The Chronicle, 10.7

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April 19, 2013 | The Chronicle | thecspn.com | Vol. 10, Issue 7 Proudly serving the William Mason High School Community

photo by Corynne Hogan

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It gives people a way to be mean to people they don’t like.

Brianne Brenneman, (Page 16-17)

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APRIL 19, 2013

News

Trending Now View these and other stories and galleries at

thecspn.com

C Mock Crash

Be prepared for an emotional morning on April 26. See thecspn.com for a preview of MHS’ mock crash.

C Girls’ varsity lacrosse

Check thecspn.com for last night’s coverage of the Comets’ game versus Sycamore.

C West Side Story

MHS Drama club’s production of West Side Story runs this weekend. Read a preview on thecspn.com.

C Sue’s Smile

The Sue Livingston Memorial Foundation is giving out a scholarship in honor of language arts teacher Lori Roth’s mother. Check out thecspn. com for information.

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C McCarty-Stewart admits large student population iggest best

creates challenges in meeting needs of students Corinne Hazen | Staff Writer

It is hard to shine at Mason High School. That’s how senior Annmarie Lake feels.

“So many people are good at things,” Lake said.

“With track our varsity is really good and our JV is still better than some schools’ varsity. So other people get the varsity opportunity that I could have at other schools, but since I’m at Mason I don’t get those opportunities.”

Mason High School was recently named the biggest public high school in Ohio, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. Even with the size of MHS, students continue to flourish academically.

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, Mason as a district is considered top 10 in academic ratings.

While some high school students like Lake would prefer a smaller community, others enjoy the masses.

Senior Alex Meyer will be attending The Ohio State University, a school with a total enrollment of 56,867, this coming fall. She said she is excited for both the large social and academic opportunities that will be available to her.

“I like the chance to meet new people in every single class,” Meyer said. “I’ve never had a class in all four years where I knew every single person.

Even as a senior I don’t know everyone. I like that, so I’m really excited to go to Ohio State and have the same thing happen.”

According to Meyer, while there is competitiveness in Mason’s halls but there is also an over-

whelming amount of opportunities to be involved in.

“You are bound to find your niche and you are bound to be good at something that someone else isn’t,” Meyer said. “There are so many avenues you can go through. Just because there is a surplus of people doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved.”

Along with Meyer, Senior Jimmy Kinderdine will be headed to The Ohio State University this coming fall. During his time here at Mason High School he has been involved in student government and this year was granted the title Senior Class Treasurer. Kinderdine said learning to speak in front of large groups of his peers was not always an easy task.

“I didn’t really start getting comfortable with [speaking in front of people] until this year,” Kinderdine said. “I always used to think of what I would say before I would say it. And then I would get up there I would try to say exactly what I thought. I would spend so much time thinking about what I was saying that I would choke.”

According to Kinderdine, attending such a big high school and being able to be in front of big crowds often has really prepared him for life after high school.

“There are so many people and I think once I stopped worrying about that it really helped,” Kinderdine said.

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C Deaf Comedian Event

The American Sign Language club is hosting an event at 7:00 tonight at the Mason Middle School Auditorium. See thecspn.com for pictures and videos.

ENROLLMENT

graphics by Gabrielle Stichweh

compiled by Ashley Calvani and Sheila Raghavendran

stats from Kings Attendance Secretary Viki Prince, Sycamore Secretary Eldine Anello, Lebanon Secretary Alice Scott, Lakota West Attendance Secretary Kristin Henley, masoncomets.org 2012 Statistics

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APRIL 19, 2013 Story

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MHS Principal Mindy McCarty-Stewart has the daunting task of controlling a school of approximately 3,300 young adults. She said being able to personally forge a connection with every single student in Mason High School daily, is nearly impossible.

“I think probably one of my concerns that is just always on my mind no matter what I’m dealing with is that there are so many students-- you know 3,300 some students-- and so making sure that every student can be individually connected in some way here is important,” McCarty-Stewart said. “I think that is probably the only frustration I have in this job. However I’m reassured by the staff we have. I’ve got to count on [the teachers] in the classrooms making those connections.”

McCarty-Stewart said that through things like student activities, clubs and sports, her hope is that each student can find a way or an outlet to be involved in and thrive in. McCarty-Stewart said decision making is a huge part of running such a successful building. Events that may seem simple to students have been planned carefully by the staff of MHS. “Every little nuance of how we operate, even from our scheduling meetings, every detail is thoroughly thought out,” McCartyStewart said. “We want to make sure that every parent and every student is getting access to a person who can help them answer their questions.”

McCarty-Stewart said the staff also conducts follow up meetings after events such as the scheduling process to check that things went well and the parents and students needs were met.

“That one student makes all the difference in the world,” said McCarty-Stewart.

In order to personally reach each student, every year MHS staff are sent over to Mason Middle School, according to McCartyStewart. The MHS teacher’s goals are to begin interacting with future students as soon as possible. “[What makes Mason successful] is very detailed planning from every angle,” McCarty-Stewart said. “We are never going to plan something that says ‘Ok if we can exclude them we can do this’.”

McCarty-Stewart said that after moving from a smaller community to Mason, she sees a big difference within the schools and says that the student-to-teacher interactions are what she misses most.

“I still get to see those interactions,” McCarty-Stewart said.

“When I walk into a classroom or I’m at an event I see the interactions that those students have with their advisor, coach, or teacher and so I know we are in good hands.”

Senior Sree Brahmamdam is also involved in a leadership position at MHS. Being Student Body President requires her to spend a lot of her time in front of teachers, administrators and students.

Attending such a large school with many places for involvement has given Brahmamdam a good attitude about getting involved.

“It’s not even the title I have that has prepared me [for college], it’s all the work I’ve done and the amount of people I’ve meet and gotten to know,” Brahmamdam said. “I’m going to a college with like 11,000 kids and I really want to be involved. Being apart of so many clubs [at MHS] and stuff like that has made me feel like I should get involved in more things [in college] and speak to more people. It’s so much fun to meet new people.”

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Mason v. National Averages

stats from masoncomets.org “2012 Statistics,” graphics by Gabrielle Stichweh

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APRIL 19, 2013

F C Younger generations concerned with staying in shape inding balance

Fit versus Active

Ria Shah | Staff Writer

With iPhones and PlayStations at their fingertips, younger students are losing the health benefits the simple outdoors can provide, according to Mason Middle School Physical Education teacher, Ellen Humphrey.

“Going outside and playing with your friends,” Humphrey said. “And being able to just be a kid and have fun—nothing to worry about, I think [the kids] are missing that.”

Physical capability is a standard in Mason more than ever, Humphrey said.

“We say that kids just don’t go outside and play anymore, the way that I did when I was growing up,” Humphrey said. “I think that instead of going out and playing in your yard…it’s a [mentality] of the parents, especially here in Mason, that ‘I need to be attending to my daughter’s fitness or my son’s fitness so let’s get her in this gym.”

Abby Ziegler, a seventh grader at MMS, said although fitness is a large portion of her life, staying true to her own enjoyment is just as imperative.

“I usually watch what I’m doing and what I’m eating,” Ziegler said. “But I don’t usually count [calories]. It’s pretty important to me to be [fit].

I’d say [I value more] being active and having fun because I want to enjoy myself while I’m doing active things.”

Mason Middle School 7th grader, Trey Gatch, is making fitness a personal priority during his “tween” years. “[Staying fit] is really important to me,” said Gatch. “Because I’m trying to stay in shape, to try not to get obese or anything like that—[It’s mainly] self-motivation.”

Mason families altogether are stressing fitness, and as for Ziegler’s family, they strive for physical aptitude in order to combat poor health.

“My family has been trying to go [to the gym] more and more each week,” Ziegler said. “Our family’s gone through medical things through our extended family, so my parents have been stressing on being fit more just recently.”

Humphrey said although the fitness awareness is definitely there, younger students should stay simply self-motivated and not forced.

“I’d hope that [the kids] are going [to the gym] because they want to be fit,” Humphrey said. “I’d hate to think that a kid can’t stay home and play outside and they [feel pressured] to go to the gym so that they can be fit.”

Humphrey said that their gym curriculum strives to encompass the importance of being healthy even with all the rough patches a child in middle school could face.

“I think that up until [seventh and eighth grade], [kids] are learning to be active by watching their parents be active,” Humphrey said. “But at this age, things start changing a little bit for them and they can pick and choose what they’re eating and…what they’re going to do and not do.

We really believe that they need to learn what it is to be physically fit, so that they can start working toward that lifetime of fitness.”

Gatch said that going to the gym can be the result of slower days in school gym class.

“Sometimes I feel like I need to go to the gym,” Gatch said. “…[Gym class] can’t take care of everything.”

Abby Ziegler, 13

Favorite Sport: Basketball Free time: “I go outside and shoot hoops or dribble the soccer ball around.”

Eating Habits: “Counting calories, sometimes and sometimes I don’t. Lunch, I just watch what I eat, and dinner I don’t count much.”

Lilly Richardson, 12

Continued on page 5

Favorite Sport: Lacrosse Free time: “I love riding my bike or running to stay healthy, and I feel like that’s a good thing.”

Eating Habits: “Our family eats a lot of fruits and vegetables.” photo by Ria Shah

Mason Middle School gym classes work on team sports and ways to stay active with their peers.

APRIL 19, 2013

Fit v. Active Andrew Kemppainen, 13

Favorite Sport: Baseball Free time: “When it’s hot out I play with my friends like backyard football and basketball and stuff like that.”

Eating Habits: “I don’t really watch what I eat, I just eat whatever… anything.”

Trey Gatch, 13

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FIT VERSUS ACTIVE: Students try to find balance in staying fit Continued from page 4 Fitness centers such as Lifetime Fitness provide another training outlet for twelve and thirteen year olds, according to seventh grader Andrew Kemppainen.

“Sometimes I go with my sister,” Kemppainen said. “Like if my sister is home or my dad’s home they’ll usually take me to Lifetime [Fitness] to play basketball—sometimes [I’ll lift weights].”

MMS seventh grader Lily Richardson has even developed a strategy in hopes to maintain her basketball skills for season, one that includes going to the gym.

“To get on the school [basketball] team...I’m trying to go out for fifteen or thirty minutes each day and just shoot around,” Richardson said. “I go to the gym probably one or two times a week...I’ll just run a mile on the treadmill or something. Right now it’s just more about the endurance. Maybe later I can lift weights and stuff.”

What you’re putting in your body is critical to the students’ health and fitness, according to Humphrey.

“That is part of what we teach,” Humphrey said. “In terms of making the right choices when you’re eating because let’s face it, fitness is maybe thirty percent fitness and activity and seventy percent what you eat.”

Gatch said the typical junk most young students eat is not the norm for him.

“I’ll be more conscious about [what I eat] on gymnastics days,” said Gatch, “When we have really hard work outs. Sometimes I’ll see how

many calories I’ve been eating.”

The food kids are eating these days is not the only thing changing--keeping up with more modern ways to stay in shape has shifted some gym class routines, according to Humphrey.

“We’ve changed it a little bit,” Humphrey said.

“Just in terms of we try to stay with the trends, what’s popular out there. Now we’ve added Zumba to our curriculum, and we’ve done Taibo for a while. But there’s also trends in terms of we’ve added jump rope into the eighth grade because we saw that kids really weren’t jumping rope anymore.”

The younger population’s appeal to places such as Lifetime Fitness is a fashion turned craze, according to Humphrey.

“What I did notice in their activity guides [personal assessment tools] is that a lot of [the kids] are going to the gym,” Humphrey said. “I was thinking more in terms of [the fact that] I know that fitness centers and gyms are a huge trend right now for adults, and everyone in the country wants to be fit and in shape, which is great.”

An unhealthy pressure to be fit could be the result of not enjoying gym class, which is exactly what Humphrey tries to avoid, according to Humphrey.

“My philosophy as a physical education teacher is that when the kids come down here for P.E. I want them to enjoy themselves,” Humphrey said. “I know that if they don’t, then there’s a good chance that they will never be active again.”

Favorite Sport: Gymnastics and Track Free time: “I like to go for runs and I like to ride my bike sometimes.”

Why do you go to the gym: “It’s fun just to burn off steam.”

photo by Ria Shah

Ellen Humphrey’s Mason Middle School physical education classes play badminton during their gym class period.

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statistics from April 9 blood drive

Blood: 97 pints

Katherine Hansen | Staff Writer

On April 9 seniors Kylie Yancey and Lauren Huff led the final blood drive of the school year. According to Huff, a blood drive season can get stressful very quickly, and it’s hard to think of doing Don another drive after the first one. ator s: 11 “It’s hard doing it three times a year because one stressful season 1 will be over and then it’s ‘Oh, I have to do two more of these’,” Huff Donors: 111 : 22 Drinks provided said.

Bloo As one of the Nation Honor Society coordinators of the event, d: 9 Time: 395 minutes 0 7 pTi ime:Huff - 1:5 7 many responsibilities to tend to in order to ensure the nts :15has blood drive is a success.

P! Live PO D nacks provided: 9 “I’ll get everything together for the sign-up tables, I’ll get the s sa rinSk v Blood: 97 pints Lives saved: 291 e S P d sDonators: volunteers, I’ll put: up around the school, I’ll get the tables prov 111 CHI 29signs 1 the gym reserved, and I’ll talk to the janiided reserved at lunch, I’ll get : 22 tors M having enough tables for the day of,” Huff said.

17 Blood: 97 pints M about Pro volunteers: M M M On top of all that, getting enough people to sign up can be a struggle in organizing the blood drives. But according to Huff, it’s ultimately a selfless motivation that pushes students to donate.

“I think it’s really the opportunity to save lives,” Huff said. “I Blood: Drinks 97 pintsprovided: Blood: 97 pints Lives22 saved: 291 Lives saved: 291fun for anyone necessarily. It’s just not really a don’t think it’s really Donators: 111 7 2 s: er te Pro Student volunfun activity to do. I think it’s just the fact that they could be saving volu three lives.” ntee rs: 1 is just a small Time: 7:15- 1:50 For Huff personally, donating blood Donators: 111 way to make a 7 Snacks provided: 9CHIPS Tim bigger impact. e: 7V: omiters: 2 15- “It doesn’t affect my life directly, but I think wouldn’t I want Fainters: 5 CHIPS 1:50 to care that much if I were [in need of a blood donasomeone Pro volunteers: 17 tion],” Huff said. “It’s just doing something small to affect a great MLivesMsaved: M M 291M M number of people.”

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APRIL 19, 2013

CNEOMED

Mason students take accelerated path to medical school Meghan Harris | Staff Writer

You can now become a doctor, faster.

NEOMED (Northeast Ohio Medical University) is an accelerated program in which students complete their bachelor’s degree of science (BS) and medical degree (MD) in six years instead of eight.

Students in the NEOMED program will complete their bachelor’s degree in two years, and then move on to their four years at the NEOMED medical school to get their medical degree.

According to senior Alyssa Carvalho the admission process includes three undergraduate universities and the NEOMED program.

“When seniors apply to the program, their application gets sent to three undergraduate universities-- University of Akron, Kent State University, Youngstown State University, and the medical school,” Carvalho said. “You get offered interviews at the universities and at the medical school, whether that be at only one of them or all three. If you get offered an interview at least one of the undergraduate universities, you will definitely be offered an interview at the medical school. You then tell them your first choice of undergraduate campus, and they'll tell you in a couple of months whether or not you've been accepted.”

After a student is accepted into the NEOMED program, classes soon follow.

According to senior Shakib Islam, yearround classes allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree in the two-year period.

“In order for this to work, however, BS/MD students have to take summer classes,” Islam said. “In other words, I get no summer break, my classes start June 10th.”

With an accelerated program comes accelerated courses as well. Islam said the increased workload will be hard to adapt to.

“Adjusting to an accelerated curriculum is going to be tough,” Islam said.

“I know that I'll be taking more credit hours per semester than most normal students and I'll be starting medical school at the age of 20, which is pretty surprising and daunting at the same

time.”

Despite the intensity of the program, Carvalho said attending NEOMED would be a practical choice for her future.

“I became interested because I knew for sure that I wanted to become a doctor, and this was the perfect way of achieving that goal,” Carvalho said. “I would be able to finish medical school two years earlier, which means I'd be able to not only save two years of paying college tuition, but make a very long process a little shorter, and I can start actually practicing medicine two years earlier.”

As part of the NEOMED program, students are guaranteed a spot in medical school. According to Carvalho the promised spot alleviates this stress of boosting their resumes.

“By going to NEOMED, there's a lot less pressure and stress on me, and while I will still definitely volunteer, participate in extracurricular activities, I won't be doing them just because they'll look good on a medical school application, I'll be doing it because I have a passion for it and because I want to do it,” Carvalho said.

According to Carvalho, the tight-knit group of NEOMED students drew her in to the program.

“I will be put into a much smaller program in an otherwise large school,” Carvalho said. “There are around 35 kids at each undergraduate campus, and you become really close with all of them and they become like your family. While this small school atmosphere isn't for everybody, I think that this is one of the things that made me really want to go to the program.”

Although challenging, senior Sam George, who is considering the program, said the experience will be worthwhile.

“I personally believe that NEOMED provides me with an experience where I'm so much more responsible for myself,” George said. “It almost seems like I have to grow up faster than the average college student, but I feel like I would like that challenge, and the advisors are

photo by Meghan Harris

Alyssa Carvalho studies AP Bio as part of her track to NEOMED.

About NEOMED: NEOMED is a program offered at select colleges in Ohio allowing its students to expedite their medical school experience

6 2 4 3

year program years of undergraduate school years of medical school schools offering the program

information according to Alyssa Carvalho

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APRIL 19, 2013

Opinion Chronicle Policy

C Editorial Cartoon

The Chronicle is the official student newspaper of William Mason High School.

The Chronicle promises to report the truth and adhere to the journalistic code of ethics through online and print mediums.

The Chronicle is produced by students enrolled in Journalism I, II and III. Editorials reflect the staff ’s opinion but do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the school administration or the Mason City School District.

The Chronicle is published monthly. Call 398-5025 ext. 33106 for information regarding advertising in The Chronicle. The Chronicle reserves the right to refuse advertising we deem inappropriate for a high school publication.

As an open forum for students, letters to the editor are welcome, but are subject to be edited for length, libel, obscenity, clarity and poor taste.

Letters to the editor may be dropped off in room C106 and must be signed.

The Chronicle is a member of The Columbia Scholastic Press Association, The National Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists and the Ohio Scholastic Media Association.

Contact Information The Chronicle William Mason High School 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Mason, Ohio 45040 (513) 398-5025 The Chronicle Staff Editor-in-Chief Rebekah Barnes Associate Editor Chloe Knue Layout and Design Editor Erica Boden Online Editor Ashley Calvani Sports Editor Katelyn Cain Business Manager Samantha Weaver Editorial Cartoonist Ajay Agrawal Staff Writers Erin Brush Emily Culberson Emily Faas Katherine Hansen Meghan Harris Corinne Hazen Katie Hibner Corynne Hogan Nicole Huser Sheila Raghavendran Katie Rojas Ria Shah Taylor Telford Adviser Dale Conner

C Staff Editorial Gyms are filled with more people. Grocery store shelves are lined with nutritious alternatives. Health, it would seem, is becoming a more prominent mindset.

Yet when much of that increase is thanks to an increasingly younger audience, there remains a concern that we’re not becoming as healthy as we’d think.

Middle school aged kids, and sometimes even younger than that, are under quiet but fervent pressure to get fit. And get fit just as their full-grown superiors do. That means trips to the gym, rather than trips to the park. That means going for a run, rather than playing tag.

This goal to get fit has overshadowed the purer intention of simply being active for many--not just children. More frequently, getting fit connotes the need to look healthy: toned, fresh, strong and vibrant. And all from a consistent workout regiment.

It’s health for the sake of appearances. While undeniably a good and natural motive to get people to take ownership of their personal health, we’d like to know why health for the sake of health can’t make a greater impression. The kind of impression that instills true concern for our bodies. The kind of impression that allows kids to be kids, and without assistance from the local fitness center.

C Letters

to the

Editor

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the article, “Stuck Inside the Bubble”. Mason as a city isn’t the utopian town seen by Kastens, where everyone is blissfully ignorant of the outside world. Now, there are a good handful of people who are well beyond the clouds and would be wholly unprepared for any solo journey to an inner city area. But the other side of that coin is that there are plenty of students and families that understand fully that there is a much bigger, more dangerous world beyond Mason. In the reality of it all Mason is more like a fog: plenty of people get caught in it and will walk off a cliff because they accepted the blindness. Others will see through it and live with the knowledge of where to plant their feet.

Jacob Proffitt, sophomore Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the article, “Obama’s Use of Executive Orders Questioned in Political Circles.” In my opinion, Obama’s use of executive orders to address the issues of guns, drones and cybersecurity is simply a political statement. All aspects examined, these executive orders do not have actual political power in terms of putting laws into place that will change anything in these issues. Rather, this power of passing laws to actually change the course of our nations history in these key aspects falls tot he legistlative branch. Evne though most political discussion among average Americans is in regards to the President and his actions, it is really Congress that has the real power. [...] Whether you are criticizing President Obama for supporting a requirement of gun purchase background checks or you’re praising him for addressing the cybersecutiy issue, you should really be directing your voice to Congress. Like past presidents, Obama has only issued executive orders to present his own position and to spur others into action.

So if you have strong opinions about some of these issues, write a letter to your senator, or your representative. Ask for change from people who have the power to implement it.

Mohamed Elzarka, junior

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APRIL 19, 2013

Opinion C Columns

Normalcy is relative

From a black lab’s perspective Rebekah Barnes | Editor-in-Chief

Erica Boden | Layout and Design Editor

According to Webster, normal is defined as “the usual, average, or typical state or condition.”

A lot of things in my life are what I’d describe as “normal”. It’s normal for me to go to school each day, go for a run, and hang out with my family. It’s normal for me to brush my teeth after breakfast, and to brush my hair after a shower.

As I was driving through an urban part of Alabama the other day though, I was extremely out of my element. I was a little nervous, a whole lot curious, and exposed to things I hadn’t seen before; however, for the people living there, this was their norm.

Here I am, perched on the edge of my seat, sweaty palms and open eyes, searching for a garden or street sign like I would in Mason, yet everyone else around me was extremely calm. Everyone else was simply going about their daily activities – walking down the street, getting groceries – unfazed by homeless man approaching them or the missing windows in houses.

Who knows, that might be their home? That might be their normal.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Depending on how and where you were raised, you have different expectations and thoughts for an average day. Different thoughts for what the average high school student does, or what the typical future is for an individual.

What you think is good or bad, might be the polar opposite for someone else.

No, I did not define normal to insult your intelligence, or because I think you need a dictionary lesson. Anyone is completely capable of coming up with a definition for the word normal.

I told you what normal was, because for a simplistic, standarddefinition word, everyone has their own versions.

“Everyone is important in their own way. As long as you find your niche where people see you as some[one,] the size of Mason doesn’t matter.”

Peter Mintz, senior “It is possible to stand out because we are in a public school [without uniforms.] We can express ourselves through our clothes.”

Hannah Mizener, junior

My dog lives within a fabricated 20 square-foot barrier that he’s created in his mind.

Sounds crazy, no?

Well, as a puppy, in order to save my mother pounds of black Labrador dog hair to sweep from every inch of our home, she decided to put baby gates to make our kitchen and living room our little home for Comet. But throughout his years in the Barnes family, every month, the barrier got smaller and smaller. One month, he wouldn’t go near the fridge. Then, he wouldn’t go past the counters.

Now, he moves from the comfort of the living room carpet, to the rug under our table to the small rug by our sink.

He’s stuck in a world of his own creation, fearing anything that will make a click of his nails on the wood floor.

But maybe there’s not much of a difference between us and Comet?

Maybe in our world as confused misfits thrown together in the bouts of youth, we too are slowly barricading ourselves into the cage of our self-deprecation. I remember as an underclassman, I wouldn’t talk to certain people because I was scared about how I would come off to those surrounding me. I would slowly try to make some sort of contact, and the minute I felt uncomfortable, I stopped.

Comet will never see the rest of my house, unless in the case of a disaster where I must pick him up and carry him. He will never know how the world looks past the hard wood.

You’ll never know the kid’s name who sits next to you in Spanish, unless you ask. You’ll consistently be confused in Stats, until you raise your hand and ask a question. We will continue to be locked up in ourselves, unable to reached outside our comfort zones and start living.

There’s a moment before Comet takes the leap from rug to rug. A slight moment, filled with hesitation and fear. You can see it in his eyes, unwilling and unknowing of what the two feet of hardwood will entail.

But after one last bit of encouragement and he reaches the edges of carpeted comfort on his feet, the joy on his face suppresses any previous emotion.

C What You Think As MHS continues to grow, do you think individuals can stand out? compiled by Katie Hibner

“It’s hard [to stand out] because there are so many different people. You might think you’re standing out, but there’s always someone else out there who has the same ideas as you.”

“There are a lot of chances for people to stand out by getting involved. If you do courageous things, [you] stand

Cameron Hayner, freshman

Jon Werst, senior

“It’s difficult to stand out, but you can’t let [the size of Mason] overwhelm you.”

Sophie Dowrey, junior

“It’s harder for [students] to leave their footprint. Sports and [academics] are going to become extremely competitive.”

Jamila Sylvester, sophomore

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APRIL 19, 2013

MHS

Superintendent visits MHS to bridge gap between administration and students Katie Hibner | Staff Writer

Budget cuts. A health insurance quarrel. A transition to semesters. Such pressures fall on Superintendent Gail Kist-Kline’s shoulders, and according to her, the Mason City School district’s large size makes those problems even tougher to tackle.

“The hardest part [of my job at Mason] is connecting with people because there are so many,” Kist-Kline said.

On March 20 Kist-Kline took walkthroughs in Mason High School with Principal Mindy McCarty-Stewart. According to Kist-Kline, the walkthroughs were an attempt to bridge the gap between the administration and the classroom.

“Sometimes people in an [administrative] position like mine get separated from the focus on teaching and learning,” Kist-Kline said. “Understanding what’s going on in the classroom [was] our focus [during the walkthroughs.]”

According to Mason Education Association Vice-President and teacher Maria Mueller, Kist-Kline’s direct student interaction will aid administrative choices.

“There’s a greater emphasis on gathering data [with Kist-Kline as superintendent,]” Mueller said. “The fact that she was interested in spending her whole day here in an experiential and not evaluative sense has a positive impact on decision-making in the district.”

During the walkthroughs Kist-Kline visited students of Mueller’s government class, who presented a mock presidential debate. KistKline said her visits were also intended to expose innovative learning and decide how to foster it.

“A focus [in the walkthroughs was] on innovative practices,” Kist-Kline said. “Students were sharing projects they had done on constructing a presidential debate, so that’s very real-world. We also saw students problemsolving in CAD class.”

According to Principal Mindy McCartyStewart, Kist-Kline’s walkthroughs on March 20 were longer and more intensive than prior ones due to the goal of identifying innovation. “[Kist-Kline and I] usually randomly go into classrooms for about five minutes, but we really wanted to focus on innovation,

which requires more time,” McCarty-Stewart said. “We also popped into unplanned [classrooms.]”

Another opportunity Kist-Kline took advantage of to get acquainted with the Mason district was announcing the snow day. “[Carson and I] made a conscious decision to [allow me to announce the snow day] because I make the hard decision [to close school] and Tracey [Carson] gets all the credit,” Kist-Kline said. “That phone call was a way to get introduced to people because I’m new.”

Mueller said that although Kist-Kline also reached out to teachers on the walkthroughs, tension between the teachers and administration will persist.

“I don’t think the visits will [help teacheradministration relations] because they are separate from students [whom Kist-Kline toured with,]” Mueller said.

According to Statistics teacher Stephen Mays, Kist-Kline’s arrival was an adjustment.

“Sometimes you have to live and learn,” Mays said. “Whenever you have someone new come in and make changes, there are going to be some growing pains.”

Some of those growing pains include downsizing the district’s finances. Despite potential speculation, Mueller said the walkthrough agenda did not include gathering information for decisions on budget cuts.

“There isn’t any relationship between walkthroughs and [budget cuts],” Mueller said. “[Kist-Kline] trusts building administrators to make decisions on what should go and what should stay.”

Kist-Kline may be able to trust building administrators, but Mays said he was anxious during her visit to his classroom.

“You get anxious when your boss comes visiting,” Mays said. “I wouldn’t mind getting to know [Kist-Kline] better, [even though she] is a little bit more visible than the previous superintendent.”

Despite all the adjustments, Kist-Kline said the district staff eases her transition process with their great devotion and consideration. “[Mason City Schools] are welcoming,” photo by Katie Hibner Kist-Kline said. “I didn’t feel challenged Superintendent Gail Kist-Kline visits Daniel Distel’s contemporary transitioning. The staff [are] just caring, dedi- social issues class. cated people.”

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reaking down barriers

YoungLife club provides connection for students with special needs Sheila Raghavendran | Staff Writer

Students with special needs experience excitment and magic at their local youth group, according to Mason Young Life leader Katy Scherer.

Scherer said that Young Life is a world-wide Christian outreach organization that is comprised of different branches. Capernaum, Scherer said, is a branch of Young Life designed specifically for students with special needs.

It’s common for students with special needs to be looked down upon, according to Scherer, and, the goal is to make them feel welcome.

“The purpose of Capernaum is to show what we believe Christ’s love would look like to students at high school who typically don’t receive that love,” Scherer said. “...It’s really common in our culture to ignore or look down upon people with [any type of] disabilities.”

Young Life members partner themselves with students with special needs at Capernaum, according to senior Kylie Yancey. She said that the first club was on March 16 and she was in attendance as a highschool buddy.

“It’s just a cool way for…kids with disabilities to hang out with [other kids],” Yancey said.

Intervention Specialist Dave Bell said that the time spent between students with special needs and other students is invaluable.

“I think the more time that typical students get to spend with students with disabilities, the more we learn,” Bell said. “The more it helps both parties. I think for students in our rooms, [they are impacted] when they get to see a typical peer model, somebody that can demonstrate socially appropriate behaviors for them and genuinely take some interest in them.”

Capernaum welcomes kids with all types of disabilities, physical or mental, Yancey said.

“I know that there are…a lot of Down Syndrome kids, a lot of autistic kids, I think there are a couple kids with cerebral palsy--just like the whole range,” Yancey said. “Even if you have a learning disability you’re able to come to Capernaum.”

According to junior Alexa Janus, Capernaum activities brighten students with special needs days.

“You can really see how they light up, and how happy it makes them,” Janus said. “Especially when we listen to songs and stuff and they’re dancing and jumping around.”

Scherer said that the students with special needs expressions at Capernaum are unique.

“These kids get so excited about just the smallest things,” Scherer said. “…These kids were reacting in the coolest ways--just gasping and laughing, and when you talk to a room of typical high school kids, that doesn’t happen. But it’s so joyful and such an enlightening experience-it’s really great.”

It’s rare for students with special needs to interact with typical students, Bell said, even for a short time.

“For some of them it’s few and far between that they see a peer that’s genuinely interested in them, so that can mean the world for them,” Bell said. “I know [their] parents talk a lot about [how] they wish their son or daughter had friends--any friends. So, it’s big.”

Bell said that students with special needs need to see a strong consistency of spending time with typical students to see a real change.

“For our students…it takes some regularity to establish that relationship,” Bell said. “…When there isn’t [an opportunity to interact on a regular basis], it’s good for them at the moment, but for our kids,

photo by Sheila Raghavendran

Senior Kylie Yancey and junior Luke Harrison both participate in Young Life Capernaum.

[when] trying to do something new and not get to establish a routine, it’s a challenge as well.”

Yancey said that she enjoys Capernaum because it provides a place for students with special needs to feel a part of something.

“It’s really cool just because we love them in a way that I don’t think they get a lot,” Yancey said. “Whenever they’re at Capernaum, [every kid is smiling]. We love them really well, by making them feel included, wanting to hang out with them, by trying to figure out more about them, just being really good friends with them.”

Janus said she agrees that Capernaum creates a different point-of-view.

“It gives you a whole new outlook on everything--a new perspective,” Janus said. “It just makes you think about things and realize how lucky you are and how awesome it is to be able to work with those kids.”

Scherer said that she feels for students with special needs who are put down because of a high-school experience.

“I have a huge heart for kids with disabilities because I know it to be so true where they are left out or ignored in a culture,” Scherer said. “I’m a few years out of high school, but when I was in high school, I was friends with a girl who had Down syndrome, and it was so common for her to either be completely ignored--she’d be standing in the hallway, and no one would speak to her--or people make fun of [her]…for whatever reason, they think that they can.”

Bell said that it is important for students with special needs to be given a chance.

“They’re kids just like everybody else, sometimes it just takes somebody giving them a chance to break through that exterior and see what they’re all about,” Bell said.

Scherer said she hopes that more organizations like Capernaum will spring up in the future.

“I think the more that organizations come about that just build [specialneeds students] up and enable people to love them well and make them feel like they should and like they were created to, I’m all about that,” Scherer said.

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cartoon by Ajay Agrawal, graphic art by Gabrielle Stichweh

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Parental Guidance

Parents see prom spending as over-the-top Nicole Huser | Staff Writer

Prom. While it is clear that the anticipation is building amongst the students at Mason High School concerning the big night, what is usually overlooked is how the parents feel about the dance. And although prom is meant for their teenagers, mothers and fathers of upperclassmen at MHS have varying views of the importance of prom.

Stacy Dykes, mother of senior Kaylea Dykes, who remembers her senior prom so vividly, said that the big night is a very important one for teenagers to attend.

“In some ways [prom] symbolizes the beginning of a new era in a young person’s social life,” Dykes said. “Getting dressed up in something special, going out without parental supervision, being given a later curfew and being trusted to behave like ladies and gentlemen. It [is] magical.”

Vernon Cepeda, father of senior Miguel Cepeda and junior Nina Cepeda, said that while he did not have an opportunity to attend prom, it is a positive thing for his children to partake in.

“Yes, [prom is important],” Cepeda said. “It is part of growing up...learning to dance, mingle, converse and be sociable. It makes you a better person.”

Jennifer Zelkind, mother of senior Noah Zelkind, admits that while prom is important to attend, over the years some elements of it have become extreme.

“I like the drama of [prom], even though it can be very expensive, which was stressful for me

when I was 17,” Zelkind said. “The only thing I don't like now about prom is the pressure to ask girls in such an elaborate way -- a ‘prom-posal’ I'll call it. I like the creativity it sparks, but come on -- some kids are doing more than my husband did when he asked me to marry him!”

Although prom can amount to be expensive, there are ways to cut back on spending, Zelkind said.

“There are a lot of ways you can make it more affordable,” Zelkind said. “For example, my junior year I set a table up outside and my brother pretended to be our waiter instead of going out to a fancy restaurant for dinner…thrift stores are great for crazy tuxes and more unique dresses… just like with all big purchases, a person has to set a budget, decide what is most important to him or her, and then make decisions accordingly about where to spend the money.”

There is one key difference between preparing a daughter for prom versus preparing a son for prom, Cepeda said.

“We would like to know who our daughter is going with [to prom],” Cepeda said. “A date is to be led by a man. Our son is good-- he'll be a good leader.”

Zelkind said that having a son has made her involvement in prom minimal.

“Noah already has a tuxedo from a wedding we went to last year, so I don't have to do much other than make sure his dress shoes still fit,” Zelkind said. “Last year he went shoe shopping an hour

before his date got here! She took care of finding a tie to match her dress. I did remind him about the corsage. That's what, a five minute time investment for me? Guys have it easy. Tuxes always look good!”

When it comes to who is more protective about plans for after prom, Zelkind said that her husband tends to play that role.

“This might surprise you, but I'll have to say my husband [is more protective], especially when it comes to the girls,” Zelkind said. “We talk very openly with our kids, so I'd like to think there are no surprises. I think after prom successfully addresses a lot of parents' concerns in that department. When I was in high school we didn't have that. We had an all-night party for seniors on a different day closer to graduation.”

For Zelkind, the parent that is most involved with their kid’s prom is not always decided by the parent’s gender.

“I don't like to stereotype like that,” Zelkind said.

“It depends on the family. For example, my mom's mother died when she was very young, and her father loved to take her shopping.”

Zelkind said that overall, prom is an experience that high school students should definitely not miss out on.

“For me, prom is a rite of passage,” Zelkind said.

“I really think it's something everyone should attend. Even if it doesn't go smoothly, it makes for some good stories.”

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ost in time

Students find themselves trapped in the past Rebekah Barnes | Editor-in-Chief

It’s an admiration of the past and disillusion ment of the present.

For some Mason High School students, the 2000’s really aren’t cutting it. Senior Joanna Monfreda has a passion for the 1950’s, to which she attributes to a classic car and a history buff.

“My grandpa has a 1957 Thunderbird convertible,” Monfreda said. “It’s bright red and it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my entire life. So, we would go on little joy rides and he would talk to me about everything and we would listen to Elvis on his cassette tapes…so it was really just…influenced by my grandpa. And also when I was in sophomore year, we learned a lot about that era in history and I was really interested in it. I liked the whole idea of women’s rights sort of uproaring and I just love the fashion. And a lot of the plays that we do here, like “Anything Goes”, “West Side Story” are all set in the fifties

so I get to experience that kind of environment during that time.”

For senior Mimi Castanias, jump forward ten years and she’s set.

“I’m obsessed with the sixties,” Castanias said.

“I have a love for the British invasion, all things Beatles. I love the music from that time period and just everything going on politically, there was so much change everyone was getting more rights, women were getting rights, the civil rights movement, everything is so important to me. I’m a huge history buff.”

And according to junior Kelley Hammeran, dial it back a century for the simplicity of life she is after.

“I love the simpleness of life before the industrial revolution...I definitely would love to pick a time maybe in the 1800s where life was a lot simpler and didn’t involved all of the technology and

photo above: Junior Kelley Hammeran wishes that she lived in the 1800’s

necessities that we have today,” Hammeran said.

Like Monfreda and Castanias, Hammeran said she likes an era where she can see change, but also where she can live simply, as shown in her time with the Renaissance Festival, where she can experience her fascination first-hand.

“I love looking at eras where a change occurs, or some sort of revolution that they are fighting for something right, even if it’s a simpler right. I love that there wasn’t all of these subliminal things that happen nowadays,” Hammeran said. “It was straightforward, you lived off the land and it was simpler. And I think when you are stripped down to the necessities of what you need to live, you’re a lot more in the moment and can live a lot happier.”

Monfreda said that if she were back in time, she’d be one of the innocent rebels of the fifties, reflecting on the fact that these days, it doesn’t seem like

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much.

“It’s the rock and roll era, so [I picture myself] probably in amazing dresses, and mary-janes, and just like rocking out to Elvis, gyrating in my kitchen even though it’s socially unacceptable,” Monfreda said. “…I think I’d be like one of those rebel teenagers of that time because honestly doing that kind of stuff was rebellious.”

And these days, Monfreda uses those trends and blends them into her everyday wardrobe.

“I think a lot of the way I dress, even though sometimes its very random, I think a lot of is based on my love for the fifties, my big skirts and stuff like that,” Monfreda said. “And I still listen to Elvis music. I jam out to it in my car and it’s great.”

But the truth is—there’s no time machine to take them to their eras. But for Monfreda, she’s okay with being where she is right now.

She sees a purpose and hopeful broadcast producer.

“I’m not really dissatisfied. It’s sort of one of those things that you have to accept: that God put you here, and not there,” Monfreda said. “And I always say oh I wish I was born in the fifties, but then I realize God wouldn’t want me to do that because im here for TV. So I think my place is supposed to be here even though I wish I was somewhere else.”

Each of them take away something from their time. For Monfreda, it’s the fashion and the quiet rebellion of the teenage youth. For Hammeran, it’s the drama but stripped down beauty in the Tudor and Elizabethan period. And for Castanias, she’s learning lesson to take in her senior year. “[I’ve learned] kind of just to be myself. Like in the sixties, …there was such a huge change culturally, people started to accept who they

were…But it’s taught me that you can be who you want…and not to let people’s judgments of you control what you are going to do and just have fun. I think it goes along with senior year…it’s my senior year, I need to be my own person and not let the stigmas of Mason High School control what I’m doing.”

For Hammeran, she tries to take her simplicity of the past and weave it into her every day life.

“One thing that I miss that there used to be was everyone socialized a lot more and would say ‘hi’ to people in the hallways, something we don’t really do now,” Hammeran said. “So I try to always be friendly and kind to everyone. I try to go on nature walks and things that I’m not always cooped up indoors like a lot of people are now. So I just try to enjoy more and that we’ve just kind of lost the enjoyment.”

According to Hammeran, the past and specifically the 1800’s hold admiration because she can escape from the modern technology that now is cutting off socialization, an idea that goes against the majority. Hammeran admits that she can be teased for her fascination with the past, but she knows there’s a clear line between admiration and obsession.

“Everyone has admirations and I think where the line draws including this, is when you start to focus so much on it that you’re not realizing what’s happening now,” Hammeran said. “So you can appreciate the way things used to be, and appreciate what we’ve learn from the past, because there’s so many things you can learn, but when you start obsessing on it and [are] not looking around you, that’s a problem.

You always have to live and enjoy what’s happening now.” photo above: Senior Joanna Monfreda wishes she lived in the 1950’s. photo by Rebekah Barnes

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Nerf wars brings out competitive edge in MHS students Ashley Calvani | Online Editor

Somewhere in the shadows, a figure brandishes their gun.

Waiting.

Their Nerf gun of course. It’s Nerf Wars season at MHS, a game organized separately of the school, where the goal is to eliminate as many players as possible on an opposing team by shooting them with a toy or blow dart gun before the round is up, and a dart can be lethal.

Despite the excitement of the competition, there are a few trade-offs to the game according to MHS students and parents.

Seniors Jason Pil and Kyle Sambor were passed the reigns by last year’s Nerf War leaders. According to Pil, he’s discovered that organizing such a big event, with roughly sixty teams of five and 3000 dollars to keep track of, takes a lot of work, organization, and ability to take the heat. When faced with discrepancies on shooting or the rules, the questions fall on Pil and Sambor, and while official Nerf rules say that it is not the job of the leaders to solve disputes, they must always be there to interpret the situation.

“If you’re not available to answer questions at all times, people get mad,” Pil said. “On average, we get at least eight or nine phone calls a day, just of questions or complaints about who got shot or not, or what’s against the rules and what’s off limits.”

These questions pour in for one reason: everyone wants to win. Along with the pride of being crowned Nerf Wars champion, there is another incentive for people to win.

“I’m not going to say it’s all about the money, but it causes tension between friendships because people do want to win the money obviously, and people try to cheat or accuse the other team of now following the rules just to start a fight,” Pil said. “There are also friends who sell each other out who aren’t playing at all. They set them up, and they get really mad at each other in some cases. It gets pretty bad.”

Senior Brianne Brenneman has experienced both drama and danger during Nerf wars. Sophomore year, Brenneman damaged her car because she was forced to back up to avoid the opposing team’s car. Brenneman’s mother, Judy Vander Herst, said that as a parent, she sees a lot of negatives to the game.

“She had to come home and tell us there was some damage on the car,” Vander Herst said. “I realize that most of Nerf Wars is not done in cars. But after that incident, I started thinking: there are all these new drivers, and it’s really exciting competitive. It would be easy to get in some sort of accident.”

According to Pil, most dangerous situations in Nerf Wars involve cars, but the official Nerf rules, if followed, should prevent a lot of them.

“We don’t allow blocking, and you would get disqualified automatically if we saw you,” Pil said. “We try to make it as safe as possible. If people fall into trouble, it’s because they’re not following the rules.”

Despite the concern of safety, William Brenneman, Brianne’s father, thinks Nerf Wars is a good thing for high school students.

“We had qualms from the beginning,” William said.

“When Brianne was playing the first time, she was such a young driver. You’re already concerned when your child first starts driving, then you add in the excitement and adrenaline of a game on the road, and it just seemed a little nerveracking. … [But] I think it’s a good thing overall. I think it’s great that it’s all student-run. It gives kids something else to think about, to look forward to, and plan and strategize.

In terms of the gas money, I don’t think I worry about it so much. I just worry about the safety.”

Judy disagrees.

“For some kids who really get competitive, their studying

may go down the drain,” Brenneman said. “Other things are going to suffer because you’re out doing that. The other thing that happens is: people rat out on friends. That can cause difficulty because high school relationships can already be complicated.”

Brianne has experience friend drama on her team at the expense of Nerf Wars.

“It really [can] tear friendships apart, and make people dislike each other more,” Brianne said. “It gives people a way to be mean to people they don’t like or have something against.”

For junior Justin Wise, his Nerf Wars experience has been much different. Despite the fact that he spends on average a couple hours a day on Nerf Wars, he said his school work has not suffered. While he has seen drama evident on other teams, he has never experienced it himself, and he said that he doesn’t feel like spending time or money on Nerf has been an issue.

“Most of it shouldn’t be spent spending time and money,” Wise said. “The experience is about strategizing and being with friends. …I like it because it’s a time for my friends and I to be together, and you also get to meet new people, especially if you don’t know people on the teams you’re playing.”

Senior Jake Brinkmann holds a similar perspective. His teammates split costs of gas, guns, and bullets, and though he has seen Nerf Wars ruin friendships, he has maintained a competitive attitude and a teammate-like spirit throughout the years. Brinkmann, like many other MHS students, also loves going the extra mile: waking up early to wait in the snow or the cold in hopes that he’ll get the shot.

“You’ve got to do what you got to do to get [the] ‘W’,” Brinkmann said. “It’s just about the experience, too. How often are you ever going to stand outside in the cold, snow or rain for something like that again? I actually enjoy it--the

adrenaline you get from waiting for your opponent. When you get the shot, it’s just awesome. …We’re dedicated. It’s like a sports team.

Brinkmann also said that while accidents are waiting to happen, and he’s had to manage his time to balance out his schedule with Nerf Wars, he is a strong advocate of the good things Nerf Wars can bring if the game is played the right way.

“You’ve got to manage your time, and it’s a good life lesson, because when you got to college, you’ll have to manage your time with fun and work,” Brinkmann said. “Do I lose a lot of sleep? Of course. Have I spent more hours doing Nerf Wars than my artwork? Probably. But it’s fun; it’s enjoyable, and this is the last year I’ll probably ever get to do it. So I might as well go all out. …I do it for the experience, being with friends. The reward would be great, but just to say that you did something totally awesome that you won’t be able to experience the rest of our lives.”

For Brenneman, though there is some pressure to participate, Nerf Wars is something she wanted to do.

“I like Nerf, but there is still the pressure to do it because everyone else is doing it,” Brenneman said. “A lot of my friends were doing it, and I didn’t want to miss out, especially because it’s senior year. I sometimes regret it when I’m playing it because it’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun.”

For Pil, Nerf will always be a way to have fun, and make the most of his time in high school.

“It is fun, and it’s something to do,” Pil said. “I’ve only played Nerf wars twice in my high school career, but it’s senior year, and I just want to get anything I want to do out of the way. Money is an incentive, but I do it mostly because all of my friends are doing it. I just think it’s fun because we all have something in common, and I enjoy the excitement of trying to find opponents, and just be with friends.”

photos by Corynne Hogan photo art by Katherine Hansen

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Love

Tri

ngle

Rebekah Barnes | Editor-in-Chief Chloe Knue | Associate Editor

Cast of “West Side Story” lives real-life drama onstage and off

It’s drama onstage and off.

A love triangle has ensued in the midst of Mason High School’s production of West Side Story, where characters are playing opposites of each other’s girlfriends and boyfriends. Here’s the play by play: senior Alex Kelsey, who has to kiss senior Andy Leon, is dating sophomore Leah Hall, who has to kiss senior EJ Prime, who is taking Andy Leon to prom.

Unaware of the relationship mix-ups with their roles would happen, as casting was kept secret, the four actors have to face the fact that their characters are kissing their partners. And a lot.

According to Kesley, Hall and himself did not start talking until after the auditions took place.

Although the awkwardness is subsiding, it’s still apparent, said Kelsey. “[Andy and my characters] first kiss, is full ‘make out,’” Kelsey said. “Every single time we kiss, EJ comes in [the scene,] and Andy goes over to Leah and Andy says, ‘I’m so sorry,’ but Leah has been in shows since she was born and she knows that it’s just stage.”

Kelsey said he’s fine with Hall kissing her onstage beau, but there is still a territorial nerve struck when director’s comments jump into the

scene.

“I haven’t actually seen the scene [where Leah and EJ kiss],” Kelsey said. “But there’s always notes from the director, ‘It needs to be more intense!’ and I’m like ‘You sure?’”

Leon knows the way of the business, understanding the professionalism needed and the frame of reality necessary to keep the cast grounded, not letting the outlying relationships affect the groups friendship and performance.

“All three of us are really good friends,” Andy said. “It’s just another thing that the characters have to do along with the dancing and singing…We make it work and laugh it off…I’m really proud of how professional everyone is…It has a lot to do with the way we’ve been directed.

What’s acting is acting, and outside of that is a different story.”

Prime said he’s noticed the triangle, and sees its ways working into their rehearsals.

“It isn’t anything bad,” Prime said. “It makes it more interesting though. We all know it is acting and nothing more, well for when I kiss Leah. And I would never be the kind of person to ruin a relationship between a couple; after all a relationship is between the two people,

not the two people and the rest of the world. Is it awkward ? Nah, not really. I honestly do not think that much into it when we rehearse.”

Aside from the relationships that make the musical interesting, Kelsey said just the raw emotion in the underlying messages of the script will sure to be noticed by audience members.

“One second you’re going to be laughing like crazy,” Kelsey said. “The next you’re like ‘Oh my gosh there’s tears running down my face.’ People need to come ready to be totally blown away.”

