Blue and Gold Today October, 2013 by Findlay High School

blue&gold blueandgoldtoday.org

BIG PICTURE

Friday, October 25, 2013 Volume 91, Issue 2 1200 Broad Ave., Findlay, OH 45840

Science teacher shares lifechanging story

page 5

NEWS

Homecoming festivities

Dress a

Girl program

Students and staff members helped sew dresses for little girls in need. The goal for the number of dresses completed was 1,500.

Although it rained through the majority of Homecoming night, students came out and showed their spirit during the football game and the coronation. page 8

FEATURE

seniors Bailey Duvall and Sybil Anast

WEATHER TODAY Partly cloudy High: 48 Low: 29

TOMORROW Chance of rain High: 53 Low: 34

SPORTS Top five sports traditions

page 4

page 7

SUNDAY Partly cloudy High: 52 Low: 35 INDEX Editorial...............2 Entertainment....3 News/Feature.....4

Feature................5 Feature................6 Sports..................7 Big Picture.........8

take a

quick look hats off

Quiz bowl wins Congratulations to the Quiz Bowl team for winning the WTLW Channel 44 Whiz Quiz tournament. The group defeated Continental, Wapakoneta, Crestview and Bluffton to claim the title.

things that make you look smart today

1. The first jack o’lantern was made from a turnip. 2. The average American will spend $66.28 on Halloween. The total in 2010 was $5.8 billion. 3. More American presidents were born in October than any other month. 4. Every day, car crashes end more teen lives than cancer, breast cancer, homicide and suicide combined. 5. Starbucks has sold 200 million pumpkin spice latte drinks in the past decade.

sources: facts.randomhistory.com, neatorama.com, teendriving.aaa.com, ten-facts. com, todayifoundout.com

news around the country

Teen vies for Nobel Prize After being shot by a Taliban official, 16-year-old activist Malala Yousafzai was considered as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize for speaking in favor of allowing girls to pursue an education in Pakistan. She tells her story in her biography I Am Malala.

Problems in House cause issues with PARCC exams n By Kaitlin Coward

Since House Bill 193 has not yet passed in the state, the class of 2017 will have to take both the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) and the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness of College and Careers (PARCC) Assessments. The switch to PARCC Assessments was supposed to be made in order to replace the OGT with college and career preparatory tests. “The OGT is still going to be given next year, but it was not supposed to be the following year,” Director of Secondary Education Rich Steiner said. “A bill has to be passed so the graduation requirements can be changed.” “Hearings are beginning to take place in order to avoid the issue of students having to take both the OGT and the new PARCC Assessments, which consists of up to ten end-ofcourse exams.” Since new graduation requirements have not been set in stone, this year’s freshman class will have to take both sets of examinations next year. “As the rules stand today, schools must begin giving students in grades 3-8 and in high school the Next Generation Assessments during the next school year (2014-2015),” Dr. Richard Ross, Ohio State Superintendent of Public Instruction. said. “In addition to the Next Generation Assessments, next year’s 10th-graders (the Class of 2017) now must also take the OGT’s. “Students will need the graduation tests to meet legislative graduation requirements.” Reasons for the delay are mainly governmental. “Necessary changes in legislation and related timing issues have prevented the Ohio Department of Education from establishing how the Next Generation Assessments will affect future graduation requirements,” Ross said. “A Graduation Requirements Committee of the State Board of Education is working to develop the new graduation rules. “However, legislation is needed to make the rules effective for the Class of 2018. Until we know if or how legislation will change, the department will not be able to tell schools which assessments will be used for graduation requirements for the Class of 2018 and beyond.” Taking both tests concerns administrators because it takes away days of teaching time. “The OGT would still determine whether a student graduates or not,” Steiner said. “Our concern is that there are going to be so many days spent in testing rather than instruction time for students.” Part of the current problem comes from issues with Common Core itself. “There is a bill pending about trying to stop funding for implementation of the new Common Core standards in Ohio,”

photo by Catalina Petrescu

Steiner said. “It really puts a wrench in the plan.” With the new standards, the school has changed many things so students will be prepared for the new test. “We’ve spent a lot of time and resources preparing for the switch to Common Core,” Steiner said. “We have even changed our courses of study and the curriculum especially in History courses. “We bought a lot of new books and materials so we can be geared towards these tests to give students their best chance for success.” While the wait could have negative effects, state educators believe that it should not impact any curriculum changes as much as originally expected. “This year’s OGTs will align to both the current standards and Ohio’s New Learning Standards,” Ross said. “Next year, both the Ohio Graduation Tests and Next Generation Assessments will align to Ohio’s New Learning Standards. “Without changes to current law, we will be left with a cumbersome and inefficient assessment system for graduation.” One of these changes includes changing the freshmen

course of study to a Western Civilization course instead of a United States History class. “We’re trying to align everything to the new standards with the new curriculum including the world studies course,” History teacher Mark Dickman said. “Now we don’t know which courses will be offered because we may have to put the new changes on hold. “It will effect how students sign up for courses in the December because they will likely have to sign up for two different History classes until we find out if the bill passes or not.” Some students believe that not passing a bill could have negative effects. “The end of course exams in addition to the OGT would be redundant,” senior Eliana Neufeld-Basinger said. “If I had to take both I would be annoyed because that much standardized testing for students is not helpful. “Plus, it would be harder or unfair to those who are struggling, and some people already are really stressed about the OGT, so having to take an even harder test on top of that would make them feel really bad.”

