Spring into fashion

Rebekah Gould and Sarah Kebea 
Staff Writers

Spring is in full bloom. The weather is warming up and lighter colors are coming back. This year’s trends are sure to complete your style.   

Male spring and summer style guide

Matt Krombach
Sports Editor

Four months of winter have passed and temperatures are beginning to rise. This means that it’s time to put away the jackets and pants and put on your favorite summer clothes. So what is on the top of the list for guys?

'Egg'-cellent Easter recipes

Sarah Kebea
Staff Writer

Have a sweet ‘Egg’scape from reality with these easy Easter recipes.

Pause before you post

Nicholas Chupka
Staff Writer

We live in a generation defined by the Internet; in fact, some have even called us the Google Generation. Thanks to social media hubs like Facebook and Twitter, it is now easier than ever to be constantly connected with your friends, family, and even strangers. Unlike typical bullying that may occur, cyber bullying can occur at any hour of the day in the comfort of your own home.

Abusing the Internet can be harmful in multiple ways. “It’s bad and it should stop. Posts are destructive and once you put them on the Internet you can’t take them away. It’s harder to pin the blame on one individual person because the Internet is kind of anonymous. You can create a fake Myspace or Facebook,” says sophomore Cole Lamb.

The majority of Apex High students polled said
they know somebody who has been cyber bullied.

Some students are saying that the Internet is making it easier for bullies to harass others through social media websites such as YouTube and Facebook. Cyber bullies feel safer behind a computer screen and can harass their victims anonymously thanks to Internet privacy settings and phony social media profiles. “Bullies aren’t afraid to say things online in front of a screen rather than in person, they feel like it protects them, in a way. It gives them protection from teachers,” says sophomore Logan Santana.

People have always been bullied, but never quite on such a large scale. Many victims of cyber bullying have retaliated in extreme anger, some even going so far as to murder their bullies. According to a survey conducted by the CDC, 16 percent of high school students reported to have been bullied over the Internet in 2011. Endofbullying.com reports that students who experience bullying are more likely to earn poor grades, avoid going to school, and use alcohol and drugs. Bullied students are also more likely to have suicidal thoughts and/or attempt suicide.

Unfortunately, this has been the result of many cases involving cyber bullying, such as the infamous 2006 suicide of Megan Meier. Meier killed herself after being harassed by the mother of her former friend posing as a teenage boy on MySpace. The event drew national attention and sparked a number of movements to stop cyber bullying including the Megan Meier Foundation, founded by Megan’s mother Tina Meier.

So, you may be asking, “What can I do to help end bullying?” If you see bullying in the process, intervene and help the victim escape. Then, tell a trusted adult, since the bullies will most likely submit to an adult. Doing this will set a good example for other students and bystanders to follow.

Megan’s isn’t the only cyber bullying story, there are hundreds more like her who have ended their lives due to bullying and the numbers are constantly rising. Following the above tips may help to end bullying of all kinds and to prevent stories like Megan Meier’s from ever happening again.

Scholar Athlete: Clay Connors

Zane Muzzillo

Staff Writer

Classes: AP Psychology, English IV (Honors), Calculus III, U.S. History (Honors) 

Clay Conners (left) running for Apex High track.

GPA: 4.75

If you could eat one food every day, what would it be?

Pizza, because you can never eat too much pizza.

How long have you been participating in sports?

I ran for Cross Country and currently run for track. I run the 3200 meters in track and I have been running for Apex since freshman year.

What sparked your interest in sports?

I wanted to stay in shape, so I started running and never looked back.

What’s your favorite team?

When I was a kid my dad forced me to support the Steelers because he is from Pittsburgh.

Lax pep band provides school spirit

Casey Nash
Staff Writer

Many schools have both a band and lacrosse teams, but rarely are they intertwined. Apex High is one of the few schools in the nation with a lacrosse pep band. Club president and junior Elise Jaffe states that, “the lax pep band provides pep via band.” With about 60 students, the lacrosse pep band frequently attends games. It provides a fun activity for students who want to show spirit for their school through music.

The band performing at a game last year

The Pep Band does not play a special “half-time” show but rather plays stand tunes from the bleachers, cheering on the men’s lacrosse team. Completely student-led with Jaffe as president and with senior Saif Hassan and junior Nick Vanbuskirk as vice presidents, this club fills more seats at the games and provides additional cheering in the student section. “I love lacrosse pep band because all of the members are devoted and most importantly, full of pep,” says junior Nick Vanbuskirk.

Anyone who plays an instrument and is able to read music is welcome to join. The lacrosse pep band meets after school on Wednesdays in the band room. If you are interested in joining, stop by the band room for more information.

Spring into volunteering

Casey Nash
Staff Writer

Spring is here and so is the time for giving. Whether it’s for club hours or just to do something productive with your free time, there are tons of volunteering opportunities. Here are some of the many options: