pa n t h e r e t t e - schuylkill valley school district

P A N T H E R E T T E- SCHUYLKILL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL -

APRIL 2021 *Volume 60, Issue V

The Pandemic Rages Briana Silasavage '21

As of today, there have been 30.3 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States. There have

also been 549,089 deaths. President Joseph R. Biden recently announced that he has a new goal of

COVID vaccinations during his time in office. Previously President Biden had a goal of 100 million

vaccinations within the first 100 days of him holding office. However, this goal was met on day 59

and he has now announced a new goal of 200 million. As of March 28th, 28.53% of the United

States have received at least their first dose of the vaccine. Yet, despite these improvements, we

cannot return to standard life yet. We may expect a new large wave of COVID-19 restrictions due to

spring break festivities and relaxed restrictions. Florida has shown itself as an incredibly hot spot

for spring breakers. On March 28th Johns Hopkins University (JHU) reported that the state?s

average case count was more than a 24% increase from two weeks prior. To date, Iowa, Mississippi,

Montana, North Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming have lifted mask mandates. Other states have plans

to do the same in April. In general, cases are up nearly 10% in the United

States.

Not only has there been an increase in the spread of COVID-19, but

there has also been an increase in violence against those of Asian descent.

Recently the phrase ?Stop Asian Hate? made headlines as the impact of

COVID-19 on racism has been discussed. The NYPD reported that hate

crimes motivated by anti-Asian rhetoric have increased by 1,900% in New

York City. We have to take action and do what we can to protect the Asian

American community. If you are interested in donating, it is incredibly easy

to donate via gofundme.com. If not, be sure to pay attention to the voices of Asian Americans. We

do not get anywhere sharing performative posts, but we can learn from listening to first-hand

experiences. We are moving too fast and it is impossible to know how this will impact our future. I

am sure that nearly everybody is ready for life to go back to normal. And

my senior friends who plan on continuing education after high school, I

am confident that you would like your classes to be in person. But in

order to achieve this, we must move slowly and maintain proper

protocols and social distancing. Biden announced that 90% of adults will

be eligible for vaccination by April 19th. As well, there will be easily

accessible vaccination sites. So please, if you are willing to do so, get

vaccinated. Wear a mask and be responsible. We can only beat the

pandemic if we battle this together.

_________________________Inside This Issue:

_________________________p. 3- Prom Preview

_________________________p. 5- Easter Bunny

_________________________p. 8-Spring Sports

_________________________p. 19- Winter Sports

The Pantherette is published by students of Schuylkill Valley High School, Leesport, Pennsylvania, 19533.

The Pantherette thanks Mr. Cullen and his students for the printing of our paper!

Advisor : Paige Figueroa Secretary: Fayth Dalton

Editor -in-Chief: Addison Angstadt Treasurer : Bri Silasavage

Assistant Editor -In-Chief: Kara Faulk Logistics Coordinator : Max Beras-Goico

Communications Ambassador : Samantha Stewart Assistant Comm. Ambassador : Lily Crowell

Special Events Coordinator : Jess Hummel Spor ts Editor : Katie Eisenhofer

Junior Editors-in-Chief: Anna Gwiazdowski & Sarah Gilbert

Sophomore Editors-in-Chief: Alyssa Armpriester & Charlotte Baumgard

Contr ibuting Pantherette staff : Cloey Fleming, Sandra Goho, Vanessa Jones, Dan Koch, Alyssa Potts, Emily Zaharia, Hannah Deily, Maddi Hess, Jessica Hummel, Rayven Muller, Mara Nagle, Dylan Small, Jonathan Werley, Gabrielle Cline, Emily Gao, Violet Goho, Nikki Kalash, Erin Livinghouse, Sage Reed, Cassidy Smith, Noah Wamsher, Helene Yerger, Elizabeth Zaharia, Caden Kline, Hailey Barlet, Miah Delinko, Kyleana Ripple, Delenny Rosario

Songs f or Spr i ngt i meBrazil - Declan McKenna This Girl - Kungs & Cookin' On 3 Burners

Sunday Best - Surfaces Talk Too much - COIN

Dive - Coast Modern Ride It - Regard

Peace Train - Cat Stevens Saturday Sun - Vance Joy

National Honor Society Induction CeremonyOn February 22nd, a group of juniors and seniors had the honor of being inducted into SV's

National Honor Society. At the ceremony, superintendent Mr. Mitchell, principal Dr. Yoder, and senior officers spoke on the four pillars of the club: scholarship, service, character, and leadership. Congratulations to the following students for being inducted into NHS:

Allison Ammarell, Brenden Bernhart, Reese Camlin, Drew Campbell, Mason Clery, Lily Crowell, Evan Duda, Benjamin Eddinger, Megan Ehrnfeldt, Katie Eisenhofer, Anthony Gentile, Lindsey Giacobello, Sarah Gilbert, Ethan Goetz, Anna Kate Gwiazdowski, Victoria Heidecker, Averi Hidalgo, Bryce Hill, Madison Houck, Jessica Hummel, Landen Jamison, Daniel Koch, Makayla Lowry, Caleb M. Miller, Sara Motz, Mara Nagle, Samson Phan, Andrew Rider, Reagan Rittenhouse, Kory Sander, Abigail Sisco, Riley Slifer, Dylan Slussler, Dylan Small, Courtney Thompson, Jonathon Werley, Alexis Wolcott, and Kristian Wolf.

