The

Falcon Flyer

VOL. 7 NO. 1 WINTER 2005

SALISBURY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Technology in 2005

BY Maria

Teens are finding many new ways to keep in touch using technology in 2005. They’re using cell phones, Instant Messaging, text messaging, and e-mails.

Kevin of the ninth grade recommends using cell phones. Kevin says, “ I like using cell phones because they’re your own property and no one else in your family uses them. You don’t have to worry about your siblings on the other line listening into your conversations and telling everyone what they heard.”

Chris of the eighth grade also recommends using a cell phone. He says, “ I don’t like typing very much, and the phone is a lot quicker. You don’t have to type what you want to say. All you have to do is say it and you’re done.”

Cell phones are a great way of communicating, but they can lead to some problems on the way, such as phone bills and people stealing the phone number and wasting money. By using the house phone known as a landline, one can save money too.

Rohonda in grade six says she likes using Instant Messaging. “On IM you can use short words which makes it quick and easy. You can also do other things online such as talking to your friends, play games, or even convince your parents you’re doing homework!”

Instant Messaging is also a very easy way to communicate. On Instant Messaging a person can talk to many people at once, which can’t be done on the phone.

Regardless, there are many problems with each form of technology. The alternative, however, is the written letter, known today as “snail mail.”

Just think if eleven year olds are using cells phone and Instant Messaging in 2004,what will teens be using in the year 2015?

Computers Are Our Friends, Right?

BY Elisabeth

For some people, computers and other advances in technology do not save time. At school, I can copy and paste a picture from the Internet to Word, but at home I find it impossible. The computer seems to think it did its job, but I can’t find the picture. Suddenly, a simple five minute assignment got very difficult.

Those annoying error message boxes are not helpful to the computer illiterate, and those are the people who need the most help. I don’t know the difference between the C drive and the D drive, and I don’t care.

My family recently bought a digital camera, but we have yet to even turn it on. I opened the box with intentions of learning how to use it, but I found that the manual was thicker than the camera. I decided not to spend the night learning how to use it, and we have not opened the box since. The technologically impaired are at a very large disadvantage.

We, as a civilization have entered the Age of Technology, and we will never revert back to simpler times, unless we have another Dark Age.

When It comes to Technology, Think Before You Buy

BY Elisabeth

Technology is everyone’s best friend. Right? Many teenagers and young adults would answer “yes” without a moment’s hesitation. Is technology really the modern day equivalent to diamonds? After all, if diamonds were Grandma’s best friends, are iPods our friends?

Technology helps school aged people the most. Light and now more affordable than ever, cell phones have found their way into the backpacks of most teenagers.

MP3 players such as the Apple iPod have also found their way into pockets around the country. Carrying around “clunky” CDs will soon be a thing of the past. With the $300, 20-gig iPod, you can carry around approximately 5,000 songs in just 5.6 ounces. If you really don’t need a playlist that big, try the $250, 4-gig iPod Mini, which you can buy in gold, silver, blue, green, or pink. Compact and lightweight, cell phones and iPods have won over the hearts of millions.

Personal computers are far more helpful than any other technological gadgets. Parents have repeatedly told students the horrible tales of typing with a typewriter. With the invention of the Internet, research became easier. Never again would you have to search through stacks of magazines to find information. Search engines eliminated spending Sunday afternoon paging through reference books.

In life, one can’t have something for nothing. Most electronic equipment comes with a hefty price tag. All of the MP3 players NBC tested cost at least $200, and it usually costs $1 to download one song. Desktop computers range from about $600 to $3,000, and that is without the upgrades you’re sure to get talked into. Who winds up paying, the child or the parents?

The fun, informative Internet has its own problems to deal with. Pop-ups appear at every click. Usually they do no more than slow down your computer for a moment, but other times they can be inappropriate. Viruses present more problems.

