STUDENT ATHLETES ON CORONAVIRUS: THE END OF THEIR CAREER

The Court Street Press

Page 2: Lights of Hope SPECIAL

Page 3: The Review EDITION

DOYLESTOWN, PA VOLUME 2019-2020 ISSUE 4 April 2020

By Alec Mettin

The Court Street Press recently caught up with

Social Studies/Sociology teacher Ms. Sweeney to

get to know her a little bit better and to see how

she likes West so far.

What is your favorite thing about teaching at

West?

Definitely the community, and not just the

teachers but the students too. And the

sense of pride you get from teaching here.

What is your favorite topic and/or unit to teach?

I would have to say my favorite topic is

sociology and the unit would be

socialization. It's all about the different

ways of becoming who you are and I find

that really interesting.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Ben Franklin. For one thing, he founded

University of Pennsylvania which is where

I went to school, but also because he was a

modern renaissance man and could do

many things. And he was a player, so that

too.

What is your favorite concert that you attended?

I have two: Jimmy Buffet at Citizens Bank

Park and The Lumineers at the Tower

Theater.

What is your favorite food/ dessert?

Hmm, well my favorite food combo would

be pizza and wings and my favorite dessert

combo is chocolate chip cookies and milk.

Jake Lang: Boys Lacrosse

“With our lacrosse season having a slim chance of being reopened, there are many thoughts going through my head. Sports

have always been a huge part of my life and obviously the season being on hold is upsetting. It’s a great feeling to be a part

of a team, and the brotherhood between the other boys on the team is like nothing else. I will miss battling with the team

every day, rain or shine. There’s nothing I would rather be doing than playing games and competing with my friends right

now. It’s a hard situation but we are all keeping in touch and working on our skills in case we get a slim part of our season.

I am looking to play hockey in college (James Madison University), so it won’t be the last time I play sports, but my high

school sports career has been some of the best years of my life. The coaches and my teammates have made it so memorable.

I’m hoping I am able to get back to the field for a bit this year to ball with my boys.”

Emma Haring: Girls Lacrosse

“Well it’s disappointing to be honest because I love my team so, so, so much. And I am disappointed I didn’t get to play my

senior season with them, especially the freshmen. I was really looking forward to this season and all the possibilities it had to

offer. I’m super excited to be able to play in college, though (at Towson University) because at least I still get to play the

sport I love. But I’ll miss my teammates!”

Ella Castronuovo: Softball

“I wasn’t planning on playing in college, but I quit travel ball last year, so this school season was going to be my last softball

season. I just miss the routine of practicing every day and preparing myself for game days and planning out fun psychs for

the team. I miss seeing my teammates and coaches, but what really hit me was not being able to play East, South, and North

Penn one last time, and having my parents walk me down the field for my senior day.”

Piper Wilson: Girls’ Track and Field

“When word started to spread around school that the spring season was going to be postponed due to COVID-19, my

teammates and I immediately started to worry. Things certainly got worse when UPenn announced that it would cancel Penn

Relays, the first time that has ever been done in its 125-year history. All of the hard work we put in for the past 9 months, all

of the races in the fall and winter leading up to the spring... I mean we were seeded and projected to win the State Title at

Shippensburg this year... solely based on the numbers. We have the fastest time in the AAA section. We even have a shot at

winning the Championship of America girls 4x800. These girls, who I’ve broken school records with and ran my heart out

with for the past 4 years, I wouldn’t get to have the last race with. Yes, this won’t be my last time running on the track, I will

have more opportunities being a collegiate athlete (University of California, Berkeley) but not all of these girls will. One

thing I’ve learned from this experience, is to live every moment, race every race, like it’s your last.”

Sam Tierney: Baseball

“Just getting to play and compete every day is something I miss. Obviously, we play because we love to, so that’s probably

what hurts the most about the situation. Also, we look forward to our senior day for four years and the fact that we might not

get to have it hurts a lot.”

Reid Bradley: Boys Tennis

“I personally have put a lot of effort in over the past year to try and help my team win this year. Last year we had a majority

of our varsity team graduate so I knew that I would have to step up and help our team win. I started playing last year so I was

JV and over the last year I worked hard to try and make sure I would be varsity. This season was likely going to be my last

time playing in a competitive sense since I won’t play in college. I miss the time that I spent with my team from messing

around during warm-ups to cheering each other on during matches. That’s something that I won’t be able to experience again

so missing this season is a big deal to me.”

S E N I O R

S T R O N G

WEST

PROUD

It is no secret that COVID-19 has implications beyond personal health and hygiene. For our many senior athletes, not only has

coronavirus caused an unexpected end to their high school days, but their senior season as well. The Court Street Press asked these athletes

how this has impacted them at the end of their high school careers. Overwhelmingly, our athletes are upset, but take a look at what each of

them have to say about their experiences.

PAGE 2 April 2020 THE COURT STREET PRESS

To spread some hope during these unprecedented times, here

are some photos of student life before and during the pandemic,

including original comics by Connor Sturza. Enjoy!