Prom PreviewAnna Gwiazdowski '21

Spring is here and the end of the year is right around the corner! One extra special

event that many upperclassmen are looking forward to is prom. This year?s prom is

going to be even more remarkable for our seniors, since many did not get to attend

prom last year due to COVID. Although only juniors and seniors are permitted to

attend this year, it will undoubtedly be a night to remember. The prom is going to be

held on Friday April 23rd, at the Leesport Farmer?s Market Banquet Hall. Masks will

be required and no guests from other schools are allowed. Still, I think most of the

upperclassmen will agree that we are grateful to have a prom at all. With all the

traditions missed and events canceled in the last year, prom is one thing we are

extremely excited to experience.

* Editor 's note - Now that prom is over I would like to thank all of the teachers and

administrators who helped make it happen! Despite the challenges, we made the

best of it and had a great night.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Spring

Courtney Thompson '21 Draw w it h chalk . Who doesn't love some colorful artwork, especially litt le siblings. You could take your younger siblings out and have them draw on the sidewalk or driveway. And why stop at drawings? Why not make up a game, or put your own spin on some good old fashioned hopscotch? And if you don't have siblings, you could create your own art. Who said teens can't play with chalk?

Ride a bike or scoot er . Hop on a bike or scooter and pedal around your neighborhood, or take a trip to a new bike path or park and explore.

Have a picnic. What better way to see friends of family and still social distance? Pack a homemade lunch, or pick up your favorite fast food. Lay out a blanket and just enjoy the sun and breeze.

Go t o a dog park or t ake t hem out for a walk . Why does all the outdoor fun have to be just for humans? Dogs love the fresh air just as much. Find a local dog park and let your dog or dogs socialize. And if they don't do well with other dogs, take them for a walk. It will t ire you both out, allowing you to get a restful nap together.

St udy or do hom ework out side. Going outside doesn't have to be just about physical activity. Take out some homework or study materials. Take in the breeze and some Vitamin D. And if you don't have any homework, take your favorite book or a book you've been dying to read.

The History of the Easter Bunny

As you all know, since we were only wee high, the Easter Bunny brought us candy,

blessings, and was a fantastic childhood memory. Have you ever wondered where the

Easter Bunny came into play with its relation to the resurrection of Jesus? According to our

friends of the History Channel, just like any tradition or practice they evolve over time. As

America began to be inhabited by various cultures, in the 1700s the Germans brought their

story of an egg-laying hare. So, their story stuck! Similar to the spread of Christianity, the

Easter Bunny spread across America as well! The Easter Bunny was born and appealed to

the litt le kiddos! A fun, exciting, mysterious, magical being all children could celebrate.

Similar to our well known Santa Claus! The children would lay out carrots for the Easter

Bunny in case it got hungry from jumping across America. They would create nests where

the bunny could lay its decorated eggs! The Easter Bunny encouraged children to learn of

the resurrection of Jesus excitingly. Although, in the Bible there are no mentions of a rabbit,

who lays eggs, and gifts well-behaved children with candy, and decorated eggs on Easter

Sunday. Yet, the Easter Bunny has become a part of Easter Sunday celebration. Rabbits are

representations or symbolic creators of new life and fertility! So, why not choose a fluffy,

kind, and not to mention cute creature to represent the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The

more you know right?

Helene Yerger '23

Favorite Thing About Spring Lily Crowell '22

As springtime suddenly makes an appearance from behind a white, wintery curtain, I asked students what their favorite thing about spring is. Personally, I?m beyond thrilled that the freezing

weather and all the heaps of snow are finally coming to an end!

Aver i Hidalgo ?This may be controversial...but the rain and the thunderstorms are the best.?

Jessica Hum m el "The vibes."

Mara Nagle "I love the warmth, but also the possibility of new growth.?

Addison Angst adt ?The world gets +5 saturation.?

Lila Sm aglinsk i ?Everything slowly transitions into green, bringing flowers and singing birds.?

Evan Duda ?The colors coming back.?

Sam ant ha St ewar t ?Fresher fruits and vegetables.?

Br i Silasavage ?Seeing tulips and mums.?

Ann Davila ?The tiny litt le flowers that bloom in my yard.?

Anna Gw iazdowsk i ?I love that daylight lasts longer because of Daylight Savings!?

Reagan Rit t enhouse ?More sun and that the days are getting longer.?

Alyssa Pot t s ?The flowers!?

Sarah Gilber t "New growth, longer days, the feeling of sun on my skin.?

More Songs for Springtimeby Charlotte Baumgard ?23

The weather is getting warmer and springtime is finally upon us! Below are some songs, new and old, that are guaranteed to put you in the mood for spring! :)

Sunday Morning - The Velvet Underground (1967)

Bryter Layter- Nick Drake (1972)

I See You - Phoebe Bridgers (2020)

Line Without a Hook - Ricky Montgomery (2020)

Dance Anthem of the 80s - Regina Spektor

Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush (1978)

Lovely Day - Bill Withers (1977)

Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell (1970)

Woke Up New - The Mountain Goats (2006)

Meadows in Japan - Serena Isioma (2020)

Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles (1967)

One Love - Bob Marley (1965)

Mystery of Love - Sufjan Stevens (2017)

Shiny Happy People - REM (2003)

I Wish it Would Rain - The Temptations (1968)

I Miss Those Days - Bleachers (2017)

Say Anything - Girl in Red (2018)

Little Trouble - Better Oblivion Community Center (2019)

Boys' TrackDrew Campbell, ?22 and Kyle Spotts, ?22

The Schuylkill Valley Boys' Track and Field team is looking to make a statement this

year. After a solid 2019 campaign where the team went 3-2 overall, the team is looking to be

competitive again in Berks III. While they were robbed of their junior season, the seniors on

the squad are very experienced, and bring their veteran leadership to the group. The Class of

2021 features: Wolf Arnold, Aiden Gensure, Dan Koch, Ryan Livinghouse, Joey Loose,

Reinhold Louis, Tanner Mountz, Allen Reitnouer, and Nathan Schaeffer. The coaching staff

consists of a plethora of teachers here at Schuylkill Valley including Mrs. Cammauf, Mr.

