The
STUDENT
Sylvania Northview Volume 83 Issue #4 November 25, 2008
Prints PEEK INSIDE Cosmetology does Doughnuts for Dads
Winter Sports Previews pages 20-22
page 5 FEATURED STORY
Beauty and the Beast impresses
photo by Halie Langhals
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November 25, 2008
NEWS
Cat’s Meow rehearsals begin Staff Writer Cat’s Meow auditions are over and the directors that will be planning Cat’s Meow were chosen on November 5. For those students who don’t know, Cat’s Meow is a senior produced talent show that raises money for senior prom. This year Ms. Kathleen Mattimoe will be the advisor. All sorts of talents are coming out of the production, ranging from singing, dancing, and skits to just about anything random and interesting that the seniors can think of. Directors of the making of the show will meet nearly every day after school to discuss what will be in the performance and who will be in the show. One director who is ready for the challenge is senior Alison Judge. “I think it’s going to be a lot of work, but we really want this as a senior class and it’s going to be great,” said Judge. “This year I expect all of the acts to be enjoyable and keep me interested,” said sophomore Courtney Gilliland. “It was fun last year and this year I’m
Halie Langhals REHEARSING WITH THE GIRLS CHORUS LINE are seniors Brooke Stansbury, Noel Romberger, Jackie Walz, Danielle Snyder, Taylor Modrzynski, and Libby Kalenquin. Girls and boys chorus lines are just two of the many acts in Cat’s Meow. hoping it will be even better.” One of the acts will involve traditional Indian dancing performed by Sweta Rao. “Sweta is pretty much
professional. She’s so amazing.” Many of the senior dancers are inexperienced or have little experience with dancing, so this is bound to be a must-see event,
according to Martha Fitzgerald. Tickets will be sold the week of the show at $5 and the debut will take place on December 12 - 13.
Issue 33 to help Sylvania schools Features Editor In a close vote, Sylvania voters approved Issue 33, the Sylvania School’s $79 million bond levy to update and renovate all the district’s buildings. The levy passed by exactly 484 votes, with 13,995 voters in favor of restoring Sylvania City Schools and 13,511 voters against the updates. “I was very grateful that the levy passed, knowing all the problems passage will improve,” said Sylvania City Schools Superintendent Dr. Bradley J. Rieger. “We are thankful for the support in these tough economic times.” With the passage of the levy, the school district first plans to hire a local architecture firm to guide the construction processes. The creation of plans for
the three elementary school renovations and all the other updates to be made around the district will take about nine months, according to Dr. Rieger. “We have the general concepts laid out, but we need help with the details from the architecture firm,” said Dr. Rieger. “There will be community and staff participation in forming these details as well.” The money to rebuild the Sylvania Schools district will be available up front; however, the bonds of all the monies will be repaid over a 28-year period. It will cost the owner of a home worth $200,000 about $177 a year. Dr. Rieger hopes that all the plans can be completed in three years. Overall, the rebuilding of Central, Hillview and Maplewood Elementary Schools and the demolishing of the Burnham building is planned. The central office headquarters will be relocated
to an undetermined office space in the community and certain features in every school building will be updated, according to Dr. Rieger. “We are going to save certain parts of every school,” said Dr. Rieger. “The war memorial in Burnham will be saved and placed in another building. The look of the new Maplewood Elementary will stay consistent with its design now, for example.” It is planned that the three elementary schools will be rebuilt at the same time, with students staying on site during construction. At Northview, the Music Department and Little Theatre will be rebuilt and reconfigured, Dr. Rieger hopes with increased work space and more practice rooms for musicians and actors. Science lab rooms are also going to be reconfigured and possibly expanded. The bond levy will not just renovate
school buildings. All-day kindergarten will begin in the Sylvania School district due to the vast educational and social benefits it has on students, according to the district’s website. Safety features will be added in all schools and schools like Central Elementary will be relocated to areas that are in less commercial and traffic-busy zones. The school renovations will also be done with a “green mind-set” to conserve energy and stay friendly to the environment. Staff and community input will assist the renovation process of the school district and will be large factors in each phase of the bond issue, according to Dr. Rieger. To gain more information about the many changes that will be commencing, visit http://www.sylvaniaschools-lookingforward.com/index.htm.
NEWS
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National French Week celebrated eSis Staff Writer Schools and communities around the nation celebrated National French Week on November 3-9 and joining in were the French classes and French club at Northview. Official celebration did not begin until Novemeber 5 at NV. During National French Week, students enjoyed homemade French food and engaged in many activities such as Talk to Me Day, reading French narratives to the preschoolers, singing French songs and watching French films. French club kicked off National French Week with an after-school movie event on Wednesday November 5, watching award winning French film Les Choristes and enjoying snacks and drinks provided by the French club. French club also spread the culture Sam Weisman to NV’s faculty by providing them SLURPING ON THE CHEESE FOR some onion soup during French Week is senior Lindsey with French desserts including Brioche Bates while sophomore Nicole Hobbs spoons more soup for other students. au chocolat (a croissant filled with chocolate), les palmiers (pastry cookies), taste of French culture.“ at NV led by the Early Education chocolate mousse, mini eclairs, and Part of the festivities included Department and the Burnham Building. creme puffs. higher-level French students engaging Students were required to read The “We had a great number of French in conversation with lower-level French Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, club members that donated their time students on November 6. During Talk to Brown Bear, What Do You See?, popular to make the treats“ said French teacher Me Day, French IV and V students visited children’s books in French to the preKimberly Gogel. “I think the favorite French I and II classes to participate in school children, according to French treat was the les palmiers.“ French conversation. French students student Laura Guinness. Students also French III classes extended the asked numerous questions ranging incorporated playful props such as sock celebration and culture to all students from school activities to favorite foods. puppets to illustrate the story. Along with a French story-time, during lunch. Two types of French As part of the experience, French foods onion soup were made and given out such as crepes and quiche were served students also taught the children French songs. The children were encouraged to as samples to students on November 6. to the students. Participating students were then asked “I felt like it was a good experience do hand motions imitating the animals to vote for which soup they thought was for the lower-level French students to in the songs. “The kids seemed excited about the best tasting. see the level their French would be in a “My favorite activity was the French couple of years“ said French IV student learning the French names for animals in the song,“ said French student Lyla Onion Soup Project.“ said French teacher Elizabeth Gildea. Mary Goodwin. “Students learned a The French IV and V students also Zaim. “it was something different for little about cooking as well as having a spread the festivities to the preschool them.“
“Twilight Tuesdays” anticipated Staff Writer New to Northview’s long list of clubs this year is The Twilight Club. Every other Tuesday, better known as ‘’Twilight Tuesdays‘’ to the over 70 club members. The first meeting was September 30.
On ‘’Twilight Tuesdays’’ Ms . Crosleys room, D-5, is filled with book adicts. ‘’Planning activities, discussing the book, and talking about how fabulous Edward Cullen is, are some of the things we do,’’ said senior Katie Kern-Blystone. Twilight is a series of four books that follows the lives of Edward Cullen, a vampire, and a normal teenager Bella Swan. The story goes through their
hardships and love life. ‘’Basically the story is amazing, ‘’ said Kern-Blystone. The club’s presidents are seniors Kayla Henderson and Alyssa Darah. They started the club by asking Mr. Jesse for approval. They had to get a teacher to advise the club so they asked Ms. Crosley. The ‘’Twilighters‘’ will celebrate their love for the popular series during their next meeting on December 4.
problem delays grades News Editor Administrators and teachers were not only dealing with the stress of having their grades in on time on October 27, but they also had to deal with the server, NWOCA, being down. On October 27 the NWOCA system had an outage which affected the new Northview grading program eSIS. NWOCA has a 6,500 servers housed at the Burnham Building that cycled up and down every 4-5 minutes on Monday morning, according to Technology Director Sheryl O’Shea. The 6500 is basically what connects each building back to the Support Services Facility which houses all the servers, internet connection, eSIS, payroll, and e-mail. When the problem was investigated, the technical workers discovered that the supervisor engine had gone bad. Once the supervisor engine had been replaced the network was up and running by 3:30 Monday afternoon, according to Technology Director O’Shea. With this shortage, teachers were not able to put their grades into the computer which caused a lot of stress and panic. ‘’They day the server went down I was having grade conferences with students,‘’ said Mrs. Lindsey Jurski, ‘’althought the server going down was an inconvience, I was still able to work around it.‘’ In order to help explain what was happening with the computers and NWOCA, Technology Director O’Shea sent out an informative e-mail to all the administrators and teachers. Due to the fact that teachers were unable to put their grades in on time, Principal Stewart Jesse extended the due date of grades until Wednesday October 29, instead of the original due date of Tuesday the 28.
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NEWS
November 25, 2008
Spanish Club celebrates Dia de los Muertos News Editor In order to commemorate the hispanic holiday, Dia de los Muertos, the Northview Spanish Club made an ofrenda and sugar skulls. Dia de los muertos is an Hispanic holiday that was established to honor and celebrate the dead. Unlike the American holiday of Halloween, Dia de los Muertos has jubilant decorations and a celebratory attitude. An ofrenda is commonly used to decorate the grave sites of loved ones that have passed away. The Spanish Club’s ofrenda was made in honor of all the victims of breast cancer. The members of the club decorated their ofrenda with pink paper, candles, ribbons, and other decorations associated with the breast cancer cause on a tri-fold board. “Although I’m not in
Spanish Club, I still enjoyed helping make the Ofrenda,” said junior Kelly Sandstrom. “I really enjoyed being able to recognize breast cancer in a new way.” The ofrenda is being displayed in the display case outside Mrs. Chris Monday’s room. Another activity they participated in to celebrate Dia de los Muertos was making sugar skulls which has been a tradition of the Spanish Club for the past five years. “Students always enjoy making the skulls,” said Mrs. Monday. “It’s becoming a very fun Spanish Club tradition.” The sugar skulls consisted of water, sugar, and an assortment of candies and frostings. The students would mix a small amount of water into a cup of sugar and then pour the solution into skeleton molds. Once the molds had hardened the students could then decorate their skulls.
Stephanie Yarnell JUNIOR OLIVIA FOUTY and freshman Miriam Justinger celebrate The Day of the Dead by making sugar skulls. Students also made an ofrenda commemorating breat cancer victims. “This was my first time making a sugar skull,” said freshman Amber Ries. “I really liked how we got to decorate
them however we wanted. ” Coming up on the Spanish Club’s agenda is Christmas Caroling at the Toledo Zoo. The
date of which the caroling is to happen is yet to be determined, according to Vice President Jacob Justinger.
Harry Potter Club Earth Club makes eco starts back up friendly corn husk dolls Staff Writer Muggles and wizards unite for the third year as the Harry Potter club returns to Northview. Members met in room F7 on October 30 and were greeted by new leadership. Senior Nick Ansara, the creator of the club, stepped down as president this year to let last year’s vice president, junior Haley Armstrong, take over. “I’m excited and I have some fun ideas,” said Armstrong. In the past the club had problems with organization and steady meetings, which the
new president hopes to fix. The first meeting introduced students to the new year with a small trivia game, sorting into houses, and candy refreshments provided by club advisor, Mrs. Kathy Benya. The four houses answered questions based upon the Harry Potter monsters. The club also had a second meeting, November 13, where dues were collected. For the upcoming year the club plans to hold monthly meetings with lots of snacks trivia games, and movie nights. “I am really excited about this year in HP club, it should be really fun,” said sophomore Amy Wolf.
Co-Editor in Chief Northview’s Earth Club has once again created a fun activity to educate fellow students about the importance of the environment. This time, Earth Club chose to educate students about corn. “As our county moves forward towards alternative energy sources Ohio is in a very good position. Corn is a major crop in Ohio, it is very important to our economy and it puts Ohio in a very good position for the economic side of alternative bio-fuels,” said Earth Club advisor Michelle Bogue. At the November 13 meeting, Earth Club Vice President senior Kyle Scharfenberg showed the importance of corn in the ecosystem and how it can help people.