Fall play combines effects, comedy

Starr on teen search

n By Jordan Amann

Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr is searching for the teens he took a picture of on The Beatles first American tour nearly 50 years ago.

blast from the past

Windows anniversary Windows XP first became available 12 years ago today.

FOCUS

Freshman Kelly Coleman works on a practice Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). Coleman and the rest of the 2017 class will have to take both the OGT and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness of College and Careers (PARCC) Assessments.

ACT OUT

Senior Makenna Fox (Elvira) threatens junior Emma Penrose (Ruth) with a chair in a rehearsal of Blithe Spirit. The fall play runs Nov. 15-17. photo by Jayden Egler

Findlay High School’s Drama department will be performing Blithe Spirit, a comedic play written by Noel Coward and first performed in 1941. The play incorporates wide variety of things including effects and a saracastic sense of humor. “I am looking forward to seeing how the special effects add to the show,” director Debbie Benson said. “The play is really perplexing.” The plot of Blithe Spirit incorporates a lot of fun characters as well. “My character is wild, crazy, weird and I’m kind of weird so it works,” senior Sybil Anast (Madame Arcati) said. “There are lots of cool accents, too.” One of the benefits of being involved in a show is the comradery between the cast. “You get to develop a closer connection with everyone involved in the group,” junior Devan Kline (Charles) said.

“You also get to make friends with people that you normally wouldn’t hang out with” Edith After working together for weeks, -Emily Nesbitt the cast is eagerly anticipating the outRuth come of their performance. -Emma Penrose “The audience can look forward Charles -Devan Kline to a good sense of humor to go along with real life situations,” junior Emma Dr. Bradman -Chase Wagner Penrose (Ruth) said “You know, except Mrs. Bradman for the ghosts.” -Michaela Long Performances are November 15Madame Arcati 17, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., -Sybil Anast and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the R.L. Elvira Heminger Auditorium. -Makenna Fox Tickets will be available at the door, and they are $5.00 for students and adults and are free for senior citizens.

CAST

blue & gold

friday, october 25, 2013

EDITORIAL

OUR VIEW

Staff policy

OUR VIEW

Holdup in House causes huge testing issues

Blue & Gold is a monthly student publication for the students of Findlay High School. Blue & Gold is a public forum which is funded by advertising.

Making the switch from the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness of College and Careers (PARCC) is getting increasingly difficult with issues arising in the House that show much larger problems. Currently, the graduation requirements still use the OGT, but they are supposed to make the switch to the PARCC Assessments next school year (2014-2015), allowing everyone to prepare sooner rather than later. If this change is not made soon, the current freshman class will face the daunting task of successfully taking both the OGT and PARCC Assessments, which would mean a full week for the OGT as usual, and then extra time for the maximum of ten end-of-course assessments. This poses a problem not only to these poor students, but also to all of the teaching and administrative staff who worked hard to begin preparing us for the new, more challenging Common Core standards. While it may not be an issue so much for us, because the new curriculum is more challenging, it still cuts out days worth of learning time if students have to be cooped up in a room in order to take a test that may not even have any influence on their graduation. If we are going to go through with Common Core standards that are supposed to be more difficult in order to improve the quality of education in America, then this is an issue that needs to be worked out as soon as possible. In fact, these issues should have been figured out before schools were informed of the need to alter curriculum, so this problem would have never occurred in the first place. Part of the setback lies in the government officials themselves, as some are protesting changing to Common Core, with understandable concerns. While there are pros and cons to both the old requirements and the proposed new ones, not coming to a consensus will only hurt everyone in the long run, similar to that of the recent

As an open forum for students, letters to the editor are welcomed by the staff, but we request that they be 300 words or less due to lack of space. All letters must be signed. Blue & Gold staff reserves the right to edit letters without changing the meaning. Letters may be dropped in room 286.

Letters to the editor

Staff editorials All editorials without a byline reflect at least two/ thirds opinion of the Blue & Gold staff but are not necessarily the opinion of the administration.

About us government shutdown. These new standards are supposed to better educate students, but they do not explain what we scpecifically need to know in order to graduate. How can we do that when we aren’t sure what we’re supposed to be learning in order to graduate? An even bigger issue is the ongoing question of why our current education system is still so focused on standardized testing when such a large number of people oppose it? If this issue causes so much chaos, it just

goes to show how geared all of our schools are towards standardized testing. Our whole curriculum, and most other schools, as well, has been changed purely to prepare us for these assessments. This basically means not only are we required to take these exams, but now we have to spend all year being taught to the test rather than learning for the pure sake of learning. We need to focus more on teaching real-life applications and skills important for college and the workplace, which is the goal of Common

Core. How will one group of tests determine how prepared you are for college or even life? The answer is, it isn’t nor should it. Like everything in education lately, these standards have good intentions, but teachers and even administrators realize that tests implemented by government officials are not the answer. These debates in the Ohio House just show all of the issues in our national education system that currently have a bandaid on them but not a long-term solution.