Reinert, Mr. Shuman, and Mr. Wisotsky. When asked about the team, Nate Schaeffer said, ?I

think everyone has a good relationship with each other on the team. Track is a sport where

you can almost sit back, in a way, and have fun while getting better. I think because of that it

creates an overall fun, while competitive atmosphere.? A big key to a successful season is

staying healthy; however this year will pose a challenge with the pandemic. Senior Joey Loose

is a firm believer in that, he says, ?If we can manage to keep the virus away and recover well, I

think we?ll have a great year.? If the full team is suited up, they have some dangerous and

explosive athletes. Luke Seymour, a junior who was an All-Berks pick in cross country, leads

the way in the 400 and 3200, boasting some of the fastest times in not only the county, but

the state. Joey Loose is multi-talented, providing a spark in the 100 meter dash and the long

jump. Senior Aiden Gensure, who also has a background in cross country, brings his

experience in the 800 and 1600. The speedy Reinhold Louis also has been making waves in

running events. As far as jumping events, the Panthers are led by seniors Nate Schaeffer,

Joey Loose, Canon Kline, Wolf Arnold, and sophomore Michael Goad. Good luck to this year?s

Boys' track team as they look to bring another state tit le back to Schuylkill Valley!

Underclassm an Spot l ight

Nam e: Luke Seymour

Grade: 11

When did you st ar t com pet ing in t rack? 8th grade

What do you eat before each t rack m eet ? Pasta or rice

What is one area you could im prove in your running? Endurance

What is a st rengt h you have in running? Finishing strong, getting ahead of competitors

Boys' TennisAddison Angstadt '21


Nam e: Evan Duda

Grade: 11

How long have you played? Started this year

Personal Goals for t he season: Just get better and have some fun!

Favor it e m em ory: Learning how to serve correctly was very satisfying to me, but it 's too

hard to choose one moment!

The best par t of playing: The teamwork and camaraderie make the experience very

enjoyable.

Ot her Clubs and Act ivit ies: Ag. Club, Valley Voices, fall plays, POP, NHS, and more

Favor it e opponent and why: Tulpehocken was the most enjoyable. It wasn't an easy

match, nor was it hard. They were right around our skill level so it was fun.

The 2021 Boys? tennis team is full of new faces, with four new players and three returning

players. Led by Coach Brian Miller, team captain Elijah Cline, and senior managers Alyssa

Potts and Addison Angstadt, the team has been working hard on staying consistent with

their playing. Some highlights include the doubles team of Evan Duda and Andrew Rider

as well as the team?s wins over Tulpehocken and Muhlenberg. Cline says his favorite part

of playing tennis is ?the team spirit our team has.? He also explains that playing with new

teammates is ?gratifying, since we all had no experience and built up from there.? After

having lost their last season, the boys are excited to finally be back on the courts. Good

luck with the rest of your season, boys!

Boys' VolleyballGary Wenzel '23 and Evan Yarletts '23

The Boys'? volleyball team, coached by Mr. Heffner, is looking forward to an

exciting season after the 2020 season cancellation. In 2019, the team went 4-4 in

league play and 6-9 overall. The Panthers have high aspirations for the 2021 season.

The seniors this year are Zach Heffner, Tim Horrell, Caleb Miller, Michael Herman,

and Hannah Kolasa. Harlee Neuin is the team?s senior manager. Senior Zach Heffner

said, ?We have chemistry between the team and have good hitters.? Heffner said ?I?m

going to miss playing the sport after the season is over.? The team has gotten off to

a good start with hopes of continuing to grow as the season goes on and possibly

qualifying for county and district playoffs. Good luck to the team and congratulations

to the seniors.


Nam e: Landen Jamison

How m any years have you been playing volleyball?: I have been starting varsity

volleyball since freshman year, but I have been playing volleyball with my family since

I was young. (Around 6 or 7)

What posit ion do you play? I play Outside hitter and Opposite side hitter this year.

What is your favor it e aspect about playing? The hype when it?s a close match with

a lot of volleys, and the friendship and fun with my friends playing together.

What do you l ike m ost about t he t eam ? I like the friendship that everyone has

together since most of us have played other sports together. We always lift each

other up and play as a team to win together.

What are you expect ing t h is season? This season I am

expecting to have a lot of fun and hopefully reach counties

or districts with the boys.

Boys' BaseballGustavo Salas '22

The baseball season is now in full swing after last season?s cancellation due to the

Coronavirus pandemic. The team is coached by Mark Dietrich. The Boys' play in the Berks

Baseball League lll Division where they compete against Hamburg, Berks Catholic, Oley Valley

& Wyomissing. The team has three seniors: Vlad Caba, Tyrus Kauffman, and Tyler Fronina.

Vlad grew up around family members who have passion and love for the game so it?s been a

lifestyle for him ?Well I?ve been playing since I was a kid and I grew up in a Dominican

household so baseball always has just been a lifestyle for me.? Vlad?s grandfather was always

a fan of the game and seeing how much he loved baseball inspired Vlad to love it as well.

When Tyrus was asked about what made him fall in love with the game he said ?Probably my

dad.? Tyrus was also asked about what he?ll miss about playing baseball here at Schuylkill

Valley he had this to say ?Definitely my teammates... I can play baseball anywhere but I can

only play once with my guys here.? Our last senior on this season's team is Tyler Fronina,

when Tyler was asked about what made him fall in love with the game he stated this

?Probably coaches and the lesson the game taught me.? The lesson that the game taught him

was to ?Be humble, respect others and never stop putting in the work.? Tyler?s favorite

memory from playing baseball was when he pitched his first no-hitter in a game his

freshman year. What Tyler is going to miss about playing baseball for Schuylkill Valley is, ?The

support from the coaches and how much they care for you and them wanting to see you

grow.? Congratulations to Vlad, Tyrus and Tyler and good luck this season! We wish nothing

but the best for all of you!


