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IN THIS ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS
pg.2
pg.4
pg.6
NEWS 2| Iowa citizens vote for candidates 4| Chipotle deals with E. coli outbreak 5|Administration makes changes to ACE bell
OPINION
6| Staff editorial 7| Students look beyond grades 8| Speaking out against opression
pg.12
pg.17
pg.22
pg.26
pg.27
pg.29
ENTERTAINMENT
FEATURE
11| Ten songs that turned ten years old 12| Star Wars breaks boxoffices records 13| Tribute to David Bowie
22| Fashion for the Cure 23| Houdini’s Room Escape
COVER
SPORTS
17-10| High school athletes struggle with injuries
26| Fencers compete in tournaments 27| Gymnasts strive for trophies 28| Hockey season takes off
21| Where’s Anna, Sudoku, Contest
29| Victoria Bell, 11
FUN &GAMES
SPOTLIGHT
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 Alejandra Bello 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
[ news ]
Better pizza outside Brooklyn?
THE LEAF | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Politics Trumps
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
FUH
Front runners emerge in presidential race ELIZABETH RICKERT co editor-in-chief
T
he country is looking to Iowa to see how they vote in their caucus on Feb. 1. Iowa has a large impact on who the public pays attention to, due to their caucus being held first. It has had the first nominating event among the states since 1972. A caucus is a meeting of political party members to discuss what they stand for and who best represents them. This is different from a primary which is generally defined as a pre-election that shows a state’s support to a given candidate. Government teacher Mr. Kevin Wittman said, “What’s interesting about the Iowa Caucus is that it’s the first of the primaries and it’s unlike any other state. It has a huge amount of influence based on how candidates do but the person who does well in Iowa isn’t necessarily who would do well in a national race.” 13 states and one territory have a caucus while the other 37 states and the District of Columbia have a primary
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election. The first of the primaries is in New Hampshire on Feb. 9. Politicians have been swarming the small state to discuss the heroin epidemic. This is widely regarded as the most pressing issue in New Hampshire. Senior Christina Caporale said, “I think our generation is more focused on the candidate’s personality and their stances on social issues such as abortion and the refugee crisis as opposed to economic and foreign policy issues.” Some people regard the caucus as an example of grassroots democracy, whereas others believe the caucus to be archaic, arcane, and unrepresentative. The advantage of the caucus is that all voters are informed. The disadvantage is that the people did not directly pick the winner. Wittman said, “The Republican who typically does well in the Iowa Caucus doesn’t do well nationally, however the Democrat who typically does well is successful in the national race. People want to get free publicity.”
GED
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THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG N
Planet Pollution RUJULA KAPOOR infographic editor
Inhaling pollutants takes away 1-2 years of average persons life
Israel fights back against Palestinians JORDAN BAKER staf writer
H
amas relentless in attacking Israel Israel is no stranger to be attacked repeatedly by their enemies that surround them. Hamas, the terrorist organization in Gaza, has carried out a record number of terrorist attacks. They have carried out 590 attacks in 2015. During 2014 these frequent rocket attacks sparked a summer long war between Hamas and Israel. After a ceasefire was finally reached in July 2014, Hamas stopped the violence until the beginning of 2015. Over seven month period in 2015 Hamas urged Palestinians to kill Jews by any means. Since August of 2015 there has been 300 stabbings, 200 people running over pedestrians, 150 shootings, and 20 rocket attacks(http://mfa.gov.il/ MFA/Pages/default.aspx). There has been a varying degree of response from the outside world to these attacks. In every attack Israel has taken swift action against the terrorist who have committed these attacks. Freshman Dustin Rabin said, “It is scary that Hamas is calling upon any Palestinian to attack Jews regardless if they live in Israel or in the West Bank or Gaza.”
By the end of 2015 the Israeli Air Force started to drop flyers into Gaza warning that any future rocket attacks will be considered an act of war and the IAF will begin bombing Gaza. The common attacks that have taken place are carried out by Palestinians who live in Israel. Muslim countries that are enemies with Israel have supplied and encouraged these attacks, while other countries give them money to buy weapons and other equipment that might help them kill Israelis. Western countries have been caught up in other issues and have not offered help at all. Senior Max Brown said, “It is an atrocity that countries make a business out of selling weapon to any terrorist group in general that they use to kill anyone that has a different point of view than them.” Israel has continued to increase security at all of the regular checkpoints that the IDF has already established. They search all cars coming in and out of checkpoints that have had terrorists attacks happen around them before. At every checkpoint cars are scanned for any explosive materials or explosive devices.
Ohio is the most polluted state in America
Only 10% of the world’s air pollution is cuased by kids but it has hazourdous effects for 40% of children in the world
Source Pollution.net
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N THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG
E.col[BYE] to E.coli: Chipotle deals with outbreak
Let’s T ‘bout ACO it
SYDNEY WEISS staff writer
the roots of the issue were going to be found, they would have been already. ccording to Business Insider, It is not expected that the source of Chipotle is ranked fourteenth of the outbreak will be found anytime the most successful food chains soon. in America. The discouraging progress on the The article containing this statistic case has encouraged a myriad of elaborates on why Chipotle is so conspiracy theories. One theory is frequently enjoyed saying that that competitors planted the E. coli in “Chipotle is known for its fresh the hopes of putting Chipotle out of ingredients. The company recently took business. Subway's spot as America's healthy fast Freshman Samantha Miller said food of choice. People obsess over the “It is honestly just a shame that this is chain.” happening to such a valued company. The chain prides themselves on their I do not think it is really stopping mystery free meat, being G-M-Over fans from going there, though.” the artificial ingredients, and their farm Chipotle has been sued and stock fresh recipes. prices have decreased by 35 percent With that in mind, it is since the end of October. Chipotle understandable that Chipotle lovers has now announced that they will were aghast when they learned that be altering their food preparation there was a recent outbreak of E. coli. methods in order to freshen food. The outbreak supposedly affected Health investigators state that it nine states. Along with E. coli, the is important to be cautious about the norovirus and salmonella have also current status of the popular chain, influenced people who consumed however the E. coli outbreak is not a Chipotle’s food. threat to most Chipotles across the As of Jan. 4, 53 people had become ill country. The experts have said that due to the outbreak and 89 percent of people should dine at the restaurant. the affected people confirmed they had As for now, the choice is essentially eaten Chipotle prior to their sickness. up to the customers. Business Insider also claimed that if
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The Leaf sent two staff members, Hannah May and Josh Patterson, to Qdoba and Chipotle for a taste test. They judged a variety of foods at each place and ranked each on a scale of one to five. Factors considered were: texture, meat to rice ratio, tortilla quality, saltiness and overall wow factor. The average scores for each food item are shown below they are out of five. A red number indicates a loss in point value and a green number indicates the winner.
