february 2007 issue by Sycamore High School

SL first glance

goaves.org IS KATE ROCKWELL THE ONE that you want? An ‘02 grad of the high school, she is remembered better in Cincinnati as Kate Wilfong, and she is one of the twelve remaining finalists on NBC’s Grease: You’re The One That I Want. Rockwell has survived one major elimination round and is considered the most vocally talented “Sandy” on the show. Learn more about Rockwell’s Cincinnati high school days on page 22.

CAN THE WINTER SPORTS SEASON give us enough points to blast past Lakota West in the GMC Trophy standings? So far, the chess and swim teams have earned the maximum of eleven points for a season. Zach Star, 12, and three other districtqualifying varsity wrestlers hope to extend their season into the state tournament. Take a look at page 33 for updates on how each team is doing.

Sycamore Leaf WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007 Volume LIII Issue VII 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 513 686. 1770 ext. 3089

OGTs arrive in mid-March, complete with modified schedule photo by sharon wagner

On March 12-16, freshmen and sophomores will take the Ohio Graduation Tests. Freshmen will be taking the practice test while sophomores take the actual test. The OGT must be passed in order to graduate from high school in Ohio. During this week, juniors and seniors will begin school at 9:55 a.m. Check the Calendar page 28 or www.goaves.org for the test week schedule.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE annual Relay for Life will take place at the high school. Relay for Life is a cancer walk in which teams participate to raise money for cancer research. An especially significant aspect of the Relay are the luminaries purchased by participants in memory of loved ones felled by cancer.

Students, parents get ready for Odd Couples Ball

The renowned Fine Arts Weekend, which plays host to a district-wide art show and several concerts from middle school, junior high, and high school musical groups, is expected to draw crowds from all over the district when it opens on March 3. Entrance is free.

DECA students travel to competition, receive recognition

On February 12, DECA students traveled to UC Clermont to participate in the Ohio DECA District 6 competition. Students Debra Lipson, Spencer Deutsch, Melinda Kelley and Anna Reis, all 11, received recognition. Seniors Nick Mayer, Linda Mendez and Daniela Martos also won awards.

Winter Sports Awards take place on March 6 in main gym

The annual Winter Sports Awards will take place on Tuesday, March 6 with the opening ceremony beginning in the main gym. Teams included are Boys and Girls Basketball, Swimming, Cheerleading, Winter Track, Wrestling, Academic Quiz Team, Hockey, Flyerettes, Chess, Bowling, and Diving.

Inside...

News...........................................1-5 Perspective..............................6-12 Humor..........................................13 Feature...................................14-19 Arts.........................................20-22 Entertainment.......................23-27 Calendar......................................28 Automotive.................................29 Athletics.................................30-38 Profile..........................................40

by Sharon Wagner

ancer never sleeps. That is the idea behind Relay for Life, a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, which will be hosted by the high school this year on May 11-12. Many students have participated in Relay for Life in previous years and look forward to this major opportunity for the school to show its support for the fight against cancer. “Relay is a superb opportunity to volunteer and have fun with your friends at the same time,” said Robert Amster, 12. Relay for Life is an event where those touched by cancer within the community, including survivors, friends, family, and anyone who cares—can gather together to share their stories, raise awareness, and contribute donations in one huge overnight event. Worried about the relay part? The event is more of a fundraiser than a race. Participants form teams, and one member from each team walks on the track at all times from the beginning of the evening at 6 p.m. to noon the next day. Where does the fundraising come in? Each team must donate at least $100 to participate in the event, and prizes are given for the teams that raise the most money. All donations benefit the American Cancer Society, an organization devoted to battling cancer. Wrist bands are sold by many teams, as well as luminaries in honor of loved ones that have passed away due to cancer. Relay for Life also includes a lot of fun activities besides the actual

Winter blues blown away by three snow days

City-wide event comes to high school

relay: dancing, dinner, contests, and just hanging out with teammates. “It’s a lot of fun to stay up with your friends all night and be completely out of it in the morning,” said Lydia Griffith, 10. “Bring lots of caffeine.” While the evening is fun-filled and crazy, no one forgets why he or she is there. Participants purchase luminaries for lost loved ones that are lit after sunset to create an extremely powerful reminder of why this cause is so important. “Relay is one of the most amazing experiences ever. Last year the luminaria ceremony was just so touching,” said Esther Wu, 10. Because another goal of the event is to celebrate survival, there are many opportunities for survivors to relate their experiences and provide support for one another. The survivor dinner is held for cancer survivors before the relay begins, and the first lap of the relay is devoted to survivors as well. This year a goal has been set for the high school to form 30 teams— that means 300 students. To get involved, visit the website at www.relayforlife.org for more information about starting or joining a Montgomery Area team, or simply ask one of the hundreds of students who have participated. To find out more about the American Cancer Society, visit www. cancer.org. photo by staff

Fine Arts Weekend, Pancake Day coming March 3, 4

Relay for Life hits home:

photo by cheralyn jardine

“All You Need Is Love” is the theme for this year’s Odd Couple’s Ball, which will be taking place on March 10. Students may bring their parent of the opposite sex and a buffet-style dinner will be served. Following dinner, a live band, the Re-Bops, will perform.

ON FEBRUARY 13, 14, AND 15, school was called off due to implications from a snow storm that continued through the night on February 12 to the morning on February 14. Initially, roads were dangerous and some district subdivisions were unreachable by bus and undrivable by car. Even after the roads were cleared, though, power outages at a few district schools made having school on Thursday, February 15, impossible. In regard to the policy of making up school due to missed days, the state of Ohio builds five “calamity days” into the school calendar. To address this issue, Superintendent Dr. Adrienne James wrote a memo to teachers explaining that “we’ve used four of our five days already,” and that our resolution includes using President’s Day and Spring Break as make-up days if five days is exceeded.

2003 grad plans educational conference, billboards overseas STACY TOLOS, AN ‘03 GRADUATE, has been making headlines all over the world since her departure from the high school. She is on the board for “Education Without Borders” and has helped plan a conference that will be attended by Nobel Prize winner Muhammed Yunus, United Nations Secretary General Shashi Tharoor, Former President Bill Clinton and Prince William. Her billboards advertising the conference can be seen all over Dhubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In addition, Tolos won the USA Today All-Academic Award for her work and founded a mentoring program, Synergy, when she attended Vanderbilt University.

News

WEDNESDAY February 28,2007

First Glance continued...

The annual Hoxworth Blood Drive is a success

The senior class would like to thank all of you that participated in the Hoxworth Blood Drive last Friday February 23. We were able to give a record amount of blood and Hoxworth would like to thank all of those who showed interest even if they were unable to donate.

this day in history Internationally known cult ends in 100+ deaths The Branch Davidian are members who consider themselves to be living in a time where Christian prophecies of judgment were coming to pass. Their leader, David Koresh thought himself to be the last prophet. On this day 14 years ago, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents and the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the Branch Davidian church in Waco, Texas, in hopes of arresting the cult leader. Instead, they ended up burning the Branch Davidian’s ranch, and thus killing Koresh, 53 adults, 25 children, and 2 unborn infants. David Koresh’s life began in Houston, Texas. He had an abusive step – father, and a mother who gave birth to him at the young age of fourteen. When he was in his early twenties, he became a born-again Christian in the Southern Baptist church, and soon joined his mother’s church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church. There, he fell in love with the pastor’s daughter, and was soon kicked out of the congregation, after obsessively courting her. In 1981, Koresh moved to Waco, Texas and joined the Branch Davidians. This group originated in the 1950s and each member was excommunicated from the Seventh Day Adventist Church. They held their headquarters at a ranch, which they called Mount Caramel Center. At this center, Koresh announced that polygamy as suitable. He allowed himself 140 wives, sixty women to be considered “queens” and eighty concubines, which he interpretated from the Biblical Song of Solomon. Koresh was guilty of child and physical abuse, and it is said that girls as young as 12 bore his children. The Danforth report claims that those who did not survive the raid and fire were unwilling to flee, and that Steve Schneider, Koresh’s right-hand man, probably shot Koresh and killed himself with the same gun.

photo courtesy of mark torlone

by Min Young Sohn

ELIZABETH WEI 11, ALEX ROCK, 11, Mark Szymczak,11 are practicing for Certamen, the Latin Quiz Team. This is one of the many events held at the Ohio Junior Classical League’s convention. It will take place in Columbus, Ohio on March 9-11. Over 40 schools participate in this event, and many students are excited. Students create projects that are judged by Latin teachers, and individual team members can contribute extra points by taking tests on Friday and Saturday.

‘There is never a dull moment at an OJCL event,’

Latin club heads to convention by Alexa Fogler

This year on March 9-11 several Latin Club members will make the trek to an annual convention for competitions, tests, and as teacher Mr. Mark Torlone puts it, “irresistible teen frivolity.”

ne mind is more powerful than 100 soldiers.” This is the theme for the Ohio Junior Classical League’s (OJCL) annual state wide Latin Convention which will take place on March 9-11 in Columbus, Ohio. Latin students from over 40 schools gather here year after year to compete with each other in club and individual contests including everything from models and mosaics to tests on mythology. Exciting, huh? Surprisingly, many seem to think so. “This is my fifth straight year going to Latin Convention, and I am as excited as ever,” said Alex Bidwell, 11. “There is never a dull moment at an OJCL event.” The Latin Club has been working hard all year to prepare for this convention, the pinnacle of all of its events. This year, the club will enter a few group projects such as a club scrapbook, banner representative of the theme, and an audio-visual presentation. The officers, led by president Bidwell, have split up these jobs and enlisted help from the other club members. “The scrapbook is looking great this year,” said Sarah Perlman, 10. “The girls on board have been working very diligently to get the book finished.” In addition to their work on the club projects, delegates attending convention are responsible for at least three other individual projects as well. These tasks range from ventures in the graphic arts such as pencil drawings and photographs, to those in the creative and performing arts such as dramatic

interpretation and Latin recitation. All of the projects are judged by Latin teachers who attend the convention, and ten are chosen and ranked from each category as the best. When a school’s club or individual project places, points are earned which go toward an overall award at the end of convention. There are many other exciting parts of Latin Convention, one part being that the students get to take tests on Friday night and throughout the day on Saturday to gain even more points for the team. “Sycamore Latin students, after experiencing the monotony of APs, OGTs, SATs, and ACTs, get to enjoy taking a standardized test written in another language,” said Mr. Mark Torlone, Latin teacher. “It’s a real treat for them.” Schools also compete for the best t-shirt design. At press time the club’s design was unavailable, but it is sure to be better than last year’s. However, the best part of Latin Convention is the excitement of meeting other Latin students and sharing a weekend with them while wearing togas. “It’s really a diverse group of students breaking through social barriers and reaching out to each other at OJCL,” said Torlone. “It’s always inspiring to see so many valedictorians laughing and sharing with salutatorians.” With members of all grade levels attending this year’s convention, the spoils which will be earned for the school’s Latin Club are endless. No matter what happens on judgment day though, the club is sure to at least win a spirit award or two.

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It is a test of logic and reasoning, not knowledge. It checks application, not memorization. It is impossible to prepare for, and it is the JETS competition. The Junior Engineering Technical Society, or JETS, is a great way for those who excel at math and science to utilize their talents and contribute to the successful history of this team. “Last year our varsity team won the regional competition, and we were fifth nationally,” said Ms. Julie Haverkos, physics teacher and JETS sponsor. The JETS team was also named National Champion five years ago. With such strong mathematics and science departments, it is entirely possible that this year’s team could produce high scores once again. “I think we’ll do pretty good because we’ve experienced [the competition] already. We’ll be more prepared,” said Will Eckert, 12.

The test involves two rounds: one is multiple choice, one is essay. The problems concern realistic, interesting problems that are considered to be freshman college level engineering problems. Science and math teachers select the participants, who meet once a week after school. The actual competition will take place February 28, allowing for several weeks of practice. Still, there is no way students can truly prepare for the test. Participants are limited only by the resources available to them; they can use anything except for computers “We know we won’t be able to answer every question,” said Eckert. Each year, the topics are changed, but the overall content remains the same. Students are divided into varsity and JV teams, with 8 members on each team. “It takes a lot of teamwork. It shows you how putting two minds together can be really awesome,” said Meredith Linde, 12.

News

WEDNESDAY February 28,2007

Science department introduces biotechnology program

New courses achieve success by Melodie Jeng

igh school provides a foundation for future studies. With growing trends in learning and professions, supply meets demand, and the school is offering new courses. Most recently added are the AP Psychology and the Biotechnology programs.

Biotech program debuts

Next year will be the first year for the Biotechnology program. This unique course is open to juniors who meet specific requirements and take two daily bells for two years. The requirements include: teacher recommendations from Biology and Environmental Science teachers; completion of academic prerequisites or congruent enrollment of at least Academic Chemistry and Algebra II; a science GPA of 3.0; a cumulative GPA of 2.5; attendance rate of 90%; and an essay. Biotechnology will be taught by Mrs. Beth Quinones and Ms. Danielle Scrase. There will be two classes of 20 students. Students who would be perfect for the course are typically “in the middle” and enjoy science. The course is a statewide collaborated, discovery-based learning program. Students will study the most current advances in biology and technology, including biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, standard operating procedures and more. “I watch CSI. It’s pretty exciting and I heard the class is like it so I think I will like the biotech class,” said E. J. Delara, 10.

This course is advantageous to students because it counts for four college credits at the University of Cincinnati and gets the senior capstone project out of the way.

AP Psych completes first year

Currently in its first year, AP Psychology has been a popular class. It is taught by Mrs. Laura Miniard. Book reading, class lectures, and assessments are crucial to the class but activities such as personality tests, conditional learning, and a “senses party” are frequent and make the class very enjoyable. “Although it is a difficult class, the material is easy to learn because we do a lot of fun activities. I wouldn’t change my decision to take this class,” said Joe Rosati, 12. AP Psychology covers themes such as Learning, Personality, States of Consciousness, Social Psychology, and various approaches. Many students find the learned information beneficial to understanding oneself or solving everyday problems. The school also offers Introduction to Psychology but it is not a prerequisite to the AP class. In fact, students are actually recommended to jump straight to AP. Both courses are open to juniors and seniors only. In May, AP Psychology students may take the AP test and possibly earn college credit. With all these unique additions to the curriculum, students will have access to advanced experience, credit, and knowledge to enter college and the professional life.

panish classes visit Spain pring break promises to be spectacular

19 National Merit Finalists selected NINETEEN NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS WERE named from the high school in early February. “This is a big deal,” said Mr. Kenji Matsudo, principal. They were taken down the commons staircase on Feb 20 for pictures. The selection of the recipients of the Merit Scholarship is now in progress. 8,200 will be selected out of the 16,000 finalists. Those who do not receive Merit Scholarships can apply for college scholarships based on their finalist status. Finalists status is awarded based on performance on the SAT, an essay, and academic performance. Top row, from left: Samuel Pollak, John Przywara, Jessica Zhang, Sarah Vaz. Second row, from left: Samuel Snow, Jennifer French, April Zhang. Third row from left: Zachary Goldman, Indika Ekanayake, Anthony Huron, Taylor Williams. Bottom row, from left: Chelsea Keller, Catherine Zhang, Anna Kwa, Jinwei Hu, all seniors. Not shown: Robert Amster, Chester Chen, Megan Feng, and Kevin Lin, all seniors.

This spring break, Spanish students with at least three years of experience have the opportunity to travel to Spain. The guys get to ogle the ladies and the girls get to swoon over the foreign men…along with being exposed to a new culture and surrounded by another language, of course. “I wanted to go on the trip, but it was only open to Spanish III and above,” said David Jungerwirth, 9. The students will travel across Spain, visiting various cities including Madrid, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Toledo, and more. In Madrid, the students will visit the Plaza Mayor, the Prado museum, and experience what teenage Spaniards endure at school daily. The famed Spanish swords will shatter many wallets (and parents’ hearts) in Toledo, along with bearing witness to the art of el Greco. The architecture in Seville will undoubtedly enchant the minds of many in addition to the Flamenco dancing, and the Royal Palace will stun as many in Cordoba. “Latinas are undeniably the most beautiful people in the world. Perfect skin, hair, accents…everything. They’re absolutely beautiful,” said Jessa Ramsey, 11. The students are anxiously awaiting the trip, which is less than two months away, and are trying to make sure they are prepared for everything, from packing to pick-pocketing. They need to make sure they have the right things to bring, the right mindset while arriving, and are prepared to wait long hours on the flight, in customs, baggage claim, and the airport along with much more. This truly is a “once in a lifetime experience,” as said by Dana Reinhart, 10.

THIS GORGEGOUS FLAMENCO DANCING DAME is exactly what the Spanish classes are hoping to see on their cross-continental trip over spring break. Dressed in typical dancing garb, she strikes a pose that is sure to have any young American male on his knees.

photo courtesy of google.com

“This is a big deal”

phto courtesy of christy miller

by Bobby Jungerwirth

News

WEDNESDAY February 28,2007

AMANDA ROSS, 12 PRESENTS HER capstone project. Many seniors this year are required to do a capstone project for one of their English classes. Capstones are designed to keep seniors on task in their last quarter of high school.

Presidential candidates announce intent to run Meet candidates, learn about issues by Saul Geller

all images by michela tindera

For the last two presidential terms, the United States has been under the executive power of George W. Bush. This upcoming election promises a new variety of candidates and ideas to be coming up on the horizon. Many candidates, both Democratic and Republican, have announced their intent to run for the presidency, including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Senator John McCain is a probable candidate, though he has not made it official.

Hillary Clinton Political Party: Democrat Political Career: NY Senator, First Lady Important Issues: End war in Iraq, improve quality of education and healthcare

‘We want seniors to stay focused until they’ve graduated’

Capstones in developmental phase for seniors

by Mary Ann Jiang

any seniors are not aware of what capstones are, and they immediately rebuff the proposition once they find out. However, frequent English curriculum meetings have considered the introduction of capstone end-of-the-year projects for seniors. “Production and presentation of the projects takes the better part of fourth quarter,” said Mrs. Connie Smith, English teacher. Smith has used capstones for four years in her World Literature Standards, Honors and American Literature Accelerated classes. Capstones take significant amounts of time and occupy much of the fourth quarter. Students must plan, research, and present their assignment to help them consider, review, and organize all of the things that they have learned in their high school careers. Students pick a theme from literature in their English course, then incorporate research, media, speech skills, writing skills, and a creative aspect, such as a visual aid. “It is a project to synthesize what you’ve learned over four years and prove something you’re passionate about. However, it is English related,” said Mrs. Christine Allen, English teacher.

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Students implement their life-long passions and collective life lessons into their work. Connecting their pieces to lessons from English class, students share talents that they are enthusiastic about. The idea may seem daunting, however it does not overwhelm students. Capstones serve to require seniors’ concentration through the end of the year. Also, teachers want the assignment to be valuable and memorable as it wraps up students’ last quarter of high school. “The department is thinking about this because we want seniors to stay focused until they’ve graduated so they’re more prepared for college, and they are ready to communicate at the college level. We want them to resist the temptation to slack off,” said Allen. Here, students show their work to their class and teacher. The project is incorporated into the class, but does not add work for seniors because other assignments are deducted to provide balance. Contrary to popular belief, the project’s design is for college preparation and not punishment. If any department is to think of a creative assignment, it is the English Department. Students can only wait to see what designs are finalized.

John McCain Political Party: Republican Political Career: AZ Senator Important Issues: Supports war in Iraq, shares democratic views on taxation towards middle class

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News

WEDNESDAY February 28,2007

‘Basketbrawl’ Officer assaulted, student sent to hospital after fight following basketball game against Colerain

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Rumor control: Finding fine line between credibility, slander by Arushi Sharma

umors are a normal part of a teen’s high school life, but are not something a person looks forward to. Rumors can not only be damaging, but they can hurt one’s studies, self-esteem, and even health. Sadly, people’s response to rumors often compounds the serious damage they do. Rumors...how do they start? Usually people remember sharp details and forget those that were not so vivid. What people notice and remember depends on their own interests and experiences. Frequently people see what they expect to see, whether it was really there or not. They fill in gaps to make a story more believable. People often build up or shorten a story in retelling it. One’s first reactions to false, damaging rumors about oneself are often defensiveness, anger, or even a counterattack. Most of these responses are ineffective. But here are some facts that one can use to handle rumors more effectively: Rumors can become more damaging as they age: responding to it quickly is necessary. Waiting just gives the rumor time to spread and evolve. Do not be concerned how responding might add to the spread of the rumor, because the rumor will spread on its own anyway. Most rumors are credible. When a rumor spreads, it is probably credible, because people are more likely to retell rumors that they themselves believe. The credibility of a rumor depends not on the sources of the information, but on how well the rumor fits with prejudices, stereotypes or widely held images. To respond, begin by identifying the elements that make the rumor

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IN HIGH SCHOOL, RUMORS CAN spread like wildfire. Students have been spreading lies as long as they have been spreading the truth. The only way to control the rumor mill is to stop them at the source, hurt its credibility, and respond constructively.

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Get coverage right. Through local papers, web reports and news broadcasts, most likely every Tri-State citizen heard of that night’s event. Sadly, many heard the wrong version. Jacob Dirr, local reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer, reported that the fight was directly correlated with the basketball game. In fact, the two events were not connected at all. Starting with the call for backup Jeff Trickey, Montgomery police officer, made around 9:30 p.m. “It had nothing to do with the game. To say it involved Colerain with any form or fashion would be inaccurate,” said Principal Kenji Matsudo. The basketball game had absolutely not a thing to do with the actual fight that led to a cop spraying a teen. Two girls, both 16 years-old, rallied in the school’s lobby and started a cat fight when officer Trickey made his move. Police claimed a surveying cousin of one of the two girls suddenly attacked officer Trickey. Police ended up arresting one of the girls fighting that night. “We have fights from time to time, but it is kind of unusual that an officer would get assaulted,” said Montgomery Police Sgt. John Crowell. Nonetheless, however “unusual” the assault, the student continued punching him in the face. An apparently equal duel, the police officer faced no other option than to pull out the pepper spray and subdue the 17 year-old boy. The boy was rushed to Children’s Hospital where he was treated for pepper spray damages. “Trickey was treated and released from Bethesda North Hospital,” said Crowell. Unfortunately, the media skewed this event, causing this school’s name to be plastered all over headlines of news stories for such shameless acts. Whether it is because of fights, drug busts or other numerous illegal activities, this school’s name has been disgraced.

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credible. Since the rumor’s credibility in part derives from one’s own behavior, make an effort to change that behavioral pattern. Packaged rumors spread more rapidly. A rumor’s “packaging” usually appears as a preamble: “You can’t repeat this or tell anyone I told you.” Gossips feel a little safer retelling a packaged rumor because they have assurances that the trace path will exclude them. Packaging speeds propagation. If one hears a packaged rumor, one should assume that it has spread everywhere. Do not waste time trying to trace it to a source. It is usually easy to guess the source anyway. Quelling a rumor is very difficult. Nobody controls where a rumor travels or how fast. Controlling a rumor that is already circulating is impossible — once a rumor is loose, it circulates on its own, possibly indefinitely. Instead of trying to control a rumor, figure out how to get the truth to circulate just as fast as the rumor. Rely on respected third parties to circulate independently verifiable factual information that directly contradicts as much of the rumor as possible. Respond constructively: If one becomes defensive, depressed or irate, that behavior will seem to confirm the rumor — it will seem like being caught in the act. Acknowledge the existence of the rumor, and address it seriously. Always remember that the people who believe the rumor might feel criticized if one dismisses it as transparently false. Students can do much better if they can maintain their self-esteem. When people believe in themselves, anything else they do is more likely to succeed. With regard to rumors, before acting, one should make certain that they have all the facts.