By Kaitlin Coward

As an athlete, every year you look forward to the Homecoming festivities, especially the pregame parade to Donnell Stadium. This moment is even more special for each year’s senior class as it is our last Homecoming and for some, the last big team event. The tradition of the past few years has been rain and more rain, diminishing the turnout of little kids hungry for candy. Unfortunately, this year when it rained, it poured, and our last parade was canceled be-

cause Main Cross and Front Street were soaked with huge puddles of water. Needless to say, I was disappointed since I was not able to walk in my final parade or to treasure a moment I may have taken for granted one too many times before. The rain, like it often does in Findlay in the past 10 years, dampened our plans, though much less seriously than the devastating floods. So, rather than pass out all the candy during the walk, many teams gathered and ate a large portion of it, especially since some people had

just headed out hours before the parade to stock up on sweets. After overindulging on Reese’s and Twix, everyone headed to the coronation , which was less than ideal, with people crowding into Donnell’s cafetorium in order to find out who we had selected as our King and Queen. Not only was the parade canceled, but the game was soaking wet and almost unenjoyable as I sat there with my tennis pullover nearly glued to my skin. Plus, over half of the student section left the

game at half time, before we even began staging our small comeback. Maybe if more fans were there cheering on the team, we could have pulled off the come-from-behind win. Overall, the night was far from perfect, but maybe because it was the last one, it was great in its own way.

Now it’s like a prison you cannot escape. The changes Findlay High School has made exhausts the students. We go to school from 7:25 to almost 2:30, and we go to practice for our sports right after, not allowing us to get home until like 6:30 or 7 at night. Why not let us have a 45 minute break to enjoy time with our friends and actually relax during the day? Maybe students won’t have such a negative attitude during school if they can have personal time to get a sense of peace, instead of being bombarded with work for seven hours. The past years classes have had no problem with handling an open lunch, it is something that has taken place at Findlay High School since my mom went to school here. Why now? Why us? New administration and new rules such as

these are not only going to push the students away, but the staff as well. We’re almost all adults, we can handle driving across the street to get a cheeseburger. LET US LIVE. junior Nick Kiffmeyer

It is also harder for teachers to hold detentions because some teachers can only hold detentions during eighth period and some kids have an eighth period class which is an obvious problem. With our nine period schedule, we could also take an additional class. Therefore, you could get more experience in a variety of fields. Another major problem is our school lunches, which are extremely unhealthy and do not taste good whatsoever. Our school would really benefit from a catering system from decently healthy fast food restaurants such as Subway and Jimmy Johns. I do give the school credit for catering Domino’s pizza, which is still unhealthy but at least it tastes good. junior Shane Hessling

Colton Hutchison Photo editor Catalina Petrescu Entertainment Editor

MY VIEW

kate’s

corner

to the

Dear editor, It is normal for school districts to make slight changes from year to year, but what Findlay High School has done is just going overboard. As if the class periods don’t drag on as it is, let’s make them longer. Or even better, let’s not allow our students to enjoy their lunch at the restaurants on Trenton. Sure, we have the “privilege” to walk there, but who can make it to get food, eat and back in a half an hour? Maybe if you’re a gold medalist sprinter. Open lunch last year was the one opportunity students had to relax and enjoy time with their friends outside of school.

School problems need fixed Dear editor, There are many great things about this school, but there are a couple things that need to be changed. Our new schedule is quite stressful. My Honors Pre-Calculus class is periods 5a and 5c. It is split by my lunch, which is very stressful, especially when it comes to tests and you have to get refocused right after lunch.

LETTERS What is your favorite thing about fall and why?

to the

YOUR VIEW

sophomore

“IAvrey loveRoberts wearing cozy sweatshirts. Fall also brings a beautiful change in the colors of the leaves. Plus, we also have a long break for Thanksgiving, especially since we get a week off this year.” study hall aide Kim Blake

“It’s the perfect temperature outside, and I love it when the leaves change colors.”

sophomore Kylie Smith

senior Heather Bolmer

“I always look forward to senior dress up day and what costumes everyone wears along with all of the Halloween celebrations.” senior Mitch Milum

EDITOR

“The trees are always beautiful at this time of year, and it smells nice. Plus, when Halloween rolls around, we get a lot of candy.”

“I love the leaves because of the colors, and I can play in them with my puppy.”

“I love it when the leaves change colors because the trees always get so pretty.”

sophomore Jesika Henley

Kaitlin Coward Editor-in-chief

Tess Marshall Emily Schaefer Feature co-editors

LETTERS EDITOR

Changes are excessive

The staff

Adam Beaty Sports editor

Seniors miss out on traditional homecoming parade n

Blue & Gold is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, Quill & Scroll and the Ohio Scholastic Media Association.

junior Chase Hoerig

Jayden Egler Logan Harris Tess Marshall Photographers TJ Stennett Business Editor Jordan Amann Meghan Betscher Jayden Egler Cheyenne Garnes Colton Hamilton Noah Keppers Meghan Kirton Abbi Leathem Aaron Long Emma Penrose Tim Pollele Clarissa Rader Santo Rossilli Kate Wilson Reporters Maddie Nuhfer Artist Andy Cantrell Adviser

blue & gold

friday, october 25, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

The Hit List

From music to movies, we tell you the good, the bad and the ugly MUSIC

Lorde shines in Pure Heroine n By Meghan Betscher

Album: Pure Heroine Artist: Lorde Sound: Artsy pop/ Indie Last Release: The Love Club EP Why buy it: Pure Heroine gives you the sound you would expect from Lana Del Rey. The album shares Rey’s doomful lyrics and beauty queen style. Her cool and melodic voice is supported by electronic beats which gives the album an edge. The beat throbs beautifully with her voice. The lyrics are meaningful and have depth beyond Lorde’s young age of 16. The songs tell a bittersweet truth and avoid pop culture’s cliché and repetitive lyrics. Lorde’s music is chilling and critics are expecting more great things from her. Download This: Tennis Court Grade: A

