March 2016 Leaf by The Leaflet

We Proudly Support the Teachers, Administrators and Students at Sycamore Schools We Proudly Support the Teachers, Administrators and Students at Sycamore Schools John Rickert Joe Gilligan Principal Managing Director www.svn-ricore.com John Rickert Joe Gilligan Principal Managing Director www.svn-ricore.com

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IN THIS ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS

pg.2

pg.3

pg.8

NEWS 2| Flint, Michigan water supply still contaminated 3| ALICE Training impacts students 4| Ads

OPINION

5| Staff Editorial 6| iPhone master key controversy discussed

pg.12

pg.15

pg.16

FUN &GAMES 7| Where’s Anna?

FEATURE

8-9| The death penalty pros and cons discussed 10| Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

COVER

11-14| College decisions and testing

pg.18 pg.19 ENTERTAINMENT

pg.21

15| Kanye West more popular than ever 16| J.K. Rowling expands empire 17| 2016 Concert list released

SPORTS

18| Gary Traub, 12, wins state runner-up 19| Winter track 20| Swimmers go to States

SPOTLIGHT

21| Junior drum major, Kevin Sheetz

THE LEAF

Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, OH 45242

Editorial Policy: Although students work under the guidance of a professional faculty member, the content is ultimately determined by the student staff and should reflect all areas of student interest, including topics about which there may be dissent and controversy. Students can not publish material that is obscene, libelous, or will cause “a substantial disruption of the educational process.” Content that may stimulate heated debate or discussion is not included in this definition. The views represented in our publications do not represent the views of the Sycamore Community School District or the Sycamore High School administration. Our publications are public forums. ADVISER Cheralyn Jardine PHOTOGRAPHER McDaniel’s Photography ABOUT US Professional memberships: • Columbia Scholastic Press Association • Journalism Education Association • National Scholastic High School Press Association • Ohio Scholastic Media Association • Ohio Professional Writers (National Federation of Women Writers) • Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honorary

EXECUTIVE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Caroline Gao EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Anna Zhou PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Brooke Landrum Elizabeth Rickert Elijah Zawatsky WEB EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Caroline Bruns Harsimran Makkad LEAFLET EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Orion Schlosser Zoe Schlosser BROADCAST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sarah Horne BUSINESS MANAGER David Wertheim

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Ben Ruskin ASSOCIATE EDITORS Jenna Bao Lauren Kurtzer MANAGING EDITOR Sydney Evans BEATS EDITORS Adhiti Chundur Kamaria Walton LEAFLET DESIGNERS/WRITERS Emily Chien Hannah Frey INFOGRAPHICS Max Fritzhand Rujula Kapoor NEWS Jacob Englander

SPORTS Hannah May FEATURE Amy Deng Maddie Marsh ENTERTAINMENT Claire Lefton OPINION Natalie Brinkman Nathan Zhang SPOTLIGHT Lauren Shassere STAFF WRITERS Sarah Abraham Jordan Baker Mavis Beacon Allyson Bonhaus Taylor Close

William Coleman Meghan DiGiovanna Yasmine Guedira Alexander Karev Stephanie Kidd Eshika Kohli Hannah Loftspring Christine Macke Anne Marsh Hajime Minoguchi Calliope Osborn Joshua Patterson Sam Ruskin Madeline Schramm Max Torem Caroline Veraldo Sydney Weiss Abhilash Yarlagadda

N THE LEAF|Mar. 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

Flint failure results in precautions The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) did not treat the river water with an antinly 70 miles away from corrosive agent, violating federal law. the world’s largest body of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder landlocked fresh water lakes, may have been aware of the river citizens of Flint, Michigan are not toxicity as early as December 2012. receiving clean water from their taps. However, city and state authorities Freshman Megan Soellner said, “I told worried residents that the water think [not having clean water] is a was fine. Former Mayor Dayne really big problem with many potential Walling even drank it on local TV to consequences if we don’t fix it.” address the residents’ concerns and to Around two years ago, the state of make a point. Michigan decided to save money by The harmful water causes many switching its water source from Lake neurological deficits in young adults Huron to the Flint River. and children including: poor learning, The project was initially supposed to short attention spans, and difficulties be temporary and was put in place to with articulation. ease the financial crisis of the struggling Spanish teacher Mr. Michael Vega industrial town. said, “I’m sad that there are families On Sept. 2, 2015, researchers from here in the US that have water that Virginia Tech University released a is not safe and could potentially hurt report claiming that the Flint River them if they were to drink it.” water was about 19 times more “The Enquirer” reviewed the Greater corrosive than the Lake Huron supply. Cincinnati Water Works’ reports sent to This corrosiveness caused lead to leak the Environmental Protection Agency into the water.

ESHIKA KOHLI staff writer

(EPA) over the last 10 years and found that the corporation has consistently met federal and state standards. Recently, Cincinnati City Council member Christopher Smitherman requested that roughly seven percent of the city’s 16,000 properties’ drinking water systems be tested for lead in the pipes. Smitherman said, “I want to make sure lead is not leaking into our water... I don’t want to create panic, but residents need to know.” Local officials announced that what is happening in Flint is not occurring in Cincinnati. Water Works has a successful lead control program which includes raising the water’s pH level with lime and sodium hydroxide and chlorine. Water Works has never had a violation regarding lead levels. If anyone acquires concerns about the impact of lead pipes on one’s health, call Greater Cincinnati Water Works at (513) 591-7700. They will provide a test kit for the water.

