The Chronicle, 11.3

chroniCle

November 22, 2013

thecspn.com

Volume 11, Issue 3

the

Broke

Charitable season can cause cash crisis, see page 16/17.

Freedom of religion Student leads effort to get prayer room, see page 4.

the perfect

ENDING

Photo by Fernanda Hurtado

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november 22, 2013

news

Trending Now Fast Fingers View these and other stories and galleries at

thecspn.com

C Girls basketball vs. Talawanda The girls basketball team is playing Talawanda Tuesday night at home.

Check thecspn.com for coverage.

C Mason Hockey Preview

Visit thecspn.com for a preview of the hockey team’s upcoming season.

thecspn.com

The Comet hockey team overwhelmed Lakota West 11-1 in the preseason opener.

C Boys soccer champs

The boys soccer team concluded its historic season with the programs first state championship. After reading the story on page 29, check thecspn.com for a full photo gallery.

Photo by Fernanda Hurtado

Senior Eric Liddell punts the ball at the boys soccer state championship game. compiled by Sheila Raghavendran

Students race to write 50,000-word novels Sonia Rayka | Staff Writer

It’s a race against the calendar. friends and family but the program itself Hours of sleep are disregarded for writacted as a way to learn more about herself ers during the month of November as as a writer.

National Novel Writing Month takes “It’s like anything else--it takes effort,” control. More commonly referred to as Burns said. “It’s like going to the gym every NaNoWriMo, participants are challenged day, if you have someone pushing you, it’s to write a 50,000 word novel by the end a lot easier. If you want to do it by yourself, of the month. According to NaNoWriMo it teaches you more about who you are.” returnee, senior Kayla Burns, it is not as According to Brubaker, being able to gruesome of a task as one might think. motivate yourself to get to work for a “I’ve been doing it month is since freshman year,” ultimately Burns said. “You reworth it for ally have to have your those inpriorities down. But terested in for me, writing is what writing.

I want to do so it’s not “It rehard for me to find time ally pushes to write.” your limits,” Creative Writing Brubaker teacher Nathan Coates said. “It’s not said that writers have to for a grade, work hard through the it’s for yourtime crunch because it self and you resembles how the realdon’t have to writing world works. follow any “There’s always someguidelines thing there that crops or worry up your time,” Coates about what said.”NaNoWriMo is other people meant to force people are going to to write and focus for think.”

Photo art by Gabrielle Stichweh a little while on their For writers skills.” like Burns, the month will test her dedicaShekinah Brubaker, a junior who reached tion to the art of writing but she said that the goal last November with over 50,000 she’s willing to do whatever it takes. words, said that her self-discipline helped “I’ll sacrifice sleep because writing is her manage schoolwork along with the what I want to do and that’s what I’ll put weight of writing a novel in 30 days. time into no matter what else needs to “I really had to manage my time and if have attention,” Burns said. “Alfred Lord I didn’t follow that schedule of finishing Tennyson once said that an artist has to homework first and then writing, I had to give up part of himself for his craft, it’s just pay for it the next day,” Brubaker said. who they are. If a month is how much I Burns said that the pressure of writing a have to give up for my craft, I’ll do it.” novel was relieved through the support of

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Half-hearted Devotion Resumes padded with extracurriculars and lack of passion Katie Hibner | Staff Writer

Ten percent of the time, a member’s passion for the National Honor Society is paperthin.

According to NHS advisor Barb Shuba, that portion of students only participate in NHS and other clubs to pad college resumes.

“In NHS, about ten percent of members are [resume padders],” Shuba said. “Someone has convinced kids that doing more [activities] is better [for college admissions]. The number of [resume padders] is growing exponentially.”

College admissions rumors are scaring increasing numbers of students into padding their resumes, according to junior Raghad Kodvawala.

“Counselors and teachers tell stories of kids who had amazing grades but didn’t participate in after-school activities, so they didn’t get into colleges,” Kodvawala said. “So students [are joining] more clubs.”

Junior Harlequin Connors said student athletes also feel pressure to pile on impressive extracurricular activities.

“Since I’m competing for a softball scholarship against 4,000 other girls in Ohio alone, [athletic ability] is not enough,” Connors said. “When you’re at the same [athletic] skill level with a competitor, a [good resume] can give you an edge.”

Students who join clubs just for that edge can hinder an organization’s progress, according to Shuba.

“This year, more administrators had to talk to kids who didn’t contribute [to NHS],” Shuba said. “[Resume padders] are deadweight.

They take up space and don’t contribute. You can’t rely on them.”

Mason High School Honor Society advisor Dan Broaddrick said he has also disciplined unreliable club members.

“Students try to come late and leave early

from [MHSHS] meetings,” Broaddrick said.

“They’re only once a month, so when students don’t commit to an entire meeting time, it’s not fair to the group. We stopped giving students credit for attending a meeting if they weren’t there the entire time. If a student misses more than one meeting, they’re removed from the group.”

According to Shuba, a lack of devotion hurts both the group’s activities and several aspects of an individual’s college application.

“I can write volumes [in a teacher recommendation] for a

kid who did NHS for the right reasons,” Shuba said.

“I can’t write for kids who showed up to the induction ceremony but haven’t been seen since. Plus, college admissions [committees] aren’t dumb. They know that when a kid lists NHS [on their resume] but doesn’t write about anything special they did [for the club], they were just doing [NHS] to get into college.”

Shuba said that once a student enters

college or a career, the length of their resume becomes obsolete.

“You can put all you want on a resume, but the true evaluation begins once you get into a college or job,” Shuba said. “There are kids who make themselves look good on paper but once they get into [NHS] they don’t do anything.”

According to Shuba, resume padders are unable to contribute to or find their niche in clubs due to their demanding schedules.

“I feel bad for kids that are so overscheduled they don’t have time to be a kid,” Shuba said. “High school should be the time to explore what you like and what you don’t like; the clubs you join in high school should be activities you want to do for life...

But now [the time to experiment] is being pushed back to college.”

Broaddrick said he also fears resume padders aren’t prepared for the future.

“It’s not a bad thing to be strategic...but [resume builders] may not be able to fully commit to their [future] careers and create a healthy balance in their lives,” Broaddrick said.

“I fear that we’re not helping [resume builders] become successful adults.”

According to Shuba, students seeking success should stress quality over quantity with their extracurricular activities.

“Students should pick [several] clubs they like and embrace [them], making them the best they can be,” Shuba said. “Then they can talk about their [activities] with passion.”

The pressure to build a strong resume may help students discover such passion.

“I joined Key Club last year because I thought it would look good on my resume,” Connors said. “But I found it was fun to take time out of my day to help others out [with community service]. Once you like an activity, you stop thinking about the resume.”

Photo and photo art by Katie Hibner, Gabrielle Stichweh, Sheila Raghavendran

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november 22, 2013

Inter-faith Rooms

Inspiration Room provides opportunity for in-school prayer Sheila Raghavendran | Managing Editor

Sophomore Aminah Baig will no longer have to ask permission to pray.

Aminah has struggled with balancing prayer times with school hours, but her idea for an Inspiration Room could be her hallelujah.

“I came up with it just because in my religion, I’m Muslim, we have to pray five times a day,” Aminah said. “...I just wanted to create a designated area in the school where students wouldn’t feel awkward and just go to it and be able to pray...in a peaceful environment.”

According to Principal Mindy McCarty-Stewart, MHS is able to provide the avenue for this student-driven idea.

“What we’ve done is we’ve made the space available in a safe place, and it’s student-driven so they’re allowed to get the word out and hopefully have people who will take advantage of the opportunity to have the [Inspiration] Room,” McCarty-Stewart said.

Morning prayers are inconvenient when trying to come to school on time, senior Wajihah Baig said.

“Sometimes...the morning prayer time was at the time that I usually left for school, so sometimes I would [be] late to school because I had to pray,” Wajihah said.

According to Aminah, she and other Muslims have had to ask permission from teachers to leave the room to pray, which can be uncomfortable.

“It’s awkward especially to go up to your teacher and just be like, ‘Oh, can I use your bubble room?’” Aminah said.

