The Chronicle, 3.7

William Mason High School Mason, Ohio

The

Chron l cle

Sibling rivalry on the softball diamond, see story page 15.

May 3, 2006

6100 South Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio 45040

Volume 3 Issue 7

NEWS Flash Breathalyzer will be in use on prom night MHS Chess Team Wins First Place Led by Stephen Lim, the MHS Chess team finished first at the Greater Cincinnati Chess League Tournament. The team finished in first place ahead of St. Xavier, Elder, Moeller, Roger Bacon, Mariemont, Deer Park, and Madeira.

The tournament's individual champion was sophomore Stephen Lim, who finished with a perfect 4-0 score for the second year in a row. Freshman Eric Wei finished in a five-way tie for 3rd place.

BY OLGA BORODULIN Chronicle Editor

The fear that students may be driving intoxicated on prom night may be lessened by using Breathalyzer testing on students, or so Mason High School assistant principal Tim Keeton hopes. Though most students are yet to notice, administrators and student resource officers have been bringing Breathalyzers to school functions for the past five years, and plan on doing so on May 13, the day of the MHS prom.

"This is a practice that helps us to ensure the safety of our students. It's not that we want to get kids into trouble. It's just not safe

for them to be drinking," Keeton said.

Breathalyzers have already been proven effective, according to Keeton, who has tested students at football games, basketball games and school dances. If a student has consumed alcohol, the regular punishment is a 10-day suspension with a recommendation for expulsion.

Lebanon High School has purchased a digital Breathalyzer as well, and sent out information to parents and students at the beginning of April warning them that testing will be present at prom. The push towards alcohol-level testing originated when principal Sam Ison noticed an increase in drug and alcohol abuse among LHS students.

However, this increase is not just seen in Lebanon. In 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released data from its Fatality Analysis Reporting System that indicated that 58 percent of traffic fatalities were alcohol-related during the prom and graduation period.

City of Mason police officer Troy Nelson agrees that officers must do anything necessary to protect the lives of others on the road on prom night.

"Students shouldn't need alcohol to have fun. We're not targeting anyone when we have the Breathalyzers. We're going to treat it exactly the same way as if we are on the road," Nelson said.

Chronicle

Do you think Iran has intent to create nuclear weapons through its uranium enrichment program?

See related story page 4.

65%

yes

P ll

10%

no

25%

not sure

200 students surveyed

INSIDE...

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 5 SPORTS

15

OPINION

20

Chronicle photo by Candice Philpot

Camping Out at MHS From left to right: Seniors Justin Brown, Derek Wilson, Tyler Chini and Tom Burnette camped out at Mason High School on Wednesday, March 29 so they would be first in line to get signed up to play in the Senior/Staff basketball game.

CENTERSPREAD SNEAK PEEK

Plans for MHS expansion delayed until ‘09

BY CAROLINE JOHNSON Chronicle Staff Writer

Former Chronicle Sports Editor and current UC freshman traveled to New Orleans to help in the clean up. He shares his journal with us.

The plan to expand Mason High School has been put on the back burner. With enrollment growing at slower rate than projected the expansion has been pushed from the fall of 2008 to the fall of 2009.

"The only thing that was known for certain is that expansion of the high school would be necessary in the future, but that has never been date-driven. It has always been driven by the actual numbers of students attending and our ability to adequately manage the educational function taking place in the facility," Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Mason

City Schools Mike Brannon said.

According to Brannon, building only three wings to begin with was more efficient because it saved taxpayer's dollars.

"Had we built four wings when voters approved the current high school building, our taxpayers would have been paying for excess space from 2000 through 2009," he said.

Currently there are 2,498 students enrolled at the high school, which is 117 students below the projections. Although maximum capacity is 2,950, according to Brannon, Mason City School's administration is always looking for ways to maximize space.

"There is no doubt that growth in the stu-

dent body has required us to occupy spaces for education that were not necessary for those purposes when the building was completed in 2002," Brannon said.

"It is likely we will continue to examine ways to deliver education in the most efficient manner possible, while always providing adequate spaces for learning," Brannon said.

According to Brannon, the rapid growth of Mason has forced Mason City Schools to become efficient in predicting the population in future years.

!see EXPANSION page 22

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Lottery ticket afforded ECA students pitch project to New York execs "There is also a celebrity-inspired part of the website, B C P Mason teacher the where you can find [similar] dresses that celebrities Chronicle Staff Writer worn, and it's actually really affordable," Speer opportunity to immigrate Four girls excitedly enter the Harvard room, filled have said.

Y

BY OLGA BORODULIN Chronicle Editor Forty-three year old Oksana Tsukanova spends her days shadowing and helping students in their classes. Yet, despite her attempts to learn American customs and become intertwined in the fabric of MHS, the remnants of her past still linger in her name, her accent and her European appearance. Perhaps Tsukanova would still be in Ukraine had it not been for one lottery tick- Oksana Tsukanova et that opened American doors to her and her family.

Oksana grew up in western Ukraine, but resided in several nations including Latvia and Germany. She attended Latvian State University and became an English teacher, with hopes of one day visiting the United States. But she quickly realized the difficulty in being allowed residency in the U.S. after watching several of her friends fail in their attempts to attain a visa.

"It was very difficult to obtain a visa at the time. You could not come to the U.S. unless someone gave you permission," Oksana said.

Permission to obtain residency within the U.S. can be obtained from any state or national immigration center. However, with piles of applications and few acceptances, it is with great difficulty that those who do not have working visas or are refugees are able to immigrate to the U.S. legally for longer than a period of three months.

Having little opportunity to obtain a visa, Oksana began working as a customs officer in Latvia after not being able to find a job as a teacher. She overheard an announcement while working regarding a program known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. The program, founded by the State of Kentucky, randomly draws one lottery winner from thousands of applicants that will receive a Diversity visa, which will allow them to stay in the U.S. for as long as they wish. The lottery follows the guidelines of the Immigration Act of 1990 where the U.S. is able to accept 50,000 "diversity immigrants" annually.

Oksana decided to partake in the long process of filling out an application and hoping to win. But for two years, she was unsuccessful and by her third year, she had forgotten about her application. However, in late May of 2002, she received a telephone call from the Kentucky Immigration office. Despite the 1: 50,000 chance that Oksana had at winning, she miraculously did.

"I was surprised. I had forgotten about my application so I was in shock. It was amazing, and I was very excited. I was finally able to go to the U.S.," Oksana said.

For Oksana, winning the lottery meant much more than just visiting a country. The freedoms and education that would accompany living in the U.S. made the application process worthwhile.

"The lottery gives you the right to [come to the U.S.] to study and work. My children could have better educations," Oksana said.

Oksana's travels of the world differed greatly from her trip to the U.S. She now knew that her stay in the U.S. would be final, and that she would be bringing her two sons, Vladmir, 19, and Valentine, 14, to a new culture.

"I was worried about how things would be for them when we would arrive. They would have to leave their friends and everything they knew. But it was a great opportunity," Oksana said.

Oksana's friends were hesitant about her decision to leave, saying that the United States was far different from Latvia, and that Oksana would have trouble adjusting. Nevertheless, Oksana sold her apartment in Latvia and decided to move to Mason since one of her distant relatives recommended the education program. After placing her son in school, Oksana opted to find a teaching job, and was accepted as an aide. Despite her gratitude for the opportunity, she admits that moving has presented many difficulties, including having to learn how to drive.

"Our whole lives are different here. In Latvia, the people were different than they are here. It's difficult to adjust. I miss many things: the big trees, all of the gardens. There's just a lot to adjust to," Oksana said.

However, her adjustment to the new culture has proved worthwhile. Oksana believes that she has made new friends amongst the students and staff of MHS. She still considers the move to be vital to her and her children's' futures, and finds herself to be extremely lucky to have won the lottery visa. She now looks forward to attaining U.S. citizenship.

"I'm very lucky and thankful to have won. It's changed my entire life. I owe my ability to [come to] the United States to a lottery ticket," Oksana said.

ANDICE

HILPOT

with anticipation and curiosity; prepared with notes for a presentation they are more than ready to give.

Workers from the technology department surround them and their excited nervousness climaxes when an image of a man appears on the screen. They differ from the other groups for the ECA B advertising campaign presentations by one detail- their presentations are for real.

Senior Emily Speer and sophomores Nicole Strait, Jen In and Amina Chaudhry were selected by ECA-B teacher Arlene Schwab to work with a brand new company for their final advertising campaign project.

Coco Myles, an up-and-coming formal dress company which operates via internet collaborated with the girls as they worked on their campaign.

They were given this opportunity due to Schwab's personal connection with the company.

"The main stock-holder [for Coco Myles] is an old friend of mine from college," Schwab said.

Due to importance, the members of the group were specifically selected by Schwab.

"We made the decision of selecting the girls based on grade point average, attendance and personality. They had to be confident and out-going," Schwab said.

Through their project, the girls offered ideas to the company, which specializes in custom formal dresses. "[Customers] are able to customize there own dress, [as far as] top and bottom, beading, color and so on," Speer said.

The website also sells dresses that consumers cannot find in a normal department store.

The girls originally communicated with the company by a web-cam meeting in the Harvard room. Nicole Strait, a group member who was assigned the website design section of the project, felt proud and excited.

"I felt I had contributed to a worthwhile project," Strait said.

Now that the website is up and running the girls often email the company offering feedback and more ideas.

"We give feedback on how things are running and we have proposed a lot of ideas that the company can't use right now, but that they might use in the future," Speer said.

The girls, although not compensated for their contribution, find themselves especially excited for a gift of appreciation given by the company.

"The company is letting us customize our own dress for free," Speer said.

While Speer receives what is most likely to be a free prom dress, underclassman Strait is also thankful for Coco Myles' generosity.

"Since I can't go to prom, I got a plain black dress that I can use for any event because they are really nice, quality dresses. I can use it [possibly] for prom next year or homecoming," Strait said.

While the final projects of their fellow classmates were given letter grades, the grade for this unique group of girls was given when they were able to see their product released and their work well paid off.

"I am so glad that they came through and I am really proud of them," Schwab said.

Relocation, a new school, new friends; a familiar story for many Mason students

BY DANIELLE WILLIAMS Chronicle Staff Writer Changes are inevitable and although they're not for everyone, some students of Mason High School have found themselves pulled away from everything they know and thrown into a foreign atmosphere.

For junior Becky Crabtree, Rokko Island in Japan was the backyard of her childhood for six and a half years, until she had to relocate at age ten to America, because of her dad's job. Crabtree had to leave her friends as well as the English-based international school she attended.

"I was so mad. All my best friends were there, but eventually we all moved to different places," Crabtree said. Crabtree had to quickly adjust to the culture shock of America.

"Japan was so different. Everyone was so much more polite. When we would go into people's houses we would take off our shoes to show respect and so you wouldn't [bring dirt into] their house. We would bow to our teachers when they came into the room," Crabtree said.

Although experiencing the American culture was different and invigorating, moving and adapting was a challenge.

"Adapting was hard because I didn't know a lot about the culture. I had left everything I'd ever known to a whole new culture I knew nothing about. My thought of America was way different back then," Crabtree said.

