Author Archives: The Leonid

NBA playoffs underway

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Golden State Warriors hope to claw their way to the top once again

George Keene, Sports Editor for The Leonid.com

The NBA Playoffs have started , and Giannis and the Bucks will look to repeat as NBA champions while the Phoenix Suns look to get back to the promise land for another shot at an NBA title. Will the Golden State Warriors reclaim the throne? Who’s got the easiest path to the NBA finals and what does round one of the playoffs look like for the field? The Leonid writers sat down and picked their winners for round one of the NBA playoffs.

Easter Conference Playoffs:

  1. Miami Heat vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks 

The NBA’s supervillain, Trae Young looks to lead the Hawks back to the Eastern Conference Finals against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Miami finished with the best record in a very competitive Eastern Conference but will have their hands full with the Hawks’ offense. Young has been phenomenal this season, leading the NBA in total points and assists, which is a rarity. The Heat do have the defensive pieces to cope with Trae Young, though. PJ Tucker, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo are all All NBA defenders and can slow down Trae Young. If any team should be on upset alert, it is the Miami Heat.

My Prediction: Miami Heat 4 Atlanta Hawks 1

  1. Boston Celtics vs. (7) Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving look to send Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s Celtics back home in the first round for the second straight season. Brooklyn beat Cleveland in the play-in game on Tuesday night, but this Celtics team is much better. The Celtics have been on an absolute tear, going 19-6 in their last 25 games of the season. Jayson Tatum has put himself in the Most Valuable Player Award conversation and has catapulted this defensive-minded juggernaut to the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn, on the other hand, has had a turbulent season. They have been dominant with Kevin Durant on the floor, but have looked sub par when he has been injured or on the bench. Kevin Durant will need to be the Kevin Durant we are used to seeing in order for Brooklyn to pull off this upset. Boston’s Marcus Smart, the defensive player of the year, will have his hands full with New York’s finest point guard in Kyrie Irving, so Kevin Durant will likely do the majority of the scoring. I am expecting a long and tough series between these two title hopeful basketball clubs.

My prediction: Brooklyn Nets 4 Boston Celtics 2

  1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Chicago Bulls

The NBA Champions will start their title defense against the struggling Chicago Bulls. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a perennial MVP candidate, has led the Bucks to having the third best record in the Eastern Conference, despite a haul of injuries that this team has had to deal with. Luckily for Milwaukee, they are finally at full strength and their big 3, which includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday, has been nearly unstoppable while on the floor together. On the other side of things, the Bulls lost four of their last five games to close out the regular season. Despite an MVP caliber season from NBA All Star Demar Derozan, the Bulls have fallen apart. They had been the top seed in the Eastern Conference for weeks at a time this season, but haven’t been able to put it all together. The Bulls will need a huge series from their two all stars, Demar Derozan and Zach Lavine, if they want to pull off this near impossible upset.

My prediction: Milwaukee Bucks 4 Chicago Bulls 0

  1. Philadelphia 76ers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

The city of brotherly love will have their hands full with the team from up north. The Philadelphia 76ers, led by MVP hopeful Joel Embiid, will look to quickly dispatch this hungry and scrappy Toronto Raptors squad. The Sixers made a blockbuster trade at the trade deadline, sending Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two draft picks to Brooklyn, for former MVP James Harden and Paul Millsap. However, after a hot start where things were looking good for Philly, James Harden’s underwhelming play as of late causes concern. Philadelphia’s chances for an NBA title lie in the hands of James Harden, who is shooting beneath 40% from the floor in his last five games. Not only is James Harden’s play a cause for concern for Philly fans, but so is the Toronto Raptors’ play. The Raptors won the season series 3-1 and have looked in control as of late. Nick Nurse is a defensive guru and will have a plan to limit the production of the Cameroonian superstar, Joel Embiid. Additionally, Toronto had five players average more than 15 points per game and their ability to get out on the fast break, plays right into Philadelphia’s weakness, their transition defense. Philadelphia’s defensive star Matisse Thybulle is ineligible to play in Toronto because of his vaccination status, so Philadelphia will have to have a next man up mentality on the road.

My Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers 4 Toronto Raptors 2

Western Conference Playoffs:

  1. Phoenix Suns vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

Devin Booker and Chris Paul have not disappointed once again, leading the Suns to the best record in the NBA. On the other end of the court, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have been leading a young Pelicans team, who nobody thought would be in the playoffs. The Suns are heavy favorites in this series, as they should be, because their depth, offense, and defense are all phenomenal. Phoenix looks to return to the NBA finals, where they lost to Milwaukee last season. New Orleans has already exceeded expectations, especially considering that they have a new head coach in Willie Green and Zion Williamson has been hurt all season. Do I think the Pelicans can pull off the upset? Not a chance. Phoenix is simply too good and dominant, and they are in it for the long run.

My Prediction: Phoenix Suns 4 New Orleans Pelicans 0

  1. Memphis Grizzlies vs. (7) Minnesota Timberwolves

This is a matchup between two teams with bright futures ahead of them. The Memphis Grizzlies, led by NBA sensation Ja Morant, take on the rising Wolves team led by Karl-Anthony Towns. Young stars lead both teams, and this series should be filled with highlights. The Grizzlies have been unstoppable, with and without star point guard Ja Morant, which is a huge advantage, as they will be able to give him a proper amount of rest, because their bench unit is so deep. With Desmond Bane’s sharp shooting, Jaren Jackson Jr’s elite defense, and Ja Morant’s freakish athleticism, the Grizzlies are going to be a tough out. While they are set for a deep playoff run, they have to beat the Timberwolves first. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns have been absolutely phenomenal this season. KAT is averaging a near double double this season on 52.9% shooting, but he will need to be even better in this series. In order for the Wolves to have a shot at winning this series, not only does KAT have to score, but he has to be a menace on the defensive end on the floor. Memphis attacks the paint as much as any team in the NBA, and so he will need to stand tall and make life difficult for the young Grizzlies.

My Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies 4 Minnesota Timberwolves 2

  1. Golden State Warriors vs. (6) Denver Nuggets
The Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors tip off the NBA Finals in 2019. Both teams will look to make a run back to the top this postseason, three seasons later. Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0&gt;, via Wikimedia Commons

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors are back! After two years of disappointment, the Warriors hope to restart their dynasty. However, Steph Curry and the Warriors will have their hands full with the reigning MVP, center Nikola Jokic. With Jokic set to win his second MVP in just as many seasons, he will need to be remarkable this postseason for the Nuggets to have a chance to win. With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. out for the remainder of the season, Denver’s role players such as Bones Hyland, Aaron Gordon, and Will Barton will all need to step up and assist their MVP. The question is, can Denver slow down 3 point snipers Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole. The Warriors have been title favorites all season, and now is their chance to put it all together. It all depends on Steph Curry’s health. If he is healthy, the Warriors are winning this series, no questions asked.

My Prediction: Golden State Warriors 4 Denver Nuggets 0

  1. Dallas Mavericks vs. (5) Utah Jazz

The Mavericks will be short handed in games one and two, with Slovenian super star Luka Doncic out with a strained calf. This is a prime opportunity for Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz to take a commanding lead and get off to a good start this series. The Jazz have no business losing to the Mavericks without Luka Doncic. The Jazz have been absolutely abysmal in the playoffs in the past 5 seasons, and they need to make a Western Conference Finals appearance in order to retain the Mitchell-Gobert Tandem next year. The Mavericks will need a huge series from guard Jalen Brunson, who has had a great season averaging just over 16 points and just under five assists. With Doncic’s health in question, I am expecting the Jazz to take advantage of the opportunity and win this series.