Some people blame childhood obesity on technology. They say instead of going outside, kids play videogames. When a teen uses Instant Message, she has to stay at the computer, but when she talks on the phone, she will find herself circling her room. With Instant Messaging came an entirely new language. The program did teach people to type faster, but at a big price. If one always type “2” instead of “to” when using Instant Messenger, he will probably start typing his reports like that. Sacrificing quality for time is not new, though.

Editor’s corner

BY Alysia

This year I have been honored with the opportunity to be the editor of The Falcon Flyer. Last year I was a reporter for The Falcon Flyer with only one goal, to be editor. With hard work and determination that goal of mine became a reality.

I love being on the staff. I also love our reporters and our photographer as well. Now that our newspaper has become actual newsprint, the sky is the limit. With devoted people working on the staff we have the opportunity to make our paper even better than it ever was.

This year The Flacon Flyer is going to be entered in scholastic newspaper contests. We will be entering some of the articles that our staff has written into different categories and contests as well as one for general paper layout. The winners of these contests get prize money, which could be used by future staff members to make the paper even better as the years progress.

We are trying to make The Falcon Flyer as important to you as it to us.

Mr. McFillin

BY Elisabeth

Mr. McFillin recently replaced Mrs. Gergar as the 8^th and 9^th grade guidance counselor.

After graduating from Nazareth High School, Mr. McFillin headed off to Albright College to earn his Bachelor’s degree. Next, he enrolled in Kutztown University and earned his Master’s degree, which took five years as a part time student. Currently, Mr. McFillin is attending the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine so he can receive his Doctorate. That’s nine years of education and counting!

Although this is his first year as a school guidance counselor, Mr. McFillin is not new in this field. He has worked as a family counselor and as a guidance counselor at Kidspeace Psychiatric Hospital.

Mr. McFillin may love his job, but like all teachers, he does have a life outside of school. He is married and has two young daughters. Spending time with his family is a must.

Miss Delay

BY Alysia

Miss Delay is a new teacher this year at SMS and at SHS. She is a graduate of Marian Catholic High School and DeSales University.

In Salisbury Township School District she is the standards math teacher. In the mornings she teaches at the middle school, and in the afternoons she travels to the high school where she also teaches math.

Miss Delay is still attending DeSales University, where she is working towards her Masters degree in math education.

Some of Miss Delay’s hobbies include exercising, scrapbooking, shopping, and visiting friends and family.

She is looking forward to May of 2005 when she is getting married. Until then she enjoys her other family member, an African grey parrot named Milo.

Fresh Faces

BY Jen

A new school year is tough, but being in a new school makes it even harder. There are no familiar faces in the hall and even the halls aren’t familiar.

One student who came from St. Thomas Moore said, “This school is a new experience for me. I felt really welcome when I came here.” Katherine also said that Mr. Cole and Mr. Cassidy gave all the new students an orientation and showed them around which made them feel more comfortable.

As a new student going to a new school, it would be nice to have a student who has been here awhile show the way around the school. Last year the Peer Outreach Program helped. Members of the program shadowed these new students who were unknown to most of the other students and teachers.

However, if the new student is shy, that makes things all the more difficult. SMS should have new students talk to assigned students who have been here, creating a “buddy program.” Knowing information about the new buddy such as interests, hobbies, and sports which are played would make the transfer easier, allowing students to select interesting clubs and activities.

New students also should come to school a week before the year starts and have a tour of the school. If that would not work, they could have a walk through video to view.

Despite the efforts to make new students feel welcome, there are some more ways that SMS can change to make the next batch of new students even more comfortable.

What Not To Wear

BY Thora

The New Year brings different styles and trends in fashion. This year say goodbye to those dull colors and plaid pants and say hello to vibrant polka dots.

Celebrities spend thousands of dollars on their wardrobes and styles but not everyone has to spend that much time to look good. This season layers are really in. Girls can simply wear a camy under a t-shirt to look great. Anyone who is sick of wearing the same old t-shirt day after day can mix and match to make some trendy combinations. This could be something like taking a t-shirt and wearing a button down shirt on top of it.