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erspective P WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

politically

incorrect

Political bloopers by David Dannenberg

Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, OH 45242

Mission Statement: The Sycamore Leaf, the official newspaper of Sycamore High School, serves as an educational tool in the training of student journalists to provide information and editorial leadership concerning school, national, and world issues, to provide a public forum for the exchange of ideas and viewpoints, and to give coverage to newsworthy events directly related to the diverse school population. 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 cannot 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 Sycamore Leaf operates as an open forum for the healthy, robust exchange of ideas. Opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the Sycamore Leaf staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged. All letters must be signed. The letters, not to

Relay for Life

One in three Americans will get cancer sometime in their lives. Chances are, a loved one is going to die of cancer. With scientists researching ways to fight cancer and millions of dollars funding the search for the cure, it seems like there is not much the average person can do. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is a program set up to raise awareness for the fight against cancer. Relay for Life is an overnight event. Teams of people camp at a local area while they take turns running around a track or pathway, with each team having one person on the track at all times. When night comes, people set out luminaries to remember those who died from cancer, those struggling with it, and those have who won the fight. Anyone can participate, and cancer survivors are invited to attend as “honorary guests” to show the world that cancer can be beaten. The American Cancer Society is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States. The society raises millions of dollars each year to aid in cancer research. 38 Nobel Prizewinning researchers have come from the Society. The Society’s Relay for Life will take place here at the high school on May 11. The event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. More information about the American Cancer Society and how to help join the fight against cancer can be found at www.cancer.org There is no current cure for cancer, but with your help, there is hope that we might one day discover a way to beat this deadly disease.

What do you think about

staff editorial

leafingthrough

themasses

Relay For Life is more convenient because it’s at the high school. I’m really looking forward to it this year, and hopefully more people will join since it’s here this year. -Sarah Schneider, 10

It’s a great opportunity to support a good cause. -Sanjay Choudhary, 11

In politics, there is nothing more important than appearance, and politicians always try to maintain the outward notion that they are intelligent, the illusion that they are sensitive, and the fallacy that they care what you think. Often, however, even the slickest politicians fail in their relationship with the public, and noticing these verbal blunders are entertaining in the same way that viewing a big tackle in a football game is entertaining. The most notorious (and amusing) recent example of a faux pas (two, actually) goes to Senator Joe Biden (DDE), who is perhaps the most solecistic politician in Washington. In attempting to praise fellow Democratic Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Biden managed to anger the rest of the black community at large, by saying “[Barack Obama is] the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy…” As is always the case when it comes to race, Al Sharpton was one of the first to respond, telling Time Magazine “I told [Biden] that I bathe every day.” Biden also attempted garner support by boasting about Delaware’s large Indian population, but ended up with a slight problem when he said this: “In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian Americans - moving from India. You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking.” In these cases, Senator Biden’s obsession with diversity, combined with his near-pathological loquaciousness, have turned him into a public relations nightmare for the Democratic Party. Since Senator Biden is “not joking,” it looks like someone else will be winning the Democratic nomination in 2008. If Biden still plans to run, he will need a wheelchair- because he has not one, but both feet in his mouth. Biden is not the only one who has gotten used to the taste of his shoe. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) managed to stir up talk radio and the rest of the nation with this quote: “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t [get an education], you get stuck in Iraq,” said Kerry. It is true that Democrats are not the only ones who display such gaucherie on a regular basis. The President, for instance, is notorious for his not-sosubtle invention of words (“strategery”). So yes, the Republicans are just as guilty as the Democrats when it comes to political mistakes and blunders. But the Republicans, for all their supposed incompetence, are not quite as stupid as they may be portrayed. After all, they are the ones in the White House.

Editor-in-chief: Min Young Sohn Associate editor: Amy Tolle Managing editor: Kate Moore Business managers: Alexa Fogler and Jennifer Lee

exceed 300 words, may be edited for clarity, spelling, and grammar. Letters may be placed in Mrs. Jardine’s mailbox, dropped off in Room 115, or e-mailed to: sycamoreleaf@gmail.com The Sycamore Leaf reserves the right to decide not to cover a death based on relevance, timeliness, and circumstances decided on by the editorial board. In cases that the editorial board decides not to cover a death, letters to the editor in regard to that death will be printed. The Sycamore Leaf’s complete editorial policies can be found at http://goaves. sycamoreschools.org

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erspective P WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

social commentary

Trust deficiencies, or why second chances matter

As a concept, trust is easy to grasp. In practice, it becomes a little like water. I trust that the sun will rise each morning, but I do not trust that I will always make it to school on time. I trust that I will eat at some point, but not that I will get to sleep at an hour lower than my GPA. The small, unnoticeable instances of trust are the anchors in our lives - and they filter into every interaction, every relationship that we have. From infancy we are forced to trust others. We trust that our parents will feed us, that we will sleep comfortably, and that someone will always be around to love us. If this trust is broken (as it inevitably is), we cry with a force to be reckoned with. And as someone who has worked with small children for four years, I can admit it: there is a splitsecond before a baby begins to cry where you just wince. As we develop (and sometimes mature), our trust is broken more and more frequently. Suddenly the concept of second chances comes into our lives, and instead of the world being blackand-white, good and bad, we are forced to evaluate whether the relationship is worth rebuilding trust. Which is not an easy thing to do - and cannot be an easy thing to do, for then it would mean nothing. Throughout my freshman year, I had a best friend who I adored. We could not live without each other no matter how hard we tried - and we spent hours talking to each other each day about the most mundane, most abstract things on the planet (it is thanks to her that I know how to fix a broken nose, how long it would take to trip and fall on the stairs, and where the ‘best’ coffee shop in Paris is located). Obviously, we got into a huge fight. Looking back, it was inevitable, after spending that many hours with a person, you hit a point where the most minute thing means the world. Every action, every reaction, every pause spoke volumes to our paranoid minds until we could not, would not trust each other. We fought on a Thursday, and it rained all weekend - that disgusting, March rain that turns everything to mud. And for the first time in my life, I understood what numb was. It was not the absence of pain, but the removal from it. I could understand that it was there and that I was hurt that all my faith and all my trust had meant nothing - but it was something far away. Needless to say, I was miserable. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me, this dissolution of our friendship. For a month, I lost the one person that had ever known what I was going to say before I had opened my mouth. But in that month, I learned to cast off all the judgments she had made on me. Her words and comments (whether intentionally negative or not) had left me even more distrustful than ever - and it took work, and thought, to reverse them. And more importantly, to forgive her. We happened upon each other on accident a month after our fight, and I can remember being scared out of my mind when it happened. And, like they do in the movies, we talked for hours. I do not think my hands stopped shaking until we were done. I was terrified then, and a small part of me is terrified now, of ever reentering a relationship where it is that easy to fall that low. But three years and more conversations than I can count between Veronica and I has proven to me, once and for all, that second chances are as vital as oxygen. Trust hurts. It is frightening, bloodchilling, spine-tingling with trepidation and the small sliver of hope that someone will come through and be worthy of trust. It hurts to put oneself out there, and it hurts to be let down - but more than that, it hurts to get back up again. It is like that song “Love Bites” - trust stings like a particularly rabid bee. But we keep trying (sometimes recklessly) in hopes that someone, somewhere, will follow through.

photo courtesy of www.defenselink.mil

by Amy Tolle

AT THE STATE OF THE Union address, on January 23, 2007, President Bush shed light on the troop surge in Iraq. The surge has come under much criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. Some believe that the United States should simply pull out of Iraq.

Recent troop surge unhelpful

With end nowhere in sight, many feel that President Bush is at fault by Rachel Schneider

our years, four months, and twenty-one days. Is that not enough time yet to defeat international terrorism? Unfortunately, no, because the goal to discontinue an evil, inanimate and impalpable, no matter how reviled, produces a perpetual war. The underlying issue that so many people refuse to accept is that war cannot be instigated against an ideal. Maybe the most evident hint that waging this war was a costly mistake is that the death toll has surpassed that of the terrorist attack on 9/11. So when George W. Bush, our oh-so-articulate Commander in Chief, announced that he wanted to send 21,500 more troops to fight an everlasting stagnant battle, popular dissent should have been expected. In an attempt to rekindle support for the War on Terrorism and prove that the oil reserves will be available soon, the Bush administration has claimed the reason for a surge to be Iraqi citizens’ safety.

Bengals: Play well on, off field

Recent actions spur disgust by Grace Naugle

Nine arrested and six convicted puts the Cincinnati Bengals in a unique and embarrassing situation. Where to go from here? They have become the ‘Bungles’ once again. Not on the field, but off. But Marvin Lewis is a coach, not a baby sitter. As quarterback Carson Palmer plainly put it to the Enquirer, “Marvin [Lewis] can’t call everybody every night.” Marvin says now is the time to get tough: more fines, less playing time. What else can he do? The NFL Players Association (www.nflpa.org) limits the punishments that a coach can make. Yet, I do not want my Sundays ruined with losses because some guys refuse to get their acts together. They have to do their jobs. Play well, and behave well, or legally, at least. Mike Brown, tell your family it is time for a wake-up call. Enquirer sports columnist Paul Daughtery said, “These guys aren’t special. We just treat them that way.” But they are special. Cincinnatians worship these guys. Kids worship these guys. We pay them more than enough to be players and role models. It is not that difficult to find a designated driver, or to be romantic with someone their own age. It is not ‘boys will be boys’. This is real life. There are no excuses in real life, which is why there should not be any in the NFL. The Bengals are all adults. They need to start behaving like it.

The end is nowhere in sight, but refusing to plan for its arrival is sadistic and disheartening. Without the promise of a grand finale to the bloodshed, support for a troop surge is naïve. Instead, the United States needs to increase pressure on Iraqi politicians to control the violence and create a government that can stand on its own. The U.S. cannot continue to hold Iraq’s hand while taking only baby steps towards supporting themselves. On February 16, each congress member was allotted five minutes to speak on a resolution that disapproves of Bush’s troop escalation plan. However, the motion was only a political statement and cannot be legally enforced. No matter the motive, the surge is too little and too late. If the U.S. wanted to end this war by sending a final influx to “save the Iraqis”, they should have considered the finer details in how this plan would bring a successful finale instead of just more sacrifices.

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WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

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by Alexa Fogler

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“[I was a] Junkie. Pothead. I inhaled as a teenager and did some ‘blow’ too when I had the money,” said a.) Miss USA Tara Conner b.) pop sensation Britney Spears or c.) presidential candidate Barak Obama. Give up? I will give one hint—his name rhymes with “Osama.” Hard to believe, I know. A man who could potentially be the next president of our country has admitted to drug use in the “confused time” of his teenage years. But this column is not really going to focus on Obama’s troubled past—though I do appreciate his candor. Nor will it center on his views about Iraq or abortion rights. Instead, let us discuss the real elephant in the room… The race thing. Obama is black. Well, half-black at least. He was “raised white,” by his white mother from Kansas, but he says that he is most definitely black because he looks black. I consider him to be a black man (I always thought the color of skin was pretty indisputable), but another black man might not see him as a true 100% fellow black man. This mindset of some African Americans is coming through in the election polls. According to the Los Angeles Times, recent surveys have shown that black voters are now favoring the Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton over Obama. Obviously, anyone can vote for whichever candidate he or she wants, but as feminists campaign for Clinton and military enthusiasts cry for McCain, it is assumed that African Americans too would want to support “one of their own.” Some could find this assumption in itself ridiculous, but due to the popularity of the subject featured in opinion articles all over the country and on CBS’s 60 Minutes, it deserves attention. Obama seems to stand at a crossroad. Who is he standing with and what is he standing for during this upcoming presidential election? Will he support the “black view” or the “white view?” This is unfortunate sounding, but it is seemingly true. Because he did not live in an all black household, grow up fighting with gangs, undergo the horrors of slavery, or live the stereotypical African American life, he is not really black. Some African Americans think that he is distancing himself from that lifestyle and therefore distancing himself from their race. These people do not respect his views or his work as a politician; all they can think about is “whose side is Obama on, ours or theirs?” This problem is not an insolated one either. One day at our school in the auxilary gym I overheard two African American boys talking to each other. One said to the other, “I hate that n...r, he is such an Oreo.” Firstly, I was taken aback at the casual use of the “n-word,” for if a white person were to say that, there would have been serious consequences. I asked one of my teammates what an “Oreo” was, and she promptly responded, “it means that you are black on the outside but white on the inside.” This is not the only example of this behavior either. I frequently hear Jewish girls calling each other “JAPs” (Jewish American Princesses), and other girls referring to their foes or even friends by other derogatory terms. If someone of a particular race, religion, or gender can show such flippant disrespect to one of their own, what kind of respect do they expect from others? How do African Americans suppose Obama will receive support and validity from his party if a large portion of it is against him because he is “acting too white?” Until every African American can respect Obama, until we all can respect each other, how can we boast about living in a nation where diversity is celebrated and equality is manifest?

x E Sensationalize

image by alexa fogler

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Obama’s potential presidency sparks

controversy over race, respect

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Many publications take small stories and make them into larger sensationalized versions to get readers’ attention and make money. No newspaper, including The Leaf, would try to do this and mostly tabloids are accused of this behavior. It gives people the wrong impression of many stories and distorts the facts.

Media sensationalism rising problem

Real news ignored for tabloids by Rashmi Borah

“

hether it is on a local, state, or national level, media stories are being exaggerated and twisted to fit what “the audience wants to hear.” We saw an example of this act right within our school walls. After a fight after a basketball game, we got a letter saying that the media had twisted the facts. Why does this happen? Sure, there is a possibility of mistake. It happens occasionally—that is the point of a retraction. But are some stories exaggerated and twisted just to fit what the audience wants to hear? Let us step back to a certain quality in human nature—everyone does, to some extent, want to be featured, noticed, and even spotlighted. Why then are celebrities shying away from paparazzi? The answer can be found in the headlines of tabloids and gossip magazines. The divorce between Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt was slapped onto the front page of virtually every gossip magazine in print. It was treated more like if the world was going to end.

When was the last time a news channel actually gave a report on something truly important to our society?

Tweaked curriculum saves lives

When we found out about Mary-Kate Olson’s rehab visits for eating disorders, it caused not a common concern, but a dinnertime story at the national level. Has the media ever considered how the people they are writing about might feel? Is there a reason that celebrities, who were once known for living in the limelight, are shying away under large hats and sunglasses? Is there really any need to turn the lives of people into shocking, highly exaggerated rumors? To turn away from the entertainment world, what about news? When was the last time a news channel actually gave a report on something truly important to our society? They certainly made a terribly big deal about Vice President Dick Cheny’s daughter. Does anyone really know about what is going on in the Middle East and the condition of the situation there? Well, probably not. But we do know a whole lot about the Republican Party’s internet scandals. And is it not a coincidence that that story came out in headlines right before the 2006 elections? Naturally, these stories that make headlines are allowed to be printed, but are they truly important enough to take the front page headlines? The newspapers should write about news, and not just gossip. The news reporters should report about actual news and not just ‘gossip-worthy’ rumors and scandals.

(or at least improves days)

by Jill Cohen I just had a terrible day. It began at precisely 6:57 a.m., when I walked outside (late… again) to meet my ride. The entire drive to school, I pictured the reprimanding look my Chemistry teacher would make in response to my tardiness. (This was fairly easy, considering I had seen it twice in the past two weeks.) Miraculously, we were on time, though I probably would have been better off late. The morning only got worse as I snapped at one (okay, actually two) of my classmates for unappreciated comments. Honestly, whose genius idea was it to make any AP class first bell? As if the rigorous course was not enough to bring anyone to tears, must it be combined with the ungodly hour of seven? For any non-morning persons (a category which fits about 99 in 100 teens), this is a recipe for disaster. Second bell I have Lifetime Sports. After a lackluster game of badminton (my hand-eye coordination leaves much to be desired), I noticed that the water fountain near the locker rooms was working. For the first time in six months. So the day went on. I started to think, as all high school students often do, about the impracticality of my academic subjects. How our lives could improve if the curriculum were to be tweaked just a little. Just think. Chemistry could be all about interactions between people (instead of between acids and bases), and we could learn how to improve relationships with our friends. English would teach the art of persuasion, and we could fulfill our parents’ dreams of “always use your words.” In Math, we would learn about money: interest rates, profitable investment, handling the “rainy day” fund. We might even get to work on tax forms. (Those always seem to confuse adults.) Physics would still deal with friction, but it would be helping to reduce its presence in our daily lives. Instead of a foreign language we would work on time management. (With all our new-found free time, we could just listen those little “Learn Spanish in a Month” tapes.) Who knows, I might even be able to walk out of my house on time every morning. If only I had mastered these skills, my day might have gone very differently. Instead, I am spending inordinate amounts of time trying to graph hyperbolas and understand some poet who spent most of her life cooped up in her bedroom one hundred years ago. Would it not be much more useful to understand the girl talking to me right now? Until the guidance department adds these courses to its offerings, the least I can hope for is a schedule without first bell AP classes.

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9 Review begins as OGT draws near What students should expect erspective P WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

by Anastasia Flowers

not fair, but there is not much we can do about it now. Plenty of last year’s sophomores that are currently juniors, and others thought that the OGT was really easy. “I found the OGT real easy, but tiring,” said Olivia Poff, 12. Then you also have some students that found the OGT to be rather tricky. “It was kind of difficult, but I got through it and passed them all,” said Shanee Nuckols, 12. Maybe it would not be that stressful if the teachers would try to make testing week, or maybe even the week before that, a lot more relaxing instead of pushing students to do this and that. The OGT is pretty serious if it is

looked at from the eyes of a sophomore that has to deal with the pressure of this test this year. Breakfast is to be served to all sophomores prior to testing. Student ID must be provided to have breakfast before school. Juniors and seniors have late arrival the week of the OGT, however upperclassman who choose to come to school at the normal time are supposed to report to the Gregory Center. There are many opportunities to receive as much help as possible for the OGT. There are programs and groups to help with studying and provide tips and strategies for the stressful week of testing. Good luck, ‘09.

Preparing for pressure OGT week stresses underclassmen, excites upperclassmen by Jane Chernyak

Ohio Graduation Test. How can three little words have so much impact? When February comes to an end, the OGT frenzy will begin. As the new sophomore class is given the responsibility to pass the OGT with flying colors, added pressure is put on students and teachers. “I am really pumped for OGT week. I get to come in late; it is great to be an upperclassman,” said Kim Delong, 11. Throughout the year students and teachers have been preparing for the OGT. There has been extra review,

Study Island has been implemented, and countless copies of previous tests have been run off. Many parents and students alike are in the dark when it comes to information about this new state-wide test. The Ohio Graduation Test replaced the Ohio Ninth Grade Proficiency Test as the state-wide exit exam; the test is composed of Reading, Math, Writing, Science, and Social Studies sections. Students take the test for the first time in March of their sophomore year; if they do not pass they are given six

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more opportunities to pass it, including a chance over the summer. The first official OGT was given in March 2005, and is required for graduation. “I know that the last year, the school stressed preparation so much. This year they seem more relaxed and confident,” said Sonya Lipkina, 11. The layout of the test is pretty simple; the test consists of multiple choice, short answer, and extended response. Students have two and a half hours to take each section, with the exception of those students with learning disabilities.

5 tips

How to overcome pre-test anxiety

1. Relax. Calm down, the OGT is designed for students to pass, not fail!

2. Study. If you feel unprepared to

take the OGT, there are many resourses that are available for use such as study books, copies of old tests, and practice questions on the OGT website.

3. Get to know the test. Become

familiar with the format (which is like the old proficiency tests), know what the questions are asking, and learn how the test will be graded.

4. Mini review. Go back and look at

image courtesy of http://geology.com/state-map/ohio.shtml

he OGT consists of five subjects that all sophomores have to be assessed on to demonstrate proficiency before graduation. If one does not pass all five assessments, he or she has the chance to retake them as many times as possible before graduation. But a lot of students just want to pass it all at once so that they will not have to worry about it later on in their high school career. That is probably why many of the sophomores take it very seriously the first time around. It would seem that the class of 2006 and those before them got lucky because they did not have to take the OGT to graduate. Some might even say that it is

old exam review sheets. Look over the material and become familiar with it again.

5. Rest up. Be sure to get a good

night’s sleep before each section!

erspective P WEDNESDAY, February 28, 2007

yhurricane:

Living with ADHD letter to the editor

MOUNT RUSHMORE, DEPICTING THE HEADS of four presidents, stands in South Dakota. In addition to this mammoth tribute, American presidents are also celebrated during President’s Day. However, some students question the meaning of this holiday.

