. Donations include a backpack with pajamas (any size from newborns-teen), a blanket, toiletries, a stuffed animal, and a flashlight if pajamas are chosen for 3T or smaller. You can find more information on their website (https://ourfathershope.org/initiatives/backpacks-of-hope/). 


Another opportunity is at CPAA (Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance). CPAA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to, “save the lives of dogs and cats in central Pennsylvania through spaying, neutering, rescuing, fostering, adoptions, training, and public outreach and education.” Volunteering may look like going in to feed or just be with the animals, or to clean out some of the areas that they use. To inquire about volunteering at CPAA, you can email  info@cpaa.info for more information. Or take a look at their website (https://www.cpaa.info/join-cpaa/).


Lastly, Jr. Bekka Kreitman volunteers at the Simpson Library in Mechanicsburg. Bekka explains that at the library, “[she] mostly shelves books,” and works in “the children’s department, helping with the children’s programs such as the kindergarten readiness class.” She continues to say that she will “help the children’s coordinators with other miscellaneous tasks.” To anyone who wants to get involved, the volunteer coordinator is Cheryl Hobbs, and you can reach out to her email (choobs@cumberlandcountylibraries.org). According to Bekka, “a typical shift is 2 hours, and there is an application and training process.”


There are so many opportunities to volunteer and get involved in our community!

Changing of the guard

By Macy Kiker 


During this time of year it can be very stressful. It seems so many things are happening all at once, tests, final projects, summer plans, planning your schedule for next year, you name it, it's happening. However, it is important to take a minute in our busy lives to try to reflect on this year. This article focuses on advice from the graduating grade to those rising into that grade.  


Rising Seniors

This is a very exciting part in our journey of lives. This summer we start to plan our decisions for the rest of our lives. Whether or not you want to go to college, join the workforce, or enlist into military service. All of these decisions are ones we get to make. 


Graduating Sr. Evan Pineo leaves the following advice.. 

1. Have free periods!! Take advantage of senior alternatives to spend time with your friends for your last year of high school. 

2. Don’t let senioritis win. You will feel so much better if you finish strong!

3. Do all of the things! Don’t say no to something just because you are scared. 


This brings up an important point. While these decisions may seem very important it is important to still stay in the moment and make the most out of the high school experiences you have left. Go to the games, be involved in your community, spend time with your friends! You are about to be entering your last year of your “childhood” so live in the moment. Also be mindful of your schedule for next year. Do not make yourself miserable, if there is a class you already are dreading it may not be the best class for you next year so consider changing it! Best of luck in your last year of high school! 


Rising Juniors 

Next year starts to become more important in your academic career. Your classes become more challenging and you have to start to think about what you want to do in the future. A good piece of advice for figuring out what you want to do is taking a variety of classes to explore your interests! 


Advice from current Jr. Grace Evans states, “Don't pretend to be someone you're not just to be friends with someone, and don't waste your time on people you have to change for. Find yourself and you'll find your people.”


This advice is especially useful to rising juniors but also for all the grades. You will be the happiest with the people that lift you up to become your best self and you lift them up to become their best selves. Make sure that you are surrounded by people that bring out the best in you! Additionally, during this year it is very important to take care of yourself. Your academic and extracurricular will become increasingly full but it's important not to let your own wellbeing fall through the cracks. Set out a chunk of time each week to do something that makes you happy you aren’t obligated to do. Whether that be hanging out with friends or going for a walk. It is important to do something or your mental and physical health will suffer.  


Rising Sophomores 

Next year is similar to this year but will be a little easier. Hopefully you're starting to figure out what studying methods work for you and who your people are - if not don’t worry there is still time to figure that out. 


Current So. Audrey Hunt shares, “Hi upcoming sophomores! As you’re finishing the first year of high school and entering the second, remember to stay focused, determined, and motivated. Take the time to figure out what study tactics work for you, how to best manage your time, and how to keep your personal, academic, and social lives balanced. In general, keep prioritizing your well-being and checking in with yourself.”