Sophomore Aminah Baig uses the Inspiration Room to correlate prayer and school times.

Photo by Madison Krell

Aminah is not the first person to come to administration for this type of request, McCarty-Stewart said. “...I think Aminah’s approach was different, it was more that she wanted it not only for herself but she wanted to make sure it was open to everyone,” McCartyStewart said.

According to Wajihah, the Inspiration Room will show Muslims in a positive light.

“I feel like ever since 9/11, or all the other connotations and images that people have about Muslims, a lot of people are afraid to step up and show that not all Muslims are like that,” Wajihah said. “[The Inspiration Room] shows...the part of the image of Muslims that a lot of people don’t really see.”

Wajihah said that she always thought that other students would be unwelcoming to a school-related Muslim activity, but that the Inspiration Room’s positive outlook will bring a better image to the Muslim culture.

The diversity at MHS is not always acknowledged, according to Aminah.

“I know there’s a lot of diversity in this school but I just feel like sometimes it’s not celebrated, and diversity should be celebrated,” Aminah said.

Aminah said that the Inspiration Room is welcoming to people of all faiths.

“That’s why they call it the ‘Inspiration Room’ because religion is supposed to inspire you, and prayer especially, so it’s fine for any religion to go there,” Aminah said.

According to McCarty-Stewart, the relationship between different cultures will change over time.

“I would see that as just a continuation of not just the acceptance but the respect to learn, to have an understanding, and just to have a respect for all the different cultures,” McCarty-Stewart said.

Aminah said that she hopes MHS students will embrace her idea and be at ease to use the room.

“I just hope that people are open to it and they take advantage of it...it should be a place where they feel open, where they feel comfortable going,” Aminah said. “...Our faith shouldn’t be hindered by education, and we should celebrate it instead.”

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MHS Media Center adapts to modern learning environment Monica Brucher | Staff Writer

Photo art by Gabrielle Stichweh

Break out the hard hats and orange cones-MHS’ Media Center is about to be renovated.

The Media Center’s physical design will stay the same, but the changed layout will bring new materials and a new purpose.

Mason District Media Specialist Virginia Robinson said changes being brought, such as moveable group workspaces and portable device plug-ins, will change the intent of the Media Center.

“We’re changing it from a place where we store a bunch of things and have computers, to a service area, a collaborative area,” Robinson said.

Robinson said the changes will be completed in stages over the next three years. These changes will make it easier for students to work on group activities and projects.

“We’re going to make it so [students] have more collaborative areas, things will move, work together, have maybe little cubbies where [students] can plug-in your laptops and display it to your group of kids and that stuff,” Robinson said.

The layout is planned to have a center for small snacks, drinks, and even coffee. Robinson said she can confirm a cafe going into the Media Center.

“Right now I’m emptying out the periodical room with the understanding that [a cafe is] probably what’s going to go with it,” Robinson said.

The food and drink selection is not the only

thing that will change in the Media Center; Robinson said the hours will also differ to mirror internet cafes that are popular with students, such as Panera and Starbucks.

“The hours will morph, instead of just being open during the day, I see us moving towards maybe closing at one point and opening during the evenings,” Robinson said.

The changing hours will be especially helpful to students with after school activities, who can then come back to the Media Center during the evening.

English teacher Lauren Gentene said she sees the positive impact that will come from the renovations.

“Changing the Media Center is more conducive to collaboration and mimics more of what students will need to be able to do when they go to college,” Gentene said.

These changes will bring teachers and students a new type of learning environment that Gentene said she finds favorable.

“I think that it could allow for what we know to be good practice in teaching, but can sometimes be difficult to pull off in a traditional classroom,” Gentene said.

The Media Center’s purpose has already changed from a traditional library into an accessible online center. Robinson said she sees future

students using technology in place of traditional learning tools. Robinson said the Media Center will be switching print resources into accessible electronic media.

“We will have some still in print,” Robinson said. “But the ones that aren’t getting used are just taking up space that could be made better use of.”

The Media Center has already begun to clear printed sources with the creation of ebooks at MHS which became available last March. Robinson said she always checks for an e-book version before purchasing a new book because she finds them more convenient.

“More people can use [e-books]: you can check out books 24 hours a day, you can check out the summer reading list in the summer, so you’re not just tied to when we’re open,” Robinson said.

Robinson said this technology trend has been moving across the United States and improving MHS’s Media Center to follow this trend has been a goal of hers for a long time.

Even though plans for the renovation have begun and Robinson has done her homework, she still looks for suggestions to improve the Media Center even further.

“It’s really a plan in motion so we are looking for suggestions from teachers and students and even parents,” Robinson said.

Tentative design.

Photo art by Erin Brush

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tweets to the editor Answer questions posed from the editors at @mhschronicle or let us know how you feel about The Chronicle’s latest stories. #TweetToTheEditor

Contact Information The Chronicle William Mason High School 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Mason, Ohio 45040 (513) 398-5025 The Chronicle Staff Editor-in-Chief Chloe Knue Managing Editor Online Editor Sheila Raghavendran Associate Editor Katherine Hansen Taylor Telford Layout and Design Editor Gabrielle Stichweh Sports Editor Erin Brush Business Manager Emily Culberson Assistant Business Manager Kelly Noriega Staff Writers Emily Taylor Katie Rojas Meghan Harris Jimmy Halpin Katie Herman Madison Krell Abbey Marshall Gina Deaton Matthew Marvar Will Leathers Monica Brucher Kelly Noriega Fernanda Hurtado Sonia Rayka Katie Hibner Lindsay McCalmont Rashika Jaipuriar Adviser Dale Conner

Staff Editorial Donations and extracurriculars boost reputations but lack authenticity When the Salvation Army bells ring, students answer.

And when college apps come a’calling, students answer.

They answer in high quantity.

Be it charity drives or colleges to impress, students answer the expectation with numbers. Just how many extracurriculars or “hobbies” can you cram into your schedule? And just how many apathetic dollars can you surrender to the kid with the envelope peeking into your second bell? We throw ourselves into every activity presented to us so that we can amaze

universities with one, two, three, four…Wow! Ten sports or clubs we supposedly dedicated ourselves to. We repeatedly submit to the more or less guilt tactics of those asking for our money with a few dollars, both us and the charity student rep forgetting that some among us may be on the receiving end of that donation.

Are our extracurriculars really extra? Is our charity really charitable?

Too often, the honest answer’s no.

It’s quantity over quality, and it’s disregarding sincerity.

There are clubs and activities with skills and camaraderie to achieve. There are charities and drives with support and needs to provide. Rather than letting these laudable endeavors become passive routine, we should wield a little selection. Pick the activities we actually care about. Choose the charities we really are passionate about. And if that’s still an array just shy of everything, fine.

But whatever you participate in, whatever you donate to, give it the respect of your time and passion.

Mean it.

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november 22, 2013

opinion Life served Keurig style

Hate mail

Lindsay McCalmont | Staff Writer

Sheila Raghavendran | Managing Editor

“Bullying has always been a problem.”

On a recent trip to the post office, a fellow mail-sender blurted out his opinions on the all-too-well-known subject.

“When I was a kid, people were bullied. You dealt with it.”

This half-way-passed-middle-aged man found no justification in the reasoning behind why he couldn’t mail certain things to his kid in college -- the university is concerned that other kids might bully him if he gets something particularly fancy.

This man didn’t understand why schools were suddenly jumping on the anti-bullying bus. Why now? Why ever?

And I wondered as well, to some extent.

Bullying hurts. But it’s just as painful now as it was 100 years ago.

I think it’s the effects of bullying that have schools listening. Depression, lack of motivation, poor academic standings. Self-harm is a devastating resort. New York Daily News reports that the teen suicide rate has jumped one and a half percent from 2009 to 2011 to a stomach-churning 7.8%. Let’s face it: a lot of bullying happens at school. Schools feel responsible -- it’s understandable.

Cyberbullying has become apparent, and I think that’s what has gotten everyone to pay more attention. Everyone uses social media. It’s where you stop when you’re bored, your go-to URL, and some may even call the Internet their “sanctuary”. But for a portion of the population, social media is far from a safe haven. If parents can’t put a cap on the situation, schools feel an obligation.