Sometimes it is hard to explain how a person with ADHD/ ADD feels. It is a challenge. It is difficult to explain to someone that you did not forget something to be mean or rude, you just simply forgot because you could not remember it in the first place! How do you help someone understand? Picture this…a life long hurricane and every now and then you manage to have a calm period, like the eye. With school, trying to sit still and focus, forgetting and remembering is overwhelming, but sometimes we can reach a calm point. It might mean taking medication or over time you learn to take control of ADHD/ADD. I never was good at taking control of my ADHD. It did not matter how many times I wrote a to-do list, it never got done. My family thought I would forget house chores because I was being defiant, but I was not trying to be. I would explain to them that my mind would go completely blank. Soon, I found this carrying over to my homework and my grades slowly slipped. I started to not care anymore. I was letting the hurricane destroy my life and get the best of me. Finally, I reached the eye of my storm, but I do not approve of it. I took medication to help me control the storm and to help me focus in school so maybe I can go to college. I have not given up hope that in the future, I will be able to work with ADHD to my advantage and not let it get the best of me. I hope I can learn to like it, live peacefully with it, and be myself without having to take medication. Over the years of having ADHD, I have seen it change. In the second grade, I was stupid because I had a “learning disability.” People now are not afraid of saying they have it. Well, most people. If I am talking to someone and I say I have ADHD, they will quickly add, “Oh I have ADD too.” I went from being afraid of telling friends to being able to openly admit I have ADHD. Every day I face the fact knowing that my life is not going to be an easy one. I always will have the option of taking medication to help me focus like everyone else. I forget something every day and ask myself,” Why can’t I be like everyone else?” Well, this year I had to fill out what is called a practice student resume for the counselors. I filled it out, but without much written on it and at the same time thinking maybe

Presidents’ Day

college is not for me anyway. I mean, do colleges these days want an ADHD student with B’s and C’s for grades in an academic pathway? As I was getting toward the end of the paper, the last question in particular stopped me: “What contribution(s) have you made to Sycamore High School?” My answer…none. To me, that is more of a question for the theater kids, student council, students with straight A’s, and students who can get sports scholarships to answer; someone who has really contributed to SHS. I stopped and re-read the question, thinking how many SHS students leave that question blank or with “none” like me. With the question engraved in my head, I talked to a teacher. I was frustrated and talked about how people bring those students who do not do well down and no one brings them up. But yet, in order to be like everyone else and learn like the rest of the school, we get to have the choice of being put on a drug (real fun). Sadly, I want to try to go to college. So I had to make a choice: be myself or take medication to improve. I am not saying ADHD is bad, I just feel like SHS lets us fend for ourselves. I feel that I am told over and over that I am different. Well wait, we are not different; we are just like you, only we have a different way of learning. That way of learning takes a while, but given a chance, we can get somewhere. It is hard when no one will be your partner because either a) you do not have “friends” in the class or b) they think you will bring their grade down if they work with you because they see you are not a fast learner. Maybe what should happen is that we should step outside our comfort zones and help give a little push to kids like us. Partner up with someone who has a hard time and help him or her along. Bring them up, so when it is time to apply for a college, they do not leave that question blank. What do you think, Sycamore? I bet if you do, it would make everyone at this school feel like they are someone, and not just another face in the crowd. What contribution(s) have you made to Sycamore High School? I stepped outside my comfort zone and wrote a column in the school newspaper as a guest. I wanted to help SHS to see the disorder ADHD/ADD—through my eyes. From Amy Streeter, 11

image by jen lee

ear Editor, For those of you who do not know me, my name is Amy Streeter. I am your everyday high school student, with some exceptions. Warning: what I am going to say is not meant to hurt anyone, and it is open for discussion. What I will be saying is what I see from my own eyes; it comes from the heart and is the truth about what I hear, see, and experience. This is my story and the story of kids, like me: it is meant to help Sycamore High School see life through our eyes. Let me tell you a little bit about who I am. I have ADHD and have been on and off medication since I was diagnosed in the second grade. I am in the academic pathway, with the exception of Honors Language Arts. I play the trumpet and enjoy marching band. I have a hard time learning new ideas and often need to go over them three times before I fully understand. I do not have very many friends, I struggle dayto-day getting through high school, and getting the grades needed for college. But having to struggle to get through school has really opened my eyes. I often feel alone and that when I talk, no one understands what I am saying or that I am asking for help. I am hoping that through me, SHS can understand a little bit more about kids like me who have ADHD and what they go through every day. What is ADHD/ADD? It stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder; both are relatively the same. In the brain of a “normal” person there is a filter. This filter helps the person focus on one task. In a person that has ADHD/ADD the filter has trouble working, making it hard for the person to focus on one task. Instead, the person will work on one thing and half way through move on to something else, not finishing the first task. People with ADHD/ADD have trouble planning ahead, finishing tasks, and being fully aware of what is going on around them. For most people, this behavior seems rude. Students with ADHD/ADD have trouble following directions, leaving steps out or completely forgetting what the directions were all together. To me this is very frustrating, and I find myself getting in trouble and being mistaken for a rude person when I am not trying to be.

Just another day off? by Michela Tindera

Officially celebrated on the third Monday of February, Presidents’ Day is the first federal holiday that was established to commemorate an American citizen. Originally honoring George Washington, it now honors Abraham Lincoln and often times other American presidents as well. Presidents’ Day will fall on Monday, February 19 of this year, granting most schools and businesses a day off of work. Over time, as with many federal holidays, few Americans actually celebrate the purpose of Presidents’ Day, and simply regard it as a day off from school or work. To be honest, I do not really know the true meaning behind Presidents’ Day, and I also look at it as another day off from school. If I had to guess, I would think that this is also true of most students. I remember in kindergarten, or maybe first grade, when we dedicated a whole week to doing special activities for Presidents’ Day. I used to bring home pictures and short stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that my mom would post on the refrigerator. Now, the meaning of the day is overlooked and is just another day off. It was not until I did some research that I discovered that the name of the holiday is correctly spelled as Presidents’ Day, not President’s Day because it does not belong to a president, but credits presidents. I think that it is sad not to know what Presidents’ Day truly is. In the midst of overcrowded curriculums, preparing for OGT’s and any other standardized test, we should respect this special day that acknowledges our forefathers and appreciate the many contributions that were made to the early republic.

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erspective P WEDNESDAY, February 28, 2007

What are you thinking about this month?

R E K

C A L

““ ““

I need to get my grades up.

STUPID

-Blake Hundley, 9

I am ready for cheerleading to be over. -Kari Hellman, 10

FAILURE

I got into college, so I’m pretty hyped about that. -Mike Latessa, 12

I went to Atlanta for a cheer competition. We won and I’m happy. -Jesse Doris,1/17/07 11

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2:19 PM

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Wrong use of words by Lauren Sokol

by Lauren Sokol

Going through all the grades, main thoughts tend to vary; seniors’ thoughts tend to be different from those of the ninth grade. Take a look at what is on students minds this month.

High school students make mistakes

phrase young adults commonly hear throughout their high school or even college career is, “How can you be so stupid?” What I am curious to know is why teens are considered stupid if they are in the learning stages of their lives, more importantly, the questioning stages of their lives? How is one expected to become the person they are destined to be without making multiple mistakes, or experiencing things on their own? “I think that experiencing something is okay. The wrong things you do and the mistakes you make mold you. I think it’s unfair to be called stupid, when you are just trying to figure stuff out,” said Nick Schmidt, 11. Obviously there are some actions students partake in which are not considered acceptable, but most of the time teens are penalized for simply just experiencing. Dennis Waitely once said “Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success”. Without failure, or doing something wrong, it is hard for one to learn things for themselves. I think it is perfectly human to be a little curious, especially during your teenage years. “I hate how if we try something out, we are considered ‘the mess-ups’ or the ‘bad kids’. We’re in high school we’re going to try stuff out no matter what,” said Jesse Doris, 11. I think that the description of ‘stupid’ is misled. One may not be the most brilliant to get involved with drinking, smoking, skipping class, etc., but that definitely does not make one ‘stupid’. Trying things out for yourself molds you, helps you to figure out the kind of person you want to be in your life. Being called stupid does not change the fact that teens are going to be trying things out. Of course, in some scenarios the way one can act is indeed ‘stupid’, but I do not think in general someone is stupid for wanting to experience something, or ‘live life on the wild side’. A change of phrasing is definitely needed. “I get really frustrated when adults call us stupid for going to parties or anything else along those lines. I understand it’s unacceptable to drink and stuff, but we aren’t stupid. We’re just acting our age,” said Jeff Rubenstein, 12. So all in all, remember life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…Oh yeah, and do not be stupid.

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erspective P WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

‘People who do well in the class should be the ones measured’

School ranking system needs change by Chen Yin

High School Rank (out of 1000 U.S. schools)

Walnut Hills..............................................65 Indian Hill................................................68 Wyoming................................................100 Madeira...................................................762 Sycamore................................................970

10 9 8

11 12 1

7 6 5

What has our generation become? by Jacy Cagle

Everyone knows the sight; while sitting in class, there is a fellow classmate, arms crossed on the desk, jaw fallen open, eyes glazed over. Listening to constant lectures and then copiously scribbling notes throughout the day, only to return home to complete the masses of homework assigned, students are bound to fall to boredom eventually. At least that is what I thought, up until this past weekend when I visited my aunt and uncle in Michigan. I used to think I had an excuse to be bored and to sit around the house doing nothing because “there is nothing else to do.” However, while I was visiting my family, who live in a log cabin in Jackson, Michigan, I realized how naïve it is to settle for boredom. While I am in school complaining of boredom, my great aunt and uncle, who are retirees, sit in their little log house bird watching, doing crafts, decorating, and anything else to keep them from boredom. They do not work, their kids are grown, and yet I whine about not having something to do? I am a teenager in the most active years of my life, and yet I cannot find anything better to do than sit in front of a computer and complain of being bored? Our generation has so much potential to do great things. But as of now, we do not do much of anything. Do we really want to be known as ‘Generation Boredom?’ My point is that it is time to find something to do to stimulate our brains. There are so many opportunities out in the world in which to involve ourselves, and yes I am aware that we live in Cincinnati; however, that should not stop us from finding an activity to take part in. We cannot suffice for having a lack of imagination and settling with nothing to do. We can make up a story in our heads, volunteer, get a job, take a drive, clean, take pictures, do anything! If we just sit back and let ourselves be bored, soon enough all of our years will go by and the next thing we know, we will be sitting in a house full of cats, contemplating what to name each one. Then, and only then, will it truly be okay for us to complain of boredom.

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7 6 5

2 3 4

Society rushes through each day

e twenty-first century people are stuck in the fast-lane. We are jammed in a society of “hurry up” and “quickly, please”—a culture that shakes its head if we are too slow or take too long. We rush to meet our appointments, satisfy our foot-stomping bosses and fit more events into our schedules. We rush through every minute of our lives as if we always have something more important waiting around the corner. And I am sick and tired of it. If there is no time like the present, why rush it? I am tired of the running to class and the hurrying through dinner. I am tired of the nonstop rush, of being pushed out the doors of my classrooms. The modern generation has become so overwhelmingly impatient and rushed that the numbers are flying off our clocks and calendars— and never quickly enough. When we wake up, we think about hurrying to get to school on time. During class, we mentally fast-forward through the school day. After school, we rush through soccer practice so that we can rush to work so that we can rush home to do our homework—as quickly as possible. And at night, we go to bed thinking of repeating the process all over again. Is it just me who is finding this routine utterly unbearable? Intolerable? And inescapable? Throughout my life, I have always been known for being a little “slow.” Not slow in the mind, of course; I just liketo take my time. I like to “go with the flow” and take things as they come— when they come. At the tender age of five, my soccer coach gave up on me and made me goalie (as a last resort) because I could not grasp the concept of running—as fast as possible— after the ball. Why rush things, I thought, when the ball was not going to go anywhere? What was the use of

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10 9 8

‘Hurry up please’ by Jen Lee

Boredom takes over lives

2 3 4

11 12 1

image by casey manning

High schools in the United States are ranked based on a ratio devised by Jay Mathews. This ratio is taken from the amount of Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students at a certain school divided by the number of graduating seniors. “The number of people in AP classes shouldn’t matter as much as how well the students do. That is much more important to me and I think that is what should be measured,” said Jenni Williamson, 9. For years, our school has been unable to make it into the top 100 high schools in the United States. The ranking last year was even more disastrous; we were ranked at 970 out of 1000. One reason we are not high in the rankings is because the ratio is solely based on how many students are taking the AP exams along with the number of seniors. The quality of the school does not come into play with the rank, which means that whichever school contains the most students signed up for an AP exam receives the superior rank. “The people who do well in the class should be the ones measured. It is not fair to them that the people with worse grades are treated equally,” said Anna Hochgesang, 11. If the system only counts the number of the students taking the AP exams, then many students could be forced to take the exam, which could remain undetected because the actual score of the exams do not have relevance. “Taking harder classes should pay off for the students who choose to take them,” said Brian Knodle, 12. For such a long time, this flawed system has been used to rank school systems across the nation. It is time to change the system in order to acknowledge schools, such as ours, that have shown excellence in more areas than the number of students registered for AP exams.

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running to the ball when I could walk there and achieve the same end? (This was probably why I failed at soccer. And all competitive sports, for that matter.) Hey, maybe I even take things a little too slow. But is it such a sin to take a few extra minutes to get up in the morning? To savor my lunch? To move at a pace that fosters peace and tranquility rather than jittery nervousness, collisions in the halls, and crashes on the freeway? As we continue to get more advanced and tech-y every year, the world keeps finding new ways for us to cut time and speed up our daily activities. More and more portable devices are being integrated to slash back excess time spent switching from iPod to cell phone to Blackberry (I think we are all waiting to buy the very last multipurpose media player so that we can possess the one true universal music player/cell phone/thing). “To-go,” “take-out,” and “drive-thru” are phrases that are increasingly taking over our culinary vocabulary (or lack thereof). Hurried moms and busy students praise fast food as a heaven-sent blessing. As a definitive Type B personality, I am increasingly finding that the incessant hurry-up-ordie attitude of the modern era is severely at odds with the way I want to live my life. If the world was a work of music, I would say that the tempo is getting a little out of control. Think presto, verging on allegrissimo (for non-musicians who need a translation: fast, getting faster). What we want is maybe… largo (translation: pretty slow). Yes, I believe largo would be just fine. The thing is, the world apparently believes that a slow, steady tempo is—god forbid—way too 19th century. Indeed, in the modern era, we want things done fast, quickly, and efficiently. We want universal remotes and airplanes that travel at the speed of sound. And we want it all ASAP.

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Humor

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Sudoku Fun

grid form

by Rob Friedman

Fill in each box so that every row, column, and box has the numbers 1-9. Make sure that there are no repeats!

“He plays like a six year old” Pro confused by tennis clinic trickery by Sanya Dosani

ey, that ball was in! It’s our point!” “Well, it’s our call, and we call it out!” “You’re a cheater!” “You’re a loser!” No, I am not at a six year old’s birthday party. I am not running a day-care. I am not even babysitting. I am at tennis lessons. When I signed up for a tennis clinic that boasted to be the next level for “advanced players who have reached a point of excellence,” I expected to ‘cross rackets’ with players who, at the very least, were born in my decade. Playing a match against someone who had been alive during the Cold War did not seem too much to ask for. Right? Apparently, it was. My first day at the clinic, I was surprised to learn I was the tallest there. This is surprising because I was all of 5’ 2”. When I was assigned to court ten against “Little Tim” (I am not kidding; that is what he was called), a mischievous-looking six year old, my first instinct was to go easy on the kid. I had a good foot and a half on him, and it seemed unfair that he had to play me.

They should put a disclaimer on confidence. As he reached his arm up for the first serve, I took a generous step forward. I guess the possibility of the ball making it over the net did not seem feasible to me. It was. I returned his serve with an easy ball down the line, not having the heart to smack it to the other side of the court. Little Tim apparently had no objections to this. With the squeakiest of grunts, he smashed the ball across the court. I stood in the same spot for about an hour, dumbfounded. When I had regained the power of movement, we continued play. Time after time, I sprinted, jumped, and twisted to return balls. After the 30 minutes allotted for a match were up, I stumbled off the court, panting. After trying every trick in the book, I had still only tied a boy less than half my age. His next opponent, a tall boy who looked about my age, asked me skeptically, “Is he any good?” Looking at the familiar smirk on his face, I replied, “He plays like a six year old.”

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Feature

Top 5 your best friend?

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

How well do you really know

Buds Artie and Kelsey challenge each other on quiz

by Libby Henning

by Maria Thomas

Kelsey on Artie When is his birthday? September 26th. Real answer: September 26th. Who are his best friends? Jesse, Jono, Joey and Kelsey. Real answer: Jesse, Jono, Joey and Kelsey. What’s his favorite movie? Anchorman. Real answer: Anchorman. What sports does he play for the high school? Soccer . Real answer: Soccer. What is his middle name? Bailar. Real answer: Bailar. What is his favorite music? Rap and hip hop. Real answer: Rap

What is his most embarrassing moment? Falling down the commons’ steps. Real answer: All my books falling out of my book bag. What is his biggest pet peeve? Annoying people. Real answer: Annoying people. What is his favorite TV show? Friends. Real answer: Friends.

What is his most prized possession? The painting I made for him. Real answer: My car. What is his biggest fear? Failure Real answer: Failure What is his favorite Disney movie? Finding Nemo. Real answer: Finding Nemo. What is his favorite hobby? Hanging out with friends. Real answer: Hanging out with friends.

Who is he closest to in his family? Betty Ann. Real answer: My sister, Sammi.

score: 79%

things to do in snow:

When is her birthday? March 17th. Real answer: April 19th.

Build a snowman

What is her favorite movie? Willy Wonka. Real answer: Willy Wonka.

Whst sports does she play for the high school? Lacrosse. Real answer: Lacrosse.

What is her favorite music? Alternative. Real answer: Rock and Rap.

What is her biggest pet peeve? Annoying people. Real answer: Annoying people. What is her favorite TV show? Hogan Knows Best. Real answer: Grey’s Anatomy. What is her most prized possession? Gumby. Real answer: My Gumby.

What is her biggest fear? Being embarrassed. Real answer: drowning.

What is her favorite Disney movie? Finding Nemo. Real answer: Little Mermaid.

X X

What is her favorite hobby? Hanging out with friends. Real answer: Playing hide and go seek. Who is she closest to in her family? Her mom. Real answer: My cousins, Marcey & Kara.

score: 50%

Although it’s a classic, snowman building never gets old. Give snowmen style by using icicles for noses and some personal necessities for the cold weather. Try making a whole snow family!

Go skiing or snowboarding

What is your most embarrassing moment? Walking into a pole in front of a lot of people. Real answer: Walking into a pole in front of a lot of people.

Find a nice hill to roll down or go to a park. A great place to go is the Voice of America park, there is a large man-made slope that many people flock to on snowy days.

2 X 3 4 X X 5 X

Who are her best friends? Artie and Logan. Real answer: Artie and Logan.

What is her middle name? Lynne. Real answer: Lynne.

Go sledding

Artie on Kelsey

There are many placesto do this, and some facilities even offer lessons for first timers.

Have a snowball fight

Snowball fights are always fun! Get a group of neighbors, friends, or family to join. Be prepared to get wet! To top the snowball fight experience off, invite everyone in for a cup of hot chocolate!

Paint the snow

Mix your choioe of food coloring with water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Then make your front yard into your own masterpiece and spray away!

You

said it...

by Sarah McGrath

If you were reincarnated into an animal, what animal would you want to be and why? “ A black panther! They are mysterious, rare, and can sleep in trees!” – Katie Swantko,12. “ I would come back as my dog. He lives a good life.” – Mrs. Judy Klefas “ A sloth. They get to hang upside down all day.” - Rosie Griffen 12 “ I want to be reincarnated into a hamster. Hamsters get to run around in those balls that role and they live in practically play grounds. They live a life of luxury.”- Aly Mazzei, 11. “ A koala bear because they sleep 23 hours a day and have pouches!” – Lily Ricci, 10.

Feature WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

College of the Month

uide to successful college visits et to experience more than just guided tour by Melodie Jeng

photo courtesy of wooster.edu

ith the spring season approaching, selecting a college is on the top of many students’ minds. Many juniors are beginning to make college visits, and seniors are making the tough college decision. Visiting a college’s campus often helps one really define the “feel” of the school and may be a final deciding factor in a college. Often, many think the only thing associated with the campus visit is the campus tour, but there are many more things to do. Prior to the campus visit, check out the college’s website. This can help one know the statistics of the college, such as test scores, population, and majors. Also, college websites often provide contact information to schedule a visit or talk with a representative. When on the campus, do take a campus tour. Campus tours allow prospective students to see the many respected landmarks of the school, campus layout, and sometimes, a dorm room. Also, the tours are usually led by college students.

Wooster’s famous Pipe Band marches with the football team. This college is very small and intimate. However, it offers a large variety of activities.

Step up, ask questions

Now, this is where the step beyond is often missed. Campus tours are sometimes accompanied by Question and Answer sessions. Be sure to attend it, ask questions, and take notes. The extra knowledge will only be beneficial. The lack of students asking questions is the biggest mistake that Thomas Canepa, Assistant Vice President of Admissions at University of Cincinnati, sees. “They leave that up to their parents. That’s a problem, because it’s not the parents who are considering the school – it’s the student! So students should ask lots of questions, and don’t feel like they’re asking dumb questions,” said Canepa.

College of Wooster

Campus surroundings

Small campus offers multitude by Grace Naugle &Tom Stoughton If independence is one’s cup of tea, then the College of Wooster should fit nicely. At a college with about 1800 undergrads, classes are small and interaction with professors and administrators is a normal part of life. Lab sizes average somewhere in the teens, while a regular class size is usually fewer than ten students. The more popular majors include communications, English language and literature, and history. Something that stands out at Wooster is the senior independent study project. Whether this 100 page long project is scary or intriguing, the IS project is known to keep students studying and meeting with teachers.

Life as a student

Diversity is not prominent at Wooster; the students mainly come from Ohio and the Northwest, and there is a very small minority population. There are plenty of attractions in the small town, and Wooster does a good job of holding events for students not partying on the weekends. “The people were incredibly nice and were really fun to hang out with. The campus was also gorgeous,” said Cheryl Thoerner, 12. Intramural sports are not only offered, but they are fantastic social experiences and an important part of the student life at Wooster. Wooster Activities Crew (WAC) makes it their responsibility to keep the students entertained on campus. They put together a variety of events, including the most recent “Mardi Gras: Winter Gala 2007.” The “Late Night Activities” calendar includes ski trips, bingo, Texas Hold Em’ tournaments, bowling, ice skating, dodge ball tournaments, etc. They even offered “Speed Dating” for the singles on Valentines Day.

Athletics

Wooster is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III North Coast Atlantic Conference (NCAC). There are a total of 22 varsity sports in existence: 11 for men and 11 for women. The school also offers Equestrian, Ultimate Frisbee and Cricket as Club sports. There are also a variety of intramural sports in which the students, faculty, and staff can participate. Twins Allison and Joanna Harrod, ‘02 are lacrosse players; they went on to become ‘06 graduates of the College of Wooster while playing on the lacrosse team. The twins served as team co-captains at both schools as seniors. The Pipe Band makes frequent visits to play at various athletic events and promotes pride and honor throughout the school. The band is famous for its bagpipe players in knee socks and kilts representing a Scottish tradition.

photo by jill cohen

Academics

by reading college brochures in the College and Careers Center, Christina Noland, 11 learns about different colleges. While tours often give a fair impression of the college, one should gather additional information while on a visit. Hanging out with students is a perfect way to experience campus life.

From the quintessential college town of Boston to the miniscule Athens, to the faraway Los Angeles, the surrounding city or town can have a huge impact on one’s college life. On an urban campus, the environment may influence students’ safety. The city’s many attractions may also serve as distractions from academics. Try to see the area’s public transportation and social atmosphere. On the other hand, small college towns provide a comfortable environment. Students may want to check for their favored food and clothing shops. College campuses are ever-changing and provide a variety of learning settings. A good fit depends on the individual. “Honestly, I think just walking around without a tour is helpful because you can go wherever you want and spend as much time as you want,” said Cathryn Niehaus, 12. Drink a cup of coffee, go to a local concert, or attend a sports game. For the religious student, check out the local scene and consider on-campus student religious groups. Prospective students should be sure to find activities that interest them. Academically, most colleges allow potential high school students to sit in on a class. It is important for a student to be in a successful learning environment. These easy activities can help a student get an accurate impression of the college.

Roam campus for awhile

Lastly, take a day to just walk around. If one knows a friend attending the college, call him or her, and spend the day with him. The college students know the campus the best. “Find a friend. College admissions people often just tell the good stuff about the college; friends are honest,” said Nav Lekhi, 12. Reliable sources for college information include guidance counselors, pamphlets, and college representatives, but they can only tell a person so much. Be sure to talk to alumni and current studnets; after all, the only way to really know college life is to experience it.