“The presentation was really well thought out and thorough because it covered a wide range of important topics,” said Earth Club Public Relations Coordinator senior Nick Ansara. Scharfenberg discussed both the pros and cons of corn, especially Ethanol 85 according to Earth Club Events Coordinator Kelly Strick. “Kyle talked about products that corn is that you wouldn’t expect. Coke products that contain corn surprised me the most,” said Strick. After the presentation, Earth Club created corn husk dolls and enjoyed popcorn and pop provided by Ms. Bogue and the Earth Club officers. The students used fabric scraps to decorate the dolls. Earth Club’s next meeting will be held on December 11. They will be making gingerbread houses. The gingerbread houses will then be donated to a retirement home to spread the holiday spirit.
NEWS
Cos treats fathers with donuts Opinions Editor Cosmetology students were able to give their dads a taste of what their future careers would be like on November 3, literally. Fathers of junior and senior cosmetology students were invited to ‘Donuts for Dads’, an annual event where the dads receive a full range of spa services, plus donuts, coffee, juice, and milk. They were treated to haircuts, manicures, scalp massages, paraffin hand treatments, and even color. Dads of junior students visited from 7:30 to 9:30, while dads of seniors visited from 11:30 to 2:30. Thirty-six dads and 39 students were present, with Mr. Jesse, Officer Crowell, and Mr. Ulrich acting as “substitute dads” for the three who could not make it. “Even though the services were kind of girly, the dads felt comfortable because they were with each other,” said senior cosmetology student Delaila Jaloudi. Dads were also sent home with a thank you card and several Redken for Men product samples. These were donated for the event by Chris Mack, a member of the advisory committee and a product representative for Redken, according to Mrs. Jude. A similar event will be held again this year, but mothers will be invited instead of dads. ‘Muffins for Moms’ will oc-
AP Biology and anatomy classes at Northview took a break from their normal textbooks to view actual tissues and organs of real humans. Two groups were scheduled to go. One group already visited the lab on November 24. A cadaver lab contains real human specimens intended for medical research or studies by medical and health profession students. The human cadavers enable a firsthand approach to the human body, as opposed to a textbook approach. The human bodies are cut open, revealing
Art shown in Focus Show Staff Writer
Brooke Darah CUTTING THE HAIR of a cosmetolegy father is senior Chelsea Litton. Along with haircuts the fathers of the cosmetology students recieved a range of spa services. cur the first Monday after Mother’s Day and consist of many of the same services. Moms will also be given hair products and flowers.
“Donuts for Dads is always a success,” said cosmetology teacher Mrs. Jude, “but we are looking for ways to improve. We are thinking about calling it Pizza for Pops.”
Students learn at cadaver lab Staff Writer
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November 25, 2008
the internal organs and tissues, according to Mr. Eric Keller. “The lab will be a good
and anatomy teacher, Mr. Keller, and science teacher, Mr. Frank Ulrich, students visited
“The lab will be a good experience to see real specimens up close,’’ -senior Amanda Harlan experience to see real specimens up close“ said senior AP Biology student Amanda Harlan. Chaperoned by AP Biology
the University of Toledo Medial Center, formally known as the Medical College of Ohio, to view preserved human specimens
and learn more about human anatomy, according to Keller. Students were also able to speak with medical students at the university to learn more about the medical field. According to Keller, this trip was the third trip anatomy classes have taken. “We don’t do this every year,’’ said Keller. The last time either class made a trip to the lab was in 2006. “I’m really excited to see the body parts for what they really are, not just pictures“ said anatomy student Olivia Fouty. The second group plans to make their visitation on December 8.
Every year the city of Toledo holds it’s annual Focus Show, displayed at the Center for the Visual Arts at the Toledo Museum of Art. The works of many high school students from Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan area are shown. Many Northview students have their work put in this prestigious show every year. This year sophomore Katie Simrell, junior Kelly Strick, Steven Finley, Marisa Mercurio, and Gabrielle Romberger, seniors Niki Aktipis, Ella Chiantis, Ashley Hendrix, Faith Latorre, and graduates Rob Hadley and Kaitlyn Sarmento all had their work chosen for the show, according to the NV art teachers, Ryan Creech and Terri Seal-Roth. ”It’s the second year that I’ve had something in the Focus Show, so it’s really exciting” said Strick. These artists and their pieces had to go through a lot to finally be accepted into the show. First, NV art teachers chose pieces from the NV art show last year. These pieces were then sent for judging and those few that made the cut were kept for the show. The others were sent back to their creator. ”It’s probably the finest example of artwork in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan and we look forward to putting work in it every year,” said Mr. Creech. It’s well run and the CVA is a great place to have it.” The show began October 11 and was concluded with an awards ceremony on November 16.
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OPINIONS
November 25, 2008
Are board scores or GPA more important? With the completion of first quarter, it seems as though my junior year is flying by. (It sounds cliché, but it’s true.) With each passing day, college becomes less of an imagined location and more of a quickly-approaching reality. That means studiously preparing for the ACT and SAT, and of course, keeping that ever-popular grade point average high. But as I spread my time studying for this and that, one question has arisen: should I be more worried about my test scores or how my grades rank amongst my peers? Should board scores or GPA be weighted more heavily in college acceptance? On a personal level, as well as in regards to the general student population, board scores are in fact a more regulated and more logical way to accept or reject potential incoming college freshmen. Grades depend on the difficulty of the class, which depends on the course itself, the teacher, and the school. How can one student’s B in anatomy at Northview be considered the same as another
student’s B in anatomy at a different school in a different city with a different teacher? Although they are both presumably learning the same material, who is to say one does not experience more pop quizzes, harder tests, or better teaching techniques than the other? If both students were to score a 26 on the ACT, however, we could be certain that these scores are equivalent. Problems also crop up due to honors classes. Take for instance, a student who has achieved a 4.0 as their cumulative GPA throughout high school taking regular classes. Although impressive, this 4.0 is seen as equal to the 4.0 a student earns who took multiple honors courses throughout their four years of high school. The second student undoubtedly had to work harder for their grades, but in the eyes of colleges, they are identical. Equally essential is the College Board’s ability to regulate these tests. Since college acceptance is based on a comparison of all the applicants, we must have a way to compare students in
an identical manner. With today’s highly inflated grades, it is becoming easier and easier to earn very respectable GPA’s. With so many students receiving exceptional grades, it becomes impossible to distinguish between them without some sort of test. And with today’s cheating epidemic, it is difficult to gauge how much of a student’s GPA is actually deserved. Board scores eliminate the possibility of an inaccurate score and are therefore more reliable. Opponents of board scores over GPA cite bad test-taking as a chief reason for weighing the two equally. Tests, however, affect GPA as well as board scores. There is a large amount of pressure and an even greater amount of significance placed on a single test, but if test anxiety is an issue, both the SAT and ACT can be retaken several times. The benefits of a regulated test outweigh the few who may buckle under the pressure. From a personal standpoint, I feel my test scores will be more indicative of my intelligence and capabilities than
Open campus: nice idea An open campus policy at Northview would allow students to come and go as they please as long as they don’t have a class to be in. It would be an opportunity to prove ourselves as mature adults. Students at NV should have the opportunity to at least try out open campus and see if it works. If there are problems, the privilege could be taken away, but the administration won’t know if it will work or not until they give it a chance. “I would not be in favor of students leaving during lunches or in-between classes,” said Principal Stewart Jesse, “but I would consider allowing seniors with first or ninth periods free to have a late arrival or early dismissal.” Teachers say that high school prepares us for college, but students in college have many privileges and are treated as adults. “I believe that open campus would treat seniors more like adults and let them experience more of a college atmosphere,” said Mr. Jesse. NV administration should try open campus. It could be available to juniors and seniors or to seniors only. Students would be required to meet a certain GPA or academic level to be qualified for this privilege. “This privilege
would only be considered for seniors who have no discipline problems,” said Mr. Jesse. Personally, as a senior, I have four periods where I do absolutely nothing. Following the rules in the student handbook, seniors must have at least five periods a day. We are required to be here the entire day even if that means having long, boring periods that waste our time. “If students were able to leave in the middle of the day, they may not come back,” said Mr. Jesse. NV should consider only making seniors take a minimum amount of classes or only require seniors to take the classes that they need to graduate. Don’t get me wrong, free periods such as commons and study hall are nice, but I guarantee over half of the student body would rather have the ability to leave school during these periods rather than sit and do nothing. However, if students choose not to leave during their free periods, NV could still offer study hall and commons. Open campus would be a really good addition to NV. It would give students the chance to get out of school and go home to do homework or study in a quieter atmosphere. ~Taylor Dreps
my cumulative GPA. For others, the opposite may be true. From experience and observation, however, I feel it is easier to earn a perfect 4.0 than it is to earn a 36 or a 2400, as these tests assess aptitude and knowledge rather than an accumulation of homework, participation points, extra credit, and numerous other mundane assignments. Giving the entire country the same kind of tests separates those who are simply “good students” from the truly intelligent. I am in no way suggesting that GPA be forgotten completely. It is the accumulation of years of mastered high school curriculum and does represent, for the most part, the quality of work a particular student has demonstrated. Both should be considered in the college acceptance process, but SAT and ACT scores should be deemed more important due to their accuracy and equality among all incoming college freshmen. Therefore, don’t let your GPA drop… but make time to study that SAT book too. ~Sarah Squillante
Sylvania Northview High School 5403 Silica Drive Sylvania, Ohio 43560 2008-2009 Co-Editors-In-Chief: Max Filby & Elizabeth Strick Advisor: Sarah Huey News Editor: Haley Hofbauer Photo Editor: Sam Weisman Features Editors: Haley Nelson & Yelena Zhernovskiy Sports Editors: Alexx Klein & Joe Mehling Opinions Editor: Sarah Squillante Business Editor: Jackie Walz Staff Writers: Katherine Chang, Taylor Dreps, Sarah Fatemi, Mary Grace Fitzgerald, Nicole Hobbs, Adam Jurski, Katie Koffman, Kristi Kopaniasz, Nicole Mangas, Kelsey McCoy, Andrew Miller, Yianni Papadimos, Cody Ramm, Abbey Strick, Jordan Tomase, Nick Wineland, Ally Yocom Photographer: Halie Langhals The Student Prints is the official student-produced newspaper of Sylvania Northview High School. It is distributed monthly at no charge to serve the purpose of informing students, faculty, staff, administration and the Sylvania community of current issues. The main goal of The Prints is to present coverage of events in an unbiased and accurate manner. The paper also respects the opinions and ideas of the entire NV community. Signed letters to the editors are encouraged and should be no longer than 300 words. All letters can be turned into the publications room, E-6. The Prints reserves the right to edit letters that contain grammatical errors, accuracy and profane or libelous comments. The newspaper staff is entirely responsible for the content of the paper and supports the First Amendment to the Constitution. Unsigned editorials published in The Prints are written by staff members, and agreed upon by a majority vote of the editorial board. The Prints is carefully examined by its staff and adviser prior to publication to prevent incorrect or libelous information. The newspaper staff does not endorse advertisements published in The Prints. Advertising specifications may be obtained by calling (419) 824-8708. The newspaper follows the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook guidelines for punctuation and grammar. The Prints is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll and the Great Lakes Interscholastic Press Association.