So that’s it. That’s why we have the Blue Dot program, numerous “always-available” counselors, and personable teachers.

And for some reason, that’s why we can’t send expensive items to our homesick college kids.

What’s more important - the taste or the trend of Starbucks?

compiled by Katie Hibner and Matt Marvar

Cwhat you think

My family recently made the switch from a regular coffee pot to the almighty Keurig. No more coffee grinds, filters, sugar, or creamer. No more waking up 15 minutes earlier to start heat up the water in the coffee pots.

All of the blood, sweat, and tears that used to go into making coffee is now perfectly packaged in a bite sized, 26¢ K-Cup that can be popped into the Keurig machine and turned into any type of coffee or drink imaginable in just seconds. The greatest struggle of making coffee in the morning is now just picking whether you want a non-fat vanilla latte or mocha caramel cappuccino and then finding it on the fancy, revolving K-Cup holder.

When we are forced to dig ancient coffee pot out of the depths of our pantry when we have guests, mornings become a hassle and people become hostile from their lack of instant coffee. It’s even gotten to the point where some people won’t even drink coffee that doesn’t spring from a Keurig because it’s “just not the same quality”. What used to be a daily habit of actually making coffee now seems so tedious.

We have become spoiled. As a society, we’ve become accustomed to getting the best quality of what we want whenever we want it and if that doesn’t happen then we sulk and complain as if it was the end of the world. It’s a little thing called “instant gratification” and it’s a plague.

We are constantly trying to make life quicker and easier to keep up with our busy schedules. While it is nice to enjoy these luxuries, doing things the old fashioned way every once and a while builds character. It keeps us grounded. Patience and a hard work ethic are almost extinct in people. Actually waiting or working for something makes the outcome even more rewarding. It may sound impossible but our ancestors used to do it so why can’t we? Sometimes we just need to set aside the K-Cups and pull out the sack of coffee beans.

“I think [the coffee’s] taste has to be quality. There is a hierarchy of coffee and Starbucks is at the top because it tastes better than other coffees.”

-freshman Sebastian Castillo

“I like Starbucks [better than other coffee brands] because they make vanilla bean Frappuccino’s, and I don’t like the taste of coffee.”

-freshman Ashley Norman

“[Starbucks] tastes really good but I also like to [be a part of] the trend of Starbucks…it’s...like an extra accessory to fit in because other people just go there for the image and try to be an in-crowd.”

-senior Blake Ellis

“I don’t really care if I’m drinking out of a Starbucks [cup]. If it doesn’t taste good…then I don’t want it. I don’t really care about the image of Starbucks.”

-senior Ana Harrison

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Music That Matters

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Photo by Katie Hermann

Former Mason music teacher Dough Parrott (left) and Nick Whitaker (right) add energy to the hallwasy on Monday mornings in November by playing tunes on their tubas.

Hallways ring with sound during ‘Music Monday’s in November Katie Hermann | Staff Writer

Monday’s just got a little easier for students dragging themselves into school at the crack of dawn. In an act of true kindness to help the sleep-deprived and raise awareness, the Kindness Council has been promoting ‘Music Mondays’ during the month of November.

The melodious Mondays were the brainchild of sophomore Dru Bloodworth who wanted to help promote cancer awareness.

According to Kindness Council Advisor Jerry Schrock, the council simply wants to help a student who had a great idea.

“The idea transformed from someone going into the large commons or small commons and playing [to collect donations] to a whole bunch of people throughout the school

playing music in different parts of the school on Mondays,” Bloodworth said.

After pitching his idea to Student Activities, Bloodworth’s campaign needed to be associated with a school organization. The Kindness Council stepped up.

“The Kindness Council started to put ideas together,” Schrock said.

“And the ideas kept growing.”

Music Mondays is in four locations: Z1, B2, large commons and small commons. Donation jars are present in all.

“Once you are diagnosed [with pancreatic cancer] it usually is a very quick end,” Schrock said. “That’s why we are raising money for research...People will drop tips in the donation jars, just like you would if you were on the streets.”

Before being informed that his

father was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year, Bloodworth said he used to brush-off cancer awareness.

“It wasn’t affecting me at the time,” Bloodworth said.

During his freshman year, however, Bloodworth’s perspective changed. He began to use his talents of playing guitar to raise money within his classes for cancer awareness. According to Bloodworth, he raised about $120.

“After time, the teachers would say, ‘You need to do this in the lunch room and get it on a bigger scale,’” Bloodworth said.

Now it is. Acts from across the school are bringing Mondays some energy with their performances.

“We’ve got some bands, glee clubtype things, and individuals who are singing or playing instruments,” Schrock said.

Senior Casey Miller hopes to perform “Blessings” by the artist Laura Story during one of the Mondays.

The lyrics helped Miller acknowledge her emotions after her father’s diagnoses and passing.

According to Miller both students and teachers will play and craft the music of Mondays.

“It’s going to be whatever you make of it,” Miller said. “It’ll create a really cool environment.”

With one Monday left in November, the Kindness Council is striving to make Music Mondays a Mason tradition.

“This is our first time trying this,” Schrock said. “But hopefully it’s energizing, hopefully it grows, hopefully it becomes something that everybody likes.”

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november 22, 2013

NOW OPEN MASON

Stop by the Comet Zone and check out our new merchandise!

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mason COMETS

your one stop spirit shop thecometzone@yahoo.com

What can we do for you?

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november 22, 2013

feature

‘Tis

the season to be hairy

Masculinity on display during ‘No Shave November’ Abbey Marshall | Staff Writer

Photo by Taylor Telford

MHS English teacher Thurman Allen wears his beard as a badge of masculinity.

Fear the beard!

This is the battle cry of the Mason lacrosse team as senior Griffin Zink takes the field. According to Zink, No Shave November provides him the opportunity to showcase his famous beard-growing talents and support a good cause. “[Growing a beard] is something I’m known for,” Zink said. “...People get excited about it.”

According to Ana Harrison, Zink’s girlfriend, Zink’s facial hair is a sign of masculinity. “[Growing a beard is] just the manly thing to do,” Harrison said. “I feel like he thinks he is more masculine [with his beard].”

Zink said he agrees: his beard makes him feel tougher.

“You kind of connect facial hair to being strong and tough and manly so I just thought [growing a beard] made sense,” Zink said.

According to junior Rahul Sandella, facial hair is the rite of passage into maturity.

“When you can finally grow facial hair, you’re transforming from boyhood into real manhood,” Sandella said. “[My mom] didn’t like my facial hair because she thought I was growing up and she was sad that I was growing up.”

Another factor that promotes boys to participate in No Shave November is the laziness aspect, according to Sandella. “[I’m participating in No Shave November] because I can be lazy and not shave for a month and no one is going to judge me,” Sandella said.

Zink’s sports superstition also plays a role in the growth of his facial hair, he said.

“I started growing out [my beard] during lacrosse and I felt like I played tougher and a little better when I had it,” Zink said.

No matter what prompts various participants to not shave during November, there is one ultimate motivation they all share: the goal to raise cancer awareness by embracing the hair cancer patients lose during treatment. Senior Enrique Dominguez said he’s hoping that his facial hair will do just that.

“People will ask why I’m [participating in No Shave November] and I can tell them that it’s for cancer awareness,” Dominguez said. “Maybe raising awareness during No Shave November will cause people to join foundations or charities.”

According to Zink, his beard fame and good luck charms aren’t the only exciting part about not shaving. Zink said it gives men a chance to support cancer awareness.

“We have breast cancer awareness,” Zink said. “[However,] it’s not big for guys to wear pink, so [No Shave November] is a way for guys to show support [for cancer] in a different way.”

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Trendy Taste Starbucks’ reputation highly valued over coffee competitors Rashika Jaipuriar | Staff Writer

Photo art by Gabrielle Stichweh

A cup of ol’ joe. Espresso Macchiato. Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino.

Or perhaps a random drink that may not even contain coffee. Anything goes, as long it’s got Siren’s stamp.

According to senior and Starbucks employee Macie Cousineau, many teenagers don’t always come to Starbucks Coffee for the coffee, contrary to the name.