College anxiety

Making friends, failing class worries seniors by Bekka Levy As the seniors progress through their people have been with the same groups (hopefully) last year of high school, the of people for 13 years. The thought of fear begins to sink in. Too often do they moving schools and states potentially wake up in a cold sweat, panicking at terrifies them. Normally energetic, the memory of a dream, a nightmare. outgoing pupils could turn into studiThat nightmare is common among ous, boring bookworms who are afraid to twelfth graders…the trepidation of leave their rooms. entering college. “I’ve been in Sycamore since kinder“I’m scared I won’t meet new people, garten, so I don’t know about going to I won’t be able to do the work, and college and how I’ll adapt,” said Indi that my dorm room won’t be organized Ekanayake, 12, who is probably going because I’m a neat freak and I would to attend the University of North Caroseriously clean my lina at Chapel Hill. roommate’s side,” Anxiety about said Kelly LeBuhn, how serious 12, attending Ball students will State in the fall. take their work is Everyone has another problem. heard the horror Woe is the person stories of their who shames their freshman year of -Valerie Lascelles, 12 family by failing college. Whether it their first year of be gaining weight, flunking out, partycollege because they were out partying ing too hard, not being able to handle every night. the mass amounts of work involved in “Partying too hard is a fear of mine. I higher level education, there are plenty love having fun, so I hope I don’t indulge of worries to go around. myself too much,” said Valerie Las“I’m afraid that college is going to be a celles, 12, who is planning on going to lot harder than high school and I won’t the University of Southern California. be able to keep up with the work. I’m Seniors need to take a deep breath also afraid of the teachers, and that I’ll and try to remember to not put too be too poor to eat so I’ll starve. Also the much stress on themselves. College is freshman fifteen,” said Katie Swantko, what one makes of it: if there is anxiety 12, headed for University of Cincinnati. already, it could damage one’s chances The change in environment is also a of having a great four-year experience, heavy concern among students. A lot of to be thought of fondly for a lifetime.

“

I love having fun, so I hope I don’t indulge myself too much.

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE. For more information, contact Cheralyn Jardine: Phone #: (513) 686-1770 ext. 3089 Fax#: (513) 489-7425

Feature WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

User’s Guide Teenage brain by Casey York & Nancy Kidocker

photo courtesy of nancy kidnocker

THE BRAIN HAS BEEN STUDIED for many years, but the actual scientic technologies that are available today allow man to academically study the mind. Because of the novel discoveries that are being made, man is now able to understand the causes of behavior. Teenagers have been poked and prodded at, but the result is a discovery in the reasons students hact the way they do. There is a scientific reason behind messy rooms and loud music.

ashion

or the cure Students organize raffle, fashion show to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by Rob Friedman On March 21, a fashion show and silent auction will commence to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “Last summer my best friend’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia and it made me want to do something to help,” said Melissa Mandell-Brown, 11. “Together, juniors Lissa Amin, Kelsey Fairhurst, Avra Joffe, and I put together the idea to hold a fashion show to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of Daniella Joffe, Avra’s sister. We have been working with Mr. Kenji Matsudo and Mrs. Laura Miniard to hopefully pull off a really great event.” The event is $8 at the pre-sale and $10 at the door for students and $15 for adults. At the event, there will be a fashion show, food, and raffle. The fashion show is following the theme “Changing your style to change their lives.” Students from all grades as well as teachers will be modeling clothes from Cincinnati Boutiques. “So many people have put so much time and effort into making this fashion show fabulous. The models have been practicing their walk constantly, the decorations committee has been glamming up the runway, and the clothing stores have been busy figuring out what to dress us up in,” said Fairhurst. Food will be donated from Chipotle, Embers, Papa John’s, DeSha’s, Johnny Chan, Samurai Sam’s, Marx Bagels, and the European Café. “We found a lot of places that were willing to donate various items, but [we] still needed to raise money for other expenses, and that’s why we decided to have the bake sale,” said Anna Hochgesang, 11. At the raffle, many items will be open for bidding. Some of the baskets include a Gold Basket, a Bengals Basket, a weekend at a beach house in Destin, a parking spot for next year, an Aronoff Basket, and much more. Anyone who has questions should contact Mandell-Brown or Joffe for more information.

he differences between teenage and adult minds run deeper than simply “teenagers act more immaturely than adults”. There is an entire science behind the subject. Psychologists, as well as neuroscientists (or scientists who use machinery to study the anatomy and functions of the human brain), have been studying the differences in brain activity and reactions of different age groups for some time. “Students should begiven insight into their own behaviors, along with adults,” said neuroscientist Marisa Silveri. “The differences in teenagers and adults is obvious, but you never actually get in-depth until you take Psych or something,” said Barani Govindarajan, 12. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, helps scientists to study the differences in the brains of the two age groups. Adult brains are mainly focused in the frontal lobe. This part of the brain “regulates aggression, long-range planning, mental flexibility, abstract thinking, the capacity to hold in mind related pieces of information, and perhaps moral judgment.” Therefore, adults are more capable of basing their decisions on logic and reasoning. The frontal lobe of the teenage brain develops well into the early twenties, so it is not completely able to function at the same level as an adult brain. Rather, the teenage brain is more focused in the area of the brain that controls aggressive and impulsive behavior, called the amygdala. “We learned something like that in health. The teacher said that teenagers are more driven by emotions,” said Ayesha Alam, 10. ‘’Our jobs as adults is to serve as external frontal lobes,” said Barbara Green, a psychologist who teamed with Silveri to help explain how brain science could help shape parenting techniques. Teenagers are more likely to respond to instincts rather than considering their actions. Because of this, their decisions when under extreme pressure are often irrational or immature. Teenagers are less likely to consider the effects of their actions than adults are. “Most kids don’t think far enough ahead in the future when they’re making a decision,” said Michael Oliver, 12. This functioning of the brain does not stay the same forever, though. Teenagers’ brains are not getting bigger as they grow. The brain cells, called neurons, are simply rearranging, making new connections, and pruning unnecessary ones to speed and reroute the flow of thought. Massive change takes place in the brain from puberty on through young adulthood.

Mapping mind

Tracing secrets of unconscious by Nancy Kidocker Cartography for fools. That is what trying to map the brain has always been. Most of the other parts of the body reveal their workings with little more than a glance. The brain, which does more than any organ, reveals least of all. The three pound lump of wrinkled tissue with no moving parts, no joints or valves not only serves as the motherboard for all the body’s other systems, but also is the seat of the mind, thoughts, and sense of exixtance at all. Man has a liver and limbs. Man is his brain. The struggle of the mind to fathom the brain it inhabits is the most circular kind of search. But that has not stopped scientists from trying. In the ninteenth century, German physician Franz Joseph Gall claimed to have licked the problem with his system of phrenology, which divided the brain into dozens of personality organs to which the skull was said to conform. If a person learned to read those bony bumps, and you could know the mind within. The artificial--and, ultimately, racist-field of craniometry made similar claims, relying on the overall size and shape of the skull to try to determine intelligence and moral capacity. Modern scientists have done a far better job of things, dividing the brain into multiple, discrete regions with technical names and mapping particular functions to particular sites. Here lives abstract thought; here lives creativity; here is emotion; here is speech. But what about here and here and here and here; all the countless places and ways the brain continues to baffle man?

Arabic No translation by Sanya Dosani

Imagine reading page after page of seemingly random letters without being able to understand a word of what is being said. Though this may seem like a waste of time, people all over the world must do this on a regular basis. Just ask one of the many non-Arabic-speaking Muslims. From a young age, most Muslim children all over the world are taught how to read and write the Arabic alphabet, usually as part of a Sunday school curriculum. By the age of ten, many are at least semi-fluent in reading Arabic, but unless they live in an Arabic-speaking country, hardly any can understand what they read. Why is it necessary to learn to read Arabic? The Quran, the holy book of Islam, is written in Arabic, and it is obligatory for Muslims to read it in its original form at least once during their life.

Slowly, that is changing. As twenty-first century science and technology reveal the brain as never before, accepted truths are becoming less true. The brain is indeed a bordered organ, subdivided into zones and functions. But the lines are blurrier than ever imagined. With the loss of vision, the lobe that processed light may repurpose itself for other senses. Suffer a stroke in the area that controls the right arm, and another area may take over at least some of the job. Specialized neurons are being found that allow scientists to mirror the behavior of people, and help humans learn primal skills such as walking and eating, even how to become social, ethical beings. The mystery of memory is being teased apart, exposing the way man stores facts and experiences, in addition to the emotional flavors associated with them. Magnetic resonance imaging is probing the brain as it operates, essentially reading our minds, and raising all the attendant ethical questions. Finally scientists are learning something about the ghost consciousness himself. If mankind can identify that cognitive kernel, possibly one day he will endow a machine with it? “It’s amazing that humans have been so brash to ask questions like these, but lacked the tools to answer them,” said Rijutha Vaidyalingam, 10. What man does notknow is whether the remarkable things he is learning will be used properly to uncover the complex mysteries of the brain. “So much is being revealed. I wonder how far we will come just in the rest of my lifetime,” said Kim DeLong, 11.

“I definitely can’t read Arabic as well as English, and the first time I read the Quran it was a struggle, like reading an English book for the first time, except a lot longer,” said Deena Schwen, 11. Reading Arabic, even to those who are skilled at it, can be a dull task. It can even be compared to reading a history textbook—pages of incomprehensible and unpronounceable words. “Even though it was hard and kind of boring, I knew that I needed to be able to read it, so I kept practicing, and now I can read Arabic pretty easily,” said Farheen Kaleem, 10. Aside from simply reading the Quran, Muslims have to memorize portions of it in order to pray. The Islamic prayer, which is recited in all Arabic, requires a few surahs, or passages, to be read. In order to memorize these surahs, it is necessary to be able to first read them—in Arabic. “Reading in Arabic is challenging, but memorizing it is even harder,” said Faraz Malik, 11. “At least when you memorize in English, you know what you are saying, but in Arabic, there is no way to figure out what should logically come next.” So, although memorizing Marc Antony’s entire funera speech may seem impossible, be thankful it is in English.

Feature

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

pring break approaching

by Molly Essell

tudents share their plans

Zach Star Senior

Where are you going? Cancun, Mexico Who are you going with? About 20 seniors. What do you plan on doing there? All I know is that it will be out of control. What are you most looking forward to? Partying with my girl, Mol, and chillin’ with the coolest people ever, especially Amanda Ross.

Lissa Amin Junior

Sam Newland Sophomore Where are you going? On the AP Europe trip Who are you going with? My AP Euro class obviously, plus Ms. Marilyn Ray, Mrs. Valerie Nimeskern, Mr. Antonio Shelton, and Mr. Kevin Wittman. What do you plan on doing there? I plan on having an awesome time, getting to know the ladies, and the school faculty a bit more intimately, buying souvenirs, and most importantly seeing some historical place. What are you most looking forward to? Being out of the country and away from home.

Sophie Ross Freshman

Where are you going? Key West Who are you going with? My parents, cousin What do you plan on doing there? Shopping, tanning, and beaching What are you most looking forward to? The beach.

photo by www.cancun.com

Where are you going? Destin Who are you going with? My friends Jesse Doris, 11, Lisa Routt, 11, Jennifer Baum, 11 and Michelle Diedrich, 11. What do you plan on doing there? Laying out, shopping. What are you most looking forward to? Going out at night and being on the beach.

“SPRING BREAK IS ABOUT TO be amazing!” said Maria Kellison,12. Kellison’s hotel, Cancun Palace, has recently been renovated. The group Kellison is going with is about 20 seniors traveling to Cancun, Mexico. Other students plan on enjoying their break at other beaches or in some cases, on trips to Europe with their AP European History Class.

Odd Couples Dancing with dad, mom by Sarah Vaz

aybe at a wedding, right? Wrong. Odd Couples is the perfect time for that father-daughter/motherson time. Or possibly, to really shake things up, mother-daughter/father-son time, although the latter is much less common. At first no one is dancing, there are little nibble snacks in the Commons for the first hour while parents socialize and students stand around feeling awkward. Then dinner is served in the gym. To avoid sitting with strangers, it is best to sign up with friends. Just put the names of all students and guests on the purple form and wait to receive the magic table numbers. Hopefully all parent/child couples have already signed up and paid their money, because the deadline was February 13th. Dinner is buffet style, and not too shabby either. It is included in the ticket price which was $50 for couples and $25 for singles. After everyone is fed and watered the real fun begins. Stu-

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dents and parents make their way through the maze of tables out into the Commons once again to get their groove on to some golden oldies. They play everything from Billy Joel to Michael Jackson to Sweet Home Alabama, and not deafening either. True, it is that those first five minutes are a little odd; cutting up the rug with a parent can be rather difficult to catch on to. The other option of course, for those four left feet, is the tables, set up by the courtyard. Having a heart to heart conversation over the blaring music can be even more uncomfortable than dancing, but there are always the themed picture sets to entertain. The theme this year is ‘All You Need is Love’, based on the groovy Beatles song. Last year at the end they threw out beach balls that bounced around the crowd for a good quarter of an hour. Exciting things happen. They even serve punch. It is just like any other school dance, same clothes even, only they keep the lights on. And the best part: Mom buys the tickets.

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Feature WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Winter Formal 2007 brings club scene to school by Amanda Ross

Photo by Amanda Ross

anuary 20, 2007 brought a VIP room and a sophisticated theme to our winter dance, complete with a splatter-paint color scheme and plenty of room on the Commons dance floor. The dance lived up to the expectations of many students, including some freshman who had never experienced a winter dance before. “The dance was so much fun, even though its not quite like Homecoming and not as big as Prom,” said Sophie Ross, 9. Ross went in a small group with her date and two other couples. Some groups, though, like that of Caroline Hodgson, 12, and her date, Brian Lane, 12, from Moeller, included 18 people and a caravan of five cars. “Winter was awesome. We went to Iron Chef and then got down at the dance for two hours. Bowling afterwards didn’t really work out, but the dance was one of the best so far,” said Hodgson. To winter dance-goers, the theme of “By Invitation Only” turned out successfully and fun was had by all. Winter is commonly known as an “in-between” dance, but for many students, this time around it was a night to remember.

STUDENTS GATHERED AROUND THE DJ TABLE and danced to a variety of music which, surprisingly, did not include any line dances. “I was so happy that they didn’t play the Booty Call,” said Zach Star, 12, who attended his final winter dance. Slow songs were interspersed throughout the night and most students could be found on the dance floor for the majority of the dance. LEFT: MILES LEWIS, 12, FRANK BAKES, 11, and Laura Friedman, 11, get down at the winter dance. Usually, winter is considered a more laid-back dance, with many arriving in polos and khakis rather than full-out suits.

ABOVE: ROSIE GRIFFIN, 12, AND FRANK EBETINO, 12, enjoy their last winter dance together. For several seniors, it finally set in that Winter Formal 2007 was their last dance that would take place at the actual school. “It really occurred to me,” said Mitch Allen, 12, “that high school is almost over. But winter was sweet.”

Raising awareness for singles Valentine’s day strikes again

How was your Valentine’s day?

by Molly Johnson

Red roses, pink roses, boxed chocolates, oh my! Once again, it is that time of the year where couples go berserk spending money and many hours trying to find the perfect Valentine’s gift for each other. But what about those at the other end of the spectrum? What about the ones who are feeling quite left out on this particular day every single year? Many of them just adore the little reminder about being single. “I think Valentine’s Day really just draws more attention to the single people; it becomes very obvious by the end of the day who has a girlfriend or boyfriend and who doesn’t by whether or not they’re holding some sort of a gift,” said Tom Seiple, 10.

Especially when it seems that everyone is advertising their one of a kind Valentine’s Day products and deals all over the television, the radio, catalogs, newspapers, and sales papers saying that they are the perfect thing for that “special someone.” “Valentine’s Day is ridiculous. It’s probably one of the leading causes of depression and obesity in teenagers today. Long live Singles Awareness Day!” said Dana Reinhart, 10. With all of those advertisements, announcements and commercials, it is not too difficult to see why Valentine’s Day has somewhat of a reputation in making those without a partner feel a bit disheartened and lonely. However, not all of the single folks

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allow the depression of the day to get them feeling down in the dumps. Joking around about their solo situation with other singles or even with couples is a fun way to pass the day. For those without a boyfriend or a girlfriend to feel special, Valentine’s Day goes by a different name: Singles Awareness Day or SAD for short. Some people celebrate this day to make themselves better while spiting the day. “My friends and I decided that we were going to celebrate somehow, so we threw an Anti-Valentine’s Day party. Everybody wore green (the opposite of pink), and we put up all of these green lights and decorations. It was a blast, and since then it’s become an annual tradition,” said Annie Roessler, 10.

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Feature

all photos courtesy of www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

AS THE AIR TEMPERATURE RISES, glaciers in both poles have started to melt, causing a huge rise in sea levels. On the left, villagers who live on a pacific island run away from huge waves that encroach upon the town, way beyond the coastline. On the right, a ‘monster thunderstorm’ towers over Arizona.

More than just an inconvenient truth Significance does not diminish. It grows

by Rashmi Borah

he weather is not the only problem anymore. Over the past few decades, the effects of global warming have spread to affect different parts of the biosphere all over the world. From rising carbon dioxide levels to an unbalanced timing between birds and insects for food, global warming is increasing in ways that no one could possibly imagine.

Melting glaciers, rising sea

When the days of cold weather get shorter and days of warm weather get longer, the ice does not have enough time to fully freeze, so it does not melt during the warmer months. With so many glaciers melting and rising, the bodies of water that surround the melting ice begin to rise. Because all of the bodies around the world are virtually connected, this will result in seas, oceans and gulfs rising globally. What will this cause? Millions of people who live by large bodies of water will be displaced, and the water creeping up on land will decrease the amount of land we have to live on. The amount of land will just decrease even more as our global population grows.

Tropical storms on the rise

Not only are sea levels rising, but the ocean temperatures are rising as well. Though this might make it easier to swim when people go to visit the frigid Atlantic Coast beaches, it also sets the Earth up for something that most coastal residents see enough of each year: tropical storms. Everyone saw what happened in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit the city. Thousands donated money to help the victims of the tsunami in 2004. But storms like these are increasing more and more as the ocean temperatures rise. In 2004, science textbooks had to be rewritten. Before 2004, they had said that tropical storms in the south Pacific were impossible. But that year, one hit Brazil.

possible consequences reasons to start acting

1. Strong storms that could en-

The Ecosystem

For millions of years, the birds have been mating and hatching around the same time that insects come out into the open to carry on with whatever they do. But extreme fluctuations in the weather, with 60-degree weather in December and bitter cold and snow in mid-February and early March, the delicate relationship in the ecosystem is shattering. Scientists have discovered that the time insects and birds come out to start mating is not lining up. Most insects, thinking that spring has come when it is only early January, are starting to appear around that time. A growing number of insects are taking over and destroying thousands of trees and plants because the birds have yet to come out to control the insect population. Furthermore, when the birds begin to mate and hatch their eggs, the insects have already died out, leaving newborn chicks as well as the parent birds without food. Further north, polar bears are suffering greatly from the melting ice. During the times that polar bears are roaming the ice for mating and food, the ice is melting away, leaving literally no space for these bears to carry on with their lives. This loss of habitat is absolutely devastating for the bears. It has already led to their endangerment. Unless the effects of global warming can be fixed, it could lead to their endangerment as well as the endangerment of other species.

What can be done?

Is there anything that can be done to help deter these effects? Are the events too severe to do anything anymore? The answer to both of these commonly asked questions is no. There is still some time to try to stop, if not reverse the damage already done as well as currently being done. Global warming does have some ties with nature, and those effects cannot be deterred. Levels of carbon are dependent on

the position of the earth in relation to the sun, so that cannot be fixed. However, carbon, which acts as the root problem to some greenhouse effects, is often added to the atmosphere by man-made factories. As shown below, factories spew out tons and tons of gases into the atmosphere, which lock in the rays of sunlight usually reflected out of the atmosphere. Factories are one huge push factor that consumers have complete control over. They can regulate how much of these noxious gases are spewed into the air, and regulate how this will be done. In addition, scientists are already trying to find alternative sources of fuel rather than gasoline. Furthermore, we do have the power, resources, and technology to search for alternative fuels that would replace the dangerous carbon gases we use today. Research is already being done in this field. And...what are some of the “little” things people can do? A lot of teens and other people drive their cars when they do not need to. A lot of people leave their lights on for a longer period of time than needed. The power needed to generate all this electricity could be decreased with more conservation. Littering also has a huge effect on the economy. Materials wasting away on the ground emit harmful gases as well. The common misconception with global warming that is seen throughout all age groups is “there is nothing we can do anymore about this.” That is not true at all. There is so much that people can do to slow down these effects. But if people continue to turn a blind eye toward these problems, there will be a time when, in fact, it will be too late to do anything, and we will be left to have to live with the consequences, without being able to fix anything. Since that age has yet to come, we still have the time, and power, to change things.

Man-Made Pollution A push factor completely within range of control

danger millions.

Melting glaciers that would leave many species without homes.

Rising carbon levels could endanger our health.

Shifting temperatures would throw off the ecosystem.

The man-made pollution that we are spewing into the atmosphere could leave permament damage.

EVER SINCE THE INDUSTRIAL AGE, humans have been letting new-found technology soar to create great things... some things so great that they are hurting the environment. Carbon dioxide is a gas that does have some benefits to plants, but too much of it in the ozone layer is dangerous. Factories nationwide, and globally as well, have been spewing tons and tons of carbon dioxide and other noxious gases into the atmosphere, causing a sort of global greenhouse effect. Because of this, greater and greater amounts of the effects believed to be the aftermath of global warming are being seen.

Arts

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Pancake Day, district art show Art, music shows off hard work

THE AUDIENCE OF LAST YEAR’ S district art show were awed by the overwhelming display of artwork from all students in the gym. The senior Art Seminar students have an entire section to display their impeccable work for the entire community to view and enjoy. Do not miss this fantastic display of talent.

Performance schedule 8:00 a.m. 8th Grade Band 8:30 a.m. JH Strings 9:00 a.m. JH Jazz Band 9:30 a.m. HS Wind Symphony 10:00 a.m. 6th Grade Strings 10:30 a.m. 7th Grade Band 11:00 a.m. HS Jazz Ensemble 11:30 a.m. 5th Grade Strings 12:00 p.m. 6th Grade Band 12:30 p.m. HS Sycamore Winds 1:00 p.m. HS String Orchestra 1:30 p.m. HS Big Band 2:00 p.m. 5th Grade Band

Secret Garden Spring musical expects to impress by Annie Kanter

The Secret Garden, based off the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, has a similar story line to the popular children’s movie, but there are also various differences. The most obvious difference is the music that is conveyed through character’s thoughts and dreams. “This show has an intriguing story line and captivating music,” said Brandon Cole, 12. “Also the special effects will be fantastic.” The story is about a young girl named Mary Lennox who moves in with her bitter uncle, Archibald Craven in England after her family dies from cholera in India. Mary struggles to adapt to her new environment and get along with others. She becomes friends with a poor Irish boy named Dicken and her sickly cousin Colin, as they try to get into Colin’s dead mother’s secret garden. Characters are

often haunted by their dead loved ones. Cast members of The Secret Garden are currently having music rehearsal with piano teacher Ms. Carolyn Miller, as director Mr. John Whapham worked with the other cast of The Twelfth Night, which was presented on February 22nd through 24th. Most of the students are in only one show. However, there are a few exceptions who found themselves going from one rehearsal to the next every day after school. Students claim this production will be one of the better ones the high school has seen this year, with an elaborate and almost professional set, evocative music and individual English accents. “This musical has a small cast of very talented people,” said Dustin Amrine, 12. “As my last show, I really enjoy working with these people, and hopefully we will win some Cappies!”

