Leaf 2016 April

THE

LEAF

Sycamore High School News Magazine Volume 3 | Issue 9 | April 29, 2016

PROM

When you were young, your parents spoke for you to your doctors and your financial institutions. However, when you turn 18 years of age, under the eyes of the law you are an adult and your parents cannot act for you. Therefore, it is important to have the appropriate legal documents so somebody can speak for if you are unable to speak for yourself. The documents include: Medical Power of Attorney which directs who can make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself and a Financial Power of Attorney which allows somebody to make financial decisions for you. The Financial Power of Attorney is also used when a student is away at college or in an overseas program and needs someone at home to help with their finances.

You should see a competent attorney to draft these important documents.

J. Louis Kurtzer, Attorney at Law (513)-232-2600 ACT - SAT Prep

Stand Out from the Crowd ACT gains of 2-6 composite points

*Small group classes & individual tutoring *Affordable *Convenient

IN THIS ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS

pg.3

pg.6

NEWS 2| Sight on safety 3| Heroin hits home 4| Ads

OPINION

5| Staff Editorial 6| Cultural appropriation 7| Pros and cons of veganism

pg.8

pg.10

pg.13

FEATURE

pg.18 pg.19 ENTERTAINMENT

8| Pope Francis 9| Students work and study hard 10| Saying goodbye to Mr. Torlone

SPORTS

COVER

11-14| Prom

FUN &GAMES 15| Where’s Amy?

pg.16

pg.21

16| Women of Marvel 17| Modern struggle against TV 18| Track attack 19| Boy’s lacrosse ready for playoffs 20| Volleyball spikes into season

SPOTLIGHT

21| Exchange student, Maria Jensen

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 CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Hannah May Benjamin Ruskin MANAGING EDITOR Amy Deng ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jenna Bao CREATIVE PROJECT DIRECTORS Jenna Bao Taylor Close Sarah Horne Lauren Kurtzer BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TEAM Jacob Englander Eshika Kohli David Wertheim PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Natalie Brinkman

Adhiti Chundur Sydney Evans SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Sydney Weiss WEBMASTER Caroline Bruns WEB EDITOR -IN-CHIEF Harsimran Makkad LEAFLET EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Frey MANAGING LEAFLET EDITOR Emily Chien LEAFLET DESIGNERS/WRITERS Eshika Kohli Rujula Kapoor Sydney Weiss COPY EDITOR Anne Marsh

NEWS Yasmine Guedira Max Torem SPORTS William Coleman Caroline Veraldo FEATURE Allyson Bonhaus ENTERTAINMENT Taylor Close OPINION Alexander Karev Joshua Patterson FUN & GAMES Samuel Ruskin STAFF WRITERS Jordan Baker Meghan DiGiovanna

Max Fritzhand Caroline Gao Yasmine Guedira Stephanie Kidd Eshika Kohli Brooke Landrum Hannah Loftspring Christine Macke Madeline Marsh Hajime Minoguchi Calliope Osborn Elizabeth Rickert Orion Schlosser Zoe Schlosser Madeline Schramm Abhilash Yarlagadda Elijah Zawatsky Anna Zhou

[ news ]

THE LEAF | FRIDAY, APRIL 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Sight on safety: FASTER

Faculty administration training JORDAN BAKER staff writer

S

chool shootings are a disturbing reality in our country. Since the Sandy Hook shooting on Dec. 14, 2012, there have been 315 more school shootings.

Gun violence in schools is increasing each year, causing the adoption of new safety policies. Ohio schools are taking steps to keep kids safer through intensive training for staff to carry guns.

Faculty Administrator Safety Training & Emergency Response, FASTER, is a revolutionary system for keeping schools safe which involves concealed carry by staff members.

Officer Paul Payne said, “My personal thought [on arming staff members] is that there should be some way to fund a School Resource Officer in every school. There should be a well

trained officer in all schools.”

The system works on the same standards as ALICE: Alert, Lock down, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. This method keeps students and staff safe by analyzing a crisis situation and taking appropriate actions to reduce casualties.

FASTER was created by the Buckeye Firearms Association in January 2015 when 12 Ohio school districts started to allow teachers to bring firearms into schools.

FASTER works around the basis that teachers carry guns with them. The training course is three days long and is taught by a member of the sheriff ’s department or local SWAT team members.

The FASTER course starts with classroom training on topics including shooters’ mindsets, gun handling and medical care. To become qualified as a FASTER staff member, teachers must

get certified in tactical shooting.

The training course is designed to prepare school employees for a potential school shooter and eliminating the threat if necessary. The training culminates with force-on-force drills, a series of scenarios involving gunmen.

Participants must decide how to proceed, giving orders to students and other staff members and calling 911.

In some cases, they shoot the gunman, while in others they prevent the gunman from taking his/her own life.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones is one of the major advocates for allowing teachers and other staff members to carry weapons in schools to protect their students.

Jones said, “We always think that the odds are so great that it won’t happen to you, in your school. It always happens somewhere else. Believe me….you need to have a school resource officer or a teacher or someone trained with a gun.”