            My Prediction: Utah Jazz 4 Dallas Mavericks 2

            All statistics received from ESPN.com retrieved April 15, 2022

Juniors Practice Business Skills During Hands-on Activities at JA Real Life Day

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Juniors play giant Jenga to learn about interviewing. Each Jenga piece has a question about interviewing written on the side.
Students received one on one instruction from volunteers during budgeting practice.
Each student received an occupation and budgeted accordingly.
Students flip through their budgeting books to choose a car dependent on their salaries.
A parent volunteer lectures a small ground of students.
Evan Mader explains the game #adulting to a group of juniors.

Junior Achievement and parent volunteers led eleventh-grade students in resume building, interview practice, and budgeting for the revival of Real Life Days. 

“It’s all hands on learning about something that’s real life,” Business Teacher and Real Life Coordinator Mrs. Sherry Cleary said. “That’s the whole name of the game, literally.”

Throughout the day, juniors rotated stations led by student and parent volunteers. 

“We did really cool activities where we got to learn about personal finance and business going into the future,” Junior Kendi Smith said about the day. 

Each junior spent two hours in a group of eight or less students led by a community member guiding their budgeting process. 

“They have debt. They have a salary, and they have to work through creating a budget,” JA Real Life Director Kristin Coolsen said. “They work on making decisions that they actually have to do when they are adults.” 

Kristin Coolsen originally joined JA as a volunteer because she felt passionately about the hands-on learning experiences at JA Biztown and STEM Summit. 

“I loved volunteering with my kids when they had it in their schools,” Coolsen said. “And when the opportunity came, I took it. I was doing one day staff, and now I am the director.” 

As the director of Real Life, Kristin Coolsen oversees the hands-on activities throughout the day. Real Life is a tactile learning opportunity that expands on the mandatory curriculum from personal finance. 

“We do a whole budgeting unit in personal finance,” Mrs. Cleary said. “This is an extension of that.” 

While in a small group, a parent volunteer assigned each junior an occupation and led them to budget accordingly. 

“We bring in volunteers, so they get engaged with the students and give them their personal experiences,” Kristin Coolsen said. 

Smith enjoyed the time she spent with her community volunteer. 

“He shared what he did as his job, and his personal experiences in his life,” Smith said. “We had to find out our monthly income and our salaries, so it really helps determine what you want to do.”

Regardless of their initial occupation, community volunteers teach students how vital budgeting is to leading a financially stable life.

“Sometimes the doctors actually do worse financially than what the fast food worker does because of the choices they made,” Mrs. Cleary said. “In order to be financially successful, you need to know how to budget your money.”

Student volunteers led the game stations where juniors learned about budgeting, self-actualization, and interviewing. While playing the JA version of Life called #adulting, students learned more about the budgeting process in a competitive environment. 

“It’s a pretty good experience,” #adulting student volunteer and aspiring business owner Tyree Spence said. “I’m learning myself how to guide people.” 

Within the first two hours of Real Life, Spence witnessed a college student making over $100,000 and retirees falling deeply into debt. “It’s ups and downs,” Spence said. “But overall, even with debt, I feel like they’re still enjoying it. They still have a fun learning experience.”

Through the budgeting exercises, resume writing aid, and educational games, students generally respond positively to Real Life Day. 

“Even students that may not necessarily be engaged in a typical classroom have a tendency to come out of their shell a little bit,” Mrs. Cleary said. “I get emails from parents telling me that their kid never talks about school, but they told me about this day.” 

“I think it was cool. It’s good for everybody to have that experience,” Smith said. “I like that the school brought this out.”

While having fun, students learned lifelong valuable lessons.

“For anyone to be financially successful, you need to know how to budget your money,” Mrs. Cleary said. “This is something I truly believe in.”

By Shana Carey

Editor-in-Chief

Club Sparks Second Graders’ Interest in STEAM Careers

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Second graders look at the dry ice station with amazement as the high school students spray dry ice into their hands and watch it form into a bubble and fall apart in their hands in the form of vapor.

The second graders visited the high school for a day filled with fun and hands-on learning opportunities at STEAM Ahead last Thursday as they were led by STEAM high school students.

“I hope every day is like this day,” a second grader said to junior Jack Gulley, who is part of the STEAM club.