Results of Hannah’s taste test 4.3
Chips
3
3.5 Burrito 1.25 Quesadilla 1.5 2.5
1.2 3.2
Bowl Taco
3 1
Results of Josh’s taste test 4 3 1
Chips
3.75
3.25 Burrito Quesadilla 3
1.25
Bowl
3.5
0
Taco
2.3
THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG N
Photo courtesy of MCT Direct
North Korea incites panic JENNA BAO associate editor
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STEPHANIE KIDD staff writer
ACE’s case:
New rules brought to place
veryone’s favorite modern-day dictatorship started 2016 off with a bang, or rather, a boom. On Wed. Jan. 6, 2016, Pyongyang announced that it had successfully tested its first hydrogen bomb, otherwise known as an H-bomb or a thermonuclear bomb. While they have claimed to be developing nuclear weapons since 2002, this is their first mention of an H-bomb. This is significant, as hydrogen bombs are far more powerful than atomic bombs. Atomic bombs use nuclear fission, like nuclear power plants, but H-bombs utilize fusion reactions, releasing far more energy than fission.
The United States, China, Russia, Britain, and France have all already tested hydrogen bombs. All five are signatories of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which seeks to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. There is uncertainty as to whether Israel, Pakistan, India, and now North Korea, are in possession of such weapons. On Jan. 6, a quake registering 5.1 on the Richter Scale was identified near the test site. However, scientists doubt the truth of Pyongyang’s claims and they have yet to be verified. When the U.S. tested an H-bomb under the Alaskan tundra in 1971, it resulted in a quake measuring 6.8, significantly greater than what was
Students have been frustrated about the format in which ACE bell has been created: five minutes are dedicated to homework, ten for “house keeping,” announcements, and 15 for independent reading. Fortunately, there will be slight changes made to the current rules that restrict the use of only physical books. Principal Doug Mader said, “To make changes in anything, you want to take it one step at a time. So we knew, if we opened [ACE bell] wide open for electronics, we would be battling some technology issues.” While phones will not be allowed to be used for reading as of now, iPad minis, Kindles, Nooks, and other non-cellular devices will be granted permission for use. To comply with the complaints heard from the students, the style of ACE is also being fine-tuned to assist with the demand by students to talk to teachers and work on
reported in Korea. Experts are Kim Jong Un-impressed. According to ‘CNN,’ the South Korean Unification Ministry’s spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said, “[The test] created tension and protecting the safety of our people became our priority.” The UN’s Security Council has passed four sanctions on the North since 2006 in order to discourage it from developing nuclear weapons, and it is currently working on a new resolution to tighten sanctions after this incident. These efforts are led by the United States, along with heavy consultation with China, which is traditionally an ally of Pyongyang. assignments. Mader said,“We will try to put in some collaboration time. That was a voice heard strong, both from students and teachers. There will be a day of collaboration time, whether you want to collaborate with yourself, a teacher or continue reading.” As for students, ACE bell is not the ideal study hall that they are looking for, but the complaints are being heard. The students and faculty will both benefit by the conclusion of a compromise. Mader said, “We’re listening to students and some of the frustration of forcing them to read. But, at the same time we know as adults that leisure reading is really good for you. ‘Stress level goes down, achievement go up. And we really want students to take a break, but sometimes we have to force that.”
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Staff Editorial
Leafing through the masses:
At what point do you think that the danger of sports injuries nullifies the value of the sport itself?
“
“The point when the injury starts to impact everyday life and gets in the way of functioning, ” Mrs. Leah Chapman, History teacher
“If you’re just playing a sport on the side and the injuries affect your main sport or other activity, I would stop playing,” William Bennett, 11
“
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thletics are an integral part of the high school experience for a majority of students. However, many students fail to recognize the fine line between a healthy sports experience and a detrimental one. For example, certain common injuries plaguing students directly affect school performance. Most common of these is the concussion, extremely prevalent in contact sports such as football and soccer. Students may miss days, weeks, and even months of school healing from these injuries. Many athletes go as far as to feign full health to escape the increasingly stringent policies in place to protect athlete health, all in attempts to return more quickly to their sports. There are a number of recognized benefits to organized sports including stress relief, leadership skills, discipline, and work ethic. These gained attributes are important, but they cannot outweigh the negative effects of repeated head trauma. There must be more effective ways to detect concussions and better methods of dealing with them. Otherwise, students could accidentally or intentionally injure themselves even further. Constant communication between parents, coaches, and players must exist in order to keep injured athletes off the field. Having an injury should not be stigmatized, and students should feel free to report any problem or possible injury they could encounter. Voice you pain before it is too late.
“There’s a critical point of injury when the athlete’s life is permanently affected. That’s when it should stop,” Max Poff, 12
“If you end up pouring money into physical therapy your whole life, it’s not worth playing the sport,” Abigail Hausfeld, 10
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[ opinion ]
THE LEAF | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG
DownGRADE: Students exhausted from work YASMINE GUEDIRA staff writer
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et us take a quick trip down memory lane and glance back at our childhoods. Unrestricted curiosity ran rampant, and there were millions of questions to be asked. Flash forward to high school: students are drowning in work, exhausted, overworked and sacrificing everything: health, sleep, and sometimes sanity, for a perfect GPA. For some, the thought of learning for fun is completely foreign. So what happened? Our education system’s emphasis on grades to determine intelligence decreases the value of learning and discovery. With so much time and effort being devoted to getting good grades, the motivation to actually learn and explore drops dramatically. This is why students often resort to doing the bare minimum for a grade. Unfortunately, creativity and motivation cannot be shown by a single letter. Students’ fears of failure limit the amount of creative risk and challenge they are willing to take. Taking the safer route is sometimes regarded as the better option even though improvement is minimal.
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The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) released results from a survey of business owners that found that nine out of ten recent college graduates are not prepared for jobrelated critical thinking, communication, and problem solving. Vice president of AAC&U Debra Humphreys said to Wall Street Journal, “Employers are saying ‘I don’t care about all the knowledge you learned... I care about whether you can continue to learn over time and solve complex problems.’” The very notion of the traditional grade almost hints that there is only one right way to do things. Thinking too far outside the box is not often supported, although this way of thinking is how the world changes. A study by “Forbes Magazine” revealed that employers look primarily for strong problem-solving and communication skills as well as the ability to work collaboratively as a team. Surprisingly, in the ranked list of necessary skills for success in the workplace, technical job-related knowledge only placed seventh on a list of ten items. So next time you find yourself with a little free time, research a topic that interests you or maybe ask some questions. At the end of the day it might make all the difference.
column: JOSHUA PATTERSON staff writer Over winter break, I was exposed to one of the greatest TV shows on Netflix, “Making A Murderer.” I did not leave the comfort of my home until I finished the show. The show is not only a fantastic drama, but also speaks to the state of our country when it comes to law enforcement (and it is not good). Law enforcement, by definition, is designed to protect, enforce, rehabilitate and punish based on the law. Nowhere in that definition is the ability to decide who is guilty and who is not. Recently, the police have been taking the punishment piece into their own hands. Instead of trying to act like Black Ops running around with assault rifles, police should try to make sure that they are going after the right people and using the necessary force instead of deadly force. I do believe that the police are a valuable part of society. Without them protecting us, regular life would be a mess. But, I also believe that the police should be trained more in alternatives to deadly force. Deadly force should be the last resort instead of the first thing police do. I understand that this is hard in the moment, but deadly force is occurring too often for it to be merely a coincidence. There is a major problem in our country centered around law enforcement and the police. Until we can trust the people that are tasked to protect us, how can we move forward as a society?