When tragedy strikes...

17

17

Years since the shooting at Columbine High School

35

81%

5

Districts in Ohio that allow concealed carry for staff

of cases someone had knowledge that it would happen

Shootings in 2016

175

Deaths in the last 10 years Source by: Officer Paul Payne Source by: Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones Source by: http://fastersaveslives.org/ Source by: abcnews.go.com, Diane Sawyer 20/20, Feb. 2016

2

School shootings in the last calendar year

270

School shootings since Columbine through Feb. 2016

Image By: Max Torem

Heroin hits home

THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG N

Epidemic reaches new heights JENNA BAO creative projects director

SARAH HORNE creative projects director

TAYLOR CLOSE creative projects director

LAUREN KURTZER creative projects director

W

IT IS IN HAMILTON COUNTY

ithin the past three years, heroin overdoses have shot up 400 percent. In Ohio, 70 percent of children age one or younger in foster care are there due to parental addiction to opiates.

One in three people know an individual who has been affected by heroin.

Heroin does not discriminate. People of both genders, all ages and all socioeconomic statuses are affected by this addictive substance.

While heroin usage has dramatically escalated, through collaborative work, steps can be taken to curb the epidemic.

13

total heroin overdoses in June

21 total heroin overdoses in July 25 total heroin overdoses in August

39 total heroin overdoses in September 67 total heroin overdoses in October

58 total heroin overdoses in November

55 total heroin overdoses in December

80 total heroin overdoses in January

83 total heroin overdoses in February

IT AFFECTS SHS Officer Paul Payne said, “It is not a problem until you have to attend the funeral of a former student who passed away from overdosing on heroin.”

IT AFFECTS YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Heroin use has become increasingly apparent not only in large metropolitan areas, but in quiet suburbs as well.

791 36 83

overdose emergency calls the Cincinnati Fire Department received in 2014, up 25 percent from 2013 pounds of heroin seized by the Regional Narcotics Unit (RENU) in 2014 overdose victims rescued with Naloxone, an anecdote to opiates, since June 2015

HOW TO GET HELP call 513-946-4411 anonymously Heroin Hopeline Anonymously report a heroin dealer to the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition

call

1-844-427-4747

anonymously

Source: Hamilton County Heroin Coalition and Paul Payne

Kroger Walgreens CVS These stores provide Naloxone (Narcan), a drug that pulls overdosing users into immediate withdrawl, without a prescription.

call

Student Assistance Counselors Mrs. Fisher Mr. Millett

(513)-636-4124

Psychiatric Intake Response Center (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

3

Verdict on veganism:

Vigorously valuing vertebrates EMILY CHIEN MEGHAN DIGIOVANNA ANNE MARSH leaflet designer/writer staff writer staff writer

PROS:

CONS:

Health

Restrictive

A vegan diet avoids most processed foods and is therefore naturally lower in refined sugar, refined grains, and trans fats. These harmful substances can lead to heart disease, weight gain, and strokes.

Environment

Livestock occupies valuable land and in a 2006 report, the United Nations said raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all of the cars and trucks in the world combined.

Ethical

Because you are not able to eat or use any animal products, you may miss chocolate, cheese, and hamburgers. However, if you focus on your reasons for converting to your new diet you will be successful.

Expensive

Purchasing fresh produce and better quality organic foods can be more expensive. However, you can cut down on costs by buying frozen fruits and veggies and thawing when needed.

Animals are injected with hormones, kept in cramped spaces, and brutally slaughtered before being placed on your plate. To learn more about the truths behind the meat industry, check out documentaries such as “Cowspiracy” and “Earthlings.”

CHECK OUT THE “COWSPIRACY” TRAILER

56

BILLION FARM ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED SINCE 2009 Source : http://www.humanesociety.org/, http://www.animalequality.net/food

Thank you to our supporters: The Prakash and Goel families

THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG O

column: MAX TOREM co-news chief

Graduation gifts in more ways than one As years go by, more and more memories are forgotten. Nobody, especially not a high school student, wants to be forgotten.

When the end of the year rolls around, it has become customary for the graduating class to leave a “gift” so it can leave its legacy behind and pass on the torch to the next class.

Although this is a recent tradition, it is definitely one that deserves to stick around. The graduating class can leave its footprint on SHS and look back at it later in life.

Students can look back at the four years of their high school careers and remember their significance in the community.

In the past, senior gifts have made the school more lively.

Before the bookstore was in the commons, the class of 2007 decorated the whole wall. It was an airplane with big words over it that read, “Aviator Nation.”

In 2006, the graduating class created the “Ave Cave.”

This year, however, the class of 2016 is donating not one, but two gifts to SHS. The first is a gift that all students will find useful.

You may have noticed this already, but there is a charging station for mobile devices in The Hub. Thanks to the class of 2016, you no longer have to worry about running out of battery at school.

The second gift, something the entire community may notice, is an inflatable tunnel to be used at athletic events. At all SHS sporting events where this is used, the Aves are sure to make a grand entrance.

Senior gifts are an important tradition for SHS and will continue to improve the school and school spirit for years to come.

7

N THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

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READ THE APRIL LEAFLET

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ONLINE AT WWW.SHSLEAF.ORG 4

10355 Spartan Drive, Cincinnati OH, 45215 (513)-771-7500 Recycling Alliance supports The Leaf Making recycling easy

What makes Prom so special?

“

“I think it is a really good memory. I have my husband’s Prom picture from 1987 and you can see how much fashion has changed,” Mrs. Ning Zhang, Chinese teacher “It is a great way to end the year with a fun dance with all your friends, especially for the seniors. It is also a good night to get dressed up,” Gwen Constand, 12

“It is created by ideas of the student body and is definitely a night you will never forget,” Jannan Sivaruban, 11

All photos courtesy of Amy Deng

Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography

P

rom night is the peak of high school sociality. It allows for students of all different social groups within the SHS community to come together for a night of eating, dancing, and fun activities.

Whether or not a student is involved in a romantic relationship, Prom is still a night that many attend simply to enjoy with friends.

This year’s Prom theme is “A Night to Remember.” Every year, SHS creates different themes, allowing students to embark on a great night.

Student council spends countless hours planning and setting up for the big night. It starts collecting and raising money for the event as early as a year before.

Being appreciative of the hardworking council members who have contributed to the event is a good way to express your thanks for the displays.

Not only is Prom a time to “strut your stuff ” on the dance floor, but it is also an opportunity to create memories that will truly last forever. Not having a date should not discourage students from attending Prom and especially not After Prom.

After Prom is even open to juniors and seniors who opted not to attend the actual dance. Filled with food, activities, and raffles, it is the perfect way to end an elegant night and should not be missed.

Prom is a great way to make new friends, dress up, and be a part of SHS tradition.

However, along with all of the fun comes responsibility. It is essential for students to make good decisions in order to keep themselves and other around them safe during this night of excitement.

While students are ultimately going to have to use their judgements on whether or not to engage in illegal activities, it is important to understand that if students do choose to engage in those activities they will be held accountable for their actions.

It is important to take into consideration the dangers of drunk driving and other risky activities. With that said, think before you act and enjoy the night.

At the end of the night, we are all humans and we are all just there to have a good time. Prom is a perk for juniors and seniors, so attend while you can. Buy a ticket, eat food, and make it a night to remember.

Leafing through the masses:

“

Staff Editorial

“The social activity is what makes Prom special. The After Prom games are fun and a good time for everyone,” Maxwell Brown, 12

5

O THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

Cultural appropriation: Breaking taboo connotation

ELIJAH ZAWATSKY staff writer

M

r. Tom Gaffigan’s English class spent a bell watching the music video for Beyoncé and Coldplay’s “Hymn for the Weekend.”

The video was filmed in Mumbai, India and features allusions to the celebration of Holi, eye-popping colors, and Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor.

The video has received significant critical backlash, garnering complaints concerning alleged cultural appropriation over the use of headscarves and a ceremonial headpiece.

But does the inclusion of cultural appropriation automatically render an act offensive?

An act is considered culturally appropriative if it involves a member of one culture utilizing an element of another culture. In our increasingly integrated modern society, this definition encompasses a significant portion of our everyday acts.

Quick Scan To see the video in which Beyoncé uses the holiday of Holi, scan this.

6

Does this mean you should stop taking from other cultures and lead a life void of practices native to other peoples? What would a life like this even look like?

American society is completely composed of the practices of other cultures passed down from those who have emigrated here for over half a millennium.

To strip the American melting pot of other cultures would destroy what makes America so incredible to begin with-our daily exposure to so many unique cultures.

In her Feb. 1, 2012 essay in the magazine “Guernica,” Pakistani novelist Kamila Shamsie writes, “The moment you say a male American writer can’t write about a female Pakistani, you are saying, ‘Don’t tell those stories.’

“Worse, you’re saying: as an American male you can’t understand a Pakistani woman... She’s other. Leave her and her nation to its Otherness. Write them out of your history.”

What Shamsie claims rings true for many acts of cultural appropriation. To discourage the use of another’s culture, regardless of complete background knowledge of the culture itself, is to erect insurmountable barriers between peoples.

Sources: theboombox.com, nytimes.com, guernicamag.com, hollywoodlife.com, jezebel.com

The rebuttal JACOB ENGLANDER business manager

Every person has a special identity and culture, and that is something other people should not be allowed to exploit.

Typically, cultural appropriation involves a dominant culture exploiting a weaker one.

There are many examples of the travesty of cultural appropriation.

Some modern examples include: the increasing popularity of Asian martial arts, white rappers, Beyoncé celebrating Holi, Miley Cyrus twerking, and Katy Perry dressing as a geisha.

In all of these scenarios a dominant culture exploits and misunderstands another culture.

I believe that there is ultimately something inherently wrong with that. I know that race is a social construct, but culture is not, and it is something that ought to be respected.