THE LEAF|Mar. 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG N

Photo courtesy of MCT Photo

ALICE training protects populace SYDNEY EVANS beats editor

CAROL NE GAO executive editor-in-chief

Operating Procedure should include courses of action that will describe how students and staff can most effectively respond to an Active Shooter.” Officer Paul Payne said, “The problem you fall into is when there are some kids that remember ALICE and some that don’t. They only have to remember one word, and that’s run.” Sycamore has participated in ALICE since 2012 and has since taken strides to enhance the security of our buildings. Principal Mr. Doug Mader said, “I believe Sycamore is very prepared and the staff is trained immensely. “We have protocol in place to make sure students understand what to do and have practiced it. We have enhanced our security protocols throughout the building.” More often than an actual shooter, threats are made towards the district. Mader said, “I feel the threat of an attack is always on the premises but I don’t see Sycamore as being threatened.”

Although SHS has never experienced an active shooting there have been threats, such as in 2014 when a post on Instagram threatened a possible shooting at SHS during the school day. After being asked about last year’s gun threat Payne said, “The key was our students stepping up. By the time he posted it and I learned about it, it was within five minutes.” New security measures have also been implemented throughout the building such as the moving of Payne’s office to the front entrance of the school. There will also be new security cameras placed in SHS over the summer. Similarly, the state of OH. has changed it’s safety measures. The nine annual fire drills practiced in OH. schools have been changed to six fire drills and three lockdown drills, one of which must be an evacuation drill. Payne said, “The key to a safer school is the kids reporting [a threat] when they know about it.”

poop editorrrr

White leaves lasting legacy

t 11:15 a.m. on Monday Feb. 29, 14-year-old student James Hancock pulled out a gun and opened fire in the cafeteria of the Madison Jr./Sr. High School. The school immediately went into lockdown and students followed the ALICE training. The quick action of both student and staff helped to prevent any loss of life. Hancock was taken to Butler County Juvenile Detention Center and has been charged with four juvenile felony charges including attempted murder, assault, and inducing panic. Madison School avoided a tragedy that could have befallen them had students and staff not known ALICE training. ALICE training is a first active shooter response program that is taught across Ohio including at SHS. According to the ALICE training institutes, “Every school Emergency

She describes her years at Sycamore as working with wonderful For the past 25 years, Mrs. Helen people, opportunities, and benefits. White has dedicated herself to the Coworker Elaine Anello said, special education and counseling “Helen is a prim and proper lady in departments within the Sycamore all perimeters of the meaning. She is community. With her retirement, trustworthy, honest and very ethical. White leaves behind the legacy of her willingness to help students and She has a strong religious foundation that encompasses who and what she teachers be successful in their jobs. White said, “This was a job that I is. She is an outstanding worker and an amazing friend. I am very proud can say there were very few days I dreaded coming to work, even for 25 to call her a friend.” After retiring, White plans to travel years.” with her husband, become more White worked for 17 years at involved with community work and SHS, two years at Sycamore Junior spend time with her grandchildren. High School, four years at E.H. Green, and two years at Maple Dale Elementary.

Photo courtesy of Caroline Gao

THE LEAF|Mar. 31, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG

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SHSLeaf.org The website of the Sycamore Leaf

SAT 2016 Are you prepared?

Mathnasium of Loveland

HAS GOT YOU COVERED mathnasium.com/loveland 4

10673 Loveland-Madeira Rd Loveland, OH 45246

@SHSLeaf @SHSLeafSports

Staff Editorial

Leafing through the masses:

“ “I am worried about the money and the essays,” Evan McCarthy, 9

“I wasn’t worried about getting accepted, but my peers made me feel like the places I got accepted into were not good enough,” Math Teacher Miss Mackenzie Wall

“Finding the right college because from the visits I have made, I have not found a place I really like,” Daniel Dong, 11

“

he recommendation letters have been sent, the transcripts have been finalized, the essays have been written. The class of 2016’s wave of applications has in large part been finalized. The outcome? A few acceptances, a few denials, and a whole lot of stress. With acceptance rates as low as they have ever been, students have even more cause to strive for perfection. A large part of the stress originates not in the strenuous application process, but in seeing the progress of fellow students. The number and quality of schools your peers may be applying to can lead to unhealthy competition and jealousy. Record low acceptance rates push students to apply to a plethora of universities, in the hopes of attaining admission to at least one. The increasingly selective process also includes more essays, allowing colleges to gain a more holistic view of applicants. This results in an increase in workload for students. The increased pressure has even leaked into students’ social lives. Universities have shown increasing interest in social media accounts. As a result, many students make their accounts private in order to prevent colleges from viewing their content, regardless of the merit of their posts. Despite the increased pressure, the largest source of regret is not the immense amount of time spent applying, but the applications not filled out or sent. Overall, applying to all your colleges is worth the time and the effort.

Photo courtesy of MCT Photo

What are you most scared of regarding the college process?

“I was scared of writing the essays because I wasn’t sure how to start or what colleges were looking for,” Rebecca Kuhr, 12

[ opinion ]

THE LEAF | THURSDAY, MARCH 31 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Insecure security: Can the government foresee unintended calamity?