These things are all very important to your success in high school and balance is the key. It is important to maintain both your academics and your social lives because that is what wellness looks like. It can be difficult to maintain but with constant checking in on the balance is very achievable. You do not always have to be studying but at the same time you can not always be hanging out with friends. There is a balance to maintain. Additionally, I would stress the importance of always being involved in your school community. Go to the games and participate in the spirit days! This is a great way to maintain a good school life balance!  



Conclusion 

For everyone, congratulations on almost finishing this year! Remember to keep working hard throughout the end of the school year! Take in the words of advice shared by your upperclassman and set goals for yourself to complete next school year. Live in the moment and make the most of every experience and opportunity! Good luck on whatever next school year takes you!

Photo credit- Christophe Domec/Novara Media

Paris protests strike again: Inhabitants of France’s capital city demonstrate concern over hosting the 2024 Olympic games. 


By Riley Lepley

                                                                                                              

       The 2024 Summer Olympics are fast approaching. Around the world athletes and spectators are getting excited for the events, except for the citizens of the host city itself, Paris. The games are set to take place on July 26th, and preparation for the events have upset those living within Paris. Between housing inequity, historic restoration, and rushing to be ready in time, Parisian officials are facing an uphill battle. 


       One critical concern among the residents of Paris is the message the cities focus on the Olympics while so many do not have access to affordable housing. For example, 1.5 billion dollars have been pledged to clean the Seine River. The infamous Seine is not known for its cleanliness. Nevertheless, the state has decided to hold water events in the river, a historic waterway in France. The river had to undergo extensive cleaning, which has proved to be costly. Amidst a housing crisis in Paris, citizens are upset at the expense put forth for the Olympic games. Below is a banner hung, which reads in French, “The hour is grave, no housing, no rest in Paris.” 



       In order to protest the cleaning expense of the Seine River, advocates against  the games have staged an event on June 23rd to defecate in the river. The exigence of the event was an announcement from French President Macaron that he would swim in the river to prove its cleanliness for the athletes. Those who plan to defecate in the river hope to send a rallying cry to the French government to focus on critical French issues instead of extensive spending on the Olympics.



       Protests like those of June 23rd threaten the preparedness of Paris for the Olympics. Outside of those who oppose the use of the Seine in the games, business owners have also taken issue with the requirements established in preparation for the Summer Olympics. Due to highly anticipated heavy traffic in the city, rows of small book shops which line the streets and Seine of Paris have been asked to close up shop–they have not. They are expected to have cleared the area for the opening ceremony, which could affect many of the small bookkeepers business. These miniature bookshops are a historic part of the city. The small dark green boxes which sell books, magazines and postcards have been along the Seine for 450 years. Asking them to move for security purposes, as police are concerned people will climb the boxes to view events, has upset owners and customers. These bouquinistes, as the bookkeepers are known as, have taken to painting messages on their stands, proclaiming they will not be moved. 



       Additionally, Many fear the small streets of Paris will become more crowded than they are currently. The Olympics could make traveling in the city near impossible. The BBC found that an overwhelming 44% of inhabitants were against the games, and 52% are considering leaving the area for the duration of the Olympics. 



This Labor day the upset came to head on “International Workers Day,'' taken very seriously by many French people. Protests and strikes were numerous, as activists for better labor conditions staged anti-Olympic demonstrations. Many feel inconvenienced, ignored, and pushed out of the city as the rush to prepare Paris for the games continue. 



       Despite French frustration, officials have not expressed concern that the games will go on. So while the opening ceremony will likely take place without issue, some of the hosts may not be too happy. 

The end of the year is here

By Liliana Mast


I think we can all say how thrilled we are that the sun is out, pools are opening, and picnics are happening. We are all ready for the sunroofs to be popped open on the last day of school listening to “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley. But, until that day has come, we can talk about our last feelings and some traditions that we see as the last week of school approaches. 