But as to if you will be able to see the triangle on stage, that might not happen. Hall said that as cast members, they’re fine with the kissing, but it does add some excitement into the experience.

“All of us are totally ok with it,” Hall said. “Yes, Andy and Alex have to kiss, but it’s really not that bad because I know that it’s a stage kiss and there’s of course nothing else there. Although, the first time I saw them kiss, Andy came right over to me afterward and just went, ‘...hey’ and I thought that was hilarious.”

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photo by Corynne Hogan

ne size doesn’t fit all

MHS administration works with students struggling with depression Corynne Hogan | Staff Writer

Depression isn’t something that can be treated like an equation, according to Community Resource Coordinator Vycki Haught.

Mason High School staff and administration have worked hard to reach out and develop relationships with students struggling with depression and suicide. Mason City School District Community Resource Coordinator, Vycki Haught, said that the administration recognizes depression is a medical condition and their focus is on catering to the needs of the students.

“I think [students] think we will feel like they’re crazy,” Haught said. “We know that often times depression is…a biochemical issue. The changes in your brain that are caused by either trauma or how your brain works make you more susceptible to those [biochemical] issues [and] stressful times often [correlate with] that. I think that’s one thing I really want to clarify that we accept that depression it’s a normal part of life—it’s just a medical condition.”

Haught said MHS staff and administration are keeping up-to-date with the latest research on teen depression-suicide in order to best guide

students.

“We know there are best practices in counseling just like in science,” Haught said. “There are research based practices…that we try to follow here. What we did at the end of last year and

“We have to take absolutely everything everyone says one hundred percent seriously,” Rice said.

“We do not play the role of judge--we do not say, ‘is this real or not?’ If something comes across my desk [like] a Facebook post or a text or a tweet or a comment that was made, it’s real. It will be handled as such. We have protocols for that so that’s the biggest thing that we stress to our staff: listen to kids, to pay attention to their writing, to pay attention to their mood change.”

Haught said the staff ’s goal is to help them the achieve individual’s definition of personal success, rather than dictating it for them.

“We [the administration] want [students] to be successful and to be what they consider to be happy,” Haught said. “We don’t have an idea [of what that is] because that’s really individualized.

[A lot of students] here think ‘I need to [go to] college.’[However] I work with a lot of students who struggle with that—they aren’t really sure [if they want that]. They struggle with this is the face of mason [and ask] ‘Do I really fit into that?’

We want each person here to be their own best, whatever they decide that is.”

“We do not play the role of judge-we do not say, ‘Is this real or not?’”

Bill Rice, Assistant Principal [into] this year is [we] worked on developing a set of criteria [for when] a student is feeling suicidal or is feeling like they might want to harm themselves of how we do a basic assessment on where that student is. …Lots of people think about suicide, but it’s not a plan—they’re [just] feeling desperate. For teenagers, suicide is very impulsive. …So what we try to do is assess where they are along with the plan, how compulsive they are [and evaluate] if there’s trauma.”

Assistant Principal Bill Rice said taking time to pay attention, listen and care about students is key to helping them learn how to cope.

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Person of Interest Prithvi Shetty, junior

Students use classical music to focus while studying Katie Rojas | Staff Writer

Shetty said he hopes to break a record and leave a legacy in the attendance department with the most consecutive years of perfect attendence.

Quick Facts:

Years of perfect attendance: 7 years Favorite movie: The Usual Suspects Favorite television show: Breaking Bad Favorite class: AP Chemistry

What is your motivation to have perfect attendance?

“I just don’t get sick…I don’t even know how I have perfect attendance honestly. I don’t even like school; I just come here.”

What is your goal for next year?

“I want it to make it to eight years, and then not show up when they present the awards.”

Do you want to leave a legacy?

“I want to set a record for the amount of days I’ve showed up.”

compiled by Katie Rojas

I’ll be Bach in a Minuet.

For many Mason High School students, including junior Laura Kehres, listening to classical music while studying has proved to be a successful way to prepare for big tests.

Kehres said that she regularly listens to classical music while studying since it has proved to be a useful tool. “[I listen to classical music] pretty much every time I study for a major test,” Kehres said.

“When I need to get a lot of content done in a short amount of time and I need to focus, that’s when I usually [listen to classical music].”

While Kehres listens to classical music based on her personal observations that she has found, the reality is that scientists have found that classical music actually is helpful while studying.

According to the UOPX Writer Network from the University of Phoenix, musical style between the 16th and 19th centuries has music that is around 60 beats per minute. This activates the right side of the brain, while the subjects a student may be studying activate the left side of the brain. When both sides of the brain are activated, the student can process information better.

“I noticed that I’m not distracted as much because usually I’ll put headphones in but I can still hear the world around me,” Kehres said.

“With [classical music playing], it keeps my brain on tempo.”

Mason High School orchestra teacher Stephanie Jones said that music can do more than help you focus; it has been shown to affect your body physically.

“Listening to classical music can really help you focus, and it also has been shown that it can calm your heart rate too,” Jones said. “The organization of classical era music and baroque era music affects the brain [and] has a calming influence physically over your body. There is a physical reaction that your body has, and that’s also why it helps you to focus and why some people find that helpful in studying.”

The UOPX Writer Network said that studying with music may not work for everyone, and students should not wait until the night before a test to try it. For junior Cathy Lin, classical music can be just as much of a distraction as music

with lyrics.

“It kind of makes me even more distracted on homework because music with words is so direct in telling you what the story is, [whereas with classical music] sometimes I just wander off thinking about what the notes are leading to, what this section of the music is trying to say to the listener,” Lin said.

According to Jones, you don’t have to play an instrument to listen to classical music.

“Some people say, ‘I don’t like classical music,’ but classical genre is wide and varied,” Jones said. “Some people just think of classical era or baroque era, but there is so much more out there. You can expose yourself to some of the modern classical music or the romantic music…

I think there is something out there in the classical genre for everybody; just not everybody has been exposed to that.”

Lin said that her background in piano has expanded the music she listens to, but students can find classical music just as easily by looking on YouTube.

“Because I used to play piano, my piano teacher would know these pieces beforehand or I would play them before,” Lin said. “You also have the YouTube sidebar, and you can start randomly exploring, and that’s how I find other music.”

Jones said that listening to classical music changes the way you organize your thoughts, which in turn helps some people focus.

“When you listen to classical music, it helps you organize your thoughts in a different way,” Jones said. “…If you think back to middle school, and you were trying to learn a concept, a teacher had you come up with a song or a rap because that rhythm, melody, and tonal sound would help you remember the concept.”

Kehres said classical music is something she can use to make her focus, whereas songs with lyrics are often distracting for various reasons.

“Usually, if I know the song really well, that’s probably what I’m listening to and I’ll start singing along or get distracted, but with classical music it’s relaxing and peaceful,” Kehres said. “[With classical music,] it takes less time to cover more material.”

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Sports

D A E H

A large number of concussions and a lack of awareness about their long term effects has led the OHSAA to pass new legislation increasing precautions with head injuries.

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C Head Case

OHSAA enacts new concussion legislations starting this spring Erin Brush | Staff Writer

Though they’re seemingly invisible, concussions can be a deadly serious injury for student athletes. In order to minimize the possible risks, the OHSAA has amended their concussion legislation to encourage coaches and parents to take extra precautions.

Starting April 26, student athletes will no longer be able to return to practice on the same day that they exhibit concussion symptoms and they must be cleared by a physician before they can fully return to their sport. Additionally, parents and students must sign a concussion information form in order to ensure that they have a full understanding of concussion risks.

According to athletic trainer Kathy Ottopal, student athletes are much more informed about concussions than they used to be.

“With all of the newest [information] coming out, athletes know what to look for now,” Ottopal said. “They’re more likely to tell us if they think something is going on because they’re more informed, which is great. Some kids try not to tell us how bad it really is, but now that athletes are becoming more informed they’re more likely to report symptoms.”

Sophomore Winnie Bohls has suffered three concussions from soccer, lacrosse, and basketball. According to Bohls, student athletes still don’t understand the possible severity of this injury.

“I think people underestimate concussions,” Bohls said. “When you get one, you should really take the time to get better and not rush back into it too fast. In my basketball [concussion], I rushed back into it too fast and it wasn’t

good. I would get dizzy and I still had a lot of the symptoms that hadn’t cleared up yet. You need to listen to your doctor.”

According to the Ohio Department of Health, if an athlete returns too early to their sport without full recovery, they could suffer from Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) or Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS).