Prism is energetic, fresh n By Catalina Petrescu

Title: Prism Artist: Katy Perry Sound: Pop Last Release: Teenage Dream Why buy it: Unlike Perry’s chart rivals Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga, her album is playful and energetic without any hints of self-deprecation or elaborate weirdness. Prism succeeds in keeping a balance of soft and hard tones throughout each track. Most songs are catchy, and there is a retro Madonna-like feel. Overall Perry’s album exhudes happiness with songs like Double Rainbow and International Smile. Download this: Dark Horse Grade: A-

Bangerz mirrors Miley’s VMA performance n By Catalina Petrescu

Title: Bangerz Artist: Miley Cyrus Sound: Pop Last Release: Can’t be Tamed Why skip it: Bangerz is the horrible climax of Miley Cyrus’s public downhill spiral. This album is boring and immature. With prerealeased tracks like We Can’t Stop, you would think the album would be energetic and fresh when in reality the tracks are easily forgettable and have no artistic quality. The collection of songs is completely random. Cyrus takes a page out of Taylor Swift’s agenda and tries to vent about her rocky relationship with ex Liam Hemsworth. Some songs she tries to be “tough and rapper” while others she still sounds as young as she did on the first episode of Hannah Montana. Bangerz is poorly sung, poorly written and poorly produced. Don’t add it to your Pandora stations any time soon. She really did come in like a wrecking ball. Grade: D-

TV American Horror Story: Coven lacks previous season bravado n By Cheyenne Garnes

Title: American Horror Story: Coven Staring: Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Angela Basset Plot: The season picks up with another new story line, this one following witchcraft through both modern and historic aspects. Why see it: This season does not have the same feel as previous ones however, it is early enough to still be redeemed. The writers decided to create a more comical feel, but that does not really seem like an all around good idea. When reading the title American Horror Story you look for a horror story, not a comedy. Some of the writing simply displays a corniness that the first two seasons did not have. There are a few intense scenes, but it is really nothing compared to last season’s morbid and disturbing storyline of mental health and religious reform. The only thing that is really great in this season that the others had is the show’s ability to take touchy and controversial subjects, such as racism and sexual assault, and bring a controversial focus to them that forces them into discussion. Grade: D

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Thor: the Dark World

Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleson, and Natalie Portman return in the second installment of the Asgardian tale. Thor: the Dark World is expected to be as full of action as Hemsworth’s biceps. Because Thor is one of our favorite superheroes, this sequel better be good.

ARTPOP by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s ARTPOP hits American stores November 11. With the early release Applause stirring the water and rivals Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry just releasing albums, the pressure is on for Gaga to deliver.

Ender’s Game The worldwide bestselling novel Ender’s Game is coming to theaters early next month. For those who have not read the novel, this sci-fi thriller involves Ender Wiggin, a brilliant young mind recruited to lead a space fleet against an alien force which decides the future of Earth.

The Book Thief

Frozen

Disney’s Frozen premieres this Thanksgiving. Princess Anna journeys to find her sister Elsa who has magically trappd the kingdom in an eternal winter.

5 horror films to freak you out this fall

Refresh your memory about the Holocaust themed novel The Book Thief as the national bestseller is retold in theaters November 8.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is anxiously anticipiated worldwide.The film will debut November 22 allowing plenty of time to watch it again and again over break. Watch out for the large crowds at the theaters; you should go earlier so the odds are in your favor.

Recharged by Linkin Park

Rock band Linkin Park is releasing a remix album this Tuesday. Recharged will be a dance album with DJs Steve Aoki, M. Shinoda and Dirtyphonics putting a new sound to their rock beat.

The Exorcist (1973)

Friday the 13th (1980)

Halloween (1978)

The Omen (1976)

Sinister (2012)

imdb.com, www.filmofilia.com, huffingtonpost.com, righteousfilm.com, www.filmequals.com, movieinsider.com, jaciburton.com, wunderground.com, musicboxtheatre.com, imjustsaying.info, comingsoon.net

The Originals is dramatic, promising

MOVIES

n By Kaitlin Coward

n By Cheyenne Garnes

Title: The Originals Starring: Daniel Gillies, Joseph Morgan and Claire Holt Plot: In the new spinoff of The Vampire Diaries based on the original Mikaelson family of vampires, Klaus (Morgan) moves down to New Orleans after he is warned of a threat against his power. After a clash with his former apprentice Marcel (Davis), Klaus’s older brother Elijah (Gillies) arrives to try and set things right. In the midst of all the madness, Klaus discovers that his former werewolf lover Hayley is somehow pregnant with his child. Why see it: The Originals shares all the drama and suspense of The Vampire Diaries but without all of the Elena drama. Between the dapper Elijah and the manipulative Klaus, there is never a dry moment. In the first episode alone The Originals includes tension, betrayal and even death. While slowly uncovering details about the Original family’s disjointed past, mysterious new characters are added to keep up suspense. With little sister Rebekah (Holt) making a dramatic entrance, the show is only bound to get more intriguing. Grade: B+