Seniors Asha Sethuraman, Divyesh Balamurali, Aravind Murali, Rohan D’Souza, Nidhi Kanchan, Gitu Ajay, Sabari Subramanian, and Antara Nigam celebrate Holi. Holi is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Love or the Festival of Color. It traditionally marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

Photo courtesy of Sabari Subramanian

Photo courtesy of MCT Photo

[ feature ]

THE LEAF | FRIDAY, APRIL 29| SHSLEAF.ORG

Pope Francis pushes for peace

CAROLINE BRUNS webmaster

V

iolence-rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment-is a recurring theme in today’s society. It is impossible to escape, whether it be on television, social media or in the newspapers.

Recently, violence has hit its peak and has been spoken out against by many influential figures, including Pope Francis.

In the few years he has been the head of the Catholic Church the pope has become one of the most influential religious heads.

He preaches what he believes is correct: tolerance of all religions and the maintenance of peace among nations. He also references politics in many of his public appearances.

The pope is popular with young people and many adults due to his deacon-like approach and his efforts to keep the Catholic religion up to date.

During these tense times, many of the pope’s masses have been heavily focused on the denunciation of “blind and brutal terrorism,” especially after the bombings in Brussels.

These bombings were quite troubling to many habitants of the Cincinnati area due to overseas spring

8

BY THE NUMBERS

6.6 million

The pope’s most-attended mass was in 2012 at Rizal Park.

266th

Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

32 dead

After the recent attack on Brussels in March 2016.

Sources: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/ world/2016/03/27/pope-terrorism-easter-security/82317990/ http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/03/28/at-least-70-killed-inpakistan-bombing-targeting-christians.html http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30869019

break trips.

Two juniors, Abigail Hallock and Claire Hallock, traveled to Brussels the day after the bombings and were supposed to fly into the Brussels airport that night. Similarly, many University of Cincinnati students and former SHS grads were in Belgium at this time.

Abigail Hallock said, “It was scary going to Belgium right after the bombings. The whole time I was a little paranoid, but there was so much protection afterwards. Due to the increased security, I felt confident that nothing like that would happen while we were there.”

After these bombings, the pope said, “This day invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrants and refugees, including many children, fleeing war, hunger, poverty and social injustice.”

Days later, a suicide bombing in Pakistan targeting Christians occurred.

During this bombing 70 people were killed and over 300 were injured.

Again, Francis came out and spoke out against the violence he had been exposed to in Saint Peter’s Square in front of hundreds only hours after the bombings.

His words attracted thousands, and promoted peace in hopes that one day all nations will be able to live in peace.

Work hard, study hard:

THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG F

Students juggle jobs HANNAH LOFTSPRING staff writer

BY THE NUMBERS: Minimum wage is

$7.25 - $8.10 based on yearly salary

58%

Junior, Allison Brown TJ Maxx employee

“Having a job as a teenager is pretty nice because most places are really understanding so they work around your busy schedule so that their student employees are not too overwhelmed. It’s also really nice to have stacks of cash.”

of high school students have

jobs

Senior, Maxwell Gottliebson

Papa Johns employee

Students cannot legally work more than a week

“My job is fairly easy, and it’s usually enjoyable unless customers are rude.

Making pizza is a pretty cool thing to be able to do, and I have good hours so I’m not too busy.”

18 hours

Source: The Washington Times and National Conference of State Legislatures

Photos courtesy of Hannah Loftspring

C H I L I EST. 1949

9730 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242 (513) 791-7833 Sun – Thu: 11AM – 12 AM Fri – Sat: 11AM – 2 AM

Address: 5005 Cornell Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242 Phone: (513) 489-8488 Hours: Monday-Friday10:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Saturday 11a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday 11a.m.-9 p.m.

F THE LEAF|APRIL 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

Vale, Magister Torlone!

Saying goodbye to beloved teacher

HARSIMRAN MAKKAD web editor-in-chief

I

n mediocris magister dicit. Bonus magister exponit. Superior magister demonstrat. Valde magister inspirat.

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

Author William A. Ward’s words could not be more appropriate. Under this classification, Latin teacher Magister Mark Torlone, who will be retiring at the end of this school year, would be the perfect example of a great teacher.

Sophomore John Folz said, “He is one of the nicest teachers ever. He’s really cool, sarcastic, and funny. I’m sad to see him go.”

Torlone has been teaching at SHS for 12 years. He has also taught at Walnut Hills and Mariemont.

Torlone said, “I love teaching here. There are so many outstanding and supportive parents as well as hardworking students, which makes my job rewarding.”

He goes back and forth between the Junior High and SHS, teaching levels I through AP. His students enjoy his teaching style and the activities and games he employs in the classroom.

Freshman Carolyn Zhang said, “He

is very interactive and has an extremely unique teaching style, always making sure that we are learning and enjoying the experience; he makes learning such a complicated language easy.”

He has impacted everyone around him. Not only does he teach Latin, but Torlone also applies the language to the world and the English language.

He is always coming up with unique ways to convey the material in a manner that is easy for everyone to understand.

Torlone said, “I enjoy watching young people grow. They come in here in the novice classes, starting with little knowledge, and reach the pinnacle of their studies in AP. “It’s so rewarding to see them progress from point A to point B with diligence, effort, and years of work.”

