The Sycamore Leaf-February 2012

The

ycamore

eaf

BANNED

OLIVIA SMITH

No more rap battles? Find out why.

Awardwinning student artist speaks of connecting with people through her work.

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Friday, February 24 , 2012 | Volume LIX Issue 7 | 7400 Cornell Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45242, 513.686.1770 ext. 3089 | www.GoAves.com

newsbriefs Odd Couples

The “Seussamore” themed Odd Couples Dance will take place on Mar. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the commons. Today is the last day to purchase a ticket, which are $25 per person. Students should bring an adult guest as their date.

Appetizers, dinner, and a live band will be provided.

Offline:

School technology inept in eyes of many, administration foresees changes

OK

Japanese Cancelled

Science Bowl

The SHS Science Bowl teams participated in the Department of Energy sponsored National Science Bowl on Feb. 4. Facing teams from OH, KY, and IN, contestants answered questions ranging in subjects from math to physics. The A Team finished third place in the competition.

Blood Drive

The blood drive will take place on Mar. 5 in the Gregory Center.

Students can pick one of their seven bells to walk to the Gregory Center and participate in the event. In addition to being in good general health, donors must also be at least sixteen years of age. All 16 year-old donors must have a signed parent’s consent. This is not required for 17 year-olds.

Pancake Day

The district’s bands and orchestras will perform at SHS on Mar. 3 as part of their annual Pancake Day. Tickets for a pancake and sausage breakfast can be purchased at the event, which will begin at 8 am.

Art from all schools in the district will be displayed all day in the gym. All proceeds go to support the Sycamore Band and Orchestra Boosters. “Pancake Day usually nets SBOB around $14,000,” said Mr. Jeffrey Bieler, JH and HS band director.

NEWS 2-3

Rishi Choubey opinion chief

F

or students at SHS, the netbooks are an annoyance. Though more portable, the small size and slow loading time make them all the more dreaded.

And even though computer labs are open for students in room 214 and 215, the removal of desktops from the IMC has made it difficult to complete homework assignments before, during, or after school.

Recently, with the phasing-in of a new printing policy, printing off homework assignments could become even more difficult.

The curtailment of accessibility to such resources has been met with some frustration from students and teachers alike.

“I hate the netbooks. They are too small and really slow. I bring my laptop to school, and I’m fortunate to be able to do that,” said Nay Paine, 11.

“I want the desktops back. You’re able to work better and more efficiently. Sometimes classes are using the computer labs and you can’t use them.”

Though it may seem odd that these measures are being enacted, according to Mr. William Fritz, Director of Technology for the Sycamore School District, SHS is currently in a state of change. Just as the district is trying to become more “green”, it is also attempting to become more technologically oriented.

“We want to hold on to things, but we need to move along.

When the textbook is no longer, available teachers won’t have the option to tell students to take their textbooks out. Textbooks will eventually be electronic,” said Fritz.

“The state of Ohio says that by 2014-2015, all testing will be online. A more electronic form of education is coming. We know it is.”

To prepare for a more electronic form of education, wireless internet was installed around the school. Netbooks have been provided, and now printers are being removed to promote alternative forms of learning between students and teachers.

But still, students and teachers are a bit confused about the entire process.

Where did they go?

The IMC desktops were reallocated to the English lab.

OPINION 4-7

FEATURE 8-11

A&E 12-15

“We thought that the IMC should be a more flexible environment, a place to sit down and get some work done. That’s when it was determined to replace those desktops with something portable, like netbooks,” said Fritz.

To many people, their small size is problematic and their slowness too difficult to work with.

But according to Fritz, size was actually a factor that prompted SHS to purchase netbooks.

“The bigger the device is, the lower the battery life. That was an important factor in determining which computers to buy. We’re currently watching bigger devices, and we’ll see how it goes,” said Fritz.

“As a school district, you have finances to handle.

We’ve got to figure out what works and test it. I think we’ll see changes. Maybe it’s a bigger laptop for students with a battery life that will last longer.”