O THE LEAF| Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
‘Then they came for me.’ ADHITI CHUNDUR beats editor
I
n response to the rise of Nazi Germany, German pastor Martin Niemoller once said: “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist... Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. ‘Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” This is a critique of the common people for not standing up against blatant injustice in their society. We can see a reflection of this in the United States’ current political climate as minority groups such as immigrants and Muslims are being unfairly, targeted by opportunistic politicians.
Silence in the face of such bigotry is a risk to the democratic values of the United States. The U.S. is often referred to as the ‘melting pot;’ a diverse and expanding country with a constant influx of new people and ideas. This is a country founded and influenced by immigrants from all over the world, and the idea of two groups, Americans and ‘others’ is outdated. President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address, “That’s why we need to reject any politics that target people because of race or religion. This isn’t a matter of political correctness. It’s a matter of understanding what makes us strong.” The voices of people who shout the loudest seem to dominate the public space, and this dangerous rhetoric can
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have lasting effects. But what can we do as common citizens? As citizens in a democracy, the responsibility falls on us to speak out when such demagogues find a way to make themselves heard. We can start at the grassroots. We can live, study, and work in more diverse environments. We can expand our horizons and perspectives. We must stand up on our soapboxes, particularly as young people are getting ready to vote, and make our voices heard at the ballot box. Engaged youth can make a difference by examining the information presented by the media, research various sides of an issue, and vote based on informed opinions.
THE LEAF| Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
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Too good to be true:
Bengals playoff drought continues
WILL COLEMAN staff writer
W
hat seemed to be the most polarizing silence in Paul Brown Stadium through decades of playoff despair overwhelmed the Cincinnati winter night as the Bengals trailed their rival Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the fourth quarter. It felt like no sort of emptiness could ever exist. And then things got worse. After managing to slide into the driver’s seat with a one-point lead and only 110 seconds remaining, the Bengals allowed the biggest let down in franchise history. A Jeremy Hill fumble just 15 yards away from a gamesealing touchdown and a few unruly yet controversial penalties from defensive players clinched a dubious Pittsburgh victory. The days to follow what was the hardest loss to swallow in my life as a sports fan were filled with confusion, anger, embarrassment, and just about every other noun with negative
connotation. Yet I was able to take my mind off the defeat by realizing that players and fans can only learn from this. We can’t change any of it, so why sob like the sore losers we’ve been. First off, I’d say that was a rather pathetic performance from our fans on that night. When our team is showcased on primetime television, the players on the field aren’t the only ones under a microscope. All non-biased viewers of the game likely scoffed at the fact that the most the home crowd cheered in the first three quarters was when the opposing team’s quarterback was injured. Not only that, but they threw beer cans at him as he ached in pain while being carted off the field? Seriously? I’m no genius, but I think that display of immaturity isn’t a great way to represent your city. My message to our fanbase is to act up when people are watching. Now although the fans were not on their best behavior, that only added to the remarks of disgrace that our city
received from national viewers. On the other hand, the real reason we lost was because of the discipline of our players. First, Hill fumbled the football. In the words of the show Sunday NFL Countdown, “C’mon, man.” We know that Hill is young, but he needs to know to have to hands on the ball in that situation. Don’t fumble and we win. As for Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones, they’ve got to learn to control themselves when it matters the most. In my years as a Bengals fan, I’d say these are two of the most passionate players that I’ve seen. However, with passion comes discipline and selfcommand. They disappointed this fan base, but that doesn’t mean we should shun them for their rest of their time with the team. I understand the dismay from all of us, but if we want to win in the future, we’ve just got to suck this up. This is a lesson to learn from, so for godsakes let’s learn. -Who Dey
other states likely primary voters for Democrats for leaning more towards Bernie than Hillary. Now in a comparison of Bernie to the top republican candidate Donald Trump I tend to become a little more enthusiastic because the numbers show that Bernie trumps the republican by a large margin of 19 points in the state of New Hampshire. I truly hope that the country takes a hint and jumps of the ol’ bandwagon. This is where I feel a touch bad for Sanders’ candidates on the Republican
side. Bernie cruises on over Ted Cruz by another 19 points in support. I have a feeling that there will be an upward trend for this animated candidate, due to both Democrats and Independents alike coming together to make sure everybody feels the Bern. Bernie Sanders has been the longest serving Independent in congressional history.His campaign motto is ‘Feel The Bern’. Sanders would be the oldest president ever elected.