Artist spotlight: by Sharon Wagner

How did you get into ceramics? My older brother took ceramics in high school and always came home with cool stuff, so I decided to take a class sophomore year. What do you like about it? I enjoy ceramics because it allows you to make functional art that can enhance one’s daily life. Unlike many art mediums, clay comes from the earth and can always be recycled. Clay also has a deep historical value. What inspires your art? I try to make art that people want to touch and use daily when eating, drinking, or around the house. I am inspired by many things; Japanese ceramics, architecture, spaces, Ceramics Monthly...

This production will be a Cappies show. The Cappies program is where high school journalists view various high school productions around the city and write a review about their performance. These reviews are often seen in the Cincinnati Enquirer. At the end of the year, there is a Cappies gala—similar to the Academy Awards—at the Aronoff Center where these Cappie Critics vote on different categories. Last year, students from our musical Footloose won three Cappie awards out of 15 nominations, including Laura Friedmann, 11, Cameo Actress in a Musical and David Morton, ’06, Lead Actor in a Musical. The Secret Garden will be presented in the main auditorium on April 19-22nd at 7:30. Tickets and more information will be presented at a later date.

image by sharon wagner

very day is a busy day at the high school, but March 3 is especially eventful. That Saturday, the annual Pancake Day and the District Art Show will be held, celebrating and raising money for artistic and musical education. In the Commons, pancakes and other breakfast foods will be served for a $6 ticket from 8 am to 2 pm. While enjoying breakfast, brunch, or lunch, the district’s bands and orchestras will perform, and the musical selection promises to be quite exciting. Pieces include a big-band style rhapsody of reruns from old shows, such as M*A*S*H, Billy Joel’s “Root Beer Rag,” and excerpts from movie soundtracks. “ I’m excited to play; Mr. Frank picked some great arrangements,” said Gabe DeVela, 10. Stepping into the gym, visitors will find a myriad of artistic work. All district schools participate in the art show, which spans over Saturday and Sunday. Paintings, drawings, and ceramic pieces from students in kindergarten to high school seniors will be included. Special exhibits will be on display, with work from fashion design students, house models, photographs, and senior art and photography portfolios. “I always like going to the art show to see how talented some people are and what the kids in elementary school did this year,” said Christina Noland, 11.

rocks SEE1 hard

by Leah Burgin

On February 16th, SEE1 performed their repertoire of classical music with a twist. The concert began at 7:30 and attendees were serenaded with songs such as “Bach to Rock,” “Birthday,” “Vivaldi Rocks,” “Hoedown,” “Live and Let Die,” and “Stairway to Heaven.” “Last year, Jessica Walling, 10 dragged me to the concert,” said John Stucker, 10, before the concert. “I was surprised at how amazing they were.” SEE1 is the Sycamore Electronic Ensemble. The students in SEE1 play string instruments – the violin, viola, cello, and bass, but these instruments are electronic versions and are used to play rock music instead of concertos or sonatinas. “SEE1 rocks,” said Bridget Handkins, 10. A unique addition to the SEE1 concert this year was the participation of Mark Wood, the lead violinist of the TransSiberian Orchestra. Many of the songs performed have been arranged by Wood, especially some of the ballads. There was an assortment of performance styles, some solos, duets, and of course, the entire orchestra played together on many songs. “Whenever I hear them practice, they seem awesome,” said Dana Reinhart, 10, “I can’t wait to go see them this year,” she said before the concert. SEE1 has been working hard all year long under the leadership of Mr. David Smarelli. He prepared them well, and had a beautiful performance on the 16th. Missed out? Plan to improve a miserable life by seeing SEE1 next year.

Alex Reed, 12 What art classes are you taking? Drawing II, AP Photo, and AP Studio Art (Ceramics). Have you won awards for any of your pieces? I was nominated for first place in sculpture at the Montgomery Art Show, and an Overture Award nomination. Do you plan on turning art into a career? I’d like to be able to teach ceramics at the college level in Colorado and do my own art on the side. Any other passions? Skiing, photography, Joyce Blieden’s iced tea, and corduroy pants. Last words? A shout out to Kevin “Messy Marvin” Mack. One of many pottery pieces by Reed, this blue-andwhite set reflects the influence of Japanese ceramics in his work. Ceramics is an art form that people often overlook in their lives. Few realize its historical value; ancient pots have been found dating back to thousands of years B.C.

image by sharon wagner

by Daphne Hsu

Arts

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Entering the world of art...

The Mad Pianist

Warming up

Art heats up upcoming spring season

ancake day

ile on food, music, art Board of Winners by Curtis Williamson

all photos courtesy of jeremy mcdaniel

by Wenjun Zhang The snow is melting with the heat of our artists. From Pancake Day to the Spring Musical, to the many orchestra and band concerts, our school is heating up with exciting artistic events. The average orchestra senior starts orchestra in the 5th grade; eight years later, the talented troopers that make up the high school orchestra get their moment to shine. The Senior Spotlight Orchestra concert is a tribute to the seniors whose hard work and dedication have made the orchestra “superior” for over 20 years in a row. The Spotlight concert is on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. This year, Mei Hsieh, 12 will be expected to perform on her violin. Hsieh has been playing the violin since she could walk and is the concertmistress of the orchestra. She has taken hundreds of private lessons and has spent countless hours perfecting her craft. Sarah Hansen, 12, is also expected to perform on her cello. Hansen is the leader of the cello section and will be a cello performance major in college. Her dedication to her instrument is palpable in her moving performances. Many other seniors are also expected to perform in the concert. Also, Pancake Day is set on March 3rd from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. It will take place in the High School commons. At Pancake Day music, art, and food will all be combined into one festive day. All the band and orchestra groups grades 5-12 will be performing. Big Band, High School Orchestra, Jazz Band, and many other groups will perform. The performance schedule for the groups is as follows: 8:00 a.m. - 8th Grade Band, 8:30 a.m. - Junior High Orchestra, 9:00 a.m. - Junior High Jazz Band, 9:30 a.m. - HS Wind Symphony, 10:00 a.m. - 6th Grade Orchestra, 10:30 a.m. - 7th Grade Band, 11:00 a.m. High School Jazz Ensemble, 11:30 a.m. - 5th Grade Orchestra, 12:00 p.m. - 6th Grade Band, 12:30 p.m. - High School Winds, 1:00 p.m. - High School String Orchestra, 1:30 p.m. - HS Big Band, 2:00 p.m. - 5th Grade Band. An art show will also be held in the gym, and artwork from grades K-12 will be displayed. Pancake tickets cost $6 each and seconds are free. The proceeds go to the Band and Orchestra Boosters. In addition to Pancake Day, the State Orchestra and Band Event is coming up on March 2. This event is an evaluation of the orchestra and band; in the past, the orchestra has always recieved a “I” rating. The orchestra will be performing Serenade: Movement 3 Scherzo by Antonin Dvorak, Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach. The spring musical, The Secret Garden, will be performed from April 19 to April 22 in the Auditorium. This musical, adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s well known book, is a classic. The Secret Garden features a girl named Mary whose parents died in India because of cholera. She is brought to England to live with her Uncle Archibald and, once there, discovers many secrets and joys. Laura Wacksman, 11, Hilary Fingerman, 12, Lindsay Hill, 11, George Benson, 12, Aimee Morton, 11, Brandon Cole, 12, Justin Hanks, 12, Ben Rosen, 11, Alison Templeman, 11, Erin Minix, 11, Dustin Amrine, 12, Noa Belillti, 10, Josh Goldman, 10, Nate Fisher, 11, Michaela Mondro, 11, Kevin Davies, 10, Blake Dewey, 10, Leah Morris, 10, Christine Linz, 11, and Hannah D’Souza, 9 are cast in the musical. So, mark calendars with the dates of these fabulous artistic events. After all, the arts are sizzling this upcoming spring season. It would be wise to enjoy them while they are still hot.

Scholastic Art Awards

FOOD, ART, AND MUSIC ARE all combined into one fun-filled day. Our annual Pancake Day will be held on March 13. Admission is free and pancakes can be purchased for $6.00. Proceeds go to the Band and Orchestra Boosters.

he 45th Annual Pancake Day will guarantee participants a great time. It is an exciting day filled with warm flapjacks, relaxing tunes, congenial friends, and amazing artwork. Advertised each year as one of the greatest days for the arts, Pancake Day/District Art show encompasses Orchestra and Band pieces played all afternoon, as well as a huge display of artwork done by talented artists around the district. The Sycamore Band and Orchestra Boosters (SBOB), as well as the districtwide Art Department have been gearing up and preparing months in advance for the event. It will be held on March 3rd, in the commons at 8:00 a.m. “This is going to be an exciting day,” said Mrs. Margaret Copfer, art teacher. Copfer and other art teachers, with the help of volunteers and AP art students, will be clearing the Main Gym for the setting up of the event. This requires covering much of the gym floor with display boards, and, of course, art. A highlight of the visual section of the event is the AP Art Seminar student displays. Students enrolled in this class are allowed to display the bulk of their portfolio pieces that they have worked so hard to complete. “I honestly can’t wait to show off all of my AP work,” said Matt Adams, 12. But this only cracks the surface of the genius of the event. Not only will students, parents and relatives be able to view hundreds of talented artwork, but they will be serenaded with the tunes of band and orchestra while being served everybody’s favorite breakfast food: pancakes. Bands from the Sycamore Instrumental Music Department will play from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $6 and can be purchased through Band and Orchestra students, as well as at the door. SBOB reports that the pancakes are cooked with no animal fats used, and will be served with sausage, juice and milk, coffee or tea. And best of all, seconds are free.

Check out the Scholastic Art Award winners. Congratulations to the many talented artists who received accolades. by Min Young Sohn

Smiles are a gift in any language. THE GUARD PERFORMS AT THE Homecoming game. They have a new show lined up for the winter season. It is filled with cool moves.

New show, new moves

Color guard prepares for winter season by Elizabeth Hoopes

As the weather has gotten colder, the winter guards have been preparing their shows for their many upcoming competitions. There are two teams: Regional A and Scholastic A, which is more advanced and competitive. The Regional A’s show is called “Who needs sleep?” It is very upbeat and enjoyable. The guard wears pajamas during the performance. “The whole idea of the show is fun and entertaining,” said Kelly Gilton, 10. The Scholastic A guard is doing a show called “Hurt”. In contrast to Regional A’s “Who Needs Sleep,” “Hurt” is very slow and sad. The guard is hoping that their unique song choice will help them stand out from other guards. “This will probably be the most interesting show that I will be in,” said Brynn Sharp, 9. On January 27, the guards headed to Gallatin County for their first competition. They arrived at school at nine in the morning to make the hour and a half bus ride to the competition and returned at six that night. It was a long but exciting day for the guard members. There are many rookies this year who were experiencing winter guard for the first time. The members also enjoyed watching other guards during their free time. “Winter guard is so different from fall guard. It’s more nerve-wracking. Judges are right in front of you and you can hear what they are saying,” said Katy Staples, 9. Despite the nerves and not having their entire shows completed, both guards did very well, each receiving third place in their class. The regional A guard even received best equipment. The guards cannot wait to continue competing. They are hoping that they will have their shows done very soon and will be able to make it to the top of their classes.

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Arts

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Kifli: Quick Bulgarian breakfast Student shares ethnic dish by Mary Ann Jiang For people on-the-go in the morning, Kifli are a popular Bulgarian food that one can make or while in the Eastern European country, one can pick up at the bakery while walking down the street. They are similar to French croissants; however, from the bakery, they are long and not rolled up. “I like them with chocolate. They’re homemade so it tastes really good,” said Srebrina Tanova, 10. Tanova learned how to make hers from a cookbook, but often special recipes are passed down within the family. They can be eaten with chocolate, cheese, or any fruit jam. To be simple, they can just be sprinkled with poppy seeds or powdered sugar.

photo by jeremy mcdaniel

Ingredients: 4 ½ cups flour 2 eggs 1 tablespoon yeast ½ cup butter (melted) ½ cup warm milk ½ cup sugar ½ cup Marmalade/Preserve (can be bought at Trader Joe’s or Meijer)

ALUMS AARON MORRIS, ‘03, AND NBC starlet Kate Wilfong (Rockwell), ‘02, perform onstage in I Hate Hamlet. I Hate Hamlet was the winter play in 2002. Wilfong graduated in 2002 and went on to attend Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio.

Students celebrate Sandy starlet Alumna highlighted on NBC’s new show

by Annie Kanter

A grad is participating in a reality show called Grease: You’re the One That I Want. Read about her recent fame and how to support her and her dream.

ate Rockwell is the one Cincinnati wants, but is she the one America wants? Every Sunday starting at eight p.m., singers, dancers, and actors battle it out on a new American Idol-esque reality show, to win a title that millions dream of: the lead roles of Sandy and Danny in the upcoming Broadway revival of Grease. 2002 grad Katye Wilfong is one of those lucky actors—the best in the country—to possibly get that chance. “It is very inspiring to have someone from our school instantly become famous,” said Alyssa Kelly, 9. “She is a small town girl from Cincinnati, accomplishing her dreams.” Under the stage name of Kate Rockwell, Kate, who went to Baldwin Wallace for musical theater, has always been interested in theater and singing. In the high school, she was very involved in Sycamore Theater Arts Group as well as the Choral Department. Kate, along with a few other grads, also

founded the community theater company, New Stage Collective. The ‘Kate Rockwell’ phenomenon has already spread across the city, with countless newspaper articles published in The Cincinnati Enquirer, a special viewing of an episode down on the enormous screen over Fountain Square, and even a popular Facebook group. Many students can also be seen sporting ‘Vote Kate’ pins around the school. “I accompanied [Kate] many times, and she has a beautiful voice and was always prepared,” said Ms. Carolyn Miller, music teacher. “It is exciting to see students go on and achieve national success.” Rockwell will appear on Grease: You’re the One that I Want, every Sunday night, usually starting at eight p.m.. So every Sunday, everyone should get their fingers ready to punch in Kate’s number on their telephones to help a grad achieve one of her biggest dreams.

Directions: 1. Put the flour in a mixing bowl. 2. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast. 3. In another bowl mix the eggs, sugar, milk and butter. 4. Add slowly into the flour mixture. 5. Mix ingredients together. 6. Cover the mixing bowl and leave in room temperature until batter has risen (around 10 minutes). 7. After the batter has risen, cut off fist-size sections of the batter and roll into thin sheets. 8. Then cut each sheet into four triangles. 9. On the wide end of the triangle, place some of the marmalade and roll them. 10. Place the kifli on a baking sheet and leave them at room temperature once again (around 20 minutes), coat them with an egg yolk. Bake the kifli at 350° for around 15 minutes or until golden brown.

art horror, part fantasy

an’s Labyrinth does not disappoint

In all honesty, it was not until the end of the film that I understood why Pan’s Labyrinth was titled Pan’s Labyrinth. And I have a strange feeling that many students whose native language is not Spanish would be right with me. While the cast and crew of Pan’s Labyrinth do a great many things very well, there is a language barrier that hinders the Englishspeaking audience more commonly found in America. From the opening scene, the visual effects are stunning. Labyrinth opens in a setting that looks more like an Aztec jungle than a forest in Spain, and progresses toward a castle of a cabin that looks strangely reminiscent of my summers at Camp Ernst. Magnified on the big screen, the first transformation of Ofelia’s ‘forest bug’ into a fairy is breathtaking, but even such visual effects cannot compare to the emotion that the actors convey. The scenes in the store room are gut-wrenching, and actress Ivana Baquero (Ofelia) pulls off a childlike maturity that makes the audience believe the desperate nature of her plight. Some of the tasks that young Ofelia is forced to undergo in order to prove her legitimacy earn the film its right to affiliate

with the horror genre (I was curled up in my seat with my clutch in front of my eyes at the second task), and the film blends fantastical horror with real horror in the form of Capitán Vidal, Ofelia’s stepfather. Labyrinth blends the stark drama of protecting the fort with the ethereal quality of the labyrinth expertly. The fairies make excellent transitory devices, as do the stone portals. In fact, the only part lacking about Labyrinth is what Ofelia finds in the labyrinth - the faun (and subsequent) underworld seem entirely too underdeveloped and rushed to be considered a part of this film. Overall, Pan’s Labyrinth is a beautifully done film (both by the graphics crew and the cast), expertly acted and directed, with only a few plot holes and underdeveloped moments. I would not recommend it for a date night (unless focusing extra hard on the movie is an enjoyment), or with a large group of people (reading subtitles with fourteen of one’s best friends becomes complicated) - but for a slow Tuesday evening, Pan’s Labyrinth is a sure bet.

photo courtesy of wikipedia.org

by Amy Tolle

A QUIRKY MIX OF HORROR and fantasy is one way to describe the latest work of Guillermo del Toro. In Pan’s Labyrinth, audiences encounter fauns (pictured above), fairies, and evil stepfathers. While the film is in Spanish, English subtitles make the film enjoyable for all languages.

Entertainment

image by jen lee

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

One of the most anticipated films of 2007, 300 will draw crowds with its groundbreaking special effects and intense battle sequences. The creation of novelist Frank Miller and director Zack Snyder already has students eager to fill theatres. “Frank took an actual event and turned it into mythology, as opposed to taking a mythological event and turning it into reality,” said Snyder to Rotten Tomatoes (movie review and synopsis website).

300: anticipating captivating debut by Sam Cleary

‘I have been waiting for so long...’

early two years ago, graphic novelist Frank Miller made his Hollywood debut with a Butler) and 300 Spartans fight to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. cinematic take on his critically acclaimed novel, Sin City. Now, Miller is treating his Through the past month of trailers (advertising the film in its most dynamic moments), 300 many fans with yet another digitally mind-blowing film, directed has racked up enough high school movie fans to fill up the Rave movie theater by the imaginative Zack Snyder. 300 will open in theatres ten times over. everywhere March 9, and is quickly becoming one of the most “I have been psyched for this movie for the past year. It’s on the top of my list I have been waiting anticipated films of 2007. and I am so excited for when it comes out in March,” said Chris Culin, 9. In a world of digitally enhanced films, 300 will set new standards for Culin has been anticipating the movie’s premier since the date was released, for so long. It looks what a feature film is visually capable of. Complete with slow motion battle and he sure to be one of the first through the doors of one of Cincinnati’s local so groundbreaking sequences, distorted camera angles, and unbelievable special effects, Snyder’s theatres. new film is sure to take the breath away from any superhero, comic book, or Other fans include Ben Keefe, 9, and Garrett Steed, 12, along with many -Nishanth Thiyagarajah, 9 Lord of the Rings fanatic. more throughout the school. The new film will be packed with new and incredible material, with battle “It really looks like something else. I want to see it so badly- I’ve been waiting sequences resembling those of Troy and eerie effects that prove reflections, for so long. It just looks so groundbreaking,” said Nishanth Thiyagarajah, 9. but not copies, of those in movies like Sin City and The Return of the King. Luckily, fans will not have to wait much longer, because come March, students will be 300 will follow the path of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas (Gerard crowding the theatres on Friday night to see perhaps the biggest film event of the year: 300.

Cincinnati

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HOT SPOTS l a z e r k r a z e

by Annie Kanter

Cold, wintry nights create a sense of laziness, as nothing sounds better than to stay cooped up at home with a good movie and close friends. There is no reason why one should leave the blankets and couch behind, unless for the occasional party or newest movie. But there is one activity where one can shoot laser guns at almost any time with any size group in the most elaborate labyrinth in the city. This place that sounds so inviting and intriguing is Lazer Kraze. The largest and only tri-level Laser Tag arena in Cincinnati, Lazer Kraze offers specials for groups of any size. Large groups of teenagers, businesses or birthday parties can be seen running up the ramps, hiding behind barriers and shoot-

ing their opponents with laser guns. The arena can be very intimidating at first with its very dark and smoke-filled atmosphere. Different ramps all over the room lead to different maze settings. Open five days a week with various times depending on the day, the prices are very inexpensive for this fun-filled and unbelievable experience. Individuals who play three games will pay $18, while groups with 10-30 plus people will pay anything from $15-17 for three games. They also feature events or specials, such as a Valentine’s Day Special, Battle of the Bands concerts, and Discount nights. A favorite among teenagers is a Late Night Special every Friday and Saturday night. On these nights, the arena

Evolving artist impossible to classify: Fans pledge ‘fidelity’ to Regina Spektor is a steadily rising sensation. Her music has been featured in several top television shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, and many others. Her new CD, Begin to Hope, has just come out and fans could not be happier. Spektor has a exclusive sound – all of her songs are easy to sing along to (not to mention easy to get stuck in one’s head). MSN Music dubs her a member of the “Ones to Watch,” saying that she is “semi-classical, semi-avant garde, semi-comic, [and] semi-heartbreaking.” They could not have hid it harder on the head. Spektor is an un-classifiable style of music, twisting syllables and stretching words to make them sweeter, longer, and more unique. Spektor debuted with the album “11:11” and steadily soared, rising in popularity as she performed everywhere she could and eventually went on tour with bands such as the Strokes, Kings of Leon, Mates of State, and others. From there, her sounds have evolved – although it is sometimes hard to tell, as every one of her songs is different from the other. The song “Lady” has a blues, jazzy feel while “Apres Moi” is angrily classical. Begin to Hope already has several songs out on the radio (ironically, one of the songs on the album is titled “On the Radio”) and in various episodes of television series. One thing fans will know for sure: Spektor will definitely make listeners feel “Better.”

Regina Spektor

image courtesy of reginaspektor.com

by Jing Xing

is open till midnight and three games are only $15. After a couple of games of laser tag, take a break by relaxing around the lounge or arcade. The arcade, which features over 40 video and redemption games, is similar to Dave and Busters but not as high-tech or advanced. There are also many prizes to win, however they may seem cheap or useless. The lounge has many tables and chairs for everyone to hang out, as well as televisions. Inexpensive foods that are typical ‘kids foods,’ such as popcorn, candy, chips and soda are available at the snack bar. With the fun-filled experience, variety of activity, low prices, and large accommodations, this Cincinnati’s hotspot of the month.

