The Chronicle, 3.3

William Mason High School Mason, Ohio

The

Chron l cle

WMSN is on the air, see page 7

December 20, 2005

6100 South Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio 45040

NEWS Flash masoncomets.org undergoes overhaul Mason High School Web Design and Management students have concluded the complete overhaul of the school’s student run and proMurnan duced website, masoncomets.org.

Led by instructor Mr. Craig Murnan the students have been working on a new design and layout for the website for several months.

Layout and design are not the only areas where web surfers will see changes. The website will also have a new server to allow more interactive and media oriented features on the website.

Students will be able to access many academic features as well as news stories produced by MBC. This is the third redesign that masoncomets.org has undergone.

Chronicle

Should illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States be sent back to their nation of origin?

P l l 43% no

46%

yes

11% not sure (Based on a survey of 200 students.)

INSIDE...

Volume 3 Issue 3

Mason High School soon to offer online courses

BY CAROLINE JOHNSON Chronicle Staff Writer MHS students will soon be able to take courses online. Although plans are still underway, MHS assistant principal Shannon Trennepohl stated that this new option was created to allow students to gain more knowledge about a topic they're interested in.

"I would love to see the opportunity to have more courses offered here to students. Because we are getting so large, maybe a handful of kids might be interested in [a class] and we can't offer that course because [not enough students are

interested in it]. We could put it online," Trennepohl said.

Assistant principal George Coates and Trennepohl recently visited Plano, Texas to observe their online course program.

After extensive research on the topic, they decided that the program to be offered at MHS will be piloted this summer with a Current Global Issues course instructed

by Micah Faler. The program is expected to be six weeks long for original credit through use of the computer and classroom.

"The students may come in once or twice a week. I don't know what that is for sure.

It might just be to help assess that the

students are really doing the work or for the students to give feedback on what is working and what isn't," Trennepohl said.

Trennepohl does not know how the online courses will affect the grade point average and credits of students who take advantage of such opportunities.

"It would have to be a central office decision. Do we count these courses in a student's [grade point average?] Do we count these as elective credits towards graduation? Those are good questions we haven't been able to talk about. We first want to see if we can develop this at Mason High School, then we will start to look at those tough questions," Trennepohl said.

Taking a stand on decision to dissect

BY SHARON STEWART Chronicle Staff Writer The class: Biology B. Today's assignment: Dissection. A sympathetic student breathes in sharply. The sweaty smell of Latex gloves fills her nostrils.

Exhale. The condensation collects on a slimy metal tray enclosing what she feels to be another amphibian homicide. Standing up for what you believe in is difficult for everyone, but in required science classes, select Mason students like vegetarian sophomore Lauren Simendinger have broken down the barriers by deciding to stand up for animal rights and refusing to dissect.

"I know it's supposed to be a learning experience, but I was so digusted with the dead

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 7

see “I just can’t” page 2

SPORTS

15

Faced with dissecting some students say

OPINION

22

CENTERSPREAD SNEAK PEEK Mason High School's Marching Band takes a trip to Grand Nationals in Indianapolis.

Sophomore Lauren Simendinger is one of the students who chose to do an online simulated tutorial instead of dissecting.

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“I just can’t:” Students feel there are options when it comes to dissection

December 20, 2005

Closed for the holidays

continued from “I just can’t” page 1 animal in front of me that it was hard for me to focus and learn anything at all," Simendinger said.

The dissection controversy began in 1987, when Jennifer Graham, a 15-year-old California student, sued her school district for not allowing her an alternative project when she refused to dissect an animal. She argued that dissection projects were adding to the demand for needless animal killings.

When Graham stood up to the school in defense of animals, the public supported her and lawmakers ultimately passed legislation protecting students with similar views.

Similar to this demonstrated opinion, Mason High School Sophomore Jenna Garchar advocates animal rights and is one of many students who stood up for their right to decline from the school's hands-on anatomy demonstrations.

“I just think it's ignorant of us to have to kill thousands of animals when it's not that great of a learning experience.”

"With today's technology, there's tons of programs online that you can [mock] dissect on. I just think it's ignorant of us to have to kill thousands of animals when it's not that great of a learning experience," Garchar said.

Junior Jessica Mohr has found that the most efficient way to get around having to dissect is to simply discuss her beliefs with her teachers ahead of time. Mohr said that her teacher was fine with her choice to abstain from dissection, but it was still the principle of the matter that ultimately influenced her decision.

"I like animals and don't feel like hurting them for no good reason. There are better ways to learn.”

"I like animals and don't feel like hurting them for no good reason. There are better ways to learn. It's not necessary to experience dissection firsthand. Last year, I refused to cut up a frog because I thought it was nasty. No one else really felt the same way, but it didn't matter because I felt like I was standing up for what was right for me," Mohr said.

While some students are utterly appalled at the idea of slicing and dicing a specimen that was living and breathing, others, such as junior Courtney Reeves, just believe that there should be more effective ways to learn the concept of biology.

"I get queezy when faced with a chopped up animal. I don't have a problem with the actual animal, I have a weak stomach. I honestly just wanted there to be a better way to learn it," Reeves said.

Biology teacher Randy Hubbard believes that nothing can top real life experience and thinks closed-minded students who refuse to dissect are missing out on obtaining a valuable understanding of anatomy.

"The hands-on experience of dissecting a real specimen is one they probably won't get anywhere else. It's important to know how your body is formed and how organs are made.”

"The hands-on experience of dissecting a real specimen is one they probably won't get anywhere else. It's important to know how your body is formed and how organs are made," Hubbard said. "[Dissecting] gives students a better understanding of how their body works if they really see it rather than look at it on a computer. I believe students that pass dissection by won't truly understand how living things work."

"This way, students can see real mammal body parts so they can learn the 'inside story.”

Biology teaching associate Jatinder Kandah agrees with Hubbard and jokes that "this way, students can see real mammal body parts so they can learn the 'inside story.'"

She isn't as troubled by the dissection because she views it as a more noteworthy point in a student's career.

"Some kids might go into the medical field because of this experience, and for others, it helps them determine what they can handle based on what's out there. It's a very useful experience," Kandah said.

For those that refuse to dissect, Kandah respects their reasons and typically allows them to complete simulation labs on a computer instead. However, she still stands strong in her belief that nothing can replace the real thing.

"This is the beginning of a quest to learn. We have to begin to learn somewhere. Learning is an all-around development of our personality. That's what education is, and this is part of the experience," Kandah said.

Chronicle news photo by Olga Borodulin

The 25,000 colored light decorations and radio broadcast of the Williams' family home was shut down on Wednesday, December 7. Carson Williams, an electric engineer, spent over 50 hours on his decorations and more than $10,000 on the display. The home broadcasted music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but due to a traffic accident on December 6 at 7:30 p.m. on Simpson Creek Drive, the family decided to shut down the display for reasons of safety. Williams said that he promised his neighbors that he would turn off the display if it caused any disturbances. The traffic caused by the immense amount of visitors for the Williams' attraction had blocked off Mason Sheriff's deputies while they were trying to reach the accident. The Williams decided that public safety came before their display, and turned it off indefinitely. Williams’ amazing holiday light decor had attracted national and even worldwide attention. Williams and his radio and light display have been seen on many national television newscasts as well as online. Visitors from all over the nation have taken the time to drive by the holiday display. Williams has not indicated what his plans are for the next season.

Voters say no to referendums, newcomer Miller wins in bid for school board seat

BY RACHEL SLEZAK Chronicle Staff Writer After months of controversy and campaigning, all eight issues on the November 8 ballot were defeated by a 4 percent margin. School board candidates were also elected, re-electing Marianne Culbertson and Connie Yingling, and voting in new member Jennifer Miller.

The results were simple: the operating levy passed May 3 will remain in effect, as well as the six continuing levies dating back to 1967.

According to Mason Public Information Officer Shelly Hausman "the district did not have an expectation" concerning the results of this vote. However, Hausman is pleased with the results. "[The district] hoped that the community would once again support the schools. We feel very grateful that they did," Hausman said. "This means that the district can turn its focus to education and make plans for the future."

Mason School Board Member Marianne Culbertson is also satisfied with the results of the vote.

"I believe this sends a clear message that once again a majority of our voters support the way our district is run and recognize the value of the education that is provided in Mason," Culbertson said.

According to Culbertson, support from the community means that "drastic cuts to the budget" will be unnecessary.

If the 2-mill referendum had succeeded, the district would have lost $24.8 million. Attention will be paid to the way the funds gained from the operating levy are spent, hoping to make the May 3 levy last four more years.

"In order to make the last operating levy stretch as far as it can, the district is planning $4.5 million in reductions over the next three years," Hausman said.

Other plans of the district include a bond levy in the

spring to add a new wing to Mason High School.

"After the first of the year we will be focusing on informing the public as to the need for the bond issue," Culbertson said.

As the district continues to grow, the schools come closer to being above capacity.

"MHS is currently at capacity with student enrollment, and enrollment will continue to grow as the larger, younger classes come to MHS," Hausman said.

The district sees this bond levy, which would not increase property taxes, as important to the future of the high school.

"The bond issue will be critical to providing enough space at the high school to meet the needs of our growing district," Culbertson said.

Mason High School Principal Dr. Dave Allen feels the need for more space at the high school.

"Our district is growing by about 600 students per year. With this growth, we must add additional classrooms to accommodate the growth," Allen said.

In addition to the district's finances, the vote also affected the school board's personnel. Board member David Lenert did not run for re-election and will be replaced by new member Jennifer Miller.

"There will be a period of adjustment as we are replacing a member who has earned the respect and trust of the community with his 12 years of service and leadership, with a new member with no experience and a very different viewpoint," Culbertson said.

Though Allen understands that it will be a challenge, he believes that the district has to work through these changes.

"During this process we must remain civil and be willing to listen to different viewpoints," Allen said.

Culbertson appears optimistic about how these adjustments will affect the school board and the schools. Of the potential changes, Culbertson said, "time will tell."

The

December 20, 2005 What they have to say about it

“A senior picnic or some type of senior rewards day for good attendance is a better alternative to skip day.”

Ken Whitney World History Teacher

“Seniors deserve a skip day. It’s a tradition in Mason High School.”

Natalie Ernest ‘05 MHS graduate

CHRONICLENews

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Skip day raises the ire of MHS administration

BY OLGA BORODULIN Chronicle Editor At 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1, senior J.D. Kreps was sleeping in his room. Although most students had awoken and rushed to school, blaming alarm clock malfunctions for their tardiness, Kreps, like most seniors that day, was ailed by the senioritis epidemic, causing 169 senior to be absent from school for the unofficial "Senior Skip Day." The next day, the administration, including Mason High School principal Dave Allen, was swift to distribute In School Suspension (ISS) to all students who had unexcused absences, and spoke to all senior class rooms about their decisions. The message they sent was clear: truancy would not go unpunished.

"I would never endorse letting everyone skip. [Organizing a senior skip day] really goes against what [the administration] feels Mason is all about, and what separates Mason from other school districts.

We always say that our students are what make this a wonderful school district. But when [students] do things like take a day off school, then we're not separating ourselves from other school districts," Allen said.

Allen’s concern was towards student safety and keeping school excellence.

"I’m worried about the students being out, unsupervised, and that they may get in trouble and get hurt. They may have the tendency to do things they shouldn’t do," Allen said.

The effect of senior skip day can also hurt the school's overall attendance rating, which is measured on the state of Ohio report card, and resulting in a lower school excellence rating.

Despite such repercussions, many students, including senior Adom Farmer, still

chose to skip school.

"I don't think it makes that much of a difference if we're gone a single day. I also don't think that anyone is getting hurt just by skipping school," Farmer said.

Senior Andi Zeigler does not agree with Allen on the dangers of a skip day.

"Although a skip day provides more free time, whatever students can do during that day, they can do after school," Ziegler said.

Farmer believes skip day is a tradition.

"I think 'Senior Skip Day' is a rite of passage and something that seniors should be able to enjoy," Farmer said.

Farmer was one of the students who received an ISS for his decision to skip.

However, Farmer considers his punishment to be excessive.

"It's not fair that the people who were honest about skipping are getting in trouble and those that had their parents call them in sick are getting off easy," Farmer said.

Allen recognizes that there is an issue concerning the parent's choice to phone in fabrications relating to their children's health so that their children would not receive punishment for skipping.

"We're asking parents to partner with [the administration] and send the same message that we send to students that it's important to be in school every day… It bothers me however, that [the students who faked their sickness] did something wrong and didn't get in trouble compared to those who did. However, ultimately, I think coming clean is the best policy.

Standing up for your mistakes is more honorable than lying," Allen said.

MHS Truant officer Rick Huff has seen many students lie about their absences and feels that the parents will ultimately face consequences for lying for their children.

"Parents who called their students in sick are sending the wrong message and they're letting their kids control things, but it will cost them in the long run," Huff said.

Although the administration attempted to stop senior absences by giving an intercom announcement, few took note of their wishes. "[The administrators] just indicated that we were disappointed," Allen said.

The administration's message to attend school may not have been heeded by some seniors but was heard by other students.

