By Danny Redell

On Friday April 23, sophomores enjoyed lunch outside in the nice weather. They used the picnic tables built by students in the AG program last year.  How did this happen? The sophomore class officers talked with their adviser and Mr. Burger about letting the sophomore class eat outside for their lunch period.

As a sophomore, Stephanie DiFilippo said,”I think that it is a good idea, but it was too cold to go outside that day.” She explained that she would have gone outside if it was warmer, but it wasn’t a good day to set something like that up.

Danny Snyder, a senior, is very against only the sophomores being able to go outside for lunch. He doesn’t understand why administration is not letting anyone else go along. Synder said,”I don’t think that it’s fair that only the sophomores get to go outside because we made (the idea of) the outside lunch for only the seniors, not the juniors and not the sophomores.”

by Nate Coleman

Since the groundbreaking ceremony on April 15, the worms on the old baseball, field hockey, and soccer fields have gotten quite an awakening.  However, they are not the only things being inconvenienced this spring.

“There is nothing too good about them,” said senior Sarah Mullen.

While ground is being moved and holes are being dug for the new primary center, the baseball and softball teams have had to move practice and home games to the Hess Fields.  The Hess fields are a temporary solution to the problem of losing playing fields for spring sports.   While the Hess Field  is indeed a field in the shape of a diamond, Danville baseball and softball players are not impressed.

Since the J.V. team and the softball players are the only ones to play on the fields so far, they are the only ones able to comment.   “The conditions of the Hess Fields are perfect, if you want to take a ball in the face,” says junior varsity baseball player Tyler Jenkins.

According to some players, however, the high school fields were almost just as bad as the Hess fields.

“There’s not much difference,” said baseball player Nick LeVan.  “They are both pretty bad.”

“There are many bumps and lumps,” said baseball player Andrew Andreychik.  “There is more grass in the dirt than there is in the infield.  There is not one flat surface.  The dugouts are small and dirty and the pitchers have nothing to kick off of.”

Danville baseball and softball will play the rest of their remaining games at Hess Field.  Even the softball players have negative comments about their new home.

“There is nothing too good about them,” said senior Sarah Mullen.

“I am probably not sliding anytime soon,” said Sam Zampetti.

The verdict from Danville spring athletes seems to be that the move to Hess Fields receives two thumbs down.

by Brock Perles

This year, as in years past, will be labor some for Advanced Placements students. These students are expected to complete not only an Advanced Placement test, but also a final for the class.

These AP tests are essential to students who wish to advance to a college or university with college credit from their high school.  Although scores that are accepted vary from school to school, most colleges accept these tests as proof that a high school student has completed college work.  For example, at Bloomsburg University an Advanced Placement English class would count as three credits toward graduation if the student reaches a three or higher out of a grade of five.  It would also replace a Freshman Composition class which is required of all college freshmen.

“I don’t really mind taking two tests for my English class,” stated Kyrsten Lee, a senior, “since one counts for college, the other for my grade. Both are equally necessary.”

Katie Miller, a senior, explained, “I am not sure if my college even accepts these tests, so I don’t know if it matters to me, but, the tests do not bother me.”

Senior, Bill DiFilippo, took AP Government and Politics last year, and is not a fan of the tests. “I remember I wasn’t a big fan of taking two tests. Students are stressed out as is for the AP exam, but then they can take solace knowing their grade won’t be affected.”

Overall however, there is nothing that can be done to prevent two tests. No matter how annoyed students in AP classes get, they will just have to deal with the circumstances. These tests are somewhat necessary in a college bound students future, to say the least.

by Sean Gregory

Posters around the school remind students and faculty members the goals of DHS for the next 10 years.

Danville High School was granted accrediation last week after several representatives from the Middle States Association visited DHS  to evaluate its compliance to the AFG goals set for the next 10 years.  AFG, or Accreditation For Growth, is a project that is accessed by the Middle States, which entails a set of goals that a school sets in order to achieve over a 10 year period. The goals set by DHS this time around include Academic Success, Culture of Respect and Use of School Time.

The Middle States Association assesses schools based on the guidelines set down by the school itself. This organization not only assesses high schools, but colleges as well. If it finds that the school has effectively met its requirements, it receives accreditation. This system helps individuals who may be considering attending the school, by assuring them that said school is reaching goals effectively.

AFG focuses the High School on important objectives. Everything that we will do over the next 10 years will be focused around these three goals and improving our standards.

-Mr. Nailor, Librarian and AFG Internal Coordinator

Dozens of random students were called to have interviews with representative from Middle States. They were questioned as to what they felt the school was doing well, and and what could be improved.

Some students weren’t receptive to the questioning from Middle States representatives, however.

“To me, calling us down and questioning us was a giant waste of time,” remarked sophomore Ian Maize.

Ironmen 24/7 had the opportunity to talk with the Chairman of the vistiting AFG team, Mrs. Mina Levenson, about the objectives of Middle States when they visit a school, and her impressions of Danville High School. Among the many good things she said about the school was the building’s location and condition.   Levenson said, “It was unusual to see such a modern building this far out, being from Pittsburgh.”

by Danny Redell

Stephen Strasburg warms up during his Minor League debut at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg.

On Saturday, April 17, Stephen Strasburg made his first home start as a Harrisburg Senator. This game was planned to start at 7 o’clock, but it turned into a night that Strasburg will most likely never forget. The game had a lot of hype because Strasburg was the first pick of the 2009 draft. The line was backed up all the way across a bridge in front of the stadium into the city of Harrisburg. The parking garage was filled and there was a long wait time for any parking place.

The rain was falling hard and they had to delay the game for an hour and a half. So, when it came time to start taking the tarp off the field, it started to rain again. Before they could uncover the field, they were pulling the tarp back on top of the field again. The game was delayed for a while longer and they tried pulling the tarp off one more time.  Once again, it started pouring again, and they covered the field for another hour.

The first pitch did not happen until 10 o’clock at night. Strasburg took 3 pitches to strike the first player out. The crowd went crazy. Strasburg went 2 and 1/3 innings before the game was put on yet another rain delay. In the 2 and 1/3 innings he pitched, he gave up 2 hits, he gave up one unearned run, and he got 3 strikeouts.

Overall his first start as a Harrisburg Senator was really good. He looked like he deserved the first pick in last year’s draft. He did a really good job in winning over the fans and getting them pumped up for all of his future starts.