The student news site of Baldwin High School

The Purbalite
The student news site of Baldwin High School

The Purbalite
The student news site of Baldwin High School

The Purbalite
Leila Usanovic

Leila Usanovic, News Editor

News Editor Leila Usanovic is a junior in her third year on the Purbalite staff. When she’s not writing reviews and news for the Purb, she can be found with her friends or jamming out to Taylor Swift. 

The St. Elizabeth’s CYO basketball team, consisting of many Baldwin athletes, won their championship game on Sunday.

St. Elizabeth’s CYO team wins hoops title

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
February 27, 2023
The Baldwin bowling team plays in the south division of the WPIBL.

Baldwin bowling advances to regionals

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
February 16, 2023

Video story: Stall Day raises money to fight childhood cancer

Kenzie Hirt, Allison Huschak, and Leila Usanovic
February 10, 2023
The Unified Bocce Team competes in the winter sport season.

Unified Bocce beats Bethel

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
February 3, 2023
The Unified Bocce Team competes in the winter sport season.

Unified Bocce defeats Thomas Jefferson

Kenzie Hirt and Leila Usanovic
February 1, 2023
The Baldwin Indoor Track team competes in the winter season.

Indoor Track Competes at Edinboro

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
January 23, 2023
The Baldwin Fighting Highlander basketball teams play in the 6A division.

Girls Basketball defeats Canon Mac

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
January 10, 2023
Sophomore Matthew Schenk shoots the ball over a Canon Mac defender.

Boys basketball defeats Canon-Mac

Leila Usanovic, Allison Huschak, Carson Chapel, and Nico Macurak
January 10, 2023
Senior Sophie Pittman overcame the obstacles of her injuries to compete again in gymnastics and revive her love for the sport.

Injuries behind her, gymnast ready for a big senior season

Leila Usanovic and Allison Huschak
January 6, 2023

The 16 School Days of Christmas: Podcast discusses effect of tech, media on holidays

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
December 20, 2022
The Fighting Highlanders basketball teams compete at the 6A level.

Girls basketball falls to Peters Township

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
December 20, 2022
While some may say nothing can beat the original, the best version is clearly the 2000 movie version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The 16 School Days of Christmas: Carrey’s `Grinch’ is the best

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
December 15, 2022
The Fighting Highlanders basketball teams compete at the 6A level.

Girls basketball loses to Penn-Trafford, Thomas Jefferson

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
December 5, 2022

Inside Scoop podcast discusses up and coming music artists

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
November 14, 2022
The dress code has been a topic of conversation since a September protest.

Administration to meet with students to discuss dress code

Asmita Pokharel, Leila Usanovic, and Mandy Wu
November 3, 2022
Rocket League released in 2015, has become one of the most popular games worldwide.

Rocket League remains undefeated with win over Knoch

Kenzie Hirt and Leila Usanovic
October 31, 2022
Even before this new album was released at midnight today, Swift constructed much excitement for Midnights through masterful marketing.

Taylor Swift’s new album shows she’s a ‘Mastermind’ in both marketing and music

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
October 21, 2022
Baldwin’s varsity boys soccer team competes in the 4A division.

Boys soccer shuts out Hempfield in senior rec game

Leila Usanovic and Allison Huschak
October 12, 2022
The dress code has been a topic of conversation since a September protest.

Student reps speak up about dress code at board meeting

Asmita Pokharel, Mandy Wu, and Leila Usanovic
October 7, 2022

Video story: Boys soccer loses close game to Peters Township

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
October 1, 2022
Junior Gabrielle Moder is a standout on the girls tennis team.

Moder makes mark on girls varsity tennis team

Leila Usanovic and Allison Huschak
September 27, 2022
Baldwin’s varsity boys soccer team competes in the 4A division.

Crowd motivates boys soccer in close game, but Lebo prevails

Kenzie Hirt and Leila Usanovic
September 23, 2022
Baldwin’s varsity boys soccer team competes in the 4A division.

Boys soccer falls to Canon Mac

Allison Huschak and Leila Usanovic
September 21, 2022
Principal Shaun Tomaszewski addresses the student protesters from within the crowd.

Students protest dress code, but their language draws criticism

Leila Usanovic, Asmita Pokharel, and Olivia Rechtorik
September 16, 2022
Baldwin’s varsity girls soccer team competes in the 4A division.

Girls soccer falls to Norwin

Leila Usanovic and Allison Huschak
September 15, 2022
The girls tennis team plays in the fall sports season.

Girls tennis falls to Allderdice

Leila Usanovic and Kenzie Hirt
September 9, 2022

Video story: Football team loses close game to T.J.

Kenzie Hirt and Leila Usanovic
September 6, 2022
Senior Max Pratley won the award for Best Supporting Actor.

Pratley, Hutchinson win Gene Kelly Awards

Leila Usanovic and Simran Rijal
May 31, 2022

Podcast debates merits of latest Harry Styles record

Brooke Scanlon and Leila Usanovic
May 26, 2022
Popular Booktok creator, Isabelle Gerli, shares recommendations with her followers similar to many other creators.

`BookTok’ leads to an increased interest in reading

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
May 11, 2022
Class of 2009 alum Jon Shanahan, pictured on the Empire State Building, will appear on `Shark Tank this Friday.

Baldwin alum to pitch his makeup for men on ‘Shark Tank’

Grace Spozarski and Leila Usanovic
May 10, 2022
Along for the Ride is not interesting and will likely be forgotten in the sea of other coming of age films.

`Along for the Ride’ offers a forgettable romance

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
May 9, 2022
Just as it began to look like the high school German program would be phased out, a new German teacher has been hired and will teach in person classes next year.

German classes are back on for next year

Maddison Houser and Leila Usanovic
April 29, 2022

Video story: Senior handprints start countdown to graduation

Izzy Swanson, Tumi Ojo, and Leila Usanovic
April 19, 2022
Handprints could be seen on the stalls of the third-floor boys bathroom this afternoon.

Bathroom vandalism leads to shutdown of senior handprints

Izzy Swanson, Leila Usanovic, and Tumi Ojo
April 6, 2022

Video story: Track team prepares for season

Izzy Swanson and Leila Usanovic
March 29, 2022
Sea Girl’s second album, Homesick, provides songs with good beats that indie-rock listeners are sure to enjoy. 

Sea Girl’s new album is enjoyable but not original

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
March 29, 2022
Mitski’s mastery of heart-wrenching music with impressive vocals all started with her first, self-released album, Lush. 

Essential Listening: Mitski’s first album encapsulates many women’s experiences

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
March 25, 2022
Students in Partners Art were recently introduced to ASL, but a full-year ASL course will be offered next year.

Baldwin offers new ASL course next year

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
March 23, 2022

Video story: Stars come out for Baldwin Idol

Leila Usanovic, Kenzie Hirt, and Eliza Swanson
February 22, 2022
Many quickly critique this album because Mitski was contractually obligated to create another album. Her lyrical genius and the instrumental aspects destroy this claim.

Mitski transitions from indie rock to pop for possible last album

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
February 7, 2022
The current Highlander, Ethan Spozarski, will pass down his role to Carson Chapel next year.

[Photo] Boys hoops defeats Lebo on senior night

February 2, 2022
The Baldwin Fighting Highlander basketball teams play in the 6A division.

Girls basketball falls to Mt. Lebanon

Leila Usanovic and Eliza Swanson
January 28, 2022
The Baldwin bowling team plays in the south division of the WPIBL.

Bowling falls to TJ

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
January 20, 2022

Video: Boys basketball defeats Canon-Mac

Sam Tobiczyk and Leila Usanovic
January 12, 2022
The competitive cheer mat team placed third at WPIALs over the weekend, earning a bid to states.

Cheer team takes 3rd at WPIALs, earns bid to states

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
January 10, 2022
The Baldwin boys wrestling team competes in the 3A division.

Wrestling defeated by Thomas Jefferson

Leila Usanovic and Sam Tobiczyk
January 6, 2022

Podcast discusses one of the year’s biggest records, Kanye’s `Donda’

Brooke Scanlon, Izzy Swanson, and Leila Usanovic
December 23, 2021
Christmas does not have to consist of big parties to have a happy holiday.

The 17 School Days of Christmas: A classic Christmas isn’t needed to enjoy the season

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
December 15, 2021
Baldwin alum Alyssa Thorne first became interested in screenwriting while she was in high school.

Baldwin alum goes from ‘Buffy’ fan to Hollywood career as writer for HBO series

Izzy Swanson and Leila Usanovic
December 15, 2021
The Baldwin-Whitehall School District celebrated Dress For Your Culture Day this week.

[Photo] Video story: Dress for Your Culture day celebrates Baldwin, family heritage

December 11, 2021
Many older Christmas songs have remained popular, while newer ones often quickly fade into obscurity.

The 17 School Days of Christmas: Few new holiday songs stand test of time

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
December 7, 2021
The third installment of the Princess Switch series doesnt offer good acting or humor.

The 17 School Days of Christmas: New Princess Switch offers bad acting, no humor

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
December 1, 2021
Students at BHS are petitioning for the termination of the hat rule.

