A look back and the way forward

​​A Summary of Fall 2022 and a Preview of Spring 2023
By: Jonathon Chiu

  It’s the new year and with all the festivities, it is easy to forget the events of fall 2022, with this rapid pace sure to continue into the upcoming spring semester. 
   On September 7, Freedom opened its doors to parents during an open house where they were able to interact with teachers and indulge in refreshments made by VoTech.
   On October 7, the football team played their homecoming game against the Whitehall Zephyrs and managed to pull off a 33-17 victory. The homecoming dance commenced on October 8, with Josiah Peters and Lauren Humphrey being elected homecoming king and queen, respectively.
   Spirit week began on October 24, with themes ranging from Pajamas, Anything But a Backpack, Adam Sandler and more. A hallway decorating contest weeks in the making also took place, with the Freshman winning with their hallway theme of Avengers Assemble, much to the shock of the other grades. 
   A pep rally was also held on October 28 to celebrate the Freedom-Liberty game, with the dance team and staff performing one of the best dances in recent memory. Students from freshmen to seniors participating in activities such as a stretcher race, obstacle course, tug of war and more.
   The football team smashed the Liberty Hurricanes in a 38-7 victory on October 29 to claim the George Resetco trophy and end the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) South Division.    
   The Freedom Patriot band also played a part as they played in tandem with the Liberty Grenadier band during the halftime show of the Freedom-Liberty game, playing hits from the Beatles such as “Hey Jude” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” during the game’s halftime show.
   On November 3, FHS held an induction ceremony to welcome the newest members of its National Honor Society chapter and celebrate their achievements before being inducted as members. 
   “The world is bigger with big problems,” said Bethlehem mayor William Reynolds, who attended the ceremony as a keynote speaker, “the loudest opinions are not the majority opinions… good information can persuade people but good people should not.”
   On November 18 to November 20, the theater company performed their fall musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live, with members of the theater company, from cast members such as Edwin Feijoo to stage crew members such as Sean Roberts and even the pit band, all working together to bring characters such as Tom, George, Schulie, and more to life.
   School was closed from November 23 to November 29 due to Thanksgiving break.
   Course selection for grades 9 through 11 took place on December 1 to 13, with juniors choosing their senior year classes on December 1, 2, and 5. Sophomores chose their junior year classes on December 8, 9, 12 and 13 and  Freshmen selected their sophomore year courses on December 13 and 14.
The FHS chorus, directed by Ms. Volpato performed their holiday concert on December 9. The orchestra also held a concert on December 16. 
   An art show also took place on December 16.
   School was dismissed early on December 22 due to a teacher in-service and school was closed from December 23 to January 2 due to winter break.
   While 2022 may be over, there is still much to do in the new year. Keystone testing will take place on January 9, 10, and 11 with students not taking the tests performing asynchronous work at home.
   Incoming ninth graders and their parents attend an orientation meeting on January 11 and the first semester comes to a close, with finals taking place on January 20, 23, and 24.
   Freedom will host another open house on February 15 from 6:30 - 9:00 PM for parents to get to know second semester teachers.
In April, we can look forward to events like A Day of Silence/ Breaking the Silence, held by the GSA, on the 14th, the spring musical, Beauty and the Beast, from the 20th to the 23rd, and a college fair on 26th. 
   Prom is at the SteelStacks on May 12 starting at 6:00 - 10:00 PM. The annual Academic Awards ceremony is on May 17 at 6:30, with award recipients reporting for a rehearsal taking place 
earlier in the day from 1:00 - 1:30 PM.
    To close off the year, finals will take place in late May and early June, with seniors taking their finals on May 24, 26 and 30 and underclassmen taking their finals on June 6 and 7, with the 8th as a makeup day along with graduation. Let’s hope the rest of the school year is productive and rewarding for all!

Students decorated the music hallway in a Stranger Things theme for Spirit Week. Photo: Jonathon Chiu

New inductees recite the oath of the National Honors Society at the ceremony on November 3rd. Photo: Jonathon Chiu

Student-created ceramics were on display at the winter art show. Photo: Jaydenn Lim

The Riot Squad prepares for the Freedom Liberty game, where Freedom won 38-7. Photo: Jonathon Chiu

The FHS Theatre Company performs Schoolhouse Rock Live. Photo: Jonathon Chiu