Hillary feeling the Bern
KAMARIA WALTON beats editor
Everytime I see Bernie Sanders get closer in numbers to Hillary Clinton I get giddy with excitement. I’m pretty liberal, agree with most of Sanders political points and appreciate his long term dedication to the civil rights movement. Recent polls in Iowa has shown that Bernie is at 45% and Hillary at 48% and in the state of New Hampshire there is a 50% support for Bernie whereas Hillary is at 46%. In many
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O THE LEAF| Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
Spaying and neutering pets: why, ANNIE MARSH staff writer
T
here are many necessary aspects of raising a cat or a dog. A mountain of toys, a cushy bed, and a cute collar may seem like the most important things with which you should provide your furry friend. But neutering your dog or cat could be the single best decision you can make as a pet owner. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance defines spaying as “the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in a female animal” and neutering as “the surgical removal of the testicles in males.” Healthy Paws Pet Insurance also said, “The surgery is typically painless and uncomplicated; pets are under anesthesia and it’s the most common surgery performed by vets.” Surprisingly, about 25 percent of owned pets are not spayed or neutered. This can cause many complications in your dog’s or cat’s behavior and health, and can therefore result in higher vet bills. According to USA Today, neutered male dogs live 18 percent longer than unneutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23 percent longer than
when, and where
unspayed female dogs. These untimely deaths are mainly due to cancers of the reproductive system and an increased urge to roam. When pets stray from home in search of a mate, they are exposed to fatal circumstances such as fights with other animals or getting struck by cars. Additionally, pets who have not been spayed or neutered can give birth to unwanted puppies or kittens, therefore contributing to pet overpopulation. The Humane Society states that in the U.S. alone there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering shelters each year, less than half of which are adopted. As a result, thousands of animals are killed daily, most of them healthy, and most of them less than one year old. Sophomore Thea Ferdinand said, “I think that we should definitely spay and neuter our pets. There are so many animals without homes and we need to sufficiently take care of the ones already present.” In addition to contributing to poor health and pet overpopulation, the decision to not spay or neuter your pet could lead to bad behavior. Unneutered male pets, and even some females, frequently urinate to “mark”
their territory, and a majority of dog bites are a result of aggressive dogs who have not been spayed/neutered. Also, females in heat tend to roam and cry incessantly, and males have an increased likelihood of engaging in fighting and other dominance-related behaviors. Dr. Marty Becker said, “Like the majority of veterinarians, I have seen many an accidental litter of puppies or kittens born to the pet of a wellmeaning person who overlooked spayneuter until a young pet was already pregnant. “Being able to prevent that unintended litter by altering a pet before placement makes good sense on a large scale.” As for when pets should be altered, most vets recommend spaying or neutering cats and dogs by four months of age. At this point, a majority of the aforementioned health risks and behavioral issues have not yet appeared, but the animal is still developed enough to withstand the procedure. To find a low-cost spay/neuter clinic near you, use the search engine on www.aspca.org.
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[ entertainment ]
column:
THE LEAF | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Songs that turned ten years old in 2016
IRREPLACEABLE by: BEYONCÉ HIPS DON’T LIE BY: SHAKIRA
DANI CALIFORNIA
BACK TO BLACK
S.O.S. By: Rihanna
BY: THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
BY: FERGIE
Teardrops On My Guitar By: Taylor Swift
BREAKING FREE FROM HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Hollaback Girl
By: Caroline Veraldo Source: Billboard Hot 100, Buzzfeed
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By: Gwen Stefani
‘You say goodbye I say Hello’ MADDIE MARSH feature chief
Music has been moving from CDs to streaming for years- but one artist has defied this trend. It has been four years since British singer Adele came out with her album “21.” Now, as of Nov. she has come out with a new album “25.” Nevertheless, Adele’s album sold 7.44 million copies in 2015. She stayed relatively quiet on social media, and promoted her album through television appearances. Senior Katelyn Young said, “Adele is a singer that appeals to all ages with her sad and catchy songs, everyone can listen to her music and relate to it.” Going against current music industry trends, Adele has defied the norms and appears to have come out on top. With songs reminiscent more of older singers and classics than the “bubblegum pop” of the day, Adele again sticks out from today’s popular artists. Senior Leila Kazemi said, “Adele is a phenomenal singer and that is clearly evident in her new album. Her songs have amazing lyrics and her vocals on each track are a rarity now with our culture that is consumed with autotuned music. Her success on her new album is well deserved because if you were to hear Adele live you would hear a result that is equal to, if not better than, what you hear on her album. ‘She is also able to sound good on anything she sings which can be seen in her carpool karaoke with James Corden when she raps a Nicki Minaj song. You know it’s good because the rapper herself, who has had disagreements with other artists in the past, compliments her through Twitter.” Adele’s new album “25” was the most popular album of 2015, and it was only released in Nov. As she stays silent on social media and defies the norms of streaming and promotion, she remains a mystery; but with the absence of gossip and clarity on her life, fans are left with one thing about Adele: her soulful music.
Skywalkin’ to billion dollars
“Star Wars: Episode VII” introduced many new aspects to the series. We learn that storm troopers do tar Wars: Episode VII The in fact have hearts when Finn shows Force Awakens” beat records remorse for being a part of The New left and right. Dominating Order and abandons the only life he “Jurassic Park’s” record of the fastest has ever known. movie to reach $1 billion, “Star Wars” We also see all the new weapons and forced its way through “Avatar’s” gadgets used. For instance, lightsaber seemingly invincible box office handles were added to the lightsabers. record. All in all, Disney has definitely Taking place in the distant future, reached expectations for the new “Star the “Star Wars” universe has been Wars” movie. George Lucas may not taken over by yet another dictatorship agree, but the rest of the world sure called The New Order. does. Rey, a poor commoner comes Disney also has stated its plans together with a rogue stormtrooper, for the future of “Star Wars.” Not Finn, to defeat The New Order only will there be Episode eight and and find the missing Jedi, Luke nine, but a spin-off movie in between Skywalker. Episode seven and eight that will Meeting up with the one and only revolve around Han Solo. Han Solo and his partner in crime, Chewbacca, they aid the rebellion in their fight for glory.
SAMUEL RUSKIN staff writer
S
Top movies of 2015
CLAIRE LEFTON a&e chief While 2015 was a good year for movies, it was not as great a year for movies, as 2014 was. However, this past year did bring us some gems, and this is my completely subjective top ten. (Disclaimer: as of Jan. 19, I have not seen “The Revenant,” “Spotlight,” “Room,” “Steve Jobs,” or “Carol”).
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Box Office Comparison
E THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
$1 billion
Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace
$648,200,000 Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones $848,998,877
Star Wars Ep. III: Revenge of the Sith
$786,535,665
Star Wars Ep. IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Ep. V: The Empire Strikes Back
$534,058,751
$572,625,409
$1.75 billion and rising
Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens
Source: www.the-numbers.com Design: Abhilash Yarlagadda, Sam Ruskin, Ben Ruskin
1. Mad Max: Fury Road 2. The Hateful Eight 3. Ex Machina 4. Kingsman: The Secret Service 5. Inside Out 6. Star Wars: The Force Awakens 7. The Big Short 8. The Martian 9. What We Do in the Shadows 10. Creed
Tribute to Dav id Bow ie: death of a legend
THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG E
Jan. 8, 1947 - Jan. 10, 2016
Best Collaborations: New Album:
Bowie's newest album, “Blackstar”, was one of the first albums released in 2016. With the release of this album so close to Bowie’s death, it is the last chance for people to experience the music and mind of David Bowie. It has since reached number one on Billboard 200’s chart, his first number one album.
Tina Turner
Mick Jagger
Fun Facts: Bowie is believed to have sold around 140 million albums over his career.
Queen
Bing Crosby recorded his last single with David Bowie.
John Lennon
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Design by Hannah Frey
Bowie drew, painted, sculpted, and wrote in his spare time.
E THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
Rise of alternative music:
List of must see bands AMY DENG feature chief
Two Door Cinema Club is a band that mixes electronic sounds and guitar to form unique music. Their single, “Something Good Can Work,� was the hit that helped them grow in popularity. The band features singer/guitarist/ programmer Alex Trimble, guitarist/ singer Sam Halliday, and bassist/singer Kevin Baird.