OPINIONS
November 25, 2008
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Column
A Perspective On Politics By Max Filby Change. Not dimes, nickels and pennies, but change that means something, “change we can believe in.” Before 1933, dating back to the birth of the United States of America, presidents were sworn in on March 4, establishing an official inauguration day. Such a late date left a huge gap between the presidential election and the day the president-elect was sworn in. The 20th Amendment identified this unnecessary gap, changing inauguration day from March 4 to January 20 according to history teacher Mr. Perry Lefevre. An even more significant reason for changing the presidential inauguration date was due to the great American suffering under former president Herbert Hoover. Today, the country is suffering more than ever under the presidency of George W. Bush. The hard times Americans now face can only come to an end with the change promised by President-elect Barack Obama. Obama plans to reverse Bush’s policies as soon as possible, and even announced his three step plan for the middle class right here in Toledo. Don’t extremely poor times, call for extreme measures? The presidential inauguration should be moved up sooner after the November elections in order to eliminate “dead time” in which nothing can be accomplished by the current president before the end of his term. “It would be ideal for the Obama to start sooner because people voted for change and should have to wait for it, said senior Amit Goyal. President-elect Obama should be sworn in as President of the United States as soon as possible, in order to reverse Bush’s failed policies, as has been done before with former president Hoover Inaugurating Obama sooner will bring about the change to stop the U. S. from spiraling deeper into war and a chilling recession. The current inauguration date has become obsolete, like March 4, before January 20, times called for a longer period to count votes in determining who the next president will be. As proven on November 4, president-to-bes can be projected within four hours of the first poll closings. Therefore the Bush administration can keep their pocket change, because Americans need real change from Obama’s presidency, beginning with a sooner and more time appropriate inauguration.
Are moccasins a violation? Moccasins: every girl’s favorite wintertime shoe or demerit for her “slippers.” She claims that it “wasn’t a violation of the dress code? According to the dress a big deal” even though it was her first demerit of this code in the agenda book, “…bedroom slippers are school year. Moccasins are not a problem to wear in school. prohibited.” The question then arises what is the difference If we are allowed to wear flip-flops in the summer, we should be allowed to wear between slippers and moccasins? in the winter, even Mrs. Amanda Ogren, Assistant “I can tell the difference moccasins if they are considered to be Principal said, “I can tell the slippers. difference between moccasins between moccasins and According to and bedroom slippers. I will bedroom slippers. I will dictionary.com, moccasins make the decision.” The Dress are defined as “footwear Guidelines in the agenda book make the decision.” also state’s that, “when dress -Mrs. Amanda Ogren resembling such a slipper”; the key word in that definition code is questionable, the school being “resembling”. It does not administrators shall make the say that a moccasin is a slipper; therefore there is no final decision.” An anonymous student was in the attendance clear definition between the two. It is up to the administrators to decide whether or office getting her admit slip filled out when she was told that her favorite shoes, her new moccasins, were not a specific pair of shoes will be able to be worn or not in adherence with the school dress code. She made not. So before you go out and buy yourself a brand her way to the office and after a short discussion with new pair of moccasins, make sure that they won’t be school officials a decision was made. She was given a mistaken for a pair of bedroom slippers. ~Mary Grace Fitzgerald
No excuses for ineligibility Every year, in almost every sport, there is that one kid sitting the bench, warm up on, clearly not going in. There are a lot of reasons why they could be sitting out of the sport that they love. They could be injured, maybe they're sick, or maybe they're ineligible. That word alone is enough to make any student athlete cringe. The question is, why would anyone willingly give up a chance to play their sport? No one can tell me that the rules about academic ineligibility are unfair. A student must simply maintain a 1.5 GPA. For almost every class, simply putting in the effort to turn in homework when it is assigned is enough to pass. If a student at least passed every single one of their classes they would definitely
be able to maintain a 1.5 GPA at least. Of course, the majority of student athletes are eligible. We wouldn't have full sports teams if they weren't. The worst is when I hear an athlete in one of my classes talking about how they go to every practice or condition and work out everyday, but can't play because of their grades. Why put all the effort into the sport if you can't even play? Sure, the exercise is great, but a vast majority of people who have ever played a sport would probably agree that game day is way more exhilarating than practice. It's just sad to have someone practice and dedicate their time and then not even be able to play. I’m not saying that the administration is out of line, actually quite the
opposite. Student athletes should put forth the effort to get a 1.5. The administration is simply trying to stop us from living up to the whole "athletes are just stupid meatheads that don't really care about anything but how awesome they are" stereotype. If anything we should be thanking them. Not only are ineligible athletes hurting themselves and wasting their own time, but they're hurting their team as well. Every person on a team contributes somehow, but someone who isn't eligible can't contribute anything. If someone gets hurt, they can't go in for them or get any playing experience for next year if they become eligible. Ineligible athletes who think they don't have to get their grades up are not only hurting themselves on the short
term, but on the long term as well. It's every high school student's worst nightmare to try to pull up a low GPA. Of course, it isn't impossible, but it takes a lot of patience and hard work. If a student has lower than a 1.5, it's going to be pretty hard to pull up. This will make a student's life a lot harder when it comes to getting into colleges and getting scholarships, which based on the current economic crisis we're all going to need. Of course there are athletic scholarships, but a college coach will probably never see an ineligible athlete play, because they simply can't. Anyone that plays a sport most likely likes it, if not loves it. Therefore they should want to get the grades to actually be able to participate in it. ~Abbey Strick
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OPINIONS
Athletics versus the curriculum Athletes are treated better than the rest Northview has been a facility that has excelled in fields of prestige since its early establishment. Yet, one must inquire: of these fields, where do academics actually stand? Academics, which are said to be at the top of NV’s agenda are, in a startling amount of scenarios, held significantly lower than the rivaling field of athletics. This is clearly exemplified in the eligibility standards NV holds. A student is allowed to participate in an extracurricular sport (meaning that it would come after the educational curriculum, not before) if he or she maintains a 1.5 GPA. It’s not enigmatic
or hard to understand that almost every college in their right mind would not allow a student with this GPA entrance. NV allows a student to suffer that much academically, to the point of failing two classes, before they intervene “on the student’s behalf.” Also, athletes are treated in a fashion that would suggest that they are to be held superior to a regular student. On several occasions athletes and the fans that attend their events are permitted to miss two or three periods of school to recuperate and rest. Nothing needs to be said to establish the absolute hypocrisy of this action.
Academics are to be held first, yes, this is blatantly understood, but clearly not enforced when students can miss school because they had a sporting event. This is not the only time that one is able to see how the school day is warped by athletics. Valuable time is cut from classes to recognize athletes during various assemblies, sometimes lasting close to 40 minutes. This would not be considered a problem if those who did not partake in a sport could somehow be recognized in an assembly, whether it be for academics or something else, such as the arts. However, they are not. There is no
assembly for those who spent the first quarter of school perfecting a musical; no assembly for the choir, band, or orchestra students who have been practicing daily for their upcoming concert. Students who play sports are not criminals and are not to be blamed for this horrific ranking. Athletics and those who engage in them are not perturbing. This system itself in which academics takes second place to athletics is what is sickening. Whether it be to give everyone the perks that athletes receive, or to take them away from the athletes themselves, something needs to be done.
Guest Column:
Vans Tour, PETA ask for support A signing over the summer at the Vans Warped Tour is the last place you’d expect to be educated on animal rights. It seems irrelevant – you’re there for the music and someone from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) comes up and asks you to sign their petition to help end cruelty. Still, though, that’s what happened; I’m always up for animal rights and besides, signing stuff is fun. But I had no way of knowing that that afternoon would forever change the way I feel about meat. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a card-carrying, die hard animal rights activist. I’m not even a vegetarian. Meat has always been a huge part of my life and, as much as I admire the vegetarian spirit, I can’t completely remove it at the drop of a hat. But I, like probably the majority of the meat-eating public, was completely unaware of what happened to these defenseless animals behind closed doors and where cameras were not allowed. Until now. Pigs I am especially partial to, because it was them that the petition was for and it was learning about their abuses that prompted this article. From June through early September 2008, PETA stationed an undercover worker in an Iowa pig factory farm, a supplier of Hormel. In those few months, the worker witnessed countless, staggering abuses committed on pigs by both fellow workers and supervisors. They were documented in a log as well as a video, which can be viewed on PETA2’s website. Pigs were kicked and beaten severely with metal rods, punched, and stabbed in the eyes with pins and people’s fingers. Toxic blue paint was sprayed up a pig’s nose, eyes and mouth for half a minute. One pig unable to move her back legs was beaten before being shot. But the thing that haunts me, that really made me sit down and write this, was a worker taking “runts” that were considered too small and slamming them headfirst into the concrete as a way of killing them. Often this alone didn’t kill the piglets, and they were left heaped together in a box, bloody and still twitching, to die a slow and agonizing death. As if that wasn’t bad enough, pigs were sexually assaulted with metal rods and, shortly after being born, piglets had their tails ripped off, teeth trimmed, ears clipped, and were castrated – all without anesthesia. Throughout the entire video, workers can he heard saying things like “Don’t be afraid to hurt ‘em”, and “There’s
nobody who works for PETA out here,” as well as other things too explicit for this article. It’s hard to stomach, but watching the video makes you see exactly why animal rights are so important. We don’t like to hear it, but the fact is that this supplier, and others like it, continues to operate because of us. By buying their products, we simultaneously provide them with the funds to keep going and send the message “What you’re doing is fine by me.” I don’t know about you, but this is not fine by me. Although animals don’t have a voice, they do have feelings and they can feel pain. Intentionally inflicting harm upon them just because they can’t tell us not to is unacceptable. One website claims that the first time pigs smell fresh air is on their way to a slaughterhouse, because the rest of their life is spent indoors inside filthy, crowded cages. They are not the only animals that suffer in the meatprocessing business either; almost every other animal (chickens, cows, ducks, etc) are abused as well, as a little online research will easily show you. No effort is made to improve their living conditions because, weak and diseased though they may be, if they make it to the slaughterhouse alive they can still earn money for the company. Something has to be done to change this. Unlike the animals that are hurting, we do have a voice and we can use it to help them. With Hormel, for example, we can email the company and protest the way their supplier treats its animals. Even better is a boycott of a company’s products, which hurts them financially. Another, more drastic option is going all the way and becoming a vegetarian; according to PETA, each vegetarian saves the lives of about 100 animals every year. Although I’m not trying to convince you all to stop eating meat, I do advocate some kind of action if you’re opposed to this, because doing nothing is the same as supporting it. The Vans Warped Tour was a strange place to learn about animal rights, but the point is not where you learned something, it’s that you even learned it at all. It sounds corny, but if we all work together we really can help end animal suffering in this country. They say that there’s strength in numbers. They also say that knowledge is power. And they’re right. -Guest Columnist, Elizabeth Mason
OPINIONS 9 NV hallways too dangerous? November 25, 2008
Have you ever been walking down the hallway at Northview, minding your own business, and just randomly been shoved into another passerby or even into a locker or door? If you’re like the majority of the people in the school, then you probably have. If you haven’t been the victim of such horrible inconsideration, you may very well have been the predator in the situation, and were not even aware that you could have been injuring an innocent student mentally as well as physically. In my four years at NV, there have been a countless number of times that I have received bruises, cuts, black eyes, and bloody noses from being shoved, elbowed, or trampled while just walking down the hall (Well maybe that’s a little exaggeration, but still). Add to that all of the times that I have gotten “flat tires”, scraped heels and broken flip-flops. Although it does not seem like it’d be so bad, but they are extremely painful. They also slow me up in the hallways, when I can be in a huge hurry to get to class. If I am late to my next class due to someone’s inconsideration, now that really ticks me off. Not only are you causing me pain, but you could potentially be getting me in trouble too. Come on. When I started off here as a freshman I would occasionally get bumped or
pushed in the hallway, but I figured that it was just natural, and that’s how it felt to be a freshman. But then it continued and got worse as I got older, which made me realize there is a serious problem. Shouldn’t I be gaining seniority and getting shoved less in the halls? That is definitely not the way it is working in my life, I can tell you that much. It comes down to one thinginconsiderate people who are too wrapped up in themselves and their own lives to realize the harm they’re doing. I can be walking to class, get knocked on the ground by a random person, and they will just keep walking. THEY DON’T EVEN REALIZE THEY’VE KNOCKED SOMEONE OVER! It’s one thing to accidentally bump into someone, realize what you’ve done, apologize for it and then continue on with your day. But to totally pummel an innocent passerby in the hallway and not even notice or care enough to say something? Seriously, what could you possibly be thinking about that has that much control on your brain that you don’t even feel your body plow into someone else?! Ultimately, the problem with rudeness that controls the hallways at NV can easily be fixed. People need to not be so wound up in their petty problems that they don’t notice the other 1,249 people in the school. Just watch where you are going and be a little more
Halie Langhals GETTING TRAMPLED outside the cafeteria is senior Chelsea Ulmer. Many students proved rude by not stopping to offer help to the fallen student. considerate of others, that is all I ask! I also would like everyone to know the pain and suffering I went through during the taking of the picture for this article. I was laying on the ground outside the cafeteria doors when the bell rang for sixth period to end. I was cussed at, yelled at, stepped over, and trampled by the majority
of students while on the floor in the hallway. News that is shocking but trueNot a single person asked me for help. How awful! Next time you see a fellow student in the need of assistance, be kind and lend them a hand. ~Chelsea Ulmer
Grading inconsistencies should be resolved “All work that is given to me after I put it in the folder will not be accepted and you will receive a zero for that assignment.” “All work given to me before the end of the quarter will be accepted and given full credit.” On the syllabi for each of my seven courses this year, almost every teacher has given a different late work policy. I understand that each teacher is given the privilege of running their classroom the way that he or she wants, but in my opinion, they should all have the same homework policies. I think most students will agree that it gets confusing, especially with projects. If students have a late night with
sports, theater, band or other practices they may not have time to do all of the assignments that they were given. That is where the more laid back homework policy comes in handy. It also shows that all work is worth being done and that it should all be done correctly. Having projects and assignments done correctly and well rather than rushed and sloppy is a much better idea. “We learn from our mistakes. The point of the assignment is to learn from the things that are incorrect. We learn best from our mistakes,” said Spanish
teacher Lindsey Jurski. It may give more work to teachers having to grade late work, but some teachers don’t mind. “It’s not difficult to grade the assignments that I receive late. I focus on two or three key points so when I grade and regrade them, it’s not hard to complete in time. It makes more work for me, but it’s worth it,” said Mrs. Jurski. On the other hand, the homework from the less strict class will move to the back of my priorities and is likely
“Different homework policies in multiple classes can get very confusing.”
