By Cameron S.

Family School Boys Golf Team recently tried out their clubs at Tarry Brae Country Club against Fallsburg. Despite losing the Falcons have been improving, with Steve R. and Conner C. consistently cutting down on strokes every match. “Although we haven’t been winning, we have been improving day after day and in the sport of golf that’s all you can ask for,” said Steve.

Conner led the team hitting 46, with Steve close behind with a 48. Team captain, Cameron S. trailed right behind hitting a 54.

By Cameron S.

Family School students Lucas V. and Ellie H. have recently received the annual Scholar Athlete Award. This award is given to students who maintain a superior GPA while playing several sports throughout high school.

Both students attended a banquet joining other athletes from Section IX to receive the award and it was something to remember. “Getting the award reminded me of the importance of academics and I was very grateful to have been given this award,” said Lucas

Family School’s annual softball game between staff and students is just around the corner. The school is anticipating the game to be on June 14.

By Cameron S.

Water is not the plentiful resource it used to be. Farmers in Denver, CO who have been bidding for water now face a new problem from oil and gas drillers. Companies that provide water for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) at well sites were top bidders at Colorado’s premier auction on water once claimed exclusively by farmers.  The Northern Water Conservancy District runs the auction, offering excess water diverted from the Colorado River Basin.

The problem with the drilling companies taking the water is that when they use it, it is forever taken out of the “hydrological cycle.” The chemicals that are being used in the fracking process contaminate the water to the point that it can never be recycled.

The idea of fighting with energy industry giants over water leaves farmers and environmentalists uneasy. “What impact to our environment and our agricultural heritage are Coloradans willing to stomach for drilling and fracking?” said Gary Wockner, director of the Save the Poudre Coalition, recently stated in an article by The Denver Post.

Northern Water spokesman and fracking activist Brian Werner begs to differ. “If you have a beneficial use for the water, then you can bid for that water. We see the beneficial use of the water as a positive for the economy of the whole region. Fracking is one of those uses. Our uses of water have evolved over 150 years.”

These energy industries “carry a big stick” at auctions and will likely have the money to outbid the competition everytime.

By Steve R.

In the spirit: Students got into the spirit celebrating Family School’s annual Seder on as families arrived to celebrate the Jewish holiday. Rabbi Michelle Medwin led the services which involved a retelling of the Exodus. Food was provided by Head Chef, Bill Cordts, and students and parents alike enjoyed a delicious meal of chicken followed by chocolate strawberries and Macaroons. Throughout dinner a band played music and shortly after everyone finished, the fun was raised to a new level. The band started playing a variety of Jewish tunes and the students ate it up. Medwin led the students in a series of Jewish dances, and even some of the parents joined in “I had so much fun, I really enjoyed myself, the food was great and the dancing was awesome,” said student Wesley D. The feeling was mutual as the night winded down; you could see the contentment settling in on student’s faces as they began to relax with hopes that next year’s Seder will be just as exciting.

By RJ Oringer

The Family School students were privileged to be able to watch the first battle of the Final Four NCAA basketball tournament between Kentucky and Louisville and the first half of the Ohio and Kansas game. Since there is no cable television at the school was a tremendous treat for whoever wanted to take advantage of it. There was talk between staff and students about whether or not they would be able to watch the games. I.T. Intern Lucas Maass took the initiative and announced a sign-up for the event. The students responded with enthusiasm and nearly every sports fan raced to the sign-up.

The Final Four is the outcome of a sixty-eight team bracketed tournament where either you win or you go home. Colleges from all over the country compete in this tournament in hopes they will make it to the National Championship. The tournament became a focal point for students to rally around and express their desire to see their favorite team win. Because students at the school come from all over the country team loyalty is intense and varied.  Never the less, all the sports fan were grateful for the chance to watch the Final Four, even if their top choice teams were not involved.

The games were displayed on a projector screen in one of the classrooms. The wild crowd of sports fanatics could be heard throughout the school.

In college basketball, anything is possible, so the games could have gone either way. This was proven early in this year’s tournament when number one seed Duke lost in the first round to number fifteen seed Lehigh; one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history.

None of this would have been possible without the help of Mike Arigiros and his intern Lucass Mass. Argiros, a bit of a sports fan himself, was glad to help out and give the kids an “extra something” to look forward to. He also provided all the snacks and beverages and allowing the spectators to go to bed a little later than usual to watch some of the Ohio State and Kansas game. “It was really great to have the opportunity to watch some college basketball. I would to like thank Mike Argiros for organizing this event,” said spectator and Buckeye fan Cameron Sharp.

By Steve R.

At 4,180 vertical feet Slide Mountain is the highest peak in the Catskills. On Sunday, March 18, 13 students hit the road ready to hit the trail in hopes of dominating the massive peak.

“I didn’t think it was going to be as tough as it was, but the end was very rewarding, I was the only one who didn’t fall, so I’m proud of myself.” said student Stefan D. Sections of the trail were ice-covered making the trail difficult to traverse. The hikers met the challenge with determination and hard work. When they reached the top the good feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction was imminent was prominent.

