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
Lena Barakat

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor

Magazine Editor Lena Barakat is a senior and this is her third year on The Purbalite. She likes running with her teammates, cuddling with her cat Harold Finch (aka Henry), eating buffalo chicken dip, and listening to The Kinks or Fleetwood Mac.

Purbalite seniors evaluate their four years of high school at Baldwin.

Senior Farewell: Have an idea for a club? Get to work

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
June 3, 2021
Many scenes in the game are so absorbing and graphically sound that it feels like watching a movie rather than playing a video game. 

Resident Evil makes an emotionally compelling return

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
June 1, 2021

Podcast: Departing seniors offer advice for freshman

Elizabeth Perston and Lena Barakat
May 25, 2021

Podcasts looks into new hobbies to try out over the summer

Lena Barakat and Elizabeth Perston
May 24, 2021
Grouplove's new album highlights the struggles faced by the group, and the world, throughout the past year.

Grouplove’s new album sets pace for future work

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
April 9, 2021

Podcast: Safe options for summer fun in a pandemic

Elizabeth Perston and Lena Barakat
March 31, 2021
Vegan lifestyles actually not only better your body, but the planet as well.

Opinion: Plant-based diets are good for you and the planet

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
March 30, 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
School districts throughout the country have wrestled with mask mandates.

Struggles mark year of pandemic learning

Dominick Ditoro, Lena Barakat, and Elizabeth Perston
March 11, 2021
Baldwin High School gymnastics has a history of competing well at states. Photo via Internet.

Gymnastics team takes 4th at states

Lena Barakat and Madison Miller
March 8, 2021
Dr. Janeen Peretin, Baldwin-Whitehall’s director of information and instructional technology, has been named the administrator of the year by the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference.

State group honors Peretin for tech work

Lena Barakat, Magazine editor
February 22, 2021
Work has begun on the 20201 Baldwin musical, which is Once Upon a Mattress.

Preparations under way for Baldwin musical

Lena Barakat and Elizabeth Perston
February 5, 2021
On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion dollar COVID-19 relief package.

Opinion: Biden moves quickly to undo Trump’s policies

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
January 28, 2021
Lowertown, an Indie duo, created a great listen in their latest EP, 'Honeycomb, Bedbug'.

Lowertown mixes folk, electronica, pop

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
January 28, 2021

Beyond Baldwin podcast interviews Banovic, Kurtesevic about their travels in the Balkans

Lena Barakat, Lindsay Bonetti, and Elizabeth Perston
January 15, 2021
Senior Stevan Winowich looks to bring home a championship during his final inline season.

Winowich, inline hockey team looking for fourth title

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
January 4, 2021
Although the shutdown of high school sports will keep the team from being able to hold practices, players believe there will be little effect on the team's momentum and abilities. 

Matt O’Malley, inline hockey

Lena Barakat, Magazine editor
December 15, 2020
Baldwin's inline hockey team remains undefeated as they won their last game.

Inline hockey stays perfect with a win over Pine-Richland

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
December 7, 2020
While all of Lenker’s albums have been successful in the past, Songs and Instrumentals are most two of her best works.

Indie folk musician Lenker offers 2 new records

Lena Barakat, Magazine Editor
November 6, 2020
English teacher Dan Shaner poses with Holocaust survivor Shulamit Bastacky.

Toy drive aims to recognize Holocaust survivor‘s work

Lena Barakat, Magazine editor
October 27, 2020
The homecoming parade makes its way up to Baldwin High School.

New parade keeps homecoming spirit alive

Elizabeth Perston and Lena Barakat
October 22, 2020
The Baldwin varsity football team defeated Hempfield on Friday.

Football team comes up with big win, but ends up in quarantine again

Lena Barakat, Lindsay Bonetti, Mason Hurley, and Paul Kercher
October 12, 2020
Crowd limits have been eased by the state for both indoor and outdoor sports.

State eases crowd rules for sports, again

Lindsay Bonetti, Lena Barakat, Mason Hurley, and Grace Hampton
October 6, 2020
The Highlander football team, its 14-day quarantine over, played Norwin on Friday and lost, 28-12.