knowledge or permission. Consider how many people link their phones to their credit cards and Paypal accounts. Think about how many people Scan this with QR Reader or save passwords on their phones for their he Federal Bureau of Investigation Snapchat to take the Apple/FBI (FBI) and Apple are currently in the emails, online web subscriptions, and quiz to know which side you midst of a massive feud. The FBI has anything else that requires a password. are on: If the master key is indeed developed, requested that Apple give it a ‘master key’ which would allow it to gain access to every hundreds of thousands of people’s passwords and accounts can and will be single iPhone. Yes, even yours. hacked. Nothing that you have saved on The FBI says that it needs access to the your iPhone will be safe anymore. phones for security reasons. Initially, it The FBI does not realize this yet, but would use the new information to access its plan to access everyone’s iPhone will one of the San Bernardino killer’s phone. backfire in a matter of weeks. They need to However, data security is a bigger threat than homeland security because of the vast realize that so many people’s phones would be hacked. Apple has no choice but to information that an individual can get. If the FBI can gain access to every single refrain from making the master key. iPhone, Bob next door can too, if he has the right equipment. Access to the system can get you into The FBI wants to access one of the unlocked for an investigation. every iPhone on the planet. Be it the phone Apple refused to comply with the of, Tina Fey, Kanye West, Barack Obama, San Bernardino killer’s iPhone but or even Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. The list it cannot because it is locked. Too order, arguing it could not be forced many attempts at the password will to create a so called ‘backdoor’ to its is endless. All the information that people automatically reset everything on encryption technology. In the wrong encrypted will be decrypted with this the iPhone. hands, this would allow any individual ‘master key’. At the Justice Department’s software to unlock any person’s iPhone. Encryption is a must to prevent data request, a federal magistrate judge The FBI is using the All Writs Act security from being breached. Data on ordered Apple to bypass security of 1789 to justify an expansion of its iPhones holds an incredible amount of authority. Apple, however, has been personal information. That data needs to be functions on the iPhone. The FBI demanded that Apple able to fight this because the act is so protected from hackers and criminals that create a new iPhone operating old. want to access, steal, and use it without our system to allow any iPhone to be 6

san bernardino case:

Source: http://www.apple.com/customer-letter/

MAX FRITZHAND infographics chief MAX TOREM staff writer

[ fun&games ]

BROOKE LANDRUM co editor-in-chief

THE LEAF | THURSDAY, MARCH 31 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Where’s Anna?

Tell us where in the building Anna is hiding, and the first three people from each ACE to do so will each receive an outto-lunch pass. Stop by room 115 to give us the answer. *Students coming from 5th bell WILL NOT be qualified to win*

Sudoku Difficulty: Expert Wordles *Solution verified by hand and by computer

3 2 9 7 1 5 3 8 6 5 2 8 7 5 9 4 8 9 1 2 9 7 8 4 6 9 3 4 2 9 3

Thodeepught LA DD ER MY SKIN

He’s getting

ME job 7

[ feature ]

De(thical)ath Penalty:

THE LEAF | THURSDAY, March 31| SHSLEAF.ORG

Is punishment by death ethical? JENNA BAO associate editor

NATALIE BRINKMAN opinion chief

CON(VICT)S:

hile death was once the punishment of choice all over the world, people have been making cases against capital punishment since the 1700s (such as Beccaria’s “On Crimes and Punishments”) for a multitude of reasons ranging from personal values to economics. There is still a debate as to whether the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. Particularly since states have been experimenting with new lethal injection “formulas” after sodium thiopental, the anesthetic in the injections, was made unavailable, there have been a number of executions gone wrong (like in the case of Joseph Wood, whose execution took two hours). Furthermore, 140 out of 196 (or 195) countries have abolished the punishment, including all the countries in the European Union. One prominent argument against the death penalty is the risk of killing someone who was actually innocent. After all, if someone who is in prison for life turns out to be innocent, they could be released. There is no such option if they have already been killed. Therefore, this is argued to be a violation of the due process of law, since the criminals would not be able to benefit from new evidence or laws if they were already dead. There have been 156 death row exonerations (instances in which death row inmates had their convictions overturned) since 1953. This means that for every ten executions there is one exoneration. These wrongful convictions are most often due to inaccurate eyewitness testimonies, faulty forensic science, or incompetent lawyers. In fact, the quality of legal aid that a 8 suspect has can have a great

impact on whether they receive the death sentence. The system ends up being discriminatory against the poor. In fact, as of 2009 there were double the number of inmates sentenced to death with no high school education at all than those who had any college. A study by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts found that those whose representation costs were in the lower third were more than two times as likely to receive the death penalty as those in the upper two-thirds who can afford better lawyers and more time. Also, perhaps as opposed to popular belief, it is actually often far more expensive to give someone the death sentence than it is to give them life in prison without parole. Due to constitutional safeguards placed to ensure someone given the death sentence is guilty, death sentence trials are far more expensive that others. In 2014, the “Dayton Daily News” found that Ohio spent over $16.8 million per year on the death penalty system, spending three times as much on the average death row inmate as one sentenced to life in prison. This is due to the fact that death row inmates are held in single cells with enhanced security. Plus, these inmates have been held for up to 36 years before execution. Studies have also shown that it is not an effective deterrent for crime. A 2008 study from the University of Colorado found that 88 percent of America’s leading criminologists did not think the death penalty prevents crime. Other arguments include: it is not the government’s place to kill anyone regardless of what they have done, we no longer live in an archaic eye-for-aneye society, and that people who commit heinous crimes should suffer in prison for their crimes rather than receiving an easy death.

Sycamore’s stance on the death penalty 108 SHS students were surveyed

Do you support the use of the death penalty? 30%

34%

36%

30% If against,34% what is your main reason? 36% 9.4% 43.8%

15.6% 9.4%

9.4% 15.6% 21.9% 43.8% 9.4% 21.9%

9 Note: This piece is not intended to persuade readers to be for or against capital punishment. Rather, its aim is to provide facts to allow individuals to make educated decisions for themselves.