Many students have explained how they are thrilled for summer and have felt very burnt out to continue doing work and finishing finals. But, talking to seniors, many have said how they are excited for their new chapters in life but will miss their incredible teachers, friends, and especially memories from high school. Even some underclassmen have reminisced on their freshman or sophomore year, especially the sophomores. Realizing that you’re changing completely from one thing to another–underclassmen to upperclassmen, really starts to put things into perspective. Many of my friends who are sophomores have said that they didn't really realize that they were gonna be juniors in a week until a couple of days ago and that they now have to start thinking about college, jobs, and many more. We can all agree that this year has been a good and bad one, just like every other year. But, we can also say that it’s different from the last in whatever way you found it to be. Enjoy the last week of school and enjoy your last time being a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school because time flies by and we deserve to take in the view. 


When talking to students and parents, many had a couple of traditions for the end of the school to make it a little more enjoyable. When talking to parents, many said they would treat their kid to a nice treat in case their child felt like the week just kept dragging on and felt unmotivated to keep going. In other cases, some found that their kid felt even happier going to school and enjoying the last few days if they were given a small treat on multiple or a specific day of the last week of school. Sometimes these treats can make you remember some of the best times of the year and make you excited for the next one to come. 


Another tradition I found with a couple of my friends was to make letters. These letters could be for your future self or just to talk about the end of the school year and the fun memories you’ve made. Many of my friends have talked about how these letters or journals help to motivate them to keep going and help control their feelings when they're feeling like school is just too much. Looking back at the memories and the emotions you felt in the letter can help you relive that experience and make you feel more connected. 


One of my favorite traditions for the end of the year is to make a bucket list, whether that be for the summertime or things you want to accomplish before the school year is up. These little things can sometimes make a big difference in the long run and help us to feel more motivated and engaged in the activities we know we want and need to accomplish. Overall, setting not-so-fun and fun activities on a bucket list can help us in the long run and help us remember the memories that came along with it.


Overall, summertime is just around the corner, and maybe doing some of these traditions or expressing end-of-the-year emotions is the best way to feel more motivated to end the year strong. But if you ever get burnt out because there are literally 4 school days until school is over, remember the breezy beach, the freckles, and jumping into a swimming pool because those 4 days will go by quickly. Have a good summer!

The Science Behind Summer Break:

A Look into a Student's Mind

By Kyle Moreno

- Overview -

The anticipation is palpable as Summer Break approaches, with only one week left of school. This period holds immense significance for students, who often grapple with high expectations and future anxieties. In this final article of the school year, we delve into the psychological impacts of this eagerly awaited summer break, a topic of utmost relevance and importance. 

- Freedom in Summer Break -

What is Freedom? Freedom is doing whatever you want whenever you want, with no consequences whatsoever. This idea is both positive and negative concerning Summer Break. From life satisfaction, a greater sense of well-being, and the ability to make choices to control their own lives, in turn contributing to their happiness, to decision fatigue, too many choices lead to people being overwhelmed and struggling to make decisions, leading them to become lazy and slow to react. More positives include increased motivation due to more freedom to pursue personal goals and interests, personal growth, and more freedom to explore identities and develop skills. With freedom, one can have more creativity and innovation, the freedom to think and act independently, and the ability to come up with top-notch ideas that would not have been appropriate in a school setting. 


Negatives of freedom include isolation, excessive freedom can lead to social isolation, and people might prefer personal goals, friendships, or communities over various other pieces of their lives. There can be a lack of structure, and with so much freedom, there becomes a decline in order, so tasks and goals over the summer are never finished in time due to productivity loss in a free environment. Finally, anxiety, uncertainty about the future and what lies next, along with pressure to make the most of summer, can have heavy psychological impacts if not treated.

