the
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FRIDAY August 31, 2007 Volume LV Issue I 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 513 686. 1770 ext. 3089
newsbytes
Eight years of excellence Sycamore Community Schools has continued its esteemed reputation by receiving the “Excellence” rating for the eighth consecutive year on the Ohio Graduation Report Card.
Debate club recruits new members Speech and debate club is recruiting members for its first meeting on September 4th. For information, contact Mrs. Connie Smith in room 217, or presidents Tamir Haddad, 12 and Michelle Johnson, 11.
Yearbook pick-ups If you have not yet picked up your pre-ordered 2006-2007 yearbook, it can be picked up at the main office anytime during regular school hours. Don’t forget to order the 2007-2008 yearbook prior to January 1st for $60.
2-4 5-6 fun&games 7 diversity 8 feature 9-19 a&e 20-21 sports 22-29 calendar 31 spotlight 32
inside
The Leaf!
S
opinion chief
ixteen may not be so sweet anymore-- but now, it is much safer. In compliance with Ohio’s House Bill 343 passed in April, junior parking passes are now limited to two student drivers, instead of the previous three. The new law limits probationary drivers under seventeen to drive only one non-family passenger and prohibits driving between midnight and five a.m., unless with a parent or guardian. “It makes a lot of stuff a lot harder, especially if you need to transport groups or underclassmen to school functions. You end up making multiple trips which is bad because we have deadlines,” said Terrence Southard, 11. Additionally, permit drivers under eighteen are prohibited from driving between midnight and five a.m., and seventeen-year-old drivers between one a.m. and five a.m. Exceptions to the curfew include work,
>> DRIVING LAW: PAGE 2
photo by melodie jeng
New biotechnology class added to curriculum Students bond over summer, prepare for two years of class together
image by staff
Former student paints mural in Commons
ALEXA FOGLER
associate editor
Mrs. Beth Quinones has spent the last four years trying to get biotechnology approved. For the first time this year, 23 juniors will take this science class. “Taking this class was a big commitment and I had to give up some electives, but it’s worth it,” said Tamar Wiener, 11. The class is held two bells a day for two years. It is lab-based and teaches practical science that can be used in the workplace. Experiments will include gene cloning, protein chemistry, and building molecular models. The students will compete with five other area schools that have the same type of class. At the end of two years, participants will be responsible for a capstone project. Each student will be paired with a company or college partner to work with throughout the two years. This provides opportunities for scholarships and co-ops after graduation. Since the group will be spending the next two years together, Tom Seiple, 11 hosted an afternoon of bonding at his house before school started. 16 of the students enrolled attended the party.
Homecoming: September 29
ALEXA FOGLER associate editor
image courtesy of mrs. beth quinones
JUNIORS TOM SEIPLE, Tamar Wiener, and Christina Bell participate in a Biotech bonding activity. The two-bell, two-year long class is being introduced this year for the first time.
“Even though it was only one night we all feel really close,” said Wiener. To apply for this class, students must have a B average in science, a C average overall, be enrolled in chemistry, have taken or be enrolled in Algebra II, and write a paragraph saying why they are interested in the class.
About the Principal
“A Dance with Dr. Seuss” Spirit Week Pep Rally Hallway Decorations Senior: “Oh the Places We’ll Go” Junior: Cat in the Hat Sophomore: the Lorax Freshman: “Go Aves Go”
Friday: Parade: “Sycamore in Suessville” Pre-game Celebration Football Game
Saturday: Dance: 9 p.m.-12 a.m.
In an effort to increase school spirit, former Sycamore grad Elise Allen was asked by the class of ’07 to paint a mural in the commons. After working 30 hours during the summer on the wall, she was asked to do another painting for the gym scheduled to be finished by the beginning of basketball season. The new mural in the main gym will feature the same airplane design from the commons but painted from a different angle. The wording will most likely remain the same, but has yet to be solidified. “It should really jazz the gym up,” said Allen. “Hopefully it will get students more excited to come to games.” Mrs. Margaret Copfer, Allen’s former art teacher and mentor, suggested Allen to Karen Nesbitt, ’07 who helped plan the project. “I appreciate that Mrs. Copfer recommended me,” said Allen. “I went to high school here, so it’s nice to be back. I hope to continue working with Sycamore in the future.”
Q&A with Mr. Chris Davis, principal should the students Q. What expect from you this year? they will find that A. A. II hope am very approachable.
The week of:
news opinion
of
MELODIE JENG
Potential NHS members
On Thursday, September 20th, the football game against Lakota East will be televised for the first time in Aviator history. The game will be on the local channel, starting at 7:30 p.m until the game ends.
YEARS
Juniors, seniors quickly fill up parking spaces
Several new synthesizer labs have been installed in the music rooms. “This should be a very positive thing for the students in the music department,” said Mr. Chris Davis, principal.
Football game to be televised for first time
55 Celebrating
New driving law limits high school drivers
New labs in music dept.
Current juniors and seniors with a 3.6 GPA or higher are eligible to become National Honors Society members. If you do not already have 30 hours of community service, make sure to get those in before applications are circulated this fall.
VARSITY GIRLS LACROSSE had a perfect season last spring, topped off by their state championships. Find out more about their amazing season and win on page 25.
TRYING TO FIND a niche? Join a club. Check out pages 16 and 17 to learn about all the different ways you can fit in and find a place at this high school.
-administrator for past ten years -principal at Milford Junior High for four years - assistant principal and athletic director at Milford Junior High for three years -assistant principal at Mason High School for three years -lives in West Chester -loves the outdoors -has five kids, ages one through nine
I really like sitting and talking; I enjoy the people side of the job, so hopefully you’ll see me out and about a lot, talking to people. I want to continue the student advisory committee so that students have the ability to express their concerns and share what they’d like to see done differently.
Q.
Are there any changes or anything new that you are
implementing this year? My approach is that I have an awful lot to learn here-- the culture, and the students-- before I start saying we have to change anything. There isn’t anything that is really going to affect the students. We’re working on some professional development activities for the staff, which started last year that I helped facilitate, so we as adults are going to continue learning and growing just as we are expecting you students to do.