Living in Japan had many conveniences. Crabtree had the chance to travel around the world as a result of having many neighboring countries.

"I've been to 42 cities and a lot of

countries around the world. I've traveled to Egypt, Italy, Greece, Indonesia, Australia, France, the Philippines and more. It's inexpensive to travel when you live overseas," Crabtree said.

"Adapting was hard because I didn't know a lot about the culture. I had left everything I'd ever known to a whole new culture I knew nothing about.�

Becky Crabtree It has been a few years since Crabtree moved from Japan.

However, living there and moving to America was more than experience, but in her eyes, a gift.

"I think I've had more appreciation for other cultures. I wish I could go back now that I'm older. I would rather be a teenager in America just because I can be surrounded by people like myself. But if I were given the opportunity I would go back even if it were just a visit," Crabtree said.

Mason High School is known for receiving new students all the time, but recently junior Brooke Antoine had to relocate. After relocating four times from state to state, due to her dad's job at Procter and Gamble, she has made her way back to Mason for the second time.

"I was kind of exciting about moving back to see some of my old friends, but also sad to leave my

other ones," Antoine said.

The atmosphere from Georgia to Ohio was definitely a different feeling for Antoine. "[In Georgia] it was wonderful. I felt very welcomed. I had many friends. Georgia was a lot more diverse. It's a lot different because I don't really know anybody. It's really weird not having people to walk with to classes," Antoine said.

Although Antoine has moved more than once, moving is still a difficult feat to conquer.

"I don't really like [moving] because the older you get the harder it is to adjust, but even though it's hard, having friends all over the country is well worth it," Antoine said.

Relocating is a constant factor in many students' lives at Mason and for sophomore Bianca Brewer, there is a high chance relocating may be in her future.

"I may be moving over the summer to South America for three years because of my mom's job," Brewer said.

Changes aren't for everyone, but for Brewer relocation has an exciting ring.

"At first there was [stress], but now I'm looking forward to [moving]. I'm excited. I tell myself that it will be fun and I'll make friends," Brewer said.

Moving to a new city or country because of a parents' job is a courageous accomplishment, but eventually students find they make friends even in a foreign place.

"I don't think there's anything harder than moving to a new country or city and not having any friends, it's hard to adapt, but eventually you do," Crabtree said.

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Mason freshman learned when a diet turns to disorder

BY OLGA BORODULIN Chronicle Editor Mason High School freshman Kristin Renzi pushed the limits in everything she pursued: swimming, academics and volunteering.

Behind hazel eyes and dark locks was a girl that would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. She projected an image of self-confidence, intelligence and spirituality.

But the picture of perfection that she exuded blinded her peers, teachers, and family from her fears, and she began to push the limits of one of her goals too far. Kristin, at the age of 15, was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervousa, a loss of appetite due to disorder. Her obsession with her weight began when she wanted to go on an average, safe, healthy-eating diet.

"I knew about eating disorders; I never thought I could develop one. I remember watching a video in health my freshman year and thinking that this woman's battle with Anorexia seemed so foreign. Several months later, I was involved in my own struggle," Renzi said.

Renzi's experience is not uncommon among teenage girls. According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), almost 9 million children (6-19 years old) are considered obese, and another 9 million are at risk of being obese. Wanting to embody a certain figure or attain a certain dress size, teenagers begin adopting new dieting trends.

But with little knowledge of how the actual diets work and with not enough patience to wait for results, the line between healthy dieting and disorder begins to blur.

Kristin's path towards disorder began similarly. She normally ate a wide variety of foods and was athletically active and healthy. However, she reached a certain point where she wanted to be able to control her appearance and body, and decided to do so in an unhealthy manner.

"It was a time in my life when I felt very much not in control of a lot of things, school, family, friends, etc, and so I focused on my body as a means by which I could have a thing

Good

t weigh

Bad weight

that I really had some sort of power over," Renzi said.

A common misconception is that disorders such as Anorexia or Bulimia can be initiated by impulse. These disorders are actually a progression over time in unhealthy eating and exercising habits. Renzi's acknowledges that in her case, she simply began eating less and less over time.

"I began to eat less, and then gradually diminished what I was eating, or kept cutting out other types of foods and food groups, until I ate very little, all of which was low-calorie food.

So it was not as though I ever thought, 'this isn't working. I will try something new.' But I never stopped eating. I ate frequently and very healthfully, in the sense that I ate fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, all through my Anorexia," Renzi said.

Renzi's eating habits began slowly deteriorating as she increased how much she exercised and decreased the amount of fatty foods she ate.

"I just started eating healthfully in a very rigid

Never

good

enoug

h

way. So, whereas before my problems started, I would eat an apple but also ice-cream if I wanted. I cut out all things like ice cream, all forms of fat, and ate primarily fruits and vegetables. I was already exercising a lot, and so I kept doing these activities, but would add more," Renzi said.

Renzi was soon able to notice the disastrous effects of her so-called healthy diet.

"When, toward the end of the summer and the start of my sophomore year, I noticed the effects of my disorder-I was losing my hair, was cold constantly, covered in bruises, and had stopped menstruating-I became scared and sought help. But even after that initial gesture, I continued to lose more weight and was unable to start eating a lot of foods-or more food-for a long time," Renzi said.

However, seeing her body become toned and having received a plethora of complements on her new image, Renzi found recovery to be even more difficult.

"People's responses to me also made it harder to get better, in some sense. Many kids com-

plimented my weight loss, or even told me that I was too skinny, and did so in a way that was both humiliating to me but also a strange mark of pride. I attribute some of this to my messedup way of thinking about my body, but also to other people's," Renzi said.

Now, Renzi has refrained from dieting at all, realizing that although her intentions may be good they're also hard to control.

"I don't diet now. I eat healthfully. I exercise, and I try not to pay attention to the rest of it. I never weigh myself. I eat sweets and unhealthy things when I want to, in moderation," Renzi said.

Despite making adjustments to her eating habits, Renzi still does not consider herself to be fully recovered.

"I still have a lot of long-term anxieties because of what I put my body through as a teenager and I struggle with my mindset, my ability to acknowledge, accept and appreciate my body on a daily basis: each time I eat, put on clothes, look in a mirror, come in contact with other people. It is still something, an impulse, that I struggle with everyday, and I don't know that I will ever consider myself to be fully recovered," Renzi said.

Renzi attributes media outlets to showing false examples of "beautiful women."

"I do think that the paucity of varieties of 'beautiful women' in television, film and advertising are a place to which individuals who are already insecure about their bodies might look and see their insecurities validated," Renzi said.

Through her experience, Renzi knows firsthand how dieting can intensify into disorder for anyone.

"Dieting can easily escalate, or become too restrictive or obsessive. Eating disorders are prevalent. They can happen anywhere, and to anyone," Renzi said. "[With] your [teenage] body growing and changing, you run the risk of depriving yourself of essential nutrients, but you also deprive yourself of the change to get to know and appreciate your body, if you always look at it critically, or as not good enough."

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News Notebook

World Perspective

MHS American Legion Winners

U.S. keeps close eye on Iran's push for nuclear weapons

The American Legion Post 194 presented Mason High School students Kristina Hickman, Yibo Shao and Kyle Roat with cash awards for their recent performance on the Legion's Americanism and Government Test.

The Americanism and Government Test Program is an opportunity for the high school student to evaluate his or her knowledge in American government and history through a statewide test program. Over 90,000 students participate annually in this project, which is jointly sponsored by The American Legion Auxiliary.

Freshmen qualify for USA Math Olympiad Ninth grade Mason High School students Raymond Tan and Tong Zhan recently became the first Mason students to qualify for the USA Mathematics Olympiad. Only three Ohio students qualified this year.

Prakash honored Porus Prakash was honored by Post 194 for his performance in the American Legion High School Oratorical contest.

BY MATT PARTINGTON Chronicle Staff Writer At an increasingly hostile period in the Middle East, the Iranian government has continued to advance their uranium enrichment program despite international apprehension and collective requests to halt such endeavors. Reinstated five days after the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's nuclear program recently generated three various forms of sophisticated missiles, all successfully tested.

The issue has initiated a complicated international dilemma reminiscent of the nuclear situation with Iraq during the 1990s and though Iran has cited a need to look towards the future with new energy sources and means of production, numerous parties in the United Nations remain reluctant to accept such an ambiguous pretext.

Iran was reported to the United Nations Security Council on February 4, 2006, by a vote of 27-3. Although the country is not violating the 1968 Non Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and there is no evidence of intent to create nuclear weapons, it seems as though many nations, particularly those in the West, desire further investigation of the potentially threatening program. On March 29, the Security Council urged Iran to halt its nuclear production within 30 days; failure to do such will require further, more authoritarian action.

"No one doubts that the Security Council is competent for this issue, no one doubts that proliferation is a threat to international peace and security, and we all say the same

thing: that we do not wish to see Iran develop nuclear weapons," British ambassador Jones Parry said.

Iran, however, has refused to stop smallscale uranium enrichment, although they do remain willing to negotiate on large-scale enrichment. "[The enrichment of uranium] is Iran's right as defined as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said. "One thing we can't give up and that is the right of the Iranian nation."

Most outspoken about the potential threat of Iran's nuclear program is the US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton. In a recent interview with ABC's Nightline, Bolton compared Iran's nuclear program to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

"Just like September 11, only with nuclear weapons this time, that's the threat. I think that is the threat," Bolton said. "I think it's just facing reality. It's not a happy reality, but it's reality and if you don't deal with it, it will become even more unpleasant."

According to William Beeman, professor of Middle East Studies at Brown University and former resident of Iran, the need for a nuclear enrichment program has more to do with Iran's modernization than intent to create nuclear weapons.

"The Iranian side of the discourse is that they want to be known and seen as a modern, developing state with a modern, developing industrial base," Beeman said. "When Iranians talk about it, and talk about the United States, they say, 'The United States is trying to repress us; they're trying to keep us

down and keep us backward, make us a second-class nation. And we have the ability to develop a nuclear industry, and we're being told we're not good enough, or we can't'. " Western officials reject such reasons, citing that uranium enrichment is practical for energy purposes, but this creates a contradiction on its own.

"They're already sitting on an awful lot of oil and gas. Nobody can figure why they need nuclear as well to generate energy," Vice President Dick Cheney said.

During several weeks of war games held

by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards militia, several new weapons were tested including two torpedoes undetectable by radar (and purportedly able to travel at more than 200mph) and one radar-dodging missile capable of being mass produced and shot from helicopters and fighter jets.

Western nations, specifically the United States and France, have strongly maintained that it is Iran's intent to create nuclear weapons under their enrichment program, an objective which former U.N. chief weapons inspector Hans Blix says could not happen for at least five years.

"We would like to send the message to those who claim Iran is searching for nuclear weapons that there is no such policy and this is illegal and against our religion," Ahmadinejad said. "A nation which has culture, logic and civilization does not need nuclear weapons. The countries which seek nuclear weapons are those which want to solve all problems by the use of force. Our nation does not need such weapons."