A Leonid reporter caught up with STEAM’s coordinator and Red Lion Science Teacher Mrs. DeLawder and her period 5 students and found out more about this valuable club.

“STEAM Ahead is an event for second grade students,” Mrs. DeLawder said, “and students have the opportunity to explore STEAM through attending eight different stations throughout the day.” 

The stations include math, engineering, chemistry, robotics, science, and more. “We have a very diverse experience for students, all focusing on the 4 C’s, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity,” Mrs. DeLawder explained. 

STEAM students are passionate about what they do and encourage more high school students to get involved. “I think it’s a good way to show change in the students and the younger kids,” senior Chloe Brubaker said. “I feel like if you like kids, it’s definitely something to do because you get to see a growth and interest in each subject as they realize learning can be fun and it’s not just something that they have to do everyday.”

In the near future, Mrs. DeLawder looks forward to expanding the club. “We are expanding into a new realm next year,” Mrs. DeLawder said. “We’re going to be taking our explorations of STEAM and putting them into the elementary building specifically, so we’re revamping the media centers to include a STEAM component.” 

Mrs. DeLawder is looking for new students to join STEAM next year, “you can come talk to one of us interns or Mrs. DeLawder, or even Mrs. Warner who does all the internships and she’ll give you a paper so you can fill it out and give it to any of us (STEAM Students),” said sophomore Marylee Geiger.

Perhaps the most valuable thing you can take away from this club “is taking the skills we’re doing and making them transferable,” said Mrs. DeLawder. “So, no matter if you want to go into science, technology, art, or math, or something different entirely, the skills that you are going to gain through this experience are going to be transferable to any career path that you choose to do.”

By George Keene

Sports Editor and Staff Writer

I meditated (almost) every day for a year, and here’s how my life changed.

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Taking all electives and getting out of school at 10:30 a.m. sounds like it would be pretty easy. However, senior year comes with new stresses about life after high school. I first started to feel this towards the end of my junior year. 

Right in the middle of my SAT, I started thinking terrible thoughts about what would happen if I didn’t perform well on the test, and how that would snowball into ruining my life. After the SAT (and 12 hours of sleep), I vowed to never allow stress about the future interfere in my life again. 

That was a heavy promise to uphold. 

A quick Google search led me to the conclusion that meditation is a healthy way to reduce stress. Not only this, but according to Mayo Clinic, meditation helps people to live in the present, boost creativity, and increase patience. 

Thet Sunday after the March SAT, I held my first meditation session. I sat “criss-cross applesauce” on my bed with my hands on my knees. At first, this position felt so foreign that I was embarrassed to be alone in my room. 

I set a timer for ten minutes and closed my eyes. With my sister playing the piano downstairs and a tiny bug crawling up my arm, my ten minute meditation session lasted about ten seconds. That was enough for me to say that I tried today and could pick it up again tomorrow. 

The next day’s meditation lasted 30 seconds. After that, I reached two minutes. Even with the starling screeching outside or my sister scream-singing downstairs, I somehow slowly made my way up to ten minutes of meditation. 

During this time, I noticed that my schoolwork was interesting, my sisters and I got along, and I went to bed looking forward to what I would do the next day. Right around the same time, I saw a Facebook advertisement for a beginner’s yoga class in the local park. 

In the spirit of YOLO, I rallied up a few friends to go each week. I learned yogic breathing techniques. This includes laying on the ground in savasana or “corpse pose” while using the ujjayi or “ocean” breathing technique. 

Feeling like I was living a scene in “Eat, Pray, Love,” I practiced these new breathing exercises every day. Through my dedication to deeper meditations, I was thrust into parts of my brain that I didn’t know existed. It sounds ridiculous, but I’ve never felt so at peace as when I was laying outside in a public park surrounded by strangers walking all around me. 

During this same time period, I rushed to apply to colleges and fill out my FAFSA. Still absolutely uncertain about my future after high school, I chose to live in the present and amp up my meditation game. 

