The Student Voice of North Allegheny Senior High School

The Uproar

The Student Voice of North Allegheny Senior High School

The Uproar

The Student Voice of North Allegheny Senior High School

The Uproar

Andrew McLaughlin

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Years after editing and delivering the Carson Middle newspaper by himself, Andrew McLaughlin is excited to be Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Uproar. Always a fan of amusement park history, he has written for the magazine of the National Amusement Park Historical Association. He also volunteers at the Depreciation Lands Museum, a local living history museum. Andrew welcomes comments about his writing.

All content by Andrew McLaughlin
Though I have visited many amusement parks, I owe my passion to Kennywood Park above anywhere else.

Memories of an Amusing Hobby

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief May 30, 2023

In 1977, a North Hills amusement park called West View Park closed forever. 35 years after the park’s closure, a seven-year-old boy wandered into his local library’s nonfiction section and pulled a...

Octavia, a mosaic octopus that resides at the community Octopus Garden in Friendship, is cited by McLaughlin has her most enjoyable experience in sculptural mosaics.

Tile by Tile

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief May 18, 2023

At an old elementary school in Lawrenceville, a mosaic mural promotes sustainability, with students using a recycling bin outdoors and a cartoon sun smiling on the landscape. Although many students pass...

The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, held from March to July, covers the park with an impressive tapestry of flowers and topiaries.

A Travel Guide to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief April 10, 2023

In just a few days, band, orchestra, and chorus students will step off a plane and find themselves in Orlando, Florida, home to Walt Disney World (WDW). With the weather in Pittsburgh just beginning to...

Recent transfer student Ben DeLoof, a senior at NASH who was accepted at all eight Ivy League schools, sleeps through the lesson on infinite sequences and series in Mrs. Volpes AP Calculus BC class. I expected NA to be more academically challenging, he told The Uproar after he awoke.

A Clean Sweep

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief April 1, 2023

Shortly after 7PM on March 30, senior Ben DeLoof was more than apprehensive of the news waiting in his email inbox. With his heart pounding against his chest, he first opened the all-important email from...

[Multimedia] The History of NASH

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief March 30, 2023

In the recording studio of the Saturday Light Brigade, Gaertner talked about his winning Flash Fiction story.

On Air

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief March 27, 2023

When he won an award for a short piece of fiction writing, senior Christian Gaertner had no idea that he would soon be talking on the radio about his love for storytelling. Through a contest run by the...

With its onimous appearance, North Park’s Fountain of Youth is a unique example of New Deal-era construction.

The Hidden History of North Park

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief March 2, 2023

North Park is famous for many recreational activities, but some aspects of the park’s history are invisible to the casual observer. Aside from the typical activities of fishing or kayaking on the 75-acre...

Here Comes the Sun

Here Comes the Sun

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief February 9, 2023

At what age did you start learning violin, and what organizations do you participate in now? I first started playing violin with everyone else through the elementary orchestra program in third grade....

The NA Fiddlers recently performed at the January Ice Jam in Beaver Falls, PA on January 21st.

Preserving the Past, One Song at a Time

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief February 7, 2023

On days when the weather is more inviting, visitors to McKnight Elementary School might see a small group of students sitting in a circle under a tree, playing the violin, banjo, bass, and mandolin. The...

North Allegheny Junior-Senior High School opened in 1954 after the district had been in existence for six years. In 2023, unbeknownst to most people in the district, North Allegheny is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

75 Years of North Allegheny History

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief January 31, 2023

Everyone knows that the North Allegheny of today is home to seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. But 75 years ago, one would simply find a series of disjointed, independent...

Driving into Pittsburgh on I-279, it is clear how the highway divided the North Side into two halves.

Opinion: Shielded by Suburbia

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief January 5, 2023

On September 24th, I was at Kennywood Park during the non-fatal shooting that left three injured. Though I was not near the shooter, I will always remember the frightened family who joined us in hiding...

The Grand Carousel at Knoebels Amusement Resort is home to a once-common tradition that can only still be found on a few carousels: reaching for the brass ring.

A Grand Tradition of Amusement

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief December 12, 2022

In an age of 400-foot-tall roller coasters, the simplest amusement park rides of decades past are sometimes pushed to the sidelines, forgotten by the riders solely on an endless search for adrenaline....