Carrie keeps original theme Title: Carrie Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore Plot: The remake of the 1976 movie, and based off of acclaimed horror writer Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie follows the life of Carrie White (Moretz), a girl known as the freak outcast of not only her high school, but her hometown, and of course, everyone makes sure she never forgets it. The only thing possibly more horrifying than the torment her peers concoct is the way her mother, Margret (Moore), belittles and mentally tortures her daughter in the self-proclaimed name of God. However, Carrie is able to get even via the telekinetic skills she learns to regulate for her defense. Why see it: As a person who usually hates remakes, this one was an exception. The movie stayed true to both the novel and the original film. The acting was brilliant; Moretz was the best possible choice for a lead due to her believable and flawless acting. The big difference was the addition of technology in bullying to translate it into modern day. Ultimately, Carrie still has its message about why bullying is bad and how great it is to see the good guy win for once, even if it is pretty twisted. Grade: A

dlo25, g &2013 eul friday, october

blue & gold

NEWS/FEATURE

COMING SOON

Challenge Day supports acceptance n By Kate Wilson

Health students will participate in Challenge Day Nov. 5 -8. Challenge Day deals with improving selfesteem and awareness of others, as well as trying to support acceptence. “You talk about things that have affected your life in a negative way,” junior Maddy Heiman said. “You also talk about how important it is to not keep your emotions bottled up inside. “Challenge Day is a good thing for everyone to experience.”

FFE will perform at Ada n By Colton Hutchison

Findlay First Edition (FFE) is getting ready to attend the 36th Annual Ada “Music Feast” Show Choir Invitational Competition on Saturday, November 9. “It’s good to do a competition in the fall,” director Kevin Manley said. “We are limited in the weeks we can go to competitions in January through March. This helps give us another competition that is close by.” FFE will be joined by other top groups such as Twinsburgh, Piqua and Van Buren.

HELPING HAND

Senior Anna Schumm helps a volunteer sew a dress. Community members, teachers and students all gathered on Saturday, Oct. 19 to help make dresses for underpriveleged children. photo by Jayden Egler

Students help with dress a girl program n By Jayden Egler

For the past five years, every fall the school has hosted the Dress a Girl event where the community comes together again to make dresses. The event has grown each year. Although the event is becoming more widespread, many people still don’t know what it is about. “Dress a Girl is an organization that gives dresses to girls in poor countries,” head adviser Laurie Collert said. “It was originally the vision of a lady that went on a mission trip to Haiti and saw that there were many children who didn’t even have one dress.” The year Findlay High School started Dress a Girl, the group made about 200 dresses. Last year they reached 1,256. This time they are hoping for a total of 1,500, which isn’t too lofty of a goal considering the team behind all of it.

Students from the fashion class direct most of the dress-making. Outside of the school itself, many eager people who hear about the event come and help out. The experience is especially unique because everyone from expert seamstresses to beginners can come and participate, because the process is simple and fun plus the service impacts 38 different countries including China, Haiti, and Uganda. “Imagine that every little girl has one dress. Imagine if you made one of them,” Collert said. “The slogan that inspires so many to contribute to this cause really instills the overall message. “Everyone should make sure the people around them have the bare necessities that tend to be taken for granted because no matter how unbelievable it is, some people are forced to live without them. That shouldn’t be our reality, and we can’t let it continue.”

TOTALS Dress a Girl has created dresses for five years, with the number made steadily increasing:

2008 (First year) -200 dresses

2012

-1,256 dresses

2013

Orchestra presents annual pops concert n By Aaron Long

Orchestra will perform music inspired by exotic locales all over the world in their annual Pops Concert, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the R.L. Heminger Auditorium. “My favorites are Mexicano and Italian Folk Festival because they are fun to play and have recognizable tunes,” orchestra president Georgia Snelling said. “We have some work to do but things are looking good. “Great Gate of Kiev is one of our hardest pieces but it will sound really cool when we’re done working on it.” Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students. They can be purchased at the door or from any orchestra student.

-goal of 1,500 dresses

HEADS UP

Senior violinist selected for Art walk showcases all-national orchestra n By Adam Beaty

TUNE UP

Senior Alex Harada practices a piece on his violin. Harada was recently chosen to perform in the All-National Honor Orchestra in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 30 photo by Jayden Egler

Senior Alex Harada will perform in the AllNational Honor Orchestra. After years of experience, Harada auditioned for this orchestra. “I’ve been playing for over 10 years,” Harada said. “When I was younger, my cousin sent me a violin, and my parents encouraged me to try it out since I had it.” The All-National Honor Orchestra holds auditions every year for high school students in grades 10 through 12. “My family found the audition and I ended up trying out,” Harada said. “I knew the experience would be similar to All-State Orchestra but at a higher level. “It’s very stressful, they have you play the

Get all your Halloween needs only at Walmart

2500 Tiffin Ave, Findlay Findlay, Ohio

sophomore Kiyomi Tachibana

same piece over and over, until they are finished.” Harada is the first student at Findlay High School to be in the All-National Honor Orchestra. “I’ve been at Findlay for 21 years, and he is the first orchestra student to achieve a spot on a national honors orchestra,” orchestra director Ken Pressel said. “He has also qualified for state orchestra all four years of his high school career.” Despite Harada’s achievements, he does not plan on becoming a professional violinist. “If I did more training and changed my mind set a long time ago, I could have been a violinist,” Harada said. “I plan on going into international law though, I find different cultures interesting since I grew up in America.” Their performance will be held at the Gaylord Oprylord Resort in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 30.

new works, artists n By Cheyenne Garnes

Findlay’s annual Fall Art Walk will be Friday, Nov. 1. There are many new and exciting things expected from the participating artists. “We started an art collaboration project. Local artists brought me unfinished pieces of work that they were not going to complete.” director Erin Poling said. “I then distributed them to local kids to add to and then returned them to the artist to complete. They will be displayed at different galleries. “The Findlay Art League will also have their annual Juried Show.”