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CHRONICLEArts&Entertainment

5

Revitalization

MHS drama to perform Seussical the Musical The Mason Drama department will be performing Seussical the Musical on Thursday, May 4 at 7:00 pm, Friday, May 5 at 8:00 pm, Saturday May 6 at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, May 7 at 3:00 pm. Mason Area Arts Council will be at all performances to provide free-face painting for audience members. Tickets are $7 for students and $8 for adults. Ticket information can be found by calling (513) 229-4070. Information on the face-painting can be found at www.MasonAreaArts.com.

Hoffman piece to be displayed in Columbus A drawing by senior Justin Hoffman was selected out of 2,500 entries to be displayed at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus.

Another 274 works of art were also selected to be part of the exhibit, which will last from April 9 through May 19. For more information, visit www.govart.org.

Playhouse in the Park performs Witness for the Prosecution Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park will be performing Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution from May 2 through June 4. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.cincyplay.com or by calling (513) 421-3888.

Scrapbook Mania On Friday April 28 and Saturday April 29 Archiver's will be holding a "Scrap Mania" scrap booking workshop from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The workshop costs $15. For more information call (513) 336-6502 or visit www.archiversonline.com.

Steven Gregory to perform at Borders Borders at the Deerfield Towne Center will be welcoming musician Steven Gregory on Sunday April 30 at 2:00 pm. In addition to original songs, Gregory will also perform a selection from Dave Mathews Band and Willie Nelson. For more information call (513) 770-0440.

Writers Workshop to be held at Barnes and Noble Barnes and Noble on Fields Ertel road will be holding a new writers workshop at 7:30 pm on Friday May 5. More information can be found by calling (513) 683-5599.

-compiled by Stephanie Visscher

of

BY STEPHANIE VISSCHER Chronicle Associate Editor Mason has experienced many transformations in the past ten years. Yet despite population growth, street construction, and the addition of several commercial areas, the downtown area still remains relatively unchanged, a fact the Downtown Mason Association (DMA) hopes to soon change. Founded in 1999, the DMA has been working fervently to transform downtown Mason into an exciting attraction for its residents.

"The Downtown Mason Association started when the city first began to explore the idea of revitalizing downtown," said Paige Rothstein, Downtown/Small Business Coordinator for the city of Mason. "The group is made up of community and business volunteers driven to assist in the revitalization of downtown."

According to Rothstein, the city has not attempted revitalization since 1981. Mason aims to gain both a new infrastructure system including sidewalks, landscaping, and underground utilities from revitalization, as well as further the economic development that attracts new businesses.

"Between the two elements, downtown Mason should become a destination for a variety of uses both during the day and evening hours," Rothstein said.

Rothstein refers to the National Main Street Approach as the "blueprint" for revitalization. This approach is comprised of four main steps: Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring and Organization.

As part of their design guidelines, the city categorizes buildings as either Landmark, Background, Contributing, and Non-Historic.

Landmark and contributing buildings both stand out for their architectural or historical significance. Background buildings do not have as evident characteristics, yet hold potential for restoration. Finally, non-historic buildings are more modern and have little, if any, unique architecture or history attatched.

"The buildings in downtown Mason span many time periods and have had various renovations/alteration done to them. Our goal is to use the categories to assist property owners when they renovate their buildings. If a building maintains a great deal of its original architecture, the Design Review Board works to help preserve and enhance that architecture," Rothstein said.

Old Mason

According to Rothstein, The Main Street Approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community. Despite the plan for changes, the city’s renovations will not force citizens to make alterations to their property, according to Rothstein.

"A primary goal of the DMA is to ensure that property rights are always protected. If a building has been significantly altered then the Design Review Board will work with the property owner to identify the best way to renovate the property," Rothstein said.

In 2004, the State of Ohio awarded Mason with a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant. The grant will be used for improving the streetscape. However, no part of revitalization plans call for demolition.

"The revitalization will not include taking down any buildings.

The goal of the project is to renovate both the streetscape and existing structures in downtown," Rothstein said.

The revitalization effort has come to the attention of several businesses.

When relocating their store, Ohio Bead and Gems, Cynthia and Paul Brandon chose the city because of its potential growth.

"There seemed to be a lot of positive talk in Mason about growth," said Paul, who runs the store with his wife, "It seemed like a lot of neat businesses were coming to Mason."

The location of customers was also taken into consideration.

"We already had a decent amount of customers already living in Mason," Paul said.

Mason resident Sally Gasior will be opening Tea Roses, a tea room and gift shop.

"I chose Mason because after living in and loving Mason for the past 13 years, I wanted Tea Roses to be part of its downtown community," Gasior said.

According to Mason junior Louise Vidkjaer, a renewal of downtown Mason is long over due.

"Other than Kidd Coffee, there's no where [to hang out,] Gasior is excitedly anticipating the changes coming to Mason.

"I think the improvements to Main Street will make it easier for everyone to enjoy downtown," Gasior said.

National recognition for MHS art students

BY OLGA BORODULIN Chronicle Editor To be an artist and gain recognition for your work is difficult. To be an artist that is in high school that tries to gain acclaim for his or her pieces is more difficult still. But to enter a competition which receives over 250,000 student entrants, and only 30,000 of these pieces are even judged nationally, pushes towards a very small possibility of even having your work noticed. Yet three Mason High School students were able to be noticed, to gain acclaim, and to be recognized for their pieces this past month.

The Scholastic Art and Writing awards

commended sophomore Kana Minami along with juniors Drew Shields and Gina Scibetta. Shields received a national Gold Key award as well as the American Visions Award for his pen and ink portrait. Minimi received a Silver Key award in mixed media for her soft fabric book, which she used to depict elements of her heritage.

Scibetta received a Silver Key award for her computer art piece, which displayed her as a puppet surrounded by a circus-like atmosphere.

Having gained commendation for their work, these students are now acknowledged for their potential and hard work. Both, according to Scibetta, contributed to the

creation of her piece.

"I did a lot of the work after school so it did take up a lot of time. Not to mention that beforehand, I didn't really know whether or not I was capable of being an artist beyond just doing high school class artwork. Now, I know that I'm capable of breaking out into the artistic world and succeeding," Scibetta said.

All of the student's pieces will be displayed at Carnegie Hall in New York on the June 8 award ceremony. Due to his American Visions Awards, Shields will also have his piece displayed from June 30 to August 6 in the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

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May 3, 2006

MHS students choose not to read controversial novels

BY RACHEL SLEZAK Chronicle Staff Writer A simple glance at the required reading for honors English indicates that Mason High School does not shy away from controversial books. In Cold Blood, The Killer Angels and To Kill a Mockingbird are all titles that call to mind blood and death. But while the school finds it acceptable to teach these books, many parents and students feel that the exposure to violence is not worth the lessons learned.

When his class read Beloved during first trimester, junior Mark Robinson read the alternative novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, instead.

This was a decision made by his parents.

"My parents heard things about the book being questionable. In their words, they said they didn't think it was uplifting," Robinson said.

Reading a different book from the rest of the class sometimes made it difficult to connect with class discussions and students reading Beloved.

"Sometimes I just listened and tried to figure out what they were talking about, or did work on my own," Robinson said.

However, Robinson did feel he gained wisdom from the experience.

"Some things [about the books] were the same, so I could apply the discussion to what I was reading,"

Robinson said.

In general, Robinson is not concerned that he missed out by not having read Beloved.

"It's kind of annoying to be told what not to read, but it's really not that big of a deal to me," Robinson said.

Junior Caryn Gibb also read Uncle Tom's Cabin instead of Beloved, but this was a decision she made herself.

"I read one chapter of Beloved and I decided that reading it wasn't worth being exposed to the images," Gibb said.

Unlike many parents eager to protect their children from books they see as inappropriate for high school students, Gibb believes that the violent and disturbing images in Beloved are never appropriate.

"This book is inappropriate for everyone, not just high school students. I don't see why she had to put these kinds of things in the book," Gibb said.

Gibb is concerned about the way disturbing images affect the people who read them.

"Once you've read something so graphic, it's difficult to get the image out of your mind," Gibb said.

Aware that simply avoiding controversial books will not prevent her from being exposed to violence and promiscuity in popular culture, Gibb tries to avoid such images in other ways as well.

"I don't watch R rated movies and

I only watch a select few PG-13 movies," Gibb said.

Like Robinson, Gibb found that at times she couldn't relate to the in-class discussions.

"Uncle Tom's Cabin related a little to the discussions in class, but a lot of the time I just sat there," Gibb said.

However, Gibb did enjoy reading the book, and did feel that she had learned from the experience in a better way than reading Beloved.

"Most of the time [the class] talked about symbols, and I could relate without having to read the graphic content," Gibb said.

Gibb feels that it is never necessary to be exposed to negative images just for the sake of learning.

"If I'm going to be studying literature I'm sure there are better ways to learn things," Gibb said.

Honors English teacher Fred Reeder has found that at least one student in his class per year reads an alternative to In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, another controversial book. Like Beloved, most of the objections are to the presence of mature themes.

"Parents usually object to the descriptions of the killing and the almost rape of Nancy," Reeder said.

Reeder believes that the reason many books on Mason's curriculum are called attention to is because of the atmosphere of the district.

"The community is pretty conservative, and parents are very active in their children's learning. In other districts the parents aren't as aware of what their children are reading," Reeder said.

Though Reeder does not foresee an end to the controversy surrounding certain books in the curriculum, he does find that it is subsiding.

"Theses books are becoming more accepted because of what high school students are exposed to now," Reeder said.

According to Reeder, trends in the media have changed the way most people look at the content of In Cold Blood and other novels.

"A lot of parents say they read the book in high school and it was too scary, and it probably was then.

These books don't have the shock value they used to," Reeder said.

Reeder believes that In Cold Blood is specifically valuable because of the lessons it teaches.

"In Cold Blood teaches us that we don't truly know people until we hear their story," Reeder said.

Reeder feels that reading an alternative book does not help students understand the same themes and lessons that reading the book would.

"I try to find a book with the same themes but it's impossible to replicate the experience of reading [the controversial novel]," Reeder said.

The

May 3, 2006

Mystery surrounds MIS gravestones

BY SHARON STEWART Chronicle Staff Writer Their solemn 'rest in peace' has not been all that peaceful for deceased Joseph and Sarah Coddington.

Somewhere six feet under the Mason Intermediate School campus lay the bodies of Mason's first residents. Where exactly? No one knows.

According to resident Dale Corrington, the Revolutionary War had just ended when US General "Mad Anthony" Wayne was sent to present day Warren County with his army to pacify the Shawnee Indians in 1792. Joseph and Sarah Coddington were the first residents, coming in fervent hopes of new opportunity.

They were issued the "land between the rivers" (referencing the Miami rivers) by John Sams, homesteaded south of present day Rose Hill Cemetery in 1795, and were given seven years to improve on the land. The Coddington's were considered to live in Hamilton County at the time, because the countys were few and large due to unclear boarders before 1804 when Ohio became a state.

Chronicle photo by Sharon Stewart

The gravestones at Mason Intermediate.

When he passed away, Joseph was buried on his own property in 1820, according to custom, because public cemeteries had not yet been established. Dale said it was common for entire families to be buried in their own backyard, and such was the case for the large Coddington family.