Football team, out of quarantine, prepares for Friday’s Norwin game

Victoria Di Cesare and Lena Barakat
September 29, 2020
The new No Place for Hate group aims to make Baldwin a more welcoming community for everyone.

New group aims to make Baldwin “No Place for Hate”

Lena Barakat and Colton Brain
September 29, 2020
Senior Aidan Greenaway sits socially distant while working on an assignment on the first day of in person school.

[Photo] Students finally return, but to a changed building

Lindsay Bonetti, Maddison Houser, and Colton Brain
September 14, 2020
Perhaps the only positive effect of coronavirus closures has been an improvement in Earth's environment.

Opinion: Environmental gains should be maintained

Lena Barakat, Sports Editor
June 2, 2020
Some artists, including Bon Jovi, have been releasing singles specifically to brighten listeners' lives during these difficult times.

Column: Artists releasing songs aimed at easing corona stress

Lena Barakat, Sports Editor
May 28, 2020
Online learning in the fourth quarter has pass-fail grades and "Flex Fridays," when no new work is assigned.

Online learning changes get mixed reviews

Cassie Snyder, Elizabeth Perston, and Lena Barakat
May 12, 2020
The Smiths are known for their dramatic lyrics, written by Morrissey.

Column: Moping along with the Smiths can provide emotional release

Lena Barakat, Sports Editor
May 11, 2020
Mohammed Barakat, father of Purbalite Sports Editor Lena Barakat, is currently overseas.

Coronavirus, business travel concerns hit home

Lena Barakat, Staff Writer
March 13, 2020

VIDEO: Baldwin Idol brings out the stars

Lena Barakat and Elizabeth Perston
March 12, 2020
Jack Villere brings new meaning into his songs in "Cardboard City."

Zack Villere’s new album shows a darker tone

Lena Barakat, Sports Editor
March 11, 2020

Pasta Too

Lena Barakat, Sports editor
February 13, 2020
The gymnastics team captured first place in the silver division at states this past weekend.

Gymnast got an early start via trampoline

Lena Barakat, Sports Editor
February 10, 2020
The ice hockey team fell to Central Catholic, 6-3.

Ice hockey clinches playoffs after win over Quaker Valley

Grace Esposito and Lena Barakat
February 4, 2020
En Garde, includes various rich, mellow songs, while still achieving a unique level of musical exploration. 

Ethan Gruska’s “En Garde” proves to be unique

Lena Barakat, Sports Editor
January 30, 2020
Today, people drink out of metal straws and buy overpriced hydro flasks in the name of ending global warming, but this is not enough.

The world is ending (and how to fix it)

Lena Barakat, Sports Editor
January 30, 2020
The girls swim team defeated Canon-Mac on Wednesday night, and junior Abigail Herrle qualified for WPIALs.

Swim teams come up short against Elizabeth Forward

Victoria Di Cesare and Lena Barakat
January 8, 2020
A plan to move 7th and 8th grade students to the high school will likely last 3 to 4 years.

Plan to put 7th, 8th graders at high school for several years

Lena Barakat and Elizabeth Perston
December 10, 2019

Beyond Baldwin podcast interviews Kurt Schemm, who has visited 15 countries

Lindsay Bonetti and Lena Barakat
December 4, 2019
Should students return to school full time? Two staff members weigh in.

Plan could put 7th, 8th graders at high school during Paynter work

Elizabeth Perston and Lena Barakat
December 4, 2019
Lena Barakat is the WPIAL champion in the 800 meter race.

Opinion: It’s time to shut down the zoos

Lena Barakat, Sports editor
November 25, 2019
Two staff writers discuss the pros and cons of zoos and the impact they have on captive animals.

Pro/Con Are zoos good or bad?

Jaiman White and Lena Barakat
November 25, 2019
Baldwin football defeated Bethel Park 31-28 in double overtime on Friday.

Football earns big win over Bethel Park in double overtime

Mason Hurley and Lena Barakat
October 15, 2019
Baldwin's big 23-0 win over West Allegheny helps the team in the race for playoffs.