DOYLESTOWN DURING PANDEMIC

(ABOVE) "West football game- my friend Lauren (left)

took a picture of me, her, and Ella. I loved going to

football games with my friends because they were

always fun." -Kayla Gallagher

(LEFT) “I went out to walk my puppy in town and I came

across this near Burpee park. I had to take a picture of it

because of how sweet it was and how positive the

message was, it really made my day better and I was

smiling the entire walk back to my car.”

-Charlotte Cantrell

“Dollar dog” -Grant Nalty

“Last day hanging

with friends

before quarantine!

We were stocking

up on snacks at

McCaffrey’s.”

-Cat Both

"On my way to

softball practice at

6:30 AM and I

thought the sky

looked really cool,

so I stopped and

took a quick

picture."

-Kayla Gallagher

“The last picture I got of Les Mis practice before it was

postponed.” -Cat Both

This too

shall pass

Silver Surfer: Parable, is a graphic novel written by the late Stan Lee and illustrated by the late French

artist, Jean Giraud, whose pen name is Moebius. The name Moebius comes from one of the German scientists

August Ferdinand Möbius, who invented the Möbius strip. The comic book itself was originally published by

Marvel’s ‘Epic Imprint’ as a two-issue limited series but is now published by Marvel Comics. This is the first

American comic to be illustrated by Moebius. Later, other American comic book artists would be influenced by

his unique style from before and after the collaboration with Stan Lee: Frank Miller (Ronin); Jim Lee (X-Men,

Batman: Hush); and Mike Mignola (Hellboy). Did the collaboration change anything in the comics industry?

No. But other artists like Ridley Scott, William Gibson and Hayo Miyazaki are still influenced by him today,

even after Giraud’s passing in 2012. The story starts out with the villain Galactus, who plans to make humanity destroy itself with his “false

religion”, forcing people into killing each other and destroying their own government towards his goal of

consuming Earth. As the government starts to collapse under the “false religion”, Norrin Radd (aka: The Silver

Surfer) attempts to stop Galactus by convincing humanity that he is a “fake god” but that plan fails. Will the

Surfer save humanity like he has done before? Or will humanity itself collapse before Galactus drains our

planet? I highly recommend Moebius and Jim Lee, as well as, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way by Stan

Lee, for anyone who wants to be a comic book artist or illustrator in other fields.

CSP Story Rating: 8/10 CSP Art Rating: 10/10

This “unreleased original” debuted on Instagram on April 15 from the

comfort of Luke’s home in the midst of the pandemic. Like many of us, this

singer-songwriter has apparently had plenty of free time. Characteristic of

his many hits, Luke sings with complete honesty about all the things he

misses while in isolation. He also goes into all the little things in life that we

often take for granted, saying the first thing he will do is “slide on in some

corner booth” with his family. This song is short, sweet, and relatable,

reminding us that we are all in this together and that there will be “light after

dark someday when we aren’t six feet apart”.

CSP Rating: 10/10

High school, first loves, mixtapes, and the Rocky

Horror Picture Show. Written in the form of letters, narrator

Charlie navigates his high school life writing to a friend.

Which friend? That’s up to you. With heartbreaking levity,

Stephen Chbosky illustrates what it’s like to grow up and find

yourself in a world that changes every day. Frequently banned

or challenged, this book shows the ugly side of high school,

not just the highlights. Suicide, sexuality, and abuse all reflect

real life, and Chbosky deals with all with grace. Akin to

Salinger’s Catcher in The Rye, Charlie’s narration makes you

feel like you’re a part of his story as it tracks his dealings with

angst and alienation. Readers are sure to find aspects of

themselves in Charlie, whether it be his struggle to make

friends or listening to the same Smiths song on repeat. Before

you hunker down to watch the

movie that has just hit Netflix, I

suggest giving the book a read.

With school closing, life feels

upside down. But enjoy it,

because it’s happening. This

moment will be just another

story someday.

CSP Rating: 7.5/10

GRAPHIC NOVEL: SILVER SURFER: PARABLE

THE PERKS OF BEING A

WALLFLOWER

ATTENTION! SOPHOMORES AND

JUNIORS

PAGE 3 April 2020

THE COURT STREET PRESS

THE REVIEW

By Connor Sturza

By Alec Mettin

“SIX FEET APART” BY LUKE COMBS

By Annie Tirone

MU

SIC

RE

VIE

W

Do you love to write? Do you have a passion for journalism? Are you a

strong leader? Can you manage your time and a team of writers? Yes?

Great; us too! We have just the thing for you. Two editor positions at The

Court Street Press are available for the 2020-2021 school year. Contact

the club at the email address below, or email next year’s advisor Mrs.

D’Alonzo at valeriedalanzo@gmail.com for more information!

THE COURT STREET PRESS

Staff 2019-2020

Editors: Mattelynn Beahan Cat Both Alec Mettin

Staff: Connor Sturza Annie Tirone

Advisor: Ms. Graney

Interested in joining CSP? Email cbwestnewspaper@gmail.com