1. Photograph by Katie Gavlick
Read about
juniors Carly Ellis
and Dana Aaron’s
memorial to
honor the armed
services.
November 2006
Photo by Catherine McCarron
Issue 1
PT-FOCUS
news
Signals
Volume 38
Highlights of
Homecoming
2006
Smoke
Mackley marvels at recent move
Index
News
Read what measures
PT is taking to keep our
school safe.
Full story page 2
Opinion
Have you finished your
college applications?
Need help,
see full story page 3
Sports
Check out the records of
your favorite PT team in
Sports Briefs, page 7
Angelina Nepa
s the sound of Dr. Kirk’s heels on
linoleum faded, Peters Township
ushered in a new superintendent. Dr. Timm
Mackley, formerly of Ohio, relocated to take
his place in the most prestigious office in the
district. Dr. Mackley will attempt to learn
everything he can about the district in order
to ascertain what needs to be adjusted or
praised.
Mackley grew up in Ohio, worked
summers for Republic Steel, and attended
Ohio State, where he pursued music
education. He was a band director for ten
years before he became an administrator.
Mackley has never lived or worked outside
of Ohio, and he described his moving
experience as quite an exploit. “It was
an opportunity for me to have a little
adventure,” explained Mackley, who has
observed how different Peters Township is
from the Groveport-Madison School District,
his former place of employment. “Parents
here are well educated and want their kids
to be well educated… that kind of support
or encouragement or even gentle pressure,
sometimes not so gentle, so that all of their
kids will pay attention to their studies, really
drives the school district forward,” Mackley
offered.
Mackley also appreciated Peters’
strong commitment to extracurricular
activities. Mackley, a former member of the
Ohio State Alumni Band, in which he played
trombone, was amazed at the size of Peters’
marching band.
Mackley remarked that Peters
Township was much less diverse than the
Grovesport-Madison School District. Nearly
thirty percent of students who attended
Grovesport-Madison were African American,
while in Peters Township, less than one
percent of students are of African American
descent.
Mackley has also written a book,
entitled, Uncommon Sense, Core Knowledge
in the Classroom. The book discussed core
knowledge curriculum, which specified areas
of study that student should be versed in by
the time they graduate. Those who believe
in core knowledge think that students should
be versed in a number of different subjects
in order to function as members of society.
Photo by Katie Gavlick
A
News Editor
Mackley shows off his collection of marbles which he displays on his windowsill with the help of tiny rubberbands,
usually reserved for braces.
Clarifying, Mackley elucidated, “High stakes tests [like the SAT] test
largely what you are able to do, whether you can analyze a problem,
whether your can think through a problem, and comprehend.” Core
knowledge, in passing on an array of information, helps prepare
students for such tests.
The new superintendent of schools, while shouldering a lot of
responsibility, does have a few hobbies. He collects marbles, which
lay scattered about his office. He also has an impressive collection of
mugs in the shape of monsters that served to prop up his collection
of children’s books. Being relaxed and easy-going, Mackley, like most
students and teachers, wants to avoid a strike at all costs. He may
get his wish, as the teachers and the school board recently formed a
tentative agreement.
Off the page and onto the stage
Taylor Piedmonte
Staff Writer
This November, the enchantment of Dr. Seuss last years performance of Godspell. “The choir is going to
will explode onto the PTHS stage in the fall production be the entire chorus of the musical” said Perrotte. Nineteen
of Seussical: The Musical. PTHS choir director Ryan performers will portray the various Seussian characters
Perrotte and Art Deconciliis are co-directing the musical, onstage while the choir provides vocals for the group songs.
which is based on the books of Dr Seuss and debuted on The choir will also make a few appearances onstage.
Broadway in 2000.
Although Dr. Seuss’s
A
complex
and
books are traditionally seen
electrifying combination of
as children’s books, Seussical
Dr. Seuss’s works, Seussical
will entertain all audiences.
was described as “magical”
“The music is written in a way
by Perrotte. The story centers
that will hold the interest of
on Horton the Elephant,
children and adults alike” said
the hero of Seuss’s Horton
Perrotte.
Hears a Who. It also features
Seussical stars Torre
characters and themes from
Kean as The Cat in the Hat,
several of Seuss’s most
Tom Norton as JoJo, Taylor
– Jerry Scheller, Mayor of Whoville
popular books “wrapped
Piedmonte as Horton, Abigail
into one story without
Hull as Gertrude, Becky Rosky
confusing the audience,”
as Mayzie, Jerry Scheller as
explained Perrotte. Classics
the mayor of Whoville, and
such as How the Grinch stole Christmas, Green Eggs and Christianna Samson as The Sour Kangaroo. “I Love the
Ham, and The Lorax all make appearances in Seussical. high energy and crazy characters” said Scheller. Seussical
Seuss’s most acclaimed character, The Cat in the Hat, will be performed November 16th through 18th in the Peters
acts as narrator throughout the show.
