September–

October 2013

Madicyn Mansueti, Editor

The middle school is

back at Rochester.

Several years ago,

Rochester School District

was divided into three

separate “schools”. It

consisted of the

elementary, which had

kindergarten through

fifth grade, the middle

school, which was grades

sixth through eighth,

and high school, which

had ninth through

twelfth. However, in

2008, the middle school

was eliminated, sending

sixth grade to be part

of the elementary and

the seventh and eighth

grades to form the new

junior high school.

This change was one that

forced both teachers and

students to adjust. Five

years later, adjustments

have been made once

again.

One of the biggest

adjustments will be for

the students in the

sixth grade. Up until

this year, they have not

had much experience with

switching classes,

having lockers, or

beginning the day as

early as they now need

to. Many students feel

that the kids leaving the

elementary school will be

exposed to an environment

that will better prepare

them for high school,

rather than going from

elementary school

directly to a high school

setting. There have been

many discussions on

whether having a middle

school is the right

choice for Rochester, and

one teacher, Mrs. Smith

gave her opinion. “I love

it,” she said. “It’s good

for the younger kids to

have their own area

instead of being mixed in

with the high school

students. It gives them

more time to mature

before getting to the

high school as well.”

Middle school teacher,

Mr. Vukovcan, also had

similar opinions on the

matter. He added, “This

change simply better

meets their needs with

more classes and

activities that are

middle-school oriented.”

As the year

progresses, we all shall

see if the middle school

lives up to the

expectations that

administrators and the

school board had set for

it. Many are hoping that

the middle school

environment will be a

greater success than the

junior high school was,

meaning that test scores

will improve and behavior

issues will decrease.

Senior Lauren Murtha, a

former middle school

student herself, shared

her thoughts on the

middle school being back.

“I think that it (the

middle school) is a good

thing because the

transition from sixth

grade in the elementary

to seventh grade in the

junior high school was a

hard one to make.” There

are many students,

administrators, board

members, and parents that

agree and are confident

the changes will be

beneficial to everyone

involved.

1

NEWS

The Middle School is Back

Students heading back to school will

be in for will be in for some changes.

Since the middle school is back, stu-

dents will have to make adjustments

to their normal routines.

2

NEWS

RHS Celebrates Homecoming‘ 13

From Left: Cassie Spratt, Alexis Henderson, Molly Eiler, Jenna

Carey, Natilee LaValle, and Madicyn Mansueti

The Class of 2014 Homecoming court and their escorts get a

little crazy while posing for pictures.

Homecoming Queen

Madicyn Mansueti

Homecoming Princess

Natilee LaValle

Lauren Murtha, Editor

The beginning of fall

brings along the ever-popular

Homecoming football game. The

RHS homecoming court consist-

ed of six senior girls voted

by their classmates with an

additional vote for the

Queen.

The court this year was

Molly Eiler and Kyle Ziegler,

Jenna Carey and Garrett Da-

vies, Alexis Henderson and

Brandon Dishler, Natilee La-

Valle and Craig Mayle, Madi-

cyn Mansueti and Will Snyder,

and Cassie Spratt and Matt

Kosanovich. Madicyn Mansueti

was voted Queen and Natilee

LaValle Princess.

When asked about his

opinion on Homecoming, escort

Matt Kosanovich was glad to

take part in the experience.

“It was an exciting event to

be a part of. It is one of

those high school events that

I will always remember,” he

said.

At the Western Beaver

football game on September

27, the couples each had a

convertible and were paraded

around the field for the com-

munity to see. Short biog-

raphies were read, and the

Queen and Princess were

crowned.

Lauren Murtha , Editor

The start of a new

school year brings new

changes into Rochester

High School, including

the return of two popular

teachers. Many students

may not recognize Mrs.

Christina Albertelli and

Frau Donna Rosenbauer,

considering that only the

seniors had them freshmen

year for theatre and

German, respectively.

Mrs. Albertelli returns

from a two year maternity

leave and Frau Rosenbauer

returns as the part-time

German teacher after a

two-year period of

furlough.

Mrs. Albertelli is

teaching 9th grade and

12th grade English. While

she was off work, Mrs.