blue & gold

friday, october 25, 2013

FEATURE

Internal Bleeding

Severe whiplash and seatbelt burns

Infected Fluid

Collapsed Lung

Bowel obstruction

Lacerated Liver

Hothead_university_11_2013.pdf

Career Change

10/15/13

3:47 PM

Teacher Rebecca Wolfe got interested in science after she had a head on collision with a semi truck. The repercussions involved multiple surgeries, rehabilitation and several months of bedrest.

photo by Catalina Petrescu

Wolfe experiences near fatal car crash, inspires career >!)>523$'""()!?0@!A

n By Tess Marshall

No matter your passion or interests, you have moments that change your life. Whether it happens in an instant, or over a lifetime, changes transpire every day that shape us into the people who we are meant to be. An example of this is science teacher Rebecca Wolfe, who was in a near fatal car accident at a young age that has helped her become the person she is today. “I had a head on collision with a semi-truck,” Wolfe said. “My car slipped on black ice. It happened in 1999, when I was in high school. It made a pretty huge impact on my life.” Wolfe was in need of multiple operations after the near fatal car crash. “I had 12 different surgeries,” she said. “Two of which took out a majority of my abdominal cavity.” Since most of Wolfe’s injuries involved internal bleeding, the severity of the crash was not initially obvious. “When it first happened I tried to get out of the car,” she said. “There was no external bleeding, and I didn’t realize how serious my injuries were. “I lost several pints of blood before I even made it to the hospital.” One of the most serious parts of Wolfe’s injuries involved her liver, which was injured in the crash. “My liver was bleeding and lacerated,” she said. “I always thought the liver was a really cool organ because it has the capability to regenerate.” After the crash, Wolfe and her family were told that there was a large chance that she would not survive past the first operation. “I always knew I would make a full recovery,” she said. “However, hothead_newspaperad_9_2013_bw.pdf 1 9/17/13 10:14 AM

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before the first surgery the doctors told my parents to kiss me because I may never see them again.” The crash not only affected Wolfe’s health, but changed her relationships with her peers. “The accident really scared my family and friends,” she said. “Some of them thought that I could potentially die. “It changed some of my relationships with my friends when I went back to school. Some of my friends treated me very differently, and the accident had made me a lot more mature.” Wolfe’s series of surgeries involved a great deal of rehabilitation. “After my surgeries I had to completely learn how to walk again,” Wolfe said. The surgeries and recovery put Wolfe out of school for several months. One activity that Wolfe did to pass time was read her Biology textbook. “One of the people that really inspired me to get into science was my high school biology teacher,” she said. “I missed three months of school while I was on bed rest. “He sent me my Biology book and said that if I wanted to read it I could, but most importantly I should get well.” Despite the accident’s effects, it helped sparked her interest in science. “The human body is really amazing,” Wolfe said. “It is so intriguing how it can be taken apart and put back together, and how it can heal from such a large amount of damage.” Wolfe was fascinated with science and wanted to help people in the way !

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that they had helped her after her accident. “I wanted to save lives like the woman who saved my life in surgery after the accident,” she said. Wolfe first went to college with a Pre-med and a Biology major with a Chemistry minor, but rethought her future career when her circumstances were changed. “I was originally told after the accident that I couldn’t have children, so I wanted to be a surgeon,” Wolfe said. “It was okay with me to live with the demands of being on call. “However, I found out that I could have children and I decided to rethink my career.” Wolfe’s decision to become a science teacher fulfilled her interest in the field, while still sustaining the kind of life she wanted. “As you grow and change, you have to do what fits your personality, but also something where you can meet your goals and aspirations in life,” Wolfe said. “I want to inspire a younger generation to go be in a science or medical field. The accident had a huge impact on Wolfe, and still influences the way she perceives her everyday life. “Some people get really negative when dealing with their lives, but I really try to appreciate every day.” Wolfe said. “Looking back, I try not to take a single day for granted because I can now see just how easily life can be lost. “The trauma from the whole experience made me who I am today.”

friday, october 2013 dl25, og & eul friday, february 22, 2013

blue & gold

FEATURE FEATURE

Fall Favorites It’s that time of year again! Here are some ideas of how to make the most out of the autumn season.

Apple orchards

Stop by one of the many apple orchards in Ohio to handpick a batch of your own apples.

Scenic walk

Take time to appreciate the changing colors and falling leaves on a walk in the park.

Corn mazes

Maneuver your way through Suter’s famous corn maze.

Sweater weather

As the the temperature drops, bundle up with layers and sweaters.

Pumkin Spice Latte Pick up Starbuck’s famous “Pumkin Spice Latte”.

Halloweekends

Get a group of friends together for a fun night of tricks and treats at Cedar Point.

Bake a pie

Pumpkin carving

Fill your house with the warm scents of autumn by baking a homemade pie.

Round up the family and decorate a pumpkin or carve a jack-o-lantern.

Football games

Attend a high school or college football game with your family and friends.

Read a classic book

Curl up by the fire with a warm drink and a good book.