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

7 hitmen, 1 hit Smokin’ Aces promises audience action, explosions by Alex Gennett

image by alex gennett

ow many psychotic, degenerate, ruthless hitmen do you need to take out one strung-out, freaked out snitch? This is the basis behind Joe Carnahan’s new movie Smokin’ Aces. Buddy “Aces” Israel, played by Jeremy Piven of HBO’s Entourage, has a hit of one million dollars on his head for snitching to the feds. This hit draws in all kinds of hit men and thugs, all wanting to rub out Aces. Buddy is too important to the FBI, so they bring him to Tahoe and try to protect him. The all-star cast in this movie makes it seem like a gem. With faces like Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Alicia Keyes, Ryan Reynolds, Jeremy Piven, and Jason Bateman, Smokin’ Aces has no lack of good actors. Although each role of these characters doesn’t have the utmost importance, they are all solid performances. “I was really impressed by the cast of this movie. They all did a good job, especially the crazy brothers, they were hilarious,” said Tom Irwin, 12. With no central character to follow, the pace of the movie seems very fast. Switching from character to character does two things for the viewer: first, it makes the story seem multidimensional by telling each character’s story, and second, it builds suspense in that the viewer cannot wait for when all the characters converge. This anticipation is what sucks in and holds in the viewer. The story behind this movie draws the viewer in by creating a Tarantino-type action flick. But there is some originality in this movie, not just another John Woo clone. Although it is high-action, is has a smartness and comical side of its own. From the beginning it is very easy to get sucked into the story. Each character adds his own flavor to the story, making it delicious all the way through. “This movie was awesome. I loved the action and the story was pretty good,” said Caitlin Bresnahan, 10. With a good story, and solid acting, this movie is very good, up until the end. After all the build up and suspense, the end is acceptable, but leaves one feeling that its full potential was not achieved. Besides this, the movie is a good flick. “I cannot think of the words to describe this movie, it was amazing. I loved the action but the story lacked toward the end,” said Taylor Straubing, 11. Action movie fans will enjoy this movie. Although it is not outstanding, it is worth seven dollars to go see.

BUDDY ISRAEL, PLAYED BY JEREMY Piven, has a million dollar hit on his head due to snitching to the FBI. Piven, of HBO’s Entourage, is just one of the big name actors that appear in Smokin’ Aces. He plays alongside actors such as Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, and Ryan Reynolds.

las, Babylon holds relevence years after publication

image by matt davenport

by Sarah Vaz

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WHAT WOULD LIFE BE LIKE if nuclear fallout had happened during the Cold War? Frank paints a chilling image of what might have been if this happened. Alas, Babylon proves to be a timeless classic.

larming take on nuclear war

Ever wonder what would happen if a nuclear war broke out? So did Pat Frank. Given, he wrote his little masterpiece Alas, Babylon during the Cold War. The concept is fascinating, and although it is a “classic” novel, it is far from outdated. Just a brief background for those history-challenged individuals: the Cold War was not a mid-twentieth century ice age. The U.S. and the Soviet Union both developed a nasty case of the Joneses, each trying desperately to amass more nuclear warheads than the other. Death and destruction could have happened at any time. Frank was obviously not informed that the only survivors of a nuclear war would be the cockroaches, and Cher. In his hypothetical novel, a hypothetical small town in Florida survives the hypothetical blasts, and the fallout. They are alive and well, but without any of the basic necessities: electricity, running water, Hot Pockets. In today’s world, what would the average family do without a microwave and television dinners? It would be chaos. Now just imagine a whole town without so much as a working radio. They could stick their fingers in the electrical sockets as

much as they liked, but Frank’s characters had more urgent problems. The gasoline supply gets cut off, and so does the hospital: no more prescription drugs, no more insulin. People bathe in the water where they discharge waste, diseases are rampant. Basically, everything returns to the middle ages, highwaymen and all. And of course, no decent novel could go 316 pages without a cute romance to keep the ladies reading—Randy and Lib fulfill this role, even when Randy’s electric razor stops working and he has to go grunge or use a hunting knife. Frank’s novel is really a rather poignant social commentary. What exactly would people do in such a situation? It is rather like Lord of the Flies, no order, no modern comforts, except for maybe a roof. It is really a rather optimistic novel, in a Darwin sort of a way. The strong survive, yes, but they also at least make an attempt to save the others. It is thought-provoking, uplifting, and surprisingly modern as a “classic.” And anyway, it makes the reader supremely grateful for everyday comforts.

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Elizabeth Manion l Susan Leanord

Entertainment WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Babel: WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Reason for Academy Award nominations as confusing as movie itself

by Alphonse Harris

photo courtesy imdb.com

ALTHOUGH NOMINATED FOR SEVEN ACADEMY Awards, Babel came out to mixed reviews. Some critics were in favor, others were not. Despite having an all-star cast line up, the movie was criticized for its confusing plot and intricate characters.

f Academy Awards are given out for good efforts then “Babel” may be deserving of its seven nominations. Reminiscent of last years award winning movie “Crash,” director Alexandro Gongalez Inarritu assembled an all star cast to fill in as pieces for his interlocking story which tries to explore the human condition. Unfortunately, some of the outstanding acting performances in “Babel” are wasted because the plot fails to tie together, leaving viewers unsatisfied at the end. The story begins in Morocco where the farmer Abdullah (Mustapha Rachidi) purchases a rifle to protect his livestock. He sends his two sons Yussef (Boubker Ait El Caid) and Ahmed (Said Tarchani) to go protect the goats. Ahmed, the older brother, is slightly jealous of his more outgoing younger brother, and challenges him to hit an oncoming tour bus thousands of feet away. Yussef takes the challenge and hits the bus, which comes to an abrupt stop. Viewers are then introduced to the next group of troubled individuals, which happens to be a couple traveling in Morocco trying to revive their declining marriage. It soon becomes clear the connection between Robert (Brad Pitt) and Susan (Cate Blanchett) and the farmers’ family as Susan is the tourist shot on the bus. Robert frantically fights to find help, and Susan is finally taken to a local village as Robert tries to contact the United States Embassy for help. The third connection is also clear as Robert contacts the nanny Amelia (Adriana Barraza) who is watching over his two children. Since the accident took place Robert and his wife cannot

return as planned, and this means that Amelia would have to miss her sons wedding in Mexico to stay with the children. Finally Inarritu introduces a confused, deaf, Japanese teenager named Chieko (Rinko Kikuchi). Her story is the most loosely connected to the rest, and is not fully revealed until the end when it is found that her father was a hunter, and gave the gun to the man that in turn sold the rifle to Abdullah. Obvious political overtones are present as help is not sent to Susan because it is initially thought that the incident is a terrorist act, and as Amelia returns with the children from Mexico there is a hostile border encounter. Other strong elements were the scenes with sound, music, and language. The scene with Cheiko in the club with the changing of perspective of a person with hearing to her perspective of the scene was profound. Also the scenes with Robert trying to communicate, and Amelia at the border further emphasize how different modes of communication can act as barriers. All of these elements in the end did not flow together, and the connection between the characters becomes forced at the end. One common thread was the convincing portrayals of pain and emotional suffering of each of the main characters, but without a convincing connection of all of the events the situation loses its impact. “Babel” is a good movie, not great. Inarritu makes a noteworthy attempt to do what “Crash” did on a local level on the global spectrum, but the task proved to be too great to accomplish.

An Abundance of Katherines delivers Book trancends age, displays morals

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image courtesy of amazon.com

by Casey Manning

JOHN GREEN’S SECOND NOVEL, AN Abundance of Katherines, came out to positive reviews. The plot of the book follows a young man named Colin Singleton as he and a friend travel across the country after graduating from high school.

Their adventure in Colin’s old gray Oldsmobile, lovingly Colin Singleton loves many things. referred to as “Satan’s Hearse,” leads them to Obscure facts, anagrams, and girls, Gunshot, Tennessee.The trigger of World War just to name a few. But being the selfI brought them to Gunshot, but the promise of proclaimed washed up child prodigy An Abundance peace of mind and an escape from their lives he is, Colin Singleton does not just go of Katherines is keeps them there. after any girl, just “K-A-T-H-E-R-I-NAn Abundance of Katherines is one of the most one of the most E’s.” charming, witty, hilarious, and desperately true John Green’s second novel, An charming, witty, young adult novels. John Green’s voice tranAbundance of Katherines, explores one hilarious, and scends age, making the reader not doubt for summer in the incomprehensible life one second the truthfulness of this 18-year-old of Colin Singleton. desperately true Chicagoan’s voice being portrayed through this He and his best friend Hassan on a young adult 27-year-old’s words. whim decide that this summer after Through a desperate search for meaningful Colin’s high school graduation they novels. life, love, and the correct mathematical formula are going to take a road trip. Any to prove his Theorem of Underlying Katherine whim of course in Colin’s case meanPredictability, Colin Singleton, and those who ing trying to escape his latest breakup read this novel, will find out (hilariously) what with Katherine XIX, the pinnacle of all of the Kathreally matters. erines he has dated thus far.

Youtube Internet phenomenon expands entertainment Before February 2005, people would have to go online and dig everywhere just to find the link to download the video that they wanted, but ever since Youtube has been created, videos can be viewed instantly. No one could have imagined that the website created by three former employees of PayPal would develop into a phenomenal network that is worth over 1.5 billion dollars and named “Invention of the Year” for 2006 by Time Magazine. “I’ve only used it once, but I watch this video over and over,” said Larry Shockley, 9. For those who do not know, Youtube is an extremely popular website that allows users to share, view, and upload videos that they desire to be open to public. Anyone can go on the website and

search for their favorite videos in a matter of seconds. Because of the Adobe

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Youtube is a gift from God -Nathan

Fischer, 11

Flash technology the website uses, one can watch the video while it is still downloading. “There are some videos you can’t

download, but you can still watch it on Youtube,” said Bo-Young Yoon, 12. According to Alexa.com, a website that provides information on web traffic to other sites, Youtube is one of the fastest growing websites on the internet during the summer of 2006. Because of the fact that anyone can sign up on the website and upload videos, many bloggers started “video blogging”, which is recording their life through videos and posting them online for others to watch. What could this video blogging revolution mean? People everywhere can share their opinion by making a video, and present it through visual images instead of writing out long essays. “Youtube is a gift from God,” said Nathan Fischer, 11.

image by jack wang

by Jack Wang

USERS OF YOUTUBE ARE ABLE to view and post video files on the website. Registration is free, and anyone can join, provided one has an e-mail address. Video clippings can be very short, to quite large. All types of files are avaiable, such as music videos, parts of movies, home made movies, ect.

Entertainment

Wednesday February 28, 2007

“It’s the best music out there.” Not So Moldy Oldies Old classics growing in popularity by Bekka Levy

photo courtesy of www.thebeatles.com

The Beatles produced many albums in the time of their career. Some teenagers today are beginning to listen to this group again thus reviving older music. This group and many others who are considered to be classic rock are getting more attention these days.

ong, long ago in the land of the 1960s and 1970s lived a group of young people who looked for more than lyrics and the personality of the artists in the music they listened to. This generation cared about the actual music and how it made them feel: the connotations, the abstraction, the passion. In recent years, these admirable qualities have dwindled until they have become almost non-existent. Fortunately, older teenagers and those in their twenties are doing their best to bring back that which music thrives on: class. “I like classic rock because it’s the best music out there. The music’s the best, the lyrics are the best, the instrumentals are the best. If it wasn’t for the classic rock sound, there wouldn’t be any modern music at all,” said Nate Dicken, 11. While it is literally impossible for classic rock to make a comeback (seeing as how it is classic, and therefore, in the past), there has been a resurgence in the listening to such music. Bands like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Queen, and Journey have returned to the hearts of America’s youth. This was the music parents listened to in their hay days. Oddly enough, this wave of preference has come right after that of the revival of punk rock, which is

all about rebellion. “It’s just timeless music. It reminds me of when I was your guys’ age, and I had some great times then,” said Mrs. Kat Rakel-Ferguson, art teacher. The more modern rock and pop that has been on the top of the charts for 20 something years focuses more on lyric content, while classic rock puts serious thought into not only the lyrics, but every aspect as the music as well. It came before the days of heavy synthesizers. These bands were not allowed to be bad as contemporary ones are. The world was not as interested in image as they are now; it just wanted to hear the music. “Music today is all about power chords and junk. Classic rock is just…classic,” said Mark Rubeo, 9. The obvious reason for parents to listen to this genre is because they grew up with it. Many others dig the music because of the inspiration it has served for all other kinds of music; everything from country to experimental has had some kind of classic rock influence, be it Lynard Skynard or Frank Zappa. “Classic rock has laid the foundation for everything that is worth anything,” said Ari Lavigne, 12.

‘Oh! Gravity. why can’t we seem to keep it together?’

Switchfoot scores big with new album Oh! Gravity Switchfoot’s latest album, Oh! Gravity., has a reoccurring theme: unpredictability. The sounds seem new and different for Switchfoot. For example the song “Dirty Second Hand” seems to have somewhat of a “southern flair.” Oh! Gravity. starts with the title song, being of course “Oh! Gravity.,” which guides into the rest of the album. This song has Jon Foreman, frontman, singing a chorus with the question “why can’t we seem to keep it together?” The exotic sound of “Circles” continues to look into the insignificance of our selfish quests, powerfully showing our arrogance with a swirl of sophisticated sound and lively rhythms. The more direct “American Dream” contains a sharp bite within its catchy rock hooks: “I want out of this machine/ it doesn’t feel like freedom,” adding a refrain of, “this ain’t my American dream.” The second half of “Oh! Gravity” is every bit as great as

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the first. “Head Over Heels (In This Life)” is a straight-up exuberant love song. Things slow down with the gentle rock of “Yesterdays,” addressing the ache of death from within the framework of Chad Butler’s solid drums and more glimmering guitar moments. The song soars with hope powerful images: “Adrift on your ocean floor/ I feel weightless, numb, and sore/ A part of you and me is torn/ You’re free.” Oh! Gravity. closes with the quiet acoustic guitar of “Let Your Love Be Strong.” Foreman’s soft vocals paint portraits of emptiness that are masterfully done. This track also points to a God figure that could possibly move one to consider who or what may be out there. This album is very easy to listen to yet contains befuddling lyrics and melodies. It is currently rated number eighteen on the Billboard 200.

This album is very easy to listen to yet contains befuddling lyrics and melodies

Go see this movie...

OH! GRAVITY IS SWITCHFOOT’S LATEST album. This album uses sounds that are very unique and bold. It already has gotten high praise.

Because I said so by Megan Fingerman

Milly the youngest of three, has alone written all over her. When it comes to dating, her chatterbox mouth drives men away. In an effort to find her daughter true love, Daphne puts an ad in an online dating service, looking for a mate for Milly. As the hilarious, but unrealistic story unfolds, Milly finds love with two men, both of whom her mother has met, but has only approved of one. In this comical film, the mother-daughter dynamic is tested as love comes between both, on the eve of Daphne’s 60th birthday. With such a great cast including Diane Keaton (Something’s Gotta Give) as the over zealous Daphne, Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember) playing the insecure and adorable Milly. Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly) and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) play the other daughters, Mae and Maggie, both of whom have found love and have petite rolls in the film. Opening February 2, Because I Said So fell short of expectations. On average, critics nationwide gave it a D- grade. “Using a recipe overloaded with adorable, too reliant on slapstick … the movie is as predictable as a crowd-pleaser can get…,” said The Hollywood Reporter “It may not seem immediately apparent, but Because I Said So and breakfast-on-astick share a great deal in common: … common =food that’s engineered to be “fun” but is actually sad, an utter lack of nutritional value combined with a surfeit of kidneymacerating toxins…,” said The Los Angeles Times Although the movie had rough reviews, it is a charismatic feels good chick-flick for young adults. Women can bond over their ability to match themselves with a character, whether it is the controlling Daphne, the pushover Milly, wild-child Mae, or the hilarious Maggie. Bottom line: give the film a chance. After all, life is about letting go and moving on. Maybe it is not as easy as said, but do it Because I Said So.

image courtesy of www.switchfoot.com

by Jake Newton

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

RANDY JACKSON, PAULA ABDUL, AND Simon Cowell watch American Idol hopefuls. The judges often encounter bad singers and desire to turn the singers away. Many students also prefer to turn their channels away from American Idol.

Epic Movie proves to be horrendous disappointment Acting, spoofing, directing subpar

First came Date Movie, a sub-par take on movies such as Hitch, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Meet the Parents. While produced by two out of the six writers of Scary Movie, Date Movie turned out to be a comedic crash, with listless humor and bad acting. Yet, somehow, Epic Movie has trumped its processor. Poking fun at blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, XMen, Superman, Harry Potter, and Nacho Libre, it would seem that Epic Movie has a good base to work with. That assumption would be totally wrong. The acting is horrendous, the jokes are painfully dull, and the story is uninteresting: this movie makes Glitter look like an Academy Award worthy movie. The story revolves around the Chronicles of Narnia part of the movie. Four orphans meet together in Wonka’s chocolate factory, only to find out that he is a cannibal. Trying to escape, they find a wardrobe that takes them to a magical land and the story follows closer to the Narnia storyline. While the story is not absolutely horrible, it is not great either. The parts leading up to the introduction of the Narnia storyline are much funnier, and when the story becomes the extended Narnia skit, it loses the comedy. Some actors and actresses in this movie will be recognizable by name, such as Kal Penn from movies such as Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, and Jennifer Coolidge of Legally Blonde and American Pie fame. Other names include Adam Campbell, Darrell Hammond, and Carmen Electra. Some of the only comedic relief radiated in the movie comes from Kevin McDonald, who plays a high-pitched, aging Harry Potter who sneaks in the wardrobe to help the heroes defeat evil. While there is an abundance of films that Epic Movie tries to spoof, it never really accomplishes this feat. Instead it focuses on a movie for a short period of time, and then moves on to the next. In a movie that draws its viewers based on promises of spoofing, this makes Epic Movie even more of a disappointment. Wait for this to come out on DVD if it seems like a must-see movie. By doing so, one will save money and be able to stop the movie when it becomes unbearably tedious and uninteresting.

image by melodie jeng

by Matt Davenport

Idol craze ignored by many students Viewing numbers climb, but some teens could care less

by Jen Lee

t is a defining part of our culture, as important to us as the next presidential election—or even more so. Every year, it sweeps America like the bubonic plague. And unlike Survivor or The Apprentice, it only gets bigger each time around. American Idol has returned for its sixth run, and boy is Fox pleased. Last season, the show averaged 31.3 million viewers a week, nailing the best ratings ever for the network. This season, things are only looking better—and a whole lot more golden—for Fox. Viewing numbers are once again on the climb; the sixth season’s premiere was up nine percent among total viewers compared to the last season. But putting America’s general viewing audience aside, which includes its fair share of elderly couples, middle-aged couch potatoes and overexcited preteens, where does the show stand among average high-school kids? Looking at the statistics, it is hard to imagine that not every American is swept up in the Idol craze. It is even harder to imagine that some teenagers—in fact, a whole lot of teenagers—do not give a rat’s hoot about this pop culture fix. But considering the fact that most teens are too busy or too indifferent, it should come as no surprise that high school kids are split somewhere down the middle in regards to the show. “I don’t watch American Idol because it doesn’t affect my life in any way,” said Nav Lekhi, 12. “Why waste precious minutes of my life watching other people you don’t know?” Indeed, for some, the annually proclaimed idol is, well, anything but. Many teens seem to embrace this “I don’t care” attitude toward the show, uninterested in the Kellies and Carries that it faithfully churns out each season.

attitude toward the show, uninterested in the Kellies and Carries that it faithfully churns out each season. “I don’t watch it,” said Jennifer Kissinger, 11. “I hate the auditions—all they care about is exploiting the bad auditions until the final rounds, and then it’s just so dumb because any one of the singers could get signed to a record deal, which half of them end up doing anyway. It all comes down to popularity, and I hate that.” The T.V. show that so eagerly jumped into American living rooms six years ago has divided teens throughout the U.S. “I like the show, but I don’t think it’s surprising that a lot of people don’t watch it. It’s just like any T.V. show. You can like it or hate it,” said Megan Taylor, 11. Sure, “you can like it or hate it.” But American Idol can hardly be compared to just any T.V. show. It is like the Roger Federer or Tiger Woods of television—a show that has made history, shattered records, and become a household name. Thus, it still comes as a huge shock to find that there are many teens—a target viewing audience for the show— who have never watched a single episode, and probably never will. “I don’t watch American Idol because I don’t know what channel it’s on, I have no time, and I don’t need another show to obsess over,” said Alex Bidwell, 11. “Mostly, I’m just going for the only teenage girl in America who has never in six years watched an episode of American Idol— the only title I’ll ever get.” Only teen who has never watched the show? Sorry, Bidwell, but it seems that there are quite a few others in the race.

Grey’s Anatomy HOLZMAN Hateful words divide set by Kyle Battle Being high school students, we encounter several “he-saidshe-said” scenarios. We see, all too often, the drama of dating, athletics and all the things that accompany high school. Many people expect the drama to be over once they graduate but the saga continues even into the post-high school world. On the set of the hit ABC show Grey’s Anatomy, actors have been under the spotlight for some on-set arguments. Isaiah Washington (Dr. Preston Burke) was accused of calling T.R. Knight (George O’Malley) a homophobic slur during an onset argument with Patrick Dempsey (Dr. McDreamy). This argument led to a lot of tension on set and resulted in T.R. coming out about his sexuality. “I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality,” Knight told People Magazine, “I hope the fact that I’m gay isn’t the most interesting part of me.” Once T.R. came out, the media swarmed him with questions. T.R. made a humbling appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Knight publicly thanked Ellen, a homosexual who came out boldly about ten years ago. The situation did not get any better when Washington denied the allegations of calling Knight the slur at the Golden Globes. In the press room Washington took the microphone to add in, “No I did not call T.R. a faggot. Never happened, never happened.” Grey’s Anatomy co-star Katherine Heigl ( Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens) was distraught by Washington’s outburst and later told Access Hollywood, “You know what, he needs to just not speak in public. Period. I’m sorry. That did not need to be said. I’m not okay with it.” “I don’t know what to say, really, about that,” Knight responded on The Ellen Degeneres Show. The drama of high school never reaches national spotlight. In fact, it hardly ever reaches Friday, but the bottom line is that one should be more considerate with their words. Ellen Degeneres put it best: “It seems like at this point in time, that we should not say hateful words to one another. We should all learn…”

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Calendar

MARCH 2007 WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

by Zach Katchman & Jack Liu

Sunday

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Friday

7:30

Fine Arts Fair’s Pancake Day (3rd - 4th)

6:30 pm Winter Sports Awards

12 7:20-9:50 Test 9:55-10:20 5th 10:25-11:30 3rd 11:35-1:10 2nd 1:15- 2:20 1st

OGT TESTING

7:20-9:50 Test 9:55-10:20 5th 10:25-11:30 4th 11:35-1:10 6th 1:15- 2:20 7th

7:20-9:50 Test 9:55-10:20 5th 10:25-11:30 3rd 11:35-1:10 2nd 1:15- 2:20 1st

7:20-9:50 Test 9:55-10:20 5th 10:25-11:30 4th 11:35-1:10 6th 1:15- 2:20 7th

EARLY RELEASE

10 Odd Couples Dance Tonight

EARLY RELEASE due to : Parent Conferences

Fine Arts Fair’s Pancake Day (3rd - 4th)

Mixed Chorus Showcase

Saturday

St. Patricks Day

7:20-9:50 Test 9:55-10:20 1st 10:25-10:50 2nd 10:55-11:20 3rd 11:25-12:50 5th 12:55-1:20 4th 1:25-1:50 6th 1:55-2:20 7th

Sycamore @ Hamilton Girls JV-6PM Girls V-7:30PM

Fashion Show 6:30-8:30 in the commons.