Albertelli had a

daughter, Anna, and spent

her days at the pool,

playground, and of

course, she prepared for

this school year. Mrs.

Albertelli is back and

ready for action this

year and has high

expectations. “My goal

for this school year is

that my students will

pass with flying colors.

I’m anxious to watch my

students grow and succeed

in my English classes.

One of my favorite parts

about teaching English is

watching my students

evolve in their skills,

and also learning from

them myself.”

Much like the

students, Mrs. Albertelli

faced a few adjustments

upon her return to

Rochester High school.

Being that the

renovations were

completed last year, the

remodeled cafeteria and

bathrooms are new to her.

The administration is

also completely different

than it was three years

ago. In 2011, her last

year here, there was a

different principal and

superintendent.

The thought of being

back at Rochester thrills

Frau Rosenbauer and she

is looking forward to an

enriching year of

teaching German.

“I enjoy helping the

students learn the German

language and experience

cultural aspects of the

German-speaking

countries. I hope to help

the students to learn and

to be as fluent in German

as possible at each class

level. This year is

different because I have

fewer students. I am

looking forward to

interacting with the

students, faculty, and

staff of Rochester.”

While she was not

teaching, Frau worked at

Challenge By Choice,

which is a ropes course

and summer camp. She also

is a representative for

Jockey Person to Person,

where she sells women’s

clothing. In her free

time, she enjoys

exercising, reading, and

being outdoors.

Senior Cassie Spratt

took German freshmen year

with Frau and really

enjoyed the class, but

was disappointed the next

year when the sophomores

in German II had to take

German over the Poly-com

system with Ambridge and

New Brighton School

Districts. “I’m really

excited to have Frau back

because she’s a great

teacher and a fun person.

It’s a lot easier to

learn when the teacher is

physically there, instead

of on a television screen

at a different school.”

The exciting changes

that a new school year

brings can lead to great

things that will make

this school year a great

one! With the return of

Mrs. Albertelli and her

goals for this year, and

Frau Rosenbauer and the

German program, many

students agree that the

2014 school year is off

to an excellent start.

3

NEWS

New School Year Brings New Changes

‘Schule’, the German word for school, is one of many words that students in Frau Rosenbauer’s class will learn in German I.

Cassie Spratt, Editor

The tragic shooting

at Columbine High School

on April 20, 1999 sparked

many things in schools

across the nation: higher

security, better

emergency evacuation

plans, and renewed

bullying policies.

Sadness and fear lingered

in the air for many

months after the

massacre. There was

however, a light of hope

that shined through the

darkness. Its source was

Rachel Joy Scott, who was

one of the first students

murdered.

Before her death,

Rachel kept many journals

and writings that held

her personal beliefs and

aspirations. Her biggest

hope was to make an

impact on the world

through a chain reaction

of kindness. The

organization “Rachel’s

Challenge” was put

together by her father

and stepmother, Darrell

and Sandy Scott, to

achieve just that. Their

mission statement is to

“motivate, educate and

bring positive change to

many young people”. The

group travels to schools

and communities across

the nation to share

Rachel’s story. Part of

the program, for schools,

includes establishing a

Friends of Rachel Club

that takes on the

responsibility to

continue the values of

compassion and acceptance

among its students.

The junior and

senior high had the

privilege of experiencing

Rachel’s Challenge.

Megan Murray, a

representative of the

program, came to speak

about Rachel’s story.

She talked about Rachel’s

childhood, the incident

that took her life, and

its aftermath. Much of

Rachel’s inspiring story

came from her diaries and

essays, where she let out

her feelings and

philosophies. One of the

most incredulous things

she wrote was that she

knew she would die young.

In a paper she wrote

shortly before her death,

she stated, "I have this

theory that if one person

can go out of their way

to show compassion, then

it will start a chain

reaction of the same.

People will never know

how far a little kindness

can go." Rachel practiced

her theory everyday. She

was known around her

school as the girl who

would always lend a hand

and stick up for anyone

being bullied.

Students present at

the assembly were

challenged to continue

Rachel’s legacy by

starting their own chain

reaction of kindness.

The Friends of Rachel

Club was put together to

get the movement going.