I did more research into alternative styles of mediation. I learned about ancient Taoism and how its followers smiled internally and externally while meditating to welcome good vibrations and deter evil. 

I practice my ocean breathing technique to gain deeper meditations.

I latched onto the idea of smiling internally and decided to carry this with me throughout the day. With a childlike gait, many of my friends picked up on my perky attitude and matched my energy. Not only did I better myself and become an optimist, but I also improved the lives of my classmates simply by exuding happiness. 

Still curious about how to deepen my meditations even more, I stumbled across Wim Hof while watching a little too much YouTube during Christmas break. Famous for enduring extremely cold temperatures for an extended period of time, his meditation technique includes taking sharp inhales and then holding your breath for 30 seconds or more. 

In stark contrast to the yogic breathing technique I learned, I was curious to give Wim Hof’s method a try. I had a lot of time over the break to worry about college, so finding this new way to meditate was a breath of fresh air. 

On the first day of the new year, I had one of the deepest meditation sessions I have ever experienced. It’s hard to put words to what happened, but afterwards, I opened my eyes and felt tears on my face. 

Rotating between the Yogic, Taoist, and Wim Hof techniques, I continued to meditate throughout the next few months. Instead of worrying about leaving Red Lion, I spent my limited time enjoying the present. 

Whether I meditated for clarity, restoration, positivity, or whatever else was on my mind, it felt nice to escape my worries and live in the time being. Even while I was simply learning to meditate for ten seconds, it was relaxing just to close my eyes. 

After one year of meditating almost every day, my personality completely changed. I became more optimistic and grateful to be living the life I lead. I smile at people in the halls that I haven’t talked to since first grade. I emphasize my needs and don’t hear the constant rambling thoughts in my brain. 

Still uncertain about my college decision, I am more relaxed than ever. Because I took ten seconds after the SAT to close my eyes, my entire life changed. Just think of what else meditation can do.

By Shana Carey

Editor-in-Chief

Regional Student Council Conference at Red Lion Inspires Students to “Find Leadership”

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Red Lion hosted a regional student council conference this Friday to build leadership skills and strengthen interpersonal communication for advisors and students. 

“We struggled at the beginning,” student council president and conference co-chair Mackenzie Zagroba said. “I’m not going to lie. But you know, it worked out. I’m so proud.”

Under the leadership of Mrs. Jane Dennish, Red Lion student council members started planning this conference at the beginning of the school year. 

Zagroba was grateful that Mrs. Dennish had experience planning Regional, District, and State conferences in the past. 

“She’s definitely hard on us,” Zagroba said, “but it’s all for the best because she wants everything to be perfect.” 

Students from across the region attend a workshop. They smile while playing an icebreaker where they have to say each other’s names while throwing a ball around a circle.

Various student council members held committee head positions. As a committee head, Kayla Tracey planned workshops and chose student speakers to lead different sessions. 

“Our committee heads have definitely stepped up and took their role seriously,” Zagroba said. 

Over 300 students from neighboring counties registered for the event to attend informational sessions and participate in an escape room centered around the theme “finding leadership.” 

Top Picture: Advisors and students listen intently to Ms. Dana Schmidt as she gives an opening address at the conference. Ms. Schmidt spoke about how making decisions as a leader can be difficult.
Bottom Picture: Students smile as the madrigal choir performs their version of The Spice Girls’ Wannabe.

Students elaborated on their particular high points of the day. Emma Bernard from Eastern Lancaster County (ELCO) School District enjoyed her session “on different styles of leadership. We did an impromptu speech. That was really fun.”

Smiling throughout the day, Bernard and her friends especially enjoyed the professional keynote speaker, Chris Seifert. 

Bernard said she learned a lot about leadership from Mr. Seifert. “He was really entertaining,” Bernard said. “I really liked listening to him.”

Bernard enjoyed the message Mr. Seifert expressed. In his speech, Mr. Seifert spoke about being a leader in everyday situations.

“It completely changed my life because one person turned around, saw something in me, and said ‘You should pursue this,’” Mr. Seifert said. “There are small ways that we lead every single day.” 