Township auditorium. Tickets are seven dollars for general
Seussical will feature the PTHS Choir, much like admission and four dollars for students and seniors.
“I love the high energy
and crazy characters”

2. News
A. Czajkowski
R. Wunderlich
A. Nepa
J. Berardino
PT stands up to take down drugs
Outside
Jessica Beradino
Staff Writer
On October 9, North Korea successfully
detonated a nuclear weapon. The test was carried
out under a mountain in north-eastern Hamgyong
less than a week after its government promised
all nations that the government would conduct all
testing with absolute safety.
Mark
Foley,
a
former
Republican
Congressman from Florida, was under fire after
he reportedly sent sexually explicit emails to his
teenage male pages. Prior to his resignation, Foley
was Chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and
Exploited Children.
Jay-Z recently met with Kofi Annan, UN
Secretary, and pledged to use his upcoming world
tour to call attention to and contest global shortages
of fresh water. Jay-Z, in partnership with the UN
and MTV, will produce a piece entitled, “Diary of
Jay-Z: Water for Life.”
Arizona State Students recently founded a
“Caucasian Men’s Club,” which they claim will serve
the interests and protect the rights of Caucasian
men. Membership is not restricted to men or
Caucasians.
Abiomed Inc has created the world’s first
completely artificial heart to be approved by the
Food and Drug Administration. The hearts, made
of titanium and plastic, are not expected to bring in
any profit for several years, though up to 4,000 are
expected to be implanted annually.
Smoke Signals
Smoke Signals is produced seven times during
a school year by the students of Media II,III, IV
Journalism and extracurricular staff at Peters Township High School, 264 E. McMurray Road, McMurray PA 15317. Telephone: 724-941-6250 x.5379.
E-mail: sitlern@pt-sd.org.
Commentaries, reviews, and opinion columns
are the expressed opinion of the author and not of
Smoke Signals, its adviser or the Peters Township
School District. Member of the Pennsylvania School
Press Association.
Co-Editors in Chief
Kaitlin Houser
Rachel Horensky
Kara Krawiec
Layout Editor
Catherine McCarron
News Editor
Angelina Nepa
Life & Style Editor
Colleen Counihan
Opinion Editor
Brittany Beyer
Sports Editor
Sean-Paul Mauro
Marketing Editiors
Emily Bigley
Nick Sikora
Staff Writers
Jessica Berardino, Bill
Berry, Emily Bigley, Ashley Czajowski, Garrett
Dennis, Drew Karpen,
Sean Naccarelli, Chris
Portz, Derek Redding,
Brendan Sikora, Nick
Sikora
Layout Team
Megan Enscoe, Katie
Gavlick, Stephanie Gillece, Lisa Lerario,
Adviser
Nicole Sitler
According to the PT Character Counts
Community Initiative, Red Ribbon Week is a
community wide effort to fight drug/alcohol
abuse, addiction and destructive decisions.
It occurred during the week of October 2327. Concluding the week, the Red Ribbon
Campaign promoted a Walk for Awareness on
October 29. Participants met at the Recreation
Center. Statistics have shown that underage
drinking leads to almost 3,200 deaths and 2.6
million harmful events annually (the Journal
of Studies on Alcohol-July Edition). The Walk
for Awareness was PT’s way of joining in on
the battle against such problems. The PTHS
marching band led this walk.
PTHS celebrated a drug-free life.
Groups of high school students traveled to the
middle school and the elementary schools,
and discussed the purpose of modeling the
Character Counts Word of the Month. The Media
department ran the Morning Announcements
that featured the Word of the Month. The show
told students what the word means and how
to act upon it. There were also with themed
days of the week. These days were designed
to help influence the students to fight against
drugs. Monday were from “Band against
drugs”, where students wore their favorite
rock band t-shirt, to “Kick it to drugs”, where
students wore their sports clothes or athletic
clothing. Students show their commitment to
being drug-free. “Students cover themselves
in red to show the seriousness of the drug and
alcohol issue that is effecting all of us.” said
Stephanie Gillece, about Friday’s Red Day.