It has multiple

committees whose

responsibility is to make

the Rochester Middle and

Senior High a more

positive environment.

One of the groups writes

anonymous friendly

messages on sticky notes

and puts them on lockers.

Another group is

responsible for making

new students feel welcome

by writing them letters

and including them at

lunch.

An incentive program

was also started to

encourage students to act

kindly. If one person

witnesses another do a

good dead, they can hand

them a link. The link

will also get that person

a coupon that they turn

into the office. Random

drawings of the coupons

will take place to give

out school privileges and

prizes. The links will

make a chain that

physically displays all

of the acts of kindness

that occurred in our

school.

Rachel’s Challenge

is not a hard one to do.

It also does not have to

end. If every person

attempted to carry

through with it,

Rochester and the world

would be a better place,

which is exactly what

Rachel Scott had always

hoped for.

4

NEWS

Rochester Accepts Rachel’s Challenge

Rachel Joy Scott, 1981-1999

Kailey Knotts , Staff

This year at

Rochester High School, in

some classes gym will be

separated into a male

class and a female class.

Due to the large class

sizes in some of the

periods, Mrs. Smith and

Mr. Rhodes had to come up

with a solution to split

up all of the students.

However, none of the

students currently at RHS

have had gym with only

one gender. Ever since

elementary school, the

students have always had

co-ed gym.

Some of the students

at RHS have spoken out

about the transition from

co-ed gym. When Senior

Matt Kosanovich was asked

how he felt about having

segregated gym, he

responded by saying, “It

will lead to sexist

problems.” He believes

that mixing both genders

will teach us how to

coexist with one another.

Junior Jenna Hill also

voiced her opinion when

it came to this topic. “I

think it’s stupid. Some

girls who actually try to

compete in gym won’t have

the same challenges or

competition as we did

with the guys. It won’t

be fun,” said Jenna.

Other seniors were

upset because this is the

last gym class they’ll

have at RHS and they will

not be with their entire

senior class.

Although in

segregated gym you can

expand on the variety of

activities, they’d prefer

to be with their whole

grade. Senior, Lauren

Murtha, on the other hand

liked the idea of having

separated classes. “I

like it. I think it’ll

make some of the girls be

more competitive.” This

school year, students are

adapting to many new

changes this year and

will have to get used to

this one.

5

NEWS/SPORTS

Syra Evans, Editor

This year the

Rochester Football has

been going through many

changes from losing

players to conditioning

new ones to replace them.

It has not been easy.

They have gone through

grueling conditioning and

scorching practices. They

are working harder than

ever to be winners.

One of the newest

players, Jaevon Hayes, a

junior and corner back

for the team, was asked

what he thought this

season would entail. He

responded, “ I mean, we

obviously can’t win ‘em

all, but we practice hard

so we should be alright.”

He was asked what

a typical day in practice

was like and with a laugh

he said, “Aw man. It’s

tiring sometimes,

especially when it’s hot.

But some days they take

it easy on us.”

Terrel Coleman, a

senior and outside

linebacker on the team,

was injured in an opening

game from earlier this

season against Avonworth.

He was yet another name

added to the injured

list. He was asked if he

thought injuries would

hinder the team badly. He

said, “It depends on who

gets hurt and how bad.”

He received a broken arm.

“Not all of the injuries

are that big a deal and

some people just come

back stronger. Hopefully

we don't have any more

people getting hurt

though.” With a record of

2-4 , hopefully the rest

of the season healthy and

successful.

The young football team hopes to end

the season better than it started.

Molly Eiler, Staff Writer

The Rochester Women’s Tennis team is

back in action after a long off

season. After losing two starting

players in first singles position,

Beth Stewart, and second singles,

Hannah Donaldson, the team was in need

of two new single players. Luckily,

Molly Eiler and Chloe Ketterer stepped

in to fill the roles.

This year's team welcomes three new

players to the roster. Two freshmen,

Haley Richko and Moriah Cornell, and a

sophomore, Nicole Hoffman.

The team welcomed back Kerstyn

Beightley, Taylor Jackson, and Celeste

Ziegler, all sophomores. The team’s

other returning players include junior

Chloe Ketterer and seniors Jenna Carey

and Molly Eiler.