Among those include junior Cory Richardson, who plans on not skipping. "[Skipping is] not something I view as essential, and I really think that the people who are doing it are just following the crowd," Richardson said.

Senior Laura Klohe also heard the message and believes that Senior Skip Day was simply students "conforming."

Last year, a solution to keep seniors from missing school was a senior picnic which allowed seniors to leave at 12:00 p.m. 2005 MHS graduate Julie Williams believes that she "would've preferred a senior skip day to a picnic, but it turned out fun anyway."

Allen is hoping that seniors will come to him with an idea of an alternative.

"We want the activities to come from the students. We're willing to work on this. A lot of good came from getting the seniors to get together last year," Allen said.

Despite difficulties, Allen has faith in this senior class.

"I think that the student body wants to do the right thing. I feel they don't want their senior class to go out being known for doing something that is not in a positive light," Allen said.

Legislators may force teen drivers to wait longer to get their license

BY STEPHANIE VISSCHER Chronicle Staff Writer Curfews, due dates, and after-school jobs. For many teens it seems that from the time they walk into school to when they hang up their apron at the local fast food restaurant their lives are controlled by authority.

But come their 16th birthday, a small victory is won. No longer completely dependent on the "retro" rides of their parents, licensed teens have the freedom to drive themselves wherever the road of life may take them. Freshman Mackenzie Touby is eagerly awaiting getting her driver's license when she turns 16.

"I really would like to be more independent, in driving myself to drama practices and other events," Touby said. "It would be nice to just take myself to after-school [events] and go to the mall."

Driving is also important to sophomore Michael Weingand.

"I take many music lessons and I need to be able to get there and back since my mom is tired of driving me," Weingand said.

However, if Ohio House of Representative Tom Raga has his way, Weingand and Touby may be spending more time in the passenger seat than expected. Raga has recently proposed a bill to raise the age at which teens may receive their temporary license from 15 and one-half years to 16 years.

Many teens, including Weingand, feel the new law would be limiting to their lives.

"Students have a lot of responsibilities at our age and need to be able to get to places they need to be without parental interference," Weingand said.

Junior Brett Valls hopes to get his license in February of next year. For Valls, driving will help with time management and being at place on time.

"Being able to drive is very important and with swimming [and] drama it's real-

ly important that I get [my license].

Even those who can drive will be affected by this bill, including parents and peers of students without licenses. Junior Gen Tripp cited it as “annoying” and “a hassle” to be the carpooler.

“It would just be easier for them to be able to drive by themselves,” Tripp said.

Senior Austin Bender knows firsthand how important a license can be to teens.

"I am 100 percent reliant on my car and license. Both of my parents work full time jobs ang get home on average between 5 and 6:30 pm," Bender said.

Bender can see a significant difference from his life before he received his license.

"As a freshman I was stranded at the school for several hours. Now, as a senior, I depend on it for work transport," Bender said.

According to senior Hannah Lewis, more experience, not time, is needed to bring down teen driving accidents.

"Making the teens have more hours behind the wheel would address the problems," Lewis said.

In Valls' opinion, teen accidents occur because of problems experienced among all drivers.

"A lot of time the accidents are the result of dropping cell phones [and] speeding, which are experienced by people of different ages," Valls said.

Weingand feels specialized classes will also help.

"I took a very good car control class a few weeks ago that teaches you what to do in a disastrous situation," Weingand said.

Bender agrees that driving control clinics may help teen drivers.

"That would allow students to learn their limitations," Bender said.

At press time, the bill has yet to be placed on the House of Representative's calendar for review.

Until the bill is passed into law, unlicensed drivers still have time to dream of what they will do once they are finally free on the open road.

Whether it’s a beemer or a beat-up,

“We’ll put you behind the wheel”

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December 20, 2005

News Notebook

World Perspective

MHS Math team wins titles

Bush seeks to cut down on illegal immigration

The MHS Math team visited the Rose Hulman Institute for the Math Contest held on November 12. Mason racked up the highest titles including 1st place for Zhi Yuan Lu, 2nd place to Ray Wang, 3rd place for Tong Zhan, 4th place for Raymond Tan, 5th place for Eric Wei, and 13th place for Kevin Zhang. Bonny Yau also won 11th place in the 12th grade female section.

Student aid forms available Students can pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid in the Guidance Office in January. All applications must be received by June 30, 2006. Students are also able to apply online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm.

Charlene Pelfrey elected new Mason mayor Charlene Pelfrey was elected mayor of Mason on by Mason City Council on December 1. Pelfrey, who was elected to Mason City Council in 1999 is only the second woman to hold the mayoral office in Mason. The city council also elected Tom Grossmann as Vice Mayor.

Calculator registration Students can register Texas Instruments calculators on Naviance.com.

This allows supervisors to trace them and return them to you once you have reported them lost.

Mason Skatepark website created Students interested in the construction and layout of the skatepark can visit www.sitedesigngroup.com. The username is mason. The password is available on Edline.

- compiled by Stephanie Visscher

BY MATT PARTINGTON Chronicle Staff Writer In a recent tour through Texas and Arizona, Bush focused on his plans to try and reform immigration policies within the U.S. The announcement comes at a time of political division among Republicans, some who are calling for stricter code, and others who want to grant illegal immigrants permission to stay as citizens.

"Illegal immigration's a serious challenge," Bush said at a Tucson Air Force Base on October 29, 2005. "And our responsibility is clear. We are going to protect the border."

The rise in illegal immigrants entering the U.S. has become an increasingly troublesome problem in the last decade for Border Control agents.

Estimates from the Pew Hispanic Center show that the number of illegal immigrants currently in the United States has doubled in the last nine years to more than 11 million, and more than 4.5 million have been caught attempting to cross the border since 2001.

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the government has attempted to dissuade illegal immigration. Although more Border Patrol agents have been hired and newer technologies are being used, such as sensory camera lenses, the number of immigrants entering illegally per year has not swayed.

"Heightened border enforcement has not deterred would-be immigrants from entering the United States, nor has it reduced the size of the annual inflow. What it has done is channel migrants away from traditional crossing points to remote areas where the physical risks are great but the likelihood of getting caught is small," Washington Post columnist Douglas Massey said. "As a result, the number of deaths has risen to around 460 people a year while the probability of apprehension has fallen from a historical average of

around 33 percent to around 10 percent."

Bush's proposed plan attempts to find middle ground in the debate over how the United States should deal with illegal immigration.

A bill was signed last month which gave $2.3 billion to Border Patrol and $3.7 billion to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, and Bush has said that more agents will be hired to watch the borders and hopefully deter illegal immigration.

"We're going to secure the border by catching those who enter illegally and hardening the border to prevent illegal crossings," Bush said.

Bush has also advocated the passing of a temporary worker program. Such a program would aim at allotting visas to illegal immigrants already residing in the United States. After a three year period , the permit would expire and they must return to their rightful country for one year, whereupon they could request a new permit.

"There's a lot of opinions on this proposal," Bush said. "But people in this debate must recognize that we will not be able to effectively enforce our immigration laws until we create a temporary worker program."

The plan intends to appease both Bush's conservative base, which is pushing for reformation of lackluster immigration control, and the large business sector that relies upon the hiring of undocumented immigrants. The way in which the government should reform immigration policy, however, has become the biggest debate in Washington.

Senator John McCain, Republican from Arizona, alongside Edward Kennedy, Democrat from Massachusetts, is attempting to persuade his congressional counterparts to support a bill which will allow illegal immigrants to be granted working visas valid for up to six years, followed by either a return to their home nation or registration for a green card.

McCain's Arizona counterpart in Congress, Republican Jon Kyl, has recently supported a bill with Texas Senator John Cornyn, also a Republican, that supports the deporting of illegal immigrants to their respective nation of origin whereupon they can request a temporary work permit for reentry into the United States.

Some, however, such as Republican Representative Marsha Blackburn, doubt the viability of these proposed policies if the problem is not first fixed at its core.

"We have no business discussing guest worker programs until we can actually prevent illegal entry," Blackburn said.

Angela Kelley, assistant director of the National Immigration Forum, thinks that it is unfeasible to expect illegal immigrants currently residing in the country to willingly exit.

"They're not going to leave," Kelley said.

"They would go back to an undocumented state, and we would end up with an even bigger illegal immigrant population than we have now."

Most debate is expected to take place within the Republican Party, being that the overwhelming majority of Democrats support a bill which will give illegal immigrants a green card, as long as they have lived in the US for more than five years and have worked for more than two years.

Bush's plan, however, does not supply illegal immigrants with citizenship but a temporary worker permit.

Mexico's President Vincent Fox endorses the bill supported by Bush.

The implications of this debate are expected to be felt in next year's mid-term election, and potentially in the next presidential running.

The Hispanic population has turned into a sizeable demographic to electioneer for, and many of those voters are residing in swing states such as Nevada, New Mexico, and Florida, meaning illegal immigration could become a central political topic inside, and outside, party lines.

The Hubley Driving School Student of t he Month Hubley Driving School & The Chronicle are proud to honor

SUSANNE MARTIE

Grade: 12 In school accomplishments: Captain of the Tennis team Member of NHS Participant in Ski Club and Lacrosse team 4.0 Honors GPA past three years Out of school accomplishments: Volunteer at Cedar Village Tutor at the Intermediate School Volunteer at Sheltie Dog Rescue

Favorite Class(es): Math Science School Bank Future Plans/Goal: Attend College Major in the field of math, science, or business Teacher Quote: "Susanne is an outstanding all-around young lady with a very bright future ahead of her. She is as genuine a young adult as I have ever seen in 15 years of teaching. She is caring, kind, and compassionate and knows what is important in life."

-Ms. Carol Lehman, Science Teacher

Personal Quote: “Be true to yourself.�

-anonymous

Chronicle photo by Michelle Rotbart

5606 Tylersville Rd Mason, OH 45040 754-8652

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5606 Tylersville Rd Mason, OH 45040 754-8652

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December 20, 2005

CHRONICLENewsFeature

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Teachers prepare the material, do the research, and look for exciting ways to present the information. But after all this preparation, they’re still asking students...

Why won’t you read?

BY MATT PARTINGTON Chronicle Staff Writer Irony of ironies: You're reading an article about teens not wanting to read. Yes, the activity you're doing right now, the one that was invented more than 4000 years ago and has been the sole influence in designing the human thinking mode, is becoming dated.

It should not surprise you that aliteracy, or lack of interest in reading, is quite prevalent within teenage demographics.

One does not have to go further than the halls of Mason High School to hear such declarations as "I hate reading," or "I never read," and according to many this attitude poses a great threat to our culture and society.

"About 100% of first-graders walk in on the first day and are interested in this thing called reading," University of Yale Professor Kylene Beers said. "Eighty percent of graduating high school seniors tell us they will never again voluntarily read another book."

The controversy concerning literature's demise and television's rise has been long argued-over in past decades. Some say that print itself only serves as a transitional medium anyhow and will eventually, and fluidly, become less depended on in future centuries as other forms of media take form. Others, however, think that the lack of reading within our culture is a reflection of a larger and more alarming problem, one that could threaten the wellbeing of mankind to its very core.

"Its decline, many theorists believe, is as profound as, say, the fall of communism, and some have taken to prophesying that the downturn in reading could result in the modern world's cultural and political decline," Steinhardt School of Education professor Mitchell Stevens said.

Neil Postman, former Communications Professor at New York University and social theorist, declared in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death that "a mode of thinking is being lost."

Statistics both support and detract from these theories. No precise calculations exist concerning reading habits of those living in past centuries, which makes it difficult to assess any historical decline in reading interests. One merely has to ask a teenager, however, to grasp a hint of indifference towards reading.

"Some of my friends read in their leisure time," senior Brandon Lutz said. "But most of my classmates don't."

The distancing from reading within the last half century, particularly among younger demographics, has made an impact on American society.

"This loss is now being felt in our cultural activities and in our politics, as well as in our children's SAT scores, and it could get worse," Stevens said. "But of course such prophecies are delivered in print, so no one pays much heed."

Average verbal SAT scores plummeted 22 percent from 476 to 415 between 1952 to 1995, when the College Board changed the way the test was graded in order to eliminate the statistical drop.

"The decline in SAT scores has a lot to do with not reading," College Board President Donald Stewart said.

"The ability to read is linked to the ability to process,

analyze and comprehend information. I guess that's called thinking."

A recent survey of more than 2,500 young persons in America (13-24 years old), conducted by Carat North America, discovered that on average only 6 hours per week are spent on recreational reading. This is compared to 16.7 hours spent online, 13.6 hours spent watching television, 12 hours listening to the radio, and 7.7 hours talking on the phone. Furthermore, a Gallup poll revealed that the number of people who admitted to not reading a book within the past year doubled from 8% to 16% between the years 1978 and 1990.

Mason English teacher Tim King feels that aliteracy, or the lack of interest in reading, is slowly becoming more prevalent among students.

"I think of my kids who used to read a lot more than they do now, and they [now] spend their time watching TV and playing video games," King said, adding, however, that he does not believe the popularity of reading is an "alarming" matter.