Red Ribbon Week started with a man,
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. He grew up with the
ambition of making a difference. Camarena
became an undercover cop for the DEA. On
February 7, 1985, Camarena, 37-years old, left
his office to meet his wife for lunch, when five
men kidnapped him. A month later his body
was found in a shallow grave; he had been
tortured to death. His family began to wear
red badges of satin. In honor of Carmena,
they started a group called The National Family
Partnership and conducted the first Nationwide
Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Now all across
the nation, groups are promoting a drug and
alcohol-free lifestyle.
Junior girls honor veterans
Kaitlin Houser, Rachel Horensky
Editors-In-Chief
“People who serve in the army
today don’t get enough recognition and we
thought it would be a good to recognize the
achievements of people who attended PTHS,”
stated Junior Dana Aaron. Putting words into
action, Peters Township Juniors Dana Aaron
and Carly Ellis created a veteran memorial
in the school. Aaron and Ellis constructed a
list of Peters Township alumni who had served
and are serving in the armed forces. The girls
began the process of collecting information
from the alumni and created the memorial,
which is located near the auditorium.
For each alumnus who served in the armed
forces, the girls researched which branch they
belonged, and how long the alumni plan to
serve. Aaron and Ellis also complied pictures
of each of the students who decided to serve
in the armed forces. The memorial in Bethel
Park High School inspired the junior girls’.
After seeing the memorial, the girls came up
with the idea to create their own remembrance
in PTHS. They wanted the students of Peters
Township to remember and honor the men and
women that gave their lives for freedom. Aaron
and Ellis also sought to create interest among
the students and remind them of their option
to serve in the armed forces. The memorial
will be completed at the end of November.
Schools on guard after recent shootings
Ashley Czajkowski
News Writer
School violence reached a peak this
school year with 25 shootings nationwide
since
mid-August.
Seven
shootings
–
three in the last month – have been fatal.
“The shootings in other school districts
have been disastrous,” remarked sophomore Nicole
Hauck. “I am, however, interested to see how our
schools and other schools are going to respond.”
As expected, these incidents have created
considerable concern for how schools handle
security. Teachers in PT were told to review school
crisis management plans and update them where
needed. The Secretary of Education, Gerald
Zahorchak, directed the school to enforce the
training of school staff in emergency situations.
Of course these are only a few of the stricter
precautions that will be taken. It was suggested
to look out for the following: unusual behavior,
increase in anonymous telephone or e-mail threats
to facilities, unexplained presence of unauthorized
persons, etc.
In reality, however, there are no exact
profiles of those who carried out school shootings.
Stereotypes are not useful in preventing these
attacks. Too many people would fit the profile,
and too many attackers would not. Also, in most
conditions, someone did know. It is rare that
an attacker has kept to his/herself about the
desire to bring a gun to school. Usually a sibling,
schoolmate, or friend will know this information,
but it will rarely reach an adult in charge.
Experts (from ABC News) believe that
since the Columbine massacre schools have not
been taking enough security action. The majority
of schools in the United States do not have security
cameras or metal detectors. Less than half have
some kind of security personnel on campus.
Others believe schools, and more importantly the
people in them, are not being protected as they
should be.

3. Opinion
B. Beyer
G. Dennis
Freedom fries
Kara Krawiec
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Remember back to the good old
days when walking through the high school
cafeteria doors meant walking into the land
of opportunity and freedom of choice (or as
much choice as a school lunch can bring,
which surprisingly one misses when it is
suddenly ripped out of his or her hands.) Now
the Wellness Policy Opportunities program
prohibits students’ freedom to binge on salty
french fries, delicious chocolate chip cookies,
and snacks over 100 calories. Severe changes
have been made to what the cafeteria is
allowed to sell to students. The school is
selling whole-wheat soft pretzels, rolls, and
other “healthier lifestyle options.” Where’s
the freedom? It is understandable that with
the rising obesity rates among children
in America behavior modifications should
take place. However, to limit the options of
students that are almost considered legal
adults by the state and federal government;
is a flat out denial of freedom of choice.
Through
the
Wellness
Policy
Opportunities program, nutrition and healthy
choices are promoted in all aspects of
student life. The objection is not against the
“
N. Sikora
promotion of a healthier lifestyle, but the way
in which the nation is going about it. Instead
of educating students about which what foods
are better for them, they are just taking away
junk food and regulating assigned days when
they can be bought. This only angers students
and makes them want to buy larger quantities
of the “banned” items on days that they are
sold. Isn’t that defeating the entire point of
the snacks not being available?