“A lot of girls our age come in [and] always get the things that don’t have any coffee in it, and it [is] a coffee shop, so I guess the reason that they come for these things is [the] Starbucks [brand] and glitter,” Cousineau said.

Cousineau said the difference between real coffee-lovers and trendfollowers is obvious with the customers and types of drinks they order.

“We have a lot of regular customers that are older people who come in all the time,” Cousineau said. “And with [them], it’s really fun to know their order[s] [because] they’re usually the people that...really care about the different roasts, whereas after school...we get rushes of younger people who don’t care about coffee or anything. They just kind [of] come [to hang out], and they’ll get the chocolaty frappuccinos.”

According to Cousineau, drinks such as the Cotton Candy Frappuccino provide photo ops for many teenage girls, but for Cousineau, who said she only drinks black coffee, the quality of the coffee beans is the real appeal.

“It actually [has] very good coffee beans,” Cousineau said. “I prefer Starbucks coffee over most other coffee just because it’s a darker roast in general...Now that I work there, I definitely appreciate coffee more.”

The visual charm of Starbucks, according to Cousineau, is important for young customers and may be the reason the brand is becoming such an icon in today’s culture.

“I guess people are just drawn to Starbucks because it’s really cute,” Cousineau said. “Everyone wants that little symbol on their mug.”

Senior Jessica Smith also said she thinks Starbucks is visually attractive and said she frequently goes there even though she doesn’t drink a lot of coffee. According to Smith, some people may be more addicted to the brand than coffee.

“I’ve heard people talk about how they just like the looks of it,” Smith said. “[Some people that go there] don’t even like coffee or tea. It’s just kind [of] weird.”

Starbucks provides an array of choices for customers, even the non-coffee drinkers, which according to senior Kylie Tate is an important characteristic.

“I feel like [other places] don’t have as much,” Tate said. “They normally just have coffee, iced coffee or hot coffee, but then Starbucks has their smoothies and their tea and their hot chocolate and their espressos and their mochas and all that other jazz.”

According to senior Quynh Tran, she visits Starbucks about five times a week, and although the brand is important to her, she cares more about the actual coffee.

“I feel like my day is determined based on if I have coffee or not, [so] I have to have coffee,” Tran said. “I mostly look at the coffee that is in [a drink] and how much caffeine it has, and considering that we’re students, we need that caffeine [because] we have short hours of sleep.”

Tran said her monthly bill for Starbucks can rack up to $75, but that the aura Starbucks provides is priceless.

“I like the environment,” Tran said. “I like to do homework [there because] I can concentrate better [there] than at home, and I like the drinks that they have although [they] can be overpriced. But I think it’s worth it because I feel like I can pay for my drink and...for the [environment].”

Like Tran, physical science teacher Cody Kreager also said he is a huge-coffee lover who drinks about one cup per day, but he chooses to live without the glitz of the Starbucks brand. According to Kreager, coffee is coffee so the brand does not matter to him.

“You could get me a cup of Starbucks, or you could get me Meijer brand coffee, and I probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference,” Kreager said. “[I don’t go to Starbucks] more so for the price probably [because] if it’s three dollars for a cup of coffee, I think that’s outrageous.”

According to Kreager, kids are encouraged to go to Starbucks in order to follow in line with the trend.

“If a kid had to choose between going to Starbucks and going to UDF and getting a cup of coffee, they’d probably go to Starbucks because Starbucks I guess has that cooler look amongst their peers,” Kreager said. “It all depends on who you are and what you want your look to be...So is it cooler to carry a Starbucks cup around or is it cooler to carry a UDF cup around? That’s what I guess the person has to wonder.”

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Children

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Growing up on pasture intertwines farm life with suburbia Katie Rojas | Staff Writer

Dog goes woof. Cat goes meow.

Bird goes tweet, and mouse goes squeak.

Senior Kelley Hammeran may not know what the fox says, but she does know all about living on a five-acre farm after over ten years of experience of taking care of animals and tending vegetables.

According to Hammeran, her family had sheep, pigs and rabbits that they raised and often sold. Hammeran said aside from taking care of the farm, they did additional farming activities. “[Everyone in my family] did 4-H, an agriculture program where kids raise animals, they do a project on the animals, and then they sell them at the Warren County Fair,” Hammeran said. “My brothers and sisters did pigs [and lambs], and I always took the bottle-fed lambs, the ones that their moms couldn’t feed them. You would have to get up in the middle of the night to go down to the barn, and give them milk. I always got too attached, so I never sold mine but I would bring them to fair and show them.”

Junior Anna Honerlaw currently lives on a farm, and is part of the 4-H program along with her sister, where they focus their efforts on raising goats. Honerlaw’s involvement in 4-H started at a young age and has continued to grow.

“We got goats starting when I was in fourth grade,” Honerlaw said. “It’s not like we get to keep them as a pet, which is what people think is weird.

We got interested because we started doing rabbits for meat, but we decided we wanted to do something bigger with animals, and goats is the next step up project you can take.

We really like them so we’ve kept them ever since.”

Raising goats on her family’s farm has taught Honerlaw to be a hard worker who is responsible for her own outcomes.

“It makes you a harder worker and makes you work for what you want,” Honerlaw said. “I think a lot of people don’t know how to do that nowadays. We pay for our goats, we pay for the feed for our goats, we work to take care of them, and it’s hard to take care of them.

Sometimes with school, it’s hard to balance between taking care of all of our animals and school, but it always seems to work itself out.”

There is a challenge for Honerlaw in balancing schoolwork with the key responsibilities of raising her goats. Honerlaw said it is important to combine both to be proactive.

“We feed, water, and walk them every day,” Honerlaw said. “We get them when they are infants, and they are petrified of you. Every day we go in the barn, and what my sisters and I will do is we sit there and do our homework with our goats in the pen so that they get introduced to you. We walk them because we show them [at the fair] and we have to get the goats used to walking around.”

Hammeran said that she has noticed major differences in growing up as a child on a farm and maturing into a young adult in a growing town.

“The suburban life is very fastpaced,” Hammeran said. “When you live on a lot of land, you are encouraged to just sit and appreciate

the land around you and appreciate what you see. I feel like the suburban lifestyle doesn’t really encourage that.”

Honerlaw said that more people should get involved in 4-H to expand their knowledge to more than just suburbia.

“It opens your horizons because this is Mason,” Honerlaw said. “I live on a farm; people don’t understand that that still happens when you live [in] a suburban area. I don’t think that they get a taste of what it actually is because we live in suburban Mason. I think people should do [4H] to see what it’s like on the other side of the fence.”

Growing up in both a farm town and in a suburbia has allowed Hammeran to appreciate both lifestyles.

“I feel like having grown up with both, you get the best of both worlds,” Hammeran said. “You get more activities and more social things, but then at the same time, you have those basic roots to go back to.”

Photo contributed by Kelley Hammeran

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Breaking

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Holiday season can bring on donation overload Lindsay McCalmont | Staff Writer

Mother Teresa once said, “Give, give until it hurts”.

And Mason does a lot of giving. But with all of the great causes that the organizations at the high school sponsor, Mason is reaching their limit for how much they can ask for, according to Student Activities Director Lorri Allen.

“We are trying at this point not to add new [charities],” Allen said. “I feel like we ask our students and staff for so much already and I don’t feel like we are a building that likes to say no, that we feel like everything is a good cause so it’s simply to not add anymore burden to anybody.”

According to SIBS and Student Government member senior Arianna Venkatesan, the multitude of charities at the high school may be taking away from the cause of each individual organization.

“It’s easy for the purpose of some of these causes to get lost in the shuffle because there are so many [charities] and it’s hard to make them stand out,” Venkatesan said.

History teacher Charles Dugan agrees that if students don’t know the purpose of an organization, they won’t give.

“More often than not in the last few years [the reason to give] has been missing,” Dugan said. “Somebody shows up, they have to be in a hurry to get back to their class and as a result it’s, ‘Bring money, we are doing it for some reason,’ and no one really understands why.”

While some students use incentives as a tool to collect money, incentives harm the spirit of giving, according to Allen.