Nam e: Drew Campbell

Grade: 11

What m ade you fall in love w it h t he gam e of Baseball?: I?ve just been playing it since I

was really young, so I?ve always enjoyed it. I?ve also had many great teammates and coaches

that leave that positive connotation with me.

What do you look forward t o t he m ost t h is season?: I look forward to showing people

what I can do. I got robbed of my sophomore year, so I haven?t really got a full season to

show the county what I got.

Boys' Baseball (Cont inued)When we go wat ch Drew Cam pbell play baseball t h is season, what ?re we get t ing?: I?m

gonna play hard and be real tough out there for the other team.

Ot her Spor t s: Football.

Boys' LacrosseEthan Goetz '22 and Eddie Idelfonso '22

After a one-year gap due to COVID, the boys' lacrosse team is ready to surprise people this

year. Coached by Josh Pokrywa, the team is led by four seniors: Wolf Arnold, Layton Crespo, Jadiel

Mateo, and Nate Woods. Layton Crespo says that the team's biggest strength is ?their ability to

work together.? Jadiel stated that ?strong communication will be key this year to team success.?

Both Layton and Wolf agreed that this year the team's biggest weakness is their low number of

players on the team. The boys' lacrosse team only has 18 players this season stretching them out

thin on subs. But with the limited number of subs, younger players will be given lots of

opportunities and room to grow. When asked about what some team goals would be, Wolf

responded that ?two team goals would be trying to get more players to join the team and teaching

the younger guys to make the team stronger for the future.? Good luck this year, boys!


Nam e: Ben Eddinger

Grade: 11

How long have you played lacrosse for?

I started playing in 5th grade.

What posit ion do you play? Midfielder.

Why do you play lacrosse? I play

lacrosse because I like the physicality and the fast paced tempo of the game. It always keeps

the game fun and interesting.

What 's your best m em ory f rom lacrosse? My favorite memory from lacrosse is going

undefeated in our 8th grade year.

Gir ls' LacrosseCaden Kline '23

Lacrosse is a very fun and interesting sport. The Schuylkill Valley team is a tough and reliable

team. They have four seniors rostered: Madison Starr, Allison Ammarell, Kara Faulk, and Jenna

Weidenheimer. Memories are created from playing this sport. Kara said her favorite memory is

watching amazing sunsets during practices at the stadium. The team is coached by Rob and Kristin

Newpher. Jenna Weidenheimer said she ?started playing because it was a brand new sport to SV

and it was something new that she never tried.? She said she thought it would be fun to play with

some friends and four years later she is still playing. Allison said to all the underclassmen: ?keep

working on whatever makes you the most happy.? In other words, chase your goals and work hard

and you will achieve them. Even if something seems impossible there is always a way through.


Nam e: Reese Weddle

Grade: 9

How long have you been playing lacrosse? 4 years

What posit ion do you play? Midfielder

What is your biggest set back? I started playing much later than my peers began.

What have you done t o im prove despit e your set back? I try to work as hard as I can to improve.

Gir ls' Sof t ball Kelton Faulk '23 and Mark Rajnath '23

The SV softball team, coached by Rich Sensenig in his first season, is hoping for an exciting

year, after losing their season in 2020 due to the pandemic. The team?s lone senior is starting

pitcher Paige Forry. Forry is in her fourth year of Schuylkill Valley softball. Paige said, ?My most

memorable moment was becoming friends with Alyssa Robinson my tenth grade season. I plan to

attend Gettysburg College to play softball and major in Biology. My dad is probably my biggest

influence in softball because he was really good at baseball. He helps me a lot with softball.?

Gir ls' Sof t ball (Cont inued)


Nam e: Rylee Mann

Grade: 11

Posit ion: Center field, Shortstop

Favor it e m em ory? When the team played Conrad Weiser. ¨ The team stepped up and played an amazing game.¨

Rylee has been playing for 5 years now and her high school career is going well.

Gir ls' Track and FieldLayton Crespo 21? and Zack Rickert 22?

The girls? track and field team, coached by the McKechnies, lost its season last year, is

looking to make up for lost time and with a great 2021 season.Also on the coaching staff are SV

teachers Mrs. Cammauf (throwing coach), and Mr. Shuman and Mr. Reinert (jumping coaches). The

team is led by seniors Emily Starr, Abby Searfoss, Ashlyn Giles, and Sam Lisa. Captain Izzy Romig

had this to say when asked how well she thought the team was going to do this season, ?I have

really high hopes for our girls team this year- all of our girls are so strong both mentally and

physically and I see a really great season ahead. We?ve been doing well so far and I have no doubt

we can continue that!?. The girls have a lot of confidence and talent, and it will surely pay off for

them this season. Good luck out there ladies!


Nam e: Averi Hidalgo

Grade: 11

How long have you par t icipat ed in Track and Field? This is my fifth year participating in track and field (since 7th grade).

What are your personal goals for t h is season? My personal goals are for the 4x8 team to place at an invitational, to run a sub 5:40 1600, and just to see my team progress over the season.

How is t he t eam look ing t h is year? The team is looking amazing so far! I am so proud of everyone. Everyone puts the work in at practice and it shows in competition. Although the team may be small compared to other schools, we are very strong. Our team is an unbreakable family.