After his retirement, Torlone will be at Miami University, teaching Latin and Roman history and mythology.

Torlone said, “I will certainly remember all the wonderful colleagues I have been working with, both here and at the Junior High. I will also miss the excellent students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching.

“They have made my job most fulfilling.”

Torlone will be missed dearly by his students and staff.

Magister Torlone teaches Latin IV students how to pick out types of clauses before translating into English. He utilizes a variety of colors and techniques to suit each student’s needs. Torlone will be greatly missed by all of his students when he retires at the end of this year.

10

Photo by Harsimran Makkad

Q&A with Mr. Mark Torlone

Q: Can you describe your teaching style? What do you do in the classroom?

A: I try to be as patient as possible.

All students are different so I try to engage everyone through different activities. This appeals to different learning styles and [includes] less traditional methods of teaching.

Q: What is the goal behind your teaching?

A: Since the future is unknown,

studying the past seems to be a relatively good predictor of what the future holds. I feel that my job is to get students to slow down and connect with history; it’s fun seeing them use that knowledge base to make predictions.

Q: What is your favorite part about your job?

A: Free parking and scented dry-

erase markers.

Q: What has stood out to you in your years of teaching?

A: Watching lots of young

people transition from student to scholar, especially those who are intellectually curious and eager to learn.

Q: What will you remember when you leave?

A: The amazing dental plan (and

all the wonderful people I have worked with)!

[ cover story ] THE LEAF | FRIDAY, APRIL 29| SHSLEAF.ORG

prom

two thousand & sixteen

SATurday may 14 The theme is...

a night to remember sharonville convention center Doors open at 8:30 PM

May 2, 4, 6, 9 , 10

Design by Orion Schlosser

$35 tickets on sale per person April 28 -29 $70 for two 11

C THE LEAF|April 29, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG

STUDENTS STARTING ‘PROM’PARATION HANNAH MAY executive co editor-in-chief

JOSH PATTERSON LAUREN SHASSERE spotlight chief opinion chief

WHAT YOUR DRESS COLOR SAYS ABOUT YOU RED

BLUE

You are sassy yet classy.

You enjoy standing out from the crowd. When the night gets late, you are always the one to keep the party going.

You were most likely the one planning the evening out for your group. You are very particular and looking for the perfect night.

BLACK

GREEN

LIGHT BLUE

CORAL

You are mature and elegant. You can never go wrong with a little black Prom dress. Easygoing in nature, you are guaranteed to be a good date.

You are your own person, not afraid of what others say, and a free spirit on the dance floor for sure. You just want to show your unique personality.

You are typically on the shy side and let your sheer beauty and kindness do the talking. You are most likely to let people cut in front of you in line for punch without minding.

You are spunky and spontaneous. Your good sense of humor keeps your group entertained throughout the evening without one dull moment.

PURPLE . You carry yourself with

an aura of mystique. You are the girl that ends the night looking as flawless as you entered it, which is seemingly impossible as you danced endlessly.

PINK You are just here for a good time. You do not take the whole Prom thing too seriously. While others may be a bit tentative to start dancing, you are the first one to the floor.

GUY’S GUIDE: PROM

Offer to pay for your date

12

Be yourself

Dress to impress

Be chivalrous and open the car door for your date

Dance the night away

THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG C

T

FEATURED PROMPOSALS

he anxiety sets in, nervousness consumes one’s being thinking about the hours of planning that went into this moment, and it all comes down to one word: yes or no.

While it may have once been acceptable to ask a date to prom with a simple inquiry, the promposer is now expected to develop an elaborate and adorable way to ask his/her date to Prom.

Be it with balloons, food, or flowers, certain promposals stand out from the crowd and deserve recognition for the creativity and dedication involved.

Here are featured promposals for this year.

1.

Photo courtesy of Paige Parr

1. Senior, Paige Parr

2.

“It was a really good surprise and very unique! I thought he pulled it off really well, even though he had to interrupt a gym class.”

3. Junior, Jake Borman

3.

“[Junior] Cora Bennett shot me in dart wars so I asked her with a pack of darts and a poster that said ‘you shot me once but will you take another shot at prom with me?’”

Photo courtesy of Beverly Liu

2. Junior, Beverly Liu

4.

Photo courtesy of Jake Borman

“I got home from the airport and he had flowers and a big chocolate bunny with one eye because it was bunny wap. He also had a poster that said ‘I need some bunny to go to Prom with me.”’

4. Senior, John McCann “We are both really into politics and the upcoming presidential election so I started thinking of puns I could make with the presidential candidates.”

Photo courtesy of John McCann

13

C

THE LEAF|April 29, 2016 |SHSLEAF.ORG

Post-prom preparation proceeds SARAH HORNE broadcast editor-in-chief

T

SAFETY

his year will be the 21st annual After Prom for juniors, seniors and underclassmen who accompany an upperclassman to the dance. It will start right after Prom on May 15 and last until 4:30 a.m.