“I think that [incentives] take away from ‘I want to give just because I’m giving’ and ‘I’m doing something good’,” Allen said.

Despite incentives, some students, especially those that make their own money, will not donate because they would rather use hard-earned spending money on other things, according to Venkatesan.

“With high school students, some of us are pushed to make our own money and we work so hard in our jobs that we feel entitled to it but it’s important to remember that there are people that would do the same if they could and it’s our job to help those that don’t have the same opportunities that we do,” Venkatesan said. “I say think about donating what you would usually spend going out to a meal after this or something because there are always ways that you can save some money.”

According to junior William McGowan, people embrace the spirit of giving and pay it forward whenever possible.

“I have extra money at times and I feel like it’s necessary for me to give back to my community because it’s given so much to me,” McGowan said. “A lot of other people in

Photo by Madison Krell

Mason are fortunate enough that we can give a hand to people that are less fortunate.”

While many students in Mason have money to spare, it should not be assumed that everyone is able to donate according to Dugan.

“Here at Mason, we have the idea that everyone has money to give,” Dugan said. “That’s not the case. Some people just don’t have the expendable money right now.”

This assumption can take a toll on the students that don’t have the means to give, according to sophomore Kaitlynn Dirr.

“I think that [lower-income students] might feel uncomfortable because they might not even be able to afford their meal tonight so for them to bring in five dollars that’s a bigger deal than for someone that has ton of money in their family,” Dirr said. “They might feel pressured and awkward about the whole situation.”

According to McGowan, who collects money for SIBS and NHS, finding the right way to approach asking for money can be difficult.

“There are times that you feel bad about [asking for money] because you were just there the day before and you don’t want to get on anyone’s case about it because you don’t know [their situation],” McGowan said.

The organizations that come into classrooms can often be unintentionally aggressive, according to Dirr.

“Sometimes I feel like [collectors] can be too forceful and almost make you feel guilty if you don’t bring in money,” Dirr said. “...It’s your own decision whether or not you want to give money. If they stay positive and smile and encourage you then that is a better attitude to have.”

According to Dugan, teachers try not to interfere with collecting but often feel obligated to if they think their students are being pressured too much.

“My only real intervention is when I feel that the students collecting the money are too aggressive like trying to guilt or you might even say bully people to give money or make people feel bad if they don’t give money,” Dugan said. “The purpose of charity is that you are giving it because you feel attachment to a cause and not because of peer pressure.”

While some students may find the classroom’s style of collecting slightly overwhelming, most organizations do their best to ease the pressure that comes with asking, according to Allen.

“When our groups do their fundraising, it’s not so in your face that it’s noticeable if you are not giving,” Allen said. “I think that we approach so that we don’t make somebody feel guilty if they are not giving.”

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Bedtime Bites Pest control experts insist bed bugs still a problem Emily Taylor | Staff Writer

Good luck sleeping tight because the bed bugs do bite.

For seniors Megan Than-Win and Chris Martin the common goodnight phrase is all too familiar.

Within the past year, both Than-Win and Martin have encountered bed bugs, making them victims of the blood-sucking pest that, according to General Manager of Scherzinger Pest Control Kurt Scherzinger, is not going anywhere.

While the media may not be advertising bed bugs as much as they did when the insect first started making an appearance, Scherzinger said that the bugs continue to be a major issue across the United States, perhaps more now than ever.

“Our business as a whole has actually seen bed bug prevalence increase this year,” Scherzinger said. “To date, we have treated about ten percent more bed bug cases than we did last year.”

Martin, who travels every week for baseball in the summer, came across bed bugs in July when his team traveled to Northern Ohio for a tournament. According to Martin, the team spent the night in a Micro Hotel and it wasn’t until the next morning that they realized the hotel was infested with bed bugs.

“In the morning, one of the moms had bites up and down her stomach and arms,” Martin said.

“When she flipped over her mattress, she saw that it was swarmed with bed bugs.”

Than-Win, on the other hand, encountered bed bugs in an apartment complex. According to Than-Win, her family recently bought the complex and when they first purchased it, it wasn’t in the nicest of conditions.

“When we bought [the complex], it was in a pretty bad state,” Than-Win said. “We made a lot of renovations and cleaned everything up.”

Not long after making the renovations, however, ThanWin said that her parents received phone calls from tenants claiming they had found bed bugs. According to Than Win, three of the six units in the complex were pest-ridden.

“We had to get an exterminator to treat the infested units and that whole process took forever,” Than-Win said.

“They had to take off anything hanging on the walls and clean

everything from the ceilings to the floors. It’s a very tedious process.”

According to Scherzinger, the extermination process can take anywhere from six hours to two months, depending on the process used. But before the extermination process can begin, you must first know how to identify the bug.

According to Scherzinger, there are two key signs to look for when detecting bed bugs. The first of those signs being the bug itself.

“To me, a fully grown bed bug very closely resembles an apple seed,” Scherzinger said. “They have almost the exact same coloration, size, everything.”

Scherzinger said that the second sign to pay attention to is the appearance of tiny black specks around the lining of your mattress.

“You’ll get black specks around the roping of the mattress which is actually the fecal matter of the bed bugs,” Scherzinger said.

While bed bugs may seem inescapable, Scherzinger said that there are steps

people can take in order to minimize their chances of infestation.

“The biggest thing I recommend is that if you go into an environment and feel like bed bugs might be present, dump your clothes into a clothes dryer when you get home,” Scherzinger said.

According to Scherzinger, running clothes through a dryer on high heat will kill all bugs lingering on the clothing. Scherzinger said that another precaution is checking the surrounding area.

“If you are in an unfamiliar environment you should be careful where you are sitting,” Scherzinger said. “Make sure you inspect your hotel rooms before you unpack because you never know where they might be hiding.”

Senior Megan Than-Win experienced bed bugs in her apartment.

Photo by Emily Taylor Photo art by Gabrielle Stichweh

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Flavor Fibs Authenticity of ethnic foods lost when given American flavor Fernanda Hurtado | Staff Writer There’s no taste like home.

According to junior Diego Fuentes, Mexican food chains like Chipotle and Qdoba are Americanized.

“Chipotle isn’t really authentic Mexican but I still eat it,” Fuentes said. “Qdoba is good but it is mostly burritos, which are more of America’s assumption of tacos.”

As opposed to popular beliefs, senior Denny Garcia said that Cazadores, El Rancho Grande and any other restaurants that try to come off as Mexican aren’t authentic.

“They try to make it authentic but they just don’t have the ingredients required to do so,” Garcia said. “It just tastes fake and people who don’t really know the true taste assume it is real.”

Both Garcia and Fuentes said that the only place that they would consider close to authentic Mexican food is a restaurant called Taqueria Maya.

“Taqueria Maya is the closest to authentic Mexican food around here,” Garcia said.

According to senior Alice Zhang, Chinese restaurants are Americanized and are considered a genre of their own.

“Among us Chinese people we tend to differentiate between authentic and American food,” Zhang said. “We don’t necessarily hate the Americanized Chinese food but

we do see it as completely different.”

Senior Angela Lee said that she feels that usually the restaurants that make the most authentic foods are local, family owned restaurants.

“The little place I work in, Straits of Malacca, is pretty authentic and it is Malaysian,” Lee said. “I feel like Mason is a mixture because you see a lot of chains like Subway and Panera but at the same time there are a lot of local places like Pitrelli’s, Straits of Malacca and New China, which are the most authentic.”

Junior Eric Felipe Meza and his family own Mexican restaurant El Caporal. According to Meza, being a family owned restaurant makes it authentic.

“It is authentic because most of the recipes were passed down from family members who passed away so they made them themselves instead of looking them up,” Meza said.

Although some students believe their ethnic food isn’t portrayed correctly for them other than at home, junior Mihir Parshionikar said that he feels that Indian restaurants around Mason fare better.

“I visit India once every two years and my relatives there cook for us so I would say that the food here seems pretty much the same,” Parshionikar said. “The food varies from where you are from, but

I would consider generally rice, a vegetable side and naan or paratas, which are kind of like bread, and some kind of curry to go with the rice [as authentic food].”