Mr. Seifert suggested smiling at students walking in the hallway or volunteering in your community has an impactful effect. 

Bernard took this to heart and built connections with students from different schools throughout the day. 

After planning this conference for a year, the outcome pleased Mackenzie Zagroba and her co-chair Evvie Wilbur. “It was an eye opening experience,” Zagroba said, “especially because there hasn’t been a conference because of the pandemic in the last few years.”

Excited to be speaking to a crowd of eager young leaders, Mr. Seifert closed his speech encouraging each student to help each other in little ways. 

“If these last two years have taught us anything,” Mr. Seifert said, “it’s that we’re much better together than we are apart.”

Ms. Dana Schmidt gives an opening address inspiring students to be strong leaders with impactful decisions.
Co-Chairs Mackenzie Zagroba and Evvie Wilbur speak at the general session to invite the student council members and introduce Chris Seifert.
The madrigal choir sings Wannabe by The Spice Girls and The Star Spangled Banner dressed in Renaissance costumes.
Chris Seifert gives the keynote address at the general session.
Bryce Reynolds helps register a group for the event.
Evvie Wilbur holds a banner inviting student council members to pose for a picture.

By Shana Carey

Editor-in-Chief

Transfer Student Emma Hinchliffe Adjusts to Red Lion Midway Through Senior Year

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Red Lion Launches Incoming Student Initiation Program

It’s senior year, and you’re excited to spend the last months of high school with your friends before you go off to college. Then, your dad gets an irrefutable job near your family, and your whole life is uprooted. This is precisely the situation one student found herself in this year.

“I was already mentally preparing myself for college,” Emma Hinchliffe said before moving to Pennsylvania. “I was not ready for me to do that senior year.” 

While living in Ohio, her parents dreamed of living closer to their family in New Jersey, so her father searched for a job in this area for years. 

“They made jokes like that all the time,” Hinchliffe said. “And then this time, it was actually real.”

Emma Hinchliffe posed with her friends Ryan, Julie, Dakota, and Nolan for homecoming before Hinchliffe moved to Pennsylvania. The friends text and call each other to stay in contact with Hinchliffe.

The job and location was perfect for what her family wanted, so her family jumped on the opportunity. Hinchliffe said, “He got the job and he took it right away.” 

Before her senior year, Hinchliffe’s parents broke the news to her. “My dad told us a week before we went on vacation in the middle of the Summer,” Hinchliffe said. 

Excited about the freedom that comes with senior year, Hinchliffe made plans with her friends to go to prom and partake in other senior-only activities. 

Emma Hinchliffe and her Ohioan friend, Julie, take a selfie the Summer before Emma moved. She texts Julie every day and keeps her updated about Red Lion.

Before moving to Pennsylvania, Hinchliffe spent the remaining Summer months making memories with her Ohioan friends. She stays in contact with them through Google Duo calls and texting. 

“We’re starting to grow up now. I was finally able to do more stuff with my friends,” Hinchliffe said. “We had all these plans to go and do things together, and I did not imagine in the slightest that I’d be up and moving to Pennsylvania.” 

Staying in contact with her old friends and building new connections at Red Lion, Hinchliffe plans to return to her school in early May. 

“Since their prom is at the end of May and ours is at the beginning,” Hinchliffe said, “I’m trying to convince my parents to let me come back for prom.” 

Making friends in the middle of senior year was initially difficult for Hinchliffe because she was only in classes. 

Hinchcliffe is not alone as a new student to Red Lion. With a 20% increase in transfer students compared to the last four years, Red Lion launched a transfer student welcoming initiative. 

“I meet with them. I check in with them,” Student Support Facilitator Dr. Jamie Malloy said. “I just make sure they have everything they need.” 

All new high school students spend their first day shadowing a student council member to build a support system in Red Lion. 

“They’ll follow them the whole first day and then the second day the student council member is still with them,” Assistant Principal Mr. Christopher Barry said, “but to help them navigate to buildings and get them to their classes.” 