to not get done by the time the teacher specifies. While the homework policy that says a zero will be given to all late work gives me much more motivation to finish it and finish it well. A “happy medium” of the two would be for the late work to be accepted one day late for half credit. It gives students a chance to finish their homework well, it is also motivation for us to finish it for the next day. I understand the logic behind both policies, but I think that we should stick to one for the school to eliminate the confusion. Different homework policies in multiple classes can get very confusing. ~Mary Grace Fitzgerald
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November 25, 2008
OPINIONS
Beast invites NV to be its guest
For those of you who did not see Northview’s production of The Beauty and the Beast: You missed out on four incredibly energizing performances. Through a combination of vibrant scenery, exquisite costumes, and diverse talent, the musical was unlike most high school productions. Amid rumors of such a grand-scale production, I was skeptical of whether the show would be worth its high price tag, but my apprehensions disappeared well before intermission. New to NV’s theater department was junior Emilly Thomas, who played Belle. As a member of the varsity soccer team, Thomas’ acting talents had been unknown until her debut. Her commanding stage presence and powerful voice captivated the audience, alongside junior Andrew Szczerba, who was transformed into the Beast with superb make-up and costuming. Accompanying the two lead roles were Gaston and Lefou, played by junior Alex Gibson and senior Steve Hildebrandt, respectively. Both were fully devoted to their characters, with excellent diction and humorous interaction with each other. Never too far from Gaston were six of his most popular followers, the Silly Girls, played by juniors Sia Dufour, Kate Mutchler, Haley
Nelson, and Courtney Tipton, senior Ashley Pifer, and sophomore Brittany Von Stein. The girls accompanied each other nicely, working together in highpitched, but perfect, harmony. Bringing the enchanted castle to life were five people-turned-objects who brought much comedic relief to several scenes. With realistic sounding French accents and entertaining chemistry, Babette (junior Breanna Randolph), Cogsworth (sophomore Yianni Papadimos), Lumiere (senior Adam Cesarz), Mrs. Potts (junior Hannah Dickerson), and Madame de la grand Bouche (freshman Hannah Quinn) enthralled audiences. Helping to bring the show to life were a number of townspeople, utensils, napkins, wolves, and various other enchanted objects. Through well rehearsed stage placement, and sharp dance moves, the ensemble cast added to the show’s success. Contributing to the show’s grand scale were several flying scenes and live music courtesy of the pit orchestra. A show of such grandeur would not have been possible without the change in facilities from the Little Theater to the Franciscan Theater. Along with the show’s success, it was refreshing to see so much focus
Halie Langhals
PLAYING THE PART OF TABLEWARE in the musical are junior Connor Richardson, sophomore Kramer Lindsley, senior Patrick Richardson, sophomore Amber Zielinski, freshman Zach Johnson, freshman Travis Bihn, and sophomore Kayla Keisser. placed on theatrical talent in the weeks prior to opening night; the buzz was enough to attract many students to the production who would not normally have purchased tickets. Also revitalizing was the cast’s ability to work together to produce such an amazing display of
talent- the work of the entire cast and crew was cohesive and inspiring. The professionalism with which everyone carried themselves was pleasantly surprising and set a new standard for future high school productions. ~Sarah Squillante
Issue 33 passed, school expansion ensued Finally. Finally. Finally. I cannot begin to tell you how long I have waited for this to occur. Counting how many “Vote for Issue 33, Protect the Excellence” signs I have passed, or how much information I have read about this bond levy would be nearly impossible. Yet, I could not be happier. The passage of the Sylvania City Schools bond levy will finally modernize and improve every single one of the district’s schools. This could not get any better, or come at a better time. First, the Sylvania Schools are in desperate need of serious renovating, and in some cases demolition. Many of the schools were built in the 1920s. If any individual wishes to view why renovations or rebuilding is necessary, simply visit sylvaniaschoolslookingforward.com/Tours.htm, and take a virtual tour and all questions will be clarified. Personally, I feel mold, water stains, and exposed pipes hanging
over a student’s head is not conducive to learning. Think in this way, would you attend Bowling Green State University or the University of Toledo knowing that the school consisted of, “…antiquated buildings built in the 1920s, small, inflexible classroom spaces, inefficient heating and cooling systems, outdated plumbing and electrical systems, inadequate student drop-off and pickup areas, and brick and masonry deterioration,” ? Then why should individuals want to attend Sylvania Schools in this condition? However, the levy has passed and dwelling on negatives would we useless. How can we as a community expect 80-to-90-year-old buildings constructed with 80-to-90-year-old strategies to be in good, healthy shape? We cannot, so we must come together and mend our great community. Sylvania Schools Superintendent
Dr. Bradley J. Rieger has stated that this process will only be successful with staff and community participation. Thus, this article is not really about proving that the passage of the levy was correct. The green check has already been placed next to Issue 33, thus no reason for arguing remains. No, this article is more of a rallying cry to the entire community to come together and support the process of renovating and improving our school district. First, as community members and students, we must be patient during the entirety of this process. Scheduled to take about three years, it is vital that all citizens remain tolerant and facilitating during all restoration phases that may be new or inconvenient. One must simply remember all the comprehensive good that will come in the end. Property values will rise across our community, Sylvania will look better and
people will want to move here not only for the high quality of our educational programs, but also the high quality of our school facilities. Be informed. Now what is going on when, and why. As a community, we will thus feel more attached and proud when the levy is completed; knowing all the benefits students will gain educationally and emotionally. Finally, if one is ever presented with the opportunity to help in some phase of the design or is asked to input ideas, jump on the opportunity. This would be an incredible experience to help shape Sylvania and the future. I could not be happier that the Sylvania City Schools bond levy has passed, first because it was extremely necessary. Second, and most importantly, because I cannot wait to see Sylvania come together and change for the better. ~Haley Nelson
FEATURES
November 25, 2008
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Behind the scenes: NV Custodians Co-Editor in Chief “Yo,” said Mr. Les Davis as he answered his phone, “can I call you back, I’m being interviewed for the newspaper.” Mr. Davis is just one of the school’s custodians helping to keep Northview clean and in order on a daily basis. Although Mr. Davis’s shift doesn’t begin until the bell rings at 2:25, other custodians, like Ms. Pam Townsend, work alongside staff and students. “Pam is like a super hero,” said senior Amit Goyal, “she’s always around when you need help.” During lunch periods, Ms. Townsend’s job includes cleaning half of the cafeteria and disposing of garbage. Occasionally some students will also leave their garbage on tables “for the janitor to clean-up,” according to Ms. Townsend. But what iff the custodian cleaning your side ide of the cafeteria is Ms. Townsend? nsend? You’ll probably find your garbage back ack on the table the he next day . ime “One time heir some kids left their uff grapes and stuff aid on the table,” said d, Ms. Townsend, m “but I kept them or in my refrigerator until Monday, I n put it back on their table for them to cleanup.” ol Ms Townsend After school Ms. works with Mr. Davis and Mr. Jerry Fravor to clean teachers rooms and
empty trash cans. Although doing the same thing every day, on only four or five hours of sleep, the students and staff make the hard work worth it, according to Mr. Davis. In fact, getting to know the staff has become such a treat for Mr. Fravor, that he has tried to surprise teachers with a little treat every day, for the past 25 years. “I leave bubblegum and other candy on their desks every night,” said Mr. Fravor, “The teachers I’ve gotten to know are really friendly here.” Custodians also deal with typical cases of chewing gum, litter and bathroom graffiti around the school every day. “It’s a shame how many kids don’t take pride in the school,” said Mr. Davis as he turned over a desk revealing a few pieces of gum, “when you you’ve got a school this old, you’ve got to take care of it.” Unfortunately, Thursday was Mr. Davis’s last day at NV before he began his new day shift at Central El Elementary School yesterday. le So, the next time you leave your garbage on a cafeteria ta table, stick chewing gum under a des desk or leave litter in the hallways, think th about afte you and who’s cleaning up after studen body. the rest of the student Then, when a friendly person pushing around a yo a piece mop offers you of candy, ssay “thank y you” and o f f e r y o u r help to one of these people who helps you out every school day.
Max Filby DUSTING THE COMPUTERS in a classroom is custodian Ms. Pam Townsend. Resting in a custodian-cart are Ms. Townsend’s cleaning supplies. Mopping the floor is custodian Mr. Jerry Fravor
3160 Central Park West Toledo, Ohio
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November 25, 2008
Junior Andrew Szczerba, as the Beast, sings “If I Can’t Love Her”. It took 25 minutes to an hour for Szczerba to get into costume and make-up.
Senior Adam Cesarz and junior Emilly Thomas, as Lumiere and Belle, show their excitement during the fabulous and electrifying “Be Our Guest”.
Arbor Hills sixth-grader Ben Street (Chip), sophomore Yianni Papadimos (Cogsworth), and junior Hannah Dickerson (Ms. Potts) sing, “Human Again”.
Mr. Boland and Mr. Gregory Brown, in charge of performing all the scores for the musical, review the music in the orchestra pit during dress rehearsal.
FEATURES
FEATURES
5 8 5 6 9 7 6 89 7 Beauty November 25, 2008
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Sophomore Claire Chirgott helps junior Haley Nelson attach her wig before performing on stage as a wine glass in the musical number “Be Our Guest.”