According to senior Rukmini Cheeti, the Indian food at some restaurants is authentic yet slightly changed to please the customers.

“I would say that yes the restaurants are authentic but it is Americanized since it is changed to meet their customers,” Cheeti said. “The taste is different and the spiciness too, but it is just so they can provide for the customer and I understand it.”

According to Zhang, the reason food in the restaurants like China City Buffet is Americanized is because the food is made sweeter to please customers.

“It kind of depends on the way you make [the food],” Zhang said.

“Authentic Chinese food tends to be more savory than sweet but Americans like sugar a bit more so they often alter it slightly.”

Meza said some people try to see past the slight changes to their ethnic food and realize the value of cities like Mason having culturally diverse restaurants.

“It shows how diverse the city is since it is not just one racial group,” Meza said. “Instead there are various and that helps people learn what the food is in certain cultures.”

Photo by Katherine Hansen

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Making A Statement Transforming Friday appearances makes statement among peers Matt Marvar | Staff Writer

Senior Arjun Mathur lives by the words “dress for success”.

During his sophomore year, he and a few friends started what they call ‘Fancy Friday’. They dress up every Friday for fun, a tradition still going strong today.

In the early days of the idea, people questioned their appealing attire--but that didn’t deter the participants.

According to senior Nick Martin, a strong advocate for Fancy Friday, they use the custom as a way to celebrate the upcoming weekend.

“It just became something that we really enjoyed doing because people were like ‘Oh, why are you all dressed up?’ and it was kind of fun to just say ‘It’s Friday!’”

Martin said.

Senior Mike Glandorf is also a big advocate of Fancy Friday. Unlike Mathur and Martin, it takes him longer to get ready in the morning on Friday.

“I actually do [have to wake up earlier on Fancy Friday] because I get made fun of for having wrinkly clothes. I always have to iron my clothes on the morning of Fancy Friday,” Glandorf said. “It’s a sad fate.”

When you dress nicely, Glandorf said, it shows that you value your appearance.

“It kind of tells you how much they care, how much they want to look [good] because people come in with sweatpants and messy hair and don’t really care about it,” Glandorf said. “But when [they] dress up, you know that they care; they actually want to be seen as someone different.”

Not only does dressing nicely show people how much consideration you put into your appearance, but it encourages individuality, according to Glandorf.

“It says a statement to dress up,” Glandorf said. “It makes you unique to other people because you actually care about how you look; but, we also do it to have fun because it’s just a funny thing to do and girls definitely love it.”

Although Martin likes to dress up, he said he can understand people that don’t enjoy it as much as him.

“I guess some people don’t share the personality that we have of kind of enjoying dressing up. People see it as a chore. They’ll say ‘Oh I have to wake up early and make myself look good,’ so I guess you could see it as a chore and not as much of a fun thing to do.”

But according to Mathur, it’s purposeful to be presentable--anything can come about.

“And I think that’s how you should go everyday living your life,” Mathur said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”

Photo art by Gabrielle Stichweh

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Sandwich Segregation Lunch room vibe varies between large and small commons

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Where Should YOU Be Sitting?

Gina Deaton | Staff Writer

Where you eat your sandwich can define you.

Freshman Heather Ashelman and junior Erica Springer both eat their lunch in the small commons. Instead of following the majority of the school into the large commons when the lunch bell rings, Ashelman and Springer both said they preferred a quiet, more civilized eating environment.

“I used to sit in the large commons, but it was really loud and crowded in there and I had trouble finding a place to sit,” Ashelman said. “I like it [quieter] because I can hear my friends better and it’s hard to hear them in the large commons.”

Springer said that she really likes smaller groups of people and that the size of the large commons can be intimidating. “[I sit in the small commons because] it’s closer to my classroom and I don’t like being around a lot of people,” Springer said. “And it’s a lot quieter, which is good.

[There are] too many people in the large commons. I just really like small groups of people.”

People in the small commons are also much more behaved, according to Ashelman.

“People don’t misbehave as much [in the small commons],” Ashelman said.

“You always see kids screaming and throwing stuff in the large commons and you don’t really see that here. I feel like the small commons is a good group and place for people who are quieter and more well-behaved.”

Because the small commons appears more civilized, Springer said that it becomes a great opportunity to truly get to know those you sit with. “[I think people who sit in the small commons] are closer to each other,” Springer said. “Instead of saying, ‘I’m going to lunch with half of the school,’ you’re saying, ‘I’m going to lunch with my friends.’”

According to senior Allie Kenneally, she now sits in the small commons with her friends from honors band because it’s her fourth bell.

“I think [where you sit] says something about what you do. Most of the kids

who sit in here are in band or orchestra because it’s their fourth bell,” Kenneally said. “And those kids are naturally more reserved than those who sit in the large commons.”

Freshman Gabe Menelik and sophomore Max Palani sit in the large commons. Menelik said he could understand why people would sit in the small commons every once and a while, but overall the large commons is a much more enjoyable environment.

“It’s too quiet in the small commons.

You don’t have the freedom that you have here,” Menelik said. “If you’re studying for a test, it’s better to be in the small commons because you can have some peace and quiet. [But] in the large commons, you have more freedom to have fun.”

Palani said that although seemingly more cliquish, he chooses to sit in the large commons to be with his friends.

“I sit in the large commons because my friends are here,” Palani said. “But I think the small commons [is] better for kids who don’t like as many people around and don’t like the noise as much…It’s more peaceful. People seem a little bit more outgoing [in the large commons] but you see more cliques form because of how the tables are separated.”

Senior Lauren Bowden has eaten her lunch in both places, and says she doesn’t have a preference but did notice differences.

“The small commons is quieter; you can actually hear people in there,” Bowden said. “[Although] sometimes it feels more crowded in the small commons because there’s not a lot of space…It’s for quieter groups. Larger groups are in [the large commons]. If you look at the tables you see some groups with lots of people.”

Despite the differences and possibility of a sort of segregation between lunchrooms, Springer said she believes that where you sit doesn’t matter so much in the end. “[Overall] it is just a place where you go to get food and sit for half an hour,” Springer said. “They have the same general purpose.”

Your ideal noise level is: A) B)

Explosively loud Able to hear a pin drop

Your typical table mates are: A) B)

People who just re-tweeted you Your intimate friends

Lunch time is ideally spent: A) B)

On your iPhone Re-reading sheet music

Your worst nightmare is sitting by: A) B)

A couple making out A kid making dolphin sounds

When the lunch bell rings, you: A) Walk sluggishly through the hallway and try not to be trampled B) Are already back at your locker or to your class, having avoided the stampede

A>B Large Commons B<A Small Commons

Graphic by Taylor Telford

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Foreign

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policy

Fluent native speakers do not always excel in respective language classes Kelly Noriega | Staff Writer

Not guilty!

That’s the plea you’ll hear from native Spanish speakers junior Karel Encarnacion and senior Cesar Carrillo when they face accusations that they have an unfair advantage in their Spanish IV class.

Encarnacion is from Mexico and is fluent in Spanish and said he has been struggling in Spanish after he made the leap from Spanish II to IV. The classes may be different academically, according to Encarnacion, but students’ resentment towards native speakers is not.

“Some people say [natives taking Spanish] is cheating,” Encarnacion said.

Sophomore Jake Ridener said everyone assumes that native speakers get easy A. “I’m jealous because I’m not good at Spanish,” Ridener said. “I would be doing the same thing to get a good grade.”

Venezuelan junior Andrea Castillo-Beroes is fluent in Spanish but took French to broaden her language knowledge, and to avoid hard feelings from her peers.

“If I would’ve taken Spanish I would’ve gotten a lot crap, people [would’ve said] it’s such an easy class, you’re just getting that A,” CastilloBeroes said.

Native speakers usually have a good knowledge over Spanish culture and vocabulary but not necessarily grammar, according to Encarnacion.

“It’s harder for me

than it is for [nonnative speakers]” Encarnacion said. “I’m from Puerto Rico and now I have to re-learn a different dialect which kills me, because once you learn something a certain way it’s hard to change it.”

Mandarin teacher Ling-Ling Nian said she has noticed the same trends with native speakers in her classes.