Ot her Spor t s: Cross Country

Spring Green Salad:

Ingredients:

- 8 to 10 cups of mixed greens- 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives- Salt and pepper- 2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil- ½ lemon, juiced

Directions:

1. Wash and dry greens, place in a large bowl2. Add chopped chives and season with salt and pepper3. Drizzle olive oil4. Toss5. Add lemon juice6. Toss again7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Strawberry-Lemon Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

- 1 package white cake mix- 3 large eggs, room temperature- ½ cup 2% milk- ? cup canola oil- 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest- 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Frosting Ingredients:

- 4 cups confectioners? sugar- 1 cup butter, softened- ¼ cup crushed fresh strawberries- Additional fresh strawberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.2. In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients; beat on low 30 seconds. Beat on medium 2

minutes. Fill prepared cups half full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

3. For frosting, in a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except additional strawberries; beat until smooth. Frost cupcakes. Garnish with additional strawberries. Store in the refrigerator.

Enjoy! :)

Spr ingt im e RecipesCharlotte Baumgard ?23

Are t he Sixers t he Real Deal?by Iverson Zavala-Rosiles

During the 2020 NBA offseason, the Sixers made some big moves. They started off by firing the head coach of the Sixers Brett Brown and bringing in the former head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Doc Rivers. They also brought in the NBA mastermind Daryl Morey. Daryl Morey got right to work. The Sixers decided to part ways with Al Horford and traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the three and D specialist Danny Green. By doing this trade, the Sixers got rid of Al Horford?s horrible contract of 27 million dollars this year and freed up some cap space. They also traded the starting two-guard Josh Richardson for lethal shooter Seth Curry. This trade gave the Sixers more outside shooting and with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, they need all the shooting they can get. Other notable players are Dwight Howard, Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, and Paul Reed. The Sixers starting lineup at the beginning of the year was Ben Simmons at point guard, Seth Curry at shooting Guard, Danny Green at small forward, Tobias Harris at power forward, and Joel Embiid at the center position.

Currently, the Philadelphia 76ers are the best team in their conference. The 76ers main offensive weapon is big man Joel Embiid. Embiid is averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game and also snagging 10.7 boards per game. So far this season Embiid has looked like a Most Valuable Player candidate. His partner in crime Ben Simmons has looked like his normal self averaging 14 points per game while also getting 8 rebounds and assists per game. People look at the number of points he scores and say that he is a bad player but if you look at the game you can see that Ben is an elite defender and playmaker. The second-leading scorer for the Sixers has been Tobias Harris, Tobi has just been fantastic this season. He is averaging 20 points and 7 rebounds per game and reuniting with his former coach has been the best thing for him. In my opinion, all 3 of these players should be NBA Allstars. The other starters are having pretty good seasons as well. Seth Curry is averaging 12 points per game while shooting 49 percent from downtown and Danny Green is averaging 9 points per game while shooting 37 percent from three. Another player that has been a big surprise this year has been Shake Milton. Shake is averaging 18 points per game and holding down that bench unit. So far this season Shake has been a Six Man of the Year candidate. Other players having good seasons are Dwight Howard, Tyrese Maxey, and Furkan Korkmaz.

Drew ?s Berks Count y Basket ball Power Rank ings (2/9/21)

1. Wilson Bulldogs : Led by Marquette commit Stevie Mitchell; the Bulldogs are undefeated in league play, including a dominant 75-61 over the highly touted Reading Red Knights. This team is loaded with sharpshooters and will be tough to stop down the stretch. Mitchell is surrounded by Ryan Strobel, Mykel Huffman, and more to complete the potent offense. Coach Matt Coldren is not short of experience and knows how to win basketball games. Cauldron is one of the reasons that Wilson contends for a county championship year in and year out. The Bulldogs are the favorite to win the Berks County Championship at the moment. Look for them to go deep into the district and state playoffs as well if everyone stays healthy.

2. Reading High Red Knight s : Coached by Rick Perez, the 2021 Reading High team is following suit of past teams of the 2010?s? fast and in your face. The formula helped the 2017 team led by Lonnie Walker IV win the PIAA 6A state final. This year?s explosive lineup is headed by stud center Moro Osumanu. The group can not only score fast, but play lockdown defense for 32 minutes. It is characteristic for Reading to press the entire game. Any team entering the Geigle Complex is in for a long night, as the Red Knights will t ire opponents out in a hurry and not look back. Don?t be surprised if they wind up playing for not only the county, but the district championship.

3. Muhlenberg Muhls : Another team loaded with sharpshooters, former NBA player Tyrone Nesby?s Muhls appear poised to make another run in the Berks County and District 3 5A playoffs. The Muhls return two starters from the 2020 District Championship team in Erron Archie and T.J. White. Like Reading, Muhlenbeg is a quick, aggressive team that is capable of playing shutdown defense. In the past, offensively, the team is known for shooting the three-ball; this year is no different. All players in the starting five pose a threat to shoot from beyond the arch.

4. Conrad Weiser Scout s : This year?s Conrad Weiser team has been steady throughout the season in Berks II. Standing at 6?3?, Jake Plummer has been a pivotal piece for the Scouts along with senior guard Evan Smith, who is a top ten scorer in the county. Juniors Logan Klitsch and Aanjay Feliciano round out the talented Scouts lineup. Look for Conrad Weiser to compete in the District 3 5A playoffs if their solid play continues. The squad has taken their fair share of lumps facing the top teams in Berks I, but they still pose a threat to any opponent that comes their way.

Edit or 's Not e - Due to scheduling issues, Pantherette was not able to publish our Winter Sports pieces in the Valentine's Edition. However, we did not want the hard work of our winter athletes and student writers to go unrecognized, so we placed these articles in the Spring Edition. Congrats to our athletes for all of your accomplishments this winter!