It was an early morning start and even the view from the bottom was great. There was a running river and the new spring buds gave the trees an iridescent glow in the early morning sunlight.

The ascent was immediately challenging as students had to cross a small river that then put them right onto the mountainside. Initially, there were occasional steep inclines but nothing to difficult. However, at the one mile mark, the students reached one of the biggest challenges of the day — a massive rock covered incline.

The last mile, the altitude was high enough for there to be an accumulation of snow. Sections of the trail were glazed with ice. “Oh man, how am I going to get up this? “ was just one of many toughts going through the students mind as they approached the challenge.

Aside from the view, students enjoyed the time away from school, as well as the time they were given to bond with one another on a beautiful day spent outdoors. “I love being outdoors, and I love a challenge so this was just about a perfect day for me.” Will W said after reaching the summit. All in all, this wasn’t your average hike, it was an all day, four mile hike, uphil, that when completed, leaves you with a view that very few experience and a feeling that is hard to find any other way than through hard work and determination.

By Cameron S.

Powerhouse teams The Family Falcons and the Coleman Catholic Statesmen battled it out in the Section IX semifinal playoff game. After back and forth action, Coleman ended on top 64-49.

Falcons came out with a strong first quarter performance dominating both sides of the ball. Intense Falcon defense led to continuous Coleman turnovers which big man Max Wilkey turned into easy buckets scoring six of his total eight points in the first quarter. Home court advantage was not a factor at this point as the Falcons took the momentum early on. Starting point guard Bryan Lehrman added two of his own three’s to the first quarter run allowing them to pull away 20-11. But the Falcon’s momentum shifted heading into the second quarter.

Down by 11 points coming into the second quarter, the Statesmen had their work cut out for them. Coleman’s Dino Celadon #3 and Jordan Shaw #32 led the second quarter rally adding 7 points each. Coleman showed why they deserved their playoff spot. Falcon intensity was slowly dwindling as Coleman outscored them 23-12.

Starting the second half on top 34-32, Coleman came out with the same high octane play. Shaw and Celadon continued to pound the Falcon defense with shots from the paint and mid-range. Falcon confidence was nowhere to be found in this second half. Scoring only eight points to Coleman’s twenty points in the third quarter, the Falcons season was coming to an end.

The game ended with Coleman 64, Family 49. Shaw and Celadon combined for a total of 37 points. Falcon seniors Tarek Mhich and Lucas Maass combined for a total of 25 points. “Instead of being in self-pity, we made a point to be grateful for the season and realize that this was a good experience for us all,” said Falcon RJ Oringer.

By Stefan D.

 The Family Falcon’s clinched a spot in the playoffs when they beat the Roscoe Blue Devil’s 61-39.

            The Falcons came out on top in the first quarter 15-7. Falcon centers Lucas M. and Tarek M. contributed eight points while Roscoe’s forwards Mark R. and Brad D. scored seven. The Falcons controlled the entire first half with a fast-paced game that left Roscoe struggling to keep up. The Roscoe Blue Devils tried to out-work The Falcons and took few outside shots. Roscoe lost the first half 34-17 with only one three pointer scored.

            Roscoe’s Rob T. sunk eight of his team’s ten points scored in the second quarter. Roscoe lost all quarters except the third where both teams scored 13 points.

            With a solid defense the Falcon’s were able to hold Roscoe’s top scorer Taurino to five points in the third quarter and 17 for the game. Last time these teams met he scored 30 points. With Rob shut down, Rosario, Dreher, Tyler M., Mike F., and Jesse H. were able to score, but against a tough defense none could break eight points.

            As The Falcons defense consistently created turnovers their time on offense was nearly doubled. Max W. looked back in form scoring 20 points after a season riddled with injury. With a steady flow of quick, crafty passes from the guards, Lucas took advantage of his 6’4” height to score 17 points, 16 of which were scored from inside the arc.

            Connor C., Bryan L., and Mhich contributed 11 points total and Roderick O. contributed 13. Oringer stood out on the court throughout the game as his offense and defense resulted in a multiple opportunities for The Falcons. “I think RJ’s hard work motivated us to stay focused and not let the lead get to our heads,” said Falcons forward Stephen R.

            Even as the time wound down the onslaught of powerful drives by Oringer and Wilkey were unrelenting. The game ended and cheers and smiles flooded the faces of the FFS crowd. But it was all business as the Falcons returned to the locker room with their sights set on Coleman Catholic in the first round of the playoffs.

By Cameron S.

Dimock, PA has received the first tanker of fresh water to four houses where federal regulators say they found arsenic and chemicals often used in gas drilling in the well water. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) discovered these chemicals through testing and decided it was time Dimock got some help.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. is criticizing regulators’ reasoning for investigating them in the first place. Their argument is that they are being singled out and the results from the tests are from surrounding areas rather than where their drilling occurred. “It appears that EPA selectively chose data on substances it was concerned about in order to reach a result it had predetermined,” stated Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

“We test for arsenic in all of our water systems,” Pennsylvania American Water spokeswoman Susan Turcmanovich said. “If there was any detection of arsenic at any level, it would be reported in the water quality report and sent to all its customers.”