​By Julia Gokalp
 
Seventeen Republican candidates and six Democratic candidates, outspoken politicians, tension within parties, heated debates, and alleged scandals. From the beginning of the 2016 presidential election, it was clear that this election would not only be out of the ordinary, but also unforgettable.
 
The primaries began with a wide variety of opinions due to the large number of candidates in the two major parties. The Democratic candidates- Martin O’Malley (former Governor of Maryland), Bernie Sanders (Senator from Vermont), and Hillary Clinton (former Secretary of State) most notable among them- and the Republican candidates- including Marco Rubio (Senator from Florida), Ben Carson (retired surgeon and author), John Kasich (Governor of Ohio), Ted Cruz (Senator from Texas), and Donald Trump (real estate mogul and television celebrity)-- engaged in debates and compared views over the months leading to the primary election, months during which the numbers of candidates dwindled.
 
The choices for presidential candidates in the Democratic Party were Sanders and Clinton, while Kasich, Cruz, and Trump remained candidates for the Republican Party. Clinton and Trump were the victors in the primaries and faced off in the general election. They were joined by Gary Johnson from the Libertarian Party and Jill Stein from the Green Party (there were, of course, other candidates from lesser-known political parties, but they did not gain enough votes to stand out in the election).
 
Both of the two final candidates were considered controversial in their own ways, but so was the idea of voting for a third party candidate, for such an action was often considered a wasted vote. Despite the complicated nature of the election and its candidates, people managed to find some merit in the ones they chose.
 
Gabby Zingarini believed that, in Hillary Clinton, “America has never seen a more qualified candidate in our entire history,” since “she was as close as one can get to the presidency without actually being the commander in chief,” for she was Secretary of State during President Obama’s first term and a Senator from New York.
 
Aside from her experience, her supporters cited her policies--such as Keynesian economics, paid medical and family leave, environmental protection, reproductive rights, infrastructure repair, and reduction of college prices.
 
Her victory would have also meant that the first female President would take office, which, her supporters believed, would send an inspiring message to women throughout the country that they could succeed in any field. Of course, her victory also meant Donald Trump’s defeat, and to many liberals, fear of having Trump in office was enough to persuade them to vote for Clinton.
 
Many Republicans, though, argue that Democrats misconstrued Trump’s campaign as divisive--that his idea of building a wall was meant to protect the country from criminals; that he retracted his plan to ban Muslim immigration; that his KKK endorsement does not define him, for one’s supporters do not fully define a person.
 
As some of Clinton’s supporters simply wanted to help the Democratic Party, so did some Trump supporters want to bolster the Republican Party. Many others supported his conservative values such as his pro-life stance or his belief in laissez-faire economics.
 
While Clinton supporters believed that government intervention in certain aspects of life was crucial to protect public interest, Trump supporters generally believed that businesses would benefit from a lack of oversight from the government. Many of them also agreed with Trump that additional border security was necessary to protect the country from criminals who could access it illegally.
 
Supporters such as Nolan Hartwell hoped that a “big, beautiful, glorious wall” would help protect the country. Although a wall would be expensive (and doubt remains over whether Mexico would actually pay for it or not), Jack Earley, a junior, compares the funds needed to build a wall to our current military spending: “[An] F-18 fighter [...] jet costs [m]illions of dollars. [...] That’s for our national defense. [...] Whether it’s building up our air force or building up our navy, it’s the same thing as building a wall because it’s [...] to protect the country.”
 
Although not all of Trump’s supporters focus on his plan to build the border wall, many share the same desire to keep the country guarded from potential threats.
 
Meanwhile, others supported third party candidates. Some of these people believed that the two-party system was broken and that the two major parties did not cover the beliefs of all voters. The majority of the third party voters supported Johnson, for the Libertarian Party’s ideals are socially liberal like those of the Democrats, but fiscally conservative like the ideals of the Republicans.
 
Griffin Murphy, a senior, believes that Libertarian ideals appeal to him “because they allow people to have the liberty to make their own choices in their lives as long as they don’t hurt anyone else.” To his supporters, Gary Johnson’s ascension to the presidency would have led to more freedom--both social and fiscal.
 
Political views greatly varied- even amongst members of the same party- especially in this election. However, many people and national polls believed that Hillary Clinton, who had more political experience, would be the winner of the election until Donald Trump’s victory was announced early in the morning of November 9.
 