Retro style is really coming back. Items like this include striped skirts, polka-dot skirts, and very bold colors.

Remember to always accessorize! Dangly earrings with bold and shiny colors are very popular. Matching clothes with a cute little bracelet or necklace is also a good idea.

Makeup also tends to be a big priority in teen’s lives. Makeup is always fine but just remember not to overload. This season is all about bronze grays for eyes and a natural tone for skin and lips. The best thing to remember is to make style personal and unique. One should feel comfortable and stylish at the same time.

SMS Football: How Much Do We Really Know?

BY Deaven

Salisbury Township hosts two football teams, the Varsity/JV team, who are 9-12^th grade students, and the Middle School Team, who are 6-8 grade students.

The high school team is well known in the community, but what about the middle school team?

One eighth grade team member feels that his coach is nice, but he could have been tougher. This year the team’s best game was against Northern Lehigh with a dazzling 14-8. Their final record score for this year was 2-8.

Another member in the seventh grade finds football “fun when you’re playing with your friends on a team.” He also stated that the team would’ve done much better in the season if they had won their first game.

A seventh grade student who was polled said that he didn’t know much about the team, and an eighth grade student said that she is a friend to the players but does not even know when they play.

Although football seems like fun, it can be dangerous. There were many injuries this season. One team member was out for a broken foot, but the most well known injury was an eighth grader’s neck injury. His neck was contused, injured without breaking the skin, while putting his head down while running. His injury was only temporary, but it proves that football can be dangerous.

Although the Middle School Football Team wanders through its season unnoticed by most, the players still take pride in their team. Practicing hard and risking injuries, the team members are after what everyone who joins a sport wants, to have fun and be part of a team.

Peer Helpers Revamped

BY Kourtney

Peer Outreach has started fresh for the 2004-2005 school year. The program has taken a turn and is doing things differently this year.

Mr. Tobias and Mrs. Snyder are held responsible for these changes. The program was new last year, starting up half way through the year. This year the students are more involved in tutoring at Western Salisbury Elementary, specifically in the second grade reading and fifth grade math classes. They also helped out with open house, Western Elementary parent/teacher conferences, and Fun Day.

While over at the elementary school there are some students involved in a Traveling Readers program to develop their reading skills. What that means is that they are given books to read to teachers or Peer Outreach members to get a signature stating that they completed the book correctly. There is also a math program for the fifth grade. This is a group that goes over the problems that the students just did that day to see if they truly understood what they were taught.

Peer Outreach members are now beginning to help with special education students who might need help as well.

The setup seems to be working well as there are more interactions between students. The focus of last year was peer meditation, but this year it has changed to focusing more on student needs.

Mr. Tobias said, “We changed the program from last year to allow students to see first hand the effects of being a positive role model.”

Ninth grade students involved in Peer Outreach will be replaced when they leave the middle school to travel to tenth grade. Mr. Tobias and Mrs. Snyder are looking for six to eight new members for next year. Members need to be responsible, caring, hardworking, respectful students who recieve good grades to be chosen for the group. Interested students will hear an announcement sometime in third quarter, asking for applications.

Republican Party 2004

BY Jen

President George W. Bush is the 43^rd president of the United States. He serves with Vice President Dick Cheney.

Before Bush became President of the United States, he was governor of Texas for six years. His policy is “limited government, personal responsibility, strong families, and local control.” He voted on laws that will improve public schools by “raising standards, requiring accountability, and strengthening local control.”

What will forever be associated with President Bush’s term will be the terrorist strikes on September 11, 2001. When

the September 11^th disaster shocked the country, President Bush made the only decision he felt was right, to bring war upon Iraq. By doing this, he declared war on terrorism as well.

As President of the United States, he promises to lower tax rates for anyone who pays income taxes. He has already increased pay and benefits for America’s military, and he is working to save Social Security and Medicare from collapse.

While in office, President Bush will continue “to pursue an agenda of reform and charge.” His goal is to create a safer world and a more helpful America. His 2004 campaign centered around the promise to strengthen the economy, create homeland security, and make health care more accessible and affordable.

Internationally President Bush has and will continue to focused upon foreign policy, missal defense, and military pay not to mention creating peace with Iraq and China.

Bush was born on January 5, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut and he was raised in both Midland an Houston, Texas. He attended Yale University and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1968. Before moving into politics, Bush served as an F-102 fighter pilot for the Texas National Guard.

Politics are in his blood, literally. President George W. Bush is the son of former president George Bush. His brother, Jeb Bush, is also the governor of Florida.

First Lady Lara Bush also works to better the nation. She wants to advance education in America, and she supports her husband’s work on the No Child Left Behind program. She and her husband support the goal that all children should be ready to learn to read at least by the third grade. This helped to launch the first National Book Festival in Washington, DC with the help of the Library of Congress on September 20, 2004.

Mrs. Bush is the only first lady in history to have a full presidential radio address. She often speaks about the women and children of the Taliban and how they are mistreated.

Democratic Party 2004

In the 2004 Presidential Election the democratic party was represented by Senator John Kerry with his running-mate Senator John Edwards. Both candidates credit their families for encouraging them to run for office.

Senator John Kerry is married to Teresa Heinz Kerry , and together they have two daughters and three sons. Theresa is best known as the heir to the Heinz Company, but she also is active in politics, turning down offers to seek election to her first husband's Senate seat after his death in 1991. Last year she was awarded the Albert Schweitzer Gold Medal for Humanitarianism.

Hailing from North Carolina and running for the position of vice president, John Edwards has a very supporting family also. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have four children. Despite raising the children and helping with her husband’s campaign, Elizabeth chairs the Wade Edwards Foundation, named in honor of their first child who died in 1996. The foundation focuses on helping schools.

John Kerry had many platform issues during his campaign. The areas that were his main focus were: health care reform, environmental improvement, creating homeland security, improving the economy, and creating more jobs. Kerry planned to improve the nation by making America independent of the Middle East when it comes to oil. Another way he planned to make improvements was to strengthen the Medicare system for Americans with disabilities.

John Kerry was born on December 11, 1943 in Colorado. Just before graduating from Yale, he volunteered to serve in Vietnam. While serving he earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts.

John Kerry was elected Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 1982. He was then elected to the United States Senate

and has been reelected three times. While in this position he created a history of fighting for the small business owner, the working class, the women, and the children of the country.

During his campaign Senator Kerry voiced his concern about the nation’s involvement in Iraq. He feared that America had become a “bully” rather than an ally. “John Kerry and John Edwards believe in a better, stronger America - an America that is respected, not just feared.”

John Kerry conceded the election once a majority of the votes were tallied. “Earlier today, I spoke to President Bush, and I offered him and Laura our congratulations on their victory. … In America it is vital that every vote count, and that every vote be counted. But the outcome should be decided by voters, not a protracted legal process."

Bush Wins Again!

In a repeat of the election of 2000, this year’s presidential election came down to the last votes counted. After ending election day with no clear winner, the election came to an end when John Kerry conceded to George W. Bush.

Not quite as controversial as the 2000 election, the 2004 presidential election made the nation wait as Ohio counted its votes. With the loss of Ohio, Kerry agreed that he had lost the election and did not make the nation wait endless days until the absentee ballots were counted.