Fellow Mason English teacher Ann Helwig believes that much of the student resentment towards assigned reading comes from an overarching distaste for education.

"Here's how I think most teenagers look at required reading: It's just school. And school is boring, and school is something you're supposed to rebel against," Helwig said. "That's part of growing up."

Statistics refute claims that books are becoming less popular. The number of "books in print" last year reached 133,196 new titles, approximately 16 times the amount in print 40 years ago. The number of books bought per year is also on a steady incline, particularly during the holiday season.

"When I go to Border's or Barnes and Noble I see a lot of college-aged students or young adults in their 20s and they're looking at books. Based on the success of those big book stores, somebody's reading," King said.

Despite increased sales, however, no legitimate information exists which proves that people are actually reading the books.

According to author DeAnn Welker, reading habits have shifted in order to coincide with the disposition of a television-driven society.

"The biggest concern I have is that, as a nation, we seem to want to feign reading instead of doing it," Welker said. "We would rather read a 30-word blurb in The Week about the news that's happening in the world than the lengthy account of it in Newsweek or the analysis of it in The New Yorker."

Senior Keil Weimer agrees with Welker's sentiment.

"I think television has made us more impatient, so sitting down and reading books seems more like a chore and less like having a good time, and I'm all about having a good time," Weimer said.

Although reading remains as one of the most unpopu

Chronicle photo by Danielle Williams. Photo art by Matt Partington

lar recreational activities among teens, most will not deny its importance. A Gallup poll found that 61 percent of those asked felt that reading was a "more rewarding" experience than watching television, and 92 percent confided that reading is a "good use" of time.

Most, therefore, respect the benefits of reading but are not doing enough of it.

"I think reading is important," Lutz said. "But I just don't like to do it."

King feels that students are reading, although not on their own leisure time.

"For the most part, it seems as if [students] are reading just what they're assigned," King said. "I think it's hard for something so passive to compete with all the activities that are available and all the glittering images that are on TV and in the movies."

Steven Johnson, media theorist and author of Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter argues in his book that television, and video games in particular, are actually advancing human cognitive thought by demanding great intellectual aptitude from the viewer.

"Think of the cognitive benefits conventionally ascribed to reading: attention, patience, retention, the parsing of narrative threads," Johnson says. "Over the last half-century, programming on television has increased the demands it places on precisely these mental faculties. This growing complexity involves three primary elements: multiple threading, flashing arrows and social networks."

Some, however, regard this transition with reluctance.

"We are losing a sort of psychic habit, a logic, a sense of complexity, an ability to spot contradictions and even falsity," Postman said.

For many apart of Generation X, reading has simply been redefined by new mediums, precisely the internet, that require them to read on a different analytical level.

"Say, for instance, they read the lyrics of some group they're following, and it's poetry," Helwig said. "People aren't going to pick up Tolstoy in high school."

Another potential cause of reading's gradual demise could be due to the fact that the world, and America in particular, is experiencing a transition from a print based culture to a visual culture, similar to what was seen in the initial change from an oral culture to a print culture more than 2000 years ago.

"Students have had to learn to be savvy with gaining information from visual material," Helwig said. "And it's a whole new kind of reading."

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The

CHRONICLENews

December 20, 2005

Words from the Wild students turn class project into real life nature experience

BY CAROLINE JOHNSON Chronicle Staff Writer A new path stretches from the Grassy Knoll to the White Oak Circle in Pine Hill Park.

Seniors Andrew Moore, Tom Burnett, Mike Charnay, Kyle Colliatie and Mike Gardner built The Walnut Trail for a project in English teacher Tim King's Words from the Wild class.

Although the project was counted for a grade, the seniors feel the path is an asset to the school and community.

"We decided that the school has given so much to us. We decided to give something back to the school so that it would last forever," Burnett said.

Although Charnay had some previous experience in building, neither Moore nor Burnett had ever completed a project similar to the trail.

"This was a one of a kind [project] for me," Burnett said.

The group of seniors chose to work together, and were pleased with each member's effort, believing the project caused them to "bond."

"It was definitely a good group with good teamwork," Moore said.

Before beginning construction on the trail, the team consulted King about what was expected and what he wanted to see done. King asked the boys to put a curve in the path for more character. The planning may have been slightly difficult, but the team quickly began construction.

"As we got the ball rolling, it was pretty easy," Moore said.

The trail took three days to complete by working three to four hours each day. The first day, the team cleared the path of all the honeysuckChronicle photo by Michelle Rotbart le. The second day, they laid down the mulch, Pictured left to right: Seniors Tom Burnett, Kyle Colliatie, Andrew Moore, and the last day, the group lined the sides of the trail with heavy black locust logs. The team Mike Gardner, and Mike Charney on their trail in the Pine Hill Park.

S ENOUR F LAHERTY I NSURANCE A GENCY 7451 Mason Montgomery Road

found some of their supplies in the woods, but for tools they looked to their teacher.

They believed all their hard work to be well worth the effort. Once the path was completed ,the team reaped the benefits.

"The best part about the trail is that it is really wide. You can sit on the trail without being in the way [of other people using the trail,]" Charnay said.

The seniors began to see use of the path directly after they finished it.

"Ever since we put the mulch down people started to use the path," Burnett said.

The team recognized that the path was not only helping the high school, but the community as well.

"We saw people walking on the trail with dogs, which was cool, and they talked to us about it. They told us what a great job we did and how it was a really nice trail," Charnay said.

Even after the trail was completed, but not officially opened, the team took pride in their work and tried to preserve it as much as possible. "[At first] we tried to keep it to minimal use because we wanted to keep it as new as possible. We hadn't really opened it yet, and we wanted Mr. King to cut the rope," Moore said.

The group took pride in their work, and placed two sticks with a walnut on top on either side of the entrance, putting their final creative touch on the trail.

"We want people know it is the Walnut Trail, because it is our pride sitting out there," Moore said.

The seniors have no current plans for similar projects in the future but are open to ideas.

"As of right now we are not planning any future projects but if Mr. King would need us, I would be more than happy to help him out," Moore said.

Jack’s Driving School It’s almost the start of a new year...

(513) 398-6966 Agents Jack Flaherty Duke Flaherty

Let us help you start your driving career.

Classes @ Mason Community Center Weekdays 2:30 - 5:00 pm Register @ www.jacksdrivingschool.com or call 398-1 1999

December 20, 2005

Phantom of the Opera at the Aronoff Classic musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber "Phantom of the Opera" will be performed at the Aronoff Center for the Arts located on 650 Walnut St. Cincinnati, OH 45202. Performances are from December 20th to the 1st of January. For times, visit http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/tickets/.

Tickets range from $17.25 to $70.25. For ticket information, call: (513) 621-2787 or visit ticketing@cincinnatiarts.org.

Dance Revolution at Symmes Township Library A Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) program will be held at the Symmes Township Library on Wednesday December 21st from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

Program is for ages 10-18 and you must register. To register, call: 369-6001.

African Culture Fest at the Museum Center Passport to the World: African Culture Fest is exhibited at Museum Center Grand Rotunda located at Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Exhibit is open January 14, 15 and 16 from 12-5 pm. Event is free. For more information visit www.cincymuseum.org.

Album cover exhibit at Cincy Art Museum "Borrowed Time: The Photograph as Music Album Cover" includes photographs from photographers that have been used for various album covers; including musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, the Beastie Boys, Philip Glass and Miles Davis. Exhibit is located at the Cincinnati Art Museum and open for viewing until January 29th. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and college students, $4 for children 6-18 and children under 6 are free. For information, call (513) 721-ARTS.

Holiday exhibit at Cincinnati Art Museum Attend "Family First Saturdays: Holiday Xtravaganza" at the Cincinnati Art Museum the first Saturday of every month to create art, explore galleries, watch performances, and more.

December 3rd and 4th from 1-4 pm and January 7th from 1-4 pm. Admission is free.

Christmas Carol at Playhouse in the Park A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens will be performed by the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park at the Robert S. Marx Theater from December 21 to December 30. For show times and ticket information call 513/421-3888 or visit www.cincyplay.com.

Rock and Roll photos on display First 50 Years of Rock and Roll includes photographs of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jim Hendrix, Elvis Presley and more. Exhibit is located at Art Design Consultants Inc. located at 1310 Pendleton St. Cincinnati, OH 45202. First 50 Years of Rock and Roll can be viewed Dec 20-23 and 26-29 from 9am to 5:30pm. For more information call (513) 723-1222.

- compiled by Sarah Fukatsu

The

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CHRONICLEArts&Entertainment

7

"Lakota has a radio station, and my freshman year I wanted to start one because their radio station broadcasts out into the community and with Mason's stature, I thought we should be able to have one too.�

Rebecca Ziegler president Sophomore Jenna Garchar works the sound board in preparation for an upcoming WMSN broadcast

Mason radio station prepares for first broadcast

BY DANIELLE WILLIAMS Chronicle Staff Writer High-tech equipment, web designs, frequencies, regulations, fees, and recordings are among the few challenges and priorities included in the process of becoming an established radio station. WMSN Radio Club members must take on these responsibilities as they vigorously prepare for their momentous radio debut. After two long years, the dream of Mason High School broadcasting via radio is soon to be a reality.

Junior Becca Ziegler, the founder and club leader for three years, has watched the major development of WMSN in the past two years, and understands that after all the hard work and time put into this endeavor, it all comes down to the first word spoken and broadcasted into the ears of the community.

"We've made so much progress in the past two years," Ziegler said.

Senior Allison Hodson, who has also been a member for three years, agrees that, "it's been a long time in the making.

I want to come back after my senior year to see the progress and changes."

The interest of having a broadcasting radio at MHS was first sparked when Ziegler was inspired after hearing of Lakota High School's radio station. She then followed through with the idea of having a radio at school when she requested the establishment of Radio Club and became the club leader. After she was approved, meetings began and word got out. Radio Club then emerged.

"Lakota has a radio station, and my freshman year I wanted to start one because [their radio station] broadcast out [into the community] and with Mason's stature I thought we should be able to have one too. It would be a good step for us," Ziegler said.

However, the process of creating a radio station is not easy. In fact, it is an extremely thorough process.

"We have to look for ways to raise money, pay for frequencies, [then] they have to approve it, money for the equipment, other important approvals. It takes a lot of time; a lot more than you would

think," Ziegler said.

In actuality, because the process is so extensive and money is a huge factor, Radio Club must find ways to fund raise.

Members of the club went to Lakota radio station and inquired about their methods of success in fundraising. The club then took on the Battle of the Bands in the springtime of 2004 and the vintage clothing sale.

What is that?

Here’s a quick glimpse of the some of the equipment you will find at WMSN. This is called a Tele-Link Computer. It uploads Radio Shows and assigns times and dates for the shows to be played.

This is an E/V Large Diaphram Studio Microphone. After speaking into the microphone, it transfers your dialogue to be recorded.

This is an AirWave Digital Console Mainframe Soundboard. It controls the volume for microphones, music, recordings and broadcasts.

After the club began to raise money, they became one step closer to having the ability to broadcast. Also, Harris, a radio broadcasting company, donated equipment to Radio Club after the members took a tour around the company grounds,

in order to become more familiar with radio equipment. Radio Club is closer now than ever to coming on air.

Although, the club does not have a station they will be able to broadcast through Windows Media Player with the use of a URL (Uniform Resource Locater). The student body can always be tuned in for their broadcast 24 hours a day. With the help of donations, WMSN will be able to have its own tower and be closer to having their own radio station.

"We hope to have it next year. I'm really excited for people in the community to hear different genres of music and to be able to say their community has their very own radio station," Ziegler said.

As Radio Club members are waiting for the affirmation of when they can broadcast, they are already recording ahead with aspirations for the future.

"I have big hopes like Lakota's radio station. I want us to be able to broadcast out.

I hope freshmen will want to join and who have the same mindset to want the radio to go far," Hodson said.

According to the Radio Club advisor, Mr. Colin King, "establishing a radio station has been a learning experience [for him] as well as the students involved."

"Students will now be able to express themselves through the interviews they may make, songs they choose to play, and their opinions," King said.

WMSN has given its members experience in all aspects of life.

"The experience of learning about equipment, learning about jobs that are offered in the field, also like I learn about new local bands I didn't know about. [Radio Club] just exposes me to a lot of new stuff," Hodson said.

In the future, students may expect to hear broadcasting of school games, a dedicated hour to listen to local bands, music of all types, talk shows where teachers can relay messages, and even more is being brought to the table.

"I want everyone to have apart of something they like. If they like certain shows [on the radio] I want them to tune in to listen to them. I want everyone to be able to participate," Hodson said.

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The

CHRONICLEA&E

December 20, 2005

New form of literature gives insight into Japanese culture

BY SARAH FUKATSU Chronicle Staff Writer Teens occupy themselves with different types of entertainment. Internet. Game systems. Music. But a different type of entertainment unknown to most Americans is becoming more popular in Mason. Manga can be educational but at the same time provide the same thrills.