How did Trump pull off what many consider to be an upset victory?  One explanation could be that a large number of people supported a candidate for the purpose of defeating the opponent they deemed worse. Both candidates were involved in scandals of some sort. Both candidates had their personalities questioned. Neither one seemed to be a clear favorite of either party, nor were they favorites of the general public, as shown by a voter turnout which was lower than it had been since 1996, according to exit polls on CNN. Trump was also an anti-establishment candidate going against someone who represented the status quo, and although Trump’s idea of change was arguably quite drastic, it was still a change, one that Clinton, who exemplified for many the “broken” system, could not offer. The highly charged and often negative atmosphere, combined with these aspects, may have contributed to the election’s outcome.
 
Despite the divisiveness of this election, on a cold Thursday night, religious leaders, CRN students, politicians of both major parties, and other members of the community gathered in the Garden of Reflection and stood together against hatred--not the election results, but hatred itself, a sentiment that cannot be blamed on an election alone. Although the election and subsequent events left some in the community and the country divided, this gathering was one of many in which people showed unity despite differing political views.
 
It was a way of showing that we cannot- we must not- allow politics to splinter our country. The divides in our country will only be healed if people are willing to exchange opinions with others and not let these differences become divisive. Whether students supported Trump, Clinton, Johnson, Stein, or anyone else, the majority of people chose whom they thought would be the best leader for our country. They just saw different ways of improving it. Our country can be improved, as long as people are willing to work together and communicate, not silence each other and be afraid to share their voices. To borrow from both candidates, we can make America great if we stay strong together, whatever our differences may be.

By Kiara Alvarez & Esther Kardos

Upon entering the premises of the NAC at exactly 4:15 PM, fifteen minutes before the doors even opened for the 7:30 rally, it became strikingly clear to me that hours of waiting would be inevitable. The line of lively, anxious people sloped in at least a dozen sinewy curves. Anticipation grew thick in the air as each second ticked closer and closer until Republican presidential candidate Mr. Donald Trump was finally to arrive. I interviewed a number of the people who were at the front of the crowd, and they told me that they had arrived between five in the morning and noon in order to secure leading spots. One man, who was about two dozen people behind the entrance, said he had made sure to “drive down right after [he] got out of bed dressed” in order to get the best possible view of who he said would be “the next President of the United States.”
 
As I took my place at the end of the line, the mass of individuals was immense. Most of them adorned patriotic colors like simple red, white, and blues or dark green camouflage, and others chose to showcase Trump’s signature “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” apparel. In between the loops of lines, vendors sold both food and merchandise while children ran amok. The festivity of the atmosphere was similar to that at a state fair. Had I not been standing in the middle of it all, I would never have been able to believe that a rally could be dramatized so emphatically.
 
About an hour into waiting in line, the protesters who had previously stood separated behind a gate were starting to attract attention of their own. Trump supporters began engaging with the protesters, including North student Rebecca Sawaya.  Nevertheless, the protesters were determined to remain firmly planted throughout the duration of the rally in their mission to express outrage over some of Mr. Trump’s prior statements about women, immigrants, people of color, and other topics.
 
Three hours later, by the time that the hundreds of attendees had shuffled into the facility and the sun had set, the suspense was finally over and Mr. Trump’s arrival was announced with booming applause. He began his speech at around 7:08, not wanting to keep those who had been waiting for hours on end waiting, and spoke for no more than half an hour. He reiterated his campaign’s key points, like the wall between Mexico and the US, stronger industrial and structural basis here in Pennsylvania, and tax cuts that he promises to implement if elected. Each defining sentence of his speech was met with thunderous applause, and when Mr. Trump expressed the importance of going out and voting on his behalf, the affirmative response from the crowd gave the impression that they would all be casting their ballots for him come November 8.
 
On the other side of the political spectrum, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton held her own successful rally in Philadelphia the day after, thus establishing the fact that competition for winning our state’s vote will definitely be intense.

By Jake Cohen & Shira Palmer

On September 21st 2016, our annual Blue and White Night occurred at Council Rock North, but with a twist. Ever since Blue and White Night was created, it was held in the gym, but this year the event moved to the turf. Although the move was questioned at first by some, the night proved to be a success for all. It was a tumultuous night, but in the end, the seniors (predictably) beat the juniors, and the sophomores (also predictably) beat the freshmen.
 