In 1948, Dale, Joseph's great grandson, returned for the opening day of the GE plant in Eavensdale. Dale had inherited the last name of Corrington that one of Joseph's sons had taken up because "they didn't talk well or speak too clear then," and 'Coddington' was presumably lost in translation. When he retired from GE, Dale eventually made his way back to Mason in 1983 after three generations of his family's absence.

"I found my grandfather's old barn burned with ashes and holes in it, and I was told that the fire department had been using it as drill practice," Dale said.

Now bordering the age of 90, Dale has witnessed much change. Approximately 11 of the family's gravestones were noticed missing some time after Tylersville road was developed through the old Coddington property in 1986, 20 years ago.

While kept by law, it seemed more than convenient that the gravestones ended up just out of the way of the school and the road. When asked about the supposed location of the bodies, Dale admitted, "I don't know if the bodies are underneath where the stones are now or not. I tell myself they are just because I'd like to think the cemetery is real, but I think kids walked off with a lot of the stones, too."

Resident Karen Spellmire's grandparents managed the farmland property after the Coddingtons moved to Iowa before the intermediate school was constructed.

"I remember when we were little and we'd ice skate on the pond out back," Spellmire said. "Across the pond was a walnut tree and two gravestones were always leaning against it. They weren't standing up like they were actually marking a grave, and I remember thinking, 'Well, that isn't right. There can't be graves there.' I remember wondering what they died of and imaging what life was like for them back then," While driving west down Tylersville Road, the gray granite markers of both Joseph's son and wife, Ezra and Sarah, can be spotted fighting to withstand gravity inside four slabs of rusty fence: a commemoration rather unbecoming for the first settlers of a now very prosperous town.

The quest may be over for the proper resting place of the headstones of the ones who tamed Mason when it was nothing but wilderness and inhabited by Native Americans, but the mystery of their bodies' whereabouts may always remain just that: a mystery.

CHRONICLEA&E

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After Prom parents dedicate hours to create safe prom night

BY SHARON STEWART Chronicle Staff Writer Looking back on high school 50 years from now, maybe embarrassing moments with crushes or Friday night football games will stand out in one’s mind, but none might prevail as vividly as prom night. Around Mason, students meticulously apprehend the preeminent night of prom with incessant hours of grooming and substantial spendings of money.

Recollections of prom can also easily trigger memory lane to wind over to After Prom, the sealant of one of the most unforgettable nights an adolescent experiences. However, all the hours parent volunteers put into this event to make it so memorable are where the real story lies.

Some of the chief decorating staff for After Prom this year includes volunteers Sheri Bookman, Denise Ziegler and Angela Nesbit. All were able to attest to how equally amazing the event is behind the scenes.

"While the community and the students only see the finished product, the planning and making of the event involves many, many hours and tons of volunteers," Bookman said.

For Nesbit, the best part is coming up with the plans.

"I love to be creative and come up with inexpensive ways to make the school look different," Nesbit said. "We look for lots of contributions from local businesses and we shop for the best deals. The after Christmas sales are our favorites we fill our basements with all sorts of 'sale' items."

Ziegler stresses that After Prom is an event designated for juniors and seniors only.

"We have so many underclassmen that want to come and by the time they are juniors or seniors they have already 'been there done that,'" Ziegler said.

The most rewarding part of planning this event for Ziegler, however, is the satisfaction of knowing that a safe environment is being provided to those upperclassmen.

"I know that sounds corny but I also know the alternatives to not coming to After Prom," Ziegler said.

Bookman also feels that providing a safe environment for teens to go to after prom is important.

"Everyone is aware that the goal for the evening is to give the students a place to go that is drug and alcohol free, a safe alternative," Bookman said. "There are shows, games, a casino, food, a DJ and many awesome prizes throughout the evening. It is up to our students to make their own fun while they are there, but there is certainly plenty to do."

Bookman's initial beginning with After Prom is a unique story, and she claims that she is the one who has had the good fortune to be associated with Mason's After Prom for four years now.

"My husband and I own three Wendy's restaurants,"

Bookman said. "We were approached by [Nesbit] four years ago to see if we would be interested in donating food. We donated chili, chips and cheese to the Western room. I had a blast decorating. It was incredible to see all these parents haul in vast quantities of 'stuff' and over a period of about nine hours watch the high school be transformed into the theme of the year. From then on, I was hooked!"

However, students who indulge in After Prom's excitement might not realize that the planning for this night is a yearround process and routinely begins again as soon as it ends.

"It's hard to get right back into it after you're so exhausted, but it's imperative that we determine the theme right away," Nesbit said. "We do multitudes of fundraisers. We beg, borrow, and 'steal' to get as much money as we can. We are not above anything (legal) to earn money. Market day has been our saving grace but even it isn't enough. We have to start early reserving all of our rentals, and deposits have to be made early on."

All the hard work pays off, though, and for students who have never attended After Prom, Ziegler attributes this night of "fun, fun, fun!" to video games, giant inflatables, a casino, hypnotist, fortune tellers, tattoo parlor, food and thousands of dollars in prizes.

Considering all of the opportunities available to students, the more volunteers the committee has at their disposal, the better.

"We get lots of support from the community and the school but I would like to see more parents volunteer," Ziegler said.

"We need so many parents and would especially like to have underclassmen parents start now so when their kids are juniors and seniors they will have a better understanding of what After Prom is."

Nesbit pinpoints the immaculate level of students' needs met by these caring volunteers.

"I can only describe After Prom to students as awesome.

We try and cater to our students' every need and desire. We feed them, entertain them and give prizes to them. I sure wish there was something like this for me when I was growing up.

For that matter, I wish someone would do this for me now!"

Nesbit joked.

Bookman explains that Mason After Prom's program requiring over $40,000 is one that has evolved over time, but the level of dedication its many volunteers exhibit towards students remains unchanged.

"If you look at our school versus many others in the area and across the country, you will gain a greater appreciation for the breadth of activities that Mason After Prom offers," Bookman said.

"It's very worthwhile to everyone." Ziegler agreed, "Parents, kids, businesses and community."

Some students would rather stay home on prom night "I don't want to pay $50 just to go to prom. I can't dance either. I still have another year to go. I might regret not going later on, but not now."

Alex Neiheisel

BY REBECCA ZIEGLER Chronicle Staff Writer Over the years prom has not only been considered to be a dance for juniors and seniors, but rather a rite of passage for all who decide to attend. Organizations like After Prom and Prom Committee dedicate months of their time to planning one special night of the year.

While busy renting a hall, deciding on decoration layouts, themes, ticketing and other final touches to make the night memorable, most forget about the students who will not be in attendance. But these students do not miss the event simply because they're dateless. Junior Alex Neiheisel is just one of many who will decide to break the tradition this year.

"I don't want to pay $50 just to go to prom. I can't dance either. I still have another year to go. I might regret not going later on, but not now," Neiheisel said.

Neiheisel plans on doing the same Saturday night routine on the night of May 13. Despite his decision not to go to prom, he will be at After Prom.

"I might hang out with friends that night if they're not going either, then I'm going to After Prom. It's not a bad idea [to go to Prom]. It might be fun. I just don't want to go," Neiheisel said.

But like Neiheisel, junior Ryan Zimmer is also a student who is opting out of attending of prom this year.

"That night I'll probably stay at home and sleep, or hang out with my friends. I don't really like student functions," Zimmer said.

Zimmer is not planning on attending prom for his senior

year either. "I don't like it because I don't think I'd have fun if I went. I don't like to dance and I really don't care for all that stuff," Zimmer said.

Junior Maria French is staying home prom night, but for a different reason. "I went to prom last year and I didn't think it was that great," French said.

French's friends want her to make an appearance with them this year. Regardless of their demands, she stands firm on her decision to stay home.

"I'm not going [even though they want me to]. It's a lot of money to spend if you're just going by yourself," French said.

Like Neiheisel, French will also be going to After Prom later that night. "I think I might just watch movies with a friend, then show up at After Prom. I'm definitely planning on going to prom next year though," French said.

Junior Wendy Wei not only believes that prom is too expensive to go to, but also sees frivolousness in the event.

"In ten years I'll remember all the books I didn't read [in high school] rather than prom," Wei said.

Wei is involved in Student Government and helps with the majority of the decorating for dances at the high school.

Because she isn't on Prom Committee, she wouldn't mind attending prom next year.

"I think it's a good idea and I'd like to go at least once to an event that I didn't have to put up lights for," Wei said.

Like French, Wei's friends are also encouraging her to go this year.

"The majority of my friends are going. If I feel like wasting $50 [I'll go next year]," Wei said.

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CHRONICLEReviews

May 3, 2006

Sam Goldsmith Music Review

Eric Ditzel Video Game Review

Candice Philpot Book Review

Flaming Lips are on fire

Oblivion will suck you in

You look up "pop irreverence" in the dictionary and you find a picture of the Flaming Lips. This critically acclaimed cult band from Oklahoma has been around for 20 years making some of the most sonically interesting and strangest records to ever be considered pop music, most notably their 1995 hit, "She Don't Use Jelly." So four years after making their hailed 2002 album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, they continue to supply the musical oddities with their new record, At War With the Mystics.

One thing I find fascinating about these guys is that they have a tremendous Pink Floyd influence in their music. Coupled with the mystical "Vein of Stars" and, in particular, the funky instrumental, "The Wizard Turns On‌," which is based around distorted guitars, erratic keyboards, commanding bass and flute loops, the album brings you to a different realm of the sense of sound.

The best track on the album is the song, "Mr. Ambulance Driver," which is a study of a conversation between a person and, well, an ambulance driver. The narrator wants to be the driver so that he can be a stronger person than he really is.

He tells him, "I'm not a real survivor.

'Cause I'm wishing that I was the one that wasn't gonna be here any more." The lyrics are fascinating; the listener feels like a silent observer of a very deep exchange of ideas. Musically, the track is very subdued and mildly haunting with an emphasis on faint keyboards.

If I have a problem with the album, it's that a few tracks go on a bit long and some just get tedious. Also, the album is not for a more causal listener, because it requires a bit of patience as you are immersed into the band's world.

If you get worried about the blandness of bad pop music, luckily you'll have these guys. With the Lips' consistent boundary-pushing on what can be "a record that has a beat and you can dance to it," they will continue to have the true resonance of hypnotic power and splendor.

Very rarely does a game come along which has the potential to totally consume someone's life: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of those games. WOW fans rejoice! Finally hit level sixty and bored of utter destruction, try this game out. Oblivion is an in depth Action-RPG with virtually endless possibilities. To be straightforward, I had zero intentions of buying this game. Normally I tend to stray away from RPG's, but after taking this game for a short ride, I was hooked, and I purchased the collectors edition.

Oblivion now holds a place on my top ten favorite games of all time.

To start off, unlike many extremely complex RPG's out there, Oblivion's gameplay is simple enough to pick up and complex enough to consume your life.