Originating in Manchester, U.K., the 1975 is a band who combines the dark and youthful themes of love and fear into an alt-rock sound. Lead singer and guitarist Matt Healy led the band by covering punk songs and eventually, the band developed into a range of styles. Their popularity grew as they began playing across the U.K. and eventually became popular in the U.S.
The Maccabees are an indie rock band from London, England.
Information by: Spotify
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THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG E
MGMT is a band with very electronic and psychedelic tones which is what made their music popular. The hit single, “Kids” is what really brought the band to fame.
Psychedelic pop was very popular in the late ‘60s but Australian band, Tame Impala, has done a good job of managing the genre. The sound of their music is very ‘60s, channeling Jimi Hendrix and the Flaming Lips. Bombay Bicycle Club is an English indie rock band consisting of Jack Steadman (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jamie MacColl (guitar), Suren de Saram (drums) and Ed Nash (bass). They are known for experimenting with different sound, mixing folk, electronic, and indie rock.
Punk-rock-alternative genre band, Arctic Monkeys have become one of the U.K’s biggest bands of the new millennium. Their rise began with the release of their most recent 2013 album, AM. While the band has been around for quite some time, they never really reached their peak until AM was released. 15 Infographic by: Amy Deng
E THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
We Beliebe
Justin Bieber rising out of the gutter
ALEXANDER KAREV staff writer
H
e is every teenage girl’s dream guy. He is handsome, famous, and rich. He is Justin Bieber. And he is back. Bieber first gained popularity when he was young; an obscure talent contest in his hometown, in which the 12-yearold Bieber finished second putting him on the road to superstardom. He was a YouTube sensation and he would end up signing a contract with singer Usher in Oct. 2008. His first four songs were all made the top 40, and his subsequent album “My World” was released soon after. When the album came out, teenage girls fell in love with him. Soon there were Bieber dolls, even toothbrushes that would play his music while you would scrub away at your teeth. Girls could not get enough. Maybe that is why boys did not like him as much; because they were jealous of him and his fame. Or maybe it was
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his voice when he sang; often times it was in a very high pitch. Or his hair. Whatever the reason, the consensus amongst boys was that Bieber had got to go. Freshman Daniel Polasky said, “Something about his personality just annoyed me. I felt that he was very spoiled and he did not seem to hide it.” Bieber had acted inappropriately numerous times at clubs and around fans. On Mar. 7, 2013 Bieber even attacked a paparazzi member. Also, he was arrested for drag racing in Miami Beach and also failed a drug test after being taken into custody on Jan. 23, 2014. It had seemed like the innocent Justin Bieber that we knew was gone. At least for awhile. After a two year temporary hiatus, Bieber has come back strong. He released his brand new comeback album titled “Purpose.” Within it are three hit songs: “What Do You Mean?”, “Sorry”, and “Love Yourself ”. Sophomore Rishav DasGupta said,
“It is important to judge based on change, and I do believe Bieber has changed a lot for the better.” Each song is unique in its own way, but they all have something in common: they all are very catchy. With funky melodies and easy-to-lip-syncto lyrics, it is very difficult not to sing along or even dance to when you hear them come on the radio. Freshman Noah Patterson said, “The difference between Bieber’s older songs and his current ones is that he appeals to more audiences. Not just girls or boys, but to both, and maybe even some adults, too.” It is only a matter of time until a new single drops from Bieber. In the meantime, his current singles will definitely suffice.
[ cover story ]
THE LEAF | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG
C THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG
Student athletes face serious injuries, putting careers on hold
Senior
Margaret Skwara
Junior
Joshua Glauser
Freshman
Luis Pereda Amaya
Pain worth gains?
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Q. What was your injury? At first, I partially tore my hamstring during soccer practice because I ran and lifted earlier in the day and hadn’t stretched much. Q. How long were you out? Once I went to the doctor, I was out for four months where I couldn’t run at all, and in my first months back, running and soccer were both very difficult. Q. How has your injury affected your ability to play your sport? So I would say my injury caused me to lag behind quite a bit in soccer and running because my speed and stamina were affected so much. Q. What has recovery entailed for you? My recovery consisted of physical therapy twice a week for about two months, and then I did a lot of running on my own and played a lot of soccer outside of club to get back to where I was before.
Moving Forward BROOKE LANDRUM co editor-in-chief
Going to the doctor is nerveracking, especially when you know something is wrong. However, there are things you never want or expect to hear at the age of 15, including, ‘you will live with this for the rest of your life.’ When my doctor told me this, I felt as though my world was crashing down. While my condition was by no means fatal or shortened my life expectancy, it was quite detrimental to my quality of life. For two and a half years, I could not raise my arms above shoulder level or hold any weight over two pounds. ‘Luckily’, my condition worsened until Q. What was your injury? I required surgery, which ended up in I had a stress fracture in my right ankle. a full recovery in six months. Q. How long were you out? At the beginning of this process, I was out for two months. *A soccer season is two and a half I was diagnosed with capsulitis and months. an instability in both shoulders. This Q. How has your injury affected your ability to play meant that there was extra space in your sport? between my joints and the muscles Since my injury was weight-bearing, my cardio was severely had inflamed, taking over the space. impacted, and I had to work extra hard to become fit again. It was the pain of the muscles being Q. What has recovery entailed for you? ground against the bone that alerted I’ve had to go to the doctor many times as well as physical us to the issue. I was given exercises therapy to gain my strength back. from my physical therapist and told to Q. What was your injury? rest my arm as much as possible. I have a herniated L5-S1 disc in my lower back. Problematically, this injury was Q. How long were you out? discovered at the very beginning of my In total, I was out for eight months throughout high school. first season as a Varsity swimmer. Q. How has your injury affected your ability to play This meant that both my coach and your sport? I were itching for me to get back to Before my surgery in 2014 my right leg would go numb in training. Consequently, I did not end the middle of matches or my back would just hurt so bad up getting the rest I needed. that I would have to forfeit. It definitely took a lot of power It was this sense of urgency to out of my shots for a while and made me more cautious on get back to doing what I loved that the court. I also won’t be able to play competitive tennis for caused me to have to give it up for four more years so college tennis is out of the question. a long, long time. By junior year, my Q. What has recovery entailed for you? pain was too severe and the thought In 2014, I had surgery to remove the herniated part of the of furthering the injury gave me too disc that was protruding into my nerves, followed by a lot much anxiety to continue on. of physical therapy. After the 2014 tennis season the disc However, now I am reaching the end re-herniated. They didn’t want to do another surgery and of my struggle, and the only regret I physical therapy wasn’t helping, so I started lifting in order have is not properly taking care of my to strengthen the muscles in my back and legs to compensate body from the start. for the messed up disc.