Performing a dazzling kickline are sophomore Amber Zielinski, juniors Kate Mutchler and Bethany Galati and sophomore Paige Ankney. Backstage, sophomore Amber McKown assists sophomore Clare Roemer with her sugarbowl costume before “Human Again.”
Freshman Hannah Quinn plays Madame De La Grande Bouche, the flamboyant wardrobe in the Beast’s castle.
Senior Adam Cesarz and junior Breanna Randolph portray Lumiere and Babette during “Be Our Guest”. photos by Halie Langhals
and the Beast
On November 7-9, Northview performed one of the biggest shows in the school’s history, “Beauty and the Beast” at Lourdes College’s Franciscan Center. Starting September 2, 101 students, plus 15 elementary and junior high school kids in the children’s chorus rehearsed 12-15 hours a week or longer, two weeks prior to the show, with the final week being rehearsed at the Franciscan Center. Senior Adam Cesarz, who played Lumiere, the Candelabra, said, “The schedule was long and brutal, but that’s what I committed to, so I sucked it up and gave it my best effort. I enjoyed being the ladies’ man and having the chance to be outrageously French.” The cost for the entire production was just under $42,000, with $8,500 alone for costumes, according to the show’s director, Mr. Don Wachowiack. “The cast exceeded my expectations,” he said. “I wanted to show the Sylvania community just what these kids were capable of with the right facilities.” The leads of Belle and the Beast were played by juniors Emilly Thomas and Andrew Szczerba respectively. “The show was a 200-percent success,” said Szczerba. Thomas, who was new to the stage, was prompted by her childhood love of Disney movies: “It just felt like a great opportunity,” she said. “Plus, Belle has always been my favorite Disney princess since I was a little girl!” With the experience of the show being “incredible”, Thomas is even pondering about making a career out of theatre. “This show has such an amazing influence on me, I’m still in awe about how wonderful it was,” she said. “The show couldn’t have gone any better,” said Cesarz. “All of it was very smooth and polished.” -Sarah Fatemi
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November 25, 2008
FEATURES
Students resist drugs and alcohol with help from Red Ribbon Week Co-Editor in Chief Every year, Red Ribbon Week is celebrated at many schools around the country, including Northview. However, few know the story as to how Red Ribbon Week was formed and the sacrifice that the week commemorates. In 1985, Drug Enforcement Agency Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico. His work created a tip that led to the discovery of a multimillion dollar drug operation in Chihuahua, Mexico. This drug operation was destroyed which angered many local drug traffickers. On February 7, 1985, the drug traffickers kidnapped Camarena and his pilot Captain Alfredo Zavela- Avelar. After the kidnapping, the DEA launched a massive investigation to find the missing people. With the Mexican government being uncooperative, the DEA eventually was led to a ranch in Angostura where the Mexican Federal Judicial Police said a man and his three sons had accidentally kidnapped the Americans. After the raid, a passerby discovered the bodies of Camarena and ZavelaAvelar on the side of the road not far from the ranch. The DEA’s investigation found that Camarena was tortured before his
murder. Audiotapes of the torture revealed that doctors kept Camarena alive so the drug traffickers could torture him further. In Camarena’s hometown of Calexio, California, residents began
together millions of people to raise awareness about the need for prevention and treatment for alcohol, tobacco, drugs and violence, according to the Red Ribbon Week Coalition website. Every year, Red Ribbon Week is
Percentage of Seniors Using... alcohol 37.5% tobacco 14.4% marijuana 16.2% results from the 2007 S.C.A.T. survey wearing red ribbons to demand that illegal drugs and illegal use of legal drugs in America be stopped. The following year California State PTA adopted the Red Ribbon Campaign. In 1988, Red Ribbon Week was nationally recognized and President Ronald Regan and First Lady Nancy Regan served as Honorary Chairs. Today, Red Ribbon week brings
celebrated during the last full week in October. In Sylvania, the Sylvania Community Action Team (also known as S.C.A.T.) sponsored the “Walk of Light” kick-off at Cats Stadium on October 22 and 450 students, parents and personnel attended, according to S.C.A.T. Executive Director Deb Chany. S.C.A.T. also decorated downtown Sylvania with red bows, had a Red Ribbon Week sign at the corner of Main St. and Monroe St., and had a free handout display at the library throughout the month of October. At NV, the halls, staircases and door handles were decorated with red ribbons. In December 2007, S.C.A.T. conducted a biennial survey of Sylvania schools fifth through twelfth graders. Despite the awareness, many students still use alcohol and drugs on a regular
basis, according to the results of the survey. Also according to the results, in the 30 days prior to the survey 37.5% of high school seniors had used alcohol, 16.2% had used marijuana and 14.4% had used tobacco. Twenty-five percent of sophomores had used alcohol in the 30 days prior, 9.2% had used marijuana and 6.6% had used tobacco. In both age groups, around 90% of them said they knew their parents disapproved but continued to use. Another statistic obtained by the S.C.A.T. survey is that 25.5% of 7-12 graders got in a car where the driver had just finished using drugs or alcohol. Despite the amount of students using drugs or alcohol in Sylvania, there are many students who choose to say no. For many different reasons and ways, they avoid drugs and alcohol and still continue to have fun. “My friends and I do anything for fun. We can have fun without drugs,” said sophomore Addison Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld is one NV student who chooses to pass on drugs and alcohol. “I avoid drugs and alcohol by choosing friends that feel the same way. That way there isn’t any pressure to do that kind of stuff,” said Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld isn’t alone in his convictions. Senior Olivia McIntee agrees with him in avoiding drugs and alcohol. “I don’t feel any peer pressure to do drugs and alcohol. If people know you (well) enough they know not to ask you or pressure you,” said McIntee. Red Ribbon Week was formed to raise awareness about one Drug Enforcement Agent’s sacrifice and to keep his message of drug and alcohol prevention alive. This message has survived and lives on in many NV students today.
Yearbooks on sale in room E6
$60
FEATURES
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November 25, 2008
Student Spotlight: Anja Kaifel Staff Writer Spending the year at Northview is Anja Kaifel, an exchange student from Germany who received a full scholarship through the German government and a program called the CongressBundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX). She will study in the United States for ten months; she arrived in America in August and will stay until June. “I have wanted to go to a different country since I was in grade five,” said Kaifel. In order to obtain the scholarship, students had to have good grades, participate in extracurricular activities, and express an interest in politics. Students were then notified if they were to continue on their journey toward the scholarship. Kaifel took many English tests, gave a presentation, and answered many questions about herself and why she wanted to study for the government. “I was sure I did not do well, but then I got a letter that someone from the budestag (German government) wanted to meet me. They talked with me and two weeks later I got a
phone call asking if I wanted to go to the United States. It was one of the happiest days of my life,” said Kaifel. While in America, Kaifel will be able to visit Washington D.C. in June with CBYX. She will also travel to Chicago and Florida with her host family. Kaifel wanted to come to the United States to study for many different reasons. “I was really fascinated how people from so many different countries can live together peacefully. It is such a young country and the most powerful in the world. I also wanted to get to know the American way of life and the people,” said Kaifel. There are many similarities between Germany and the United States such as the “music, movies, McDonalds, and the clothes people wear,” according to Kaifel. The biggest differences between the two countries are “the way people greet each other, the food, the cars, schools, houses, and daily life.” “I think I like the American people the most. Everybody is so friendly and helpful to me. I have such a great family; they are doing so much for me,” she said. Kaifel is staying with the
Porterfield family in Sylvania. One member of her host family Molly, is a freshman at NV. Kaifel’s favorite things about NV so far include the fascinating teachers and students, the various assortment of sports, and the many activities to do after school. Kaifel participated in cross country this fall and plans to join the swim team during the winter season. Kaifel is similar to an American teenager, who hangs out with her friends, likes many of the same movies, and listens to similar music. The name of her high school in Germany is Burggymnasium. “This means ‘old castle’ in English,” Kaifel said. With her friends, she likes to swim in the summer, go sledding in the winter, bake Christmas cookies called gutzle, shop, watch movies, and go out with her friends on weekends. With her family, she has vacationed in places such as Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, England, Spain, Egypt, Yorkshire, and Sardinia. Kaifel’s favorite movies include The Pink Panther, Harry Potter, and Pirates of the Caribbean and her favorite song changes often, but right now, it
Katie Koffman GERMAN EXCHANGE STUDENT Anja Kaifel is a new senior at NV this school year. She participated in Cross Country during the fall season. is the song “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock. After her year of study in America, she must return to
Germany to complete one more year of high school and then she would like to attend Stuttgart University in Germany.
Career Tech Prep Program Spotlight: Early Childhood Education prepares students for education jobs Features Editor & Staff Writer Walking throughout the halls at Northview you see all different kinds of people. You may see some that are much shorter than you and look out of place, and we are not talking about the freshmen.
Not only is NV a high school, it is also a pre-school. During the day you can see many of the kids walking through the hallways with their teachers or out on the playground in the court yard. Many teachers at NV find it convenient to enroll their children in the pre-school. Early Childhood is one of the many programs NV has to offer students who already have their career path in mind.
It allows students to teach and interact with the children and experience what it’s really like being a teacher. These types of classes are usually offered in block classes to juniors and seniors. “The juniors make lesson plans and create activities for the kids,” said senior Liz Conklin. “The seniors go to their placements.” Seniors are placed at local elementary schools in the
district, such as Maplewood, Hillview, Highland and many more. The kids go through all the basic classes like science, English, math and art. Many students already know where they would like to work when they get older. “I want to work at Head Start,” said senior Amanda Williamson. “It’s a program for pre-school through kindergarten for children who
are underprivileged or who have special needs.” When a student is placed in the Early Childhood program they all have a similar desire to work with children and motivate them to succeed. “The best part about working with children is you never know what they are going to say, they make your day so much better,” said Williamson. “It gives you something to look forward to.”
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November 25, 2008
Arts & EnTERTAINMENT
Bogus music takes over Northview Every high school student has at least one favorite musician, and in my case, many they do not like. The musicians (if you can even consider them musicians) that I hate the most are Jack Johnson and John Mayer. First of all, the music they play is incredibly basic. Congratulations Jack Johnson, you can play a repeating chord on an acoustic guitar for three minutes. I could teach a monkey how to play your music in a week. Mayer and Johnson have absolutely no musical talent whatsoever. Second, I’m tired of hearing Mayer whine about all of his girl problems. He is as emotional as a woman and sings like a ten-year-old girl. He is a disgrace to men everywhere with all of his crybaby lyrics. If I really wanted to hear women singing badly and complaining about relationships, I would listen to the Spice Girls, at least they are good looking. His voice makes me want to throw my CD player out of a 20-story building. I have made much better sounds in the bathroom.