Some of the games featured included the traditional “Tire Pull,” “Capture the Flag,” and, of course, “Tug-of-War,” but this year new ones were added that increased the enthusiasm throughout the night. Some of these included the “Pillow Joust,” “Pictionary,” which included the newly retired Mr. Gamble, and most importantly, the new “Rock Relay.”
 
This event was a rigorous race in which all the grade-level competitors ran through several obstacles – including the occasional and fun-to-watch balloon pop - that started on the perimeter of the track and ended in the center of the football field.
 
In the middle of the events, Council Rock North brought out a massive $5,500 check to donate to district-wide charity, the Travis Manion Foundation. The night’s events were all created, organized, and enforced by the Student Executive Board (SEB), and many teachers here at North volunteered their time to help run the events.
 
Overall, it is definitely fitting to say that all the students enjoyed Blue and White Night; although it was held in a new setting, students had the times of their lives both competing in events and spectating from the stands. Until next year, North!

By Josee Li
Reporter

Autism is known as a mental condition characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. Together at the BLAST (Bigs and Littles Autism Support Team) program, Bigs (high schoolers) mentor and aid Littles (elementary school children diagnosed with autism), so that autism is not just a label that defines who these children are as people. The BLAST program helps these kids grow as independent, kind, respectful, and expressive children so that one day, they can become stronger individuals. They believe in hope and improvement, and they never give up. Each week, Bigs in the BLAST program work with their Littles on comprehension, communication, expression, and social skills. After working closely and personally with their Littles, many Bigs are proud to state that they are able to see progress and improvement in their Littles over the many weeks of persistence and hard work. Even small things, such as making eye contact, or asking a question in a conversation, are considered huge successes with each individual child. Dedication and compassion are what drive Bigs to connect and aid their Littles.

However, in January, the BLAST program was having trouble with funds to continue next year. Fortunately, due to Mr. Gamble’s constant support, the marching band’s generosity, Dr. Dawn Haaz’s cooperation, and the altruistic spirits of my high school volunteers, I was able to organize a fundraising car wash at the Newtown Ambulance on May 28.
It was not an easy process and there were many obstacles to overcome, such as starting out with no supplies at all. Thankfully, due to the marching band and the donations of so many generous peers, we collected an overabundance of supplies.

The day of the car wash was a beautiful, sunny 88 degrees. Cars were pollen-infested, and the event was a huge success, as a constant line of cars was ready to get washed. Word had gotten out and people in the community came to support autism and the BLAST program. Parents of the BLAST program came and advertised. There was even a man who came to donate because his nephew had low-functioning autism. Later, it was revealed that he had generously donated $50.

The volunteers washed a total of 50 cars in 3 hours and raised $659, more than what was ever expected. A special thanks to the volunteers: Josee Li, Aleena Somy, Jackie Koo, Jennifer Chen, Dylan Klevan, Melody Wu, Nicole Rafalofsky, Jaden Schoenfeld, Annabelle Boyd, Katerina Brilleman, Matilda Brilleman, Anita Szoke, Anne Johnson, Sara Millman, Abby Millman, Andrew Sullivan, and Mallory Durkin. These volunteers were troopers and were able to wash fifty cars under the hot sun out of the kindness of their hearts. Another special thanks to the marching band and Riley Gallagher, Sam Schnell, Margaret Zheng, Yasmin Barcuki, and Jordan Galing for donating so many clean, new supplies so that the car wash could be put into motion. Thank you again to Mr. Gamble, who agreed to be the supervisor and administrator of my car wash and who offered constant support and motivation.

Many people who came to get their car wash learned something new about autism and left with the satisfaction of supporting a great cause. Due to the great success of the car wash, Bigs will be able to see their Littles again next year, thanks to the support of their community, peers, supervisors, and family. Those 50 cars were able to secure another 30 weeks of Bigs’ mentoring their Littles, which goes a long way.

Personally, I’ve learned that we need to support more of these wonderful programs in our community, which is why I have formed a club that will start next year in the fall, tentatively called the IDD Support Club, or the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Support Club. We as a club work together to have a positive impact on the lives of kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities by raising money for organizations that support our overall goals, increasing awareness in our community, and fighting for fair treatment by ending social and physical isolation.

If you are interested, or want to learn more, please join the club next year. The club, which is devoted to supporting kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities, can also help other high schoolers find their passion and grow as active teenage volunteers and members in our community.

​High schoolers can learn to make an impact in their community, especially for those with disabilities. On May 28, 16 students of CRN were able to display their compassion for our community by washing cars for a great cause. Those 50 cars were able to fund 30 more weeks, or another year, of mentoring so that one day, Littles can grow up and become independent individuals.