The battery life, which can last up to six hours, and the ability to transport them easily between classes were reasons why they were purchased. However, the SHS administration admits that the size, which is eighty-five percent the size of a normal computer, can be troublesome at times.

Likewise, Mr. Tom Villani, media specialist, understands that many students may not be satisfied.

“I think that with anything there are strong points and weak points. We need to make the best of it and make it work,” said Villani.

Accessibility

Image by Aditi Sharma.

Enrollment in the Japanese classes has declined in the past five years; as a result, the program will now be discontinued. The courses will be phased out so that students already taking a Japanese course will be allowed to finish through AP. “I was very shocked,” said Japanese teacher Chikako Pierson.

“Nobody thought that [it would be discontinued], and I didn’t know like everybody else.”

Given the netbook situation in its present state, for students who would rather use a desktop, there seems to be a noticeable lack of computer availability around the school.

For students who do not have access to such electronic devices at home, it can become especially troublesome when teachers assign homework that requires internet access or Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

The removal of desktops from the IMC has impacted students, but

SPORTS 16-18

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SPOTLIGHT 20

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>> Printing cont. from pg. 1

according to teachers, desktops are open for students, just not in the IMC. “Apart from the IMC, room 214 and 215 are available to students. I’ve never seen all of them taken up by students before or after school,” said Mr. Ken Clark, business department.

New Printing Policy

There is still some uncertainty revolving around printers within SHS. But as the Dell printers in most classrooms malfunction at an alarming rate, the number of available printers continues to go down. None are being replaced.

Teachers are being asked to begin “group printing,” which means that the old printers will no longer be present in many classrooms.

Instead, fewer, newer printers with greater capabilities -- like scanning documents that can quickly be emailed instead of printing and the ability to print with only a USB device--will be placed in offices and strategically placed locations like the IMC. “Unfortunately, it is a cost-saving measure. I don’t see us switching back. There are about 100 printers in the school right now. We may be down to 50 moving forward,” said Mr. Chris Davis, principal.

If this is true, in the future, student access to printing may become increasingly difficult. Last minute corrections to essays or completing a hard-copy assignment at school may become a challenge.

Access to printers will still be available in the IMC and in labs. The idea is to curb waste and move towards the ultimate goal of becoming paperless or at least reducing the amount of paper used.

“Ideally, we would like to see an increase in the use of electronic methods and save in paper and toner,” said Dr. Keith Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Business Operations for Sycamore Community Schools.

“This is not a sweeping change but a phasing-out as old machines fail and staff change printing practices by using electronic devices. All of this helps to save costs, increase efficiencies and is considered to be an environmentally sustainable practices.”

Exact specificities of the new plan have not been entirely configured, but some teachers have already raised some questions about the new printing policy and the movement toward more electronic forms of learning.

Mrs. Melissa Wolfe, Department Supervisor, though in favor of reducing the cost of printing, believes this may not be the best solution.

“I spend more money on ink than on books, and I would rather spend money on high interest books,” said Wolfe.

“While there does need to be a curb of waste, we really do need a place before and after school where students can print things. We need a pool of permanently placed printers.”

Like Wolfe, Mr. Michael Geyer, chemistry teacher, sees some possible flaws that may need to be worked out.

“It’s going to be difficult. I might have to leave the room every time I print something,” said Geyer. “There might be some issues if a ton of students have to print in the IMC at the same time.”

While Geyer sees some flaws in the group printing method, he admits he would be in favor of electronic learning.

“I would love to have everything be electronic. That would be awesome. But as a science teacher, students might not have access to the software at home and large files might be hard to transfer between one another.”

The sudden realization that computers and printers play such a big role in the educational process has become a more important factor in the decision making processes of the district.

For more information and updates about the new policy or what is being done to address student complaints visit http://www.goaves.com.

Students prepare for Columbus convention

Latin club at the 2011 Ohio Junior Classical League Latin Convention in Columbus. Latin Club frequents the convention yearly, along with students from SJHS latin classes.