Rocky Horror Picture Show actor shares memories n By Cheyenne Garnes

Horrorhound is a festival dedicated to horror in every aspect. From movies to artists to books and so much more. While attending the convention in Indianapolis this past September, I had the opportunity to do an interview with Barry Bostwick, better known as Brad Majors from the 1975 cult movie musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Where did you get your start in acting? High school. I did a production of Our Town. It was the beginning of a so far 50 year career, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. What do you think of the influence that The Rocky Horror Picture Show had on pop culture? Rocky Horror was just one of the things that came out of the mid 70’s, it was just a reflection of what was going on at the time. I don’t think we really changed culture, I think we just did a pretty good reflection. What it

has really done is bring a whole community of kids together over the years who have found their own culture. There’s a band of brothers and sisters who are worldwide. I hear stories of people who say it saved their lives because they were exploring their sexuality and had no place to act it out or see other people like that, they were explorers in their own way. A lot of the kids who wanted to act used the shadow cast of Rocky Horror. They could just act and be in front of people. It’s an honor. What do you think of the now teenage generation that the movie has gone onto? It’s wonderful. It shows the impact. It explores those ideas of any teenager who has a lot of questions and angst about being teenager, you know? I just get nervous when five-year-olds tell me they’ve seen it. What was your favorite role you ever played? Brad Majors. He was such a goofy guy, and because the movie has had

such a history, it’s 40th anniversary being this year. And I keep meeting people like yourself who are still influenced by it. It’s something that keeps giving back to me. What was your favorite number in Rocky Horror? The Floor Show. There was so much involved, I got to dance in five inch heels... on a slippery stage! I also got to dress up in a bustier. References that are big with the movie, in things like The Perks of Being a Wallflower and other significant coming of age movies or books, what do you think of that influence? It makes me happy to see it. It’s just, great. Or even things like the episode of Glee where they did a lot of the music, and I got to do a cameo. It’s great.

Seniors pick Halloween attire n By Emily Schaefer

sSeniors dress up as Legos in 2011/ photo by Emily Wolfe

There is only one day of the year where seniors can dress as bananas without being judged. Every year, seniors dress up in crazy costumes on Halloween. History teacher David Barkey believes it is a good tradition for students. “Dressing up started before my time, and I have been teaching since the fall of 1998,” Barkey said. “The seniors have a lot of fun with dressing up. “It’s something special for students to look forward to for their senior year especially when many of the senior activities like driving at lunch aren’t options.” With this tradition, there are always a variety of group outfits. In the past, students have dressed up in costumes such as Angry Birds, the Scooby Doo

gang, bananas and loofas. “I remember that the first group costume I saw was Pacman,” Barkey said. “From that point costumes became much more group oriented like they are now.” Senior Natasha Snelling’s favorite group costume is the football team dressing up as bananas in 2011. “I loved the banana stampede,” Snelling said. “It was really funny and I laughed every time they ran through the halls with the gorilla chasing them.” Snelling is enthusiastic about the different options available. “I haven’t figured out exactly what I’m going to dress up as yet,” Snelling said. “I’m really excited to see what everyone else is wearing and what the group costumes will be this year.”

s Seniors dress up as Elmo and Big Bird in 2011/ photo by Abby Arnet

friday, october 25, 2013

blue & gold

SPORTS

1 “When we leave the locker room on a home soccer game, everyone touches the Trojan sign on the way out. Before each one we get in a circle and scream our chant.”

senior Stephanie Koch

Top fall sports traditions

“At the start of soccer tournament season, the coaches decide on a theme for the team. The theme this year is the three Musketeers, because their motto was ‘all for one and one for all’ so we recieved a Musketeers bar to eat and think about what it meant to us.”

4 “Before the start of each race we all run out and do the hokey pokey together and then kneel down for a special team prayer. Also, we have a special secret run at the end of conditioning to get new runners excited about cross country.”

junior Lindsey Broerman

“For football, we have a team prayer right before every game, also the seniors have a team dinner every Thursday after practice.”

“After golf sectionals we always go to Miles Pizza in Bowling Green and if we break 300 as a team we get steak dinner on coach.” junior Spencer Shoemaker

senior Nate Leo

senior Eric Beard

Post season winds down for the fall season Football

Girls Cross Country n By Adam Beaty

n By Adam Beaty

Post Season Standing: “We have two very good runners while the rest are mostly underclassmen,” coach Mark Gleason. “We are still rebuilding and going through growing pains.” Conference Update: “It was very different this year because it was at a location that we haven’t been to in about nine years,” junior Lindsey Broerman said. “Fremont had a beautiful course, and everyone enjoyed the new scenery instead of courses that we have run multiple times.” Best Meet: “Definitely the St. Francis meet, it’s early on so everyone runs their best and gets their best times,” Broerman said. “It’s a real confidence booster and encourages us to improve for the season ahead.” Outlook for Next Season: “Next season will be a fantastic year for the team,” Broerman said. “Although we will be losing some seniors, we have a great group of incoming freshmen that will complete our team.”

Season Standing: “We aren’t pleased with our record, but we have been in it to the very end for all of our losses,” senior Nick Kairys said. “Turnovers and not being able to get stops at the end of games has hurt us.” Final TRAC Record: 2-6 Conference Update: “This year especially, the playing field seems to be very level between all the teams,” Kairys “It has not changed that much though because this league is very tough and competitive with gifted athletes on each team.” Best Game: “Our best game has been against Oregon Clay,” senior Eric Beard said. “We got off a slow start, but we rebounded and worked our way back into the game to win it.” Outlook for Next Season: “There have been a lot of guys this year getting varsity experience, so that will work in their favor,” Kairys said. “They understand the offensive and defensive formations that we run and have a feel of varsity game speed. Basically, experience.”

Girls Soccer

Senior Olivia Bair prevents the opposing team from scoring assisted by junior Elizabeth Alexander. The Trojans lost 0-2.