By Kiara Alvarez and Shira Palmer
Reporters

​There are several important members of our school who are retiring this year. They are Mr. Gamble, Ms. Williams, and Ms. Winokur. All of them have served our school passionately over the decades, and each has contributed to the community in both the academics and in extra-curricular activities.
 
Mr. Gamble was once a social studies teacher before he became a principal.  As an assistant principal, Mr. Gamble works tirelessly to assist everyone in our school and is perhaps best known for his friendly face in the hallways. When students have had problems, he has been there for them and for our school community. He is always there to help students and teachers whenever he can. Although he is very social, he also does some “behind-the-scenes” work at our school. He is the one who helps coordinate the announcements, and he has been in charge of and advocated for our extracurricular programs, especially the music department. He has advocated for the music program over his years working here and has helped the department acquire its state-of-the-art technology. Mr. Gamble will be dearly missed by everyone in our school, but he will be especially missed by the class of 2019.
 
Ms. Williams is a biology and earth science teacher who has been an active member of the community for many years. She has positively contributed to many generations over the years and has instilled a love of science into each class of students she has taught. She made science very exciting and interactive for her students and will be dearly missed by all of them.
 
Ms. Winokur is a well-known Spanish teacher here at Council Rock North. She teaches Honors Spanish III and IV. She is well-versed in Spanish and speaks it fluently with her class. She brought the Spanish culture to the classroom and made the classroom feel alive with her lively spirit.  Her students will remember her fondly for her love of the Spanish language and for her persistence in helping them to be the best students and people they can be.
 
Overall, everyone who is retiring this year has done a superb job over the years. They have prepared their students in one way or another for the future that lies ahead of them, and we thank all of them for all of their hard work and support over the years. They will be greatly missed, and the impacts that they made on their students will never be forgotten.

By Josee Li
Reporter

At Council Rock High School North, the Nittany Lions logo of Penn State University is not hard to come by.  Penn State sweatshirts, Penn State-bumper-sticker-laden cars, and Penn State plans among graduating seniors are all commonalities. So, it is safe to say that it is no surprise that Penn State’s prestigious annual THON event is admired and replicated at Council Rock North.

THON was organized in 1973 by a group of Penn State students, and today, THON is the longest dance marathon in the country at 46 hours. Each year, THON attracts about 15,000 students to help dance the hours away for conquering childhood cancer.

Deciding to follow THON’s tradition, the Council Rock North Indians adapted their own version of THON. Called Rock-a-Thon, this event is a 12-hour dance marathon that raises money to support our community and other worthy causes. Each year, Council Rock North has hundreds of student participants and raise thousands of dollars for an individual organization. Rock-a-Thon has been proudly serving as an illustration of a decade of service to anything from cancer research to the local theater.

This year, for the 9th annual Rock-a-Thon, the Student Executive Board (SEB) of Council Rock North decided to raise money for the organization Jackson Labs. Jackson Labs is a dedicated organization that focuses on finding a cure for each individual cancer patient. Because cancer is becoming increasingly common among people we know and love, including a sibling of an SEB member, SEB decided to support this charity.

On March 11, hundreds of students lined up outside Council Rock North for a fun night of dancing and fundraising. The evening began with a dance and continued with night swimming, games, fun competitions, and even a hypnotist show. At the end of the event the next morning, SEB was proud to announce that $26,600 was raised for Jackson Labs. Riley Gallagher, treasurer of SEB, states that “SEB was pleased with this year’s Rock-a-thon as it was both safe and enjoyable for our students. Rock-a-Thon was successful in helping a very worthy charity.”

SEB president Camille Smith stated that “the overnight portions were changed this year, so there were tons of things going on to appeal to more people. I really think it went well and have heard nothing but positive feedback, and I had a pleasure planning it with my co-chairs.”

Both Smith and Gallagher admitted that planning this event was a massive project that thankfully ended with success.
“We raised a lot of money through our new fundraising methods such as Dine for Dollars and monetary soliciting from local businesses,” Smith expressed. Dine for Dollars was a fundraiser that aided Rock-a-thon’s success in which students, teachers, and families were able to share a meal at Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, Jules, and Applebee’s in order to support the worthy cause.  

Gallagher mentioned, “SEB members all went soliciting on their own time and visited local businesses to see if they would be interested in supporting our cause.” Thanks to the cooperation and teamwork of SEB members and the support of the Council Rock community, local businesses such as The Caketeria, Smoothie King, Go Bananas, Philly Pretzel, Burritos, Verelli's Yardley Pizza, Canal Street Grille, Zebra Striped Whale, Starbucks, Uva Ristorante, Cramer's Bakery, Vince's Pizza, Micro Interventional Devices, Great Clips, Centeral Aluminun, Quality One Roofing, YBI Solutions, Vennel Institute, Rittenhouse Home, 360 Hypnosis, Sneddon's Luncheonette, Colonial Farms, Lee's Hoagie House, David J. Witchelle, and Acme were able to contribute to this worthy cause.

Rock-a-Thon does more than support cancer research and promote student activism. By having the local businesses involved with SEB’s fundraising efforts, the local community’s charitability is reflected.

Gallagher sincerely expresses that she “think[s] that Rock-a Thon is an accurate representation of the fact that the Council Rock and Bucks County community is committed to serving others.”

​However, the Council Rock and Bucks County community’s dedication to helping others does not stop here. Next year, SEB wishes to improve the 10th annual Rock-a-Thon by getting more students involved and raising more money, as well as having more entertainment present at the event. Gallagher concludes thoughtfully, “Ultimately, we would like to raise even more money for our charity and continue to help foster a love for serving others in our students, even if it simply starts with a 12-hour dance-a-thon.”

By Esther Kardos
Reporter
​
Spring is soon to arrive, and with it, a season for change. It’ a time for things to shift from one mode to another, just as it’s a time for us to adjust accordingly. Generally, change is seen as a positive, yet, on other occasions, it’s quite the opposite. And according to the general response to the new SAT model that began in March, this recent development in the test format might just fit into that latter category of changes. After all, while no guessing penalty and a shorter required testing time may seem inviting, such is not completely the case according to actual students who have participated in it.
 
According to Bhavana Ambadipudi, a freshman who recently took the PSAT version of the new test, the revised version is “long and aggravating, to the point where I was pretty much done.” She added that she “felt like the old SAT would have been better since it was so much shorter and less concentrated on critical thinking and analysis,” and with this thought, Bhavana is not alone.
 
According to a survey done by The New York Times, over 30% of students thought the new test was more difficult and more complicated than expected, and 53% felt it did not properly reflect what they learned in school. These results are, on average, at least ten percent higher than the old SAT’s exit polling results, which then prompts one question only – is it truly wise for us to make such a change to the SAT test, especially when it’s only going to cause more difficulties and perhaps unsuccessful attempts in the long run? In either case, I encourage Council Rock students to purchase learning materials specific to this new test and study up because as it seems, doing well on this new test may be harder than ever before. 

By Josee Li
Reporter

As the time of the annual Rock-A-Thon approaches, SEB finds itself submerged in the midst of planning for this charitable event. This year, SEB plans on providing many fun activities including the dance which will feature one of our own students, Jamie Brown as its DJ. Not only that, but a hypnotist show, night swimming, games, fun competitions, and plenty of food will be provided. More details as to specific activities will be provided later on.

This year, Rock-A-Thon plans on benefiting Jackson Labs. Jackson Labs focuses on finding a cure for cancer. More specifically, Jackson Labs works on curing individuals who have cancer because every patient has a unique case. Slowly, Jackson Labs works on finding a cure to cancer for all its patients. Because cancer is becoming increasingly common among people we know and love, SEB has decided to support this worthy charity.                                                

To raise money and interest for this popular event, SEB has planned four “Dine for Dollars” nights at Chick-Fil-a, Chipotle, Jules, and Applebee’s; chosen three raffle prizes (a hoverboard, iPad Air, and GoPro); chosen a DJ; and planned entertainment for Rock-A-Thon. However, there were a few bumps in the road that needed to be overcome during the planning process.

Finn Thompson, a member of SEB, states, “One of the main problems that we’ve had to deal with is continuing to make the events enticing for students. We are so proud of the work that we’ve done in the past and want to ensure that we can continue to be as charitable as possible as a school.” SEB continues to work hard at making Rock-A-Thon a fun and memorable night for all students to attend.

Why should a student come to Rock-A-Thon anyway? Mr. Battiste, advisor of SEB, states, “Ultimately, this is a chance for students to once again prove why Council Rock North is the most charitable high school in the area.”