THE LEAF|March 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG F

The death penalty has been around since the beginning of the United - 140 out of 196 countries in the world have States, the 8th Amendment being its abolished the death penalty restricting bounds to constitutionality. The US Supreme Court deems - 88 percent of the world’s known executions are the death penalty as completely carried out in five countries: China, the USA, Saudi constitutional according the current Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran definitions of “cruel and unusual” punishment. - All countries in the EU have abolished the death The main objective of the death penalty penalty’s existence is to serve as a deterrent. Another main reason the death penalty is still in continuation and has What is the lethal injection comprised of? support is to help grieving and suffering family members and friends who lost pancuronium bromide loved ones due to a capital crime. paralytic agent This is not an eye for an eye mentality, but instead gives immediate family potassium chloride and friends closure, knowing that a causes death particular criminal will not have the chance to ever leave jail. Furthermore, jails in the modern world are very crowded. The US containing the largest population of pentobarbital criminals in cells, the death penalty anesthetic helps to reduce those numbers. Although there are not that many Death penalty across the nation criminals put to death in a year. Instead they are put on death row for an average of twenty five years. However, without the death sentence existing, serious criminals would only be able to receive a sentence of life without parole. Therefore there would not be a substitute to having overpopulated jails in America’s justice system today. Economics is another factor when deciding whether capital punishment Allowed should exist. The statement that Abolished Governorimposed moratorium criminals on death row cost more than those who are not is only true to a (temporary prohibition) certain extent.

Chemical concoction

Famous last meals

Immediately, putting capital punishment into action can cost more tax dollars than life without parole; however the overall cost of life without parole will succeed that of the death penalty. The JFA ( Justice for All) discovered that people sentenced with life without parole will end up costing taxpayers an estimated $1.2-3.6 million more than those on death row. There are 41 federal capital offenses, but only the most heinous of those crimes are sentenced with execution. Meaning, the death sentence is only given in extreme cases. From 1976-2016, only 1,427 prisoners have been put to death (which does not include current death row inmates). A common fear with capital punishment is that innocent people could suffer for a crime they did not commit, however today’s technology and DNA testing is enough to conclude someone’s guilt or innocence. The lethal injection is the method used most for execution, and similar to the firing squad, some states require multiple executioners to put the drugs into the IV bag to avoid knowing who put the actual dose in. In all instances the executioners are separate from the witnesses and the criminal (for the sake of the executioners) , often times wearing a hood on top of that to conceal their identities. All of those involved in the execution process are state-trained.

Prisoners on death row are given a special meal of their choice, within reason, as to what they would like to eat a few days prior to their execution.

Teresa Laws Fried chicken, peas, apple pie, Dr. Pepper

Victor Feguer Velma Barfield Single olive

Bag of cheese doodles, Coca Cola

Sources: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org http://www.npr.org http://abcnews.go.com http://www.nytimes.com https://www.washingtonpost.com http://www.vera.org/sites http://www.famouslastmeals.com http://www.worldatlas.com http://www.bbc.com/news https://www.aclu.org/case-against-death-penalty

PRO(TECT)S:

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AROUND THE WORLD

F THE LEAF|March 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

SCHOLASTIC ART AND WRITING AWARDS Over the past year, students from across the country and from around the world submitted close to 320,000 works of art to the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Nearly 18,000 works earned regional Gold Keys and advanced to New York City for national adjudication. Of those Gold Key works, just 2,400 received National Medals. The works of multiple SHS students earned medals and represent the top one percent of art pieces submitted to the competition. [Top] Hannah Kast, 12 National Scholastics Silver Award Painting “Vanitas” [Bottom Right] Jessica Wei, 12 National Scholastics Silver Award Drawing and Illustration “Windy Day” [Bottom Left] Sadye Goodman, 11 National Scholastics Silver Award Drawing and Illustration “Dew Musca Domestica” [Not pictured] Stephanie Shindler, 12 National Scholastics Silver Award Photography “Progeria”

Page by Caroline Gao

[ cover story ]

THE LEAF | THURSDAY, MARCH 31 | SHSLEAF.ORG

C THE LEAF|Mar. 31, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG

STR-IVY-ING FOR CHANGE:

Colleges reform admissions system EMILY CHIEN leaflet designer YASMINE GUEDIRA staff writer HAJIME MINOGUCHI staff writer HARSIMRAN MAKKAD web editor-in-chief

ollege. A high schooler’s dream, destination, and nightmare. For years, students have been told that they need to do well in school so that they can get into good colleges. Students need to maintain a 4.0 GPA, take lots of AP courses, score well on the SAT and/or ACT, participate in many extracurricular activities, and volunteer around the community. Over the past few years, the acceptance rates of colleges have decreased significantly, resulting in high competition and pressure for applicants. In fact, according to Ivywise.com, competition for college admissions is so high that, “In 2015, college acceptance rates dropped as low as 5.05 percent for the first time ever.” This system places high pressure on students, making them believe they have to perform a certain way and aim for perfection in order to stand out and be admitted into their dream colleges. Drowning in coursework and struggling to stay afloat, students can end up missing important parts of their childhood and the fun of high school. This stifles their personal goals; wants and interests; social ties; and even health. All of these together pushed aside on the long road to college. Kedra Ishop, associate vice president for enrollment management at the University of Michigan, told Harvard University, “Escalating achievement pressure is not healthy for our youth. “Young people are suffering from

IN 1988, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY* ACCEPTED

65% OF APPLICANTS

IN 2015, COLUMBIA ONLY ACCEPTED

6.1% OF APPLICANTS

THAT’S A

90.6% DECREASE IN ACCEPTANCE RATE

higher rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse as they juggle the demands of their lives.” Now, a new tide of change has swept colleges across the U.S. as they start to reform the broken admission system. At the heart of this movement is Harvard University and the other Ivy League schools.