Students are outraged at this lack of
choice and controlled atmosphere that has
taken over the school cafeteria. It is upsetting
that the school preaches such things as
acting like adults, making the right choices
and being an educated person; how can we
prove ourselves as young citizens ready to be
on our own when the government is dictating
what we can eat? The revolt is not against the
promotion of a healthier lifestyle but of the
way it is being forced upon us. The new school
lunches have caused objection throughout
the entire school, and it can only be hoped
that some compromise can be met that the
students may eat what they choose-but know
that they will suffer the consequences.
Opinion Writer
Okay, so they ask you for your
mother’s highest level of education. What
if my mom was a high school dropout and
became a trucker in Louisiana? Would I not
be accepted to Harvard? Well, somewhere
around kindergarten I figured out that I
couldn’t make it into Harvard. But, I still
don’t like filling out those pesky college
applications.
So, I hope I’m not the only one rushing
to get all those applications done. Just when
the application is going well, they hit you with
the question, “What language do you speak
at home?” Of course, it comes naturally and
English is what you write down. But, just like
every other high school senior, you go back
and look at the directions after filling in the
answer. BAM! There it says in 2- point font,
“If your native language is English, leave
blank.” Well, there’s one application down
the drain. Only 10 more to go.
Your next application requires an
essay with a strictly 300-word maximum.
Who comes up with this number? Do they
put ducks in a bathtub with numbers on their
butts, pick three, and see which numbers
are drawn on the bottom of the ducks?
Somewhere between fourth grade literature
class and senior Honors English, I found it
hard to summarize the 17 years of my life in
300 words. Plus, I’m always the person who
writes a paper that loses meaning when you
take one word out. And of course, there I
am with a 301-word paper.
Your Opinion on
New School
Lunches
“I think we should have
cookies and fries made
available for us every day
instead of a few”
-Megan Stanik , ‘08
“I believe it’s a wonderful
decision that will greatly
improve the health of the
students.”
-Mark Hayes, ‘10
“The fries are not served
every day and there are
no longer curly fries. In
compliance, I do not comply
with the raising of snack
shack prices.”
-Keith Quinn, ‘09
“It’s more of a choice for
people, not the school
district. November 18,
St. Benedicts H.K. The
Underground. 12th”
Seniors worst nightmare:
college applications
Sean Naccarelli
S. Naccarelli
-Nick Pustay,’07
Finally, the application is finished. Most check the instructions once again to make sure
that they haven’t forgotten anything. “Fill out application in black ink”, it said. Trying to rewrite
over the whole application in black ink, you wonder if college is even worth it! Will they shred
the application if it’s in the wrong color ink? No, I’m not “lysdexic” and I don’t see everything
opposite of what it really is. But, I bet after they go through 1000 applications in a day, they
probably won’t tolerate that. So, the dyslexic excuse won’t work this time. Sorry guys.
So, I’ll leave you with two closing statements. Hello CCAC…and…have fun juniors.
DATING
He Said vs. She Said
Nick Sikora
Brittany Beyer
The ideal first date is...
Dinner and a movie. It’s a classic combination that’s worked
before and is sure to work for years to come.
Something that doesn’t involve Xbox, the complete Rocky
Series, and an extra large bucket of wings (i.e. movie,
concert, etc.) seriously guys, its one night.
Getting ready involves…
Getting a shower, getting a date, and finding a place to
go.
Trying on thirty different outfits only to end up wearing
the very first one you tried on.
When the bill comes…
Date: $100, gas money: $40, ending up with a girlfriend:
really expensive.
It brings awkwardness along with it. Paying your own way
is the best way to go, at least for the first date. Unless he
insists, in which case he’s a keeper.
You know it’s not working when…
You can’t find your date’s house, your cell phone doesn’t
work, and no one is home at your house to find directions.
Or when her dad opens the door and is holding a blunt
object. In that case, run.
He calls you by a different name every time he addresses
you.

