Christmas gifts topping the charts

Andrew Purdy
Staff Writer

iPhone X
The iPhone X is the newest Apple product on the market. This is a luxurious phone with some awesome new features. The TrueDepth front-facing camera makes unlocking your phone with Face ID a snap. A single swipe takes the user to the homescreen,  much easier than pressing a button. Plus, the biggest advance to the phone is the talking animojis. Thanks to the  combination of the camera and the A11 bionic chip, this was possible.

2)  DJI Mavic Pro
The DJI Mavic Pro ultimately is the best drone of the year. This drone is portable and powerful. Unlike other drones, this drone is capable to folding down as small as a water bottle. Many drones cut out when they fly too far but the DJI can range up to 4.3 miles, 40 mph, and 27 minutes, due to an awesome battery.

3) Madden 18
EA sports continues to produce worthwhile experiences for gamers. The front cover features Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. For the second straight year, the cover has been a Patriots player. Last year, tight end,  Rob Gronkowski was pictured on the cover. For all Madden lovers this is the next step to greatness.

4) Bluetooth Tracking Tag
If a friend is always losing their keys, this is the perfect gift for them. The Bluetooth Tracking Tag are small gadgets you attach to any item that you misplace most. Following this, there is an app that can be downloaded on your phone to locate the items. There is a tone on the tracker that will beep when the user is trying to locate the item. When the app is downloaded, there is a map on the smartphone that can be used to track the hidden item as well.

5) Samsung Gear VR Headset
For the people that want to experience the VR world, the Samsung Headset is the most affordable. This is a perfect complementary gift for someone who has a Samsung phone. The Samsung VR is very realistic, and the hardware creates what appears to be a lifesize, 3D virtual environment. When the headset is on, whatever way individuals look the immersive landscape allows you to see a complete 360 environment.

’Tis the college acceptance season

Vanessa Northrup & Charlotte Taylor
Staff Writers

As the middle of December nears, a majority of seniors are waiting with baited breath to hear back from schools. Luckily for students, The University of Scranton, Drexel University, and Boston University are just a few of the many schools that will be releasing many of their early action and early decision acceptance letters. Students are reminded to check their college portals and mailboxes frequently throughout the next two weeks for this exciting news!
 Some lucky students are already starting to hear back from schools. Senior Emily Madara, has already committed to Temple University, saying “I can’t wait to be an Owl!” Emily will be studying entrepreneurship.
 Another student, Molly Stretch, has committed to the University of Kutztown to study sports management. On her application status, she says, “It feels so good to know where I’m headed after high school.” Whether you are a student who applied early decision or regular decision, everyone at New Hope Solebury is supporting you and can’t wait to hear where you end up!

Step up your winter fashion game from last year’s styles

Stella Kelley and Chloe Miller
Staff Writers

As winter sets in and the holiday season quickly approaches, it is important to keep your wardrobe fashionable, trendy, and festive. This year’s trends are beginning to make themselves apparent, while last year’s trends are slowly disappearing.
 As skinny jeans are falling out of style, 2017 is bringing cropped, flared pants on to the fashion scene. Whether they are denim, corduroy, or fabric, cropped pants can be styled and worn in many different ways. They can be dressed down with sneakers and a sweater, or dressed up with heels and a jacket. Be sure to check out the BDG Kick Flare High-Rise Cropped Jean-Button Fly from Urban Outfitters for a trendy flare jean look.
 Along with cropped and flared pants, turtlenecks are coming back from last year. Turtleneck shirts are great for adding warmth and holiday style to a dress or sweater, and turtleneck sweaters add shape and form to an otherwise dull outfit. Turtleneck sweaters can be worn oversized with jeans for a more casual vibe, or can be tucked into a skirt or high waisted pants for a more put together look. Another huge trend being seen this winter is velvet, which can be incorporated in dresses, sweaters, shoes, and even accessories. Velvet gives off a sophisticated and formal vibe, but can also be dressed down for everyday wear. Velvet dresses and skirts are very festive while also being comfortable and easy to wear. To combine our favorite velvet and turtleneck looks into an eye catching look, try the Out From Under Kia Shimmer Mesh Mock Neck Top from Urban Outfitters with a velvet tube top layered over it. Or, for a more simple outfit, add velvet boots to provide color and texture, or a velvet scrunchie on your wrist to add something fun and youthful. Whether you’re looking for a casual yet comfy look that also keeps you warm, an outfit for a winter-themed party, or an everyday look that is guaranteed to catch some eyes, be sure to try out any of these three new trends

Music Technology Helps Artists to Find Their Voice

Thomas Detlefsen
Staff Writer

When you think of your favorite artist, how do you think that they got started making music? When they started, they didn’t have access to fancy midi keyboards and mixers, but at New Hope-Solebury, the Music Technology class gives students access to high quality music producing technology. As of this December, Mr. Bachart has assigned a project that brings students to the core of music technology: to write a song. The song is required to be two minutes in length and contain a bridge, chorus and verse with a chord progression and lyrics. Mr. Bachart also has an array of instruments and technologies at the disposal of students to bring their song to life.
  Many of the students who have enrolled in the class chose it because of the opportunity it would provide them to express themselves. Roberto Escamilla stated that even though at some times it is difficult to express himself, he still likes the class because it challenges his creative skills. Many students in the class have also struggled with self expression and for most, it is their first time writing lyrics.
  Grant Cheung, a guitarist, has taken a different approach to the process. He has chosen to write a song about time passing by and reminiscing about the past, but with a hint of self-awareness because of how common the theme is. He states that “I wrote the lyrics to be very sarcastic, but wanted them to sound believable... Some of the lyrics make no sense, but have a meaning and some just don’t make sense.”