Not only can students come out and have a fun night with friends, but also they can show their altruism. Although local businesses have supported and donated to the charity as well, students are the main supporters behind Rock-A-Thon.
So, come out on March 11th to support Jackson Labs and have a night full of fun memories. Mr. Battiste concludes with a powerful statement, “We hope the students will attend for the mere fact that it’s for a good cause.” Let’s show the community how charitable Council Rock North is.

By Kiara Alvarez
Reporter

Many people associate February with the notorious Valentine’s Day; however, February can also be associated with Black History Month. Black History Month was created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a scholar and son of former slaves, in 1926 and originally began as “Negro History Week.” It was later expanded to all of February. The event is celebrated in February because both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who both influenced black history, have February birthdays. When people think of Black History Month, they typically think of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks, but there were many other important black Americans who are not as well known that also had an impact on black history.

One important woman who influenced black history was Althea Gibson. She was discriminated against for being a woman and a black woman at that. Gibson was the first black person to be able to play international tennis. She was also the first black person to win a Grand Slam title and then to later win both the Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals multiple times. She was also voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press two years in a row. Gibson was later inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. She also was the first woman to ever win the Theodore Roosevelt Award, which is the highest honor from the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Recently in August 2013, she was issued an official U.S. postage stamp commemorating her contributions to sports. She inspired many black women after her including Serena and Venus Williams, who have both ranked number one in the world for professional tennis. Gibson helped inspire athletes to continue fighting against the color line, a battle that was eventually won.

Another person who greatly impacted black history was W.E.B. Du Bois. He was the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard and was a founder in 1909 of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He helped protest against lynching and would not accede to white political rule over blacks. Du Bois influenced blacks to aspire to get an education for themselves and join the fight against white supremacism. He wrote many stories about his beliefs about equality as editor of the NAACP’s journal The Crisis. He was a passionate peace activist and wanted to end the usage of nuclear weapons. Du Bois was also honored with the Spingarn Medal in 1920 by the NAACP and the International Lenin Peace Prize by the USSR in 1959. He, too, was featured on a U.S. postage stamp in 1992.  Du Bois helped African Americans gain rights and battle white supremacy during the Jim Crow era as he ardently fought for equality.

With everyone anticipating the upcoming Academy Awards, the first African American to win one was Hattie McDaniel. She won Best Supporting Actress for her performance as ‘Mammy’ in the famous film Gone with the Wind. Not only was she a phenomenal actress, but also a great singer. She was the first black woman to sing on the radio in the U.S. and was also the first black Oscar winner to be honored with a U.S. postage stamp. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (one for her contributions to film and one for her contributions to radio) and was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975. When she wasn’t onstage, she served as chairman of the “Negro Division” of the Hollywood Victory Committee in which she provided entertainment for black soldiers.

Although these members of society became known for completely different reasons, all of them were inhibited initially just because of the color of their skin. However, they didn’t let that stop them. Each person thrived in his or her own way and helped impact black history in one way or another. Their contributions to history will forever be remembered in the hearts of many for inspiring others to follow in their footsteps as more and more people contribute to the fight against racism.

By Samantha Gougher
Editor

Whether a student views the posters on the walls or the images on the school televisions, it’s nearly impossible to miss the many advertisements for Council Rock North’s unique Coffee House Club. The club, which started only four years ago, has been an open venue for performers and friends since its inception. Matt Stockburger, one of the club’s founders, comments that “it’s really nice that we can carry on the tradition of… music and the friendships we create,” even after his senior year is complete.

The environment of Coffee House Club is completely unlike that of a standard classroom: the lights are dim, music (either live or streamed) is constantly playing, and coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and donuts are available to students. The club offers a membership that entitles regulars to free food and drink and grants those benefits to the afternoon’s performers, as well. However, anyone is allowed to purchase the treats and should absolutely stay for the music.
The performance aspect of the club is also its heart; as club leader Maddy McCullough says, “Coffee House is the only place where for an hour or so [a student] can truly be [him or her] self.”

The club encourages students to share their instrumental, vocal, or collective talents, while enforcing a policy of respect and professionalism in both the performers and the audience. Club leader Jess Traub believes that these elements are extremely beneficial to club members, stating that “[Coffee House Club] allows musicians to grow into performers.”
If you have an interest in making music, enjoying music, or obtaining caffeine, please check out this unique club.
Coffee House Club is hosted on the first and third Thursday of each month in Mr. Sipler’s room.