Photo courtesy of Atiya Dosani

2.24.2012

OGB TBD:Event cancelled due to busy schedule Jimmy Chau managing editor

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Rachael Sun staff writer

n addition to providing an environment centered on positivity and education, OGB teams up with SHS’ National Honor Society (NHS) every year to put on an event colloquially known as the “lock-in.”

The lock-in is a night to reward the kids of OGB for their hard work with activities such as board games, video games, and arts and crafts in the Commons as well as basketball and dodgeball in the gym and wrestling room, respectively.

Attendees are also provided with dinner and dessert, free of charge.

While the event is not mandatory, NHS members met on Jan. 23 to plan the event and volunteer for certain tasks like food management, indoor games, and decoration.

They were also encouraged to come out and help the cause while earning volunteer hours toward their 30hour quota for the semester.

Additionally, the event gives some NHS members the opportunity to meet the kids whom they help that they would not otherwise see without tutoring at OGB. “Although it was a night specifically for the kids, everyone involved had a great time and they had really good dance moves,” said Sally Evans, 12, who attended the event last year.

Members planned to arrive at 5:30 p.m., approximately half an hour prior to the beginning of the event to set up the activities and stay until 9:00 p.m.

Cancellation

On Feb. 14, NHS officials announced that the Feb. 17 event was cancelled because Mrs. Wendetta Langston, OGB founder, has had a busy schedule the past couple months and consequently, did

not have enough time to inform the children and pass out permission slips.

NHS could not reschedule the event due to booking conflicts for the Commons and the gym; however, they are still planning to host an event similar to the lock-in.

The new event will be like the lock-in on a smaller scale with the goal of helping the OGB kids and presenting OGB with a $500 check at the end of the night.

“We would still like to do something for the kids at OGB, so we will gladly work to schedule a new event,” said Patrick Stucker, 12, NHS President.

Ikea Challenge

On Feb. 3, the home improvement company IKEA selected various community projects across the nation to receive a $10,000 prize for their contributions to society.

Operation Give Back founders Wendetta and Lee Langston, along with their family, friends, and partners, rejoiced in finding out that their program was one of these recipients.

Visit www.goaves. com/ for an interview with Lee on winning the Ikea challenge.

A CHILD AT THE 2011 Operation Give Back- NHS event enjoys himself at the snack table. NHS members planned to repeat the event this year on Feb. 17; unfortunately, the event was cancelled on Feb. 14 due to a lack of commuAll images by Sarah May nication.

Taking teamwork to court: Mock trial attends regional competition Nakul Narendran staff writer

For the second time in history, one of the Mock Trial SHS,” said Mr. Drew Ostendorf, one of the coaches. teams from SHS reached the regional competition after Witnesses work for hours memorizing their lines and districts. With attorneys including Ryan Rasulis, 12, and trying to act out their parts. Attornies must memorize witnesses including Shyam Parikh, 10, the Green Team many rules, along with their various speeches throughout won both rounds at districts, thereby advancing to the the trial. It is almost like taking another class, for attorregional competition. neys spend many hours working and practicing their part.

“Hard work and dedication paid off for us. It’s un“My coach, Bernie Wong, made me repeat my opening fortunate that not all of the teams were able to qualify. speech multiple times at each practice for many reasons.

However, it is a big step for SHS for one of the teams to Sometimes he would say that I wasn’t loud enough, and move on,” said Ryan Rugani, 11. other times he would say I was speaking “Hard work and dedication” is “Hard work and dedica- too fast,” said Stephanie Adamec, 12. something that the teams showed as “I’m very proud of our team this year as tion paid off for us.” they attended practice after school they exceeded our expectations. The team twice a week since Oct. The Green Ryan Rugani, 11 demonstrated that they have top talent.

Team defeated two strong teams in The season is not over yet and hopefully Seven Hills and St. Ursula. we can move on even further,” said Wong.