“Sketching a timeline on the drywall, I probably shouldn’t be
Double captured overhead and ethereal imagery
Vinyl strawberries out for some sunshine, something I wish I didn’t see
Pulsars quartered down the hinge wishing it was me”

 It is fantastic and fortunate that students at the New-Hope Solebury High School have access to these technologies and opportunities especially when many people around the world do not. Mr. Bachart is challenging students’ creativity and allowing them to express their emotions in a way that not many other classes can and that is what many high school students need.

A New Year for the Robotics Club

Thomas Detlefsen

Staff Writer

The New Hope-Solebury High School Robotics Club is off to a great start in 2017, bringing in new members and preparing for competition in the spring. This is the second year that the club is competing in a competition called Vex Robotics. In this competition, each team has to build and program a robot that will compete against other teams in a game. The competition changes each year; this year it is In the Zone, where robots have to stack cones in certain areas for points.

 The club was created in 2016 by, and mostly populated by, a group of about 10 or 15 seniors. In its first year of competition, the club placed 13th out of 30 teams. This year the club has seven members, but they are still working hard to compete against the teams with 20 or more members and with more experience than last year, the team expects to place even higher in the competition.

 Currently, the club is in the building phase where they are testing out multiple designs in order to determine which will be most effective in competition. Freshman Ben House says “For me it is always fun to think through difficult problems...It is always fun to relax from the chaotic classes, sit back and build.”

 2017 is also the first year of the Middle School Robotics Club, which is participating in the same competition. The middle school team has 20 seventh and eighth graders learning about engineering and programming. Both teams look forward to a stronger future high school club.

Peer Leadership at NHS

Stella Kelley and Chloe Miller

Staff Writers

In the first six weeks of the 2017 school year, 22 junior and senior peer leaders conducted meetings every Thursday during freshmen Exploring the Non-Western World class periods.

 During the sessions, they instructed students on adjusting to the many challenges they may face throughout their high school years. Throughout these six weeks, peer leaders covered topics from academics and activities to peer pressure and decision making. Additionally, peer leaders met once a week with their advisors, Ms. El-Turky, Mrs. Reeder, and Mr. Olszewski, to discuss any problems faced during group sessions and what worked well when addressing certain topics.

 Senior peer leader Laura Nagg noted: “Overall, even with many new peer leaders, this fall session went smoothly and the freshmen cooperated really well. During meetings, there were never any major problems or conflicts that came up, and from what I’ve heard all the peer leaders really enjoyed their groups.”

 Although groups have said goodbye and reminisced on their favorite fall session memories, it’s not over for New Hope’s peer leaders; this spring is the second session, in which meetings will take place with eighth graders. During these meetings, juniors and seniors will mentor students as they leave middle school and prepare for freshman year. The spring session is a bit shorter than the in-depth fall session of Peer Leadership, but that does not mean groups won’t be as close-knit.

 Senior and seasoned peer leader Shayna Berman remembers her spring session last year: “Despite it being shorter we were still able to create relationships with them and make the transition to high school easier.”

 Sophomores and juniors have the opportunity to apply for Peer Leadership at the end of the year.  

Holiday Season is Right Around the Corner

Devin Bock and Claudia Kolinchak

This year, Nov. 23 brought the start of the holiday season: family, friends, shopping, and great food. With Thanksgiving already behind us, the holiday season is in full-swing.

 Besides giving students and teachers a break from school and work, Thanksgiving is commonly viewed as the commencement of the Holidays. It is the time everybody’s been waiting for, when it is socially acceptable to start decorating for the holidays and, for some, even listen to Christmas music.

 Thanksgiving is well known for its hearty menu and quality time with loved ones. Families spent countless hours and even days preparing food for the upcoming Thursday to feed their families and friends. From warm mashed potatoes and savory turkey, to sweet pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream and cinnamon; the Thanksgiving Feast was sure to exceed its high expectations. People traveled miles, sometimes even cross-country, to come together to eat food and spend time with their relatives.

 Once the clock struck midnight, and a lot of the time even before that, Black Friday madness began. The best deals on the newest trends and technologies were available for a limited time only, and people camped outside or stores, like Best Buy, for hours before the doors opened.

 Traffic near shopping centers on Black Friday is even more chaotic as the malls, and this year was no exception. One New Hope shopper, Olivia Keenan, states, “Two people almost hit me trying to cut in front of me in traffic lines and it took me fifteen minutes to leave the parking lot”.

 This was prime time for the holiday gift search, but in order to get the best deals, shoppers must have the shopping endurance to spend hours store-hopping and waiting in long checkout lines. From now on, however, it’s smooth sailing until Christmas or Hanukkah, and it’s nice to be prepared with gifts which were purchased for great prices.

 It’s time to “Deck the Halls” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” because before you know it “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town”!