Images by Brooke Landrum
THE LEAF| Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG C
BY THE
SPORTS INJURIES numbers CAROLINE GAO executive editor-in-chief
HOW BAD ARE THE INJURIES?
High school female basketball players sustain 240 percent more concussions than male basketball players.
As of 2011, 8.2 percent of high school sports injuries require surgery, a jump from 5.3 percent in 2006. However, high school sports across the board have a lower injury rate than they did six years ago. Injuries are not occurring as often, but they are getting worse.
Most common high school injuries
1 3 5
Female high school athletes who play basketball and soccer are typically out longer due to injury than their male counterparts.
2 4
ANKLE STRAINS AND SPRAINS
GIRLS VS. BOYS
Cheerleading is considered the most dangerous sport for girls. It is responsible for 65 percent of all catastrophic injuries in high school female athletes.
Less than 50 percent of high schools have access to an athletic trainer.
High school athletes are responsible for nearly 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
CONCUSSIONS
KNEE STRAINS AND SPRAINS HIP/THIGH STRAINS AND SPRAINS OTHER KNEE INJURIES
Source: www.businessweek.com
Athletes in high school are injured three times more than college athletes. 19
C
THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG
Heart of SHS:
Blood drive pumps students’ spirits Height:
How to get involved:
4’10” 4’11” 5’0” 5’1” 5’2” 5’3” 5’4” 5’5” 5’6”
The blood drive is Feb. 18 all day in the Gregory Center. Sign ups are Feb.15 through Feb. 17. Slots start at 8:15 and run in 15 minute increments until 2:15. Students must sign up at lunch to participate.
• • • •
What is Hoxworth?
•
Must be 16 or older to donate 16-year-olds must have a parent permission form signed in order to register A driver’s license or other ID with a birth date is required in order to donate Must wait 12 months after receiving a tattoo. No active cold or flu symptoms
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115 120
Weight:
Requirements:
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124 129 133 138 142 146
N N M M M M M M E
N M M M M M M E E
M M M M M M E E E
M M M M M E E E E
M M M M E E E E E
M M M E E E E E E
M M E E E E E E E
M E E E E E E E E
E E E E E E E E E
E= Everyone (male and female) are eligible to donate M= Males only in this section are eligible to donate N= Neither males nor females are eligible
Hoxworth Blood Center’s goal, according to their website, is “To enhance the wellbeing of patients in our service area by assuring a reliable and economical supply of the safest possible blood, by providing innovative hemotherapy services, and by promoting research and education programs in transfusion medicine.” To do this they accept blood donations from all blood types. To ensure they are supplying the safest possible blood by following the safety procedures set by the Code of Federal Regulations and the AABB (the American Association of Blood Banks). They collect and provide blood, but they also conduct research. The research center’s goal is “to link basic research with clinical care.”
[ fun&games ]
BROOKE LANDRUM co editor-in-chief
THE LEAF | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Where’s Anna?
Tell us where in the building Anna is hiding, and the first three people from each lunch to do so will each receive an out-to-lunch pass. Stop by room 115 to give us the answer.
Sudoku
Contest!
6
5 3 2 7
@shsleaf
4
9 3 6
5
8 1
7
3 6
2 8
Follow us on Twitter and tweet us your best leaf themed puns. A winner will be chosen by the staff, will recieve a gift card and will be annouced on twitter. 21
THE LEAF | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29| SHSLEAF.ORG
Fierce models fundraise for dragonflies SARAH ABRAHAM staff writer
E
very year SHS hosts its annual fashion show called Fashion for the Cure in honor of the Dragonfly Foundation.This year will be the tenth annual fashion show. The Dragonfly Foundation is a charity for kids and young adults who are enduring cancer and bone marrow transplants. This fashion show showcases SHS students modeling various outfits in order to raise funds for the foundation. The show also features dresses made by SHS students in fashion class. This year’s event will be hosted by seniors Margret Skwara and Andrew Cardenas. Sophomore Alexandra Scheier said, “I am really excited to model for such a great cause. It’s such an honor to help raise money that goes toward these families and patients. The Dragonfly Foundation is such a wonderful charity and I’m glad I get to be apart of this amazing event.” The models for this event are chosen by the board. The board for this event is made up from people of all grades, including seniors Hannah Moskowitz, Danielle Abramovitz, juniors Beverly Liu, Kiley Schaefer, Kelsey Bettman, and sophomores Lily Martinson, Alexis Grannen, Shannon Glass, and Emma Sulfsted. The models come from every grade. There are 40 models participating this year, who have been paired into 20 couples.
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All photos courtesy of McDaniels Photography
[ feature ]
The individuals chosen to model were selected by co-chairs Moskowitz and Abramovitz after applications were submitted. Abramovitz said, “The Dragonfly Foundation raises money and awareness for kids with cancer and blood diseases. For the past three years I have worked harder than I ever thought I could to get these kids better and provide them comfort through their journey. This has quite honestly changed my life.” The clothing worn in this event will be from Bridal and Formal for the girls, and Men’s Warehouse for the boys. The models will all be sporting an array of clothing while being walked out by their male escorts. In previous years the show has taken place in the commons, but this year they have changed the venue to the main theater. Last year they raised about $27,000, with there being about 550 people in attendance at the show. This year they are aiming to raise $30K, so they want about 575 to 600 people in attendance. Senior Jessica Wei said, “I’m so excited to be a part of Fashion for the Cure. While it is a fun exciting event, the fact that this money is going toward care for kids going through something so life changing is amazing and incredible. I’m so glad I get to be a part of it this year.” Fashion for the Cure will take place on Fri. Feb. 26, 2016 in the main theater. Tickets are $10. For more information regarding Fashion for the Cure, visit their twitter @fftc16.
THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG F
H UDINI’S
ROOM ESCAPE THE TOWER
THE LAB Intermediate
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM “It’s super cool that my family owns a business! My parents got the idea on vacation when we did a room escape as a family; they liked it so much that they decided to open one up. We opened in July of 2015 and it’s a really fun work environment!” - Senior Hayley Kennedy
Moderate
THE GAME ROOM
“I went with my friends and there were seven of us. We didn’t escape the room in time but it was still super fun. At the end we got a picture holding up one of their funny signs that said ‘FAILURE’.” - Junior Jannan Sivaruban
Advanced Houdini’s Room Escape
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM
9309 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH
3 room options. 60 minutes. 1 team. Can you escape? All three escape rooms hold 2-10 people of all ages. Tickets are $28.00 a person. Houdini welcomes the public Thursday and Friday evenings, as well as Saturdays and Sundays. 23
Infographic by Hannah Loftspring
Source: Houdinisroomescape.com
F THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
Celebrating a worthy holiday ALLYSON BONHAUS staff writer
E
very year the holiday falls on the third Monday of January. This year it was January 18th. Students have the school day off to observe the United State’s holiday. Freshman Carolyn Zhang said, “It is important to recognize all races, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was such an important figure in American history that he should be celebrated as much as any president.” Martin Luther King Day was created
fifteen years after the assassination of King. It became a national holiday on November 2, 1983. The bill was signed by President Ronald Reagan, which had been proposed by Representative Katie Hall from Indiana.The bill made it a federal holiday. The first time the holiday was observed was on January 20, 1986. Before there was ever a national holiday public schools and local governments nationwide closed to observe the day. People held marches, vigils, and made speeches.