The Solution- First Steps

One giant leap toward reforming the admissions process is the creation of the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. So far, 90 schools have joined the coalition, including all Ivy Leagues and other competitive schools such as Stanford, Duke, and Northwestern. The coalition has a simple goal: to improve the college application process for students and to allow for more selfdiscovery. Additionally it strives to improve the college application process for under-resourced students. It plans to release a new collaboration platform as early as April 2016, with the full application starting summer 2016. With the goal of portraying a more holistic view of students and changing the way students, colleges, and society think about the admission process, the tool has three main features: the virtual locker, collaboration platform, and application platform. Pamela T. Horne, vice provost for enrollment management at Purdue University, told Inside Higher Ed, “The idea isn’t about how you should pad your résumé, but about how you should have significant experiences as part of your education.” Students will start by creating a virtual locker. This will include academic documents, recommendation letters, additional essays, and information about extracurricular activities.

Information courtesy of Ivy Wise, U.S. News, Harvard University, Coalition for College Access, columbiaspectator.com, http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/09/22/is-the-college-admissions-bubble-about-to-burst

THE LEAF| Mar. 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG C

INCOME-TYPICAL STUDENTS

0% are high-achievers 3.8% live in the main city of an urban area 30% attend a magnet school

ACHIEVEMENT-TYPICAL STUDENTS

11% attend a magnet school 11.2% are high-achievers 65% live in the main city of an urban area The collaboration platform allows students to share their applications with mentors, teachers and counselors for advice and collaboration. Finally, the elements compiled into the virtual locker will be automatically streamlined into the coalition application. Students will then have the freedom to select which documents or aspects they want to share with specific schools.

The Future- Turning the Tide

A report titled “Turning the Tide” provides recommendations on how to

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY AT BLOOMINGTON

COALITION MEMBERS

15 of the 80

YALE UNIVERSITY

reshape the college admissions process to reduce pressure, make it more fair, and stress important values and ethics. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s news release, Richard Weissbourd, co-director of the Making Caring Common Project, said, “Too often, today’s culture sends young people messages that emphasize personal success rather than concern for others and the common good.” Turning the Tide is meant to change that cultural view. It aims provides hope for better, healthier schooling and

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STANFORD UNIVERSITY

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

EMORY UNIVERSITY

college experiences. Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said, “We don’t want students who do things just because they think they have to in order to get into college. “To the contrary: we want students who lead balanced lives, who pursue their interests with energy and enthusiasm, and who work cooperatively with others, all of which will help them be successful in and after college.”

MIAMI UNIVERSITY OF OHIO

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

BROWN UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DUKE UNIVERSITY

*Other colleges follow similar admission rate patterns.

students who attend college after high school graduation

THE LEAF|Mar. 31, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG

BY THE NUMBERS:

700 8

Number of universities on the Common App

Maximum number of applications recommended

Average number of times an individual takes the ACT or SAT

Average number of essays an applicant has to write

Average cost, in dollars, of an application

students who stay in state for college

Average Enrollment National Universities

15,000

67%

10,000 1988

2015

National Liberal Arts College 1,800

1,400

students who enter directly into the workforce

15% 1988

2015

local college fairs Cincinnati National College Fair Duke Energy Convention Center Sunday, September 11, 2016 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 14

85%

US News, College Board, SHS college and career center

Cincinnati Suburban College Fair Cincinnati Country Day School Wednesday, September 14, 2016 All day

students who receive financial aid

57% Design by Brooke Landrum

[ entertainment ] THE LEAF | THURSDAY MARCH 31 | SHSLEAF.ORG

“Imma’ let you finish...”

Life and times of the best: Kanye West

BEN RUSKIN social media chief WILL COLEMAN staff writer MAX TOREM staff writer

anye West is one of the few men in the world to actually proclaim themselves “god.” Some view West as an absolute maniac, while others see a gentle side of West, and enjoy his music. One thing that is for certain: West enjoys picking fights. If you have followed West’s rampage on Twitter, you know that he finds fun in picking fights with other mega stars (such as Wiz Khalifa, Deadmau5, Taylor Swift, and others). Is Kanye West a good guy? Analysts believe this erratic behavior is just an act for the public, and West is a generally nice guy. Publicity seems like the most logical reason for West’s current behavior. West (sometimes referred to as Yeezus by followers) recently debuted a

new album called “The Life Of Pablo.” He changed the name of this album upwards of four times, and he was very public about the name change on Twitter. To an outsider, it may seem like West is reckless and cannot make a decision for himself, but in reality, it could have been a publicity stunt. And if it was a

“I just don’t agree with a lot of his actions as a person, but that doesn’t necessarily make him a bad person.”

People often have a hard time deciding what they think about the extreme rapper icon. Senior Max Poff said, “I just don’t agree with a lot of his actions as a person, but that doesn’t necessarily make him a bad person.” Others view West just as he views himself, as a god-like figure. Junior Jacob Spiegel said, “Kanye West is an inspiration to me; I have

THE LIFE OF PABLO TIMELINE LIFE OF PABLO LIFE OF PABLO PABLO TIMELINE LIFE OF LIFE OF PABLO TIMELINE Jan. 26, 2016 Nov. 2013 Kanye releases tracklist Kanye begins working on for seventh album seventh album

May 2015 Feb. 11, 2016 West announces album West performs new name as “Swish” album at his fashion show in New York

listened to his music for years and I enjoy his songs. His behavior seems reckless at points, but I believe he has built up the street credit to act this way.” West released his album on an application called Tidal. This was a surprise to many fans as he released previous albums on the Apple iTunes Store. It was estimated that his album was illegally downloaded (pirated) by over 500,000 people, making it one of the most pirated items on the internet of all time. In some way, West has a pull with the public, whether it be positive or negative.