The auto-leveling system is self-explanatory and easy to figure out: you use a skill, you get better at it. Combat is a little difficult at times and can feel slightly awkward. However, the amount of things to do in any given place will never leave you bored or "played out" like many formulaic games: you do what you want, when you want, how you want. NPC's will talk to one another, eat dinner, farm, hunt, and will never be a clone of another person in the empire. There are nine cities, four guilds, and over thirteen square miles of territory. By exploring swamps, forests, mountains, and the sea, you can find ingredients for alchemy, special quests or hundreds of different treasures. Also, in character creation, you have the ability to choose from different races, abilities, and birth signs. There are also infinite possibilities in changing the appearance of your character.

Graphically, everything looks lifelike and real. Wind moves finely detailed flowers, grasses and leaves to its tempo.

Water shimmers and dynamic lighting follows your torch as you spelunk goblin infested caves. If you have a high-def system, you're in for a treat. The audio is also amazing, sword clashes sound brutal and characters sound like people.

Aside from a few occasional bugs and some serious loading times, Oblivion has few flaws. Explaining it in a short article is nearly impossible. Give this game a try, I guarantee, even if you're not an RPG fan, you won't be disappointed.

Love Among the Walnuts, a quirky humourous novel

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

The popular reading trends of today involve books that share many similarities. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and The Five People you Meet in Heaven

by Mitch Albom are two novels that swept the nation, engulfing readers in multidimensional plotlines, complex characters and enlightening moral lessons. There are some novels however, that fall far from this intricateness. Love Among the Walnuts: Or How I Saved My Family from Being Poisoned by Jean Ferris is simply a book of humor, satire and unrealistic events.

The novel begins by introducing Sandy, a young man who lives in a secluded mansion, with the nearest neighbor being a mental institution one mile down the road: Walnut Manor. Sandy wakes one morning to find his parents, maid and pet chicken in comas, presumably caused by a drugged birthday cake given to the family

by Sandy's money-grubbing uncles Bart and Bernie. Sandy, who escaped the attempted murder is then forced to move his family members into Walnut Manor, where we meet incredibly interesting characters, and trouble ensues.

From one character who only speaks in quotations to another with multiple personality disorder, this is one of the most unique, yet bizarre books I have read. The novel is completely spontaneous, which makes it an interesting read.

Ferris' creative mind is portrayed very well in this work. Her characterization is precise and wonderfully shows each individual with his or her own quirks. While the secondary characters may not be as indepth as Brown's or Albom's, the characters of Love Among the Walnuts provide a solid source of humor and entertainment for the reader. However, the novel has many subtextual jokes that are too youthful, and can be irritable at times.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who is ready to read something out of the ordinary, spontaneous and different from the popular books of modern times.

Overall, Love Among the Walnuts: Or How I Saved My Family from Being Poisoned by Jean Ferris is a cleverly written novel of unprecedented occurrences, despite its downfalls.

Matt Partington Movie Review Thank You for Smoking presents intelligent life in the field of satire It'd be immediately wrong to assume that Thank You for Smoking is about the subject matter the title implies. Based on the novel by Christopher Buckley, son of conservative pundit William F. Buckley, Jr., Thank You for Smoking uses the late1990s legal controversy over cigarette companies failing to disclose information concerning the health risks of smoking as a platform to express deeper meditations on the culture of spin generated by big government and big industry alike. What arises is a witty, thoughtful satire that sends an imperative message equal to that of your high-caliber political film fare.

Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is essentially the face of big tobacco. As a lobbyist for the Academy of Tobacco Studies, a pseudo-scientific research organization funded by the major tobacco companies, he has been called everything by his adamant enemies, including Satan. In his unrequited defense of big tobacco, Nick amasses an array of allies and opponents.

During this hectic time period, Nick struggles with raising his son up with proper ethics. Although Nick struggles little with his own moral identity, the outside forces which vilify him are nonetheless troubling for his constantly perceptive child.

Thank You for Smoking is undoubtedly a very funny comedy, but it is most successful because it doesn't resort to studying the subject superficially. Every character has an ulterior motive, every "fact" can be justifiably repudiated and proven, and the depth of manipulation remains staggering. But unlike The Insider, Thank You for Smoking does so with humor, capturing the message without preaching.

Christopher Buckley takes no sides.

Both ends are of questionable integrity and motivation, driven by factors outside the actual subject of health risk and so forth. What is presented in the end is a message I have long agreed with: have self-responsibility. Buckley's solution has more to do with just smoking, it has to do with how one acts towards others on a daily basis.

May 3, 2006

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CHRONICLECenterspread

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Brad t n e d ol stu o New h c n i s k h a g g bre son hi n i a heir r t M p s t r s s e i o m h For who l pent s e rmed s s a o n , e h d t h a p g r Ste ted na. B elpin i n h r , e t s m a n u K Orlea hurricane a, doc leans r e m a to ac w Or e N homes y paper and s ’ nicle l o n r o h h C t he wi nal. t r r u o o j f p his tri

When most students hear the words "spring break," they likely think of tanning on a beach or swimming in a tropical body of water. For myself and eight other Lindner Honors-PLUS students, this past spring break meant cleaning severely damaged houses and sorting through the remains of a hurricane-devastated region.

Through the University Honors Program and the National Relief Network, a diverse group of 46 University of Cincinnati students traveled by chartered bus to help aid in the Hurricane Katrina recovery this past spring break.

While I certainly would have traded in my work gloves and protective goggles for a pair of swimming trunks and sunglasses, I can confidently say that I wouldn't have traded my relief trip experience for any other spring break vacation.

Along with University Honors Advisors Amberly Miller and Debbie Brawn, the 46 volunteers endured a 13-hour bus trip to the New Orleans region to join the recovery effort. Until you have seen the devastation for yourself, it's hard to believe how bad it really is.

Many students sat in shock as we drove through our assigned township, St. Bernard Parish, for the very first time. The St. Bernard Parish was one of the hardest hit areas, both by the hurricane and consequential flood, and the enormous amount of destruction will require a recovery effort that could last for years.

Our group stayed in a relief camp that looked more like a military base than a spring break resort. Volunteers were assigned a tent inside, each which held about 20 cots and enough space for a small suitcase. There were restroom and shower

trailers, as well as a mess hall where buffet-style breakfast and dinner were served (which, surprisingly, didn't taste too bad).

The first morning we were briefed on our relief trip tasks. For three weeks after the hurricane, houses in St. Bernard were flooded with 12-foot high water. As a result, the houses have to be gutted of everything but the main structure, including all windows, furniture, appliances and drywall.

The 46 students were split into four smaller groups and assigned a separate house to work on. The goal is to make as much progress as possible - some groups get homes that are almost finished while others receive houses that haven't been touched since the hurricane. Each group is strongly encouraged to work at their own pace since physical exhaustion is all too common for volunteers - it's extremely hard work!

Our group worked from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. minus a short lunch break each day for three consecutive days.

My group spent two days finishing a house before starting a new home. The damage on the inside of the home was stunning - soggy drywall littered the floor along with destroyed furniture and appliances. Inside the garage, a washing machine sat on top of a couch flipped over on its top. In the backyard, a large crate of lumber had floated from a Home Depot half a mile away. The refrigerator in the kitchen was open and had to be closed before being moved - with the rotting food inside, any disturbance would produce a stench that would

surely clear out a whole street block!

Together, our group worked hard to remove as much of the interior as we could.

Inside, we found a host of unique treasures that were saved over the years. We created a pile for salvageable valuables, which including several preserved religious items, pictures of family, and even valuable artifacts including war badges and an authentic newspaper from the day of the Pearl Harbor bombings.

Later that afternoon, the homeowner stopped by the house with her son-in-law to see the progress. She is an 85-year old grandmother who just wanted one last look at the home. Together they shared their personal story with our group. Both had lost their home, had traveled around the New Orleans area looking for shelter on a week-by-week basis, and finally found somewhere nearby to permanently stay.

Despite all that they had lost, their courageous and upbeat attitude was infectious and admirable to all whom listened - you could see how much they appreciated the time that we had given up and the effort that we were making to help them rebuild their lives. It was at that moment when the purpose of our trip really hit us. When you can finally put a face to a house, and witness the way they are rebuilding their lives, it shows us how meaningful our small sacrifice truly is.

After the third day of work, we checked out of the camp and spent a day sightseeing in downtown New Orleans. The French Quarter was not hit as hard as St. Bernard Parish, and much of the area seems to be close to being back to normal. It

was a great experience to have a chance to spend free time with the individuals who we worked with so closely during the past three days. Naturally, through working together as a team to achieve the different goals on each house, group members built a close bond and were able to appreciate going out together and visiting a great city.

Looking back, I realized that the relief trip was more than just "going somewhere for spring break." I understood that there is a greater meaning to the task at hand. It's not just a house that we were working on - it's a home. Volunteers aren't just clearing out a building - they are the connection between the past and the future, clearing out the memories of many years past so that residents can move on with the future of their home and their city.

On the third day, our group asked the homeowner if she would ever leave the St. Bernard Parish. She replied confidently, "I can't. I will always be a St. Bernardian at heart." After our Honors Spring Break Relief Trip, I think each group member shares a little bit of that sense of pride too. Together, we were a part of the rebuilding effort, and we share a piece of this life-changing experience that will stick with us for many years to come.

By Brad Stephens

Pictures contributed by Brad Stephens and Sara Clendenen Story attributed by Honors Lindner UC program

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Mike Bottichio and the Comets want an FAVC title, see story page 16.

MAY 3, 2006

SPORTS Shorts Rapp to run for Volunteers next fall Senior cross country runner Chris Rapp signed with the University of Tennessee. Rapp was a first team all Fort Ancient Valley Rapp Conference runner and earned a trip to the state meet where he finished sixth.

Whipkey signs to swim with Miami Michael Whipkey has committed to swim for Miami University next winter. Whipkey was the Fort Ancient Valley Conference co-athlete of the year Whipkey this season while also being a member of the First Team All-FAVC in four different events.

Porter will play football at Captial University Porter recently committed to Capital University to play football for the Crusaders next season. Porter was a first team All Fort Ancient Valley Porter Conference member in his senior year compiling 759 rushing yards while adding 10 touchdowns.

PORTS

STATS

16

The number of innings the Comet baseball team played the Middletown Middies in which they were victorious 7-6. See story page 16.

Did you know?

Mason varsity baseball coach Ken Gray has 631 career wins (at press time). Gray has been the MHS baseball coach for 34 years.

William Mason High School Home of The Comets

SPORTS

Sophomore Bobby Eberhard has the Comets in the hunt for an FAVC title, see story page 17.

V OLUME 3 I SSUE 7

Brotherly Love, Bitter Rivalry Castner brothers’ sibling rivalry carries into coaching

BY MATT SCRUTA Chronicle Sports Writer

lives.

"Mainly what we talk about 80 percent of the time is softball," Brian said. We talk about the players non-stop. My Given the similarities between the Mason and Lakota school twelve girls, Keith's, and Steve's at East. We are player driven." districts, competitive nature between Mason High School, A recent phone conversation between Brian and Steve Castner Lakota East High School, and Lakota West High School seems epitomizes the passion of the Castner brothers for softball. The inevitable. All three schools are Division I and have similar two were discussing an area softball team, when conversation student populations. Also, all three schools can be found within escalated to an argument. Brian referred to his brother as a five-mile radius. These similarities add up to an interscholasEinstein in one exchange; this was not intended as a completic rivalry. Fast-pitch softball has been a outlet for the three ment. As soon as the conversation was over, it wasn't personal, schools to compete, but the Castner brothers have turned the just the pugnacious nature of two brothers.