Manga is a graphic novel and is different from western comic books. Western comic books depict superheroes and their missions defeating evil, while in manga, readers gain knowledge of the characters.

Each book has realistic characters that grow and mature like a typical novel and plot lines are written specifically to help the reader sympathize and connect with the characters. Readers discover the characters' goals, dreams and challenges throughout the story.

Sophomore Rina Nagai, who was born in Japan, is a big fan of manga.

"I love them because they're fun. I can laugh and forget everything else. Plus, there is a lot of art," Nagai said.

There are two divisions in manga: shojo and shonen. Shojo in Japanese means girl, meaning they're written for girls and shonen means boy, which are written for guys. Mangas are also divided in categories such as comedy, action, sci-fi, romance and fantasy. But besides the category differences, all mangas can provide an insight into the Japanese language.

Junior Amie Byrd has picked up some of the Japanese language from reading these graphic novels.

"A little of the language isn't in English. Sometimes there are subtitles," Byrd said.

Sophomore Lee Philips reads manga for fun, but decided to learn Japanese in the process.

"After reading some manga, I asked two of my friends to start teaching me Japanese. It's a very cool language," Philips said.

Sophomore Alli Emlinger has also read many manga books and is continuing to learn more about the Japanese culture; including, honorifics. Japanese honorifics are used for respect and to determine your placement in the hierarchy.

"They are used by adding "chan" at the end of a child's name, "san" at the end of someone who is older than you or an

Providing the gift of warmth What started out a few years ago as a service project when she was in middle school has turned into an annual campaign for sophomore Logan Bright. Bright is once again working on a service project know as Mountains of Mittens where she collects winter accessories such as mittens, gloves, and coats for families in need throughout the community.

You can make donations at the front office. The drive will conclude on December 22.

DNANGEL is form of Manga that is distributed in the United States and Japan. adult's name, and "sama" at the end of a person in high authority," Emlinger said.

Reading manga has given Philips insight into the Japanese school system.

"Education is very important to the students and their parents," Philips said.

Philips also noted from the manga that students must wear uniforms. Uniforms usually follow the sailor design for girls and a collared shirt with dressy pants for boys. These styles are something that mangas use as the attire for their characters.

Senior Josh Bonomini feels the uniforms are far different from the attire of Americans.

"Their clothing is more presentable and conservative. You don't see many band shirts," Bonomini said.

Even though freshman Diana Wu is Chinese, she also loves to read Japanese manga.

"There is a genre for everyone," Wu said.

Many mangas typically portray food as an art form to entice readers.

"Their food looks very pretty and very tasty in the drawings. It's always so attractive," Wu said.

Mangas portrayal of Japanese culture allows high school students who have not left stateliness to experience a new culture while reading a graphic novel.

"It's not Americanized. It has its own unique culture," Byrd said.

Leet Speak, online gaming language, gaining popularity among students

BY CANDICE PHILPOT Chronicle Staff Writer

It’s about time to start thinking about your class schedule for next year. If you’re interested in becoming a member of The Chronicle staff, you must apply for acceptance into Journalism I. If you’re interesting in applying stop by room c110.

The Chronicle is always on the look-out for new talent.

"1 4/ \ / \ 3|_173: I am Elite" Contrary to the way it appears, the above "words" are not just a random compilation of symbols, but a complex online culture and language code called Leet (1337) Speak Leet is defined as an internet code that is formed by replacing letters with numbers, symbols and other letters that look or sound the same. The language known as Leet originated in the 1980's by hackers who used it to communicate between themselves but has now spread to the online gaming community.

Although years have pasted since the birth of Leet, students at MHS are able to recognize how different it is from the English language. Leet does not always follow a set convention, which is one of its challenging aspects.

"I heard it from my friends. It was confusing, so they taught me how to use it," freshman Anupama Joseph said.

Unlike those who learned Leet during high school, junior Eric Ditzel learned about Leet at a young age. "[I learned about Leet] the moment I started playing video games," Ditzel said.

The popularity of Leet is on the rise with high school students, according to junior Ben Brown.

"It's definitely more popular with online video games and in video game chat rooms," Brown said.

Senior Eric Grimmer agrees with Brown on the popularity of Leet in chatrooms.

"I play games online. [Leet] is not popular with everybody; but it is with the online gaming community," Grimmer said Although many gamers enjoy the complexity and challenge of reading and writing in Leet, others, like freshman Sam Rutherford, dislike the language. "[Leet] is really annoying. Most people who use it lack intelligence, and it's only popular if you play video games," Rutherford said.

In the past decade, Leet has also evolved into other forms of online languages.

These include Greeklish in Greek and Kushachu in Japanese. Leet Speak has also formed what Leet speakers call AOL Speak, a more simplified language that replaces words with shortened writing expressions. AOL Speakers would replace the word "at" with "@", "be" with "b", and "you" with "u".

According to English teacher Kyle Warren, AOL Speak may appear in student papers, and causes complications.

"You don't see it all the time, and you can understand what they are saying, but it deviates from standard English guidelines," Warren said.

Leet Speak may be confined to the gaming world now, but as any language, it's bound to spread.

"It's not so much important as it is fun.

It's just a lingo or another type of talk," Ditzel said.

The

December 20, 2005

Sam Goldsmith Music Review “Confessions on a Dance Floor” proves to be combination of dance and disco Madonna has always been a fascinating persona. She's exciting, controversial, and always fun to dwell upon. For 22 years she has come out with lots of impressive and artistic music. From the great albums such as “Like a Prayer,” “Ray of Light,” and “Music,” to the great singles “Like a Virgin” and “Vogue.” She amazes, and with her new album “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” she proves she's still got some great vitality left in her.

The album plays like one continuous track, making a true commitment to dance and disco. Madonna describes this album as a kind of "future disco," and she is correct. The production always brings you into the vibe, but still lets you have space to chill out.

It starts with a big bang. With songs like Get Together and the first single Hung Up, this album will assuredly be played at almost every dance from now on. And just when it starts to get a bit boring and a few clunkers start to creep in, the album makes a surprising switch in focus. It becomes self-reflective and meditative in tracks like Forbidden Love and How High. The most impressive meditation is in the song Isaac, which is dedicated to the Kabbalah master Rabbi Isaac Luria. It involves an actual Kabbalah chant as one of its main samples. For years, Madonna has been a student of Jewish mysticism, and it is truly brilliant how she incorporates her studies into the track without getting preachy or ponderous.

We all kind of forget that artists that push our buttons before, still push them now. With this album, we know that Madonna's not going anywhere for a while without a good fight. I mean, as she says herself in Like It or Not: "You can love me or leave me, cause I'm never gonna stop."

Editor’s Note: Sam Goldsmith, Eric Ditzel, and Wendy Wei are contributing writers to The Chronicle.

Eric Ditzel Video Game Review

Wendy Wei Book Review

CHRONICLEA&E

9

Matt Partington Movie Review

Shadow of the Colossus is truly a work of art

Eragon is nothing Capote proves to be more than low-quality a powerful tale fantasy

Every once and a while a new game shows up which is genuinely different.

Shadow of the Colossus (SOTC) one of those games. From the minds behind ICO, this is a gaming experience no avid gamer can go without.

From the desolate landscapes to the few splashes of lush forest, this deserted world will pull you in for an adventure of discovery and wonder. You have but one living companion: your horse, Agro. In the course of your journey you encounter sixteen Colossi ranging in size from a Hummer to an Akula class submarine.

Each one is distinctly unique and has a personality all its own. Each Colossus has weak points which you must attack with your sword. Finding these points is no easy task. You also must find a way to reach and scale each giant; in many cases, this is half the battle. Your sword will guide you.

The art direction and the storytelling of this game are remarkable. My only complaint regarding visuals is the quality of the graphics. While they are hindered by the PS2, they do not detract from the overall look and feel of the environment. The environment is the perfect blend of deserted landscape, abandoned buildings, and eye-catching nature.

When mixed together you gain a feeling of intense loneliness and curiosity. Above all, the story of SOTC will draw you in unlike many shoddy game stories.

While there is little dialogue, you still get a good feel and understanding of the characters.

The story begins with you taking a dead girl to a temple where the gods of the land command you to defeat the Colossi for a chance to bring the dead back to life. They make it very clear that this may not be possible. Throughout the game the story is slowly revealed and in the end the final cut-scene will wrap up the tale.

SOTC has one of the most touching endings I have ever seen. It can only be described as perfect.

To wrap up, you must play this game.

Whether you are a FPS junkie or a Madden wiz, this is a benchmark in gaming you need to experience.

I admit it, I read Eragon because of the hype. ("A book written by a seventeen-year-old! A bestseller! An exquisite read praised by your favorite authors!")

It lived up to none of it. It is the literary equivalent of eating a bucket of chocolate-dipped slugs. You're not supposed to, they taste disgusting, but you can't resist biting into them in the hopes that there will be at least one that's entirely chocolate. But so far, there's nothing to justify these hopes.

Christopher Paolini reads like a teenage boy's remix of Lord of the Rings, Dragonriders of Pern, and Earthsea crossed with Star Wars. If you don't fancy reading twelve series in one weekend, he might still sound pretty good. He summarizes all of them and dumps them in one book, right? But classic fantasy not all that Paolini's shaken out. He's also helped himself to a large amount of words from the depths of the thesaurus.

And there are only so many gushing descriptions of coruscating sunsets and mountainous crenellations that the average reader can take before throwing up their hands and shouting "I give up! At least my vocab book doesn't pretend it's a work of fiction!"

The Inheritance Trilogy follows the adventures of a fifteen-year-old boy named Eragon through Paolini's fantasy world of Alagaesia, when he discovers a peculiar blue stone in the mountains by his village. When it hatches into a dragon that promptly bonds its mind to his own, he is thrown into more trouble than he can imagine with the Empire, and is forced to go on the run with Brom, an old storyteller who is more than he seems.

In short: A farmboy with no idea of his parentage, an old mentor-figure, and an empire run by an evil ruler. Of course, none of us has ever heard of Star Wars, right?

But it's his utter refusal to allow character development that makes Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy a slow read. The majority of his characters' personalities can be abridged in two words or less: Dim Hero, Beautiful Damsel, Wise Mentor, Betraying Friend and so on without missing a nuance of their character.

In short: do not buy this book unless you enjoy low-quality fantasy. Or, if you need a doorstop.

If you're up on your movie gossip, then you probably have heard the superlatives surrounding Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of legendary author Truman Capote in director Bennet Miller's Capote, based on the book by Gerald Clark. Hoffman, in my humble opinion, has been perhaps the most underappreciated actor of the last decade and is long overdue for the accolades he has received as of recent. A stark, fascinating film, Capote gleams with insight about the eccentric writer whose nonfiction novel In Cold Blood thrilled the literary world.

On the night of November 14, 1959, two men walked into an unsuspecting rural Kansas home, tied down all four family members living there, and proceeded to kill them with what was seemingly no motive. The movie initiates on the morning of November 15 with a series of long, bleak shots. Out of sheer interest, Truman Capote, a writer for The New Yorker, travels to Holcomb, where the murders took place, with his childhood friend Nelle Harper Lee. Capote's focus on the story adjusts from not the event itself, but in the amateur robbers who committed the crime, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock.

Capote investigates the four years that the author spent writing In Cold Blood and the fascinating relationship he established with Perry Smith, someone who Capote seemed to relate with ("It's as if Perry and I grew up in the same house.

And one day he went out the back door and I went out the front," he says).

Capote is praised in the movie for his sheer brilliance but also shown in a spiteful light. He seeks fame and declares that Smith's story is a "goldmine," all whilst building a relationship with the man and raising his hopes of one day escaping execution. It becomes increasingly different to distinguish whether the words from his mouth are sincere truths or calculated lies, and to an extent this is left for the viewer to decide.

In Cold Blood became one of the most revolutionary novels of the 20th century, and by showing murderers in a humane manner, as lonely simpletons rather than savage killers, Capote helped transform investigative journalism. Certain images and conversations from the film will remain ingrained in your mind. Capote claims greatness in the same way In Cold Blood managed to: by immortalizing those who would forever be judged wrongly otherwise.

The

CHRONICLEFeature

After 25 years on the force, former Mason police officer begins ‘Private Eye’ business and investigative supply store

BY REBECCA ZIEGLER Chronicle Staff Writer

Wig? Check. Dressed in black attire? Check.

Briefcase full of cameras, fingerprint cases, surveillance video equipment and microphones?

Check. These may seem like unusual items to have in a briefcase, but for local private investigator Robert A. Jack, it's just another part of his job.

After serving the Mason Police Department for 25 years, Jack retired and wanted to find a job just as fulfilling as law enforcement. Knowing that applicants need a grueling 4,000 hours of investigative experience, letters of recommendation, and a written test for the state, Jack still decided to become an investigator. He opened his own business in the community that he named Innovative Services in April of 2001.

"I put [Innovative Services] in the area to be a business partner for the community. Most private investigators are one-man operations, but I want to grow and offer additional services, and not just be known as an investigator," Jack said.