“I’m extremely proud of the Mock Trial students. Mock The regional competition will be taking place today at Trial requires tremendous time and dedication. Their the Clermont County Courthouse. Many teams including success is directly correlated to the many hours devoted St. Xavier and Mason will be attending this prestigious to the club. Every year, I am astonished by each and every event. The Green Team practiced twice a week leading one of the student’s performances. It is amazing to see up to this event, cleaning up any blunders in their overall how much they grow in only a few months’ time. This performance. They hope to be ready and move on to year is no different. They did a fantastic job representing Columbus, Ohio for the state competition.

Atiya Dosani staff writer

Today, SHS’s Latin Club is busy attending the 62nd Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL) Latin Convention in Columbus.

Latin Convention is attended by SHS students and the Sycamore Junior High Latin Club. Mr. Mark Torlone, Latin teacher, and Mrs. Rosemary Ennis, history teacher and Latin Club advisor, will be accompanying the students to Columbus.

“Approximately 1000 Latin students from [Ohio] public and private schools gather for three days of friendly, but spirited, artistic and academic competitions. These Latin students are incredibly talented and it is amazing to see the quality of their efforts really shine in all of the contests and events,” said Torlone.

From acting to spirit contests, Latin Convention has it all. Students compete in a variety of activities such as academic tests, art contests, Jeopardy-style competitions, and performances in English as well as Latin.

“Latin Convention is all about academics, art, and spirit.

We show up with our best classical artwork, models, and stories,” said Megan Gundler, 12.

This year, the conventions theme in Latin is, “Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito,” meaning, “Don’t give in to evils, but proceed more boldly against them.” All art submitted in contests must go along with this theme.

“Many students have been working on their creative arts performances and graphic arts projects for months now,” said Torlone.

At the end of the weekend, the points from each contest are counted up. The school with the most overall points returns home with first place.

Last year, out of all the schools, SHS tied for tenth place. They expect to do even better this year. Led by a talented group of seniors, Latin Club is looking forward to excelling in all the events that they participate in.

“Sycamore has done fairly well these past few years, and we hope to do even better this year,” said Gundler.

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2.24.2012

Superior students speed forward in science fair

17 advance to UC competition Sanika Vaidya staff writer

O

f the many participants in the 2012 SHS Science Fair, 17 have received superior ratings and their projects will be proceeding to the University of Cincinnati Science and Engineering Expo (UC SEE), which will take place on March 10.

Projects were judged on the knowledge achieved, uses of the scientific method or technological design, clarity of expression, originality and creativity, and if it was a team project, teamwork.

“It was a really fun experience to be able to do independent research, and the Science Fair gave me a reason to follow through with it,” said Olivia Smith, 12.

Smith, along with Hayley Huge, 10, and Alexis Corcoran, 10, will be going to the UC SEE with their project, Time to Eat: A Cross Cultural Comparison of Meal Duration.

This will be the first level at which participants are able to earn awards, either as cash prizes or as scholarships. If they earn a superior rating, they can advance to the state level, the Ohio State University State

Science day.

“Last year I went to UC, but I didn’t make it to state. I hope I can do better this year,” said Rajat Bagheria, 10, who is going to UC with his project, Nitrates and Phosphates.

In the previous year, four projects advanced to state, and each won at least one award, and many more projects won awards at the UC SEE. In addition to the 17 superior projects, four projects from the BioTech classes at SHS will be going to the UC SEE. These students, too, will be aiming for awards and superior ratings.

At the UC SEE, four projects also have the chance of going straight to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

However, UC needs funds to be able to send the projects to Pittsburgh, PA, where it will take place; last year, no projects from the UC district were able to go to ISEF.

“We need your support in order to get our students competing at the 2012 ISEF event!” said Tom Cruise, UC SEE Director, in an ISEF announcement from UC. Either way, superior projects will be advancing to the state level.

When at the OSU State Science Day, projects are again rated by a new set of judges, and they have the chance to earn more awards.

If at least four projects from a school reach this level, and all of the projects earn superior ratings, the school is given the Harold C. Shaw Memorial Award. Only six schools in Ohio won this prestigious award last year.

SHS, which received this award for the second year in a row, was one of these six schools.

Hopefully, this year they will be able to garner enough funding to send students to the international fair, and with any luck SHS students will be able to do as well as or better than they have in previous years.

