News

'I Have a Dream' Becomes a Working Reality

by Laci Nease, Reporter

The work continues for America to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Established in 1976 by former President Gerald Ford, Black Histoy Month honors African-Americans and their impact throughout history and today. Every year, The Association for the Study of African American Life and History chooses a theme for Black History Month, and this year's theme is “Black Health and Wellness”. The Westmoreland Art Museum has an open exhibit that shows the American dream through the experiences of African-Americans. They explore the resilience, resistance, and endurance of African Americans in influencing the economy and endurance in challenging the United States to genuinely embrace the Declaration of Independence's tenets.

Sophomore Isaiah Mitchell expressed, “Black History Month is very important to me. I feel like there should be more acknowledgment of Black History Month so that people are more educated.” Everyone knows of the key African-American influences like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and former President Barack Obama, but today more African Americans are making history every day including: the first South Asian American and first woman vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris; Georgia’s first Black senator, Raphael Warnock; Princeton’s first Black valedictorian, Nicholas Johnson; the first Black president of a National Football League team, Jason Wright; and the first Black woman to run a self-driving car company, Aicha Evans.

Junior Tyson Gregory is so inspired by Martin Luther King Jr, he has lines from one of his speeches tattooed on his side. (Photo by Lindsey Simmons)

Protesters to rescind mandates make their opinion known outside the House of Representatives building. (Photo from Google Images)

Screenshot of COVIDtests.gov. (Photo by Ethan Duffy)

Covid Numbers Dropping at High School

by Ethan Duffy, Senior News Editor & Designer

Hempfield: Masks will continue to be optional for all students and staff. On January 24, the Hempfield School Board voted to modify the District's Health and Safety Plan. “Individuals who are in close contact and are asymptomatic will not be required by the District to quarantine,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tammy Wolicki in a letter sent to families and staff on January 25. The letter also claimed that the CDC and the PA DOH recommend that students who are close contacts should wear a mask for 10 days from exposure. Dr. Wolicki also stated, “If symptoms develop, the parent or guardian will be informed to keep the child home and to consult with the family physician.”

America: The Supreme Court came to a decision on January 13 and blocked President Biden's OSHA vaccine mandate. The OSHA vaccine mandate claimed that all businesses with more than 100 employees would need the vaccine. This would affect 84 million American workers according to ABC News. However, the Supreme Court did uphold for the Biden administration to enforce healthcare facilities that are federally funded to receive the vaccine. This would affect 17 million healthcare workers.

The government is providing four at-home covid tests for free for each household, get yours here - https://www.covidtests.gov/

Another Beloved Celebrity Dies

by Chase Sankey, Photography Editor

America was still mourning the loss of Betty White when news came in on January 9 that actor and stand-up comedian Bob Saget passed away. Saget was famously known for his role as Danny Tanner on ABC's Full House where several generations of families came to love his charming and witty character of a single father. According to the family of the beloved actor, “The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma." The family also added, “They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved.” He was found unresponsive in his bed by hotel staff after he failed to check out that morning. There were no signs of foul play.

Bob Saget and John Stamos at the world premiere of “Mother’s Day” in 2016. (Photo by US Magazine)

Cherished Big Mac Museum Employee Ruth Schuster Dies at 100

by Garret Harvey, Sports Editor and Designer

When people think about McDonald’s, they often think about things like Big Mac Sandwiches, Happy Meals, and French Fries. What people may not think about are the employees, like former employee Ruth Shuster. Ruth Shuster started working at the Irwin McDonald’s in her 70s and brought positivity and happiness to McDonald’s from the time she started to her final days. Shuster spread kindness throughout her community, and was always looking to help people. Shuster’s grandson Mr. Zak Shuster remembers his grandma fondly through some of her famous sayings, such as, “Every day is a gift” and “I wouldn’t give you away for a million dollars.”

Ruth Shuster worked at the Big Mac Museum McDonald’s four days a week for 27 years despite her age until she turned 100, and even hosted all of her family gatherings until she turned 99 almost two years ago. The Irwin McDonald’s honored her by crowning her queen for the day in celebration of her 100th birthday. As part of the festivities the museum added a bobblehead of Shuster to their collection of various bobbleheads. In her honor, the Big Mac Museum created a small memorial that says, “Rest in Peace, Ruthie. Thank You for all the Sunshine!”

Ruth Schuster reacting happily to a bobble head figure created to honor her as a part of her 100th birthday celebration on March 3, 2021. (Photo by TribLive)

A.J. Dereume holds Punxutawny Phil while Tom Dunkel reads the scroll which contains Phil's ruling of the weather. This year, it's six more weeks of winter. (Photo by Triblive)

Punxsutawney Phil Says Six More Weeks of Winter

by Chase Sankey, Photography Editor

Since February 2, 1887, the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has revealed the weather forecast for the next six weeks to America. The famous groundhog from the humble town of Punxsutawney, has united Americans every February 2 in hopes of an early spring. After a virtual ceremony held last year, according to the Inner Circle of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club the turnout this year was the largest Punxsutawney has ever seen, with tens of thousands of people attending. Those hoping for an early spring were disappointed as Phil saw his shadow, meaning six more long weeks of winter. The first day of spring will be March 20, but according to Phil, spring will have to wait.

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