Jack began Innovative Services investigating cases mainly regarding workman's compensation (money paid to employees by businesses from injury within the company), attorney support, and domestic cases such as marriage infidelity and custody. However, Jack is trying to expand his company through providing classes for all ages in women's self defense, child protection, firearms classes, fingerprinting and CSI-type workshops.

"We provide so much more than investigative services. Originally, my hope for this business was for people who love spies and their investigations to come in and enjoy our store. We're more than people hiding in the bushes; we want to provide indepth services for the community," Jack said.

One of Jack's goals for Innovative Services was to start interacting with young adults who have a passion for forensics, law enforcement and spy careers.

December 20, 2005

"I think that if young adults have a fascination or love for this type of work, there is a definite place for them [in the field], and I encourage them to stop by," Jack said.

Jack encourages espionage fans, but does not want to give people the wrong impression about his career. Television shows and movies create stereotypes for businesses like Jack's that can be false in the real world.

"Shows like Cheater's have contact with clients during surveillance, while we feel that our mission has been accomplished if we have validated client suspicion without people even knowing we were there," Jack said.

According to Jack, a common misconception is that investigators are police officers, but in reality they do not handle criminal cases.

"We can use basic fingerprinting and investigative techniques, but we mostly aid in cases that were wrongly investigated. We are not around for the purpose of prosecution, we are used strictly for the validation of suspicion," Jack said.

Jack's business is run with the help of his son Rob who is also Jack's lead investigator. Rob will take over the business when Jack decides to retire.

Jack's other son, Joey, is currently a junior at Mason High School and helps with some of the fingerprinting work on weekends and in the summer.

Jack's wife, Darlene, can also be found lending a hand by completing many of the administrative responsibilities. Although Jack does not want all employees to be family, Innovative Services was started with their help and they continue to fight through the challenges of peaks and falls of the business.

"The most exciting moment in investigating, for me, is that I have been able to start my own business and grow it to the level that it is at now.

There's just something about private investigating.

I love my job because it is not limited and I get to do all kinds of things [at work]," Jack said.

Until Jack retires and his son takes over, his heart is in his work and he will continue to provide for the community, not only keeping them safe, but interested in his work.

"I love this type of work because it's a challenge.

There is opportunity to help people, and it is extremely personally rewarding. I wouldn't trade it for the world," Jack said.

photo art by Matt Vollet

10

December 20, 2005

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compee h t s e t a id im Barry int n a d r o J r io n face. e Ju m a g g in w lo b umpet r t is h h it w n io tit faces and More than pretty girls are d r a u g , s m r o if n u ly k spar studious too! rs Beth jo a m m u r d r io n Se son, and r a L t it r B , n o s n Joh in embrace at a

Ashley Mart

r, well e ip p e h t pay It’s time to s in d n a t s o e il ny S a t it r B . t is t flu s her y la p e h s s rm a perfect fo flute.

mr o f r e p t a e r g finish of a ance.

The beat goes on for 2nd year drum major, Beth Johnson, as she keeps the band in step.

13

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CHRONICLEAds

December 20, 2005

The

William Mason High School Home of The Comets

Chronlcle

Serving up some table tennis, see page 17

DECEMBER 20, 2005

SPORTS Shorts

SPPOORRTTSS S SPECIAL REPORT

Junior Katie Fischer laces her skates to play with the boys.

See page 17.

V OLUME 3 I SSUE 3

Eighty percent of all high school and college coaches are male, leaving female athletes asking...

Bizzarri, Rapp place at state cross country meet

Bizzarri

Rapp

Senior Angela Bizzarri finished 2nd at the cross country state meet by one second. This was Bizzarri’s fourth appearance at the state meet.

Senior Chris Rapp finished 6th at the cross country meet with a time of 15:56.

Rapp was the first to qualify to the state meet since 1987.

Fairbanks signs with University of Dayton

The number of consecutive winning seasons the varsity boys basketball team has captured.

Did you know?

Current varsity boys head basketball coach and Mason alum Greg Richards, who was a multi-sport standout while playing for the Comets, played minor league baseball in the Montreal Expos’ organization.

The Expos are now the Washington Nationals.

8

Mason

Sycamore

Lakota East

Male

Female

Male

Count them. Seven out of the twelve female varsity sports 6 at Mason have men that hold the position of head coach. High schools throughout the Cincinnati area predominatntly have male coaches presiding over female varsity sports.

5 Combined, Lakota East and West have nineteen female varsity athletic programs that are coached by males. Moreover, Mount Notre Dame, an all female high school, has ten varsi- 4 ty sports that are currently being coached by males. After reading this, one can't help but ask the question, "Where 3 have all the female coaches gone?"

In 1972, the Title IX amendments were put into affect in intercollegiate athletics. The overall goal of the amendments 2 was to provide women with as many equal opportunities as men. Since the Title IX amendments were established, many people believe they have provided females with more oppor- 1 tunities at the collegiate level.

"A lot of possible high school coaches that are graduating from college choose to stay at the college level because of Title IX," Mason Athletic Director Rod Russell said. "If coaching ranks are being gobbled up at the collegiate level, then it's harder to get them here at the high school level."

While Title IX has played a strong role in providing females

Female

7

Male

BY JOEY D'AMICO Chronicle Sports Writer

Female

15

9

Male

PORTS

STATS

10

Female

Current Mason Resident and Former Bengals wide receiver Tim McGee opened his new athletic complex, Courts 4 Sports, on Friday, December 2. It includes two outdoor fields, two NCAA length indoor courts, and four regular indoor courts, food, arcade games, an apparel shop, and an observation deck. For information, contact (513)-770-0667.

Local high school female sports’ programs dominated by male head coaches

Male

New sports complex opens in Mason

Chronicle Sports photo by Joey D’Amico

Mason head girls’ basketball coach Rob Matula confers his team during a time-out in their game against the Princeton.

Female

Fairbanks

Senior Denise Faribanks recently signed with University of Dayton. Fairbanks received a full scholarship to play baskebtall for the Flyers next year.

Lakota West Mount Notre Dame

- Information provided by Ohio High School Athletic Association

High schools sports programs across Cincinnati, whether public or private, are dominated by male head coaches.

!see High School pg 16

Athletic programs influenced by a woman’s touch at collegiate level

BY BROOKE BARIA Chronicle Sports Editor Poise. Elegance. Grace. A woman's duty in society is stereotyped by tradition. That tradition is not different in coaching, a profession dominated throughout history by men. According to the Acosta, Women in Intercollegiate Sport, an organization of women and sports studies, two percent of the coaches of men's teams and less than half of the coaches of women's teams

are female. While men still coach the majority of male and female college teams, an increasing number of women are becoming involved in college coaching.

These women enter a field dominated by men. Their motivation roots from the idea to not only disprove today's culture, but to be the best of the best. To be the best, women surpass the high school level and attempt to make a name for themselves at the collegiate level. These women seize every opportunity to stand apart from the

norm, yet men still predominantly hold the desired position as a collegiate coach.

As the popularity of collegiate women sports has grown, more opportunities are available.

According to Megan Chawansky, a Sport and Exercise Humanities professor at The Ohio State University, and former women's basketball coach in Vermont, men are mainly seeking these opportunities.

!see College pg 16

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High School: Male coaches abundant in area high schools !from High School pg 15

December 20, 2005

Tipping the scale...

with more opportunities at the collegiate level, the field of study an individual chooses to pursue as a career can also affect coaching availability at the high school level.

"I would guess the majority of female athletes coming out of college aren't choosing the field of education. However, a lot of men go into education and they want to coach," Russell said.

With the local area having an abundance of male coaches involved in female athletics, female athletes admit there is a difference in having a male coach as opposed to a female coach. Mason varsity swimmer Amy Bland is one athlete that notices a style difference based on the Male head coaches of female sports at Mason include Brian gender of a coach.

Castner (softball), Rob Matula "Females are more understanding to (basketball), Tony Affatato problems," Bland said. "They are willing (track), Fred Reeder (golf), to help make things better, but some- Mark Sullivan (swimming), Paul times that can get in the way of an effec- Reedy (soccer), and Paul tive practice. On the other hand, males Limpert (lacrosse). focus more on production."

Athletes aren't the only individuals that woman need that," Mason notice change between a male and female senior basketball player Lauren Gentene coach. Coaches themselves have to make said.

Some females feel they perform better adjustments depending on the gender under a male coach because of the aggresthey are coaching.

"For me, who has been coaching 18 sion they bring to the game, but for other years with boys, the most difficult thing female athletes, they feel gender shouldhas been knowing what the "limit" is in n't affect one's performance during pracregards to the physicality of the sport," tice or competition.

"I feel I perform the same under males first year Mason varsity girls basketball coach Rob Matula said. "There is no doubt as I do females. I don't think gender that the boys’ side of basketball is more affects your performance," Mason varsity physical, so I am struggling with how swimmer and softball player Colleen Casey said. physical the girl's game can get."

Most head coaches are accompanied by When males coach females, slight adjustments in their personality may be their assistant coaches. For most male made, but most males insist their coach- coaches that coach females, they prefer to have a female as ing philosophies their assistant in don't change based order to provide the on the gender they female athletes are coaching. with someone they "Athletes are athcan relate to and letes. I don't think connect with. coaching philoso"My wife (Kelly phies change at all," Affatato) and Coach Mason varsity girls Ullom are great role track coach Tony models. I think they Affatato said. "The are tremendous role way males handle models for other females becomes diffemales. It's good to ferent because it is have them with me. difficult for a male They can relate and to relate to a connect with the female." athletes because I While most male don't know what it coaches will admit it Provided by Acosta Women in Intercollegiate Sport is like to be a is difficult to relate The national average of male and female female," Affatato to a female because coaches at the high school and collegiate level. said. they are emotionally Though it can be difficult for a male and physically different than males, they do agree that coaching them has been coach to relate to a team full of females, the male can bring a sense of demand and nothing short of a great experience.

"I love coaching girls. I think they work anger that may be hidden in the calm really hard, they are very good listeners demeanor of female coaches.

"The [males] are not afraid to say what and they don't have any egos. They are very curious and attentive to what is hap- they are thinking and sometimes teams pening and what is going on in the pro- need to be chewed out to do better and improve their performance," Casey said. gram," Affatato said.

As coaches try to keep their coaching As females continue to be coached by philosophies consistent between males males, the performance and outcome durand females, a female athlete might ing competition takes precedence over the respond differently to one gender as emotional side of the sport.

"Males understand females more opposed to the other. through a work ethic point of view," sen"Performance-wise, I dropped four seconds under Sullivan, which is more than ior swimmer Emily Kelch of Lakota East I have dropped my entire life," Bland High School said.

As the number of male coaches in said. "In practice he won't let you quit, he will yell at you and tell you to keep going, female athletics continues to remain but at the end of the year, it's well worth high, there isn't a definite answer to what seems like a "decline" in the population of it."

Performance in competitions and in female coaches. On the contrary, some practice can be directly related to the people refuse to acknowledge it as a coaching styles that males bring to their decline.

"I really don't know there is a decline," sport, which in the long haul, can help the female athletes perform to the best of Matula said. "What I will say is that I think most people hire coaches on their their ability.

"Men know how to push you, they are abilities and not their gender. That upfront when it comes to communication, should be the way it is in any occupation.� and at times, all athletes, including

Female head coaches at Mason include Julee Hill (volleyball), Kelly Affatato (cross country), Carol Lehman (tennis), Beth Bell (gymnastics), Andrea Castner (cheerleading).

College: Male and female coaches seek the same success !from College pg 15 "As women's sports gain popularity, more men are seeing coaching women and girls as a viable career option for them," Chawanksy said. Because of this, she said, men attempt to make a name for themselves by building women's programs.

University of Kentucky women's volleyball coach Craig Skinner, who was recently named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year had coached both men and women's teams in his eleven year career.

Prior to this season, Skinner was the assistant coach of the two time national champion women's volleyball team at Nebraska with a 154-11 record in five years before accepting the head coaching position at UK. In his first year as head coach, Skinner led the Wildcats their first NCAA Tournament appearance in twelve years.

But just because he is a male does not prove his philosophies are any different than a female.

"We all want to be successful whether male or female," Skinner said. "I believe any coach's goal is the same and that is to instill pride, passion and love for the game. With this said, all coaches want to be successful in everything we do."

Like Skinner, many men are looking for a career in coaching women's teams, but why are male coaches so drawn to coach women?

Dennis Craddock, the men and women's track and field coach at the University of North Carolina, sees a great difference between men and women athletes.

"Females in general cannot handle the workload physically day in and day out as much as men," Craddock said. "Females let their emotions take over at times when men don't. Females will give up their identity easier than a male in social settings. Females will bond easier than males, are more organized than males and are more coachable than males, once you have won over their trust and respect as their coach."

Skinner is in agreement that there are vast differences between coaching men and women. Skinner returned to his alma mater to coach the men's volleyball team at Ball State before leaving for Nebraska in 2000.

"I enjoy both sincerely,� Skinner said, "but men have energy all over the place which you have to channel into a common theme or goal, whereas women have energy but are more about talking reason on how to get things done."