Good Talk: Mrs. Lavelle

Good Talk: Mrs. Lavelle

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief November 22, 2022

When did you realize you wanted to become a music teacher? There are a lot of teachers in my family, and my junior year of high school is when I realized that was what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted...

Campaign signs sit outside of the polls at Northmont Presbyterian Church.

Students react to the Pennsylvania midterm elections

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief November 10, 2022

November 8th has now passed, and months on the campaign trail--with billions of dollars spent on an endless barrage of advertising--have finally come to an end. Midterm elections are often described as...

The work of some amateur photographers is stunning, including that of local Carolyn Doyle.

North Park in Focus

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief October 27, 2022

North Park has no shortage of opportunities for high-energy pastimes, ranging from kayaking to mountain biking. But for some locals, it’s also a great place to engage in a less strenuous activity, one...

John Fetterman was mayor of Braddock, PA from 2006-2019. His outfit of choice, both as mayor and US Senate candidate, has always been a hoodie and shorts.

Opinion: A One-of-a-Kind Populist

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief October 21, 2022

Braddock, Pennsylvania is one of the poorest communities in Allegheny County. Aside from a few patches of hope--take the busy community bread oven, for instance--Braddock’s main street is mostly composed...

The Lincoln Highway crosses through the town square of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

A Ride along the Lincoln Highway

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief September 28, 2022

Driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike can be a mindless experience. But while you slice through the Allegheny Mountains at 70 miles per hour, you may occasionally catch a glimpse of a nearby road that contours...

A definite lowpoint in Kennywood’s history, three guests sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds last Saturday.

A Firsthand Account of the Kennywood Park Shooting

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief September 26, 2022

Last Saturday, September 24th, was a workday I will never forget. Running a ride to the tune of a chainsaw-wielding actor, I watched as fake fog filled the midway--it was the opening night of Kennywood...

Cafeteria manager Pat Gillman attends to a student in the NASH cafeteria.

End of free lunch program influences students, cafeteria staff

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief September 13, 2022

It is a popular saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch, yet for the past two years, students at North Allegheny and across the country were able to receive breakfast and lunch free of charge...

The junior class assembly at NASH on Wednesday morning introduced students to the culture and expectations of the building.

The Battle of Junior Year

Andrew McLaughlin, Co-Editor-in-Chief August 24, 2022

For the Class of 2023, junior year is still in recent memory. Though much of last year was unusual, it still taught me about what it means to be a successful student. It’s not all about grades, even...

The entrance midway at Kennywood has been overhauled for the 2022 season.

Kennywood Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer June 2, 2022

As has been the case for the last few seasons, there is no new ride at Kennywood this year. However, the past winter has still been one of the park’s busiest off-seasons in recent history. New paint,...

On Board

On Board

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer May 18, 2022

How is the School Board Representative affiliated with the Student Council? The School Board Representative is one of the executive members of the Student Council, but unlike elected officers, it is...

The district has begun to explore the potential advantages and disadvantages of a combined 9-12 high school campus.

NA begins analyzing high school structural needs

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer May 5, 2022

A decade from now, North Allegheny high school students could be combined into a single building, a combined campus, or the two schools may remain separated.  All these options are being examined as...

This postwar image of US Route 19 (Perry Highway) on October 2, 1949 was taken near  the current location of the Sunoco gas station.

Legendary tales of North Hills history

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer March 31, 2022

Driving to school on Perry Highway at 6:50 in the morning, the significance of the road’s name is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind. More than likely, students are more worried about finding...

According to the human resources department at NA, staffing difficulties have largely been invisible to students.

NA schools face a nationwide teacher shortage

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer March 25, 2022

Of the real-world issues he has faced over his 26-year career, AP US History teacher Mr. Venezia sees the nationwide substitute teacher shortage as simply another challenge to overcome.  “When teachers...

A photograph taken of the Dips roller coaster in the twilight years of West View Park

Remembering West View Park

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer March 14, 2022

Before Interstate 279, Perry Highway was the main road north of Pittsburgh. Winding up and down hills as it leaves the North Side, the road soon enters the borough of West View, where it passes the West...