4. 1. Sarah Tenison & Dave Searight
2. Ali Olivio & Jace Cavanagh
3. Brittany Full & Angela Burns
4. Emily Palko & Sarah Barna
5. Kate Staff & Cailin Limetti
6. Andrew Gregg & Brandi Kohne
7. Mr. & Mrs. Pinto
8. Mel Zuccarini & Mo Bianco
9. Christine Beazley & Dan Cox
10. Colleen Counihan, Lisa Lerario, Brittany Beyer
11. Tore Kean
12. Emily Smith & Garrett McClean
13. Christine Jasek, Luke Petrozza, Sarah Earley,
& Matt O’Neal
14. Jon Makrinos & Emmalyn Ross
15. Devon Brooks, Olivia Hollot, & Ali Shettima
16. Tim Beck
17. Joe Stepusin, Hollyann Stevans, & Robyn Browell
18, Brendan Shneider, Shannon Sullivan, Shannon Smith,
Matty Stevans, & Dave Pezzela
19, Dancin’ Bennie Glicksman
20. Delanie Jankowski & Kateri Tremblay
21. Mike Bianco, Kaiya Quevido, Mike Mocilan
22. Mark Chedgy
23. Geno Seneca, Paul Jackson, & Pat Maher
24. Mary Irwin & Angelina Nepa
25. Michelle Rike
26. Dylan Burke & Michelle Rotella
27. Lauren Yadlosky & T.C. Raul
28. Phil Troscinski, Rachel Schwotzer, & Harry McNamara
29. Dan Paul
30. Rachel Paul & Garrison Moore
31. Christian Brandstetter & Sara Weaver
32. Mackenzy Radolec
33. Jim Dewoody & Lee Greenawald
34. Kara Thilges & Marianne Fletcher
35. Ali Trunzo
36. Mike Leichty & Stephanie Gillece
37. Nicole Petroski & Liz Goimarac
38. Shayna Drusbasky & Jess Wilmot
39. Jeff Knell & Reina Fink
40. Kile Bloser & Jen Eltschlager
41. Kaitlin Houser & Jeff Brewer
42. Kevin Gregg
43. Emily Wassilchalk
44. Anna Colletti & Andrew Worthington
Homecoming Court: Ali Shettima, Garrison Moore,
Dave Searight, Kevin Noone, Dave Woltz, Lauren
Yadlosky, Lindsay Owen, Ali Olivio, Maria Ruffing, Josh
Keffer, Leigha Krivacek, Rachel Paul, Kaitlin Houser,
Nick Sikora, Anthony Black, Ally Oleynik, Vince Fazio,
Sara McDade, Bub, and Anna Wassilchalk.
10.
2.
1.
7.
41.
11.
6.
8.
9.
5.
13.
All photographs by Catherine McCarron
12.
17.
14.
15.
16.
18.
39.
19.
under t

5. 21.
4.
20.
3.
43.
44.
25.
24.
26.
23.
22.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
37.
33.
40.
36.
34.
35.
38.
the sea
HOMECOMING 2006
42.

6. ro
Mau
Sp
ley
Emily Big
extra p int
Who has the best uniforms in
College Football?
CT: If you’re talking about tradition
and uniforms that personify a team,
then Penn State University has the
best uniforms. Their “win without
being flashy” attitude is displayed in
their uniforms.
SPM: Did you say tradition? The
University of Michigan is arguably
the most dominant team in college
football history.
How about 849
total wins? That’s the most in the
entire nation. Michigan has the most
intimidating helmets. In 2003, when Michigan
played Oregon in their first road game, the
Oregon head coach, Mike Bellotti, said that
he had to convince his team that they weren’t
playing the helmets.
CT: Penn State is ranked seventh in the
nation in all-time wins with 772, only 77
behind Michigan. Both teams are rich in
tradition. Penn State has always been
known for their blue-collar style of play, so
they deserve to wear old school uniforms.
No names on the back of their jerseys, no
logos, just old school. As for Michigan’s
helmets, I don’t know what that thing is.
They have this “winged” design on their
helmets, yet they’re the Wolverines? Not
only is the design downright stupid, it’s
ugly too. Nothing can compare to Penn
State’s classic blue and white old school
uniforms.
SPM: Perhaps, we need another measuring tool.
According to a 2003 public poll done on ESPN.
com with 108, 382 participants, Michigan’s
uniforms are the most popular of any of the
traditional powerhouses. Michigan received the
most votes, with 22.7% of the vote. Penn State
came in fifth, receiving only 9.7% of the vote.
So, quite a few people think the “ugly” winged
helmet of Michigan is easy on the eyes.
CT: The only reason Michigan had the most
votes is because they have the biggest fan
base. The reason they have the biggest fan
base is because of the enormous amount
of “fans” that went to community college
and are bandwagon fans, living off the
glory days of Michigan’s shared national
championship from 1997. Another flaw
with Michigan’s uniform is the absolutely
asinine yellow pants. Anyone who likes
those terrible “winged” helmets and yellow
pants has no fashion sense. Get rid of the
helmets and pants, and maybe Michigan
can be in Penn State’s league.
SPM: First off, where are you getting your
“statistics?” It seems like
you’re criticizing Michigan’s
uniforms,
but
you’re
not
providing
evidence
supporting the Penn State
uniforms themselves. I’m
no psychologist, but you
might have an inferiority
complex. If everyone who
likes the Michigan uniforms
has no fashion sense, you’re
pretty much accounting for
the fashion sense of over
25,000 people in the ESPN
poll.
rts
Chris Portz
Fun runs
Chris Portz
Sports Writer
For
the
cross-country team,
running is the fun
part of their sport.