- Hormones in the Human Mind -

These are all effects of freedom on the psychological mind, but to understand them, one must understand the underlying chemicals in one's brain that lead to such ideas and actions. Positive Hormones include serotonin, a feel-good hormone that regulates mood and well-being. Higher serotonin levels lead to happiness and relaxation. There is dopamine, a chemical responsible for the reward center in your brain, reinforcing behavior, and plays a role in motivation and pleasure; high dopamine levels mean higher joy and satisfaction. Endorphins are natural painkillers that contribute to euphoria and well-being; higher levels result in a more positive mood. Oxytocin is a love hormone associated with bonding, trust, and social connection; when there are higher levels, it promotes feelings of warmth and contentment. There is a multitude of harmful hormones as well; cortisol, which is the primary stress hormone, is released in response to stress and triggers a flight or fight response; high levels result in anxiety, depression, and other harmful effects. Adrenaline is released during stressful situations as the body prepares for a quick response; higher levels of adrenaline result in agitation and anxiety. Glutamate, an abundant excitatory hormone in the brain that is involved in learning, memory, and cognition, high levels, however, result in neurotoxicity and conditions of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 


These chemicals are released into the body due to external or internal stimuli and play a key role in regulating mood, stress responses, and overall mental health; understanding how these chemicals work can help people identify anxiety, depression, or stress-related disorders. Knowing about the chemicals can be helpful to a student trying to stay calm and keep themselves together by the end of the break. 

- Balance -

Summer Break offers a chance to unwind and gear up for the future. While some handle this transition smoothly, others need help. Some still determine their next steps, while others worry about meeting their summer goals. Those returning from a break may feel adrift without their usual activities. Coping effectively with emotions involves using established psychological techniques and physical factors. Cognitive reappraisal, for instance, involves reframing situations to alter their emotional impact. This activates the prefrontal cortex, which is linked to mental control, and reduces amygdala activity, which processes emotional responses. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, releasing hormones like acetylcholine to counter stress responses caused by cortisol and adrenaline.


Mindfulness meditation, an ancient practice, reduces amygdala activity and increases emotional regulation-associated brain region activity, modulating stress hormone release. Interacting with supportive individuals triggers oxytocin release, promoting trust and connection, countering stress hormones, and boosting emotional resilience. Physical activity, like exercise, stimulates endorphin release, acting as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Exercise also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor production, supporting brain health and stress resilience. Adequate sleep is crucial for emotional regulation, as sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function and worsens emotional reactivity. During sleep, the brain processes emotional experiences, aiding mood regulation. Nutrition also plays a vital role in long-term emotional health. A balanced diet of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients supports brain health and stress resilience. Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with reduced inflammation and improved mood regulation.

- Wrapping it up -

As summer approaches, it's essential to acknowledge the psychological effects that this season can have on students. The pressure to make the most of the break and the struggle to balance leisure with academic and family obligations create unique stressors for students to manage. By understanding these psychological dynamics, educators, parents, and students can collaborate to promote resilience, self-care, and healthy coping strategies during the summer break.

Top 5 Best Things to do During the Summer

By Addie Nedrow


Summer is a wonderful time of the year. If not, it is the best time of the year. The days get longer, the air becomes warmer, the sun radiating off of our skin (PLEASE wear sunscreen! This is not a Mr. Krabb’s summer!), the adventures become greater, our drinks become cooler, life becomes more enjoyable; summer is in the air. 


During the summer, students thrive to make memories that could last a lifetime. Whether they are going to the beach with their friends or making candy salad in their basement while watching horror movies, students at MASH have thought of how these long hot summer days can turn into unforgettable memories. 

Students at MASH have already been murmuring in the halls about their plans for Summer ‘24 and those who are already in their summer spirit have been asked to list the Top 5 Best things you can do during the summer! 


This is one of the most creative and most beautiful summer activities that we can hang on our wall or keep as a decoration! Bring a friend (or multiple) to a flower field! You take a piece of cardboard and draw a vase and poke holes above this vase! In these holes, you pick and choose the most beautiful flowers of your choice and you put them in there! It is such a creative and fun decoration and a forever memory of the summer! If you want to keep these flowers, you may dry them in a cool area so they can last for a long time! 