SPRING BREAK VACATION (26th - 30th)

Automotive 29 Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest loss ever: WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

2007 future is not promising by Nick Wylie

LEFT: THIS IS A FORD Series truck which was Ford Motor Companies best selling truck. With increased gas prices sales have dropped dramatically. Right: In 2006 the Ford Taurus was discontinued.

photo courtesy of google.com

Photo courtesy of google.com

veryone who knows cars is aware that the Ford Motor Company posted a huge financial drop out in 2006. We are not talking about a couple million dollars were talking a whopping 12.7 billion dollars. This is the largest downfall the company has seen, maybe even the automotive industry has seen. This all translates into layoffs and approximately 75,000 buyouts. Buyouts have cost the company more than 4 billion dollars. Buyouts and other retirement options have all been offered to most experienced workers. Ford was taken off guard by the decreased sales in their best selling vehicle the F-Series truck. Pickup sales saw a decline by 100,000 trucks. Trucks are being done away with because high gas prices and a growing interest in global warming. The company knew downfall was in the future. In 2006 Fords once most popular car the Taurus was discontinued. This was the start of their downfall most would argue. Tough competition from overseas companies Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai have also been a benefactor. Ford is lacking a mid size, high mpg car that can compete with the accord, sonata. This is the problem the company designers need to deal with if they want to save themselves from going under.

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Athletics due UP WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

sports

NADIA’S^NEWS Cincinnati Bearcats basketball unseccessful again Team unlikey to make NCAA tournament for second consecutive year without Bob Huggins by Nadia Khan

GOING FOR THE PUCK IS Sean Tobin, 12, who led the hockey team to many a victory. Even so, the team’s season came to a sad end when they lost in the end of the year tournament. The team often brought a big crowd to Sports Plus, where they played their home games.

all photos by jeremy mcdaniel

Jump ahead to page 31 to check out how the nonvarsity basketball teams performed this season.

Hockey season comes to gloomy end Team loses in tournament, takes good times with them by Tom Stoughton

he varsity hockey team played in the Scioto MLK tournament over the three-day weekend in January. The first game was against the Springfield Blue Devils. Daniel Dukart, 11, led the team’s offense with two goals and one assist. Also with two goals was Brandon Nazek, 9. Sean Tobin, 12, Daniel Krzyminski, 10, James Hutson, 12, Zach Price, 10, and Chris Ashton, 11, all had one assist each. Senior goalie Dan Rubin saved 20 shots out of the 22 shots against, as the team beat the Blue Devils 4-2. The next game was against the Dublin Scioto Irish. It was a high scoring game with five players scoring at least one goal from Sycamore. Ben Moster, 11, and Ashton each scored twice, while Dukart, Krzyminski, and Tobin each had a goal. Krzyminski, Tobin, and Price also recorded one assist each. Rubin took on 40 shots on goal, saving 36, giving him a 90% save percentage on the game. In the final game, the varsity team took on Hilliard Southwest, as individual efforts stood out. Krzyminski had an astonishing four assists, while Dukart put on a clinic with three goals. Tobin also scored and Hutson had an assist in the 5-0 shutout victory. Rubin saved all 11 shots on goal. During the tournament, Rubin averaged 2 goals against and posted a respectable 91.7% save percentage. During January, the team went 7-3, giving them some momentum into the post season tournaments. Although losing to Talawanda in the league tournament, the team still will play in the District play-offs.

Overall, Dukart leads the team in points. Dukart has scored 39 on the season, with 21 assists, giving him 60 total points in 32 games. Tobin leads the team in assists with 26, and is second to Dukart in goals with 23. Moster and Krzyminski are tied for third on the team in points, with Moster scoring eight and having 17 assists and Krzyminski scoring nine times with 16 assists. Ashton has scored 14 times, third on the team, in addition to three assists, while Dan Ashton, 9, posted 11 assists and 4 goals. In goal, Rubin has faced 957 shots against, saving 835 and allowing 122 in 31 games. Opponents average 3.94 goals against the senior, as on of the top three goalies in the league saves 87 percent of the average 31 shots per game. “Every player has contributed to the success of the Sycamore Aviators this season. Everyone is very committed and works extremely hard. We have two freshmen playing on the team this year, Dan Ashton and Brandon Nazek and both have contributed immensely. We have several sophomores and juniors spread on both JV and Varsity, so the future of Aves Hockey is bright. The student body needs to come watch the ‘fastest game of earth!’ with lots of high paced action, hitting, and spectacular scoring,” said Deryck Cooper, coach. The team was defeated in the seasonending tournament, but they left with all the proud moments, like the MLK tournament, and other impressive wins against teams with such stature as Springboro. Overall, the team improved from last season, and with younger players, they hope to only get better in the future.

THOUGH THE VARSITY CHEERLEADERS DO not have designated captains, they have had a successful winter season with unpronounced leader Kari Hellman, 10 by their side. Cheering for the varsity basketball team as well as for classmates during pep rallies, the team has been there to show their school pride and support. The girls practiced three days a week the entire season, perfecting their routines for basketball games as well as for the pep rally. The season ended with the basketball season ender at the Cintas Center against Walnut Hills.

Go on over to page 32 to see how the swim teams performed in sectionals and districts, as well as how all the winter sports teams performed as a whole.

Head over to page 33 to see who the athlete of the month is. Hints: senior boy, varsity wrestler, National Merit Semifinalist.

image by staff

I can remember a time when UC basketball meant something in this city. People followed the Bearcats through thick and thin. Win or loss, at the end of the day, the true fans stood by through it all and defended the team they so dearly loved. I used to be like that—until this season. Sure, it started out fine; the Cats did have a winning record at one point. They also beat Xavier, which is always a good thing, but the win was kind of false hope. The Bearcats let their fans think that they were actually going to be an okay, if not good, team this year. However, one win against cross-town rivals is not going to get them into the NCAA tournament. Also, as it turns out, being at the bottom of the Big East is not exactly the definition of an okay team. I am not trying to bash the Cats, or take hope away from them, in fact, after all of this, the team still means a lot to me. I grew up watching the greats: Kenyon Martin, Kenny Satterfield, Steve Logan, even Jason Maxiell. Before last season, the Bearcats had made the NCAA tournament 14 years in a row, so it just seemed completely out of character when they did not make the cut last year, and when they have only won one game in the Big East this year. Now, with a whole new perspective from coach Mick Cronin, who had limited time to put together this team, the Bearcats will probably not make the tournament again. It is hard to find hope in dark times like these, but hopefully, this really is a rebuilding year, and soon enough, the Bearcats will get back to doing what they do best: winning. Cronin basically had to start from scratch, and if the Cats want to regain the stature that they once held, they will have to work hard for it. It may take a few years, but with the right focus, talent, and leadership, the UC basketball program can be rebuilt. A little less involvement from UC president Nancy Zimpher might also help the team. After all, if it were not for Zimpher’s meddling hand, UC would probably be in the top 25 right now. Bob Huggins would be coaching the Cats to victory as he had done time and time again before he was ruthlessly let go for no apparent reason besides Zimpher’s apparent distaste in Huggins. But that is a whole different story. The fact remains that the Bearcats will have to do a lot better than they have been doing if they want to be a top 25 team again. Cronin will have to prove his worth to Bearcats fans by getting more recruits for next season and by winning. The Bearcats are in a tougher conference after moving from Conference-USA to the Big East in 2005. That in itself was a big move; getting a new coach and losing talented players only hurt the Bearcats even more. Now they are 1-11 in the conference and 10-16 overall. That just will not cut it in such a prestigious conference and league. The Bearcats have a lot of work to do, and they have to do it all without a big-named coach by their side. While Cronin is known for his recruiting, which may be useful to the Cats, he is not very well-known and will have to work hard to try to build a better team and a name for himself. So, maybe the Cats will get better. Then again, maybe they will not. We will have to just wait and see how it all plays out the next few years. Until then, Go Cats.

Check out page 33 to see what senior football players signed with which colleges in hopes to further their football goals and careers.

Athletics

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

JV, freshmen girls dominate Teams outplaying opponents during win streaks by Kate Moore

he freshman girls have added four more wins to their 10-2 GMC record, bringing their overall record to 13-2. The team narrowly defeated Lakota East and later beat Mercy, their second GCL opponent. They finished up by crushing Colerain and Middletown, 39-17 and 53-25, respectively. The ladies had a strong lead throughout the first half of the game against Lakota East, and through the third quarter. However, the tide turned in Lakota East’s favor when the referees gave them 17 free throws during the final quarter; they subsequently out scored the team 18-8 in a matter of minutes. “Thankfully, the team had been so far ahead and time ran out, or this one could have ended differently,” said Coach Stefany Reedy. On a high note, the girls out-rebounded their foes 30-16. Key players included Kaley Bridgewater, Khalilah Davenport, and Kaitlin Burt, all 9. Freshmen Allison Setser, Emily Elsbrock, and Bridgewater contributed 10, eight, and seven points, respectively. The final score was 32-29. The ladies dominated in their game against Mercy, winning 38-28. The ladies leapt ahead even before halftime, led by Elsbrock and Setser. Elsbrock maintains an average of 11 rebounds per game, and Setser had five rebounds and five steals in the competition against Mercy. “It was never much of a game after that,” said Reedy. Colerain never had a chance to catch up to the Lady Aves, who used superior defense and offensive teamwork to trample the Cardinals. Scoring in this game were Davenport, Bridgewater, Setser, Kelly Korte, Katie Strickland, and Dorian Patterson. Their game against Middletown proved to be even more successful, thanks to widespread effort by a number of the players. Bridgewater had 15 points while Davenport followed up with 14. Korte, Strickland, Patterson, Setser, and Kelsey

Pauly each contributed four points. “Even though the weather was cold outside, the Lady Aves were burning up the nets,” said Reedy. The junior varsity ladies were on a winning streak during the last week in January, winning four out of five games. Their overall record is 13-4, and their GMC record is 9-2. Although they started off with a loss to Lakota West, they were able to overcome the 39-31 defeat to beat four other opposing teams. The first in this string of victories was against Anderson, 38-30. Abby Cooper had 13 points while Alex Huller, 10, and Amy Isaacs, 9 had 13 points combined. Other key players included Dorian Patterson, 9, Molly Richards, 10, and Cierra Davis, 10. “Superior defense and excellent rebounding were the keys to this victory,” said Mr. Victor Harris, JV coach. The team then took on Lakota East, with many players getting into the action. The ladies made up for a weak start and ended up coming out on top of a 43-21 win. Molly Richards, 10, led the scoring with 12 points. “She not only scored but showed a lot of energy on the defensive end of the floor,” said Harris. In a non-league match against Mother of Mercy, the ladies dominated the 46-34 game. Riedel and Cooper contributed 10 and 15 points, respectively. Key players were Issacs, Melissa Herlihy, 10 and Richards. The ladies closed out their winning streak with a 45-36 win versus Colerain. Cooper and Riedel again proved to be an unstoppable team, with 24 points between them. Richards contributed to the score with her seven, while Kelly, Patterson, Brittany Lintz, 10, and Maggie Hobbs, 11 added to the team’s dynamic. The junior varsity ladies hope to carry their team to victory yet again in an away game versus Middletown.

Sophomore basketball: Season of disappointment

TYLER JACKSON, 10, DRIVES TO the hoop in a sophomore basketball game. The sophomores have only won a few games, however the improvement throughout the season is noticeable. Finishing the season on a high note is all that the team can do.

have been very efficient in stopping opponents in half court sets. However, transition defense has been where the team has gotten in trouble. Turnovers on offense have lead to numerous breakaways and easy buckets for opponents, and the transition defense has been virtually nonexistent off of giveaways and quick outs from rebounds by other teams. It is this area that almost all of opposing teams’ offense and low post scoring have come from, and the team knows it. “I think one of our main problems this season has been our transition defense, we give up too many easy buckets,” said guard Adam Robke, 10. Though ever optimistic, the team believes they are improving. “Our defense is really improving. We have been shifting over to the help side more effectively and on post defense,” said forward Joe King, 10, who joined the team following their January 6th game at Milford. With the season all but over, there is nothing that can be done to salvage this season. “We must improve our team chemistry, unity, and pride,” said guard Terrance White, 10. “We need to come out with more heart,” said Jackson. These things notwithstanding, the teams biggest issues remain the sputtering offense and transition

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Watching the sophomore boys basketball season this year has been a lot like watching a pendulum swing: plenty of ups, and plenty of downs, too. The team’s performance seems to vary by game, though their performance has been consistently low. There are plenty of things that they could improve upon, but they also do many things right as well. Do not be fooled by their record, though at first glance it many appear this squad is on the fast track to nowhere, there remain positive aspects to the team. The sophomores have been attempting to run a traditional 3 guard, 2 forward/ center set with really only one true big man. Tyler Jackson, 10 is the only player who naturally plays the center position. He is a good rebounder, low post scorer, and pretty quick as well, but he cannot do it all himself. There is nothing that can be done about size now and it is really not their fault, but it remains a constant issue for the team nonetheless. But there are other problems that can be resolved to help the sophomores. Another huge source of frustration has been monumental struggles on offense. “Our offense is not efficient, we’re not executing our plays,” said guard Josh Samuels. Repeatedly, however, the offense has been much more efficient when Tyler Haigwood, 10 has run it by himself. Haigwood is a good ball handler, quick, has good playmaking ability and court vision and could help the team by handling the ball as a true point. On the other side of the ball, the team has been solid. The sophomores

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MOLLY RICHARDS, 10, TAKES A jump shot. Richards has helped the JV team to winning four out of their last five games in January. Both of the underclass teams have succeeded this year, providing a promising outlook on the future.

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Athletics WEDNESDAY, February 28, 2007

Winter sports season gives All-Sports Trophy standings boost:

Almost tied with Lakota West by Jeremy Spiegel

ith most of the winter sports finished, the sports teams have made the chase for the GMC AllSports Trophy. Combined with a very close fall record, this is now a two-team competition, with the Aves trailing Lakota West by 12.5 points.

Perfect Scores

Three of the winter sports teams received the maximum rating of eleven points: Girls Swimming, Boys Swimming, and Chess Team. Both swim teams earned the maximum score by winning the GMC championship, while the chess team also received eleven points. “It was important for us to win the conference and get eleven points, and we did,” said Jason Kao, 11, a member of the boys swim team. Most other winter sports teams have had a fairly good season, making the competition even closer. The Academic Quiz Team is currently leading the conference with a 14-4 record, which puts it in position to receive eleven points. “It’s always better to be in first place,” said Mark Dapkins, 11. The girls basketball team is also close to first place, trailing Oak Hills and Lakota West by two games. The boys, meanwhile, are in the middle of the conference standings with a 5-8 record (as of 2/20). Both bowling teams have had disappointing seasons and are near the bottom of the standings. Their season concluded at Sectionals on February 17. This amazing winter season has given the school a chance to pass Lakota West for the All-Sports Trophy standings. The only thing left to conquer is the spring season.

all images by grace naugle

Teams reach end of season

ACADEMIC QUIZ TEAM, GIRLS BASKETBALL, WRESTLING and bowling are just some of the winter sports crucial to the school’s placement of the GMC All-Sports Trophy. “We had a really strong team this year. We were deep which helped us win GMC’s for the 18th straight year,” said Paige Keefe, 12, part of the girls swimming team.

Swimming makes splash in GMC Both teams move on to conquer sectionals, districts by Alphonse Harris

by Nadia Khan

The mens team wore their white home uniforms to the GMC meet - after all, it has almost become a home-away-from-home in recent years. There was no drama this year as the team led from the first event and finished with a 72 point victory over the hosting school, Milford. Winning by over three seconds, the medley relay consisted of seniors Mark Bernstein and Alphonse Harris, and juniors Jason Kao, and Colin Hanner. They got the team off to a winning start. “It was huge to win the first event,” said Hanner. “It gave us the momentum.” After the medley relay the team continued to roll with Bernstein and Harris taking first and fourth in the 200 freestyle. Bernstein continued to lead the team adding another victory in the 100 freestyle. Other high placers were Kao with a second place in the 100 breaststroke and a fourth place in the 200 medley, and Hanner who took second in the 500 freestyle and third in the 100 backstroke. Even though they were not All-Conference, the performances of first year varsity members Ben Keefe, 9, David Codere, 11, and Chris Culin, 9, were great. All three dropped considerable amounts and scored points for the team. “It is definitely a positive to see that the future of the team is bright,” said Jonathon Hancher, 10. Hancher, along with the freshmen, will be relied upon heavily next year to score the big points. The 12th consecutive victory ties the record held by Princeton, and the team was able to carry the momentum from this performance into the first leg of the state tournament at the Sectional Championship meet. At the Sectional meet, eight different individuals swam fast enough to qualify to the 32 man field at the Southwest Ohio District meet, and all three relays were able to advance as well. The top 24 times from all the districts will qualify to the State meet. The rest of the Sectional qualifiers will be fully rested for the District meet, and all will hope to emulate the huge time drops that Keefe had at the Sectional meet. “I felt great in the water,” said Keefe. “We are in a good position to have a lot of state qualifiers” said Jamie Dowdall, 11. “It will just come down to us staying focused and not making stupid mistakes.” Hopefully, if the team can avoid disqualifications, they will be able to appear at the state meet.

The girls swimming team has done it again. With outstanding results in the post-season the girls excelled and are looking to win state. For the 18th consecutive time, the girls claimed the GMC title and went on to enjoy success at sectionals and districts. On February 10, the girls swim team competed in the Southwest District sectionals at Mason High School, where many of the girls qualified for districts. “Even though I didn’t swim, I had a lot of fun cheering the girls on. They really made me proud,” said Debra Lipson, 11. Qualifying for the 50-yard freestyle was Shannon Conners, 10, with a time of 25.61 seconds and Kenzie Kassoff, 11, with a time of 26.22 seconds. Juniors Erica Kao and Laura Tufts both qualified for the 100 freestyle with times of 55.39 and 56.65 seconds respectively. Christina Noland, 11, qualified for the 200 and the 500 freestyle with times of 2:03.24 and 5:27.34. Paige Keefe, 12, also qualified for the 500 freestyle with a 5:29.64 swim. “It was great to go out there and compete but cheer on my teammates at the same time, especially the seniors, since it’s so important to them,” said Kao. Briana Conners, 10, Chelsea Keller, 12, and Tufts all made it to districts with times of 1:02.30, 1:03.93, and 1:04.24 in the 100 backstroke. S. Conners also qualified for the 100 breaststroke with a 1:13.09 swim. Alex Norris, 9, Kao, 11, Jenna Tameris, 10, and Katie Yaroma, 10, all qualified for the 100 butterfly with times of 1:00.00, 1:00.46, 1:02.94, and 1:03.59 respectively. Norris, Yaroma, and B. Conners, all placed in the 200 individual medley with 2:11.91, 2:18.80, and 2:19.57 times. All three of the girls relay teams also placed well, each in the top eight for their relays. The 200 free relay, consisting of S. Conners, B. Conners, Tameris, and Norris, broke the school freshman/sophomore record with a time of 1:42.40. The 400 free relay qualified with a time of 3:46.46, and the 200 medley relay placed with a time of 1:54.39. “[The 200 free relay] was a really exciting race to watch because they were so close all the way until the end, and they broke the record by a really slim margin,” said Liz King, 10. The girls look to continue their success from the GMC championship and sectionals to attempt to claim the state title. A decent number of the swimmers, including Norris, B. Conners, S. Conners, Kao, Kassoff, Tameris, and Tufts, made it to state. They competed in Canton, Ohio, successfuly placing better than they achieved last season.

BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS swimmers worked hard to capture the GMC titles. Mark Bernstein, 12, Alphonse Harris, 12, Jason Kao, 11, Jon Hancher, 10, and Colin Hanner, 11, all qualified to compete at the upcoming boys State Meet.

Athletics WEDNESDAY, February 28, 2007

ATHLETE spotlight

THE 10-2 RECORD OF THE varsity football team this fall made it clear to many that some of the team’s players would be moving on to play in college next year. On February 7, four seniors, Mike Latessa, Mitch Allen, Caleb Lipsey, and Byron Brown, signed their Letters of Intent to play at various colleges next year. Many students and facutly, along with parents, came to support them at their presentation on Thursday, February 8 at the high school.

roud day for football seniors

arents, coaches, teachers, classmates support four players’ signings

by Kyle Battle

he success of this year’s football team brought a lot of exposure to the high school. Exposure came from the media; exposure came from high school football fanatics; and exposure came from college coaches. For four players, that exposure paid off on Wednesday February 7. Seniors Mitch Allen, Byron Brown, Mike Latessa and Caleb Lipsey all signed their Letters of Intent with Division I-A programs at a banquet sponsored by the Greater Miami Conference at the Fairfield Banquet and Convention Center. Allen started quarterback for the Aviators for three years. During those three years he earned All GMC Twice, Offensive Player of the Year in the GMC, and All District. He will also play in the East-West All Star Game. Allen accumulated over 1000 rush yards as well as over 1000 pass yards this year while leading the Aviator offense, to a 10-2 (6-1 GMC) record. He will continue his football career at Wofford University in South Carolina. Brown led the team in total tackles and was elected first team All GMC. Brown has contributed to the Varsity team for three years: as a defensive lineman and then later as a linebacker. Brown will be continuing his football career at the University of Charleston in West Virginia. Latessa has anchored the defense as a linebacker for three years. Latessa is the only Sycamore player that, as a sophomore, received All GMC honors. He is also the only player that has received First Team All GMC as a defensive

player and an offensive player. Latessa has decided to attend the University of Cincinnati as a preferred walk-on. Last, but certainly not least, Lipsey has been the anchor in the middle of the football team’s defense for the past three years. “When we made our bear call, that meant we covered up the tackles and had Caleb one-on-one with the center because we knew that he couldn’t block Caleb,” said Coach Scott Dattilo at the unofficial signing at the teacher’s lounge on Friday February 9. Caleb was offered by several Division I-A programs, but decided to attend Murray State University. Before he begins training as a Murray State Racer, he will participate in the East-West All Star Game as well as the Big 33 All-Star Game. The Big 33 Game is a culmination of the best 33 players from Ohio versus the best 33 players from Pennsylvania. Caleb is the first to be invited to play in such a game. The football program is proud of the success of these four athletes and anticipates that more will sign before the signing period is over. There is definitely no replacing these four great athletes but the team must move on. The team will fill their spots as best they can and move towards another playoff appearance in 2007. However, the emotions of so many Sycamore Football fans was expressed by Gregg Allen, Mitch’s dad, through a flow of tears of pride. Allen said, “I’m going to miss watching him on Friday nights.”

Four senior football players signed with colleges in hopes to further their football careers. Mitch AllenWofford University, South Carolina Byron BrownUniversity of Charleston, West Virginia

Caleb LipseyMurray State University, Kentucky

Wrestlers look towards state championship

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Joey Fixler, 12 Varsity Wrestler

How long have you been involved in wrestling? Since junior high.

Q A

What has been the most difficult challenge this season? Keeping up the momentum of myself and the team through injuries and disappointments.