They run ridiculous
distances
for
no
reason, except for
the fact that it’s what
they do. There is no
game planning, just
running. There is no
specific
technique,
just running. There’s
no
reason,
just
running. For these
athletes, running is
fun.
“We’re
senior
runners,
not to be confused
with
the
elderly
couples walking on
Arrowhead Trail,” said
Dave Pezella.
The
cross-country team
usually practices on
Arrowhead Trail or
in Peterswood Park,
in order to improve.
There are, however,
limitations on how
much
one
can
improve in one week
as Adam Komoroski,
another
senior
runner, points out,
“There’s not much
you can do in crosscountry.
You’re
either faster than the
other kid or you’re
not. You can’t just
say, ‘Hey, I’m going
to run a minute
faster today’.”
P e t e r s
Township
CrossCountry
(PTCC)
Photo by Lauren Giesey
ul
n Pa
Sea
Adam Komoroski weathers elements to come in third place in the Big Seven Invitational.
runners talk while they run to keep
from going insane from boredom.
Multi-tasking is a key attribute of
a cross-country practice. Running,
talking, and breathing are mustdos in this grueling sport. Without
all three of these abilities, chances
are you may lose the race, lose
your mind, or lose your life.
Each practice the runners
are given simple directions like go
have fun running. “It’s not so much
that we enjoy running,” said senior
Alan Rawlings, “It’s that there is
something wrong with us.”
There are certain perks
involved with being involved in
cross-country.
For their hard
work, the athletes are rewarded
with cool T-shirts and free food.
Their T-shirts are usually spoofs of
notable figures from companies to
bands, this year’s design being the
Coca-Cola logo that says “PTCC.”
Gone golfing
Derek Redding
Sports Writer
Golf is the name of the game and
Peters Township knows their golf. The golf
season started in late August with Trinity and
continues until late October when the WPIAL
and state playoffs took place. Chris Resnick
felt confident about the Indians’ chances in
the play-offs, “With our record right now I
think we will have a good chance to get far or
even win the play-offs.”
“With our record right now
I think we will have a good
chance to get far or even
win the play-offs.”
Additionally, the PTCC team
has pasta dinners to help them
“prepare” for the race.
Even with these perks,
students involved in crosscountry have to be self-motivated.
“There are times when this sport
is definitely going to hurt,” said
Coach Dave Barr.
The crosscountry team puts in more miles
in practice than some people
put on their cars in a week.
But the cross-country team is
accustomed to hard work. The
GPA’s of most of the runners are
just as impressive as their mile
times.
Adam Komoroski was the
lead runner for Peters Township
boys’ cross-country team. His
race time was 17:30 leading
the Indians to a 3-5 record this
season. Christine Beazley was
the top female runner for Peters
Varsity was lead by Chris Resnick,
Bob Stein, and Chuck Nettles. To date the
Indians had only one loss and steam rolled
their matches with ease. Beating teams like
Bethel Park, and Mount Lebanon. Their only
loss came against Upper Saint Clair. The
Junior Varsity team was undefeated and going
strong. With players like Steve Radke, John
Ross, and Taylor Relich the JV Indians win
every time. “I have always loved golf and
I get to play for the JV team,” Steve Radke
“I have always loved golf
and I get to play for the JV
team... I am glad that we
are undefeated.”
said, “I am glad that we are undefeated.”
With a few days left in this season the
Indians’ need to stay diligent and keep their
eyes on the prize. These men are bound for
glory with their record so far; the play-offs

7. Derek Redding
Brendan
Sikora
rry
Bill Be
Connor Ta
rwater
The young and the restless
Sean-Paul Mauro
Sports Editor
The 2006 Peters Township
Girl’s tennis squad is certainly
following a winning tradition thanks
in part to the addition of some very
talented freshman and sophomores.
The squad is undefeated, boasting
a 13-0 record, with huge wins over
Mt. Lebanon and Bethel Park.
Seniors Greta Shepardson,
Kaitlin Minninger, Jess Monaco,
and captain Danica Sheth lead the
squad. However, it has been the
addition of a very talented group
of freshman and sophomores that
have propelled the squad to their
undefeated record.
Sophomore
team member MacKenzie Kennedy
added, “The leadership on our team
from the seniors has been crucial,
but the sophomore and freshman
class have been essential to our
success this year.”