As someone who loves the beach, going to the beach with your friends is going to be such a fun time! You may go to any beach of your choice and bring lots of snacks and music, so you can go have fun, get tan, collect seashells with your friends and make mini beach bottles or jewelry. The beach also provides an amazing time to play music and games with your friends! 


This is a new trend that is found on so many popular social media sites, such as Tik Tok! Candy Salad is so delicious! Bring a couple of friends, any candies of your choice and a big bowl! This is so much fun to make while watching a movie or playing board games, it is such a fun bonding experience and so delicious obviously (unless your candy sucks)! 


Body painting and henna are so much fun during the summer! You can choose any color of paint and draw different designs and drawings on your friends! It is so much fun to wear out and show your artistic abilities to your friends! Despite the henna staying longer than the body paint, it is fun to take polaroid pictures of them to keep in your memories! Be creative and have fun! 


Now this is a throwback for many of us who had trampolines as kids! Trampoline sleepovers are such a fun experience with your friends! You first take a trampoline and lots of pillows and blankets and set up a mini fort, but leave the top open so that you can stargaze! This is also the perfect time to make a bonfire and eat some s’mores with your friends! 



 MASH students, we are so proud of you for all of your hard work and accomplishments this school year! Remember, summer is a stress-free, relaxing break for all of us to spend time with our family and our friends and to most importantly, work on ourselves while having fun! Make sure to go out everyday and make new memories and try something new, like something listed above! Live your life to the fullest and make this the best summer yet! We are excited to see you next school year and hear about your adventures this summer and all the fun you had! Have an amazing summer!

Movies to look out for in summer 2024

By Chaley Riley


There have already been so many good movies to come out this year. Dune Part Two, The Fall Guy and Monkey Man are just a few of the greatest to hit theaters this year. Just last week we got The Garfield Movie and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which will continue to run into June. However, there are even more movies coming in the next few months that are worth watching.


The first of which is Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die. I’m sure most people have at least heard of the Bad Boys franchise, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. They’re buddy cop action films, which started in 1995. This movie continues that trend, and even still has Smith and Lawrence to play the main characters. It releases on June 7th, alongside The Watchers. The Watchers is a notable release because of the director, Ishana Night Shyamalan. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she is the daughter of the director behind hits such as The Sixth Sense and Knock at the Cabin, M. Night Shyamalan. It’ll be a horror movie.


On June 14th Pixar will release its 28th movie, Inside Out 2. It follows Riley as she becomes a teenager and starts feeling more emotions, such as anxiety and envy. A fun fact I like about this movie is that Pixar had teenage girls watch the movie through its many drafts and give feedback on it, hoping to make Riley relatable to the audience. I’m interested to see how they expand on the original without diminishing its impact.


Did you know Jim from The Office directed and wrote a sci-fi horror movie in 2018? It's called The Quiet Place, and is about blind aliens who come to Earth and cause the apocalypse. However, since they’re blind, if you stay quiet, they can’t hunt you. It was a success, and spawned multiple sequels, and more importantly a prequel. A Quiet Place: Day One will cover the very beginning of the alien invasion, and what people did to survive. It comes out on June 28th.


Next is Illumination’s next big hit, Despicable Me 4. We all know this series’ deal. It has little yellow guys and Steve Carrel. In this one, Gru needs to juggle his new son and a former enemy that has broken out of prison. Despicable Me 4 comes out on July 3rd.


After that is Fly Me to the Moon. If you want to google this one, don’t forget “movie 2024” afterwards, so you don’t end up with the Frank Sinatra song or the 2008 animated movie. Fly Me to the Moon is a love story that takes place during the 1960’s space race, between a NASA official and marketing specialist. All the while, they’re planning a fake moon landing, just in case the real one doesn’t work out. The reason this one is notable to me is the interesting plot but also the two leads are Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. It will be released on July 12th.