Since many male coaches see female athletes as more approachable and coachable, they grasp any chance to coach women's teams. To the contrary, it is very rare to see women coaching men's teams.

"The idea [that men are coaching women's teams] in itself is not necessarily a problem except when we consider that women are not being seen as candidates for coaching and leading men's and boys' teams," Chawansky said. "This combination limits women's opportunities for coaching."

Chawansky also sees a problem in the hiring process.

"Another factor for [it] is the athletic directors who are doing the hiring," Chawansky said. "Most athletic directors, at least at the collegiate level, are men and tend to hire those who resemble them in terms of class, race, gender and approach to sport. Attracting a more diverse pool of qualified candidates must be a goal when hiring for a new coaching position."

Bob Scalise, director of athletics at Harvard University, disputed Chawansky's claim. Scalise said he hires the best coach for the job, regardless of gender.

"There are many factors in hiring a new coach," Scalise said. "The major ones include: their knowledge of the sport, experience coaching at the collegiate level, ability to recruit, ability to embrace the academic educational standards of Harvard and abililty to work in a collegial environment."

Scalise said he sees many applications from men for women's sports but rarely receives any applications from women to coach men's sports.

Scalise and Craddock agreed that, while men earnestly seek and take advantage of the opportunity to coach women's teams at the collegiate level, very few women look to coach men's teams.

"I'm not sure that there is a lack of female coaches [in men's athletics] because they are coaching women's teams but rather women themselves having other priorities than entering the coaching profession," Craddock said. "It is a very demanding profession that takes a great deal of time away from family life."

As family life provides another possible reason for the lack of women coaches, senior Ashley Antony, a member of the Harvard University lightweight crew team said the lack of women coaches may come from the overwhelming pressure a coach endures.

"Being a minority in the arena of sports, every action a female takes is judged and weighted by the media, sports enthusiasts, and fellow coaches, and being judged for being female, in addition to being judged by the results of her team, may deter many women from coaching," Antony said.

However, in an epidemic of equality, it is essential that men and women of today are treated fairly. Therefore, the federal legislation developed, Title IX, a law to govern the equality of men and women involved in intercollegiate athletics.

As a result of Title IX, athletic departments must spend an equal amount of money per individual on men's and women's sports teams. Because of this, many men's athletic programs have been cut in order to compensate for the amount of money spent on each individual, and many male coaches have shifted their priorities to women teams.

With men still seizing the field of coaching, the experts agreed that women must step up to the challenge to change the stereotypes of the sports world.

"It takes both men and women a long period apprenticeship before they can be considered for a head coaching position," Salise said. "There also may be some biases in society about women who are coaches. Most people, when asked to picture a great coach, have their own biases about who and what they picture. My guess is that many people envision a male coach.

Women entering the field need to continue to help change this misperception."

The

December 20, 2005

CHRONICLESports 17

Table tennis craze hits Mason with new ping pong club

BY MATT SCRUTA Chronicle Staff Writer In American culture, ping-pong is well known as an activity of recreation. The ping-pong table has become a staple in many American basements, as it is a relatively affordable hobby. The fast-paced game play and basic rules of ping-pong make it an exciting game to play, as well as an easy game to learn. Even the musical connotation of "ping-pong" suggests an aura of congeniality and simplicity.

Ping-pong, however, is not only a game for leisure. In other parts of the world, there are well-disciplined athletes who have evolved as masters of the game of ping-pong. Professionally, the game is known as table tennis. This class of players has impeccable hand-eye coordination and flawless mechanics, and they practice their mechanics relentlessly. Table tennis

Chronicle Sports photo by Matt Scruta

Sophomore Tian Xu Zhao (Jared) practices ping-pong every Monday in the commons.

was only first recognized as an Olympic sport at the Seoul Olympics of 1988. But even with such a brief professional history, fans of the sport fill arenas to see the

professionals play table tennis. A match commences, and fans are then mesmerized, as what was once an orb is now a blur hurtling methodically between the players. The players react with sub-conscious ease to volley the ball that is tearing and spinning maliciously at them.

Table tennis is not just the mildly competitive hobby that is to the common American; it is a worldwide conglomerate like any other professional sport.

On the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pro Tour, no country in the world dominates the international rankings like the nation of China.

Currently, five of the top ten table tennis players in the world are Chinese.

Growing up in China, Sophomore Tian Xu Zhao was exposed to the sport early and often.

"In China, they don't dominate a sport."

Zhao said. "America has famous athletes such as [Michael] Jordan and [Pete] Sampras, but China isn't good at anything but table tennis. It is a symbol for the Chinese people."

Zhao recognizes the professional aspect of table tennis, and he is already a seasoned veteran at the sport. He was only seven years old when he first picked up a paddle. While most kids that age might struggle with their basic hand-eye coordination, Zhao was working on skills well beyond his years.

"My dad started me from scratch," Zhao said. "First he worked on developing my forearm muscles, then taught me little by little my skills and basics."

Zhao's knack for table tennis was influenced heavily by his father who, like Zhao, had taken up the sport as a youngster. Zhao moved to America when he was in third grade. With the move, Zhao acquired the American name "Jerry". As Zhao grew older, he was able to challenge and compete with his father. He enjoys playing and learning, except one night a feeling of monotony became hard to quell.

"My dad and I were getting into it, playing the best of five games, but it got old after a week," Zhao said. "So my friends and I got together and said, why don't we start a club at school?"

The idea was feasible enough, so he began looking for an advisor for the club.

"I had a hard time finding an advisor," Zhao said.

But Zhao eventually found the right person, as history teacher Ken Whitney stepped up.

"I talked to Whitney and he was interested," Zhao said. "He thought it would be fun."

Whitney taught Honors World History to Zhao last year.

"Jerry came to me, and we talked about the club at the end of the year," Whitney said. "We saw it as something we could do this year."

The idea of the club has become a reality. Currently there are forty people in the club, and Zhao is the integral reason the club has developed.

"He's done everything," Whitney said.

"He made the permission slips, the PowerPoint on the rules of table tennis, and it was totally his ideas. Without him, we wouldn't have a table tennis club."

As with any pioneering venture, there have been growing pains for the table tennis club.

"We need more tables," Zhao said. "We don't have the money to get more tables, so it's limited to the number of matches everyone plays."

On a tight budget, it has been difficult to amass multiple tables.

Furthermore when they are able to come across the tables, storing them away represents another quandary for Whitney and Zhao.

"Hopefully, we can grow by two or three tables each year," Whitney said. "Then, maybe we can play with other schools that have a club. Right now, we focus on playing amongst ourselves."

Hockey provides outlet for many Comet athletes; Fischer has something to prove

BY MATT HUNTER Chronicle Sportswriter Unlike the typical screaming of crowds and rallies of supportive teenagers, the hockey rink is filled with empty space, coke cans on the ground, and two teams ready to play.

The only sounds that fill the rink are the sounds of bodies slamming to the glass as those few dedicated fans stand cringing at the pain right before their eyes. Although the rink may be a dismal arena of play, there are those few players that will dedicate hours of their weeks and continue to lace up their skates and endure the pain of play each weekday simply to earn the title of a hockey player.

Senior Kevin Nichols has been playing ice hockey for 14 years, and has endured his fair share of bumps and bruises. Nichols plays for the Cincinnati Cyclones, who compete in the AAA ice hockey level, which is the highest form of amateur hockey. Despite the possibilities of broken bones, lifetime scars, and stitches, he continues to gear up and hit the ice.

"I've gotten stitches in my chin from getting hit with a stick, and a lot of scars from being slashed, but I haven't broken a bone yet," Nichols said.

Traditionally, hockey has been a sport dominated by male athletes. Only recently has the sport seen an increase in participation on the part of the females. In the past 10 years, participation for women's hockey has skyrocketed by 400%. The highest level of women's hockey was established in 1999 by the National Women's Hockey League that is based in Canada.

Junior Katie Fischer became a part of this statistic ever since the seventh grade. She was also influenced by her brothers who play hockey. She is currently playing roller hockey for Mason's club team and is also playing for the Cincinnati Swords. "[My brothers] made fun of me because I played soccer, so I started to play with them because it was fun. My best friend played, and that helped me get started too," Fischer said.

Although Fischer plays for fun, she has future aspirations to play hockey at an even higher level. Currently on the 16 and under girls USA team, Fischer plans to try out for the Junior USA girls’ team next year.

Some girls who play with the guys are welcomed while others are treated as if they don't deserve a spot on the

Chronicle Sports photo by Matt Hunter

Junior Katie Fischer (33) skates her way toward her future goal to play for the Junior USA girls team. team. Whatever the case may be, girls do play hockey with boys.

"I know a lot of [my teammates] from school, and they thought it was cool [when I started playing]. The guys you play against are a little different; some are nice and some guys are jerks," Fischer said.

Fischer's former teammate Timmy Bryant agrees with Fischer.

"Playing with Katie [Fischer] was just like playing with another guy, but there are guys we played against who were jerks," Bryant said.

After lining up across from Fischer for the first couple of minutes, her male defenders learn that the saying "plays like a girl" is a huge understatement.

"Some guys underestimate me at first, but they get mad because I might score on them. Then they start playing for

real," Fischer said.

Bryant notices the same things Fischer notices during play.

"I feel more defensive if the girl is on my team; I kind of look out for her," Bryant said.

Not that he has to. Fischer can handle her own in the rink.

"I've been kicked out [of a game] before for fighting. I hit a guy in the leg with my stick, but he hit me first," Fischer said.

The brutality of hockey is always present to any player that steps in the rink, no matter which gender. With a sport that allows constant hits and hard checks, brutality is just second nature to these athletes who participate in relative obscurity.

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Sports Notebook

Athletes often motivated by inspirational movies and music

Wrestling team looks to experience this season

BY MORRISON TRACY Chronicle Sports Writer

The wrestling team is coming off on one of the most decorated seasons in school history. Heavyweight Zach Marshall won the state championship for his weight class. Another state qualifier, Dan Mizener, was a key leader of the team. Both Marshall and Mizener won 30 matches last year. Marshall, however, is now studying at the University of Maryland on a football scholarship, and Mizener is studying at John Carroll University.

Despite having both wrestlers moved on to college, this year's team depends on their experience to make yet another run to the state tournament. Under firstyear coach Craig Murnan, the Comets bring back a number of varsity wrestlers, including several with experience at districts.

The feature grappler of the 2005-06 season looks to be senior Brain Porter, who qualified for the state meet last year.

Porter finished 1-2 at the state meet, and finished the season with an overall record of 35-9. He will wrestle in the 189-pound weight class.

Many other wrestlers look to be factors of the team, and possibly wrestle their way to state competition. With Marshall gone, sophomore Josh Kline occupies the heavyweight spot. Senior Jamie Morton returns to the 215-pound weight class. Morton tallied 24 pins last season, and is a wrestler to watch. Junior Wes Kana will wrestle at 171, and senior Steven Yost at 160. Senior Ben Villanyi is penciled in at 152, and junior Chad Kline has the 145-pound weight class locked up.

Kline is a two-time district qualifier.

Another junior, Brian Hyland, returns to the 140-pound weight class. Senior Joel Cooperstein will wrestle at 135, and fellow senior Eddie Suess will wrestle at 130. Both Cooperstein and Suess are district qualifiers, and have moved up one weight class from last year. Junior Ahmed Kamel, a first-year varsity wrestler, takes over at 125. Senior Nick Ford was another district qualifier last year, and returns to wrestle in the 119 pound weight class. Two brothers, senior An Nguyen and junior Duy Nguyen will at the 112-pound spot. Freshman Josh Artrip will wrestle at 109.

Adversity, pain, triumph, and victory are the energizing series of events that define athletes. The powerful scenes portrayed in inspirational movies such as Miracle and Coach Carter bring athletes ecstasy for life on and off the court.

The influence of movies and music is seen in locker rooms and weight rooms for teams across the country. Images are painted on the walls as murals for everyone to look up to. As athletes prepare for competition; scenes from movies and the lyrics of songs become engraved in their minds. Senior wrestler Brian Porter reminisces back to Rudi before every match and begins to focus.

"When I am sitting around before I wrestle, I always think about the movie Rudi," Porter said. "When Rudi stands up in the locker room and repeats that speech to the team, it just makes me want to get up and be a leader."

In addition to the inspiration for every match, classic sports films instill life lessons. Life outside the competition deals with family, love, and adversity.

"No one supported Rudi, and he was able to rise above all the challenges. It's a rags-to-riches story to me. When I live my life I try to do the same. I want to always rise above the difficult tasks ahead of me. The movie Rudi was able to teach me that lesson, and I value that every single day," Porter said.

In addition to Rudi, other athletes may be inspired by the story of Coach Carter. The 1999 Richmond High School Oilers were made up of a group of disobeying, poor attitude, rebellious young men. Their coach, Ken Carter, immediately put the boys on a strict academic rule requiring the athletes to carry a 2.9 grade point average. Unlike Mason, Richmond was a school where less than 50% of the students graduate high school. The newfound focus on academics and diligence motivated the boys on and off the basketball court.