CHECK OUT THE ALBUM ON “TIDAL”

Feb. 13, 2016 Kanye performs two songs on SNL

“Yeezy

Boosts” from West’s clothing line sold out in two hours, each pair costing $350

Feb. 14, 2016 West releases “The Life of Pablo” on Tidal

E FTHE LEAF|March 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

Photo courtesy of MCT Direct

column: TAYLOR CLOSE staff writer

Pottering around: Rowling expands wizarding empire ELIZABETH RICKERT co editor-in-chief

arlier this year, J.K. Rowling announced the premiere of a new play, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The show is being written and produced by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, and Rowling. It will be produced on the West End in London on July 30. Thankfully, for those of us who cannot fly to London to see the show, a hardback edition of the two-part script will be available for purchase on July 31. The play follows Harry as a father of three children and an employee of the Ministry of Magic. It will tell the “untold part” of Harry’s life including his parents’ lives and 19 years later. The focus of the show is on Harry’s son, Albus Severus. The adult Harry will be played by Jamie Parker, the adult Hermione will be played by Noma Dumezweni, and the adult Ron will be played by Paul Thornley. Earlier this year, a controversy over the adult actors emerged when Dumezweni was announced to play Hermione. Dumezweni, an African-British actress, does not fit the archetype fans have for Hermione Granger. Both Emma Watson, the actress who played Granger in the movies, and Rowling have come out supporting this change.

Dates to remember:

July 30: “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” premieres in London.

July 31: “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” script released

In addition to the play, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” a movie based on a Harry Potter textbook, is being released on Nov. 18. Rowling recently announced that this production will be a trilogy. This movie stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, a magizoologist or a magical zoologist, who must track down an array of escaped magical creatures in 1926 New York. Rowling also released an illustrated edition of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone” this past Christmas. The large 12x12 book contains pictures on each page. The sequel, also illustrated by Jim Kay, will be coming out Oct. 4, 2016. Rowling also expanded her empire to the web in 2011. She is continuously outpouring information about the Wizarding World through her website Pottermore. Pottermore is an interactive site dedicated to the Harry Potter world. Within the site, a user can be sorted, receive a magical wand, create potions, and read about the wizarding world. Recently, Rowling updated her site with information on American wizarding life and other international wizarding schools. For true Potter fans, Pottermore is a safe haven.

Oct. 4: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” illustrated version released

Nov. 18: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” premieres in theaters

Concerts keep creeping closer Have you ever been watching your favorite show and wondered what a certain song in a scene was? I have, on multiple occasions. It is always cool to hear a song on a show, and then whenever you hear the song somewhere else it reminds you of that scene, letting you relive moments from the show without actually watching them. And when the song fits in with the scene perfectly, it is the most satisfying feeling in the world, like that upbeat, electronic song in an action scene, or the slower, more meaningful song portraying a sensitive moment. A certain song can make the audience more attached to a scene, with upbeat songs making one’s pulse get faster during a car chase or fight and a feeling of serenity in soothing songs for meaningful scenes. Being the music geek that I am, whenever I hear a song in a movie or TV show that I like, I will go online and look up the soundtrack to that episode or movie and search for the right song. In doing that, I usually find at least one other song I like and add them to a Spotify playlist. Later, when they come on, I can picture the scene in which it shows up. Other times I start to look up so many songs from a show, I just search the entire soundtrack. This leads to me listening to a soundtrack for hours instead of actually watching the show. Recently I have been doing this with a show I am watching and cannot find a song on the soundtrack I do not like. It amazes me how producers can find so many good songs out of nowhere. Even on most albums there are those select few songs that I do not like as much, but with a good soundtrack there is just so much variety that you cannot go wrong with any of them.

2016

THE LEAF|March 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG E F

CONCERTS

bogarts This location is a live music venue, 3 stories tall, with a large performance space for local, national, and international acts

queen city

concert

venues

US Bank arena This is a large arena located in downtown Cincinnati. It hosts Cyclones hockey games, special events, and other festivities including concerts

PNC Pavilion This spacious amphitheater features a variety of popular touring musical arts, events, and festivals Madison Theater Madison Theater is a restored, old time movie house known for hosting headliner rock music acts and other events

Northside Tavern This is a hip local tavern that offers live music most nights with a year-round outdoor patio. They offer performances by local bands and artists. It is open from 7 pm to 2:30 am Riverbend music center Riverbend is a seasonal performing arts center and concert venue. It hosts popular artists of our time, as well as theatrical and symphony productions

performances around cincinnati Billy Joel

Luke Bryan

April 5 Cincinnati, OH US BANK ARENA 8:00 PM

april 14 Toledo, OH Huntington Center TBD

Rihanna

april 15 chicago, il united center 7:30 PM

Justin Bieber

ELLIE GOULDING

twenty one pilots

april 20 LOUISVILLE, KY KFC Yum! CENTER 7:30 pm

may 10 columbus, oh Express live 6:00 PM

may 31 cincinnati, OH us bank arena 8:00 pm

selena gomez june 5 cincinnati, oh us bank arena 7:30 PM

Demi Lovato JULY 27 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center 7:00 PM Design by Orion Schlosser

ADELE July 10, 11, 12 Chicago, IL United center 7:30 PM

Maroon 5 September 29 Cincinnati, oh US BANK ARENA 7:30 PM

[ sports ]

THE LEAF | THURSDAY MARCH, 31 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Senior seeks state, leaves legacy