Image by Jane Finocharo

ALEXIS CORCORAN, 10, HAYLEY HUGE, 10, and Olivia Smith, 12, won blue ribbons for their project “Time to Eat: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Meal Duration.” They will be presenting this project at the UC SEE event, where they will have the opportunity to win awards for their work.

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U4U races toward awareness, funds Brenda Shen staff writer

U4U’s new awareness event has their plans coming together. The idea of the Race was surprisingly thought of during the Uganda trip while waiting in the airport.

“Usually as we sit in the airport after our visit to UNIFAT School, reflecting on everyone that we have met and all of the experiences that we have had, my students come up with an idea for the city side event to come the following Spring,” said Connie Ring, Unified for UNIFAT representative.

Their goal for this new project was to be able to make more people aware of the kids in UNIFAT school.

“I want the race to be really fun and competitive, but I also want them to have hands on learning experience to understand more about Uganda,” said Stephanie Adamec, 11.

Though events in the Race will be kept a secret, the students running this event have made sure to make the activities a way for people to somehow connect with the kids in Uganda.

“It will be a fun competition that will also teach students what the people in Uganda do on a daily basis,” said Jessica Hobart, 9.

Like the name suggests, the style of the Race will hold true to the CBS show where groups will compete to be the first to arrive back to the base.

In February and March students can begin signing up in groups of four. They will only be accepting 36 teams, and it will be on a first come first serve basis.

Planning has already started, including a detailed schedule of what will be happening the day of the event.

After the Race, people can look forward to the mixer concert that will be a preview of U4U’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Where once again the participants of iDance will be given the chance to go on a trip of the UNIFAT school in Gulu, Uganda.

With the amount of effort being put into the Amazing Race, U4U members hope to turn this into the biggest awareness event of the year.

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2.24.2012

Odd Couples Retraction We apologize for the misinformation presented in our Jan. issue concerning the Odd Couples Ball. The ball will begin at 6:30 on Sat, Mar. 10, and the theme is “Seussamore.” Students may invite a parent or other significant adult in their lives, but there is no requirement that the date be a relative. The ReBops will provide live entertainment; although Mr. Paul Alexander, a retired SJHS math teacher, plays in the band, it is not in fact a band of retired SHS teachers. For more information, please visit www.goaves.com.

the Sycamore

Dipal-Oh-tics Contraception controversy SM Dipali editor-in-chief &

leaf

Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road | Cincinnati, OH 45242 Mission Statement: The 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 Leaf operates as an open forum for the healthy, robust exchange of ideas. Opinions expressed in the editorials are those of The Leaf staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged.

All letters must be signed. The letters, not to exceed 300 words, may be edited for clarity, spelling, and grammar. Letters may be placed in Mrs. Cheralyn Jardine’s mailbox, dropped off in room 115, or e-mailed to jardinec@sycamoreschools.org.

The 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.

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For comments about columns, please write to writetotheleaf@gmail.com

Editors-in-chief: Emma Oh, SM Dipali Associate Editors: Jane Finocharo, Moriah Krawec, Kelcie Grega Managing Editors: Jimmy Chau, Aditi Sharma Business Managers: Ana Barros, Ellie Goldman News Sarah May Opinion Kelcie Grega Rishi Choubey Feature Aditi Sharma Shea Lothrop A&E Michael DeMaio Shayna Siegel Sports Bennett Kaplan Danny Bayliss Michael Saxon Spotlight Aditi Sharma Cartoonist Lilly Lefton Web Masters Ruochen Tang Ross Johnstal Staff Writers Joseph Ahn Lauren Altemuele MacKenzie Boyd Lina Cardenas John Carroll Krittika Chatterjee Alexis Corcoran Gariauna Daniels Atiya Dosani Lila Englander Taylor Evans Zachary Fritzhand

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Cartoon by Ruochen Tang

STAFF EDITORIAL Technology. It is all round us. From Apple products to voice controlled cars, we live in a world dominated by gadgets and gizmos.

At SHS we have some of the best electronic resources at our fingertips.