Mr. Barry hopes to put together a care package for incoming students that includes local business coupons, Red Lion spirit wear, and a list of all extra curricular activities. 

Dr. Malloy also plans lunch groups for transfer students to meet each other and indulge in Red Lion culture. Each Friday, transfer students have the opportunity to meet and build a support system with people going through a similar situation. “It’s a group for new students where they can meet other new students,” Mr. Barry said. 

Dr. Malloy and Mr. Barry both received positive feedback about the transfer student initiation changes. 

“Anecdotally, the students that have moved in have appreciated it,” Dr. Malloy said. “A lot of students who come to us have transferred schools more than one time, and this doesn’t seem to happen in other districts.”

Emma Hinchliffe’s move to Red Lion was initially intimidating, but after joining extra-curricular activities, she quickly met new people and built connections. 

“It’s not like anyone was mean. It’s just they’ve got their friends,” Hinchliffe said. “It was difficult when I wasn’t doing anything outside of the normal school day, but once I got into musical, everyone was very friendly there.” 

Hinchliffe also had to adjust to Red Lion’s schedule after attending a nontraditional vocational school for animal care in Ohio. At the vocational school, Hinchliffe had four periods in the morning and then a two hour lab where she could focus on animal care before going to college for veterinary studies. 

“I went from having that kind of school to going back to a more traditional high school that is a lot bigger.” 

This isn’t the first time Hinchliffe moved. Initially from New Jersey, Hinchliffe and her family moved to Ohio when she was in fifth grade. Hinchfliffe said making friends was easier for her when she moved the first time because of her age. “I was a lot younger then, so I think I adjusted easier.”

Despite being a senior, Hinchliffe said the transition went smoother than she expected. 

While meeting new people and applying to colleges, Hinchliffe is glad to have friends in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. “Honestly, I think it went better than I hoped. I was terrified to just start all over again.” 

By Shana Carey

Editor-in-Chief

Emma Hinchliffe and Lillian Anderson snap a picture together. Hinchliffe and Anderson met through The Addam’s Family Musical at Red Lion. Hinchliffe hosted a Google Duo call with her Ohioan and Pennsylvanian friends.

The Lady Lions Dribble Their Way to States

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Top left: Sophomore guard Grace Masser dribbles the ball into the paint. Her sharp shooting has allowed the Lions to be an offense to be reckoned with.

Top middle: Junior point guard Tatiana Virata steps to the line to shoot a free throw from the charity stripe. Her slashing ability as propelled the Lions to the state tournament.

Top right: Senior guard Grace Tollinger guards the inbound pass. Her leadership has lead the Lions to success this season.

Bottom: The Lady Lions huddle around Head Coach Don Dimoff. Their teamwork has been a major reason as to why they are in the state tournament.

Photos by Ashlyn Lam.

The Red Lion Varsity Girls Basketball team is heading to Mount Lebanon tomorrow night to take on the Blue Devils at 6 pm. Mount Lebanon had a near perfect record with 23 wins and one loss on the season while Red Lion had success as well, finishing  the year 19-6.

Red Lion beat Penn Manor March 2 41-37 to earn their spot in the State tournament. Red Lion have been on a slide as of late, losing three of their last four games, but an action-filled win against Penn Manor might give them the momentum they need to pull off the upset tomorrow night. 

Lead by seniors Grace Tollinger, Riley Good, and Rylee Estermyer, the team will need to play their best game of the season Tuesday night, as Mount Lebanon has the third best record in the state tournament.

Head Coach Don Dimoff has taken his Lions to the state tournament once again in his 26th season, and he will need to come up with a gameplan to utilize the skills of his sharp shooter Grace Masser and slasher Tatiana Virata. He has been to the state tournament 16 out of the 26 years he has coached at Red Lion and their most recent appearance was in 2019-2020.

Tickets for the game are available through Go Fan. The winner of Tuesday’s showdown will take on the winner of Mifflin County (18-6) vs. Bethel Park (12-10).

By George Keene

Sports Editor

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