Battle of I-75 into a sibling rivalry.

"Steve's upset that he lost to Middletown last night," Brian Mason High School physical education/health teacher Brian noted after the conversation was over. "He's the hard-headed Castner is also the varsity fast-pitch softball coach. In one of the three of us."

Castner's five-year tenure, the Comets have owned or Steve admits that he hates losing, but the competitive shared the Fort Ancient Valley Conference championship desire is a common trait of all three brothfor three consecutive years. The Comets ers. are well on their way to their fourth, "Losing bothers me more than it with a 7-0 record for the 2006 season. bothers them," Steve said. "But I don't The Comets are led this season by think any one of us is more competisenior Colleen Casey, who is tive than the others." batting .640 with two home The closeness of the Castners runs and ten runs batted as brothers works to their in. Junior Carly Miller advantage as softball has compiled a 6-0 coaches. As the record with an overpowyoungest brother, ering 0.00 earned run Brian has found benaverage and 53 strikeefits of being the outs. least-tenured coach.

"We're playing as one," "[As a coach], I got Castner said. "Everybody qualities from both knows their role, and we're [Keith and Steve]," Brian really playing as a team." said. "I've learned from their The Comets are off to a mistakes as a coach, and I've great start, but Castner also learned different ways to do has a special interest in the things." progress of two other area A benefit of coaching in the teams: Lakota East and same area is the extensive Lakota West. knowledge of many different Steve Castner, Brian's area teams. older brother, has coached "Being in the FAVC, I can softball at Lakota East for ask my brothers questions about the past nine seasons.

Greater Miami Conference Steve has found success in (GMC) teams," Brian said, and the past, and fields a youthKeith agrees. ful team that looks to "It helps to know and watch develop as the season pro[the other teams] play," Keith gresses. said. That is the extent of the "We're inexperienced at advantages, however, as coaching a few positions," Steve against one another can be a forsaid. "On varsity we're midable task. "We get to know Chronicle Photo by Josh Geiger young." each other's strengths and weakKeith Castner, the eldest of the From left to right: Keith Castner, Brian Castner, Steve Castner. nesses very well," Steve said.

Castner brothers, is the head coach of the Lakota West Keith suggested that playing against one of his brothers is like Firebirds. In his nine-year tenure, Keith has won two Greater playing his own team. "We know how each of us coach," Keith Miami Conference championships, and is on track to win anoth- said. "All three of us are aggressive. We all like to run the er. His Firebirds are ranked number one in the city, 25th in the bases, bunt and play small ball." nation.

The Castners will have the opportunity to find out who has "Our success is based upon leadership, work ethic, and expethe bragging rights for the 2006 season. In an annual tradition, rience," Keith said. "Right now, we have ten seniors."

Mason, Lakota East and Lakota West will participate in a tourThe Castners have been coaching against each other for five nament that has become known as the Castner Classic. The years, but competing their whole lives. During The Chronicle's tournament will be held on May 6 at the Mason softball diaphoto shoot, the rivalry among the brothers was instantly appar- mond. This is the fourth year in a row for the tournament, but ent. the Castners try to "de-emphasize" the focus on the brothers.

"Why you gotta fold your arms Brian?" Steve asked his broth"Sometimes people make it out to be brother versus brother, er as the photo was taken. but it’s West versus Mason," Keith said. "It's about the players "Trying to show off your biceps?" chimed Keith. and the school."

The banter was lighthearted, the older brothers picking on the Mason is looking forward to playing the tournament on their youngest. However, the tension is heavier when the brother's home turf. "We rotate sites each year, and were fortunate to face off on the softball diamond. have it this year," Brian said. "The girls like that day, they have "It's hard because we're a very close family, but the other fun.” aspect is that we're a very competitive family," Brian said. "We The established rivalry between Mason, Lakota East, and love the competition."

Lakota West makes the fourth annual Castner Classic an intriguWhen the Castner brothers aren't directing practices or coaching softball tournament, but the Castner brotherly love has ing their squads to victory, softball is still a high priority in their added a new twist to the Battle of I-75.

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May 3, 2006

Stemple hired to take over as Mason High School Athletic Director

BY JOEY D'AMICO Chronicle Sports Writer With the resignation of current athletic director Rod Russell coming at the end of the school year, Mason is preparing to welcome Scott Stemple to inherit Russell's duties in the athletic department.

Stemple, the current athletic director of Sidney City Schools is making his move to Mason in July, and is looking forward to his new job.

"I'm aware of the good reputation Mason has athletically and academically," Stemple said.

"The school and community has a lot to

offer."

Stemple believes Russell has done a great job during his stint at Mason, and Stemple hopes to maintain a high level of involvement with all of the athletic programs.

"I am a hands-on type of person," Stemple said. "I want to know as much as I can with what our teams, coaches and athletes are doing. I want to make myself available and visible to the school and community."

Previous to Stemple's three year stay at Sidney High School he was involved in collegiate athletics and academics where he was an assistant professor and the head coach of the men's basketball team at Wilmington College.

Stemple is aware of the constant winning tradition Mason has established over the past years and he hopes to keep the tradition of winning alive in Mason as he takes over as the athletic director this summer.

"I want every one of our programs to excel at the highest level they can," Stemple said. "I want to try to win as many all sport trophies as we can. The main goal is always try to excel as best as you can in everything you possibly can." photo courtesy D3.hoops.com

Scott Stemple in action as head men’s basketball coach at Wilmington College.

Hot bats, solid pitching have Comets in the hunt for an FAVC baseball title

BY MATT HUNTER Chronicle Sports Writer

Chronicle Sports Photo by Josh Geiger

Senior Mike Bottichio is among the league and city leaders for pitchers and is one of the catalyst behind the Comets’ turn around this spring. Bottichio and fellow pitcher Kyle Weldon have been instrumental in leading the Comets in their quest for an FAVC title.

The crisp spring wind crosses the field and the slam of a bat indicates it is officially baseball season. Despite a rainy spring the Comet baseball team has caught fire to a 14-6 record and leading the Fort Ancient Valley Conference along with Loveland with a 7-3 conference record.

After a dismal 2005 season the Comets were not given much respect but a hot start has them among the top teams in the city.

One of the main reasons for Mason's success this season has been their ability to combine scoring runs and shutting down other teams at the plate.

The Comets are on a path that could lead them to an FAVC title, but junior Chris Weingand believes that the Comets need to stay on track to have a chase in the conference.

"We need to do well against Glen Este and Loveland to do well in the league this year," Weingand said.

That will be a tough task for the Comets, as their schedule becomes tougher with each game they play. Coach Ken Gray, who is in his 34th year as head coach believes that the team is ready to take that step.

"The team overall has stepped it up, and a number of people have contributed," Gray said.

A key ingredient in the team’s succes has been the pitching. Coach Gray believes that the Comets' pitching has done well.

"Overall the pitching has been impressive. To date, no pitcher has had a bad outing through and that's really impressive," Gray said Leading the defensive attack on the mound for the Comets' is senior Mike Bottichio and junior Kyle Weldon. They have a combined earned run average of 0.56 and 25 strike outs in just 18 innings apiece. Both players have been equally impressive at the plate.

Weldon had a three homerun day in a double header against Western Brown. He leads the conference in home runs, and leads the team in hits and runs scored.

Weldon's teammate Bottichio, who only hit two home runs last season, has already gone launch pad twice through six games.

He also hit the city's first grand slam in the Comets' 15-2 rout against Glen Este.

On an historic note, the Comets battled the Middletown Middies for nearly four hours in a 16 inning thriller. In one of the longest games in Mason's baseball history, the Comets where able to pull out a victory when Chase Conn drove in Drew Williams in the bottom of the 16th inning.

"We had a lot of opportunities, but we failed to capitalize on them. It seemed like the game was never going to end." Conn said.

Hubbard hopes team chemistry, leadership will help team in post season

BY DREW ALLEN Chronicle Sports Writer After a Division IV state championship two years ago, expectations were high for the 2005 boy's lacrosse team. The team was returning several starters and two of their top leading scorers. However, they fell in the first round of the state tournament. This year, the team hopes this is not the case.

"Last year, after winning state, we wanted to go back and do well. However, we lost in the first round," senior leading scorer Ryan Britenriker said. "This year, we hope to go back to state."

The Comets schedule includes tough games against D-3 powers Olentangy, Liberty, Westerville Central and Kings. Head coach Randy Hubbard believes beating these teams is key to the Comet's success this season.

"If we can beat these teams we will make it to the playoffs," Hubbard said.

Other tough games will come against teams such as Lakota West, Sycamore and Anderson, three of the most developed programs in the city.

"These teams have had lacrosse for awhile and they are the best teams in Cincinnati," Hubbard said.

Britenriker also attributes Lakota's success to the longevity of their program.

"Lakota West always has a good team because their program has been around for a while," Britenriker said.

With Mason's program being relatively young compared to other area teams, the Comets will need to work hard to overcome a lack of experience.

"Being a new sport [at Mason] it takes some time to develop skills," Hubbard said, "and our kids have been working really hard to get better."

Leadership and team chemistry are also going to be important factors in the Comets stretch run this season.

"Our key element is our leadership. Several of our seniors have stepped up and taken charge of the team to keep driving the younger players," Hubbard said. "They have worked hard to develop a team chemistry that is both hard working and fun."

Britenriker also believes that the chemistry is important to the team's success.

"All of us like to have a good time together," Britenriker said. "This helps us on the field because we all know each other, and what know the other players are going to do [on the field]."

The Comets have turned to defense and physical play to guide their efforts against the areas top teams.

"Our team strengths are our defense and our

physical play," Hubbard said. "We play very good defense and we do hit pretty hard so that helps us get going."

"We have a [really] strong defense, and we have size, which can affect the other teams play," Britenriker said. "We also hit really hard, which affects our opponents a lot."

Defense shows in both team scores and individual play. The team has allowed only eight goals in their wins, and are being helped significantly by junior Eric Ebersole's goaltending.

"Our most important and most improved player right now is Eric Ebersole," Hubbard said. "He has really stepped up his game as a goalie and has done a terrific job up to this point."

The Comets offense has been led by Britenriker who has scored 14 goals this season, David Valentine with five and Justin Mahoney, Tyler Jernigan and Tony Rapp with three goals each. Also, Sean Slattery and Brent Lapak, with three assists each. All of these elements and players will hopefully add up to another successful season for the Comets.

"They have worked really hard to improve their game and we are doing well," Hubbard said. "We are a team that will challenge to the end of the game and will probably do well in the tournament at the end of the year."

Chronicle Sports Photo by Josh Geiger

Senior Ryan Brittenriker leads the Comet offense with 14 goals this season (at press time) and is key to the team’s hopes to return to the state tournament.