Traub places 2nd at state S ELIJAH ZAWATSKY co editor-in-chief

your blood on fire. It’s insane.” enior Gary Traub started his University Schottenstein Center. The finals match was characterized wrestling season with a clear goal It was preceded by an exciting by excitement. Every throw, every grab, in mind: the postseason. ceremony, complete with a list of elicited cheers and gasps from the Traub said, “My goal was to reach accomplishments crowd. the state finals.” read aloud for each Traub said, “I threw the kid and Traub rampaged competitor and all I could hear was a huge thud and through the regular fireworks. everyone went crazy. It was amazing season with undiminished Traub said, “The having the whole school behind me determination. Traub’s finals were unreal. They and having kids from the junior high 31-4 record in the 195 raised the mats up 3 ft send me good luck letters. I can’t even pound weight-class was off the ground, and just describe the feeling.” tied for the best of any being paraded with After a rousing match, Traub came wrestler throughout every 2,500 people watching away with second place, closing out weight class (minimum you is crazy. You walk his career as a high school wrestler. of 15 recorded matches). out of the tunnel, He hopes to wrestle for a national Traub’s everyone cheers, and championship at the collegiate level. accomplishments speak then lights hit you Traub said, “I’m not sure where for his dominance so hard. They do I’m going yet but I’m leaning heavily throughout the wrestling something to you, set toward Ohio University.” season. He attained the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Wrestling Athlete of the Year, First team all GMC, and State Runner-Up in the 195 pound weight class. Despite such an accomplished resume, a full picture of Traub’s season cannot be painted without a description of his run to the state finals. Traub said, “My first round match I won 12-2. Then, the next round I faced the runner up from last year when he wrestled at 220. It was awesome to beat him and it gave me a lot of confidence going forward to the semis.” After toppling his first opponent, Traub faced Noel Caraballo, who placed above him in the earlier Ironman tournament. Traub said, “In the semis I wrestled a kid that placed higher than me at the Ironman earlier in the year so beating Senior Gary Traub hoped to close out his wrestling career with a deep run him was awesome.” into the state tournament. Traub said, “My goal was to reach the finals and I The state finals match was held on did. It’s awesome to see all your hard work pay off.” March 5 at the Ohio State All photos cortesy of Gary Traub

“You walk out of the tunnel, everyone cheers, and then lights hit you so hard. They do something to you, set your blood on fire. It’s insane.”

Photo courtesy of Josh Glauser

THE LEAF|March 31, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

column:

Winter track sprints to states HANNAH MAY sports chief

I know that in a few months, this will all be gone.” very lap, every practice, In order to be eligible for every run leads up to one this meet, runners or relay moment; a race that could teams must place top 35 in last less than one minute. The their particular event on the culmination of winter track performance list. This list is team members season is the generated by the results from Ohio Association of Track prearranged qualifying meets. and Cross Country Coaches Though 35 runners are (OATCCC) indoor state considered, only the fastest championships. 18 will have the opportunity Senior Jon Hedrick said, to compete at the meet. 35 “Being a senior, we’re having people are included in the our last practices as Sycamore qualification process because track athletes. No matter how some athletes will not run hard the workout is or how in every event that they are awful we feel after finishing it, capable of at this level of I always enjoy the pain because,

competition; each participant may not run more than four events. The meet took place on March 5, in Akron, Ohio. SHS sent a total of seven individual runners and five relays. Senior Jeremiah Hunter said, “We all went out there and did our best and competed and that’s all anyone can give. We went up there with a goal to compete to the best of our abilities and that’s exactly what we did. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”

14th high jump 13th 400x400 meter relay Senior, Ali Garcia Freshman, Maddie Thiss Junior, Julia You Senior, Katie Vorpe

Angela Ruffin

14th 400x200 meter relay Senior, Ali Garcia Freshman, Maddie Thiss Junior, Julia You Senior, Katie Vorpe

Junior

10th 400 meter dash 3rd 60 meter dash 2nd 200 meter dash

Josh Glauser

Clarence Dawson

Junior

Senior

HANK RAY

Jeremiah Hunter Senior

18th 400x200 meter relay Senior, Jeremiah Hunter Senior, Clarence Dawson Senior, Jon Hedrick Junior, Brendan Archer

Senior

11th pole vault

Miles Menyhert Junior

COACH

Ben Pendergast

15th 60 meter dash

RJ Barnes Junior

3rd 400x400 meter relay Senior, Jeremiah Hunter Senior, Jon Hedrick Senior, Paul Stucker Junior, Josh Glauser

15th 800 meter run

5th 400x800 meter relay Senior, Martin Gonzalez Junior, Miles Menyhart Junior, Max Hill Junior, Kevin Lawson

16th long jump

LAUREN KURTZER associate editor One thing I have noticed from the insanity of the 2016 presidential race, is how well it compares to sports. To start, the trash talking. Republican candidate Donald Trump is the ‘king’ trash talker of the race, just like the Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is the ‘king’ trash talker of the NFL. Before Sherman was a household name, similar to how Trump was unknown in politics, he called out the elite quarterback, Tom Brady. Trump’s success has led him to trash-talk everyone: candidates, critics, debate moderators, celebrities, you name it. Whether on the field or on the stage, both areas involve a screaming-match with their opponents. Second, I took notice of the similarities in the setup. The caucuses and primaries are like the playoffs. They both eliminate the weak and the public becomes closer to determining a winner. Nov. election day is like the Super Bowl, World Series, and National Championship. They all come down to one day, when a champion, or president, is crowned. Next is the predictors, Las Vegas is important in both case. The Sin City bets on both politics and sports which can help to determine the future of a game and an election. Lastly, sports and politics are discussed, non-stop. There are TV channels dedicated to talking about both sports and politics exclusively. While sports is a physical game and elections are a mind game, the two are connected in a very strange way. 19