What has been your favorite moment of your senior season? The Princeton/Mount Healthy Duals when I beat two people that I had previously lost to. This win was especially big in establishing myself as a potential State qualifier.

Mike LatessaUniversity of Cincinnati, Ohio

Four wrestlers remain after sectionals The Varsity wrestling team’s regular season has come to an end after the sectional finals which were held February 16 and 17 at Fairfield High School. Four wrestlers then competed in the district finals on February 23 and 24, also at Fairfield. “It was a tough tournament, some people stepped up and got it done and we hope to get at least one person to state after districts,” said Zach Star, 12. The 152 pound wrestler that moved on to districts is junior Joey Alemagno. Alemagno came into sectionals unseeded but pushed his way into the finals for third and fourth by defeating Tyler Rahm from Loveland High School 14-0. In his consolation finals he ended up placing fourth. Alemagno had a tough draw for the start of districts, against state placer from last year in the first round. Terrence Boggs, 11 is the 160pound wrestler who also moved on from sectionals to districts. At sectionals he also was not seeded, but he overcame a close match in the consolation semifinals, with an ending victory of 7-4, then placing fourth overall. Senior Joey Fixler has had his best season this year, placing third earlier this year at Coaches Classic, and having an overall record of 29-9. At sectionals he went 4-1, and placed third overall after defeating Anderson’s Bobby Kuhlenberg 8-5. This is the first time Fixler has made it to districts. “I’m happy with my draw for districts and hopefully I’ll be able to pull through and get to state,” said Fixler.

photo by molly essell

photo by brianne fox

by Molly Essell

JUNIOR JOEY ALEMAGNO IS ONE of the four varsity wrestlers to move on to districts. Other wrestlers are seniors Joey Fixler and Zach Star and junior Terrence Boggs. Wrestlers placing top four at districts will move on to the state championship. Another senior who made it to districts for the first time is Star. At sectionals, he went 2-1 with a by in the first round, then defeated Amelia and Oak Hills in the semi-finals. Star placed the highest on the team, finishing second, after a tough loss to Elder’s Orlando Scales. At districts he was wrestling against top wrestlers from Harrison and Milford. These wrestlers have proven themselves after many weeks of practices and meets. After the district finals, only wrestlers placing top four will move onto the state tournament which is held at Ohio State University March 1, 2, and 3.

As the season is coming to an end, how do you see the team finishing? I’m disappointed about Caleb having to leave the team, but I’m also looking forward to qualifying for the State Tournament. How has it been being captain this year? It’s challenging at times, when we’re not doing as well as we should be because we feel like we’re not holding up our own, but it’s rewarding being able to be a leader on and off the mats. What are your hopes for the underclassmen that will take over next year? That they will learn from mistakes made this far, and be able to go farther. I hope they realize how much potential they all have if they continue to work hard. Any last words? Andy Star always told me, “The key to wrestling is scoring as many offensive points as possible.” Hopefully this can lead me to State.

Athletics

All images By: Danny Montague

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

STUDENTS PLAY VARIOUS TYPES OF leisure sports such as ping pong, badminton, four square and foosball. Some people obtain a euphoric feeling playing these games, as the face of Trent Linhardt, 11, shows.

Leisure activities: fun at any age by Danny Montague and Kevin Hall

he simplistic beauty of any sport that you learn as a child is priceless. It is remarkable that a seemingly meaningless game can forge everlasting friendships or divide the best of friends. Everyone can relate to sports such as ping pong, poker, pool, and corn hole because everyone has played them. Some people have discovered their talent; others have discovered that they do not succeed in these areas…but nonetheless have found out something about themselves in the process. Games like these are not mainstream but yet still help people learn to cope with failure, passion, hyperactivity, and sportsmanship.

Where it all began

The classic games that are popular today actually date back to as early as 400 B.C. These leisure activities have evolved and been carried across the world throughout history, making for many diverse versions of these games. The sport of ping-pong, of “table tennis” began after the Civil War in England. It was not coined “table tennis,” however, until the 1930s by the Parker Brothers. Dating even farther back is the game of pool. Forms of billiards are said to have originated in Ancient Egypt. There are even references to pool in Shakespeare’s “Anthony and Cleopatra.” The game even evolved into two styles of play after the industrial revolution. European pool has no pockets while the billiards played in Britain and America contain six pockets.

Corn hole, a much less popular sport, has a very close relation to a 14th century German game called Goetta. Its official origin is from the west side of Cincinnati, and is popular in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. This similarity would be explained by the heavily concentrated German population here. Like pool, badminton can be traced back many years. It was thought to have been played in ancient times in Asia and the Middle East. When Britain occupied India in the 18th and 19th Centuries, they brought the sport back with them and it grew in popularity before becoming an official Olympic event for the first time in 1992.

Easy fun for all

Leisure sports can be played virtually anywhere and are a great alternative to being bored. The reason these games are called leisure sports is because they are less competitive than actual sports, but they still involve skill, practice and strategy. There is no commitment to these sports and they are not taken too seriously. They are not terribly expensive and you do not usually have to have a lot of people to play them. They are just simple and fun to play. They can also bring people together. “I like playing my dad, sometimes I don’t get to see him that much, but when I do, I can always count on a good game of

Leisure Sports

Badminton Pool Four Square Ping Pong Corn Hole Air Hockey

* A poll was conducted from 100 random students at SHS

27% 24% 18% 13% 10% 8%

“ “

I like playing my dad, sometimes I don’t get to see him that much, but when I do, I can always count on a good game of ping pong from him -Nate Dicken, 11

A good game of Texas, you don’t need any real athletic skill at all, its all mental. There’s nothing like when your all-in and seemingly down and out, and you somehow win. -Mike Caligaris, 11

ping pong from him,” Nate Dicken, 11 said. Dicken who was taught the game by his dad when he was young, has improved over the years and enjoys the competition. Many teenagers become more distant from their parents as they progress through high school. They do not think they can have fun with their families anymore, only with friends. However, leisure sports can bring them back together to have hours of quality time to spend together.

Growing popularity

Although many of these sports have been around for quite some time, they have never been very recognized by the media. Often these sports have been depicted as games for timid people who have never succeeded socially, nor developed the athletic grace that the media demands. Instead of airing segments that lasted for mere seconds, new shows are on channels like ESPN 2 and Fox sports. These channels, which are popular among sports enthusiasts, have caused an unprecedented exposure of viewers to global sports. This is due to the programming schedules of media giants like ESPN. For example, programs broadcast live pool and ping pong tournaments that take place in various regions of the world. Part of the reason of the growing popularity of leisure sports, is that they are entertaining. Numerous shows are dedicated to the entertaining aspects of these sports. For example, there are trick pool shows where the experts amaze fans all across the nation with their amazing feats. Many people like Adam Samuels, 10, enjoy the game of pool for many reasons that he feels are self-explanatory. “I enjoy pool because it’s a fun activity to play with friends for fun and it makes for quite the time,” Samuels said. “I did this trick I saw on TV called Moses where 8 balls are lined up and you shoot one ball into another which shoots into all 8, and the balls split (like a sea) and then one of the balls goes through the middle after the 8 balls split and into a paper bag which flips over and sends the ball directly to the hole it took about 100 tries.” Another game that has had a recent jolt in popularity is poker. There is now the “World Championship of Poker” which consists of the best players in the country in a deceptive mindreading battle. However, it always ends up being a great time. “A good game of Texas, you don’t need any real athletic skill at all, it is all mental. There’s nothing like when your all-in and seemingly down and out, and you somehow win,” Mike Caligaris, 11 said. “It leaves you breathless, and you parade around dissing all your friends and laughing at there misfortune.” These sports basically give people that are not necessarily the best at sports, or games, but can just relax and have some nice simple fun.

Athletics

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

STUDENTS EASE THEIR MINDS AS they battle each other during an epic match of Super Smash Brothers on Nintendo 64. While the system is dated compared to newer platforms such as Xbox 360 and PS3, it still holds a certain sentimental value with players.

Leisure activities: How to play Badminton- This game consists of two or four players, two birdies, and a net. It is very similar to volleyball. The object of the game is to keep the birdie off the ground. Pool- It can be played with any amount of players and there are many different styles of play. There are two cues and sixteen different balls and you basically try to get the balls into the pockets.

KEVIN HALL, 11, JACK LIU, 11, and Nate Schmidlin are enjoying a nice game of texas holdem.

Four square- This is the classic game of elementary school recess. There are at least four players and you try to bounce a kickball into the other players’ squares. Ping pong- Also known as table tennis, its name speaks for itself. This is a two or four player game played with small wooden paddles and hollow plastic balls. Corn hole- It is played with two or four players and eight bean bags. You have to toss the bean bags into a hole or onto the board to score points. Air hockey- Each player has a handle and they try to hit a puck into the opponent’s goal

Q & A with Mike Caligaris, 11, Dmitriy Bikmayev, 11 STUDENTS PLAY A GAME OF indoor cornhole. They will have fun rain or shine.

Mike since you retired from lacrosse, what do you devout your time to now? I devout my time to slaying people in Badminton, Dmitriy Bimayev and I are a tag-team, and if you ever play us expect to get Hollywood squared Dmitriy, how do you think playing badminton is a part of society? It’s not, it’s just that one of our loser friends has a net in his backyard. We harass him all the time about having a badminton court. Badminton is basically a slacker sport, for hollywood circles. When we play people in badminton we own their souls.

Why are you so dominant at Badminton? We contribute our sucess to two things: Scapegoat Papia, and Gingerdead Man. Basically nothing, were just exceptional children that watch messed up movies all day. KEVIN HALL, 11 PLAYS AN intense game of air hockey at his friend’s house.

Athletics WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Photo courtesy SI.com

THE COLTS’ DOMINIC RHODES (33) scores a second-quarter touchdown to help defeat the Bears. Rhodes and fellow Indianapolis runningback Joseph Addai combined for 190 yards on the ground. Peyton Manning, Indy’s quarterback, was awarded the MVP.

Indianpolis Colts triumph in Super Bowl XLI by Matt Slovin

lame it on the rain. Blame it on nerves. Blame it on whatever you want, but nothing can cover up Rex Grossman’s absolutely dismal performance in the Super Bowl which led to the Colts’ 29-17 victory. “It was a great game, but Rex Grossman is an idiot,” said Sam Cleary, 9. It seemed that the Bears’ quarterback was having a hard enough time trying to get his hands on the snap, let alone locating Chicago receivers downfield. Grossman appeared thoroughly intimidated by the Colts’ defense, which is very strong, but it is virtually impossible to prevail on Super Bowl Sunday when struck by such nerves. On the opposite sideline of rocky Rex was the calm, cool and always collected NFL poster child Peyton Manning.

“Manning definitely deserved the win,” said Aaron Slovin, 11. Other students were not as impressed by the game. “I didn’t watch it because it takes too long and it’s boring,” said Hannah Myers, 11. One of the biggest questions leading into the big game was whether or not Manning could handle all of the pressure swirling around him and finally win a Super Bowl for him and hard-working head coach Tony Dungy. Mannings’ humble post-game comments reminded those that there are still role models in the National Football League despite arrogant superstars such as Randy Moss who tend to create false opinions of the men that play on Sundays. The Bears barely slipped by the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC

divisional playoff round, before routing the surprising New Orleans Saints in the conference championship to advance to the Super Bowl The Colts, on the other hand, won their first two playoff games in defensive struggles over the Kansas City Chiefs, and then the Baltimore Ravens. In the AFC championship game, Manning led the Colts to a narrow victory over New England. The Super Bowl is always as hyped as possible, but the Bears just couldn’t handle the heat. The Colts may be “going to Disney World,” but Rex Grossman’s future as an NFL quarterback may be as rocky as a ride that Peyton Manning enjoys. And they both deserve it.

Williams, Federer capture Australian Open titles by Kavya Reddy

As the Swissman retrieved his trophy after winning the Australian Open, not a tear was in sight - it was just pure pride in witnessing a great legend. Roger Federer won his tenth grand slam on January 28th in Melbourne Park beating Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4. Federer’s success over the 10th seed became the most domi-

nant grand slam in 27 years; not since Bjorn Borg’s run to the 1980 Roland Garros title had a man won a major without dropping a single set. However, the runner-up impressed as well. “I think that Gonzalez... has great capability of being number one soon,” said Danielle Culin, 11.

NHL’s Penguins continue to improve Pittsburgh club young with tremendous upside by David Dannenberg In every professional sport, there are certain teams that manage to extend beyond their simple municipality-based fan base, and inspire others to support them. Often, it is because of the success of the team makes it socially acceptable for people to admit that they enjoy watching that particular team. In this case, these fans are called bandwagon fans. When a professional sports team can attract bandwagon fans, it is an indication that they are doing quite well. When a team does poorly, they generally lose their bandwagon fans. And though I normally dislike bandwagon fans, it does not pain me at all to admit that I have become one. The Pittsburgh Penguins have the potential to be the best team in the NHL. Easily one of the greatest hockey players of all time, owner Mario Lemieux battled injury after injury, and even returned to hockey after his successful bout with lymphoma. Lemieux isn’t the only reason that the Penguins are adored by millions. Hockey wunderkind Sidney Crosby, at only 19 years old, leads the NHL in points and assists by a substantial margin. He has been praised by the great one himself, Wayne Gretzky, as being the only man who could break his records.

Crosby is following in the footsteps of Mario Lemieux. Easily one of the greatest hockey players of all time, he battled injury after injury, and even returned to hockey after his successful bout with lymphoma. Veteran Mark Recchi contributes heavily to the Penguin’s scoring effort, having compiled over 1,300 points, over 500 of which are goals, in his 19 year career. 19 year old Jordan Staal and rookie Evgeni Malkin lead all rookies in the NHL in goals, and Staal comes from ones of the most accomplished families in hockey, with every one of his siblings playing professional hockey. With all the young talent on Pittsburgh, it’s almost impossible not to like them. When the Penguins play, one can’t help but notice how much the players enjoy the game, and how well they play it. Unlike many veteran players in the NHL, who simply shrug off a bad game by attributing it to poor luck or an “off night,” the young Penguins look to learn from their mistakes, , and when they do make mistakes, it is almost certain that they will look to remedy that mistake in future situations. When one watches the Pittsburgh Penguins play over and over again, their improvement is easily noticeable, both in terms of individual and team efforts, and their recent points streak following a dry spell is a testament to their efforts to improve. The team’s efforts are paying off, and the world is noticing.

Serena Williams became the first unseeded player in 29 years to win the Open. Williams was rarely able to compete in 2006 because of injuries. “Serena deserved to win after all she been through,” said Srebrina Tanova, 10.

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Athletics WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

March Madness brackets set to be filled

Selection Sunday approaches quickly he brackets have been unveiled. The Georgia Dome has been tested and prepped. Teams all across the nation have stepped up their game. All this can only mean one thing—it is almost time for March Madness. With Selection Sunday right around the corner, people across the nation will be watching to see who gets in and what spots they get. It is important to know which teams are doing well this year to know what to expect from the selection committee on March 11. Right now, the clear front runners are the Florida Gators, the defending champions. The Gators were undefeated in the SEC until losing to Vanderbilt. They look to have success in the tournament with the leaders: Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Taurean Green. Also, all five starters started in the 2006 National Championship game, giving them an edge over many of the younger teams. While there is still time left for fluctuations in the standings, the young Ohio State Buckeyes are also looking strong, with 7-foot freshman Greg Oden trying to lead them deep into the tournament. Some worry that Ohio State’s schedule is too weak and the Buckeyes will suffer in the tournament when they face other teams, but by the numbers, the Bucks are likely to roll through the early rounds in March. The Wisconsin Badgers face the same scrutiny; they are just behind the Buckeyes for the second ranking, while they edged

out the Buckeyes to claim the leadership spot in the Big 10 conference. The Badgers look to continue their season success in the tournament with a good seed. North Carolina has quietly remained near the top, and the Tar Heels have topped the ACC, one of the most prestigious conferences in college basketball. They bested their longtime rivals the Duke Blue Devils, who are having their worst season in years, in their first of the two annual meetings. Duke fell out of the top 25 for the first time in the last 11 years, but they are looking to climb back. They will make the tournament, and based on the fact that it is Duke, they are likely to be given a good seed. While it remains impossible to predict the seeds absolutely correctly, the top ranking teams are likely to do well, but March Madness is so named for a reason. The brackets are unlikely to play out just as planned, since the higher seed does not always win. With Cinderella teams like George Mason last season, who advanced so far as to defeat the likes of North Carolina and Connecticut in the NCAA tournament only to lose to Florida, who was crowned champion, in the Final Four, there are very few people who ever fill out the brackets completely correctly. Therefore, everyone will have to wait and see how the seeds play out on Selection Sunday coming March 11 and also how the seeds will affect the tournament. It is almost time for madness—March Madness. *updated: February 16, 2007

Greg Oden of Ohio State blocks the Minnesota’s Spencer Tollackson’s shot. Oden is having a good Freshman year for the top ranked Buckeyes. The February 25th game between Ohio State and Wisconsin will have a huge impact on the NCAA brackets.

Cronin tries to rebuild Bearcats

Image by Jeremy Spiegel

by Nadia Khan

Program set for rebound in coming seasons by Ben Moler

The University of Cincinnati basketball team has not had an easy road after former coach Bob Huggins was fired. All of the controversy surrounding his dismissal has cooled off, and the focus has been on what to do about the team. With new coach Mick Cronin being hired so late in the year, he was forced to put together a team worthy of playing in one of the most premier Division-I conferences in a few short months. With so little time, Cronin recruited six Junior College players to join the team. “It’s amazing that the Bearcats have the talent they do with

such little time they had to recruit. Even though they aren’t winning, I’m impressed they stick with some of these teams” said Elliott Donovan, 12. The Bearcats players are uncharacteristically unrecognizable compared to years past when players such as Kenyon Martin, Jason Maxiell, and James White led the Bearcats to victory. “The most noticeable factor is the attendance and how many people are following the Bearcats’ season this year” said Ryan Kantor, 12. The Bearcats have a 10-16 overall record and through their past twelve games are 1-11. One thing which the Bearcat

loyalists are not used to is losing. Before last year, the Bearcats had made fourteen consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. Cronin stepped into a position where he knew he would have to rebuild after losing the face of the Bearcats in coach Huggins. “I think that fans need to be patient and let Cronin have time to rebuild the program before criticizing him” said Brian Knodle, 12. Cronin is known for recruiting big time players. Although it may take a few years, the Bearcats are likely to reach the status they had once achieved.

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Athletics

all images by austin stone

WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

AIR JORDAN XXI, CAME OUT in 1996-97. This is the pair that came out after Michael Jordan claimed the scoring title nine years in a row. Jordan was once again First Team, and First Team All Defense, scoring double figures in 758 straight games.

Air Jordan Putting his foot in doorway

Junior Joey Hiudt loves his Jordans

See what he has to say about his love for this athletic apparel

by Austin Stone

ven though Michael Jordan walked away from the game of basketball, his legacy lives on. He is in the basketball hall of fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, and his named is cut into diamonds on championship rings that will probably end up in famous museums across the country. Aside from his many championships and unmatched playing ability, Michael Jordan is now being remembered for one other thing, something not only seen on the basketball court, but in every school and on every street: his line of Air Jordans. Jordan left the game of basketball as a champion; now he is known as the man with “gear.“ His footwear phenomenon is without a doubt one of the fastest growing crazes since the release of the Air Jordan 1’s in 1985. The Air Jordan 1’s were designed by Peter Moore, and they have a unique style somewhat compared to Nike’s Air Force one, but these include the Jordan Wing logo over the Nike swoosh. The shoe is identifiable by reflecting the North Carolina native’s past. It paved the way for the now more commonly known Jordan brand, which basically revolutionized the entire concept of how we interpret modern popular basketball footwear. Every pair of Air Jordan have sold very well; the most popular pair was the Air Jordan III. The design was totally different from the designs of the Jordan I and Jordan II, designed by Mr. Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield designed every pair of Air Jordan’s up to number XV, and returned to design Air Jordan XX. Air Jordan III was also the first pair to introduce the Jumpman logo instead of the Air Jordan Wings that was on the first two pair. The pair was first released in 1988 but was retroed in 1994. Nike produces a new pair of Air Jordans every year. Currently they are up to the 21st in the series. The company opted on removing the Nike Swoosh logo and instead just imprinting the Jumpman (a silhouette of Michael Jordan jumping from the free-throw line). This logo is now one of the most recognizable logos in the world.

Michael Jordan career timeline 1978 Cut from high school basketball team.

1982 Hits 20-foot, game-winning basket in the NCAA championship game.

1984 Picked third overall in NBA draft by Chicago

1992

Leads Bulls to NBA championship.

1996 Named MVP, AllStar MVP and Finals MVP.

Why do you think Jordan has become such a popular brand? Because he is a role model for everybody, and he was the greatest basketball player of all time What do you think of when you see people wearing Jordan clothes? I would say that they have good taste Why do you wear Jordan? Beause they look good

Do you think Jordan clothes will last or will it just be a fad? Well it’s been going for a while now; I don’t think it’s going to be a fad because it has been going on since the 90’s What’s your favorite Jordan item? Definitely his shoes

How much money have you spent on Jordan clothing? It’s hard to say, but it’s not that much Do you think the clothing is really worth their prices? Probably not, but a lot of people are willing to pay it so why would they lower their prices.

Advertisement WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

rofile 40 P What do neck crackers, cell phones and size 9 shoes have in common? WEDNESDAY February 28, 2007

Meghan McCreary

Q by Arushi Sharma

What are three words you would use to describe yourself? Outgoing, kind and fun. If someone went into your room right now, what would they find that best describes your personality? My big mirror on my dresser. What are you involved in at school? Nothing yet.

Do you have any pet peeves? When people next to me crack their necks. Who are your favorite teachers? Ms. LeBlanc, Mr. Romer, Mr. Clark and Doc. What is your most prized possession? My cell phone.

What lesson has life taught you through experience? Life has taught me to never give up and to try new things. Something about you that others do not know? I wear size 9 shoes. Who are the people closest to you? My family and friends.

What do you like about high school so far? We have more freedom now compared to junior high. In addition, we have a larger variety of classes now. Do you have a job? No, but I sometimes baby-sit.

What was your most embarrassing moment? My most embarassing moment was when I was little and I was pretending to be Superman on a swing and then I fell face first on the ground. What are your best qualities? Worst Qualities? Like I said, I believe I’m outgoing, kind and fun. If you were principal for a day, is there anything you would change? I would allow the students to skip one bell. Have you always lived in Cincinnati? If no, when did you move here? I was born in Cincinnati and have lived here ever since. Any last words? SHS is the best!

Food: Ribs! TV Show: “The Wayne Brothers” Movie: Final Destination 3 Quote: “Never give up.”

photos courtesy of Meghan J. McCreary

Favorite:

(ABOVE) MEGHAN McCREARY, 9 (LEFT) and Brittany Rhone have some fun. (Middle) Meghan McCreary (extreme right) is with her mom (center) and her two sisters. (Bottom) Meghan (center) and her two sisters, Abbey (left) and Shannon (right) in a family portrait.