Interwrite boards are utilized frequently by every department. Schedules and assignments posted on Blackboard allow for flexibility for those teaching and learning. And of course, there are the netbooks that everyone loves, and yet everyone hates.

However, before we criticize SHS’s latest technological addition, we should take a step back and consider how lucky we truly are.

One only has to look at other schools around the world to see how fortunate SHS is. For example, UNIFAT, a school in Africa that SHS supports through U4U, started out with no desks to write on. Imagine how delighted the school would be to have one netbook at their disposal, let alone the plethora of notebooks that SHS uses daily.

The netbooks could be better. No

one is arguing that. But because we get caught up in criticizing this luxury, we miss something that can be done to help improve the situation, and it all starts with a voice.

SHS has already conducted one focus group to learn what students believe needs to be improved when it relates to technology. This is a step in the right direction, however, it is not enough.

You may be surprised to learn that the administration is looking for feedback. On Thursday, Mar. 1, from 7 – 8:30 p.m., the district’s technology department will conduct an open forum at E.H. Greene School. The improvement of technology will be the primary focus of the meeting and is open to the entire school community.

And of course, there are other opportunities, ranging from making an appointment with the administration to writing a letter to the editor.

If the netbooks and printing are that important, then one should not be afraid to speak out. One’s opinion will not hurt the situation; it will only help to improve it. If you want to have your voice heard, the time is now.

leafing through the masses

What do you think about net books or printing?

I understand we live in a time of scarce resources and we have to change as a result. Given the hit-or-miss quality of what works and what doesn’t work, it may be better to change to something more updated.

Tom Gaffigan, English teacher

There used to be desktops, which were perfectly fine.

They were functional. Was it really necessary to get these laptops which are extremely difficult to type quickly on?

Sky Wong, 10

I don’t like the net books.

By the time class is over, you have already spent 5 to 10 minutes turning them on.

Gabby Gerbus, 11

Emma Oh editor-in-chief

President Barack Obama has now included new mandate covering contraceptives in the Affordable Care Act, notoriously dubbed “Obamacare” by Republicans.

Under the new policy, most health insurance companies would be required to cover contraceptives – including birth control and sterilization procedures approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

However, this new policy has caused quite the uproar amongst the Catholic Church as well as other religiously affiliated groups.

After representatives of the Catholic Church spoke out vehemently against the new policy, Obama included an exemption for religious groups.

The compromise plan would allow for Church-affiliated universities, hospitals and charities to receive an exemption for providing contraceptive coverage to female employees or subsidizing its cost.

Coverage for the birth control would come from – and be directly covered by – the employer’s insurance companies, “with no role for religious employers who oppose contraception.”

D: Despite this exemption, the

policy is still cause for much debate in both the House and Senate. Republicans argue that this issue violates the “freedom of religious conscience” while Democrats believe this is strictly a women’s health issue.

The fight coming from the Republicans is predictable one. Conservatives on the Hill are staunch and righteous Christians – hence the hearing held at the House. A host of male witnesses lined the House of Representatives, waiting to give testimony on this “attack” on religious freedom.

Catholic bishops, CEOs of Catholic charities: they were all there. Where were the women, you ask? Not one female witness was present to discuss an issue that directly affects them.

But, let’s be honest, as much as this is an attack on women, the true target of this battle is really the Affordable Care Act.

E: As far as rights are concerned,

it seems as though there is no solution that is equally beneficial for both sides.

I’m all for protecting deserving groups, but even I find it difficult to take a side in this debate. It seems right that women who opt to use contraceptives should be able to receive coverage in their insurance policies, but it also seems right that organizations that do not support contraceptive use should not have to pay into those policies.

Believe it or not, I personally believe President Obama’s exemption was the best possible solution to this issue.

However, it doesn’t seem that this represents the view of GOP as a whole. Republicans and Democrats alike are still fiercely debating. It’ll be interesting to see what happens.

For more DipalOhtics columns, visit www.goaves.com

2.24.2012

Scrapped: Bennett Kaplan sports chief

A

rt comes in many different forms.