“Some of the Chinese native speakers can understand and they can speak but they can’t really write and

read,” Nian said. “One of my [native students] is still in the first level of Chinese.”

In Spanish, conjugated verb quizzes are infamous for their difficulty, according to Gobble.

This year Gobble’s students need five perfect scores on their CVQs to get credit for them, and they get unlimited attempts. Native speakers especially have a hard time with CVQs and usually need extra help after school, according to Gobble. “[Native speakers] know how to use [the tenses] but they see the question on the test and they would almost change the meaning in their head,” said Gobble.

Nonnative students don’t understand the struggles native students face, according to Gobble, they just assume native students know more than them and are embarrassed to work with them.

“Students don’t always want to be [native speakers’] partners because they feel intimidated,” Gobble said.

Carrillo said that he did not get easy A’s throughout his Spanish career.

Students don’t understand that taking Spanish as a native is the same as taking harder classes as a smart student, according to Carrillo.

“I think I had pretty good knowledge over [Spanish],” Carrillo said. “But I’m just like everyone else.”

Junior Fernando Leon-Ramos lived in Mexico from fifth through eighth grade and took AP Spanish his freshman year after his move to Mason.

“I don’t think I was cheating because it was really a way to keep my Spanish up,” Leon-Ramos said. “It’s not like I didn’t have to study--I still had to work hard and I still had to do my homework. You have to try hard in order to do well.”

Photo by Kelly Noriega

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Skewed Reality Reality television shows distort perspectives on life Meghan Harris | Staff Writer

“The Real World” may not be what it seems.

According to senior Meghan Cook, reality television shows leave students at Mason High School either questioning reality or running from it.

“People watch reality TV because they’re obsessed with other peoples’ lives,” Cook said.

“They just always want to know what’s going on and there’s a lot of drama and people just feed off of that.”

Along with the drama and conflict that reality television captures, senior Molly Hough said that she is enticed by the over-the-top lives of the stars.

“I like to watch reality TV because I like the drama that it presents,” Hough said. “Every

Seniors Meghan Cook and Haley Vorherr pose as if on a reality show.

Photo by Meghan Harris Photo art by Gabrielle Stichweh

single episode of a reality show has some kind of conflict in it. I also love to watch the extravagant lifestyles the people live.”

But according to senior Haley Vorherr, this extravagance sets unrealistic standards.

“Well it definitely screws up your reality romantically because [shows] set up these whole scenarios that are perfect,” Vorherr said. “Where the guy makes the big romantic gesture and that never happens in real life. It builds up your expectations and gives you such high standards...In reality it’s not like that.”

Hough said that while shows like “Little People Big World” portray a more realistic family, most reality television depicts lifestyles that are unattainable.

“[‘The Real Housewives’ series] shows the crazy lifestyles of the wealthiest people in those cities,” Hough said. “For most people, we will not end up like that. It gives us false hope that we will end up being able to afford these expensive cars and throw gigantic parties.”

Cook suspects television networks stage their reality shows, and that it skews people’s perception of the real world.

“I think reality TV shows are staged,” Cook said. “...It gives you a messed up view of how the world really is.”

According to Hough, some scripted shows are easier to spot than others.

“Well ‘Laguna Beach’ and ‘The Hills’ were so fake that it’s hard to believe that life could be like that,” Hough said. “All the friendships and drama were all scripted so when I found that out it was sad because I was so interested in those shows. I loved Lauren Conrad in middle school and I wanted to live her life so badly. It was sad when I found out she was acting basically the whole time.”

Vorherr said that while some shows are scripted, the entertainment is not.

“I watch it because it’s just so entertaining,” Vorherr said. “It takes your mind off of other things that stress you out like school or sports.”

Although fights on ‘The Real World’ provide entertainment, Vorherr said the stars of supposedly ‘reality’ television shows make inappropriate actions seem okay.

“I think on reality TV they put on people that are actually really crazy so people think it’s okay to act the same way those people do,” Vorherr said.

From pulling hair to complaints about paparazzi, Hough said that reality stars like the Kardashians need to step back into the real world.

“With the Kardashians I think that they are just so out there and crazy that they need to be pulled back in and get a reality check,” Hough said. “They are all so wrapped up in their own minds that they lose sight of the people around them and I don’t feel like they are truly appreciative of anything.”

While families like the Kardashians may not be average, Hough said that their lives are worth watching.

“People don’t want to watch a show about a normal family,” Hough said. “They want excitement and things that they don’t experience in their everyday life.”

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t r A ARGUMENTATION

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Coaches and athletes embrace the art of debate with referees Will Leathers | Staff Writer

The art of argumentation is a delicate one, one that requires precision and finesse by coaches and players on the field.

If handled correctly, a well-timed complaint could alert an official to a call he had previously been missing. But if botched, the coach faces drawing the ire of the most powerful people on the field.

According to baseball head coach Curt Bly, it’s important to pick your battles wisely to give your arguments more weight.

“If you’re questioning every decision or call that goes against your team, eventually it becomes counterproductive,” Bly said. “They turn a deaf ear to you, because you’re always complaining.”

But like Momma always says, it’s

not what you say, but how you say it.

“I think the tone that you take is important,” Bly said. “It’s emotional sometimes, but if you’re overly aggressive that will also cause them to turn a deaf ear.”

Girls soccer head coach Andy Schur also listed some tactics to stay away from trying to communicate effectively.

“Showing them up, body language type stuff, coming at them screaming…cursing will usually get you a card,” Schur said. “And then I think repetitiveness, doing it every time he makes a call.”

Girls basketball head coach Rob Matula said that it’s also important to choose the time and place of the argument skillfully, a wise decision according to junior referee Garrett Popovich.

“I know it’s going to be hard for a coach, but you have to wait for a timeout to be called,” Popovich said. “Calmly ask to talk to us and we’ll be more than happy to talk.”

Popovich, who officiates baseball, football and basketball for sixyear-olds up to high schoolers, said that coaches yelling and screaming affects referees less than they may think.

In fact, referees often won’t even take complaints into consideration unless they’re given in the proper way.

“Most of the time they go in one ear and out the other,” Popovich said. “Unless they want to ask me properly; if they take a timeout I’ll be happy to listen to them.”

At first glance, coaches’ reactions on the sideline may seem erratic and out of control. But according

to girls soccer head coach Andy Schur, sometimes the antics are more for his team than for the referee.

“There have been games where I’ve tried to get yellow cards just to motivate the team,” Schur said.

Junior Jill Vetere said that seeing her coach screaming on the sidelines about a call does motivate her.

“That motivates me so much,” Vetere said. “Because I know that he cares about our team so much.

When we see him take off his jacket we’re like, ‘Let’s go, this is our time’,” Vetere said.

But while the yelling may have an effect on the team, it doesn’t on the referees, according to Popovich.

“The big word here is ‘calmly’ because as soon as you start yelling it just goes in one ear and out the other,” Popovich said.

Photo by Fernanda Hurtado

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Highlight

Work Hard, Play Hard Athletic department focuses on maintaining strong programs Erin Brush | Sports Editor

Photo by Madison Krell

Girls soccer celebrates a 1-0 overtime state semifinal victory over Pickerington North.

3

Three of the fall sports teams have won state championships this year. This includes boys soccer, girls water polo, and girls cross country.

76

The girls cross country team secured their second state championship win with a team total of 76 points at the state meet.

0

Number of losses the boys varsity soccer team suffered on the way to the program’s first ever state championship.

11-7

The girls water polo team won the state championship with an 11-7 victory over local rival, the Sycamore Aviators. results as of November 15th.

november 22, 2013

This fall was one to remember for the Comets, according to Athletic Director Scott Stemple. With the majority of the fall sports winning conference titles or competing at the state level, the Mason athletic department appears to be flourishing.

“There’s no question that this fall was above exceptional,” Stemple said. “There’s an indicator there that across the board, we’re fortunate to have students that are committed both academically and athletically and that make that commitment all year round. We’re fortunate to have the leaders we have, the coaches there to direct them, as well as parents and administration. They allow us to offer excellent facilities, transportation, and put them in competitive environments. I think we do a good job of preparing students to compete at that high level.”