Things change
Illinois was the first state to create a holiday for King’s birthday. South Carolina was the last state to recognize the holiday; 17 years after the bill was signed. This is the only federal holiday that celebrates one specific American citizen. It is one of three that celebrate one person. The King Center said, “Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only for celebration and remembrance, education and tribute, but above all a day of service.” Immediately after King’s death, calls for a holiday were started by lawmakers and civil rights leaders. The effort took fifteen years to get the bill passed. However, it was not until 2000 that all 50 states celebrated the day. Now the holiday is used as a tribute to King’s effort for equal rights. The day is also when people commemorate the Civil Rights Movement. King said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
New student from Indian Hill transfers to Sycamore JACOB ENGLANDER news chief After coming back from winter break, there was a new addition to the Sycamore Family. Sophomore Everett Kohinke transferred to Sycamore, after moving into a house in the Sycamore District. “I shadowed here, and it seemed like a pretty good school. I start my real classes, like with grades and all, just for 2nd Semester, because I already completed 1st Semester at Indian Hill.” Kohinke noticed some immediate differences between Indian Hill, and Sycamore. Primarily, class sizes, and options are a far cry from Kohnke’s old school. Kohinke said, “Physically, like as a building, SHS is like three times bigger
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than Indian Hill. Sycamore classes are about 2 or 3 times bigger, also.” The diversity, and friendliness of Sycamore is immediately apparent to Kohinke. It is clear that SHS is a family. Kohinke said,“I think most people here are pretty approachable, here at SHS. It seems pretty diverse, and everyone has been really nice to me. People in general, are a lot less ‘cliquey’ here.” Kohinke tries to challenge himself academically. He is in double accelerated math, accelerated English, and accelerated Chemistry. Also, Kohinke takes music tech, which he enjoys a lot. Kohinke said,“My favorite class is music tech. I love it, because I enjoy being creative, and I love music. One thing I like about Sycamore is that
there are tons of electives like music tech that I would’ve never imagined being an actual class that I could take.” Outside of school, Kohinke participates in multiple activities. He is in Ski Club. Also, he is a gymnast at Kids First Sports Center. “I have been doing gymnastics for several years. I really enjoy it. I did Ski Club at Indian Hill, and it’s really great that they have it here too.”
THE LEAF|Jan.29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG F
SHSLeaf.org The website of the Sycamore Leaf
Recycling Alliance supports The Leaf 10355 Spartan Drive, Cincinnati OH, 45215 (513)-771-7500 Making recycling easy
Follow us on Twitter:
@SHSLeaf @SHSLeafSports
Thank you to our supporters:
SAT 2016 Are you prepared?
Mathnasium of Loveland
HAS GOT YOU COVERED mathnasium.com/loveland
10673 Loveland-Madeira Rd Loveland, OH 45246
The Minoguchi and Luo Families
[ sports ]
THE LEAF | FRIDAY JANUARY 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Fencing not intense? Nonsense!
Common sense: just fence ELIJAH ZAWATSKY co editor-in-chief
I
f you happen to wander into Mr. Ron Hochstrosser’s room after school on a Friday, you may find yourself transported back in time to a Shakespearian Era. Clad in white garb with sabres in hand, the fencing club will be getting ready for their bi-weekly practice. Junior Jesse Li said, “We meet after school in Mr. Hochstrasser’s room then go to the back gym for practice every Wednesdays and Fridays when we don’t have competition. ” When the club does have competitions, they meet at a local fencing club, the Salle du Lion. Senior Kevin Gunter said, “Competitions begin in late January, and this year they begin on January 22nd. We compete with Xavier, Mason, Schilling, and Walnut Hills, to name a few.” All competitions are in preparation for the season ending tournament. Li said, “At the end of the season there is a final team and individual tournament where all schools compete for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. It’s basically a high school fencing championship.”
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(From left) Freshman Bryan Adams and senior Kevin Gunter prepare in Mr. Ron Hochstrosser’s room before heading to the back gym for practice. Fencing club attracts members looking for a fun, relaxed, yet competitive sport. Junior Jesse Li said “I first started after I noticed the sport at my local rec club. With nothing else to do, I thought why not?”
There are many reasons for joining the club, most prominent of which is the camaraderie of the sport. Li said, “Fencing brings together members of the club through the mutual love of hitting other people with swords and just having fun in general.” For those serious about improving their craft, there is an extra session on Thursdays. Gunter said, “In addition, every Thursday, Mr. Hochstrasser offers private lessons at Salle du Lion, the fencing [facility] where we meet in Sharonville. Usually, it’s just Li, Grant, Pierce, and I that go to these.” Fencing Club has been growing in popularity in the last few years, and the fun shows no signs of slowing down. Gunter said, “This year, according to other fencers, we have the largest team in years with over twenty fencers. I hope to see fencing continue to grow as a club and maybe even one day become recognized as a school sport.”
Photo courtesy of Elijah Zawatsky
photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography
THE LEAF|Jan. 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
column:
S
Need a F air L eague
Gymnastics sticks: Gymnasts compete for titles
HANNAH MAY sports chief ESHIKA KOHLI staff writer
The gymnastics community is comprised of multiple competitive club teams. outside of the high schools with gymnastics programs. Gymnasts often he SHS gymnastics team consists opt to compete with one of the club teams outside of the high school season of two athletes: senior Sierra Whittemore and freshman Anna and train with their club team during the high school season. Cummings. Cummings said, “I compete with Due to the lack of a proper Countryside YMCA when I am not gymnastics facility at SHS, the athletes with Sycamore, this is going to be my practice at Cincinnati Country Day 12th year as a gymnast. High school is School and are coached by the CCD a lot less stressful than normal [club] coach Steve Connor. The meets that competitions and I like the fun, upbeat the team competes in are held at CCD atmosphere.” or other schools in the area that have a If all goes well, Cummings and developed gymnastics program. Whittemore will compete at the District Cummings said, “The team practices meet, which is held at Lakota East High every day [during the week] but I only School. In order to qualify for the state practice two times a week because I meet, the gymnasts must place top six in have practice with my other team the the District meet. other three days.”