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May 3, 2006

Tennis teams climbs city polls, ranked among the best in Cincinnati Vying for top spot in the FAVC, Kirtley looking to make a splash at state level

BY JOEY D'AMICO Chronicle Sports Writer

along with Lakota East," Pham said.

"Kings will also be a tough match because they were the state champion last year."

After losing four senior athletes that As the Comets continue to maintain their were members of the Fort Ancient Valley focus on capturing a league title and All Conference teams to graduation, the improving their rank in the city, they are boy's varsity tennis team was unsure also hoping to continue their progression about the fate of their season when open- in the state tournament. ing the 2006 campaign against Lakota "We hope to win at Sidney and advance West in late March. to round three of the Currently, the Comets Ohio Tennis Coaches' "Most people have posted a 7-1 record (3Association tourna1 in FAVC play) and have ment," Coach Linda didn't view solidified themselves into Kirtley said.

Mason as a the number two spot in the The goal to advance far FAVC. in the state tournament is tennis power "We are starting off well house. We are a high priority for the this year," junior Anthony boy's tennis team, but no trying to change matter how far the team Pham said. "We want to win the FAVC and we have a advances, it will be conthat view." good team to do it this sidered an improvement Anthony Pham year." from the past years While the Comets hope to according Eberhard. continue their domination throughout the "As a team this is the first year ever we duration of the season and into postseason have advanced a round in the state tournaplay, sophomore Bobby Eberhard feels the ment," Eberhard said. "Last year we didn't team has exceeded the expectations he get past the first round but this year we had for them. have, hopefully we'll make it past the next "We beat Loveland who was ranked round." eighth in the city in the preseason polls," The Comets success can be credited to Eberhard said. "I thought we were going the large roster the team possesses. The to lose, and so far we have done better ten-man roster has allowed for a lot of than I thought we were going to do." versatility and experimentation.

The early season wins have provided the "We have the largest varsity team ever," Comets with the momentum and confi- Kirtley said. "All ten of them have condence needed to fuel them for the duration tributed to our wins." of the season that runs through May 9.

Key contributors for the Comets have However, the Comets need to maintain been Anthony Pham who is currently 6-1 their focus because the team knows that in second singles. First singles player their toughest competition is still in front Chris Hall is 4-3. Third singles player of them.

Bobby Eberhard is 7-1. As for first dou"Walnut Hills is always a big match bles, Brian Caprio and Sameen

Chronicle Sports Photo by Josh Geiger

Junior Anthony Pham leads the Comets to their third place standing in the FAVC as he holds a 7-1 record in second singles.

Shahrestani are 5-1. The second doubles team of Jonathon Ahlers and Chase Turner are undefeated at 4-0.

During the Comets pursuit of a league title and advancement in the state tournament, the team feels like they have opened

the eyes of teams around the city and are looking forward to show other schools that Mason is a serious tennis contender.

"Most people didn't view Mason as a tennis powerhouse," Pham said. "We are trying to change that view."

The Hubley Driving School Student of t he Month Hubley Driving School & The Chronicle are proud to honor Grade: 12 In school accomplishments: Technical Directors Award Top Hat Award Student Technical director in theater productions Out of school accomplishments: Two cappies award nominations Alternate captoia of the Mighty Wombats Toller Hockey team Personal Quote: "Never let school interfere with your education."

-Mark Twain

ANDREW MARLEY

Favorite Class(es): Anatomy and Physiology Independent Study in technical theater Future Plans/Goal: Attend College of Wooster and major in Archaeology Teacher Quote: "Andrew is a phenomenal kid and the guru of the stage. If anyone has a question with the talent show backstage, they go to Andrew, not to me.

We couldn't run the talent show without him. I can't wait to see what he becomes."

-Mrs. Barb Shuba Physical Science teacher

5606 Tylersville Rd Mason, OH 45040 754-8652

H

U

B

D r i v i n g

L

Chronicle photo by Michelle Rotbart

E

Y

S c h o o l

5606 Tylersville Rd Mason, OH 45040 754-8652

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Gameday Rituals

“

Josh Murphy ,

Junior

May 3, 2006 With tape and eye black, Josh Murphy is prepared for the mound.

Before every game I start by taping my left wrist and then I put on my left eye black. Next I go with the right wrist and right eye black. I don’t put my jersey on until 10 minutes before the game and I never bend my hat

”

Varsity Baseball

Murphy is in his second season of varsity action. He holds a .250 Batting Average with one homerun through seven games this season. On the mound Murphy is tied for first in the league with a 0.00 Earned Run Average while adding six strikeouts through eight innings pitched.

HIGHLIGHT REEL Senior Mike Bottichio, three year starting pitcher and third baseman has led the Comets to an 8-1 record. Bottichio has captured 15 runs batted in with 10 hits thus far in the season. Bottichio currently holds a .345 batting average and is ranked in the top 5 in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference.

Junior Anthony Pham has led the boy's tennis team to a top ten ranking in Cincinnati. Pham holds a 6-1 record, 3-1 in the FAVC. Pham is currently ranked first in the FAVC for second singles. Pham has been a member of the varsity team since his freshman year.

Junior Stephanie Starsenic a returning starter for the Lady Comet's track team currently is ranked first by nearly one second in the FAVC in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:25.40. Starsenic is also a member of the 3200 meter relay which is also ranked first in the conference with a time of 9:46.00.

- Compiled by Morrison Tracy

How I got Started...

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

Junior Carly Miller, first year varsity starter for the Lady Comets, has led her team to a 7-0 start in the season with a 5-0 conference record. Miller is ranked first in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference in pitching with 0 earned runs and 53 strike outs. Miller also seventh in hitting with a .476 batting average.

"I started playing when I was 5 and I first moved to Mason. I started off playing t-ball in MYO (Mason Youth Organization) and I went on from there. My inspiration when I was little was Pokey

Campus Scene

Katie Stone, Junior Reese who used to play for the Cincinnati Reds.”

Spring Sport Stars

Varsity Softball

Stone is in her first year of varsity softball experience. Stone has been a contributing member to the 8-1(6-1) Lady Comets in 2006.

- Compiled by Morrison Tracy

What’s Your Take?

Which of the three college stars do you think will go first in the National Football League draft?

47%

41% 12% 100 students surveyed.

In this month’s College Watch we are checking on a former Mason High School student-athlete.

Stacy Chew: Class of 2005 Out of High School, Chew was one of the biggest prep standouts in 2005.

Chew graduated from Mason fourth in her class and was a three-year member of the All Ohio academic team.

Chew was a two-time first team All FAVC sprinter. Also in her senior year, she was Fort Ancient Valley Conference Runner of the Year.

In her freshman year at the University of Dayton, Chew played goal keeper and University of Dayton Facts also is currently running Chew for the track and field team.

Nickname: Flyers Chew is seeing legitimate running time first year out of high school.

Colors: Blue, Red and White At the All Ohio Indoor Championships this winter Chew finished 11th in the 400 Conference: Atlantic Ten meter dash.

Famous Alumni: At the All Ohio Outdoor Championship, Dan Patrick (ESPN Sports Chew ran her best 400 meter with a time of Analyst), Jon Gruden (Tampa 59.40 placing 10th. The Flyers are currentBay Bucaneers Coach) ly leading the Atlantic 10 Conference in all sprinting events. As the NCAA Championships approach, Chew and her Flyer teammates are looking to leave a - Compiled by Morrison Tracy mark at the competition in June.

Gary’s Barber Shop Gary Oglesby, Owner

314 W. Main Street Mason, OH 45040

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

Phone: 398-8801

Hours: MTTF 9-5:30 Saturday 8 - 2:30 Closed Wednesday

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May 3, 2006

Aponte’s Pizzeria KYLE WELDON, JUNIOR, BASEBALL Junior Kyle Weldon has helped lead the Comets to a second place standing in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference with a 14-5 record and 7-2 in the conference. In their recent double header game against Western Brown, Weldon hit three home runs, had a batting average of .538 and was named FAVC athlete of the week. He is ranked second in the FAVC with a total of four home runs. Weldon has 16 runs this season with 9 runs batted in (RBI) and an overall batting average of .355.

In addition to his accomplishments hitting, Weldon pitches for the Comets. With a 2-1 record as pitcher, sixth in the FAVC, he also has a 2.03 earned run average (ERA). In three games as starting pitcher, Weldon threw 16 strike outs pushing him to the twelfth ranking in the conference.

As only a junior and three year varsity starter, Weldon has contributed much to the Comets’ success this season.

Because of his accomplishments, The Chronicle and Aponte’s Pizzeria are proud to present Kyle Weldon as April Athlete of the Month.

APONTE’S PIZZERIA & FAMILY RESTAURANT WHERE ALL OF OUR PIZZA IS HAND TOSSED NEW JERSEY STYLES ITALIAN ICE SIXTEEN FLAVORS Carry Out & Delivery Menu We charge for delivery (sorry, gas prices) We accept all major credit cards No personal checks 753 Reading Road, Mason Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sunday 12 p.m.-9 p.m.

Minimum Delivery is $7.00 + Delivery Charge (513) 336-7400

10% off your next visit to Aponte’s Pizzeria with your student ID.

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May 3, 2006

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

STAFF EDITORIAL

Breathalyzers necessary to assure student safety As prom approaches, students are excited to conclude their year with a festivity that will be a respite from their rigorous schedules. But as students start hearing about more than just ticket prices, there is much dismay over the acknoledgement that Breathalyzers will be present at prom.

Students feel that teachers and police officers having Breathalyzers at their side creates an atmosphere of distrust. But how many of those students have had to make phone calls to parents informing them of their child's alcohol-related accident or death? If there's distrust among the teachers, administrators, or police officers of Mason towards students, there's a reason.

Having watched student's make poor decisions before, the staff members at Mason want to be sure that when students leave prom, they'll return home safely.

Besides the moral implications, if a student were to drink and there were no Breathalyzers present to test the student, in turn causing less of an awareness towards his or her behavior, then how would an

LETTER

TO THE

administrator explain to a parent how their child was able to walk off of school grounds intoxicated and died that night from driving under the influence?

Although this scenario seems to be another attempt to scare teenagers away from drinking, according to the American Drug and Alcohol Coalition, a third of all youths under the age of 21 who died in alcoholrelated accidents in 2001 died during prom and graduation season.

Not to mention, if students are congregating on school grounds, then the administration has the right to make sure that when students are on school property they are safe.

Not to mention, why would students need to be drinking? As a senior or junior, this is a memory you'll carry with you, along with everyone else who will remember it. Do you really want to be remembered as the kid who was drunk at senior prom? Being drunk around your friends not only causes you to act carelessly but influences them to act the same way. You may view the Breathalyzer

test being administered as a way to catch you and to not treat you as an adult, but how adultlike is drinking before a school function?

In a recent Cardinal News editorial concerning the intallment of Breathalyzers at prom, the editorial staff claimed that their legal rights were being imposed upon and that although they are students, they still deserve to be heard. While it is true that students should not be forced to submit to any test, if they are on school grounds, they are a risk of the school.