Tickets are on sale on Apr. 28-29 and May 4, 6, 9, 10, and 12 and will cost $20 per person. The theme for this year is Vegas Nights. All junior and senior students are welcome, regardless of their attendance at Prom.

Head of After Prom committee chair member Mrs. Fran Bitzer said, “I hope that students have a fantastic night with their classmates and enjoy all the activities After Prom has to offer. There will be food, casinos, inflatables, carnival games, and a hypnotist show to enjoy.”

To begin preparation for next year’s After Prom, they secure the games and entertainment for the next year. They then work over the summer and fall in order to recruit volunteers, run the fundraising campaign, choose a theme, and plan the activities.

Bitzer said “a lot of schools have their After Prom on the same night

as SHS, so we act quickly in order to get the best activities.”

The committee is comprised of 25 parent volunteers who donate their time to creating the night.

In addition to this, it takes over 200 parent volunteers to put the evening together, along with financial support from SHS PTO, Boosters, athletic teams, parent groups, community organizations, local businesses, administration, and staff.

Bitzer said, “After Prom is important since it is a place kids can go once Prom is over where they can enjoy each other in a safe, substancefree environment, and at the same time enjoy participating in difference fun activities.”

3.

1.

2.

1. Senior Max Weiss serves himself some chicken wings from Buffalo Wild Wings.

There is an assortment of different foods being served for After Prom.

2. The theme last year was Hollywood, so all of the activities were based around movies.

The hamster balls were from the movie “G-Force.”

3. Many inflatables were also available.

From boxing to moon bounces, students have a myriad of options for fun.

All photos courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.

FIRST

1. Do not get in a car with anyone who is under the influence 2. Do not let anyone who is under the influence drive 3. If you are too tired, do not drive 14

Image by Hannah May

[ fun&games ]

SAMUEL RUSKIN fun and games chief

THE LEAF | FRIDAY, APRIL 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Where’s Amy? Nope! That is not Anna! Try and see if you can find our new girl, Amy. Tell us where in the building Amy 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.

#WHEREISAMY #FINDAMY

Photo by Ben Ruskin

*Students coming from fifth bell WILL NOT be qualified to win*

*Solution verified by hand and by computer

Sudoku Difficulty: Hard 1

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The Paper Pad Event planning and discounted invitations for sweet-16s, grad parties, mitzvahs and weddings 513-460-9589 Ask for Angie!

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THE LEAF | FRIDAY, APRIL 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

[ entertainment ]

Female superheroes lacking CHRISTINE MACKE

staff writer

During the promotion of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Black Widow was not included in toy sets that included the rest of the male Avengers, even when the toys were specifically relevant to a scene that she appeared in.

So why the lack of female superheros?

One issue is the common stereotype of women in superhero movies as ‘damsels in distress.’ Women are often portrayed as love interests to male heroes with no extraordinary powers or abilities of their own.

We have all seen the movies where the girl is in a perilous situation with seemingly no way out and the male hero has to triumphantly defeat the bad guy holding the girl hostage to save her (I am looking at you, SpiderMan).

There is nothing really wrong with this particular scenario, but why is it always the man saving the woman and not the other way around? Why can Gwen Stacey not save Spider-Man in the next movie?

According to “The Inquisitor,” actress Hayley Atwell, who plays Peggy Carter, said, “Peggy was in a position where if she was a damsel in distress, she would not be in that position. I think because she is this attractive woman who is beautifully made up, she has to fight a little bit harder to get where she is to prove that she is capable.”

Sources: http://www.dailydot.com/geek/black-widow-toy-ultron-motorcycle-replaced-captain-america/ http://www.inquisitr.com/2788380/agent-carters-hayley-atwell-might-leave-marvel-for-new-lead-role/

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Characters Natasha Romanoff

Also known as the Black Widow, this infamous assassinturned-member of SHIELD has made numerous appearances alongside Iron Man and Captain America and is one of the Avengers.

Peggy Carter

The secret agent from the 1940s worked with the organization SHIELD during World War II. She can be seen in the TV show “Agent Carter” on ABC, which is in its second season.

Jane Foster

The genius astrophysicist set out to do research on gravitational anomalies but ends up discovering the existence of another realm. She discovers Asgard, the home of Norse gods such as Thor, Loki, and Odin.

Jessica Jones

The sarcastic private investigator with super-strength debuted in a Netflix series based off of the comic series “Jessica Jones.” The storyline follows Jones trying to take down a man named Killgrave, who uses his ability of mind control to abuse Jessica and her friends.

Design by: Christine Macke

THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG F

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HANNAH FREY leaflet designer

1984 :

100 stops sold17 . million tickets

1985-1992: released eight albums, one per year

2004:

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2007:

Prince was featured as the halftime performer at the Super Bowl

source: cincinnati.com

USA today

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[ sports ]

THE LEAF | FRIDAY, APRIL 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Track attack:

“Relay” good start to season CAROLINE VERALDO co sports chief

Glauser said, “Coach Ray has realized the track team’s potential to be competitive ompared to 2015, the number of among the top high schools in Ohio. He SHS track and field athletes has has trained us in a way that improves our increased immensely. With a huge strengths and speeds while reducing injury. growth in the number of runners comes a Hopefully we will be able to win GMCs.” whole new group dynamic, and this year’s Along with a strong boys lineup, the dynamic is a good one. girls also have many powerful runners.