Berks Count y Basket ball Rank ingsby Drew Campbell '22

Wyom issing Spar t ans : There?s no question that the Spartans have talent. However, COVID-19 has hampered their season. Wyomissing has played seven games thus far, and will have a crammed schedule when they return. This stretch includes them playing two games in one day, which is virtually unheard of. On February 20th, the team will take on Antietam in the morning and Hamburg at night. Guards Zach Zechman and Owen Doyle provide consistent scoring and Darren Brunner adds football-like toughness to the squad. Similar to Schuylkill Valley, the Spartans are absent of a true big. Be prepared for the Spartans to make a run once they return to hardwood

Schuylk i l l Valley Pant hers : The Panthers are looking to make a playoff appearance in 2021. While Schuylkill Valley lacks a true big-man, senior guards Mike Mish, Nate Schaeffer, and Tyrus Kauffman are finding their stroke; each averaging around 10 points. The Lukes (Braucher and Seymour) pose a threat to the defense with their tremendous three-point ability. It?s no secret that the Panthers can shoot the lights out any day of the week. However, inconsistency has plagued the unit at times, causing them to drop a few games. Look for the Panthers to begin knocking on doors. If they keep playing well, they should swiftly secure spots in the District 3 4A and possibly county brackets.

Ant iet am Mount s : Antietam was hit hard by graduation, losing standout players Jaden Green and Prestin Stief. The Mounts return a solid unit that has played well so far. Standing at 8-1, Antietam is led by star junior Hector Tiburcio who can score from all levels. The question with the Mounts, however, lies in their depth. Teams will attempt to take away Tiburcio, which is where the issues lie ahead for the Mounts. Antietam should easily qualify for both the county and district playoffs.

Oley Valley Lynx : The well-rounded Lynx are ready to start making phone calls after being sidelined by the virus for the first three weeks of the season. Two-sport athlete Wes McCalpine leads the team in scoring; followed closely by Danny Turchi and Drew Rubendall. Along with Wyomissing, Oley faces a packed schedule for the coming weeks. Keep a close eye on them, as they are talented and can easily defeat opponents on any given night. Their stock will continue to rise as they trek through the schedule.

Governor Mif f l in Must angs: While the Mustangs? record may not show it, this team is no joke. Their deep roster consists of seniors Justin Spotts, Matt Gehris, Greg Suber, and more. Berks Catholic transfer Matt Harley has added a much needed offensive boost for the ?Stangs with his proficient three-point shooting. Their record won?t suit them well in trying to make county and district playoff appearances, but they still could shock some teams in league play.

Berks Cat holic Saint s : The Saints are a young team, but make no mistake, they?re loaded with talent. The sophomore trio of Jack Miller, Ryan Koch, and Josiah Jordan have been consistent and show tremendous upside at such a young age. Muhlenberg transfer Aron Reinhart has given Berks Catholic another big body off the bench. The Saints are on the outside looking in for playoff spots, but expect to see this team rise in the future.

Berks Count y Basket ball Rank ingsby Drew Campbell '22

Underclassm en Spot l ight sby Layton Crespo and Kyle Spotts '22

Cheer leading - Julissa Sonon

How has COVID affected the playing of your sport?

?We have not had any competitions yet. Districts is pushed back to March and states is pushed back

until April?

What does your team do best in your sport?

?Coming together as a team during hard times and motivating each other?

When did you start playing your sport?

In 3rd grade

What could your team improve on in your sport?

?Not getting in our heads or stressed out while doing stunting and tumbling?

Boys' Bow ling - Braiden Lash


?COVID changed the hours of the bowling alley, which changed the availability to practice.?


?One of the things we do best is everyone on the team gets to play everytime, letting us showcase

our skills and ability.?


?I started playing the year I moved to Schuylkill Valley in 5th grade.?


?Increased practice on hitting our targets, and building team camaraderie.?


Gir ls Bow ling - Makayla Lowery


"We can't do a lot of team bonding during matches and practices, since we need to try our best and

socially distance and stay COVID safe"


?I think we pick eachother up really well. When someone is having a bad day, we always try and

cheer them up and help so they can focus and bowl well?


?I started this year, having one of my good friends on the team convince me to join?


?I think the team needs to not beat ourselves up when another school is doing better than us in a

match. I also think we need to improve on listening and using the constructive criticism we receive.?

Boys' Basket ball - Ben Eddinger


?It made it harder to stay consistent because we a month long break?


?Share the ball as a team?


3rd grade


Foul shots


Gir ls Basket ball - Lekaiah Solom on


?It decreased my opportunities to play basketball and build up team cooperation through summer

camps, tournaments, and being socially interactive.


We?re always there for each other; giving advice on our game, encouraging people to take a step

outside of their comfort zone for their benefit as an athlete, and always picking each other up even

if they just had a bad day?


?I played AAU since 2nd grade and played for the school since 7th grade?


?There is always room for improvement so the list is never ending. Mainly, we could focus on

communicating off the court so we can telepathically speak on the court. Foul shots and boxing out

are also crucial?

Gir ls Sw im m ing and Diving - Mar issa Zocco


?Our team bond is very close, we are like a big family that build each other up and encourage each

other.?


?I started swimming when I was 9.?


?Being more dedicated which means showing up to practices that aren?t required.?


Boys' Sw im m ing and Diving - Aidan Moyer


?We aren?t allowed to practice like we normally do, we have to have a swimmer at each end of the

pool instead of everyone at the same end.?


?Our team has a very tight bond with each other, we constantly do team bonding activities to

further strengthen that bond.?


?I started swimming when I was in 6th grade.?


?We could improve by practicing harder instead of messing around during practice.?

Wrest l ing - Jake St ellut i


?Not having any tournaments and wearing masks has affected us a lot.?


?The best thing we do is staying together and getting better as the year goes on.?


?I started wrestling last year.?


?We need to keep our grades up and show up for practice mainly.?

