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Articles by Alyssa Valdivia
Secretary of the health suite Donna Marino retiring after three decades of love, passion, and care
Few people are fortunate enough to discover their true passion in life—fewer still get to turn that passion into a lifelong career. Yet for the Secretary of the health suite, loving her job was never an issue. For close to three decades, she has been able to call North Penn School District her home. However, in a matter of weeks, Mrs. Donna Marino will be retiring and entering a brand new chapter of her wonderful life.
Alyssa’s book reviews: The Darkest Corner of the Heart
When I picked up The Darkest Corner of the Heart by Lisina Coney, I thought I was signing up for a fun little romance. One would think, by the title, I would have realized I was about to embark on a very deep and very emotional journey. Alas, I didn’t blink an eye, and the novel ended up surprising me in more ways than one. The book revolves around a ballerina whose perfectionist attitude becomes her downfall.
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit teaching seniors how to network
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) hosted a high school networking event right before spring break in order to introduce seniors to the professional world— a place they will be arriving shortly come June. This event included a multitude of companies from Bergey’s Auto Group to Elmwood Park Zoo, and it gave students the chance to learn important life skills. “One of the key skills when looking for a prospective career is just networking.
Baseball season: The new antidepressant
Picture this: It’s a bright beautiful day in July, the sun is beaming down on you, the energy around you circles you like a warm hug, and the Phillies are playing a game while you cheer them on at the Citizen’s Bank Park. The enthusiasm is almost palpable, and you can’t help but feel the wide stretch of a smile form across your face. After all, it’s baseball season. Everyone has heard about seasonal depression.
BREAKING: Mr. Kenneth Bui to appear in Season 28 of The Voice
TOWAMENCIN- While many students at North Penn don’t know the talents that their teachers possess, come next year, the whole world is going to learn about one of them. Season 28 of The Voice will hold space for a very special contestant …our very own assistant principal Mr. Kenneth Bui. While his mellifluous voice is known to some around campus, Bui is ready to place himself even further into the spotlight.
Stranger turned Roommate
As more seniors commit to universities where they will spend the next four years of their lives, the process of finding a roommate to dorm with brings its own plethora of challenges. Some will choose to have a random person assigned. Others might room with their high school best friend. But what about the people who decide to meet someone completely new? How can two people go from strangers to sleeping in the bed right next to theirs? In short, social media is where the magic happens.
Cost of college bleeding students green
It would take 20,000 days of skipping your morning Venti at Starbucks to afford one year at University of Miami. Twenty thousand days. Fifty-five years. More than half a life of saving money for only eight months of schooling. The cost of college in America has been skyrocketing over the past decade, targeting minorities, ripping through pockets, and leaving people drowning in debt.
WWE SmackDown turns up noise in South Philadelphia
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA- On Friday night, hundreds of WWE fans gathered together at the Wells Fargo Center for SmackDown. Since the Elimination Chamber last Saturday, I knew I was in for a night of thrilling fights and even more exhilarating storytelling. As I watched Cody Rhodes step into the ring to address not only the fans in the building, but also the millions of people watching on television, I knew that SmackDown certainly did not fall short of my expectations.
Skrocki closing books on career at North Penn
Headline: Skrocki closing books on career at North Penn Eleven years ago, Stephen Skrocki arrived at North Penn School District with a mission to make a lasting impact. After years of perseverance, determination, and cooperation, Skrocki has lifted this district higher than ever. And in just a few weeks, he will depart from it, but not without the knowledge that his goal to leave behind a district forever transformed has been accomplished.
North Penn wrestles victory from Central Bucks East on memorable senior night
TOWAMENCIN- Up by only two points with one more match left to go, North Penn boys wrestling ultimately prevailed this Thursday night (35-30) in a neck-to-neck battle against Central Bucks East, making this match a memorable and exciting senior night. Despite losing the first match, CB East had a comfortable lead of 6-18 until North Penn’s Daniel Mallitz stepped onto the mat for the fifth.
It’s fry o’clock somewhere
French fries have always been a staple side in American culture since the nineteenth century. Since then, major fast-food chains have adopted this cherished delicacy to their menus, bringing thousands of hungry customers into their restaurants. However, there are many fast-food restaurants that surround the Lansdale area. This leads to the question: Where does one get the best french fries? McDonald’s One of the most famous fast-food places for fries is of course McDonald’s.
Alyssa’s book reviews: Little Women
Adapted into an Oscar Award winning movie in 2019, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is considered one of the greatest literary classics of all time. Similar to beloved author Jane Austen, Alcott wrote her stories with an air of modernity that was rare during her time, and yet the risk paid off because—over a century and a half later—Little Women has continued to inspire and captivate to this day.
Unifying Physical Education at North Penn
As course selection draws nearer, many students at North Penn are overwhelmed by the daunting task of choosing from what appears to be an endless list of courses—especially when many aren’t familiar with all that this high school has to offer. Unified P.E is a new edition to North Penn’s roster of classes and could be a wonderful choice for anyone who wants to participate in something really special.
Opinion: Was resting Saquon Barkley the right decision?
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has become the ninth NFL player in history to rush 2,000 yards in the regular season. While our second-string players managed to clinch the win over the Giants last week, many still believe that Nick Sirianni’s choice to rest Barkley instead of allowing him to break the regular season rushing record was the wrong one. Yet, with the playoffs approaching this Sunday, resting Saquon may very well be the best decision for the team.
Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: day 24
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston was such an interesting read. It brought together a thrilling romance with a magical element that I haven’t seen in many real-life-based fiction novels. The book follows Eileen Merriweather, an English professor, who was left at the altar by her ex-fiance. In grief over her failed relationship and her favorite author’s death, she flees for a much needed getaway.
Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: day 21
Heartless by Elsie Silver was a great book. It was the first country romance I have ever read, and if you know me, you know I am not much of a country gal. But this book made me wish I was. One of my favorite tropes is the “single dad” trope. It can never fail to make me kick my feet and giggle. This book brought that and more. The M.M.C (main male character), Cade Eaton, is the typical dark-haired, i-haven’t-smiled-in-years man. Only when he meets Willa, does that frosty exterior starts to melt.
Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: Day 18
December 18, 2024 Betting on You by Lynn Painter was exactly the fluffy romance I needed. After reading a psychological thriller, I was in much need to relax my mind and enjoy something that didn’t force me to stay awake due to paranoia. And this God-sent Y.A. novel answered those prayers. The book is about Bailey, the main character, who is dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of her parent’s divorce.
Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: Day 15
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker has taken the book community by storm, especially on Booktok. I picked it off of the Barnes and Nobles shelf without knowing I was about to dive into one of the most intricate and captivating fantasy novels of the year. Prior to reading this, I had never once read a fiction book with its own glossary. Sarah A. Parker, however, remedied that notion by using the first twenty or so pages of her book to include one.
Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: Day 12
If I were only allowed to give one piece of advice before I died, I would tell you to never read Runaway Love by Melanie Harlow. To put it lightly, I would rather take the SAT everyday for the rest of my life than willingly read this book ever again. Now I know that sounds dramatic, but I am not exaggerating when I say pigs will fly before this book is opened by my hands again. Originally, I was attracted to the pretty color of the cover.
Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: day 9
Love, Holly by Emily Stone was the first ever holiday romance I have ever read, and I was not disappointed. When I first decided to pick up this book, I thought I was signing up to read a fluffy and feel-good novel. While the book did have elements of this, the book surprised me by being so much deeper and emotional than I thought. This novel revolves around two people: Holly and Jack. Both of these characters share a similar traumatic experience that binds them together when they meet.
Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: day 6
Malibu Raising by Taylor Jenkins Reid won Goodreads Choice Award in 2021 and has been massively popular in the past few years. Thousands of people have loved and cherished its pages, however, I am not one of those people. I read this book back in February last year, and I wish I could get back those days I spent and the energy I wasted. I know many people gave a five-star rating, and I applaud them for that. If a book brings a person into the story, then that’s a good thing.
Headline: Alyssa, Gianna, and Marley’s 25 days of books: Day 3
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides was a book I did not know I needed to read. Released in February 2019, this surprisingly enthralling and captivating psychological thriller has everything to keep its reader hooked—especially when its splash of mystery includes a murder… The story takes place in North London in the narration of Theo Faber, a psychotherapist who is obsessed with uncovering the motives of Alicia Berenson, a woman who shot and killed her husband on a dark night 6 years prior.
How could the end of the Department of Education affect North Penn School District?
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office in January, the potential defunding of the Department of Education has sparked widespread discussion throughout the nation. While the students of North Penn were not alive to experience the start of the Department, they might very well witness its end. How could defunding the Department of Education affect our school funding? How will our schools change? Do we have any plans in case it does?
OPINION: Halloween costumes: cool or controversial?
October 31, 2024 Yes, Halloween is fun. But even fun has its limits. Following his recent death, hundreds of people this year are dressing up as Liam Payne for Halloween; taking a traumatic event and turning it into a joke. There are many other examples of these ignorant costume ideas that are hurtful to people whose cultures or lives are directly connected to whatever “costume” is donned on this October 31st.
Alyssa’s book reviews: My Lady Jane
Recently adapted into a popular Prime Video television series, the New York Times bestselling book “My Lady Jane” has attracted millions of eyes to its shining luster of wonder, romance, and self-discovery. But the show only describes a fraction of the beautiful story that transpires when you delve into its ink-stained pages.
OPINION: Why America Deserves Another Presidential Debate
October 18, 2024 The Presidential debate set for Wednesday, October 23, has been canceled. Former President Donald Trump has declined to attend the CNN debate next week stating “it’s too late”. But it is not “too late” for the millions of undecided voters who deserve another debate. Throughout history, American politics has evolved to fit into the everchanging mold that its people have set forth.
Preview: North Penn Knights VS the Central Bucks Titans
October 2, 2024 Lansdale – The North Penn Knights will take on the Central Bucks South Titans in an away game this Friday, October 4th, to see who will clutch the title of League Champions. So far in this season, both teams are 6-0, but in a few days, that won’t be the case anymore. Winning 42-21 against CB East just last week, North Penn has dominated on the field all season long, and they’re ready to turn their vicious stares toward CB South this week.
Students under pressure; give them some credit
We’ve all heard the saying “respect your elders”, and although that’s important, I think it’s about time adults start to give the younger generation some credit too. Oftentimes, adults don’t realize how stressful being a student can be. In fact, about 61% of teenagers from the ages of thirteen to eighteen suffer from stress over school-related issues.
Farm to Desk: Mrs. Amy Hrinyak’s life on a tractor and in a classroom
From working on tobacco farms and driving tractors, to teaching high school math classes and driving bright yellow sports cars, North Penn High School teacher Mrs. Amy Hrinyak shows students that fun doesn’t stop at adulthood. To some, having a 2023 Toyota Supra as your only car might seem impractical, but to Hrinyak, it gives her a reason to be completely and inevitably herself. “I like to be different and have fun,” Hrinyak stated.
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