Controversy over ballots which went uncounted and voters who accidentally voted for the wrong candidate did not rise during this election as it had in Bush’s previous election victory. The preceding election did, however, cause more people to vote in this election, bringing the number of voters this year to an all-time high. The large number of voters did cause some unforeseen problems. News broadcasts showed films of people waiting in endless lines to cast their votes, causing them to use written ballots which would have to be counted by hand. When all were counted, George W. Bush won the election with 286 electoral votes, 270 needed to win an election. John Kerry won 252 electoral votes. The popular vote, the actual number of votes for each candidate, was close as well. Bush received 51%, Kerry received 48%, and Ralph Nader received 1% of the popular vote.

When broken down by states, Bush dominated the mid-west and southern states. More states voted for President Bush, but John Kerry won the vote in more populated states like California and New York which means that he won many of the electoral votes. John Kerry won the presidency vote for the states of: California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

In the end, it was republican President George W. Bush, his wife and First Lady Lara Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney who celebrated a return term to the White House in 2004.

Choose or Loose: 20 Million Loud

By Deaven

Only 36% of Americans who were 18-24 years old voted in the last presidential election. Most young adults are more concerned with their current girl/boyfriend and fashion than who is their president.

Young voters are most likely undecided or voting for the candidate most likely to make a difference for them, not to the country.

MTV has been helping young people get motivated to vote.

Celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Christina Aguilera, and P. Diddy are all publicly speaking to get the young voters to understand voting and how their votes can make a difference.

This year the two main candidates were: George W. Bush (Republican) and John Kerry (Democrat). Each were teamed up with vice presidential candidates, John Edwards (Democrat) and Dick Cheney (Republican). Both candidates are great men who would surely have changed history. John Kerry believed that Bush made a mistake in taking the country to war. Bush, on the other hand, has no regrets for his decision. Many young voters were trapped in the middle of the heated competion.

On November 2, 2004 we found out that George W. Bush will stay in the Whitehouse for another four years. Congratulations young voters, you reached 20 million loud in this election.

SMS Chose…

Before the election, students in SMS got the chance to vote for the presidential election. Their results matched those of our statewide vote.

JOHN KERRY 48%

GEORGE W. BUSH 43%

Independent candidates received 9% of the vote.

Movie Reviews

A Cinderella Story

BY Thora

This charming little fairy tale was released in theatres on July 16^th, 2004. Starring Hilary Duff, Jennifer Coolidge, Chad Michael Murray, and Regina King.

This heartwarming fairy tale focuses on the life of teenage Sam Martin. Much like the cartoon Cinderella movie released in 1950, Sam is an orphan being enslaved by her cruel step-mother played by Jennifer Coolidge, and being ridiculed by the two mischevious stepsisters. Sam is caught up in the world of instant messaging when she thinks she found her true love in a Princeton chat room. Having to work day and night for her step-mother, Sam is kept away from meeting her prince.

This movie is definetly worth renting, to find out how things turn out between Sam and Austin and to see a romantic fairy tale come to life.

“A Cinderella Story" is a great movie that everyone can watch together. It has parts that make you laugh and cry. It is a movie that people of all ages can enjoy.”

~Yahoo reviews

B-

Shark Tale

BY Chandra

The new Dreamworks movie, Shark Tale, is a breath taking film for all ages. Shark Tale is about a young fish with big dreams named Oscar. Oscar is scene at the crime of the death of the mob boss’s son named Don Lino. As Oscar takes advantage of this opportunity to look like he was the one who killed the shark, he is known as the “sharkslayer”. As Oscar lets the fame get to his head he moves up to the upper class. There he meets Lola, a gold-digger. Now the mob boss is after who ever killed his son. Oscar is in deep trouble, but with the help of his true friends Angie and Lenny, Don Lino’s other son, he is able to convince him that he is a true shark slayer. But this is a dangerous game that Oscar gets into. Can he go back to his good normal life or suffer the consequences from Don Lino? This movie was not as good as it was saught out to be and nothing compared to Finding Nemo. Shark Tale may have had high sea’s but sank at the end.