Post Season Standing: “It’s gone really well, we have been trying new strategies and plays as we go,” senior Stephanie Koch said. “The way we are playing helps us compete on the same level as other teams.” Final TRAC Record: 6-1 Conference Update: “The TRAC possesses a number of private girls’ schools which are a challenge to play,” coach David LaRocco said. “Those schools are not tied to a particular geographic area when enrolling students so it’s conceivable that Notre Dame or St. Ursula would get the most talented athletes. Best Game: “We have had a number of nice wins this season,” LaRocco said. “We came from behind twice at Anthony Wayne to tie the game and then took the lead with under six minutes to play.” Outlook for Next Season: “I am not thinking about next season yet, we have worked really hard this fall to put ourselves into a quality position to compete for a district championship and that is the only goal right now,” LaRocco said.

photo by Tess Marshall

Boys Soccer

Boys Cross Country n By Adam Beaty

Post Season Standing: “It was about what we expected, we placed fifth out of eight,” coach Mark Gleason said. “We are still young and rebuilding but our top three runners are all sophomores.” Conference Update: “We lost some runners last year so it’s been better, senior Josh Orr said. “It’s still competitive especially against Fremont.” Best Meet: “Our best meet was at Chet Sullwood because it’s a fast and easy course,” Orr said. “There was nice weather out that day so our times were a lot better than if our feet were wet and weighing us down.” Outlook for Next Season: “We are running with some underclassmen this year so hopefully after a year of experience it’ll be better,” Gleason said. “Our top three runners are all sophomores so that’ll help.”

Girls Tennis n By Catalina Petrescu

Post season standing: “We finished 8-11 at the end of the season,” coach Sean Swisher said. “In the postseason almost everyone won a match but only juniors Erin Bosse and Emma Miller moved on to districts where they were defeated in the first round.” Final TRAC record: 2-5 Conference update: “We finished sixth in the TRAC,” Swisher said. “We changed from the GBC to the TRAC three years ago. It is much more competitive now.” Best Meet: “The best match we had this year was a 5-0 win against Celina who finished near the top of the WBL,” Swisher said. Outlook for Next Season: “Next season looks solid with all of the lineup returning. We should make a push to the top tier of the TRAC conference,” Swisher said.

Boys Golf n By Adam Beaty

Post Season Standing: “I’d say that the season went really well, we weren’t expected to go as far as we did with such a young team,” junior Logan Bern said. “It was disappointing to get as far as we did and not get the results that we hoped for.” Conference Update: “It has gotten more competitive between the teams,” junior Spencer Shoemaker said. “St. John’s is getting very strong with underclassmen and the other teams have been losing seniors, but we have the work ethic that gives us the edge mentally.” Outlook for Next Season: “We are losing a couple of seniors and I believe it’s going to be a rebuilding year,” Shoemaker said. “We might lose our two man Trevor St. Jean which would hurt a little but I think we will be fine if we put in the hard work over the summer.”

n By Adam Beaty

Post Season Standing: “I’m really happy with how the season has gone,” coach Bill Geaman said. “We went in not knowing where we would be, but when you end up with over ten wins you know you have done well.” Final TRAC Record: 5-1-1 Conference Update: “It really has not changed, usually Findlay, St. Francis and St John’s are all valid contenders for the TRAC title,” senior Nate Leo said. “It just turns out that way, they have the experience and desire.” Best Game: “Our two best games were Sylvania Southview and Toledo Whitmer because everyone showed up to play,” Geaman said. “Those are our benchmark games and they are always our more competitive games.” Outlook for Next Season: “I see a lot of potential with next year’s team and the returning three year letterman juniors Brandon Gault, Mason Hill, Kyle Burns and Jimmy Stachiak,” Leo said. “Maybe a next year freshman could get a position that hasn’t been held since the legendary Mark Laux.

Junior Brandon Muehl looks for an open reciever to pass to. Sylvania Southview came back with a score of 20-17. photo by Tess Marshall

n By Adam Beaty

CLOSE CALL

UNDER PRESSURE

UP IN THE AIR

Senior Matt Armand tries to win a 50-50 ball in the air against the opposing Northview player. The Trojans ultimately lost with a score of 1-2 which was their onl lose in the TRAC.

photo by Catalina Petrescu

Girls Golf n By Cheyenne Garnes

Post Season Standing: “Suzanne Short went to districts,” junior Becca Zoll said. “She placed third, but they only take the top two. She’s really good though, she could have got them.” Conference Update: “This year was more of a learning year,” Zoll said. It was really more about learning than competition. As for the other schools, some of them were really good and others were worse than us.” Outlook for Next Season: “The outlook for next season is good,” coach Michael Colyer said, “Everyone is returning, and with the experience, we expect to do well.”

Volleyball n By Meghan Betscher

Post Season Standing: “All season we were considered the underdogs but we never let that define us. We had higher expectations for ourselves and went out each game wanting to win. We lost a couple of games this season but we ranked fourth in the league,” senior Anna Schumm said. Final TRAC Record: 6-4 Best Game: “Our best game was probably our last game. Even though we lost, the girls played very hard and left everything on the court,” coach Bob Moran said. Conference Update: “One of our strongest points was we never gave up. Even when we were down 8 or 9 points we managed to push through and come back,” Schumm said. “Since most of us had never played together our communication was also an area we struggled with. But when we communicated the game ran smoothly and was a lot more fun to play.” Outlook for Next Season: “We will have a few more kids back then this year with varsity experience,” Moran said.

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Homecoming 2013

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friday, october 2013 dl25, o & eulb fri day, Ocobter 7,g 2011