Next is a movie I’m sure you’ve heard of, Twisters. It's a sequel to the 1996 movie Twister, and stars Glen Powell. If you haven’t heard of Glen Powell, he has had a weird popularity boost in the past few years, thanks to his role in Top Gun: Maverick. In the past year he has starred in many notable releases, with Twisters being his next big hit. It comes out on July 19th.


Deadpool, the savior of the MCU, returns this summer in Deadpool & Wolverine. Both characters are finally, officially, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this movie looks so funny and good. The other two were, no reason to think this one won’t be. Oh, and Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine, that’s a big deal. This, personally, is one of my most anticipated movies for this year. Side note, one of the working titles was Deadpool & Friend, and I wish that was the final name. Deadpool returns to the theaters on July 26th.


I know at least one person will be happy when I say a new Alien movie is coming out this year, not directed by Ridley Scott and set between the events of the first two movies. Alien: Romulus is directed by Fede Alvarez, and has a cast of actors I’ve never heard of before. It’s a toss up on the quality, but it should be interesting at least. Alien: Romulus releases on August 16th. 


To end my personal notable releases is The Crow, starring Bill Skarsgård, who is an amazing actor. The Crow is about a couple who are murdered, and the man comes back to life to seek revenge on those responsible. Despite the actor and interesting, brutal plot, this is notable because it is actually a remake of a 1994 movie of the same name. That movie was the last movie Brandon Lee, Bruce Lee’s son, ever acted in, because on set for it, he was shot with a blank, and died. The Crow was originally a comic book, written by James O’Barr. It was written after the unexpected death of his fiancee, as a coping mechanism. O’Barr said the death of Brandon Lee was like losing his wife all over again, and he regretted writing the comic. Cheery and wholesome, right? Either way, I’m excited for it to be released on August 23rd. 


That’s it from me! There are plenty of other movies coming out or being re-released this summer, and this year in general. A good website to look at releases is https://www.firstshowing.net/schedule2024/, which has all of them in order of when they come out, and has titles bolded to signify worldwide releases. I use it all the time for articles and personal use. Highly recommended. 

Kat's Guide to ADOFAI and my finale to MASH: a dance of mental health and wellbeing

By Kat Hausauer-Morgan


Hello Everyone.


Kat Here.

Normally, this is where I put some funny or neat joke that’s meant to poke fun at myself in unique ways. However, I really don’t want to do that this time because I want to be straightforward with my point this time.

This year is my last year in the Mechanicsburg School District. I have learned a lot this year. I have learned more and more about others, myself, and most importantly, how the world affects me. Whereas most other years in my life have school days that have high highs and low lows, the years here in Mechanicsburg have really only gone up.. Even with this though, the same few things have always been my struggling point for my entire life. 


My general style of writing and talking, in my eyes, represents the true version of myself that I don’t often bring up outside of friends or my own thoughts. I write in a very casual way. I like to write and speak like everyone else is a well-known friend. 


In short, these articles have basically been things I write as, what can only be amounted to, pointless rambling. Unlike some other articles that want to inform or persuade, I generally just type out what I think of. This is why I personally find it surprising how I was able to write about all this to a big, local community and not have to worry about whether people would care or not.


This article in itself though, I want to write about this game. You see, this was initially going to be about Rhythm Doctor, one of my favorite games of all time. However, I switched it to ADOFAI because I really did not want to write the exact same thing twice. Even with Act 5 of Rhythm Doctor being out, I have nothing new to say. This article might turn out to be,.. Anything really. The main messages I want to send out are these three things.


A Dance of Fire and Ice, abbreviated into ADOFAI, was released on January 25, 2019. It was made by 7th Beat Games and is a 2D rhythm game.


The game revolves around a simple gameplay style. Whenever a planet overlaps with a tile, you click a button and the planet snaps to the tile while the other planet spins to hit the next tile. Miss one tile, you die, going back to the start or the last checkpoint. With such a simple gameplay style, there’s a lot of room to experiment with these mechanics. 