Sophomore Allison Riske has led
the team on the court with an impressive
amount of personal accolades. She won
the WPIAL singles title, and is extremely
confident that she has what it takes to
win the state title.
What
is
even
more
encouraging for Peters Township is
Photograph by Jess Monaco
that in her WPIAL title match, she
beat her teammate, freshman Julie Allison Riske is warming up with her opponent before the Upper
Stroyne, who finished in second. St. Clair match.
With such a young, capable team
its obvious that the Peters Township
tennis squad will be a force for years to come, but with the leadership and focus of this year’s
squad – the Lady Indians have the potential and talent to do great things.
PTHS girls’ soccer: the dynasty
Emily Bigley
Sports Writer
The 2006-2007 girls’ soccer team was
especially extraordinary. As the girls remained
undefeated in the regular season they also
shared an undefeated record with WPIAL
competitor Pine Richland. Although Peters
holds a record of 15-0, they were listed second
to Pine Richland (14-0) in the Pittsburgh
soccer rankings (10/06). The two teams met
at the PIAA Class AAA Playoffs: Quarter Finals
at Elizabeth Forward where Peters succumbed
to Pine Richland with a final score of 3-2.
There was obvious tension between the
two teams that may happen to meet again in
the play-offs. “We’re going to play our best no
matter who our component is,” said senior midfielder Jordan Settimo. The girls’ soccer team
is composed of 18 girls from all different grade
levels. This year’s varsity team is comprised
of 8 seniors, 5 juniors, 4 sophomores, and 1
freshman.
“We have a really close bond and I
think that contributes to our success,” said
senior defender Jacque Heuer. While all of the
girls were stand out players in one form or
another, junior striker Mackenzie Creehan was
named Athlete of the Week in the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette (September 14th, 2006). Creehan
was not only one of the top goal scorers on the
Indians girls’ soccer team, but she was also
one of the leading goal scorers in the WPIAL
7
Smoke Signals
November 2006
SPORTS
BRIEFS
FOOTBALL
The football team is (3-5) this season.
The Indians have had tough games
against teams like Thomas Jefferson,
losing by no more than seven points
in any contest. Recently, they beat
Keystone Oaks in a double overtime
win.
GIRLS’ GOLF
The girl’s golf team can’t get
enough wins this season. They were
undefeated (8-0) and took on tough
competitors such as Bethel Park and
Upper Saint Clair.
bOYS’ SOCCER
The boys’ soccer team is (17-2-1) this
year. They just came off an exciting
win against Chartiers Valley, clinching
their division. Shane Pruitt scored the
only goal in the contest.
VOLLEYBALL
Girl’s Volleyball- The girl’s volleyball team is unfortunate this season.
They only have two wins ( 2-7), but
have been stepping up their game to
improve the end of the season.
FIELD HOCKEY
The girls field hockey team has been a
threat in the wpial with records of (111-1) ( 7-1). They have only given up
two points all year. The girls have taken
down tough teams such a s Woodland
Hills and Upper Saint Clair.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
The girl’s tennis is a tough competitor
with an undefeated record of (11-1).
Their season is over, look forward to
another great year .
BOYS’ GOLF
Photograph by E. Cronin
Junior Rebecca Elderkin attempts to keep the
ball in USC’s end.
The boy’s golf team never looks
ahead. They are ready for any team
that comes for a win. They currently
are (10-2).

8. Trend of the Month: Modest 80’s
Colleen Counihan
Features Editor
P T L I F E S ty le
&
Fall 2006
style has gone retro.
Clothing designs
are popping up with
eighties inspiration
everywhere. The
look consists of some
never-before-seen
items and some that
have a never-fading
good reputation.
Leggings, the most
common piece, are in
full force this fashion
season.
These legsqueezing trousers
are approved in
patterns varying
from leopard print to
the darkest opaque
and are commonly
adorned with buttons
or bows. This simple
clothing item fits
into this generation
rather perfectly, but
not all aspects of 80’s
fashion can fit into
2006 so easily.
Many people
have embraced
80’s flare in a more
modest form. Sweater
dresses, for example,
are popular, but girls
Many
people have
embraced 80’s
flare in a
more modest
form.
will rarely wear these
in jolts of color such
as hot pink or royal
blue, which were
the staples of the
eighties. Today, these
versatile dresses are
coupled with plain
flats or some sleek
ankle boots. This fall,
shoppers should keep
in mind the eighties
pattern: oversize the
top, undersize the
bottom.
“I love 80’s fashion, it’s
surprisingly comfortable.
I love to shop, too and I
will search for the clothes
that are “in-style.”