Student’s petition seeks change in hat rule

Izzy Swanson, Sara Scheeser, and Leila Usanovic
November 10, 2021

Video story: Vietnamese singer, activist speaks about freedom

Izzy Swanson and Leila Usanovic
November 3, 2021

Discussing Directors podcast looks at Wes Anderson films

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
November 1, 2021
Junior Tim Book plays the trombone. The marching band took third place in the PIMBA championships.

Marching band takes 3rd place at championships

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
October 26, 2021
Lana Del Reys new album, Blue Banisters, was released on Friday.

Del Rey finds new sound to tell story of failing relationship

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
October 25, 2021
Falls sports were given the opportunity to sign autographs for fans.

[Photo] Slideshow: Football team falls to Seneca Valley

October 18, 2021

Video: Crowds come out for homecoming carnival, bonfire

Leila Usanovic and Izzy Swanson
October 15, 2021
The series then shows her custody battle with Sean and the struggles that go along with it. Because Sean’s abuse never reached physicality, Alex has trouble coming to terms with calling herself a victim of domestic violence and proving his abusive tendencies in court.

‘Maid’ makes clear the damage of domestic violence

Leila Usanovic, News Editor
October 14, 2021
The Purple Platter sign appears in the South Cafe of the high school.

National food shortages reach district lunch lines

Leila Usanovic and Sam Tobiczyk
September 27, 2021
Temme was told about the attacks during her planning period, so she went to one of the few places that had a cable TV -- the computer lab -- and watched as the events unfolded.

Katie Temme, History Teacher

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
September 10, 2021
Security guard Roderick Wilson greets students as they arrive.

[Photo] SLIDESHOW: First day of school

September 2, 2021

Video story: The Class of 2021 graduates

Ethan Spozarski, Leila Usanovic, Sara Scheeser, Grace Spozarski, and Paul Kercher
June 9, 2021
Senior Juliana Fedorko walking to receive her diploma.

Slideshow: BHS Class of 2021 commencement

Leila Usanovic, Ethan Spozarski, Grace Spozarski, and Sara Scheeser
June 9, 2021

Red Couch Concert Series presents Erik Robbins

Brooke Scanlon and Leila Usanovic
June 7, 2021
Heathers falls under the category of a chick flick, because it is mainly targeted at women.

It’s time to revise thinking about `chick flicks’

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
June 4, 2021
Lena Barakat is the WPIAL champion in the 800 meter race.

Barakat leads the way at track WPIALs

Leila Usanovic and Amanda Booth
May 20, 2021

Discussing Directors podcast considers films made of Stephen King books

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
May 20, 2021
Unvaccinated people in Germany will be able to go to grocery stores and pharmacies, but not non-essential businesses.

District to hold free vaccine clinic for students at high school

Leila Usanovic, Eli Traud, Izzy Swanson, and Grace Hampton
May 6, 2021
Chloé Zhao, (pictured above) won best directing for Nomadland at this years Oscars.

Oscars recognize diverse artists, but broadcast struggles

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
April 26, 2021
Phoebe Bridgers (pictured above) exemplifies the diversity in modern music that the classic didnt have.

Modern artists leave ’80s one-hit wonders in the dust

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
April 22, 2021
Concrete Cowboy creates a new type of cowboy themes not seen in the usual old western films.

Concrete Cowboy puts spotlight on Black cowboy culture

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
April 15, 2021
New Lana Del Rey album elaborates on themes included in prior albums.

Lana Del Rey’s new record focuses on personal growth

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
March 22, 2021
With many milestone nominations, the Oscar nominations this year are filled with the diversity that should have been present long ago.

Oscar nominations recognize diversity, but still stir debate

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
March 16, 2021
School districts throughout the country have wrestled with mask mandates.

Baldwin students and staff take up new hobbies to deal with the Pandemic

Leila Usanovic, Lena Barakat, and Elizabeth Perston
March 11, 2021
The NBA is in its second season of using the play-in tournament and it has started the playoffs off hot this year. 

Girls basketball knocks out Penn-Trafford in playoff game

Leila Usanovic and Jacob Staley
March 4, 2021
Science teacher Jia Fetterolf gets a chair massage as part of the first program organized by the Joy Project at the high school.

Project aims to increase joy among staff

Leila Usanovic and Jacob Staley
March 4, 2021
Although the beginning is slow, Ginny and Georgia is an exciting must-watch.

Netflix series Ginny and Georgia shows an interesting mother daughter relationship

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
March 2, 2021

Discussing Directors podcast debates James Cameron films

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
February 23, 2021
Spring fashion trends will likely be influenced the trends of the early 2000s.

Y2K aesthetic likely to influence spring fashion

Leila Usanovic, Staff Writer
February 9, 2021
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