For one, this game uses angles and shapes to play out rhythms. This leads to nearly infinite patterns for this game to use and experiment with. Within the first 6 levels alone, not only are quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted quarter notes, and dotted eighth notes. But there are also triplets, swing, irregular time signatures, and tresillo rhythms as well.


This is what makes this game so fun and neat to me. It takes very simple concepts and experiments with them a lot. This doesn’t just include gameplay. The game has a lot of charm visually and manages to tell stories without dialogue or text. The game has 12 normal levels that have fun with these mechanics and many extra levels that add to these mechanics and use them to challenge you.


There’s also the Neo Cosmos DLC, which adds many more fun mechanics and very impressive visuals.


There’s the custom-level editor which allows you to make your own levels.

The many official levels made by fans of the game.

The super vibrant and relatively calm community that loves ADOFAI.

And so much more… 


A Dance of Fire and Ice is honestly still one of my favorite games to this day. I’ll rank it a 9/10 nowadays since I do find it to get a bit stale once you manage to beat everything but it’s such a fun game and I love it.


Normally, after this, the article ends. The whole thing of “See you next time on Kat’s guide” etcetera, etcetera. However, this is not just the last article for The Torch. It’s my last article for Mechanicsburg PERIOD.


Because of this, I don’t want to end it so quickly. So, if you were just here for the ADOFAI portion, this is where my article ends. The game costs $6 and is both on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

However, for those who want to fully read what I have left to say, well, here it is.

First off, let me list off two games that ALMOST made it into The Torch, but in one way or another, didn’t.


Rhythm Doctor - Already explained


Dead by Daylight - I would’ve of loved to write about this one but its such a complex game that I only recently got back into, so I can’t describe it in a good way


Secondly, let me give some updates for some of the games I already have talked about.


Pizza Tower: After my article, the Noise update came out. While I have not beat it, I will say that it is a very good update.


ULTRAKILL: Act 7 was released along with the FULL ARSENAL update. If there wasn’t a reason to play ULTRAKILL before, there are tons of reasons to play it now. It has been so much fun playing it recently and it is genuinely the best FPS I have ever played.


Rain World: The Watcher was announced. That’s pretty cool.


Risk of Rain 2: The Devotion Update came out and it has been very, very fun. The two new artifacts are amazing and I especially love the collaboration with Dead Cells.


Finally: let me list off a WHOLE BUNCH of games I find amazing and would love to have written articles for.


Dead by Daylight - Really fun and surprisingly replayable. However, it does have a lot of extra things to buy. 8/10.


PHIGHTING! - kind of just mentioning this one because it is honestly really good for a Roblox game and is very, very fun. Surprisingly transactionless for a Roblox Game. 9.5/10


DOORS/Regretevator - Same thing as above. 9/10 and 9.5/10 respectively.


Spooky’s Jumpscare Mansion - My favorite horror game of all time. Perfect blend of a simple premise and a silly yet scary adventure. Is kind of boring. 8.5/10.


It Steals - Amazing horror game that is honestly one of the scariest I’ve ever played. By the way, did you know it was made by the same person who made Lethal Company? 10/10


Bopl Battle - My personal favorite party game. Simple, fun, and has all the energy of a good party game. 10/10


Ultimate Chicken Horse - Tied with Bopl Battle for a favorite party game. It’s also simple, fun, and has good party game energy. 10/10


YOMI Hustle - So take a turn-based RPG and a fighting game and smash them together. That’s YOMI Hustle. IT IS AMAZING AND I LOVE IT. 10/10 

(also i have a friend who’s obsessed with this game so uhh yeah)


Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - The only other triple AAA game I will talk about here.  It’s good. Like… REALLY GOOD. 10/10


Titanfall 2 - Very underrated. It’s also decently cheap so uhh… go play it. 9.5/10


Splatoon 3 - While I mostly only play Side Order, the entire game is good and I wouldn’t come back to Side Order if I didn’t love it to death.


And finally, 


Guilty Gear Strive - The only traditional fighting game I will ever get into. Amazing, very fun, and kinda dumb. 10/10.