T
Photo courtesy of Sierra Whittemore
Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography
DAVID WERTHEIM business manager
With the now-defunct St. Louis Rams announcing their move to Los Angeles, and the strong possibility that the San Diego Chargers will be joining them, the NFL is taking on a brand new landscape. I decided to look at some other places where today’s NFL teams would fit right in. The first one I immediately thought of was the New England Patriots heading to New York. The Patriots and the Yankees are awfully similar. Both teams have repeatedly been accused of cheating, and both teams are the definition of success in their respective sports. Tom Brady and Alex Rodriguez have similar cases, but Rodriguez has actually been caught for his crimes. The second one I imagined was the Pittsburgh Steelers to San Francisco. The Steeler fans would fit right in with the hipster crowd in San Francisco, since all Steeler fans like to do is talk about the past. Running back Le’Veon Bell also got suspended for smoking marijuana, so he would definitely enjoy himself out there. The Cleveland Browns moving to San Antonio would be pretty cool, especially since they haven’t won anything notable since the Alamo. San Antonio has been clamoring for a team, and Davy Crockett would be a better option at quarterback than anyone the Browns have trotted out there. Why not have some fun? We might as well. It’s not like we have any meaningful football now anyway.
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S
column: Does ‘Hall of
THE LEAF|Jan. 29 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG
Skating seasons: Ice hockey believes in potential
Fame’ equal hero?
CAROLINE VERALDO staff writer
H
ockey is not a very common high school sport. Sycamore is fortunate to have a hockey team to support during the winter months. Both the teams’ practices and home games take place at Sports Plus in Evendale. With tournaments in Cleveland, Oxford, and Columbus almost every weekend as well as frequent home games on Friday nights, the SHS hockey players have a packed schedule.
Junior Tevis Leavy said, “As far as our record this season, we have been competing in every one of our games but we need to learn to finish and play hard till the end. That will give us more of the victories we are looking for.” By the end of the season, senior captains Max Gottleibson, Jason Beaudry, and Garrett Cambre plan to lead the team to an improved record. Leavy said “This season has been about building
a foundation for the program. We’ve made many new adjustments into our program to improve it in the future.” As far as future seasons go, the current seniors believe that they have set the team up for success. Gottliebson said, “We have a lot of young talent on our team, mostly underclassmen. With more practice, I believe that the SHS hockey program has a lot of room to grow in the next few years.”
A Q(uality) T(eam)
Photo by McDaniel’s photography
HANNAH MAY sports chief
What is AQT? Academic Quiz Team is a varsity sport that practices three times a week in the Hub. To win their competitions, they have to score based on correctiness and speed of answer.
Academic Quiz Team coach Mrs. Laura Newton is talking to her team before a match. SHS is currently ranked 2nd in the Greater Miami Conference, directly behind Mason. If SHS wins the GMC tournament, they will qualify for the regional championship.
D. William Lange, DMD, Inc D. William Lange, DMD, MSD David W. Lange, DDS, MS Practice Limited to Orthodontics
9157 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242 (513) 791-0777
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Fax: (513) 791-7817
905 Main St. Milford, OH 45150 (513) 248-7100
LAUREN KURTZER associate editor
The Cincinnati Reds recently decided to induct former baseball player Pete Rose into the Reds Hall of Fame. Along with this accolade, his number, 14, will be retired and a statue of him will be built. However, his election into the Hall of Fame is highly controversial. With his historic career, I believe Rose should receive a plaque in downtown Cincinnati. As far as the rest of the package that is on the table, I completely disagree. At my age, I never saw Rose play and the greatness of ‘Charlie Hustle,’ which may sway my opinion of his ban. Rose was an all-time great player. He broke the career record with 4,254 hits, but he knowingly broke a rule in Major League Baseball (MLB). He gambled on his team, as a player and a manager. Applying for reinstatement into MLB, Rose told commissioner Robert Manfred that he has not changed his ways and he still has a gambling problem. The lifetime ban for gambling in baseball has been a rule since the Chicago Black Sox in 1909. The irony: the Black Sox threw the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. I do not want a man that directly hurt the integrity of the game and name of MLB in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I went there this past summer and was surrounded by the greatness of Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Randy Johnson. I do not know if these men were upstanding citizens. Nobody is perfect, but none of them bet on baseball. I understand that the Cincinnati Reds want to recognize one of their greatest players, especially with his age and the lousy season that lies ahead for the Reds so they could get fans in the stands. But a bronze statue and a number there forever is too much for a player who hurts the name of baseball and the first sports franchise.
[ spotlight ]
THE LEAF | FRIDAY, January 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG
LOVE, what you do LOVE
Do what you LAUREN SHASSERE Spotlight chief
Photos courtesy of Victoria Bell
B
ridal and Formal is familiar to most, likely because of the company’s involvement in school fundraisers such as Fashion for the Cure. The bridal store is also known for having a few SHS student employees such as junior Victoria Bell. This could also be a reason for students familiarity towards the store. If you follow Bell on social media, you may have come across pictures of her modeling various dresses. Bell got what she describes as her "dream job" on her fifteenth birthday and has been working there ever since. Bell said, "I love how Bridal and Formal is so active with the high school, especially with Fashion for the Cure. I think it is amazing that they allow the models to wear the dresses for the show. I was lucky
enough to be asked to be a model sophomore year and it was a great experience." Along with being featured in special events such as Fashion for the Cure, her job mainly consists of selling accessories and helping to clean, organize and greet customers. Also, on busier days she is asked to take brides, which means to try to sell wedding gowns. Thus, every now and then getting to see overjoyed brides say "yes to the dress." Aware of the fact that many of her peers jobs consist of less enjoyable tasks like flipping burgers, Bell feels lucky for working in such a great environment. Bell said, "I gain a lot from working there. For instance, people skills, patience and many other things. It has helped me mature faster and witness what an adult workspace is like." In addition to key skills, Bridal and
Formal has provided her with close relationships with all different kinds of people she otherwise would not know. Bell said, "I have close bonds with pretty much every employee there. There is something so unique about each one that makes them special and so fun to be around, whether they are my age or have been working there for many years." All put together this student has been proven Vic(tori)ous in the realm of choosing the perfect high school career for her interests and strengths as well as providing her with new skills to carry through her future (whether it is fashion related or not). Bell said, "It's my dream job, and I've loved it since I got hired. I never thought that I would have such an amazing job as a high school student. I look forward to going to work every day."
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ACT - SAT Prep
Stand Out from the Crowd ACT gains of 2-6 composite points
*Small group classes & individual tutoring *Affordable *Convenient