Some more obvious than others.

This week, a group of SHS students were participating in their own form of art: rap battling.

Popularized in movies such as Eminem’s ‘8 mile’, rap battles consist of two competitors going head to head, often coming up with lyrics off of the top of their heads, including personal insults directed towards their competitor.

A winner is usually determined by the observing crowd’s reaction.

Taking place near the lower locker bay as well as in the commons, the battles often gather large crowds of students and staff, events like this are not very common at SHS. “I think [the rap battles are] a good idea and something entertaining, said Nick Alston”, 12.

While many students see no problem with the battles taking place, administration had a different opinion. After getting word that the battles were taking place, they were shut down.

Participants were warned that if any more battles were to take place on school grounds, punishment would follow.

While administrators agree that student expression is not a bad thing, they believe that there is no place at the high school for the personal insults, vulgar language, and ‘references’ often associated with the battles.

The

ycamore

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Some students believe that it is not the business of the administrators to determine what is acceptable for students to do among themselves.

“I think the administration should not

stop [the battles],” said Denae Bellilti, 12. “We are entitled to our freedom of speech, and it is not like the language used in the rap battles is any different from that being used in the halls by other students. The people taking

we extend our thanks to these

Friends of The Leaf The Cardenas family The Carroll family The Chau family The Gilman family

Administration puts end to rap battles

The Rechnitzer family Robert Smolin The Swart family Anonymous

For information on supporting the mission of this newspaper by becoming a Friend of The Leaf see room 115, call (513) 686-1770 ext. 3089, or email Jardinec@sycamoreschools.org.

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place in the rap battles are not even bashing our school. They are expressing themselves; I think they should be allowed.”

Other students however, while not necessarily agreeing with the administrators decisions, understand the reasoning behind the ban.

“I understand because a lot of the battles were quite inappropriate and very vulgar but I do not think it should be shut down it is just for fun,” said Alston.

While student expression is encouraged, there are limits to what can be said and done when on school property.

As the student handbook describes it, the rap battles violate the ‘Disrespect’ statute, which states that “Students are expected to be courteous and considerate toward all students and staff.

A student shall not use profane or obscene language, motions, signs or writing.” Whether a violation of rules or not, some students do not understand the purpose of the battles. Nick Schraffenberger, 12, described the interactions between students participating in the battles as “embarrassing and awkward.”

They are easily spotted by their vintage Sartre-inspired Ray Bans, messenger totes, and catch phrase: “you probably have not heard of it.”

The former “post modern” minority community has become a mainstream style in America today.

Urban Dictionary defines the word “hipster” as “men and women that value counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter.”

Few share this - or a similar definition of the word.

Among non-hipsters, the group has become the subject of an infinite number of jokes revolving around the lack of authenticity of the lax disposition.

Most hipsters themselves refuse to categorize themselves as such, possibly because being a hipster is now completely mainstream. The term “hipster” has become a paradox.

Peter Furia, a founder of Seedwell Digital Creative

GUEST COLUMN R. Mukund guest columnist

Stanford...Caltech....Cambridge...overhearing these names in my daughter's conversations with her friends over the past few months has had my head spinning! As a SHS parent, I must confess to a huge sense of pride on hearing that top-ranked SHS seniors have recently received college acceptances from these legendary schools.

All I can say is "WOW", first, and then on catching my breath, ask the question - are we as a school district and as a community adequately recognizing these accomplishments, lavishing the praise due them, and truly admiring the hard work and dedication of the students who achieved them?

Let us compare with the more public affectations that accompany Sycamore's athletic signings, including parties and other congratulatory messaging. As the parent of a student athlete, I am just as overjoyed to hear about Sycamore's student athletes being signed by prestigious college athletic programs around the country, but all that adulation only sharpens the contrast with respect to our trifling response to academic accomplishments.

Consider that the private schools around this area don't miss the opportunity to boast off their students' academic accomplishments, in the local newspapers, in their recruiting brochures, and generally in the community.