Another form of so-called “music”, that I absolutely cannot stand, is country. Just like Johnson and Mayer, the music that they play is extremely basic. Nobody wants to listen to a banjo or a harmonica, get some money and buy a real instrument t h a t requires some talent to play. The lyrics in country music are probably the single worst thing that has ever happened to songwriting. The lyrics basically consist of a hillbilly farmer telling about everything he did that day in chronological order. Nobody wants to hear about how you woke up, fixed your tractor, fed your horse, picked some corn, and then went to sleep on your bed of straw. Instead of writing music, maybe you should sell your horse, move to the city, get an education, and
stop torturing the entire world with the garbage you call country music. The majority of female singers make me want to hire Mike Tyson to gnaw my ears off. The worst female singer of all is Pink. She can’t sing, dance, and she isn’t even remotely attractive, so what is appealing about her? Some young females look up to her “I don’t care” attitude. She has songs where she says how much she wants to fight everybody. Throw a punch at me Pink, I will knock your 120 pound body to the floor. Stop making music and join a gang, then maybe you can get into a real fight and see what it feels like to get punched. Don’t even get me started on Classic Rock. Classic Rock requires a lot of musical talent and the lyrics are great, but the music as a whole is
“The lyrics in country music are the single worst thing that has ever happened to songwriting.”
extremely boring. Classic Rock songs tend to be about ten minutes long and have seven minutes of guitar solos that have no pattern or musical ideas behind them. The lyrics have good meaning and quality, but the voices of Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin along with the Rolling Stone’s Mick Jagger make me want to bang my head on a wall until I am unconscious. I wouldn’t even call it “classic” rock, I like to call it “old” rock. Everything that is old dies, so just let this Old Rock die and move on to new, exciting music. I mean, people still pay to see these bands in concert. Who wants to pay to see four old guys in wheelchairs and walkers playing music that has been outdated for 40 years? So, instead of listening to these kinds of music, go out and buy some new rock, rap, and techno albums that actually have some meaning to them. If we stop listening to this garbage now, we can hopefully rid the world of this awful music and save our children from growing up with no musical taste. ~Andrew Miller
The essential Fall TV wrap-up Find out everything about the past, present and future of all your favorite TV shows Two and a Half Men After six seasons of hilarious and sometimes inappropriate escapades, Two and a Half Men continues to satisfy viewers with its strong comedic qualities. Charlie is still up to his old ways and is teaching nephew Jake even more about life. “Charlie always says something funny,” said junior Michelle Vince. “That’s what makes the show so great.” Shocking events have been occurring on the show recently, ever since the break-up of Alan’s ex-wife Judith and new husband Herb. Alan and Judith have gotten back together; much to everyone’s surprise, and Alan seems to be the most in shock. A pregnancy scare follows, leaving fans desperate to see what will happen next. Follow Charlie, Alan and Jake Harper on their sidesplitting adventures on Two and a Half Men, Mondays at 9pm on CBS.
Gossip Girl In the second season premiere of Gossip Girl the upper eastsider’s transition from the Hamptons back to the realities of school. GG is a mix of issues we all face, like picking colleges and relationship issues, with an over-the-top plot. While the situations on GG are exaggerated, the drama keeps viewers coming back. This season has Serena and Dan trying to be “friends”, but there is sure to be drama with Serena’s new guy. With Nate’s father in jail, Nate becomes the center of a love triangle between BFF’s Vanessa and Jenny. We can also expect the twisted but highly entertaining cat and mouse relationship between Chuck and Blair to continue. It’s only midseason and GG is heating up, so if you’re looking for love, hate, friendship, backstabbing, and drama, this is the show for you, on at 8pm on the CW. You know you love me. xoxo, Gossip Girl.
House House, one of the most talked about shows this season, is also one of the most addictive shows on television. Viewers are still dying to know what is going to happen between Cuddy and House after their steamy kiss. But looking past the romance, this show always has a great hidden message and the perfect amount of wit. Last week Wilson’s complacency revealed that sometimes by trying to help, we actually hurt those we love. While I am still a devout House fan, I expected more from this last episode; in contrast to previous episodes, it was somewhat flat. Hopefully this is a onetime blunder, because I would hate for House to lose the ingenuity that accounts for its popularity. It also wouldn’t kill Fox to show the old team more often, because they bring charm to the show. Regardless, this show is a unique medical drama. Tune in tonight for a special extended episode on Fox at 8pm.
Chuck After a season of intense suspense and action, Chuck has hit a high note with its recent introduction of a love triangle. All season, Chuck Bartowski, a computer geek with information from a secret government computer lodged in his brain, has been forced to try to live normally despite increasingly strange spy missions. Forced to pick between his mysterious ex-girlfriend Jill and perfect CIAoperative and love interest Sarah, Chuck ends up choosing Jill, to many die-hard fans chagrin. “I’m definitely on Team Sarah,” said junior Natalie DiCola. “I can’t wait for Jill to leave so Chuck and Sarah can get together.” Chuck will be going on its holiday hiatus soon and viewers will be dying to see whether Chuck can be saved from his recent “kidnapping” by his “girlfriend”. Tune in Mondays at 8pm on NBC. ~ Yelena Zhernovskiy & Haley Nelson
Arts & EnTERTAINMENT
November 25, 2008
You know you are from Sylvania when . . . Staff Writer - You get tired of hearing about Katie Holmes and know her family lives in on Corey Rd. - You refuse to call it Westfield Shopping Center, because we all know it is really Franklin Park Mall. - You freeze your butt off walking around The Toledo Zoo at -50 degrees because you want to see the lights. - You know that the girl in the Missy Elliot video’s name is ner Alyson Stoner and is from around ound here. - You know what Meijer is and know how to spell pell and pronouncee it properly. - If you see a driver iver that is driving ing erratically you automatically check for the Michigan license nse plate. Visiting ting Cedar Point is a tradition dating ting back until you can remember. - The Mummy my is the coolest thing at the The Toledo Museum of Art. - You know who Jamie Farr is and that he supports some golf thing at Highland Meadows. - You know what Krogering is and call it “Krogers” even though the name is “Kroger”
- “Everybody’s Zooing It” is a song for the zoo, you know all the words and can do the weird accent. - You’ve driven to Gibbs Bridge to try to see the ghost and it truly was not scary. - You know all the words to the Erie Street Market jingle. - You still have no idea what a Mudhen iiss, or is, or if you do, people think y o u ’ re joking. - You think having f i v e
catholic high schools one city is in on normal. norm You know - Yo where to wher get the best I t a l i a n / Mexican/ Chinese/etc., Chin but still say we’re running out of good restaurants. restau - You can finish Banner this Mattress c o m m e rc i a l : gimmicks, “No g no ttricks till 200_” You know - Yo Q-Zar what is and have a favorite team color. - You have at least one Race for the Cure T-Shirt and have participated in it at least ones. - You know who says ‘Turtle’. - You remember the tunnel that used to go to the zoo and
remember it being like the coolest thing ever.. - You have four network tv news stations, and it doesn’t seem like over-kill - Nobody understands the rivalry between OSU and Michigan as much as we do. - You can explain every weather pattern. In addition, snowing one day and being 70 degrees the next isn’t weird. - The only thing to do when it’s not football season is go to the movies. - You know not to fully trust Blizzard Bill Spencer’s weather predictions. - Bon fires are the cool thing to go to on a Saturday night. - Ending up in Michigan after taking a wrong turn does not incite panic because it’s like going across the street. - You like spending your Sundays at the Anderson’s and eating all the samples they give out. - You can finish this jingle “We’ll meet you at the market....” - You know to not swim in the Maumee River because it is basically infested with various diseases and excretions. - You have been on BCSN or know someone that has. - Monroe Street seems to always be under-construction. - You know if you yell MODERN FLOOR! no one comes out and gets you! - You know that when someone wants to be taken to St. V’s it’s not a good thing. - You call the glass doctor to fix your pains. - Having a “Rave” is awesome, even though it’s just dancing to techno music in someone’s basement. - We have two high schools, but we like to think Northview is the best.
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Chesney is big winner at music awards Country music had its biggest night on November 12, rewarding the most successful country artists over the last year at the Country Music Awards held in Nashville, Tennessee. Brad Paisley and American Idol Season four winner Carrie Underwood hosted the awards. Kenny Chesney, who was the show’s leading nominee with seven total nominations, won Entertainer of the Year. This was his third consecutive win in that category and fourth overall, tying him with Garth Brooks for the most in the category. Underwood won female vocalist of the year for the third consecutive year, beating out 18 year old, Taylor Swift. Before Underwood received her award, she sang a moving song dedicated to the wife of a soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2005. Known for crying the past three years when she received the award, she was even more emotional and shaken up than she had been in the past. “I thought that Carrie Underwood was much better in her performance than Taylor Swift was. Taylor Swift was not that good,” said junior Josh Watkins. Paisley won Male Vocalist of the Year for the second year in a row over Keith Urban. The group Rascal Flatts won Vocal Group of the Year for the sixth straight time, beating out a much weaker field of acts. In another major award category, Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus presented Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles with Song of the Year for their big hit “Stay.” Sugarland also won Vocal duo of the Year. George Strait, who won Single of the Year with “I Saw God Today” and Album of the Year for “Troubadour”, became the record holder for most awards won with 21. There were a total of 21 acts that performed throughout the three hour show. Country superstars like Strait and Keith Urban performed. Also, rocker Kid Rock and rapper Lil’ Wayne performed “All Summer Long” and The Wailers performed a rendition of a Bob Marley hit with Chesney. ~Adam Jurski
18 The
Catfight All is peaceful and everything calm The water’s stillness sings a song Unheard by all, yet silence still stings The wind picks up and whistles the trees The quiet water evaporates And ripples form in its wake The roar of the high school girl’s attack Beware the wretched catfight wrath Claws aflame and brandished high Sword meets shield; oh how sparks fly! Tempting the river to break the dam Scattering purses and clawing with hands A predicament soaring from F-Hall to D The chanting calls and tingling screams If ever a time to run for your life It’s when the cats begin to fight ~Yianni Papadimos
Madrigal Dinner to take place
November 25, 2008
Orchestra concert a success Staff Writer Northview’s Little Theater was buzzing with the musical talents of local orchestras on November 11 as Northview’s Concert and Chamber orchestras performed their first concert of the year. NV was joined by the Southview, Maumee, and Start orchestras. Although they performed separately, the combination of schools was a treat for the audience. Concert Orchestra; which consists of all the freshman, a majority of sophomores, and a couple of juniors performed four songs. The songs were Firedance, Peasant Dance, and Prelude on Hymn and Folk Song. Chamber consists of all the seniors, juniors, and a couple of sophomores. Chamber Orchestra performed three songs: Baltic Dance, Remembrance, and Prelude and Cebell. The concert was a very formal event as the boys wore tuxedos and the girls wore their black uniform dresses. “The dresses are not the most modern but they make us look more pulled together,” said junior Jenn
Sam Weisman PREPARING FOR THEIR concert is senior Cameron Blackwood and sophomore Serena Chang. Both students play the cello. Violanti. “I can’t wait until we raise enough money to get new uniforms.” The concert started at 7pm and lasted about an hour.
The orchestra’s next concert will be in December. The Winter Concert will feature both orchestras performing together during the song Sleigh Ride.
Band tours junior highs
Co-Editor in Chief Hear ye, hear ye. The Northview A Cappella Choir and Harmony Road Show are hosting a Madrigal Dinner at the Westgate Clarion Inn on December 14. The dinner concert is an NV tradition featuring music from the Renaissance, and will be shown on Channel 11 News, according to choir director Ms. Dawn Gallehue. “We just dug out all of the costumes,” said Ms. Gallehue, “it’s evident that years of work have gone into the dinner.” The choirs will host a preview concert for junior high school students on December 12, instead of performing in their annual Junior High Tour.
Arts & EnTERTAINMENT
Staff Writer Piling 200 people as well as instruments onto six buses, the Northview Marching Band traveled throughout Sylvania on October 29, to perform for local schools. The Band played songs for five different schools in Sylvania including Arbor Hills and McCord Junior High schools and Highland, Hillview and Maplewood Elementaries. They went to schools with kids that would potentially go to NV, therefore possibly being in the NV Band, according to senior Brittany Mason. However, the Band had to split
up to go to Hillview and Maplewood, sending half of the students to each school for their final performance of the day, according to senior Ali Sayre. The Band left school after first period to play for the first three schools and returned to school from 12:40 to 1:15 for a lunch delivered by Subway, according to senior Becca Fisher. The group then split up and left again to play at the last two schools, Maplewood and Hillview. “It was very tiring to play all day long,” said Fisher, “but it was definitely worth it. It’s always fun to play for the younger kids.” The Marching Band also had their only concert of the year the next evening in the NV gym. They marched in at 7:30 pm to begin their final performance of the year.