The line up was a tough decision for

head coach Delbert Lemmon and

assistant coach Kim Wright. After

playing intense practice matches the

two coaches made their final decision.

Molly Eiler who serves as captin, also

took the first singles spot. Chloe

Ketterer moved up to the second

singles spot. Lemmon and Wright

decided that putting Jenna Carey, also

a captain, in at third singles would

give them their best opportunity for a

winning season.

Moving up a spot from the previous

season, the team has Taylor Jackson

and Celeste Ziegler now at first

doubles. Second doubles is made up of

Kerstyn Beightley and Moriah Cornell.

The whole team has been getting used

to their new spots and they all hope

that it will be beneficial in having a

successful season.

Kerstyn Beightley felt good about

the team’s chances to make the play-

offs. “I feel confident that all spots

can compete with any team that we will

face.” Her optimism proved true as the

team made it to the WPIAL playoffs.

A large part of their success was

due to strong team leadership.

Whenever asked about the leadership of

the team, Kerstyn “Kabe” Beightley

said, “Molly and Jenna do a great job

of showing what a team captain should

be. They both send the team texts

reminding us what uniform we should

wear and what time our bus leaves.

They also set a positive attitude

during practice and matches.”

The team ended their section season

with a record of (8-4) and clinched a

play-off spot after their victory

against Hopewell on Monday, September

30th. The girls are all excited and

will find out who they play Tuesday,

October 8th.

6

SPORTS

Tennis Team—Back in Action

The Rochester Women’s tennis team has been preparing for their season since the beginning of June.

Taylor Jackson and Celeste Ziegler pack up their equipment after their win against Hopewell.

Madison Campisi, Staff

This year marks a new

start for the volleyball

team at Rochester High

School. The team only has

two returning starters

from last year, Debra

Sawyer and Pia Everson,

who are now seniors and

also the captains of the

team. When Debra was

asked how she feels about

becoming a leader of the

team, she had no trouble

making the adjustment.

She said, “I am used to

being a leader because I

have several little

siblings, but it feels

good to be a leader

outside of my family.”

As the season began,

the new coach, Mark

Richko, created a

starting lineup. The

starting setters are

seniors Madicyn Mansueti

and Pia Everson. The

starting middles are

junior Jenna Hill and

senior Debra Sawyer. The

starting outsides are

junior Madison Campisi

and sophomore Maggie

Whittington. Coach Richko

is trying his best to

create a great line up

and an even better team.

Coach Richko has

switched the lineup

around and finally found

a rotation that works.

The Lady Rams started

their season on

September 3rd. They came

out with a loss but they

played their hearts out.

After the loss Debra

Sawyer was optimistic

about the remainder of

the season, “It doesn’t

matter what our record is

as long as we play our

hearts out and try our

best, I will be

satisfied,” She said with

a new team and a new

coach there are many

changes that have

occurred, but with time

and a lot of heart, the

team looks to succeed in

more ways than one.

7

SPORTS

New Team, New Start

The varsity starting players greet the Quigley Spartans before they played their match. The Lady Rams were victorious in this contest.

Sabrina Smith, Staff

Football, volley-

ball, and tennis are the

only sports that seem to

be the focus in the fall.

But one sport that all

three of these overshadow

is golf. The golf team,

coached by Mr. Culley,

has high expectations for

this season as they hope

to make playoffs for the

first time in many years.

The golf team is led by

seniors Kyle Ziegler and

Will Snyder. The rest of

the team is made up of

juniors Isaiah Hauser,

Chaz Verrico, Jesse

Jamery, Grant Gill, and

Adriana Vasquez.

Junior Isaiah Hauser

said, “It would be a

great accomplishment to

go .500 or better this

season after a tough 4-10

season last year.” Along

with Isaiah’s optimistic

thoughts, Senior Kyle

Ziegler added, “We go out

each match trying to come

close to our goal that

we set for each match,

which is 210, and we

seem to be pretty close

every time.” The Rams’

best score as a team so

far is a 203.