Football team puts themselves in good playoff position with big shutout win

Victoria DiCesare and Lena Barakat
October 7, 2019
Principal Shaun Tomaszewski is forming a student council to get more students involved in clubs.

Council of student leaders aims to boost student engagement

Lena Barakat and Victoria Di Cesare
September 27, 2019
Rylee Boyle was diagnosed with leukemia on March 30. After months of treatments, she was declared cancer-free. Her first day back at school was September 16.

Sophomore returns after leukemia battle

Zach Wyse and Lena Barakat
September 24, 2019
Baldwin's big 23-0 win over West Allegheny helps the team in the race for playoffs.

Football team downs Woodland Hills

Victoria Di Cesare and Lena Barakat
September 23, 2019
Bethel tied the game in the second half at 1-1, but Baldwin never gave up.

Boys soccer loses to Canon-Mac

Lena Barakat and Victoria Di Cesare
September 11, 2019
Brendan O'Malley receives his diploma from school board member Dr. Anthony J. DiCesaro.

Slide show: The Class of 2019 graduates

Alli Schroeder, Grace Hampton, Astrid Senko, and Lena Barakat
June 4, 2019
The `Beyond Baldwin' podcast features discussions with students and staff who are world travelers.

`Beyond Baldwin’ podcast interviews BHS world travelers

Lena Barakat and Elizabeth Perston
May 10, 2019
Principal Shaun Tomaszewski is forming a student council to get more students involved in clubs.

Incoming principal ready to make an impact at Baldwin

Paige Crawley, Lindsay Bonetti, and Lena Barakat
May 9, 2019
The team has seven seniors. Their leadership and experience has helped the team through tough road section games. 

Boys volleyball wins over Peters Township

Lindsay Bonetti and Lena Barakat
May 8, 2019
Zucker and Cutler have said they hope this EP can give fans a sense of relatability with messages expressed in their songs, especially because it is infused with the artists’ personal experiences.

New EP reflects on close relationships

Lena Barakat, Staff Writer
May 6, 2019
In other words, an entire region of the world should not be judged based on what news channels and social media choose to show their audience. The only way to see what the world is truly like is to explore it, because stereotypes are often false.

Stereotypes of Middle East aren’t true

Lena Barakat, Staff Writer
April 8, 2019
The girls tennis team plays in the fall sports season.

Boys tennis suffers tough loss

Elizabeth Perston and Lena Barakat
April 2, 2019
Senior Ryan Butler plays for Baldwin's varsity boys baseball team.

Baseball hopes to rebound this year

Lindsay Bonetti and Lena Barakat
March 18, 2019
Senior Megan Bonenberger won the Baldwin Idol charity event this year.

VIDEO STORY: Students sing for a cause at Baldwin Idol

Lena Barakat and Alli Schroeder
February 15, 2019
Baldwin teacher Beth Fochtman encourages kindness in honor of her son, Logan.

Fochtman filmed for blood bank commercial

Lena Barakat, Victoria Di Cesare, and Grace Esposito
March 6, 2019
Senior Megan Bonenberger won Baldwin Idol and therefore, the donations collected went to Center for Hearing and Deaf Services.

Megan Bonenberger takes all in Baldwin Idol

Lena Barakat and Alli Schroeder
February 15, 2019
Vampire Weekend at Lollapalooza music festival photographed by Koury Angelo in Chicago, IL, USA on 04 August, 2018 for Rolling Stone.

Vampire Weekend returns with Father of the Bride

Lena Barakat, Staff Writer
February 6, 2019
Senior Megan Bonenberger won Baldwin Idol and therefore, the donations collected went to Center for Hearing and Deaf Services.

Baldwin Idol set to return Friday

Lena Barakat and Alli Schroeder
February 5, 2019
Ice hockey's winning streak comes to an end

Ice hockey’s winning streak comes to an end

Alli Schroeder and Lena Barakat
January 29, 2019
Staff writers name their best and worst songs of the decade.

PODCAST: Best, worst songs of the decade so far

Lindsay Bonetti, Lena Barakat, Elizabeth Perston, and Tori DiCesare
January 16, 2019
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