Boys' Basket ballby Ethan Goetz '22

The 2020-2021 Schuylkill Valley Basketball team qualified for county and district playoffs.

Coming into the season, many wondered if the team would be able to make up for the loss of

four-year starter and All-Berks Malachi Kauffman. At this point, it?s safe to say they have. Led by

coach Taylor Grim, the Panthers have an experienced lineup into the season, including senior

guards Mike Mish and Tyrus Kauffman, who saw plenty of minutes in years prior. Luke Braucher

and Luke Seymour have found their groove shooting the three-ball, which has made the lineup

much harder to defend. Additionally, senior big Caleb Miller has been a steady rebounder and

defender for the squad. Jake ?Wombat? Braucher has been the heart and soul of the team and is

rumored to have lethal skills in the post despite being a guard. Coach Grim designed his offense

knowing he was absent of a true big man. The offense keeps the players spread out, allowing for

outside scoring opportunities and an open lane to the basket due to the paint being free of

offensive players. Slashing guards Tyrus Kauffman and Mike Mish take advantage of this nightly.

Throughout the season, the boys have shown a great deal of resilience. Following a loss in

the season opener to Wyomissing, Schuylkill Valley rumbled on to win seven games in a row.

Furthermore, the unit has won four games by a margin of seven points or less. One of those

come-from-behind victories was on January 21st at Kutztown, where junior forward Troy Frantz?

layup beat the buzzer and secured the win for Schuylkill Valley and continued their win streak that

would last seven games. As alluded to previously, the Panthers can shoot the lights out on any

given nights. The Blue Raiders of Tamaqua would be the first ones to tell you that. On that brisk

Saturday evening, the team sunk ten threes in the victory, including four from three-sport standout

Nate Schaeffer, and three from senior Luke Braucher.

When senior guard Tyrus Kauffman was asked about the team moving forward, he said ?The

last few games we have been struggling with ball movement and offensive rhythm, but I feel

confident we can figure it out and become stronger and more prepared for the playoffs as a

result.?The ultimate goal for the squad is to make it to the state playoffs. The last time our school

saw that was in 2017, where the run was ended by Greater Johnstown. As of early February, the

team is in line to earn a spot in the Berks County playoffs. Not only that, but the Panthers are high

up in the District 3 4A playoffs as well. Best of luck to the team as they finish their season!

Gir ls' Basket ballby Mark Rajnath and Kelton Faulk '23

The Panthers are on their way to another winning season, and qualified for both Berks

County and District III playoffs. Senior Abbey White and Maddy Ziska are the team's top scorers,

accompanied by senior Kara Faulk. The team had great games with impressive, flashy plays all

around.

Senior Interviews:

What is your most memorable moment from your high school career?

Kara: ?Singing Backstreet Boys' as a team on the bus right home.?

Abbey: ?Making districts last year and bus rides with the team.?

How has COVID-19 affected your season?

Kara: ?We had to briefly shut down for a few weeks but we came back really strong and ready to

win, and play.?

Abbey: ?There were a lot more rules regarding masks that everyone had to get used to. The team

also could not have gatherings and we had to be careful with what we did on and off the court.?

How do you think the team will do next season?

Kara: ?I think we have a really strong group of girls that will continue to be leaders on our team.

Also, protect our home court.?

Abbey: I am very confident that we will do great next year. The girls are very talented, work hard,

and get along well.?

What are your plans for after high school?

Kara: ?I plan to attend the University of Pittsburgh for pre-med.?

Abbey: ?I am committed to Kutztown University to major in marketing and continue my soccer

career.?

Great job this season girls, and thanks Abby and Kara. We are proud of you!

Swim m ing and Divingby Addison Angstadt '21

The seniors on the SV Swimming and Diving team are swimmers Allison Ammarell, Steel

Boyer, Thomas Lukawski, and Jayden Seymour and divers Vladimir Caba and Reinhold Louis. Coach

Kyle Campbell has pushed the swimmers to succeed in the water, even though with virtual swim

meets and COVID-19 restrictions, the team?s season looks very different from previous years. Jayden

Seymour explains that this season?s biggest challenge is virtual meets because they ?don?t allow you

to race anyone directly.? Swimmers still excelled, even with the challenges of the season, Steel Boyer

explains: ?Multiple swimmers did extremely well this season, with most dropping a large amount of

time with multiple events. Even with the three-week break, most were forced to take towards the

beginning of the season, the team has done extremely well.?

Allison Ammarell says her favorite memory from swimming is making posters with the team

at junior Katie Eisenhofer?s house. The girls and boys varsity teams have records of 5-2 and 2-5,

respectively. Challenges cannot stop SV swimmers and divers from improving their skills. Great job,

Panthers!

Team Questions:

What are your team?s greatest strengths?

We are able to take the challenges and obstacles of 2020 and turn them into motivation to do even

better both in practice and in competition. Overall, we are all just very close and have a strong bond.

Who is your most challenging opponent to compete against?

There is a ton of great competition this year, but our biggest meet will come down to bringing

home another district championship tit le.

What are some challenges COVID restrictions have made

for practices/competitions?

Although COVID has created some difficulties for

everyone, we are fortunate enough to still be able

to practice and compete despite restrictions.

Overall, how has the season gone so far?

Despite everything going on, we are all

improving and are thankful for the new

freshmen additions to our team.

