Tag Archives: Archive

Club Sparks Second Graders’ Interest in STEAM Careers

Posted on by Leave a comment
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

The Lady Lions Dribble Their Way to States

Posted on by Leave a comment
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

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Jacob Bradley

Posted on by Leave a comment

By Genevieve Turner

Sports Editor

It’s a Friday night at Horn Field. The stands are full of fans as they cheer with anticipation of the rush of players to come (pre-COVID, of course). When the first arm breaks through the decorated banner, the screams and cheers come to a deafening roar. The next moments are a sea of black and gold as the many players run onto the field preparing to demolish the opponents. 

From afar, every player seems to blend together. But, if you look closely, one stands out from the rest. From a distance, his shoulder-length blond hair is his most prominent feature, but with a closer look, you can distinguish Jacob Bradley by the look of determination and hard work etched onto his face. 

Bradley was only a sophomore when he got a starting spot at varsity running back. This makes him one of the very few who got to step out onto the field as a varsity player while only being an underclassman. Last season Bradley had a total of 25 rushing yards, with an average of 2.8 rushing yards per game. Bradley also had a total of nine carries, 52 solo tackles, and 75 total tackles. 

Bradley started playing flag football in first grade, and in fourth grade, he made the switch to tackle football. Since then, his coaches and teammates have seen him improve immensely. 

His teammates and coaches both say many positive things about him. Senior wide receiver Davante Dennis describes Bradley as, “Hilarious, hardworking, and he’s like a brother.” 

Fellow teammate, senior QB Randy Fizer, said, “He is hardworking, talented, and I would say, has a strong sense of brotherhood.” 

Offensive Coach Jeremy Granger described Bradley as, “Dedicated, athletic, and intense.” Coach Granger also mentioned that Bradley is special because he can make up for strategic errors with athletic ability, and stresses that not many players are able to do that. 

“He never is satisfied with the way he is performing currently,” said Coach Granger, “He always wants to better himself and always does things to better himself.” 

“He is the kid that is a returning starter. Not a lot of players are able to start 10 games as a sophomore but he was able to do that,” Coach Granger said. “He is gonna have a leadership role to play.” 

He may not have the title of Captain yet, but many still look to him to set an example. “A lot of times even though he is a junior, some guys are thrown into that role, of a leader,  but he will be fine and he will lead by example,” said Coach Granger. 

Over the past year, Bradley has expressed that he had struggled with his motivation towards football. “…I let myself go and lost my motivation, but over the summer I was able to get it back.” Part of this loss of motivation was when Red Lion played Central High School last season. Red Lion lost and Bradley got upset with himself because he wasn’t able to gain any yards or get out of the place in which he was stuck. 

Bradley turned these emotions into hard work, determination, and drive. Which he plans on using this Friday when Red Lion plays against Central High School again. 

Although his future is undecided, Bradley plans to continue playing both football and lacrosse and hopes to continue on in college. 

“I would be nowhere near the same person I am now without football.”

Randy Fizer, Jacob Bradley and Davante Dennis. Taken by: Deja Downs

Student Ambassadors Invite More Members

Posted on by Leave a comment

By Sandra Phan

Staff Writer

Anyone entering high school experiences excitement from starting a new chapter of their lives, but the nervousness and anxiety about meeting and making new friends can’t be avoided.

The intimidation and stress new students feel is the catalyst for the creation of student ambassadors. Adviser Ms.Erika Main’s current vision for this club is for 10th through 12th graders who want to be more involved to provide a safe and friendly group of fellow peers for the students.

The student ambassador club members “welcome students without being front and center,” like sitting with new students during lunch or checking in with new students. Club members make posters and act as positive and friendly role models.

“We’re a school of 1,500,” Ms. Main said, “but you see the same 50 kids doing everything.”

She wants this club to be an opportunity for more students to get involved with the school. Currently, seven students have joined and are in the homeroom. Students already in a homeroom can still participate as long as they can make themselves available when needed. Students who have the time to contribute to this club are wanted.

When asked about future plans for student ambassadors, Ms. Main said, “The future is open.”

She said that she can see a collaborative relationship with other existing clubs that may need help with events, jokingly saying that student ambassadors would be “for hire.” The direction of the club would depend on the needs of the students, but the sole purpose is to be a safe and friendly group.

To students considering being a part of student ambassadors, Ms. Main said. “If you’re not really involved, but want to be, give this a try.”