Up to now, the team has competed in Freshman Jenna Foy is currently placed three separate meets. The team has had a first in the 800m run along with senior strong beginning of the season with many Grace Louis in the 1600m and Lauren current Greater Miami Conference leaders.

Shassere in the 300m hurdles.

On the men’s side of the team, senior Both the girl and the boys teams have a Jeremiah Hunter and juniors Joshua lot of depth, with runners placing high in Glauser and Miles Menyhert all lead the almost every event.

GMC in the 100m dash, 400m dash, and Shassere said, “I am really proud of our 800m run, respectively, along with junior season so far and I am looking forward to Joshua Feld in discus and senior Benjamin finishing out my senior year strong. Coach Pendergast in the pole vault.

Ray has definitely helped me become a With his philosophy that all seniors better runner and hurdler and I am very are captains, head coach Henry Ray has excited for the future years of SHS track successfully developed a hard-working and field after I graduate.” track and field machine.

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Olivia Anaple, 9

Events: 800 meter, 1 mile, 2 mile Favorite event: 1 mile “I love being with the team and being with my sister. It is a good way to get exercise and participate in something that I like to do. Track is a great experience.”

Grace Anaple, 12

Events: 1 mile, 2 mile Favorite event: 1 mile “I like spending time with the team at practice and meets. I have made tons of friends during my years of track and cross country. It has been a great season so far.”

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Photo By Ben Ruskin

column:

JOSHUA PATTERSON

opinion chief

When Football Club Cincinnati was announced, no one expected record turnouts, a raucous atmosphere, and wonderful matches. All of that has become a reality in the last few weeks.

Cincinnati broke the United Soccer League’s attendance record with 20,497 fans in attendance for its match against Louisville at Nippert Stadium Saturday, April 16. This is only its second home match at Nippert Stadium.

The Major Soccer League should expand into Cincinnati as soon as possible. The transition just makes sense.

In two matches we have already broken an attendance record. The team also crushed the highest attendance of last season, which was 13,979. Also, average attendance hovers around 3,000, which Cincinnati has crushed in its first games.

At the same time, the MLS may not even consider expanding unless Cincinnati builds a soccerspecific stadium for a potential MLS team.

Not expanding into Cincinnati would be a disastrous decision and a waste of an entire region of untapped soccer fans. Not only would revenue be lost but the overall brand of the league would suffer.

Cincinnati has already proven itself to be a sports town, supporting the likes of the Bengals and the Reds through mediocre seasons. Why not give us a chance to support a soccer team?

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and it is finally reaching the states.

It is only a matter of time until it reaches Cincinnati in a major league.

In check at mid-season:

THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG S

column:

LAUREN KURTZER Boy’s varsity lacrosse ready for playoff push creative projects director WILLIAM COLEMAN co sports chief

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ith only five remaining road games and just one remaining home game on the schedule, the boy’s varsity lacrosse team has one common goal in mind: postseason success.

As districts and state playoffs approach, the squad is ready to thrive.

Senior, long-stick midfielder, and Jacksonville University commit Thomas Barnhorst said, “Our team goal has always been to peak in late May so we can have a solid postseason run. The plan is to keep improving by doing things right and playing with passion.”

Through the first nine games this season, the team has compiled six wins and three losses. All six wins have come at home on Sycamore’s turf to teams that currently own a winning percentage of .600 or lower.

Meanwhile, the three teams that were able to defeat Sycamore have a combined record of 14-7.

As division play rolls around the corner, consistency is one of the key facets of any sports team that comes along with success.

Junior and long-stick midfielder Christopher Brown said, “It all depends

on what side of the team shows up at each game. If the good side comes out to play, then the quality of our communication will be high and all the players on the field will really mesh together.”

There are a few stretches of action for the squad in which they have numerous games in a short span of time.

Earlier in the season when the team had three games in four days, they won the first of those three games. In April and May, they will play four games over an eight-day stint, all of which are road games against teams they are yet to face this year.

However, the well-being of the varsity team is looking secure as always. They have done an impressive job of avoiding crucial mistakes and they are finding ways to get players with diverse skill sets on the field at all times.

Varsity coach Gregory Cole said, “This group can be creative, athletic, powerful, and one of the best in the city when all cylinders are firing. If we work together and improve, we have a shot at a top four seed and a couple of home playoff games.”

LAX Preview: Upcoming Games 5/2 @ Lakota West 5/4 @ Lakota East 5/7 @ Oak Hills

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AVES LAX Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography

The sports industry has always been an industry which bases pay off of achievement. However, even with a recent World Cup victory, the United States Women’s National Team, USWNT, is still extremely underpaid compared to the United States Men’s National Team, USMNT. In the two most recent Olympic games, 2012 and 2016, the USMNT has not even qualified to compete. However, the women’s team has won gold in 2012 and has qualified to compete in 2016 Olympic Games.