The Rams’ golf

team came out with a

very demanding start as

they began the season

with three great wins

over section rival,

OLSH, and a non-section

team in Beaver Falls. But

they then lost to the top

two teams in the section,

Sewickley Academy and

Quaker Valley. The team

finished the season last

week with a 6-10 overall

record.

Golf Attack

Volleyball Team Hopes New Faces Lead To New Places This Season

Golf Team Hopes To Finish Season On Par

Kyle Ziegler, Staff

Rochester’s own Derek Moye made

the Steeler’s 53– man roster this

season. Among the people competing

with Moye for the final roster spot

was former PSU teammate, Justin Brown.

Brown transferred to Oklahoma amid the

scandals at Penn State.

Several RHS students shared how

they felt about Moye making the team.

O’Shea Anderson, senior, said, “It’s

nice to finally see him make it to the

league… He deserves it.” Robert

Murtha said, “I am proud to see

someone from our high school make it

to the National Football League.”

Moye bounced between Miami, New

Orleans, and Pittsburgh’s practice

squad last season before finally

being resigned by the Steelers. He

had to have a huge preason to make

the 2013-2014 team this year, and he

did just that.

Moye led the team during the

preseason in catches (10) and

receiving yards (147). This proved

to be the main factor for Moye making

the team. It helped when Steeler wide

-out Plaxico Burress was plagued with

a season-ending rotator cuff injury.

In addition, Moye really proved

himself when he tracked down Josh

Norman, of the Washington Redskins,

who was looking to run back an

interception for a touchdown. With

pure heart and hustle, Moye ran him

down and showed coach Mike Tomlin he

wanted to be on this team.

With an injury to Heath Miller,

Mike Tomlin opted to dress five wide

receivers for the first game.

Attempting to seize this opportunity,

Moye caught a one yard touchdown pass

in his only target of the game

against the Bengals. If this type of

play continues, Moye and the

Rochester Community are hopeful he

will get more opportunities as the

year goes on.

8

SPORTS

Derek Moye (14) runs and reaches for the endzone in a

preseason game against the Redskins.

9

SPORTS

2013 FALL SPORTS

Jenna Hill, Editor

Welcoming in the new school year

is bringing changes all around. One of

these changes involves Mrs. Charissa

Daman who was the junior high science

teacher, becoming the middle high

school art teacher. The Oracle staff

talked to Mrs. Daman about her move

and discussed her plans for the

upcoming year:

Q: How do you feel about the change of

positions?

A: I’m really excited about the

opportunity to learn a new discipline

that utilizes the opposite side of my

brain. I’ve become accustomed to

using my left brain with science. I’m

intrigued to see how my right brain

functions now.

Q: Did you have a say in the change?

A: Yes. I was asked if I wanted to do

art and I said yes! It will help me

expand my knowledge base as a teacher

and allow me to expand my job

portfolio. I love learning and this

new position, without a doubt, will

present many learning opportunities.

Q: Would you prefer to still be

teaching science?

A: I can not say yes or no. I love

adventure, but I also love stability.

I felt this was a one-time opportunity

and doors of opportunity are worth

exploring. I could probably answer

this question in another couple of

years.

Q: Have you ever taught art before?

A: I have taught general art classes

to students in summer institutions and

I have taught adults about art, with

photography, in a club as well as at a

personal level. Art was actually my

first degree and I have more graduate

credits in art than any other subject.

Q: What do you plan on doing

differently in your art classes this

year?

A: I plan on being more involved with

school improvement projects, and

getting to know my individual students

on a more personal level through their

creativity.

10

FEATURE

Mrs. Daman On The Move

Mrs. Daman moved from middle school science to art teacher this year.

Some of Mrs. Daman’s students working on a papier-mâché project.

Matt Kosanovich, Editor

Year in and year out,

Rochester Area School

District alters the

policies in the school in

attempt to make it

better. Recently,

students haven seen

changes involving school

rules such as

disciplinary actions and

scheduling. The many

changes to the Rochester

school system are

critiqued instantly by

students, deciding

whether or not they

support or do not support

them.

For example, one of

the bigger changes

noticed by students

rather quickly this year

was the change of the

school starting time. The

fact that school starts

five minutes earlier

seems to upset many

students. Senior Lauren

Murtha is one of these

students. She said, “I

usually get to school at

7:25, if not later. Now

it is harder to get to

homeroom on time.”