Because of Coach Carter's motivation, Mason boys varsity basketball coach Greg Richards, took his team to see the movie. Junior forward Matt White was in question on why Richards had taken them to see the movie.

"When [Richards] took us to the movie, I figured this must be pretty important if our own coach is taking us to make sure we see this movie," White said. "The boys from Richmond really inspired me to put in the extra effort. We have everything here in Mason and watching what the Richmond boys grew up with makes me want to give everything I have and appreciate all I have been given."

Basketball stories like Coach Carter are usually magnified over the less celebrated sports like hockey. The lowly underdog 1980 Olympic hockey team had moviemakers looking to put hockey into the mix of inspiring sports stories. The movie Miracle hit theaters everywhere in 2004. Hockey players like senior Kevin Nichols skate onto the ice with the mentality of those on the 1980 Olympic team.

"Miracle was amazing," Nichols said. "The best movie ever made, and I'll say that with no doubt in my mind."

The gold medal by the U.S. hockey team provided hope for America, and it showed that athletes can overcome the impossible odds.

"When you watch the sports’ movies of today, you always seem to leave with the simple feeling of never giving up on your dreams," Nichols said. Always strive to be better, and I

Boys’ basketball returns three starters While the team lost All-FAVC First Team member Jack Brown and secondteam member Mike Decker to graduation, the team returns much of its core from last years 14-8 campaign. Leading scorer Travis Brown, who averaged 20.9 points per game last year, returns to guide the Comets through another season. Also returning are seniors Matt Hunter and Tyler Lyon for the Comets this season.

Through the first three games of the season, the Comets stand at four wins and zero losses, with wins coming against Kings and Lebanon in the Union Centre Mortgage Tip-Off Classic at Lebanon High School. In the first, Mason defeated Kings, despite a poor offensive output, by a score of 36-19. Stifling defense that allowed zero points in the second quarter allowed the Comets to pull away for the win. In the second game of the tournament, the Comets defeated Lebanon 46-30 for the tournament title.

Travis Brown led the way with 14 points, while Tyler Lyon contributed 12 additional points to help the team pull away from Lebanon in the second quarter. In the third game of the season Mason stifled Amelia 57-38, with Brown scoring 20 points and Hunter scoring 12 points to guide the team to victory.

- compiled by Matt Scruta and Drew Allen

personally think that Miracle, Rudi and Coach Carter all have a lasting effect on today's athletes."

In addition to movies, today's media has promoted music to be inspiring as well. Before the game begins the fast paced, motivating beat playing in the background, sends the athletes adrenaline into an uproar as they mentally prepare for the intensity of the game.

Lady Comets junior guard Kristen Lamotte believes that music keeps everyone elated yet calm before their games.

"Before every game I listen to my rap music, and it's usually not the same song. Whatever is my favorite at the time; I usually listen to that song," Lamotte said. "Any rap music is motivating for me."

Lamotte attributes the beat and quick rhythm of the rap music as the reason that she enthusiastically anticipates the game.

"When I hear the beat turn up I just want to get up and dance," Lamotte said.

"In this case I don't dance; I just go to play basketball. The music relaxes me and gets me focused on the game ahead.'

When Lamotte listens to a song, she usually hears it throughout her game.

"The last song I hear before we have to leave the locker room is usually the song I continually think about and replay in my head during the entire game," Lamotte said. The music clears my mind and makes me less nervous during the game."

Brian Porter also listens to music for relaxation.

"I like to listen to Metallica or P.O.D. before I wrestle," Porter said. "The volume helps me get rid of the noise of the crowd. I stop thinking about everything and just clear my mind of all troubles and worries."

Porter says he uses music as a distraction.

"The lyrics or beat never get to me at all," Porter said. "The music to me is just there.

It's like I'm not even listening to it. I could have Mozart playing for all I care. I just want to be away, and the music makes it so I can't hear anything. I put on whatever will drown out the noise from the crowd."

In some cases, music defines a portion of who you are, whereas for others, music is their life.

"Chaos," Porter said. "That is my life in music. I am chaos. It's simple as that."

"Hard work does pay off and you realize that when you watch a film that is based on a true story.

Every single story teaches you a lesson," Nichols said.

HIGHLIGHT REEL Lauren Gentene Basketball Senior

Denise Fairbanks Basketball Senior

Tyler Lyon Basketball Senior

Chase Conn Basketball Junior

Senior Lauren Gentene returns as the Lady Comets' floor general this season and has played quality minutes for her team this season.

Senior Denise Fairbanks has picked up where she left off last season. The University of Dayton bound center scored 12 points against Cincinnati's powerhouse Princeton and 21 points against Amelia.

Second year varsity player Tyler Lyon has scored a season high 14 points in the Lebanon Invitational Championship game, earning him 1st Team All Tournament Honors.

First year varsity player junior Chase Conn has come off the bench and added a spark for the Comets offense this season, adding two of the six threes in the Comets' opener against backyard rival Kings.

The

December 20, 2005

Gameday Rituals

“

Eddie Suess ,

Senior

Varsity Wrestling

Gatorade never tastes as sweet until Suess cuts ten pounds in one week

I always have Subway and a Gatorade after weighins. I have a pair of lucky socks that I always wear and I ll listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers before I wrestle.

Everyone on the team gets around the person that is about to wrestle and starts yelling at him. It definitely fires me up.

”

Senior varsity wrestler Eddie Suess ended last year with a record of 2111 and wrestled at 125 pounds. Suess had six pins last season and won the Fort Ancient Valley Conference.

- Compiled by Matt Scruta

How I got Started...

The Chronicle wants to know how you got started playing your sport...

"I started playing basketball when I was seven years old. My dad bought me a hoop when I was little and that was the first time I was ever able to

Matt White, Junior Varsity Basketball

play. My dad and being in competition influenced me to continue playing.”

Junior Matt White returns from last year’s junior varsity team and is now starting for the Comets. White is a forward for the varsity basketball team this winter.

- Compiled by Morrison Tracy

What’s Your Take?

Who is your favorite Bengal?

CHRONICLESports 19

Campus Scene Fall Sport Stars In this month’s College Watch we are checking out two former Mason High School students. Both were stars for the Comets during their days in high school and are continuing to see success at the collegiate level.

Nicole Britenriker: Class of 2004 Currently in her sophomore season at The Ohio State University, Nicole Britenriker has experienced great success on the volleyball court for the Lady Buckeyes.

This year, Nicole has played in 107 games and has posted 294 kills which is good enough for the third highest total on the team. Throughout the season, Nicole has posted 97 blocks which has put her in second on the team in that category.

This season, Ohio State University Nicole has helped lead the Lady Facts Buckeyes to a 22Nickname: Buckeyes 8 overall record and a 14-6 record Britenriker Conference: Big Ten in Big Ten play. The 14-6 record in the conference was good Famous Alumni: enough to earn the Buckeyes a tie for third Vince Doria (VP of ESPN), Joey Galloway place in the Big Ten with the Minnesota (NFL Wide receiver), Eddie George Golden Gophers.

(Heisman Trophy Winner, NFL Football Recently, Nicole was named athlete of player), Patricia Heaton (Actress on the week by Ohio State. She was the Everybody Loves Raymond), Bobby Knight team's top scorer against Michigan and (Basketball Coach), Clark Kellogg (TV Michigan State where she scored 17.5 and sports analyst),), George Voinovich (U.S 19.5 points respectively. Against Michigan Senator), Archie Griffin (Two time heisman State, Nicole posted a team high in blocks trophy winner), John Havlicek (NBA Hall of with 14.

Famer) A 2003 graduate of Mason, Nicole was named to the second team all state team her junior season and the first team all state team her senior season. Nicole was also named the player of the year in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference during both her junior and senior seasons.

Nicole was also a member of the girl's’ track team where she competed in the high jump and long jump. While at Mason, Nicole received Academic Athletic Honors and was an FAVC All-Academic Athlete. Nicole is currently undecided on her major.

Matt Owens: Class of 2004 A 2004 graduate of Mason, Matty Owens is currently a sophomore at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio. As a member of the Crusaders men's basketball team, Matty is the team's sixth man and usually finds his playing time at the shooting guard and point guard positions where he is averaging 23.1 minutes and 5.6 points per game. Matty has started in three of the seven games the Crusaders have played.

While at Mason, Matty was the first freshman to play on the varsity squad under head coach Capital University Greg Richards. Not only did Matty play on the varFacts sity team as a freshman, he made an impact by setting the school record for the most points scored by Nickname: Crusaders a freshman with 132 in a single season. Matty was also named a first team all Fort Ancient Valley Colors: Purple and White Conference selection both his junior and senior seasons and was an honorable mention nominee in Affiliation: NCAA Division III the city his senior season.

Conference: Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC)

100 students surveyed

- compiled by Joey D’Amico

Jennifer Flaherty Photography 398-1428

Quality Senior Portraits at affordable prices

The home of Mason Comet Bowling & The Mason High School Fun Bowling League

20

The

CHRONICLESports

December 20, 2005

All I want for Christmas is. . .

photo contributed

Randi Rowlett sits on her champion horse Dynamic Sportsbuff.

Forget about Freddy Adu, this MHS junior turned pro when she was ten

BY DREW ALLEN Chronicle Sports Writer Mason athletes have accomplished a lot in the schools long and storied history. With several state championships having been claimed since 2000 and countless league championships, success is not something new. Few, if any, however, have claimed as much national recognition and accolades as one Mason junior.

Since turning pro in the sport of Equestrian at the age of 10, junior Randi Rowlett has taken home some of the most coveted trophies in the sport, including the American Quarter Horse Association Congress. That event is the largest of its type in the world.

"Ever since I went pro, I've won the Dixie nationals, East Coast Championship, placed 3rd at the Youth World in Fort Worth (Texas), the Wilmington Finals, Southern Ohio Circuit Championship, the Boystown Gateway classic and Gordyville finals, " Rowlett said.

"When I was nine, I won the AQHA Congress, which is the largest competition in the world." The AQHA Congress is held annually in Texas, and each year features over 10,000 riders in several different age groups and competitions.

But what exactly is equestrian?

Equestrian is a sport with multiple events including Dressage, Jumping and Eventing. Dressage involves horses performing set movements based on subtle aids from the rider, while jumping involves the horse and rider jumping a series of 15 obstacles.

Eventing combines the first two disciplines, and adds a third competition of riding a cross-country course on horseback. All three are Olympic competitions, Rowlett, however, does not participate in any of these events.

"I participate in an event called Western Pleasure. During your time the judges will call out certain commands for you to make your horse perform. You have to make the horse perform only with your legs, by

CHECK OUT THE NEW

either squeezing your thighs or by using your spurs," Rowlett said. "It's very meticulous."

Besides the necessary mental focus and concentration, other elements make the sport both physically and mentally demanding.

"You usually have to get up between three and four in the morning," Rowlett said. "Competitions are usually very far away, for example, the Dixie Nationals are in Mississippi. You also have to practice a lot to be able to make the horse perform. At least a few hours a day."

Because her horse, Dynamic Sportsbuff, is in Indiana, Rowlett must travel a few hours just to practice.

"Since my horse is in Indiana, I have to travel a lot," Rowlett said.

"But I still practice multiple times during the week. I also stay there sometimes on the weekend."

While equestrian can take a mental and physical toll, it also can take a hit on the wallet, too.

"My horse cost $80,000," Rowlett said. "Then you have to pay for feed, trainers and transportation.

However, a horse can eventually pay for itself. I won enough competitions with my horse that we eventually resold it for $125,000."

With all of her success in equestrian, Rowlett has had to practice for a long time. She started riding at a very young age and has continued to this day.

"My mom rode and she's the one that encouraged me to ride," Rowlett said. "When I was four I got a pony, and then I started 4-H. I used to sneak to the barn when I was five or six and ride with one of my friends.

Since youre not allowed to ride in 4H when you're 10years old, I turned professional. I then traded in my 4H horse for a show horse and began riding professionally."

Even though Rowlett has been riding since her early years, she has no plans to stop.

"I love riding, and I want to do it for the rest of my life," said Rowlett.

I'm going to get my own stables, get my kids involved and train show horses.

masoncomets.org

“I hope we get a state title, for the team or individually, but preferably for the team.”

Wrestling coach Dino Davis “I hope we become the conference champions.”

Varsity basketball player Jordan Heatherly “I want to beat Lakota West and for the varsity lineup to be healthy all year.”

Varsity football player Chad Kline said.

“I want to beat Lindsay Grasley from Kings in the breastroke.”

Varsity swimmer Amy Bland “I want a huge win over Sycamore.”

Varsity soccer player Ali Bagley I want to beat St. Xavier and become the state champions.”

Varsity swimmer Michael Whipkey

“I wish for good fortune, good health and another trip to the state tournament,” Wrestling coach Craig Murnan

“I want to dominate on the offensive glass.”

Varsity girls basketball coach Rob Matula “I want perfect health and happiness for our team.”

Swimming head coach Mark Sullivan

“I want to win the Mason Holiday Classic.”