The USWNT should be entitled to an increase in salary not only because of their gender, but because of their immense success.

According to the Seattle Times, women earn a 30,000 dollar bonus for making the World Cup. This may seem large, but in comparison to the men’s 68,750 dollar bonus for that same achievement, it is obvious that inequality is present.

If they were not the best women’s team in the world, I would say that their pay is justifiable. However, the USWNT displays achievements beyond their current pay grade I can name more players from the women’s team than the men’s.

The men have simply not been productive. They had to win a World Cup qualifying game against Guatemala, who is ranked 89 in the world just to be in the 2018 games.

The fact that men are being overpaid and underachieving and women being underpaid and overachieving is what makes sexism an issue.

If you are highly achieving in your line of work, you would at least be recognized for it, but the women have been blatantly disrespected for their exceptional work on the field.

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S THE LEAF|April 29, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG

CAROLINE VERALDO co sports chief

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p to now, the 2016 captains of the SHS men’s volleyball team seniors Cameron Foy and Nathaniel Halstead have led the team to a record of 1-4 in the regular season.

With a strong win against Hamilton, the team looks to continue practicing and improving for future games in hopes to boost its current record.

Although men’s volleyball is a relatively small sport compared to track or baseball, nine out of the ten schools in the Greater Miami Conference have a team.

Junior and assistant coach Kevin Berghoff said, “It is awesome for us to have so many opponents within our conference; it gives us a chance to play them more than once and hopefully improve the second time we play them.”

Foy said, “The team is younger and smaller compared to the other teams we play, but we take pride in our defense and we are getting better each game.”

Although the SHS men’s volleyball team has no returning Varsity seniors this year, members still have high aspirations for the rest of the 2016 season.

Berghoff said, “We are planning on getting back to the basics and working on passing. We are still optimistic, and we are having fun.”

“We take pride in our defense and we are getting better every game.”

Photo Courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography

Volleyball spikes into season

Q&A: Junior catcher Joshua Glynn BROOKE LANDRUM staff writer

When did you start playing baseball?

Who has been involved with your career?

I started at four or five playing tee-ball. Through there I got involved in some recreational teams. When I got a little older, I moved on to some select teams.

I’ve had some great coaches over the years for sure but my dad has been very involved.

He has always been around to work with me on baseball, just generally being there for me.

What has been the best moment so far?

What are your future plans?

The best things have been the people I’ve met for sure, especially on summer teams. You get to meet people you would have otherwise never met.

Photo Courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography

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I definitely want to play in college, hopefully D1. I haven’t really thought about after that yet. Mainly I just want to go to a school I would otherwise go to, get a good education and play ball.

[ spotlight ]

Home away from home THE LEAF | FRIDAY, APRIL 29 | SHSLEAF.ORG

Maria Jensen comes to Cincinnati as foreign exchange student

SARAH HORNE creative projects director

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liked the whole high school experience.

High school in America is nothing like at home. Being able to make friends from all over the world is definitely one of my favorite parts also.”

Preparing for being an exchange student begins in November and news of the host family arrives in April. In addition, each student is given a contact person who meets with them once a month in order to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Jensen said, “I think everybody should try a year or semester abroad. I know it sounds cliché, but what does not kill you makes you stronger.

“You really learn a lot about yourself. Of course it is tough, and you go through an emotional roller coaster, but it is definitely worth it.”

1. Jensen left Denmark in order to travel and explore the United States. Back in Denmark, she is one of five in her family. The experience of leaving home helped her to find her own independence.

2. Jensen celebrates Christmas with her host family. Part of the foreign exchange program is having a family take in an international student so they can feel at home.

She is being hosted by Gail Rogers and David Rogers.

Source: ef.edu

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Photos courtesy of Maria Jensen

ormally students walk, take the bus, or drive in order to get to school.

However, junior Maria Jensen flew 4,650 miles from Denmark in order to receive her education in Cincinnati.

Jensen said, “I decided to become an exchange student because I love traveling, I wanted to improve my English and I wanted to try something different, like get out of my comfort zone.”

The first step in becoming an exchange student was finding the right program to travel with. Jensen chose to travel with Education First, or EF. EF has four branch programs: academic year abroad, language course abroad, academy program, and Hult International Business School.

Jensen said, “Some of my friends have done an exchange year and they loved it. So I checked it out and talked to my parents and I decided to travel with EF.” EF allows students to travel to ten different countries with seven different languages around the world including Italy, Costa Rica, and China.

Before traveling, students must go to informational meetings and be interviewed in order to be evaluated in English proficiency.

Jensen said, “After being accepted, I had to fill out a bunch of forms and apply for a visa, so there was a lot of work involved before I left Denmark.

“This experience has made me more independent and I learned so much about myself. I have improved my English and I was given a second family on the other side of the world .”

All host families are randomly chosen volunteers. In addition, all families wishing to host a foreign exchange student are screened prior to approval.

Jensen said, “I do not know what my favorite part of this experience is. It might sound crazy to an American, because they are so used to their schools, but I really

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