C-

Napolean Dynamite

BY Megan

From Preston, Idaho comes Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) a new kind of hero complete with a tight red Afro, some sweet moon boots, and skills that can’t be topped. Napoleon lives with his Grandma (Sandy Martin), and his 30-year-old unemployed brother Kip (Arron Russel), who spends his days looking for love on the Internet.Grandma goes on a vacation, and crazy Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) comes to stay. Napoleon Dynamite is one of the most misunderstood movies because it looked somewhat corney. Its quarky humor shows what it’s like for a teeneager today. I would definatly recommend this movie to anyone who wants a good laugh.

"An inspired dead-end stunt that keeps delivering snarky laughs far longer than it has any right to." - Ty Burr, Boston Globe

A+

Book Reviews

BY Miranda

The Secret Life of Bees

by Sue Monk Kidd

The southern ways of life force a girl on an adventure to find herself, discover her past, and meet her final destination.

Lily Melissa Owens has shaped her entire existence around the only memory of her mother, the memory of the afternoon on which her mother, Deborah, was killed. Lily’s father is anything but fatherly, and her only companion is a strong-hearted and stubborn black women, Rosaleen, who acts as her “stand-in mother.”

After insulting three of the deepest racists in her hometown of Sylvan, Lily and Rosaleen have no choice but to leave. With the aide of a mysterious picture of the black Virgin Mary, Lily finds herself in the arms of three beekeepers who supply her with love, acceptance, and a story that helps her forgive.

“To reach the book’s conclusion, you’ll want to tear through the pages. Restrain yourself. The beautiful language and seamless unfolding of this well-written story deserves more. It merits sweet time and savoring.”~Southern Living

A movie version is forthcoming from Fox Searchlight.

The DaVinci Code

by Dan Brown

While in Paris, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night call; the curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body police found a baffling puzzle. Solving the riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci. The clues are visible for all to see, and yet disguised in the painting.

Langdon then joins forces with a French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion-an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others. He learns that the Louvre’s curator has sacrificed his life to protect the Priory's most sacred trust, the location of a vastly important religious relic, which has been hidden for centuries. Langdon and Neveu match wits with an unknown powerbroker who appears to work for Opus Dei, a conservative, Catholic sect believed to have long wanted to seize the Priory's secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the puzzle in time, the Priory's historical secret will be lost forever.

New Sounds

BY Megan

Ever wonder where all those good bands on the radio come from? Many are from Pennsylvania, and two current bands are from local cities.

One of these bands is Fuel. The members of Fuel are from Harrisburg, PA. One of Fuel’s hit songs is “Bad Day.” This song has been to number one of the Billboard charts. Fuel has several albums available such as Natural Selection (2003), and Something Like Human (2000).

Another band is Breaking Benjamin from Wilkes-Barre, PA. A current song from the band is “Blow Me Away” which is from their forthcoming album. The band has one album that was released in 2004 called We Are Not Alone. A previous album released in 2002 is titled Saturate.

Both of these bands have one thing in common; they both have played at the Crocodile Rock Café. Croc Rock is a popular club in Allentown, and most ages can get in the club depending on the show that is playing.

Don’t Turn That Dial

BY Jen

Every year dozens of new TV shows air, some that make it and many that fail. For 2004 to 2005 one of the new shows is The Mountain which is on WB. Desperate Housewives and Lost are the two new hit shows on ABC. A new show on WB network is The Mountain about two brothers, Will and David, who inherited the mountain from their grandfather through a poker game. David and his family live in the mountain and are trying to make the best of their complicated life. The Mountain airs on Sundays at 9:00 after Charmed.

Lost is the newest hit show on ABC. This show is about a plane that crashed on the Pacific Island. There are 48 survivors, and their mission is to find anything to keep them alive for someone to find them. Some of the main characters are: Kate; the doctor; Hurly, the man with a warm sense of humor; Sun and Jin, the Korean couple having problems understanding English; Sawyer, the man whom no one trusts; Locke who keeps to himself and knows something about this island; Shannon, the self-centered one; and Shannon’s brother Boone, who constantly bickers with his sister. Now this group needs to learn to survive. Lost airs on NBC on Wednesday at 8pm.