Schuylk i l l Valley Hires Harbachby Drew Campbell '22

On January 11th of the new year, the Schuylkill Valley School District Board approved Mr. Bruce Harbach of Wernersville to become the varsity football coach for the 2021-2022 school year. Harbach has been coaching football for almost 45 years, and knows the game inside and out. He is no stranger to success, either. During his 16-year tenure at Lancaster Catholic, he guided the Crusaders to four District 3 2A titles, eight Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 tit les, and two PIAA 2A state championships all while compiling a record of 139-55. In addition to coaching at Lancaster Catholic, Coach Harbach also had stints with Reading High, Wilson, Albright, and West Chester of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. More recently, however, Harbach has been the strength and conditioning coach at Conrad Weiser. It is safe to say that he has seen his fair share of talent come through his programs. Current San Diego Padres outfielder Travis Jankowski was a PIAA 2A All-State receiver in 2008, where he racked up over 1,000 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns.

Furthermore, Kyle Smith powered the offenses of both state championship squads and threw for over 9,000 yards in his career. He is set to undergo a big challenge; rebuilding the Panthers after two sub-par seasons in a row after securing a spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs in 2018. Upon arriving on the banks of Lake Ontelaunee, Harbach brings his air raid offense that has served him very well in prior seasons. His plan is to start from the ground up, attacking the youth and junior high levels. He plans to work with volunteer youth coaches and junior high coach, former Schuylkill Valley standout Codie Bender. Creating continuity throughout the system will make players better prepared as they progress through the levels. Additionally, a goal of Harbach?s is to keep numbers up in the program, something that has been inconsistent in recent years. Lastly, he wants to see Panther Stadium packed on Friday nights, and bring a great sense of pride to not only the school, but the community as well. We look forward to watching Coach Harbach lead our young men and bring the winning tradition back to Schuylkill Valley.

Boys' Hockeyby Evan Yarletts and Gary Wenzel '23

The Schuylkill Valley hockey team is about halfway through the season and is currently sitting

at 2-0-1. However, Schuylkill Valley is not the only school on this one team. Fleetwood and Conrad

Weiser also have players representing the team. Schuylkill Valley has 6 student- athletes rostered

with only two juniors and four sophomores on the team. Tucker Jozwiak and Owen Brown are the

only juniors. The sophomores are Brock DeJesus, Daymond Hiester, Nick Hyneman, and Devin

Unger.

Through the first three games played, Devin Unger leads the team with 6 points and 3 goals.

Daymond Hiester also has 3 goals for the team. Devin Unger said that the team has done really well

on defense. On the negative side, he said that the team has struggled this season with making

careless passes. With still a half of a season left to go, Unger said ?We?re looking to improve on our

passing to create more scoring chances.? The Schuylkill Valley team is young and has a bright future

for the next few years.

Spot l ight on Ashlyn Gilesby Allen Reitnouer '21

Ashlyn Giles started track in middle school. Over the next few years in high school, her

dedication and talent for shot put earned her a spot on the All-County and All-State roster. On

February 6, she had the longest shot put throw in the nation this indoor season at 49?7.

Now she is setting her sights on earning that same record in the outdoor season this spring.

After she graduates, she will attend the University of Nebraska on a full athletic scholarship. When

asked about her motivation, she responded that her ? interest in throwing continues because of the

feelings I get when I throw a personal best and the reactions I receive when I continue to throw

farther.? Schuylkill Valley is very fortunate to have such a talented and inspirational athlete on their

track team.

SPRI NG WORD SEA RCH

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The Israeli-Palest in ian Conf l ictby Cassidy Smith '23

The death tole escalates as Israeli police and Palestinian protesters continue their decades-long struggle for the holy land of Jerusalem. For those unaware of the history behind the conflict, in summary, the Palestinians formerly had partial occupation over the Holy Land prior to the 1916 Sykes Picot Agreement handing over former Palestine to the British. In 1917, the Balfour Agreement entitled the Palestinian region to the Jewish populaton, and in 1922 the UN approved of the initiative to provide a Jewish homeland. The series of events that ensued caused native Palestinians to feel resentment towards the Jewish population. As tensions grew, conflicts ensued, causing the previously small homeland of the Jews to eventually grow into what we now know as Jerusalem.4

Unfortunately, this pushing out of the Palestinians has left many in the region subject to refugee status , leading to an ethical conundrum of which social minority should have control over the land. The occupation of Palestine has had a hot and cold relationship within recent years, but relations have escalated to a high not seen in years since Israeli police made attempts to forcefully remove Palestinian families from their homes with the Gaza East Jerusalem region. In addition, the continued raid of one of Islam?s holiest sites, Al- Alque mosque, seems to be a personal attack and a message to the Arabian nations who have in the past been against the Jewish occupation of Palestine. Over 300 Palestinians have reported injuries during this attack where tear gas canisters and stun grenades were propelled into the mosque as worshipers were still inside.

The attacks on the mosque began Friday, May 7th and as of the writing of this article have been ongoing. Air strikes ensued as a result of the violence with both sides blaming the other for the incidents while 20 people, including 9 children, have died in Gaza due to the violence within recent days. The United Nations is describing the events ensuing in Israel as ?a possible war crime,? citing the Geneva Convention while the Israeli government refers to the events as a misunderstanding of a real estate dispute. Israel also argues it has the right to take land at any time from the Palestinians due to it being ?Jewish owned? and therefore should only have Jewish population in occupation through the eyes of the Israeli government. This is the same claim made in the justification of the annexation in East Jerusalem. These claims institute the term of apartheid, meaning the institution of one racial or religious group due to apparent ?supremacy? over another. Expulsion of Palestinians not only in East Jerusalem but in the entirety of Israel due to their racial and religious background, segregating and expelling them from Israeli society, constitutes the linguistic definition of apartheid. If these allegations of apartheid prove to be true, it calls into question the integrity of the Israeli government and the role it plays in causing international conflict over human rights violations. Another important question to ask is will the United States still continue to back the Israeli government after the continued conflicts and if so, what will that mean in our relations to the Middle East, who we have finally seemed to make progress with in achieving peace in recent months?

pa n t h e r e t t e - schuylkill valley school district

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