The Band played a total of 20 songs including drum features, which were all songs and stand tunes that were played during the football season at games. Songs included Hey Baby, Thriller, and The Hey Song, along with drum features such as Monkey and Timmy. “It was fun to play all of our songs again, for one last time,” said Sayre, “Especially since I’m a senior, it was my last chance to perform with the marching band.” The group also had a pizza party after the concert with fun awards handed out that were voted on by the band members. Many different awards were given and received, such as “Sweetest Senior”, “Coolest Freshman”, “Most likely to marry their instrument”, and “Most likely to live with their parents.”
Arts & EnTERTAINMENT
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November 25, 2008
Black Friday
Two TSP writers take on crowds and chaos to find the best deals during the-day-after-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza. Elizabeth’s Prediction: “I think Kohl’s is going to have the best deals and I will be able to buy the most gifts there. However, the entire day is going to be chaos.” ELIZABETH’S SHOPPING LIST Candles Christmas Classics DVD Ann Rinaldi Books Clothing
Chelsea’s Prediction:
SCHEDULE OF THE DAY’S SHOPPING:
“Target is going to be the best because Target is the best everyday. I love that store!”
5am: Meet at Chelsea’s house 5:15am: Kohl’s 6:15am: Target 7:15am: Best Buy 8:15am: JC Penney 9:15am: Dillards 10:15am: Go get food
CHELSEA’S SHOPPING LIST Forgetting Sarah Marshall DVD iPod FM Transmitter New Puma tennis shoes HSM3 Mystery Date Game
read issue #5 of TSP to see what happens to these two young ladies on this crazy shopping day
The BEST movies to see around the holidays
Milk-Rated R Release date: December 5
Changeling- Rated R Release date: October 31 Quantum of Solace- Rated PG-13 Release Date: November 14 Daniel Craig returns as James Bond in the new 007 film. The movie picks up where it left off in Casino Royale and Bond continues to search for the betrayer of his love, Vesper (Eva Green). New characters are introduced such as Camille (Olga Kurylenko) and Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), who are part of the criminal group ‘Quantum.’ Bond’s new adventure takes him around the world as he tries to stay ahead of his enemies and save the world once again from the plans of the criminals. If you are looking for a good action movie to see this holiday season, Quantum of Solace is the movie to see. -Katie Koffman
Australia-Rated PG-13 Angelina Jolie stars as a working Release date: November 27
class mother, Christine Collins in Changeling. Based on a true story, the film tells the story of a mother whose son was kidnapped while she was at work. The police return a boy to her, but she knows it is not her son. The film shows the corruption of the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1920’s. Collins tries to confront the police about her ‘son,’ but they continue to fight her on the subject. Reverend Briegleb (John Malkovich) is the only one who believes Collins and helps her to fight for her son. This film is a thriller and crime movie and is widely acclaimed by critics. For those interested in these types of movies, Changeling is the movie for you. -Katie Koffman
Opening in theatres on Thanksgiving Day is the Baz Luhrmann film Australia, which is his first major flick since the musical Moulin Rouge. The movie, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, is about the continent of Australia on the brink of World War II. Kidman plays an aristocrat traveling down under who meets Jackman, a ‘rough-hewn’ local who eventually agrees to help her save her inherited land. Their adventure shows then the many sides of war, including the bombing of the city Darmwin by the same Japanese planes that bombed Pearl Harbor. The movie is at the top of the ‘To See’ list, even the commercials strike an emotional cord with audiences. -Jackie Walz
Opening up in theatres on Thanksgiving Day, to limited theatres, is the bio-pic Milk. The movie follows 1977’s Harvey Milk on his journey to change San Francisco. Milk, played by Sean Penn, was the first openly gay man to be an elected public official. The film charts the last eight years of his life, while he changed the idea of fighting for human rights. The movie begins with Milk in New York looking for life’s purpose, when he and his lover (played by James Franco) relocate to San Fransicso. Once there, he begins work to change the rights and images of being gay in America. Audiences looking to see an inspirational journey should definitely go see this possible tear-jerker. Yet those looking to see James Franco play a humerous stoner role might want to stay home instead of seeing the movie. -Jackie Walz
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November 25, 2008
SPORTS
NV hockey gets new coach Mike Jones replaces Jim Cooper after his retirement Staff Writer The Northview Wildcat hockey team will be kicking off the season with a new coach for the first time in 33 years. Coach James “Jim” Cooper stepped down after his 33 year reign of coaching the Wildcats. Coach Coop started his career at NV when Sylvania High School split into NV and Southview. Cooper has shaped the lives and futures of many hockey players like Racing for Recoveries, Todd Crandall. He not only prepared you on the ice but as well as off the ice. Senior hockey player Kyle Hymore said, ”Cooper was a good coach, we’re going to miss him but I am excited to see what Coach Jones has in store for us.” Cooper coached many great NV players and eight moved on to play at the collegiate level and another that signed a contract in the NHL with the Tampa Bay lightning. Who is the player to sign with Tampa Bay? It’s Mike Jones, a former NV captain and Bowling Green State University captain and new Head Coach for the Wildcats. Jones literally grew up beside Cooper. Jones was Cooper’s neighbor for many years. He went to St. Johns High School for his freshman and sophomore year then decided to finally come play for Coach Cooper his senior and junior years. Jones later moved on to Bowling Green where he was captain his senior year. After college, Jones moved on to play pro for the Detroit Vipers, Pensacola Ice Pilots and the Alaska Aces.
Kelly Sandstrom TALKING TO THE HOCKEY TEAM is new coach, Mike Jones. Jones began coaching the hockey team after coach Jim Cooper’s retirement. Jones played for Cooper at Northview during Jone’s junior and senior years. After the NHL lockout, Jones got his chance and signed with Tampa Bay. Foot problems later led to his retirement and Jones took on coaching. Jones coached several Sylvania Maple Leafs travel teams as well as team Ohio, a team composed of the best high school hockey players in the state, but his dream coaching job has always been Northview. “I’m grateful, honored and to be honest I feel a little bit like Aaron Rod-
gers, it’s never easy to replace a legend,” said Jones. This year will be a drastic change to NV hockey without Cooper, but hopefully success will follow. Both the varsity and JV programs have new coaches and new style of play. “I want to teach young men life lessons through the sport of hockey and try to win some hockey games along the way. I think by accomplishing the first, the second will take care of itself.” said Jones.
The Wildcat JV hockey team also has two new faces in Drew Stark and Brent Fuller. They both are former NV hockey players and will share the role of cocoach and hope to have a successful rookie-coaching season. “The program is completely renovated but change is good, I am excited to take a new role within the Northview program as co-Coach of Junior varsity hockey,” said co-coach Drew Stark.
SPORTS
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November 25, 2008
Dance team preps st for 1 performance Staff Writer
Sam Weisman PRACTICING FOR DANCE TEAM senior Jessica Bennet does a graceful leap in the air. The Northview Dance Team practices three times per week to be prepared for the boys basketball home games and competitions in January or February.
The Dance Team wasted no time getting ready for their season. Tryouts were held October 13 - 14 in the cafeteria. Competitors were required to do a double pirouette, high kicks and leaps along with a dance that the coach, Kelly Szparka, taught them. A new addition to the tryouts this year was a 30 second to one minute dance that each girl was asked to choreograph and then perform in front of the judges, Szparka, Szparka’s cousin, Szparka’s aunt who owns Denise’s Dance Reflections, and two of Szparka’s friends, one who is the majorettes’ coach at Northview. Results of the tryout were posted on October 14 after the last tryout ended. Instead of a 19-member team, there are 18 girls this year with 16 returning
members. “I decided to do dance team again this year because I had a lot of fun doing it last year and I know that the captain, Danielle, will make it more fun,” said returning member sophomore Amanda Metcalf. The team has already learned a jazz dance to Disturbia by Rihanna and they are learning a second jazz dance to Just Dance by Lady GaGa. They have also decided to do a hip-hop dance to Fireman by Lil Wayne. Another dance the team plans to do is to a Britney Spears mix that senior captain Danielle Snyder hopes to choreograph. With practices three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays the team plans to be ready for their first performance. Along with dancing during halftime at every Boys’ Varsity home basketball game, the girls are also planning to take part in competitions sometime in January or February.
NFL season still going strong Staff Writer The NFL season has been one of the closest ever, with many tight divisional races. Division leaders include the New York Jets (7-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3), Tennessee Titans (10-0), and the Denver Broncos (6-4) in the AFC. Leading their divisions in the NFC are the New York Giants (9-1), Carolina Panthers (8-2), Arizona Cardinals (7-3), and there is a three-way tie in the NFC North division between the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and the Minnesota Vikings (all 5-5). Almost every division is up for grabs, five of the eight divisions have teams within two games of each other. So with several weeks remaining, anything can happen. The only undefeated team remaining is the Tennessee Titans. They have had a great season so far, outscoring their opponents 244 to 131. Their defense has been among the
top in the NFL, allowing the fewest points per game, 13. Their attack on the ground has been solid as well, lead by runningbacks LenDale White and Chris Johnson, averaging 132 yards per game together. Their ability to run the ball keeps the clock moving and gives the opposing offense fewer opportunities to score. They are the favorite to win the Super Bowl, according to ESPN. On the other end, the Detroit Lions have yet to pick up a win this season, with a record of 0-10. The Lions, who are a favorite team among locals, have been outscored 308 to 173. They have fired many people in the administration, after getting off to a terrible start this season. Fans have stopped going to the games, they have not sold out since week eight against the Redskins, and their games were not be aired on television for weeks. On individual standpoints, there have been several new faces in the league leaders department. Leading the league in passing yards is Drew Brees of the San Diego Chargers. He
is considered to be the MVP so far in the season by the majority of sports broadcasters. In the area of rushing yards, Adrian Peterson of Minnesota has taken the top spot, with 1100 yards so far. When it comes to receiving yards, Andre Johnson of Houston is on the top of the charts with 955 and Anquan Boldin has the most receiving touchdowns, 10. On the team level, the New Orleans Saints have the best offense, statistically,
with 411 yards per game. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Steelers have kept their opponents to only 237 yards per game, the lowest in the league. So with races so close this year, a large amount of teams have a chance to make the playoffs. No team has really dominated the league this year, so the Super Bowl title is up for grabs. With all of the teams pushing to make the playoffs, there is no better time to watch the NFL than now.
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November 25, 2008
Change for Northern Lakes League Staff Writer With rumors of a change in the Northern Lake League makeup, Rossford is indeed attempting and hoping to leave the NLL but cannot. Almost all sports at Northview compete in the NLL. This league includes NV, Southview, Springfield, Bowling Green, Maumee, Anthony Wayne, Perrysburg and for now Rossford. Despite being considered one of the stronger leagues in this area, not all the NLL schools feel this is the right fit for them. In the 2007-08 sports season, at one of the Athletic Directors (AD’s) monthly meetings to discuss league policies, the first consideration for the Rossford Bulldogs to leave the NLL arose, according to Northview Principal Stewart Jesse. Then the issue was brought up at the meeting of NLL principals, that occurs every other month where they vote on and talk about league policies, according to Mr Jesse. Rossford felt that they should move to a different league. “They [felt they] are a lot smaller of a school compared to the others in the NLL and their sports teams were not producing competitive enough play,“ according to Mr. Jesse. “[When] playing soccer against Rossford, it’s not the most competitive of games. I feel if they changed leagues, it would benefit [their team] more,” said senior soccer captain Stephanie Rentschler. “The girls don’t seem to care much when they have to play big schools like us. I feel bad. It is like they are already defeated and that isn’t fair to them, when they work just as hard as every other team.” The Suburban Lakes League was the first choice in mind for the Bulldogs, should they leave the NLL. The SLL consists of Eastwood,
Genoa, Gibsongburg, Lake, Lakota, Otsego and Woodmore according to Ohiohelmetproject.com. However, with the upcoming omission of Lakota in 2009, the SLL had a potential opening for Rossford. Lakota is transferring into the Midland Athletic League, according to the SentinelTribune. This dug a potential hole in the NLL for a new, more competitive school to join. A few principals from the NLL, including NV’s Mr. Jesse, visited and evaluated Clay and Napoleon. While visiting, there were certain characteristics that were investigated. “We looked at the athletic facilities, to make sure they were adequate. We looked at the s t re n g t h and history of their athletic programs; as well as their athletic policies to see if it would be a good fit,” said Mr. Jesse. “We even met with some of their athletes and community, to see if this is what they wanted too.” However, both the NLL and Rossford hit a bump in the road when the SLL did not pass the vote for Rossford’s acceptance. Although the league AD’s and principals were “flattered“ to have Clay and Napoleon be anxious about a possible acceptance into the NLL; until Rossford transfers, there is just no room. Mr. Jesse said, “I feel for Rossford when they say it is hard for them to compete in this league. I am in favor of any team that will strengthen our league and raise the [level of] competition.“ Even though Rossford wants to make a league change, there should be no ill feelings that they want out. The school says it actually likes the NLL itself, according to Mr. Jesse. “They like the fact that is a well run, well organized league.” However, based on the competition and spirit of their athletes, the Bulldogs are looking to chase down teams of similar caliber. “We’ve put the issue to rest for now, Rossford will remain in the NLL for the at least the next few years,” said Mr. Jesse.