A new show on ABC is Desperate Housewives. This show is a dark comic of suburban women who literally revise the term “happily ever after.” There are four women who play in this show. Gabriella is a rich wife who is cheating on her husband with the landscaper named John. Then there is Lynette the housewife who used to have a career and now has gone “all mom.” Susan is the ex-wife with a daughter. The last wife is Bree. She is “Miss Perfect” until her husband wants a divorce and she starts to do drugs.

Of all the new shows to premiere this year, there seem to be many that have become hits. That’s a large amount considering that the average is one new hit show per season, including mid-season premiers.

The Daisy Hill Market

BY Alysia

Is Turkey Hill or Wawa going to have a new competitor? Not really. At the corner of Susquehanna Street and Emmaus Avenue will be the latest convenient store. The Daisy Hill Market is going to be a small family owned and operated business. This small store will include: coffee, food, drinks, household goods, and gas. It will also sell gas at very low prices. This store has arranged a special deal with its wholesaler and it will pass on these savings to its customers.

The building of this market is good news for all teenagers who need jobs. The market will be hiring teenagers and paying more than minimum wage to all of its employees.

This store is “being built to serve the needs or their customers and neighbors.” Hopefully, it will be in business for a very long time.

The Daisy Hill Market will resemble an old style market and will have its Grand Opening in late spring or early summer 2005.

Birds Fly to Playoffs

BY Maria

The Philadelphia Eagles had an unpredictable season this year, ending with only one loss. It was the first time in Eagles’ history that they ended this well. For the first third of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles had an undefeated season the first time in Eagle history. The 7-0 Eagles’ winning streak ends at game seven. The game was an upset when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Eagles on November 7, 2004. The Steelers also beat the undefeated New England Patriots the week before, making them the team that broke two perfect seasons for their opponents.

The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated and frustrated the Eagles that Sunday, getting big performances from running back Jerome Bettis, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and their offense and defense. This led them to a 27-3 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

That game the Eagles’ rushing offense got an “F” on their report card. There is usually at least a little evidence that the Eagles have a running game. There was very little evidence in this game.

The Eagles passing offense also got an “F” on their report card. Donovan was sacked four times, allowing the Eagles to only have 90 yards passing. Ouch!

Special Teams got a “D”. The one day when the Eagles needed a spark from somewhere, they didn’t find one here.

Even though the Eagles lost to the Steelers “It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon, one game does not a season make,” said special team member Brian Dawkins.

The Eagles are now 16-1 after pulverizing the New York Giants 27-6 in week eleven. They never let the Giants into the endzone to score a single touchdown, and they were scoreless in the second half.

Donovan McNabb threw for one touchdown and ran for another as the Eagles clinched their fourth straight NFC East title. This automatically offers then with a playoff berth.

Terrell Owens may have been scoreless in the game against the Giants, but he was defiantly an A+ to the Eagles offense in the 2004-2005 season. Owens scored his thirteenth touchdown against the Redskins on November 21, 2004.

Owens is on fire, along with Brian. Who had an interception against the New York Giants. Donovan and Westbrook both ran in for a touchdown on Sunday for the Eagles. With these four players who seem to be on fire, will the Eagles be making a berth in the 2005 superbowl? We hope so.

Falcon Flyer Staff

The Falcon Flyer staff consists of eighth and ninth grade students who meet once every six day cycle.

Advisor: Mrs. Kelly Butterbaugh Editor: Alysia (9^th grade)

Senior Reporter: Jen (9^th grade)

8^th grade reporters: Deaven, Thora, Elizabeth, Chandra, Maria

9^th grade reporters: Megan, Miranda

last updated on February 10, 2005

Questions, concerns, or comments should be addressed to kbutterbaugh@stsd.org