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Midnight Madness Kicks off Girls Basketball Season

Alex Hamm

Staff Writer

To kick off the season in a way that is unique, the girls basketball players gathered together on November 16th to kick off their season with Midnight Madness.

All sports have their own special traditions, yet the girls basketball takes the cake with their annual practice followed by spending the night at the school on the first day of their season. Even with many sports at Mount Pleasant Area, no other teams come close to having a tradition like this.

Late Thursday night, the fifteenth of November, they gathered and got ready. As the minutes tick down, they wait in the center of the gym. As the clock struck midnight, their season officially began and their practice started.

For an hour and a half, the girls junior varsity and varsity basketball teams ran through various drills together. Parents were allowed to sit in the gym as the girls greeted the start of their season. During the practice, different drills were conducted all focusing on improving their skills and techniques. Mr. Collins and Mr. Giacobbi, both teachers at Mount Pleasant Area, conducted the practice.

When the coaches decided it was enough, they let the girls go to clean up and swim if they wished to. The majority of the girls spent the better half of an hour swimming in the high school’s pool while under supervision. Following the swimming, parent volunteers laid out food, including plenty of snacks, drinks, and pizza, for everyone to enjoy.

From that point forward, the girls had many choices on what to do. A few stayed in the cafeteria annex, snacking on food and talking with friends. Others chose to call it an early night (even if early night was still around two in the morning).

No matter what they chose to do, the girls bonded. They filled the early morning hours with laughter and discussions. If you would peek into the gym, you might have the chance to see them racing in boxes or gathered in a circle in the middle of the gym.

Once more, the girls bonded. It is clear to see that although this is a fun tradition and offers a quick start to the season, the main reason for Midnight Madness is the bonding that it brings.

Troop 472 Scouts Named as Eagle Scouts

Dylan Leonard

Staff Writer

Besides John and Robert Deckinger, two other Mount Pleasant Area students have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, Andrew Giles and Martin Trach, both part of Troop 472 in Norvelt. Both of these seniors have committed to the program since their youth. Trach joined the program at an early age in 2006, as a Cub Scout. Since then, he has worked his way through the ranks, and became a Boy Scout in 2012, a twelve year record of experiences, filled with merit badges, volunteer opportunities, and the development of leadership skills.

In Trach’s Eagle Scout experience, he completed the renovation of a restroom inside the Mount Pleasant Church of God’s youth building, a project that he felt was essential. In this experience, he learned a number of valuable lessons, and received a chance to visualize his own effort in a physical way. Even though challenges were certainly a possibility, he marched on forwards, not looking back. “I found that obtaining donations and working around my busy schedule to contribute to the project was the most difficult thing,” said Trach.

Aside from the need for donated building materials and the time for labor itself, he also noted the complexity in dealing with a prior plumbing job done in an incorrect way, and described how this unforeseen problem required a creative solution to avoid future issues. At the conclusion of the project, Trach felt that he had fulfilled something worthwhile and necessary, and took a moment to reflect on the past twelve years of an astonishing journey.

In Scouting as a whole, Trach spoke about of all the memories, skills, and good times he experienced, as he virtually grew up alongside the other members of his troop, creating lasting friendships, as well as building his own character. “My character was developed through tough experiences and problems, which earned me respect from the older scouts that were once skeptical of me,” said Trach.

After high school, he plans to pursue his passion for art in an interesting way, as an animator, and plans to attend college for this, alongside a degree in business.

Another longtime Scout, Andrew Giles has been with the organization for seven long years. While Giles joined at a later date, this time was certainly well used, as he jumped directly into the action of the organization in its greatest form.

For his Eagle Scout project, Giles chose to repair benches at Hurst Field in Norvelt, weathered by the elements, in dire need of repair to support usage by the Mount Pleasant Area Junior Football League in the fall. “In my experiences, this was something rewarding, but difficult.” said Giles.

After being named an Eagle Scout, he felt on top of the world, and truly felt he did something to build his own character, while serving the community at the same time.

After graduation, Giles plans to enter the oil or natural gas industry, as a pipeline inspector, ensuring the safety of the networks that deliver natural resources across the face of our continent.

Mount Pleasant Cares: Raising funds for Mount Pleasant families

Grace Lorince

Staff Writer

MP Cares is taking initiative this year to raise money to help Mount Pleasant Area students in need.

MP Cares is a fundraising program that teachers and staff, as well as students, participate in to raise money for Mount Pleasant Area families that encountered struggles of any sorts during the course of the school year.

This year, Mount Pleasant Area students raised money for the fund by partaking in dodgeball tournaments. Money was collected and participating students formed teams and verse each other in the games.

Additionally, in December, teachers and staff took part in the “12 Days of Jeans” fundraiser. During these days, teachers paid a certain amount of money to wear jeans instead of mandatory dress clothes. All of these funds went to MP Cares.

It is incredible to see the Mount Pleasant Area High School taking an initiative to help their fellow Mount Pleasant families in need using the MP Cares fundraisers.

Life Skills class puts on Veterans Day program

Hannah Brown

Staff Writer

Veterans Day, also known as Armistice Day until 1954, celebrates all veterans that serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces, and it means something different to each individual.

For some, the day means patriotic feelings of pride to live in the United States. To others, it means loss, grief, or victory. It is a day of honor for Veterans, and they each spend the day in different ways.

The Mount Pleasant Area’s Life Skills class recently celebrated the day with a special Veterans Day Program. Two of the teachers in the building, Mr. Giacobbi and Mrs. Pyda, were in attendance. However, many students do not realize that they are Veterans. The teachers take pride in their job, but they also take pride for the service of their country.

On this day, many people celebrate and honor their loved ones. Donald Brown, a veteran from World War 2, shares what he does on Veterans Day. “I start the day by going to the cemetery to visit my father. Then my wife and I watch documentaries from the war. It’s a way to remember everything that Veterans have done for our country,” said Donald.

Despite how the day is spent, all veterans celebrate the freedom of the United States and the millions of people who have made it all possible.

New Principals at Mount Pleasant

Hannah Brown

Staff Writer

The job of principals on a school day ranges from many tasks such as discipline, enforcing authority, and talking to students, but people often do not know what their principal enjoys taking part in on days off.

The principal takes on various amounts of work at school and at home. The principals at Mount Pleasant Area, Mr. Robert Gumbita and Mr. Scott Bryer, both would agree that sports has made an impact on their life. They also have in common that they are constantly involved in their children’s lives as well. After spending so much time in an office, the principals enjoy spending time off with their family.

Mr. Bryer has four sons, which indicates that he is extremely busy. He takes pride in his children, and he delights in being involved with their lives— especially on a day off. “I usually am going on one of my kids sporting events. They are all so involved [in different activities],” said Mr. Bryer.

Mr. Gumbita also takes pleasure in using his free time to enjoy the company of his wife and three sons. He enjoys going to visit his eldest sons, Ryan and whenever he can get an opportunity to. “I like the comfort of being with my family and spending time with my wife and boys,” said Mr. Gumbita.

Both individuals enjoy being apart and spending memorable time with their family. It is valuable moments that can never be gotten back.