Looking straight up through the atrium of the Union Trust Building is a mesmerizing sight.

Doors Open Downtown

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer February 28, 2022

Locked in by the three rivers, downtown Pittsburgh is a dense web of streets and businesses, but it is easy to overlook the history of the Golden Triangle. Any trip downtown reflects that Pittsburgh is...

After decades of hard times, Conneaut Lake Park has come to its end as an amusement park.

Remembering Conneaut Lake Park

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer February 2, 2022

In 2013, my family made the 90-minute drive north to Conneaut Lake Park (CLP) for the first time. Pulling into the parking lot, we were startled at what we saw. A charred building was to the left, and...

The collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge has raised important questions about the condition of infrastructure in Pittsburgh and the rest of the country.

Opinion: Bridge collapse finally puts state infrastructure under scrutiny

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer February 1, 2022

The irony of the situation was unbelievable: last Friday, the same day that President Joe Biden was set to deliver a speech about his new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Pittsburgh, the city experienced...

Some cafeteria options such as the deli bar have been limited or temporarily unavailable because of delivery problems.

District food service endures supply chain issues

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer January 12, 2022

Styrofoam trays, pizza crusts, and peanut butter and jelly are just a few of the things on NASH cafeteria manager Jay West’s wanted list. As North Allegheny’s Dining Services Director during a nationwide...

The Neapolitan Presepio at the Carnegie Museum of Art in the Hall of Architecture

Pittsburgh Christmas Traditions

Andrew McLaughlin December 22, 2021

Many attributes of the holiday season are similar across the country, but every city also has unique holiday customs, and Pittsburgh is no different. While the city has some holiday traditions that were...

The Kangaroos new logo was selected through a vote by Kennywood fans.

The Kangaroo bounces back to Kennywood

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer December 3, 2021

Kennywood Park's fans can now breathe a sigh of relief that one of the park’s last-of-its-kind rides is not gone forever. On November 19, Kennywood management shared the welcome news that the Kangaroo...

Pittsburgh is the birthplace of many inventions, from the worlds first gas station to the first professional football game.

Pioneered in Pittsburgh

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer November 22, 2021

For a small city, Pittsburgh has a long and storied history. 268 years ago, George Washington observed that the meeting of the Allegheny and Monongahela would be an ideal location for “absolute command...

The Rust Belt is often perceived as having a faltering economy, yet many cities are finding renewal with jobs based in education, technology, and medicine.

Redefining the Rust Belt

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer November 10, 2021

To a casual observer, the term “Rust Belt” may be linked with economic decay -- cities past their industrial prime, with falling population and little opportunity for growth. As the Rust Belt has worked...

The cupola on the lift hill of Lakemont Parks Leap the Dips evokes an earlier time.

119 Years and Rolling

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer October 20, 2021

Western Pennsylvania is home to what is perhaps the greatest collection of historic amusement parks in the world. With six existing amusement parks dating from before 1900 and many distinctive old rides,...

As a stagnant team in a small city, the Pirates have struggled with attendance for years.

A Difficult Position

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer October 12, 2021

Despite a few bright moments over the past two decades, the Pittsburgh Pirates have long had a mundane existence when compared to the city’s other professional sports teams. The Pirates' business model...

The inside cover of the 1974-1975 NASH yearbook included this artistic interpretation of the school.

It’s Not Ugly… It’s Brutalist

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer September 23, 2021

Given its notable lack of windows and sharp exterior, practically every NASH student has heard the rumor that the school was designed by a prison architect. Considering the building's fortress-like appearance,...

Ongoing cleaning from the pipe burst continues throughout the building, including in the library.

In the Pipeline

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer September 10, 2021

In the early morning of September 2, NASH families awoke to the message that school was canceled for the day. This was no typical school closure, however, as it was due to leaks caused by a broken pipe....

The Depreciation Lands Museum in Pittsburghs North Hills offers a slice of Colonial Williamsburg only a short drive from North Allegheny.

Hidden Treasure Museums of Pittsburgh

Andrew McLaughlin, Staff Writer September 9, 2021

When one mentions the city of Pittsburgh, many nicknames appear. “The Steel City” refers to its industrial past, the “City of Champions” comes from Pittsburgh’s legendary sports teams, and the...

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