-Emily Correal ‘09
“I am a shopping addict.
I don’t consider myself
an 80’s fashion plate.
My style is just me.”
-Anne Hess ‘08
Photo by: Livia DeLallo
Senior Maria Ruffing, hard at work editing her headlines
project, models contemporary modest 80’s retro-fashion.
“I dress how I like to
dress and sometimes it
just happens to be 80’s.
I don’t go looking for
my outfits, they come to
me.”
-Steve Kostkas ‘07
“My outfits are
very random. I am
influenced by all kinds of
different fashions, past
and present.”
-Lea Hyman ‘07
Twilight
By Stephanie Meyer
37 Everywhere,
Punchline
Sean Naccarelli
“Skinny”
jeans are back and
they are not genderbiased. Worn with
an off-the-shoulder
sweatshirt, they can
model a woman of
the late 20th century,
but worn with a
pair of black flats or
suede boots, they
are a prototype of
modern-day fashion.
The “skinny” jeans’
unfaltering ability to
transform themselves
and the shape of
the person in them
is what has made
them a seemingly
permanent trend.
This fall
fashion flashback
is all about finding
the perfect medium
between retro and
contemporary. A
girl does not have to
resemble Madonna
or a member of
Bananarama to
portray the 1980’s.
Staff Writer
Punchline hailing from
Belle Vernon released their
second full-length CD, 37
Everywhere on Fueled by
Ramen records. The same
label that represents other
well-known bands such as
Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out
Boy, and Less Than Jake.
Pretty good for a band from
Belle Vernon, huh?
37 Everywhere was
released in April 2006, and is
the first CD with Greg Wood,
Punchline’s
new
guitarist,
who ironically has left the
band recently to pursue other
musical journeys. Starting
off with crashing guitars,
“Flashlight” is a song that
everyone can sing along to.
Next,“Don’t Try This At Home”
has a melody that you’ll be
humming in your head later
that day. “Punchline is one
of the most underrated poppunk bands right now, being
overshadowed on a label that
is home to The Academy Is…
and Panic! At The Disco, but
with 37 Everywhere, they
have stuck true to their sound
and have made a very solid
album that deserves a lot of
attention”(Absolutepunk.net).
I give Punchline’s 37
Everywhere six out of five
stars. (Come on they’re a local
band, isn’t that impressive?)
Katie Ellis
Guest Writer
“Of three things I was
absolutely positive.
First, Edward
was a Vampire. Second, there was a
part of him, and I didn’t know how
dominant that part might be, that
thirsted for my blood. And third, I
was unconditionally and irrevocably in
love with him.”
Bella Swan is just your
average teenage girl leading an
average teenage life. That is,
until she moves away from sunny
Arizona, to Forks, Washington and
meets Edward Cullen. Edward
is everything that she is not:
rich, gorgeous, and, to Bella’s
immense surprise, a Vampire. The
Cullen family has been around
for decades as “vegetarian”
Vampires- they don’t attack
humans. Bella is immediately
attracted to the enigma that is
the Cullen Family and, despite his
constant warnings, begins to find
herself spending all of her free
time with Edward. Bella soon
finds not only her life, but also
her father’s life, in danger when a
coven of “carnivorous” Vampires
appear, hungry after a long trip.
Thus begins an emotionally trying
journey to try to keep Bella and
her family alive.
Twilight has the perfect
combination
of
romance,
adventure, and
supernatural
happenings.
Just don’t read
it if you plan on sleeping; this
page-turner will keep you up for
hours!
I GIVE THIS BOOK FIVE OUT OF
FIVE STARS
Talladega Nights: The
Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Bill Berry
Staff Writer
November is notorious
for must see DVD releases with
the release of hit movies such
as Cars, The Divinci Code, and
Superman Returns. However,
one movie has everyone in a
buzz, Talladega Nights: The
Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
The smash hit movie
will hit the shelves Tuesday,
November, 21st. Saturday Night
Live funny man Will Ferrell,
stars and co-wrote the project
along with Adam McKay.
This is a heart-warming
tale of NASCAR driver Ricky
Bobby’s (Ferrell) rise to the top
of his profession and his battle
to stay there. The movie is
packed with jokes, wisecracks,
and satire.
Though Talladega Nights
may not win an Oscar, it has
already captured a Teen Choice
Award for best comedy movie
of the summer.
Movies.com gives the
flick an A while yahoo.com
hands out a B. As for me, I
give Talladega Nights three out
of four Berries. To decide for
yourself, make sure you grab
a copy of this must see DVD
when it rolls into a store near
you.