Varsity boys basketball coach Greg Richards

The

December 20, 2005

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This season Brown was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Lebanon Holiday Classic. He scored seven points in their victory against Kings, 36-19. In their second game, Brown scored 14 points defeating Lebanon 46-30.

The Comets recently beat the Amelia Barons 57-38 with Brown leading the team with 21 points. Recently Brown contributed 18 points to their 59-49 victory against Anderson. After four games, he is averaging 16 points per game.

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The

CHRONICLEViews

December 20, 2005

STAFF POLICY The Chronicle is the official student newspaper of William Mason High School. The Chronicle is produced by students enrolled in Journalism I, II, and III. Editorials reflect the staff’s opinion but do not neccesarily reflect the opinions of the school administration or the Mason City School District.

The Chronicle is published monthly.

Call 398-5025 ext. 33110 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, obscentiy, clarity, and poor taste. Letters to the editor may be dropped off in room C110 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 Journalism Association for Ohio Schools.

CONTACT INFORMATION The Chronicle William Mason High School 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Mason, Ohio 45040 398-5025

THE CHRONICLE STAFF Editor Olga Borodulin Sports E ditor Brooke Baria Business M anager Kelsey Flaherty Editorial C artoonist Peter Springsteen Logistics M anager Michelle Rotbart Staff P hotographers Michelle Rotbart Josh Geiger Sarah Fukatsu Rebecca Ziegler Sharon Stewart Technical a nd G raphic Assistants Matt Vollet Josh Geiger Sarah Fukatsu Staff W riters Drew Allen Joey D’Amico Stephanie Visscher Caroline Johnson Sarah Fukatsu Matt Hunter Matt Partington Candice Philpot Matt Scruta Rachel Slezak Sharon Stewart Morrison Tracy Danielle Williams Rebecca Ziegler Business S taff Sarah Fukatsu Danielle Williams Michelle Rotbart Adviser Mr. Dale Conner

STAFF EDITORIAL

Founding fathers would have taken the time to write a letter to the editor When the founding fathers began writing the U.S. Constitution, they probably envisioned a nation filled with U.S. citizens who would be compelled by freedom of speech to always state their opinions to the world, whether through text or speech. The students at Mason High School, however, are apathetic to this freedom.

While there are those citizens living in poverty-stricken nations with corrupt governments, where stating your opinion can lead to your death, the students at MHS sit quietly in their seats. But not out of fear. No, it is a far worse reason why they sit silent. They sit in their seats, counting down the minutes till the end of the day, because they do not care about their education, something taken for granted daily.

They sit in their seats, watching the minute-hand of the clock, groaning about the grievances of the day, and although we all know that MHS is filled with controversy and complaints, The Chronicle is yet to receive a letter to the editor. Yes, after over 50 articles written this school year, after all the controversy over tests,

punishments, news, elections, and random student opinion, we have yet to receive just one.

The most disappointing part of all of this is that we hear so many complaints in the hallways. Some of the most controversial articles in our newspaper are yet to be addressed by our readers. After listening to your opinions we try to bring you the news we feel will affect your lives.

At this time in history, our country is struggling to find its moral code. Will we allow homosexuals to marry? Should abortion be legal? What are the limits of separation of church and state? You may not want to deal with these issues, but whether we want to or not, these decisions will be decided in our lifetime. You have the power to determine the outcome by using your freedom of speech to express what you think is right. There are few better ways to do this than to write to The Chronicle.

However, after each issue, we come to an empty mailbox. We open our newspaper to publishing everyone's opinion, including that of staff members, commu-

nity members and students. We may not agree with what you have to say, but it is our duty as journalists to print it so that the community can decide.

Our hope is that by bringing the community an objective, unbiased newspaper the readers may be informed of issues important to them, and in turn be inspired to express their opinions. When our mailbox stands empty, without any input from students or even a letter from an angry parent, we feel The Chronicle has failed to bring you news that is important to you. We could write the stories recommended year after year by judges at national contests and exchange the respect we receive from the student body for plaques and certificates to mount on the wall. But to the staff of The Chronicle, your response to our paper is the best accolade we could receive.

Our challenge is for you to no ony tell us what you think of The Chronicle, but the school, state, and even the world.

Should you feel compelled, letters to the editor can be dropped in the mailbox on the door to room C110.

The Chronicle Available FREE to Mason High School students, faculty and staff.

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www.masoncomets.org see sidebar, The Chronicle View The Chronicle on your PC. Anytime, anywhere!

High School news, sports, arts, and lifestyle like only The Chronicle can cover them.

The

December 20, 2005

Nation blind to atrocities January 30, 1933 marked a pinnacle day in history.

Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, and he would soon cause the death of over 6 million victims of the Holocaust.

Many students have scanned over such lines multiple times, and have read it as they have read every other line in a history textbook, like an insignificant piece of information. This attitude is exactly what will bring about another string of horrors in our future.

In seventh grade, I was given a project: create a documentary on the horrors and propaganda of the holocaust. After hours of research, and scanning through photographs, I realized that I was connected to it. We all were.

I had decided to call my grandmother, a 68-year-old Polish Jewish woman who had fled during the raids of 1939, for an interview. I began by simply inquiring what the Holocaust meant to her. Instantaneously, she began giving me memories of hers, scared responses, and before I knew it, my strong grandmother was crying on the other end of the phone. And as I heard her talking about all of my little great-cousins, my greataunts, and my family being massacred, held without food, beaten, stabbed, and left in ditches, I struggled for the right thing to say. Why was it so hard for me to say, "It's okay grandma, it's okay"?

After our conversation, I stared into my computer screen and all the photographs of the victims. Their tattered clothes, undernourished bodies, the heaps of dead masses, the dark images of gunmen. Out of all these, the one object that truly solidified the importance of this event was the victims' eyes. Their gleaming, inquisitive eyes burned through my soul, sending me into tears. All of these people were related to everyone. They were once daughters, mothers, sons, and students. They once dressed up for dates, talked about boys, laughed at jokes, and had their embarrassing moments. It soon became evidently clear why I couldn't force myself to spit out the words "It's okay." Because it wasn't okay, and it never will be.

We've all heard the saying by Rev. Martin Niemoller, "First they came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up, because I wasn't a Jew‌Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me."

Yet even 60 years after Niemoller's thought, we're still silent and blind to these travesties while we live them. The question comes "When will we be taken?"

68 year old Boston University professor Elie Wiesel, author of Night, a critically acclaimed novel about his personal experience at an internment camp at the age of 15, gives insight into a life of unbearable atrocities he endured. One of his more memorable experiences since the Holocaust was when he visited Cambodia, and journalists inquired about his presence, asking him, "What are you doing here? This is not a Jewish tragedy."

Wiesel responded, "When I needed people to come, they didn't. That's why I am here."

Yet some people still don't get the message. After having editing my documentary and seen it numerous times, I still watched it with such emotion and a quivering in my lips. However, the classroom of intelligent, diverse, talented individuals sat looking lazily around the room, and occasionally peeping up the screen. I watched my documentary once again in the small classroom in my middle school, and wondered," Is it okay that so many people aren't watching? It's just a small seventh grade documentary. Who cares?"

But now, older and wiser, I know. It's not okay.

Because as those 24 students in my classroom demonstrated, we are sitting blind and deaf to the atrocities.

So now, the question still comes, "When will we be taken?"

For surely, no one will miss the silent and blind.

Sleep achieved through time management Doesn't waking up at 6:00 a.m. or earlier on the weekdays totally bring you down? Don't you wish there was still naptime or you had appreciated naptime as a child?

How about less homework so you can have more time for your friends and yourself? Well, we're all in the same boat, but we're also in a situation that's never going to change.

We will always wake up at 6:00 a.m. or earlier because we need time to be ready for school before 7:15 a.m., so we can get out at 2:15 p.m. because of sports and conflicting bus times. Naptime is over and in the past; we're grownups! We won't get less homework because it's a part of the curriculum and it has always been that way.

If you're upset with waking up so early in the morning on weekdays because of school or having so much homework, why don't you do something about it other than complaining? Manage your time to lessen the stress caused by homework and get to sleep earlier, maintain your sleep schedule even on the weekends, and make sure you're not overdoing it.

First, you shouldn't leave your homework for the night before and have to stay up until 1 o'clock in the morning finishing it. I know that most of the Mason students participate in after school activities and sports, leaving less time to complete homework assignments. That makes it even more critical to plan ahead. So, put it into portions.

Homework wouldn't be such a problem if it were managed.

I am aware that there are occasional exceptions where you have to stay up later, but most of these stressful situations can be fixed with planning and organization.

Besides, if you do end up staying up really late (which should only be a once in awhile thing) make sure you get a good night's rest the next day.

Now, on the weekends, most see Friday night and Saturday night as a time where you can stay up all night because you have nothing to do the next day. But you should be concentrating on regaining some of the sleep you lost over the span of the week.

For instance on the weekend, you stay up late Friday night, and then you sleep in Saturday morning. Then, of course, you stay up late Saturday night too, thus, you sleep in past noon Sunday morning. Sunday night rolls around, and you realize that you have school the next day.

So you either stay up late cause you're not tired and then face a very difficult Monday morning, or try and go to bed early and just end up lying there for hours because you can't fall asleep and still face a difficult Monday morning.

Sleeping in extremely long on the weekend and then continuing an erratic sleep schedule during the week puts a lot of stress on your body. You're more susceptible to getting sick and you are prone to more stress which makes it tough getting through the week in one piece.

Doctors suggest that you maintain the same sleeping cycle that you practice during the week, i.e. waking up early and going to bed early and getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night, even during the weekends. It's healthier and creates less stress for you during the week.

There's one final point that you might want to consider.

Have you ever thought that you might be doing too much?

Are you rushing from activity to activity? Do you feel you have no time to breathe? Have you ever stepped back and looked at your schedule and thought about what was really important? Are you participating in activities not for your own enjoyment but because it's supposedly going to make you look better on a college application? Or are you doing an activity even though it's not your choice?

It's your time, and if it's filled to the brim, you might want to fix it. Find out what you really want to do. As Billy Joel says in his song 'Vienna', "Slow down, you're doing fine. You can't be everything you want to be before your time."

CHRONICLEViews

Students should become aware of their contribution to animal cruelty Everyday it passes by us unnoticed. We see it everywhere. Whether it be in classrooms, the cafeteria or students walking the hallway. This is something that is not only ignored on a local level, but in many situations on a State and National level as well: animal cruelty.

With organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) leading the way in protecting animals around the world, knowledge about the arrocities committed against animals in the meat, fur and gaming industries seems to be lacking in students.

When I take a look at a day in Mason High School, examples of animal cruelty jump out at me. Most students can agree that our cafeteria offers a variety of lunch options; everything from taco salad to pepperoni pizza. But what expenses are taken to enable you to eat that hamburger? According to www.peta2.com, the average vegetarian saves 95 animals per year.

One person can spare the lives of 95 innocent animals that would have otherwise died a cruel, tragic death.

Most people are unaware of the mistreatment done to animals in the meat industry. Cows, pigs and chickens are kept in small cages and pens, deprived of sunlight and fresh air, and fed growth hormones to make them reach a maximum weight. At this point, the animals are usually unable to walk or stand because of the increased weight bearing down on their limbs. They are then forced into the back of a semi-truck and taken to the slaughterhouse; where their throats are slit, and they are hung from their feet until they die from blood loss.

Think about the heinous acts you are supporting everyday by eating meat. As a vegetarian of two years, I am not satisfied with the food offered in our cafeteria. It is my hope that as more vegetarians let their voices be heard that maybe more menu options will eventually be offered.

Vegetarians can also have an influence on issues as they relate to the academic curriculum. Last year, as a sophomore taking Biology, I learned that we would be dissecting not only a fish, but a grasshopper, frog, crayfish and rat as well. For a whole week I spent 5th period in the library filling our worksheets as an alternate assignment and listening to my classmates tell me how "cool" it was to cut open a frog and poke at its insides.

Why do we dissect? What is the purpose of it?

Please don't tell me there aren't any other ways to learn about animal anatomy. Alternatives, such as virtual dissections are more humane and more cost efficient. I personally think it is ridiculous that our school and science board support the dismemberment of what were previously happy, alive animals living in their own environment.

All I want is for the students and staff of MHS to react in this manner as well. I want everyone to know the cruelty we have supported in our everyday lives, and I want everyone to know that animals have rights too.

Overall, it just makes me sad to see students of Mason High School totally oblivious of animal cruelty. They walk down the hallway in leather boots, eat their cheese coneys for lunch and they have no idea what they are contributing to.

Feedback Question: What was the last book you read for pleasure and what did you like about it?

"Vanishing Act. I thought it was intriguing and a relatable story."

Caitlin Snyder Freshman

“Bourne Supremacy. I liked reading about the assassins and the dark side of politics."

Kyle Haver Sophomore

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I enjoyed reading it because it was about heaven."

Leanna Staley Senior

23

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire because it was a good read!"

Nick Ford Senior

"The DaVinci Code. There was a lot of action and it was interesting and I like mystery books."

Ruby Kandah Junior Compiled by Michelle Rotbart