Another major change

involved the entrance

doors students are

supposed to use each

morning. Last year,

students entered through

the back natatorium

doors, whereas this year,

the students enter

through the main doors on

Virginia Avenue. School

Administrators made the

move due to safety

reasons. Kids who walk to

school might see this as

a problem because they

walk a greater distance.

Students who drive also

seem to dislike the new

entrance. Senior Cassie

Spratt said, “I do not

see the reason for change

in the first place. I

feel that the doors are

equally safe.” The

problem here with most

students is that they

have to park in the back

near the football field,

and then walk to the

front of the school to

enter. This adds another

five minutes or so and

can cause students to be

late.

Now although there are

many rules that the

students do not agree

with, there are some

changes that the students

do enjoy. One, for

example, is the phone

policy. Of course the

students cannot use their

phones at any time of the

day, but the disciplinary

action for violating the

policy has changed. The

suspension has lowered

from three days to one

day on a first offense,

which gives the students

some lenience if they

forget to put it on

silent or turn off an

alarm, for example. Also,

the afternoon homeroom

seems to be a great

addition to each

student’s schedule. This

gives each student a

chance to complete

homework, study for

exams, make up tests or

quizzes, or go visit a

teacher that can help

them or answer any

questions. Senior Syra

Evans said, “It gives us

more time for homework

because a lot of people

have busy schedules with

things such as work and

sports. Everyone has a

busy schedule and the

extra time is a great

addition.”

As you can see, there

have been some large

changes that have already

begun to take effect on

the school. Rochester

Area School District

makes numerous changes to

the handbook every year,

and the school slowly

gets used to the new

system. As the 2013-2014

school year continues,

the school adapts to each

change, whether for the

best or worst. The school

just needs time to get

used to the new system.

11

FEATURE

Several Changes in Rochester High School

R.A.M.S. is the new slogan for the both the students and teachers at Rochester Area School District. Another change of the school year, the slogan gives students guidance and pathway towards leadership and responsibility as a student.

Cassie Spratt, Editor

Clothing fads are

unpredictable and change

frequently, just like our

western Pennsylvania

weather. Going back to

school brings a few

changes to everyone’s

wardrobes. As the

temperatures drop, new

and old trends will start

to arise. Among these

are different shoes,

color combinations, and

accessories. It is

finally time to break out

classic fall pieces, such

as sweaters and scarves,

and combine them with the

new trends.

A recent fad that

has found its way from

the runway to the streets

is wedge sneakers. Some

students can be seen

walking through the

school hallways in the

casual heels. Dawna

Pitzer, a senior, is one

who could see herself

wearing them. She said

she would wear them with,

“Skinny jeans

and a leather jacket.”

Another stylish

combination would be to

wear the shoes with a

patterned dress. It goes

to show that heels are

not just for special

occasions anymore.

However, this ensemble

does not appeal to

everyone. Kerstyn

Beightley, a sophomore,

was asked if she planned

on joining the trend.

She replied, “Heck no!”

When asked why, she said,

“It’s just not my style.”

According to magazines,

blogs, and other social

media, wedge sneakers are

a smart purchase. They

can be worn in any season

and fit into almost

anyone’s closet.

A great style that

wedge sneakers would

work with is vintage,

which is becoming

popular, again. Grunge

and a nostalgic 90’s

look are reappearing in

designer collections and

all over the market. It

is not hard to find

leather, studs, or crop

tops in any mall or

store.” Acid wash denim

can also be seen on many

mannequins and models.

Going back a couple of

decades to fill your

closet may actually be a

fashion forward. If you

are looking to change up

your normal outfits, grab

a pair of wedge sneakers

or a punk- inspired

piece.

12

ENTERTAINMENT

Fall Fashion Fads

These 3 outfits show how versatile

wedge sneakers are.

Where can you

find these

looks?

13

NEWS

Senior, Craig Mayle Junior, Jasmine Wallace

Sophomore, Stephanie Tame Freshman, Jennifer Conley

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

The students of the month are selected by teachers on

their positive character and academic excellence.