SPORTS Michael Phelps: Olympic Champ Staff Writer Millions of dollars in endorsements, posing for covers of magazines, a household name, and appearing on television shows. Sounds like the life of a Hollywood celebrity, but it is actually Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer. Phelps went into the Beijing Olympics this past summer with the prospect of winning eight Olympic gold medals. Some such as Alain Bernard of the French Olympic swim team and Ian Thorpe, the retired member of the Australian Olympic swim team, believed Phelps could not achieve this goal according to NBC’s Olympic Website. But with the United States cheering him on, Phelps won eight gold medals, passing Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals in one Olympics. “Michael Phelps should be regarded as the greatest Olympian of all times,” said senior swim team member Nick Pietrykowski. “He should also be considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.” Phelps conquered eight events in Beijing: the 200-meter freestyle, the 100-meter freestyle, the 200-meter IM, the 400-meter IM, four by 200-meter freestyle relay, and the four by 100-meter freestyle relay. This is an incredible amount of events to take on. In high school, the largest number of events a swimmer may participate in is four. He swam 17 events in nine days between preliminary rounds and finals. Along the way, he broke several world and Olympic records. Phelps shattered world records in events such as the 400 Individual Medley (IM) and the 200 freestyle. Phelps had to put up a fight in events such as the 200-meter butterfly (won by .01 seconds) and the four by 100-meter medley relay (by .08 seconds), to keep the dream of eight medals alive, but he still came out the winner. Phelps has inspired many budding athletes to try swimming. In the months following the Olympics, NV’s swim team has seen many new members. “Swim team is going to be a lot bigger this year,” said senior swim team member Danielle Hrovat. “Swimming is more recognized because people have seen the hard work that is put into the sport. Michael Phelps has inspired so many individuals to strive to accomplish their goals.” The impact of Olympic swimming is even seen through NV’s swim team as numbers have grown to over 40 athletes. This is a significant increase in size from last year’s team. Phelps may have made swimming look easy, but any NV swimmer will tell you it is not. Swimming takes a lot of time to become great according to Pietrykowski. “In my opinion swimming is the toughest sport and the most grueling on the muscles in the body,” said Pietryowski. Phelps became a celebrity and a national hero during that summer week in August. He brought recognition to a sport that rarely receives the national spotlight in the sports world.
SPORTS
Winter sports heats up Wildcat Hockey Sports Editors
LadyKat Basketball
The Wildcat Hockey team comes into the season with a new head coach, Mike Jones, and some new players, with hope of advancing to the state finals, according to senior Bob Napierala. The team is returning ten players to the varsity squad from last season where they went 30-4-2 with a Northern Hockey Conference Red Division Title. Seniors Jordan Keefe and Matt Duvall are two of the new additions to the team this season. The returning players are seniors Cody Ramm, Bobby Napierala, Kyle Hymore, Jake Thornton, Nile Culver, and juniors Jordan Jones,
The team consists of 10 gymnasts, which is a dramatic drop from last season’s 20. “I’m really excited about the girls that are back from last year. They are a great asset to the team and I think the new girls will benefit our team greatly,” said junior, Hail Nowak. The team’s first meet is at Sunrise Gymnastics Academy on December 30.
The Lady Kats come into the season after making it to the District semifinal game last year. The Northview Swim team opens The Kats are looking to make a up their season with the NWOAC Relay good run at the Northern Lakes League Invitational on December 6. championship after only graduating There are over 15 new swimmers three seniors from last year’s team. The this season with a team of about 45 so team returns seven players including far, according to new Coach Sarah Huey. five seniors to the varsity team. Players Water Polo coach Evan Dankert was include seniors Kelsey McCoy, Stepha- “We played really well and did a also added to the coaching staff this nie Rentschler, Chelsea Ulmer, Paige lot of things right, but there is a season. Maroney, and Katelynn Dobson and ju“Since every event is a relay, we all large area to niors Olivia Fouty and Hannah Small. have to work together which makes the “We have a lot of experience and first meet of the year more exciting,” improve upon.” hopefully that helps us in the long said junior Laura Guinness. -SENIOR KYLE HYMORE run,” said Rentschler. The NV Diving team is comprised of The Girls begin their season Friday nine divers, with four being freshman. November 28 against Toledo Libby. Their first meet is on December 6. Tony Holley, Shane Wheatley, and Mark “I’m really excited for the upcoming Hall, as well as sophomore goalie Matt season,” said senior Sara Federman, “I The Boys Basketball team returns Stevenson. am looking forward to my first season this year with a few new faces including The Wildcats were put to the test on as a diver.” new head coach Terry Shadle. Seniors November 15 against Upper Arlington. Mike Becker and Devin Simon also join The team won 4-0 with goals from senior the Wildcats this year. Becker returns The Wrestling team is looking to Nile Culver, juniors Shane Wheatley to the team this year after moving to and Mark Hall, and sophomore Graham improve from last year’s disappointing Kansas for two years. team finish in the Northern Lakes Kelsey. “Its good to be back at Northview “We played really well and did a League. Despite a poor team record and I’m excited for this season,” said lot of things right, but there is a large the Wildcats were able to send three Becker. area to improve upon,” said senior co- wrestlers to the District meet. The Cats The Wildcats return seniors Reeves welcome a new head coach in Luke captain Kyle Hymore. “Tripper” Northrup, Ryan Yockey, The next game is on November 21 McKinely and hope he can lead them to Stephan Vizina, and juniors Jacob a NLL title. against Gilmour at Tam-o-Shanter. Zureich, Jarred Bowens. “We are a young team and it’s going The Cats play cross town rival to be another rebuilding year but the Southview on December 6 to start off The Ladykat Gymnastics team ones who have been wrestling Varsity their regular season. returns seven athletes to the team from for the last few years should do well,” last season and adds three new ones. said junior Bobby Callejas.
Bowling team starts season off strong
Wildcat Swim, Dive
Boys Basketball
Boys Wrestling
LadyKat Gymnastics
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November 25, 2008
Staff Writer The Northview Bowling team is looking for that special turkey. No not the Thanksgiving turkey, but the turkey that gets them pumped. Bowling started September 20 with practice. Senior Rudy Severhoff favorite bowling memory as a new member of the team is already, “last
“Last week when I bowled a 200.” - Senior Rudy Severhoff week when I bowled a 200.” The team played St. John’s two weekends ago at Imperial lanes and won two out of three games. NV’s team is tied for third with Southview in the Metro Toledo League. “We have worked really hard and have improved greatly, we hope to do very well this season,” said sophomore Jacob Watson. NV bowling has a record of 2210-0 and have their next match at Imperial Lanes against first ranked Whitmer.
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November 25, 2008
SPORTS
NV fall Fall All Ohio Athletes athletes honored All-State Honors First team: Girls Cross Country: Meredith Wagner Boys Soccer: Kyle Scharfenberg Girls Soccer: Stephanie Rentschler Second Team: Boys Soccer: Dan Cooperider Girls Soccer: Courtney Hendrix
All-District Honors First Team: Girls Cross Country: Meredith Wagner, Nicole Mangas, Moe Dean, Mackenzie Reeves Boys Cross Country: Jacob Barnes Girls Golf: Brooke Darah Boys Soccer: Kyle Scharfenberg and Dan Cooperider Girls Soccer: Stephanie Rentschler and Courtney Hendrix Second Team: Girls Cross Country: Alison Work Girls Golf: Mamie Silver Boys Soccer: Dylan Schoettley and Justin Marquardt Girls Soccer: Taylor Delaney Volleyball: Katie Bartlett Honorable Mention: Girls Golf: Ali Sayre and Jessica DeBelly Boys Golf: Riley Maxwell and Bob Napierala Boys Soccer: Wes Ferguson Volleyball: Olivia McIntee - Compiled by Alexx Klein & Nicole Mangas
CHASING AFTER THE ball is senior Co-Captain Stephanie Rentschler. Rentschler led the team in scoring as well as assists. She plans to attend Dusquesne.
Stephanie Rentschler Year: Senior Claim to Fame: First team all-Ohio Goals this season: 23 Assists this season: 11 Top Sports Moment: Getting past Regional semi-finals this season Future Plans: Duquesne College in Pittsburg, Pa Pregame Routine: Team warm-up and start focusing two minutes before the game “Working hard throughout the season really paid off. The good chemistry that the team had helped me have a successful season,” said Rentschler.
All-NLL Honors First Team: Volleyball: Katie Bartlett Girls Golf: Brooke Darah, Mamie Silver Tennis: Sweta Rao Girls Soccer: Stephanie Rentschler, Paige Maroney, Courtney Hendrix Boys Soccer: Kyle Scarfenberg and Dan Cooperider
RACING HER WAY to the finish at Secor Park is junior Co-Captain Meredith Wagner. Wagner was NLL and district champ and placed third at regionals.
Meredith Wagner Year: Junior Claim to Fame: First team all-Ohio, twelfth in the state, school record holder, NLL and District Champ Personal Best: 18:15 5k Favorite Course: “Pearson Park because it seems like the time goes by faster” Top Sports Moment: Placing third at the Regional meet Future Plans: Undecided Pregame Routine: Warm up for 12 minutes, stretch, drink some water, go out and race. “It was an awesome experience and I have my coaches and teammates to thank for helping me achieve my goal,” said Wagner.
Girls Cross Country: Meredith Wagner, Nicole Mangas, Moe Dean Boys Cross Country: Jacob Barnes and Sean O’Connell Football: Ryan Cortez Second Team: Volleyball: Olivia McIntee Girls Golf: Ali Sayre Boys Golf: Bob Napierala Tennis: Grace Ramsdell and Jessie
PASSING THE BALL off to a teammate is senior Co-Captain Kyle Scharfenberg. The team was able to advance to the Regional semi-final game this season.
Kyle Scharfenberg Year: Senior Claim to Fame: First team all-Ohio (junior and senior year) Goals this season: 18 Assists this season:16 Top Sports Moment: Being in the Final Four last season Future Plans: to attend Lafayette College in Easton, Pa Pregame Routine: Listen to the song “Spirit of Radio,” and pray. “Going first team all-state twice was a humbling experience and it was really exciting for my family and I,” said Scharfenberg.
Coyle Girls Soccer: Noel Luther, Chelsea Ulmer, Kate Schmidt Boys Soccer: Dylan Schoettley, Justin Marquardt, Jordan Keefe, Josh Watkins Girls Cross Country: Mackenzie Reeves & Alison Work Boys Cross Country: Nick Homan, Derek Pohlman, Chris Ludwig, Kyle Babcock, Kevin McKown