THE LEAF|March 31, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG

Swimmers stroke to state CAROLINE VERALDO staff writer AMY DENG feature chief

of fun.” Four of the girls competed in individual events, and Walden accompanied the team to swim on a relay. The 200 medley relay, which was composed of Gould, Wu, Walden, and Fry placed 21st overall; the 200 freestyle relay of Fry, Wu, May, and Gould placed seventh overall. Individually, Wu placed within the top 10 in the 50 freestyle. Fry said, “We swam well as a team and our 200 free relay made the top heat at finals, finishing seventh on the podium. It was a great way to end my senior season.” Next year, the SHS girls will lose seniors Gould, Wu, Walden, and Fry, leaving big shoes to fill for the juniors. The juniors include May, Amy Deng, Caroline Veraldo, Lily Retford, Isabelle Jimenez, and Elizabeth Carl.

column: DAVID WERTHEIM business manager

In 2015-2016, the Golden State Warriors are poised to become the best team (record-wise) in NBA he 2016 Ohio High School Swimming history. They are by far the best team and Diving Championships took place in today’s NBA, but they are not the in Canton, Oh. On Sat., Feb. 25, SHS best team ever. Not even close. took five swimmers to compete at the meet. Golden State is a team that lives The swimmers included seniors Priscilla and dies with Stephen Curry Wu, Jory Gould, Elizabeth Walden, Mary shooting three pointers. Recently, Fry, and junior Hannah May. the only shots that players take are Along with the five female swimmers, three pointers and layups. There SHS also took two male divers: seniors is not much else, other than the Cameron Foy and Thomas Capouch. This is occasional dunk. Mid-range jumpers the first time in SHS history that two divers from the elbow, the shot that made made the state lineup. Foy placed 23rd and Karl Malone a Hall of Famer, are Capouch finished 24th. now virtually non-existent. Fry said, “The state trip was different this If you take a look at a team like year than it has been in the past because we the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, whose only brought five swimmers. But it was a record of 72-10 is the one that nice change to have only girls and I had a lot the Warriors are challenging, they The girls 200 freestyle easily match up with Golden State. relay receives their Michael Jordan is the best player medals after finishing who ever lived. Curry is not a match their race. The relay was for him, at least not yet. comprised of seniors Scottie Pippen, another Hall Mary Fry, Priscilla Wu, of Famer, is a major upgrade over Jory Gould and junior Klay Thompson. Arguably the best Hannah May. The relay rebounder ever, Dennis Rodman was seeded sixth after would destroy Draymond Green. the preliminary session The list goes on and on. of the meet. At finals The Warriors would not be able they placed seventh to defend an elite post player like overall. Photo courtesy of Patty May Hakeem Olajuwon, therefore they would lose to the 90’s Houston The team finished up their HANNAH MAY Rockets. Shaquille O’Neal and season at the Southwest Ohio sports chief Penny Hardaway were basically an High School Fencing League unstoppable combination, and their Unbeknownst to most, every Championships. Wednesday and Friday the Juniors Kyuzo Kelly and Jesse Li Orlando Magic teams would crush fencing club meets in the back placed first and second, respectively, the Warriors as well. Unlike today’s game, every team gym, with coach Mr. Ron in their events. Kelly competes in in the 1990’s had a superstar. Jordan Hochstrosser. They practice the saber event and Li in the foil was far and away the best player of their skills, form muscle memory event. his era, and the best of all time. and prepare for upcoming meets. Li said “I feel this season was This may be controversial, but I Fencing is a sport that quite productive and successful. sincerely believe that Golden State combines skill, strategy and With the amount and quality would not be much more than an strength. However, it is not of recruits that we received this eighth seed if you stick that team in recognized as an official school year, I think we will dominate the 1990’s. Obviously, that cannot sport. competition for years to come.” be done. But before you crown Senior Kevin Gunter said “I As a whole, the SHS saber team this Warriors team as the greatest, hope to see fencing continue to placed second in Division Two consider the facts. grow as a club and maybe, even and the foil team finished first in one day, become a school sport.” Division One. 20

encing ocuses the fight

[ spotlight ]

THE LEAF | THURSDAY, March 31 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Sheetz drops beatz F

irst joining marching band freshman year after urging from his parents, junior Kevin Sheetz was hooked after just a couple of days. Since then, he has made enormous strides drum major, first sophomore year, then junior year. He expects to excel as a senior. As drum major, Sheetz role includes responsibilities ranging from helping rehearsals run smoothly and productively to actually leading the band in performance, adding to the overall showmanship of the band through his own role as drum major. He also acts as a bridge between the student members and the directors. Sheetz said, “I consider myself a band leader because I’m always excited to devote extra time and effort to help make things run more smoothly and be more successful.” In band, this extra effort means everything; it is all about the details. Members will spend up to thirteen hours a day in the summer at band camp knowing they will come back the next day sore just to do it all over again. And why do they do it? To put on the best show they possibly can, not

just through their music but also using movements as well. One of the hardest parts according to Sheetz is knowing that sometimes they will spend an hour or two playing three or four seconds of a sevenminute show. Sheetz said,“The most rewarding feeling is hearing the crowd cheering at a competition after you know you and your lifelong friends just nailed a performance of the show.” This, among many other reasons, is why people should join band, according to Sheetz. This is the moment when all the hard work pays off and everyone is overjoyed. Sheetz said, “Band allows you to walk into school knowing one hundred friends you wouldn’t otherwise know and you keep those friends throughout high school. You learn music, discipline, body control, leadership and great life lessons together.” With his friends, Sheetz has made fond memories. Although they all work hard, they still know how to have fun. He has acted like a secret agent at band camp with walkie talkies and has watched the band director dance on top of the scaffolding in the rain. But really it is all the elements of band put together that makes him already excited to hopefully be put in his leadership role once again next year.

Sheetz said, “I want to be drum major again because it is really rewarding to see the progress throughout the year of all the other students. They progress in skill and maturity so much throughout short three months. I also love being able to represent such a great organization and group of students. I’m extremely proud to be a part of it.”

Photo Courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography

LAUREN SHASSERE spotlight chief

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