These syndromes cause permanent damage such as long term symptoms or even death. “[Student athletes] often have the misconception that symptoms only last for a week and that no matter what they’ll be fine after that,” Ottopal said. “That doesn’t always happen; sometimes concussions can linger for an extended amount of time. Other times symptoms don’t show up right away. You can get hit in the head and not show any signs of a concussion for 24 hours.”

According to Ottopal, trainers are taught not to rely too heavily on impact tests, but instead make gut decisions for each athlete.

“Even when we use impact testing for concussions and you pass the test, if we think you’re symptomatic we can still hold you out,” Ottopal said. “Everybody wants to get back on the field as fast as they can and that’s not always the healthiest way to do it.”

photo by Erin Brush

C The Numbers

10-0-0 The baseball team has kickstarted their season with a ten-game win streak, including victories over conference rivals such as West and Oak Hills.

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The girls’ lacrosse team is currently ranked fourth in the state by a computer rating from laxpower.com.

Conference rival Sycamore is ranked second.

69 Junior softball pitcher Tory Stewart is second in the conference with 69 strikeouts so far this season.

5’5.5” 49.9 Junior Jordan Horning broke the school high jump record at the Sycamore Golden Baton Relays with a height of 5’5.5”, breaking the old record by half an inch.

Senior Robert Diehl has the fastest 400 meter dash time in the conference with a time of 49.90 seconds.

results as of April 14th.

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C Pork Preparations

Runners race to the finish as they prepare for Flying Pig Emily Faas | Staff Writer

The longest race in Ohio high school athletics is 3.1 miles. Some runners at Mason High School will be running almost nine times that distance come May 5 in Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon.

Senior cross country runners Evan Wilder and Keeton Reed will be running the full 26.2 miles and said their training for this race had to be expedited because of their last minute decision to run.

“We started [training] ten weeks away from race day, relatively to train for a marathon [takes] 16-18 weeks, and we’re doing it in about 10,” Wilder said.

Junior Morgan Campbell will be running the half-marathon (13.1 miles) in May and said that she began her training this winter, and after a recent setback, hopes to get back into her preparation shortly.

“I started running in January and then I ran every day,” Campbell said. “But I’m not training now because my hip got injured, so I’m getting it checked out but I’m going to try start running again soon to get my mileage up.”

For Wilder, running a full 26 miles has always been a dream. He said that he may never get another chance to train and run the race.

“As I [thought] about how things are going to go down with life I don’t know if I’ll have this opportunity to train as heavily as I can now when I’m still in high school,” Wilder said. “The dreams you set as a kid you might never have an opportunity to do… I don’t want to be looking back on my life having had the [chance] to do something that would be meaningful and just not do it.”

Aside from the physical accomplishment, Reed said that there is a faith and spiritual component to his motivation for running.

“I went to a church retreat and at the end of the week they gave everyone a random task, some were Biblical, and others were personal goals and mine was to train and run a marathon,” Reed said. “So it’s a religious thing [for me] too.”

Both Campbell and the boys said that this race is by no means a sprint, and that the same goes for the training.

“You have to build up your mileage,” Campbell said. “You can’t just go out and run 13 miles out of nowhere, so you have to gradually build up miles.”

Although these runners love what they do, that does not excuse the harsh conditions they have to work through. Although the race is in the spring time, the heart of their

training is in the brisk winter months--which Reed said can be brutal.

“I remember one day it was 20 degrees with a wind chill of about six, it was off and on raining and it was miserable and awful and cold and wet,” Reed said.

Campbell said she had to cut her practice short one day because of the rough weather she had to run through.

“There was this one day when I was running where there was snow on the ground,” Campbell said, “but it was [also] sleeting and so it soaked my clothes and it was so cold and so I had to turn around early because it was just awful.”

Although the environment can be tough, the training is extensive, and even on race day, Wilder and Reed both said it won’t be a walk through the park, the end of any race brings a feeling that no runner can put into words.

“We’re probably going to get three or four miles in and realize that it’s a long way to go and a lot of pain that’s going to come,” Reed said. “It’ll be a struggle for a good portion of it, but when we see the finish line it’s going to be very relieving and overall exciting.”

photo by Ermily Faas

Chloe Knue | Associate Editor I think there is a little more to it than the Bengals needing some “running backs,” Kate. Most importantly the Bengals need a strong safety, offensive tackle, and a wide receiver. It is likely Cincinnati will sign free agent James Harrison which is going to help make the linebackers better. But filling those three positions really should be the focus come draft time.

C Trading Punches What kind of players should the Bengals pick up in this year’s NFL Draft?

Katelyn Cain | Sports Editor It’s that time of year again. NFL Draft time. Marvin Lewis and the Bengals need to get over the hump of this 0-4 playoff skid, and by tapping Hue Jackson as the new running back coach, what the Bengals need is to draft a new running back to propel them to playoff victories and consistency in the backfield. We need an electric running back like Kenjon Barner or Eddie Lacy to not only take the pressure off of the passing game, but to also be counted on to make big plays.

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C Pick your Poison

Sports drinks offer nutritional advantages to student athletes Katelyn Cain | Sports Editor

Student athletes are no longer testing the waters. They’re diving into the deep end of protein shakes, recovery and energy drinks and multivitamin wheatgrass smoothies. And according to Rhonda Everitt, owner of the West Chester Planet Smoothie and two others, their products cater to a wide range of athletes.

“We have a lot of runners that come in, and usually the types of things they get are lighter, like maybe a Chocolate Chimp, which is just cocoa and bananas, with just a little bit of protein,” Everitt said. “Your football players, who are trying to put on just a little more muscle…they may want a smoothie with more around 40 grams of protein or a meal replacement which is called ‘Planet Pro,’ and they can get any ingredients in that…there’s also MMA or UFC fighters that come in and they love Acai.”

According to Dawn Weatherwax, owner of Sports Nutrition 2 Go, there are several reasons that sports drinks are now surpassing water as athlete’s main choice of drink for activities.

“Mainly athletes lean more toward [sports drinks] because they’re flavored. If the drinks taste good, athletes are more inclined to drink them,” Weatherwax said. “It also comes down to advertising. Almost every other commercial is about a sport drink like Gatorade or Powerade. They get more coverage and make athletes want to buy them. And nutritionally, sports drinks can help repair and build muscle and replenish the electrolytes athletes lose when they exercise.”

Everitt said that the drinks offered at Planet Smoothie are very beneficial to both athletes and non-athletes, and help contribute to a balanced diet, as well as heal sore muscles and stop fatigue.

“What happens is when you’re working out, typically, you damage the muscle tissue and the protein [in our smoothies] heals the tissue,” Everitt said. “The energy blast we have isn’t like an up and a crash, so if you’re really tired and need to keep going to energy blast is really helpful. But we also have Multivitamin, which is good for everyone because you always need vitamins. And we also have wheatgrass, which is two pounds of vegetables in a one ounce shot, so that gives people lots of vitamins and minerals, and it’s really nutritious.”

Everitt said that the advantages of drinking smoothies outweigh what other popular sports drinks have to offer, because smoothies have give people a lot of different options.

“I think all of those drinks have a place,” Everitt said. “Gatorade helps you hang on to some water, so it’s got it’s place, but it does have a lot of sugars and artificial flavors. The nice thing about our drinks is that it is fruit, and we have a lot of different options so if you’re concerned about sugar, or calories or anything of those things, we don’t have artificial flavors or sugars or any of that, but we can make it as healthy as you need it to be, or not so healthy just depending on what you want.”

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Getting the Facts POWERADE GRAPE

20 oz.

Calories:130 Total Fat: 0 g Sodium: 250 mg Potassium: 60 mg Total Carbohydrates: 35 g Vitamin A 0% Calcium 0% Vitamin C 0% Iron 0%

G SERIES PRO MIXED BERRY 16.9 oz.

Calories: 110 Total Fat: 0 g Sodium: 105 mg Potassium: 40 mg Total Carbohydrates: 20 g Vitamin A 0% Calcium 4% Vitamin C 0% Iron 0%

MUSCLE MILK

14 oz.

Calories: 230 Total Fat: 9 g Sodium: 430 mg Potassium: 1050 mg Total Carbohydrates: 12 g Vitamin A 25% Calcium 25% Vitamin C 25% Iron 25%

THE BIG BANG

22 oz.

Calories: 290 Total Fat: 0 g Sodium: 0 mg Potassium: 470 mg Total Carbohydrates: 60 g Vitamin A 0% Calcium 2% Vitamin C 100% Iron 0%

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