Though these students make valid arguments in that students must be allowed the freedoms that they are promised as citizens of the U.S., they forget that at the end of the day, student's lives are at stake. The real question that needs to be posed is not whether or not Breathalyzers challenge student freedom or bring about distrust, but why would you have a problem with Breathalyzers at prom unless you were planning to drink? And if that's the case, then aren't Breathalyzers all the more vital?

to America by the hundreds of thousands, working for lower wages than the AngloAmericans, while the Japanese and the Communists were targeted because of WWII and the Cold War, respectively.

However, atheists do not cause the average wage to decrease, nor are we at war with America. We do not preach violence or hate.

When was the last time you saw a "Darwin is my Home-boy" shirt? While there does exist a Christian Broadcasting Network, I have yet to see an ABN. It is obvious even in this very newspaper how in-your-face other religions are. All one has to do is look back to the front cover of the second-to-last issue of The Chronicle.

Although I think that it is extremely admirable to be proud of your beliefs the way the young lady on last issues' cover or anyone else who wears their religion on their sleeve is, it seems to me that a group who generally tries to attract attention to themselves would be more deserving of the rancor that atheists receive than we are. After all, we just want to live our lives and mind our own business. So what possible reason can people have for hating us so much?

Penny Edgell, associate sociology professor

at the University of Minnesota and the study's research leader, says "it seems most Americans believe that diversity is fine, as long as everyone shares a common 'core' of values that make them trustworthy.

Many of the study's respondents associated atheism with an array of moral indiscretions ranging from criminal behavior to rampant materialism and cultural elitism." I have difficulty, however, believing anyone would associate my mother with criminal behavior, or my twelve-year-old brother with rampant materialism.

Instead, I offer another reason. Atheists have no institutions. There is no Comets for Darwin club, no organizations for us to go to for emotional support. I, and those like me, am excluded from opportunities for everything from college scholarships to community service.

Although I know this letter won't change the world, I hope that someone, anyone, will at least be slightly moved by it, and possibly begin to understand that discrimination is far worse for those that the anti-discrimination commercials we see on TV ignore.

Ben Doublett Junior

EDITOR

Student feels all views must be respected Americans may be politically divided on issues such as the war, how best to fight terrorism, health care and abortion, but one group presents a common enemy. No, not terrorists or polygamists or Wiccans, but atheists.

In a recent study published by the Sociology Department of the University of Minnesota, which conducted random telephone interviews with over two thousand diverse households across the nation, atheists are identified as being the minority group who, above all others, fail the most in "sharing a vision of American society."

Undoubtedly, many of those reading this letter will agree with this. I know this because, as an atheist, I have been ostracized and outcast many times in my life.

My question to all those who see atheists as threatening or immoral is simple: Why? What have we done to deserve relegation to the position of scapegoat that has been played by all other sorts of other innocent minorities in the past, Catholics, Japanese and Communists to name just a few? Irish Catholics swarmed

The

May 3, 2006

Take a moment to consider...

The cries of cultural degeneration must stop.

Video games do not teach children how to kill; gay marriage will not obstruct the entire American value system; crass language on television doesn't demonstrate exponential loss of morality; illegal immigrants aren't going to steal your job.

In the efforts to cleanse our "dirtied" society, we're failing to acknowledge that our true divider is moral promulgation. Seriously, and logically, consider what's going on right now: We're attempting to blockade our barriers so those who truly embody the American spirit can no longer enter; we're beginning to overturn progressive civil rights legislation; we're fighting wars for economic security under the pretext of spreading democracy and freedom. I say "we" because these are problems, initiated by an emphatic smaller portion, which plague the whole.

We're becoming evermore savvy at telling people how they can live their lives. And, for the most part, the aforementioned issues remain relevant as they defended by either morality or jingoism.

There's an undeniable sense of regression currently taking place in our policymaking, a regression that is being retarted only by a lackluster population of voters who stand behind the "nice guy" leader because he's as dimwitted and illiterate as they are.

Wake up. You may very well be living in a thirdworld country.

Those trying to uphold the façade of moral integrity fail to recognize the ethical contradictions in themselves; the paradox bleeds of hypocrisy. It's easy to sit on an ivory tower when you're not subjugated, you have the highest standard of living in the world, and anytime the horrors of reality become apparent you can go to a local shopping plaza to fill your gluttonous premonitions.

Meanwhile, our political values are being displaced and rotted by fanaticism. We're ridden by the eternal, discrimination, dogma, and duplicity, preventing us from becoming the country we naively try to be. We're comatose and steadily somersaulting to no end.

This sounds cynical because it's frustrating.

America, not to be doubted as the greatest country in the world, has become sidetracked. This isn't a demand for social utopia - there will eternally be struggles for supremacy and, in turn, equality.

This irony, however, has never stopped those willing to fight from raising their torches, nor should it now, although the apathy towards such injustices has never seemed so profound.

Is there an intrinsic benefit from telling others how to live? This question should be strongly meditated upon. Maybe I'm just an anarchist at heart, but few, if any, reasonable answers come to mind (health and security aside). How can you tell others to live under restrictions when you can't even escape your own?

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Everyone should have the opportunity to do well on the SAT

Punk rock is not just a wardrobe, but a way of life I started listening to punk music about two years ago. I'll never forget the person that introduced me to it. I'll never stop noticing how much it has changed me since. I used to think that I was musically educated until I met "punk"--something people usually mistake for other genres, or misinterpret the background of.

Due to channels like MTV and Fuse, stereotypes about punk music are created and furthered, thus turning people away from listening to the real talent in the underground scene. Punk music isn't wearing girl's jeans, black eyeliner and horribly whining about killing yourself over a relationship. For some reason, in the last three years or so, kids have found this appealing and have failed to see the difference between media and music. Without cable channels and Myspace, these bands wouldn't be anything. Walking down the hallways of this school I make my way through seas of black jackets, bandanas and Converse shoes. Three years ago people were shocked by the change. Today I realize that hardcore is a fad.

I'm angry with MTV and Fuse Network for corrupting all viewers who don't know the difference between independent music and media-driven fakes, and demonstrating a false persona of what music is about. Most bands glorified by these channels are probably making millions because they wrote lyrics about "cutting their wrists and blacking their eyes" and were booked on Warped Tour the very same year that suicide got "big". Their lyrics aren't poetry.

Their money is from the latest trends and they're not giving back to the fans in a positive way.

Since there seems to be confusion amongst the large music corporations and their fans, I would like to clarify that hardcore, or punk music, was started in the late seventies, and influenced by early punk. Hardcore isn't metal--it's fast, aggressive and melodic, coupled with usually raspy vocals. Hardcore became a way of life for many starting in the eighties (vegan and vegetarianism picked up, as did the straight edge movement.) Black Flag, Minor Threat and Teen Idles have all been credited to start hardcore. Though hardcore music sounds angry and possibly "scary" to outsiders, most bands and fans live positive lifestyles and want to better the world through politics, self-worth and a "do-it-yourself" mentality (no signing to major labels, booking their own tours, and printing their own merchandise.)

Two other frequently misused terms by the uniformed are "emo" and "screamo". The foundation of "emo and "screamo" today is something little people know about. Bands like Rites of Spring, Indian Summer and Dag Nasty started in the early 80's and wrote meaningful, though sad, lyrics. Never once did they wear girl's jeans or black eyeliner, nor did they try to ridiculously create a metaphor out of a CD title like "Butterfly Notes and Suicide Kisses," like commonly-mistaken-for-emo band, Atreyu.

All in all I want people to see that there is so much music outside of mainstream. There is clothing outside of black zip-up jackets.

There is no uniform for liking a band. Go to the record store and buy a CD you've never heard before. If you don't like it, sell it back. If you love it, you'll be hooked forever. That's the beauty of the industry.

Hardcore and punk is more than a wardrobe, more than being popular through a website, more than watching cable to see which band is cool next. For me, the music has influenced my way of life, and like Dillinger Four said, "I do not believe that I'd have it any other way."

It all started sophomore year, with the announcements encouraging students to sign up for the PSAT. Although most were at least a year away from taking the "real thing," many sophomores still chose to take the test, considering it good practice for junior year, when PSAT scores would be used to determine national merit scholars. Practicing for the practice SAT proves that a single test has taken major prominence over our lives.

You can't blame people for wanting to do their best. Test scores do play an important part of the admittance decision to many colleges. The higher you score, the better scholarships you receive. My sister was turned down by one college for being a mere 20 points below the cut off. Even though she had several glowing recommendations from professors at universities where she had attended summer programs, the admittance director still put a higher importance on her test score. As unfair as this is, it is what it is, so I can't blame people for putting extra effort into studying hard for the SAT. But just walk into the test prep section of Barnes and Noble, and your head may start spinning. There are at least four different test prep books for the ACT and SAT, the average starting price being 15 dollars.

Flash cards and even novels including SAT vocabulary are available. If you prefer online study help, there are plenty of websites available.

Collegeboard.com provides a comprehensive study plan, complete with diagnostic tests and practice problems. Sparknotes.com offers a similar service. All for a price, of course. It seems as if now a great SAT score can be bought, which puts an unfair disadvantage on teens from poorer communities. This brings me to my main point: can the perfect standardized test score be bought?

With courses starting at around 70 dollars, I wonder if students from less wealthy families have that kind of money to spend on test prep. If, as they promise, these materials significantly improve scores, than the demographic of students achieving high scores may increase to include a high percentage of upper class teens. Students from poorer demographics are not any less smart, but they may not have money to spend on learning test-taking techniques.

I can't tell students to stop using test preparation aids because it gives them an unfair advantage. I myself have used several different test workbooks. But I do hope that people consider how to help prepare less wealthy students for standardized tests so that everyone, despite their background, has the test scores to get into the college of their dreams.

Feedback Question: How much are you spending on prom?

“$500, It's my senior prom and I didn't do a lot last year so I wanted everything to be perfect no matter the cost.”

Angie Wallace Senior

"$250 because I'm going to two proms but I bought my dresses while they were on sale and I paid for tickets for our prom."

Christina Burton Junior

$400, for my dress, shoes, hair and accessories, because it's my senior prom and I want to look foxy.

“$350 for my dress, nails, tanning, pictures, boutonnière, shoes, and makeup, so I can have fun!”

Molly Smith Sophomore

Erica Fisher Senior

Compiled by Michelle Rotbart

“$45. I'm only buying tickets because my boyfriend is in college.

Robyn Rego Junior

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May 3, 2006

CHRONICLENews

EXPANSION: District delays H.S. expansion !from EXPANSION page 1 "Mason City Schools has experienced explosive growth in the past decade which has required us to become proficient at projecting growth and planning for those needs. We review our enrollment numbers weekly," Brannon said.

Mason City Schools projects the pop-

ulation to level out in the year 2012, and have all ready seen a decline in the growth rate.

"All of these indicators tell us delaying the high school expansion for one year meets the needs of our students, staff, and supportive taxpayers," Brannon said.

"It is likely we will continue to examine ways to deliver education in the most efficient manner possible, while always providing adequate spaces for learning."

Mike Brannon MCS Assistant Supt. of Operations

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

(513) 398-6966 Agents Jack Flaherty Duke Flaherty

May 3, 2006

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