Stemple said he thinks the main role of the athletic department is to do behind-the-scenes work to help put athletes in a position to preform.

“We are there to support and make sure that success can happen, but it’s the kids, parents,

and coaches that really drive the success,” Stemple said. “From an athletic director standpoint, the thing that I’m the proudest of is that we have Stemple consistency across the Photo contributed by Gomasoncomets.com board in all of our programs. Our approach is that all of the programs and every one of our athletes and coaches are all important. I think that’s reflective in the All Sports trophy.”

With many athletic departments around the area suffering due to cutbacks, Stemple said his athletic department is continuing to put a strong focus on more need-based spending in order to keep programs successful.

“Certainly school districts have to really scrutinize and manage their funds and take a conservative approach, and we are no exception to that,” Stemple said. “We try to look at what we can do to put our students and coaches in the best environments and competitions that we can within our means. Athletics are a privilege, not a requirement.”

MVP: Tom Clark, cross country Class: 2014 Claim to fame: Podium finish at the state meet this year, placing 14th.

Best part about cross country: The team and being with friends Worst part about cross country: The workouts, especially the ones on the track Role Models: The seniors from when I was a freshman Pre-race Meal: Two plain bagels Pump Up Song: “Power” by Kanye West Most embarassing moment: I fell down a hill during one of our workouts Common Misconception: People think all runners can freestyle because Grismer and I can Toughest opponent: Saint Xavier Superstition: I always tape my spikes up Motto: “A la muerte...” (To the death) Favorite Smell: New Xbox games Photo contributed by Runmason.com

november 22, 2013

Becoming Champions

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Seniors Rob Bramwell, Josh Grant, Conner Couchot, and Harry Taylor take it all in at the medal ceremony.

Photo by Fernanda Hurtado

Seniors pen memorable final chapter with state soccer championship Rashika Jaipuriar | Staff Writer

As Drake said, “started from the bottom,” now they’re here.

According to senior Conner Couchot, the seniors from boys’ soccer had created their dream team long before entering high school.

“Seven of us [seniors] actually played together when we were eight, and so growing up together, playing soccer together-that’s what really motivated us,” Couchot said. “I’ve always loved playing soccer, and as a little kid I thought I’d go pro. [Even though] that’s not going to happen now... state is a great accomplishment for me and my team.”

For this close-knit group of seniors, the expectations for their class were set very high from the moment they set foot on the highschool field, four years ago.

“Our freshman year at tryouts, [Coach Reedy] told us we were going be the best class to ever go through Mason,” Couchot said.

“So living up to that expectation is

a great thing.”

Senior Eric Liddell said he wasn’t always as optimistic about that goal.

“The other seniors [thought we could win state], but I did not,” Liddell said. “I thought we were going to make it far, but not win state [because] I guess I’m a realist...but once I saw how good we were this year, I knew that we definitely had a shot.”

According to senior Josh Grant, that expectation put pressure on the team because they were supposed to be “the class to do it.”

However head coach Paul Reedy said he thought it was a pretty fair statement.

“When we first saw them play as incoming freshmen, we knew right away that this group had the potential to be really good,” Reedy said. “We referred to [the state title as] the unspoken goal. It was on everybody’s mind, [but] we just tried to start with ‘Well let’s win the GMC in the regular season, and from there let’s win the district and win the regional,’ and

once we got to state semifinals, it was a little easier to talk about... what we really wanted.”

With that strategy, the team has gotten closer and closer to state each year, getting a taste of semifinals last year. According to Reedy, the spark with this year’s group lit up the ideal conditions to win the state tournament.

“It takes a lot of things falling into place,” Reedy said. “We had a very talented group, but talent alone is typically not enough. We also were injury-free...and at times in a tournament run, you’re going to need a little bit of good fortune that you’re ready to take advantage of.”

Even though a strong team and an undefeated season of 22-0 made it look like a flawless ride, Reedy said the road wasn’t as clean as the record books.

“The journey is never easy,” Reedy said. “It has its ups and downs, and even though we never lost a game, I wouldn’t want people to think ‘Oh...you went through the season without much

difficulty.’ It doesn’t work that way.

And I think the players would be the first ones to say that they get tired physically and mentally, and I think they did a great job of helping each other get through the lows.”

According to Reedy, the team did an unbelievable job of maintaining focus and getting through the hype of state, which Grant said they did by taking it day-by-day.

“As we went through the tournament we had to...just [avoid] getting a big head because we were undefeated and we were expected to go far in the tournament,” Grant said. “We just had to take it one game at a time.”

With the momentum and expectations building up since this group of seniors started playing together in elementary school, Liddell said there was a feeling of relief to get the perfect ending in the final chapter. “[It shows] just how hard work pays off,” Liddell said. “[It’s] definitely a story I’ll tell for the rest of my life.”

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november 22, 2013

Major Milestone

Grice patrols the sidelines for 200th victory as Comet football coach game.

“I wanted to approach it like a regular game,” Grice said. “We were playing Colerain, and they’ve been so good for so long, I just wanted to be able to beat them.

I thought that this could be my 200th win, I was stuck at 199, and this could be 200.

This was our last home game, and I thought it would be really cool to do it at home instead of on the road.”

Grice said he told a few players about what the approaching game would mean to him.

“It was after one of our games and he was talking to us about how we needed to beat Colerain to be his 200th win,” Simendinger said.

According to Grice, his players were elated about his success.

“I think the players were happy about my 200th win; I think they were excited that they were the ones who did that,” Grice said. “I always say, that it’s not about me, it’s about them. It’s about the team and the players. They will always hold a place in my heart.”

Madison Krell | Staff Writer

Photo contributed by Nick Bosticco

Head freshman football coach Harold Grice gets a cold bath after the Comets knocked off Colerain to give Grice his 200th career victory as a head football coach. The win also helped the Comets stay unbeated in the Greater Miami Conference.

High Price

The freshman football team’s last home game was one to remember for the players and their coach. Longtime head coach Harold Grice, reached an accomplishment not many other coaches can list on their resume. For Grice the win not only helped the Comets stay unbeaten but it also marked the 200th victory in his football coaching career. “[The experience] was fun,” Grice said. “I just wanted to win the game, and there was relief that I finally did that. Add the fact that we did it at home, and beat Colerain, and remained undefeated in the GMC.” According to freshman football player Sam Simendinger, he didn’t realize how much of an accomplishment this was until after the game.

“I really didn’t think much of the game until we actually won and saw how everyone did so much for him,” Simendinger said.

According to Grice, he wanted his 200th win to be like any other game, but nonetheless there was an added pressure to the

for Ice

Ice not the only place hockey players take a hit Jimmy Halpin | Staff Writer

Cheap shots may be the only thing cheap about hockey. Between ice time, league fees, and equipment, Mason hockey players and their families can spend upwards of a thousand dollars per season. According to head coach Seth Knudsen, just playing in a location like southwest Ohio is more expensive than most.

“There’s no doubt that unfortunately the expense of hockey in Cincinnati does faze some people out,” Knudsen said. “I don’t think it’s exorbitantly more expensive but I do think if it was as cheap as basketball or baseball, more people might play.”

Knudsen says this price increase comes from the lack of rinks in the Cincinnati area. “[Ice time] is 250 dollars an hour, and the problem is there is such a shortage of ice in Cincinnati,” Knudsen said.

“Everybody wants the time slot between five and eight, since we are the oldest age group we get stuck with [the late slot].”

The Mason team practices only twice a week, from nine to ten at night in a rink about twenty minutes away from the Mason area. According to junior Greg Gruseck, even the cost of gas can add up.

“The rinks are just so far away,” Gruseck said. “I’m pretty sure everyone on the team has to pay for their own gas to get there.”

Not only is transportation pricey, but the equipment can break the bank as well according to Kris Reinfrow.

“I just ordered leg pads and gloves and they totaled 1,500 dollars,” Reinfrow said. “Skates can coast upwards of 500 dollars. Sticks are cheaper, only like 100 dollars. [The equipment] makes you look better, but doesn’t make you play better.”

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