Beyond fundamental fairness, there are very important reasons we should re-consider our inequitable treatment of the academic accomplishments of SHS students. The current national obsession with our high unemployment rate is a testament to several decades of a lost focus on the importance of academic Studio in San Francisco sums accomplishment. up the craze for NPR. “People There are many businesses who are not hipsters generlike mine that are looking to ally express distaste for them hire talented employees, but just and those who appear to be can't find them with the neceshipsters hate to be identified sary mix of advanced knowledge, as such. Everybody hates hipskills and experience. We must sters ... especially hipsters.” encourage and incentivize such The population of hipsters pathways in high school. Our at SHS is small, but no less individual and entrepreneurial thorough than hipster-crawlculture, that drives our strong ing New York and Portland. commitment to sports, gives us It seems as though hipsters a great edge over the rest of the are now the trend in teens world in business competitiveand twenty-somethings. Few ness - but only if we can combine times in history has the lazy it with strong academics. The Sunday flannel and skinny world of the future is about techjean look been so prominent nology, let's not forget. in public.

So, what should we do? We The reason behind the trend can start with these: (1) In school, is still unknown. It could be recognize academic acceptances said that a possible reason with the same fervor and intensity behind this fad is our pure as athletic acceptances - there is laziness. Being “obscure” has nothing better than learning from now become an excuse for your peers, (2) publicize each not shaving for a while, or graduating class' outstanding acacovering your bed-head with demic acceptances in the commua knit hat. nity, (3) set targets for academic The argument isSpecialize however, in:accomplishment and have a Wall All Natural Nails that the “look” is not the only Acrylic Nailsof Fame, much like the athletic aspect of the hipster phenom- wall of fame.

UV Gel Nails enon. Simply not being Gel too Polish The accomplishments of this Soak-Off “mainstream” has become Seashell & Colora Glitteryear's senior class are astounding. competition in itself.Pink & WhiteLet's use them as a great foundaSpa Pedicuretion for future classes to aspire to Nail Art Designsand exceed in the coming years.

How to spot a ‘hipster’ Alexis Corcoran staff writer

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6

2.24.2012

‘Can we fix it? Yes, we can!’

SHS through the objective eyes of a new student

Hailey Gilman Staff Writer

A

s a new student and a senior this year, I came into SHS with utterly no opinions of the school. Naturally, as the year progressed, I began to form views on how SHS ran things, often comparing it to my previous high school.

Of course, while I understand that no two high schools are alike and that what works for one school may not for another; SHS could always improve.

Without ever having seen the school previously, I was shuffled along on the incoming freshman tour, in no way distinguished as a new student. My tour guides exceptional, the school immaculate, I still felt like a stranger and wished that SHS had utilized the chance for all new students to meet and form a slight bond before day one at school.

Despite a rocky start, the school year’s progression gave way to a variety of amenities Sycamore offered that my previous high school did not, including AP Photography, Journalism, Unified for UNIFAT, water polo and lacrosse teams, a swimming pool, and the collaborative and spirited atmosphere, which stood in stark contrast to the aggressive, football-dominated mindset of my old high school.

However, SHS is still without several valuable commodities. It does not possess a build-your-own-salad bar, an AP English Language and Composition class, an AP World History class, AP Music Theory, or a logical method for students with late arrival to enter the building.

Each morning as the lucky 8:15 arrivers get to school, the bus ramp doors directly ahead of them are locked.

Though this could be taken as a security measure, students are likely to readily open the doors to any adult, familiar or not.

Students suggest the school lock the doors an hour later or provide the students with a method such as a student ID scan to enter the building. In my opinion, I believe the school should switch the designated junior and senior

ToolsStudents for suggest SHS Use future changes

“I would like to see desktops put back in the IMC. The laptops take too long to start and they are not efficient for schoolwork because of the small screen.”

Matt Brody, 12 “We used to be able to come to school and print our homework assignments. Bring the computers back or at the very least, printers for the laptops.”

Tamara Goldner, 12

“More tables in the cafeteria.”

Eduardo Lorenzana, 12

“More outreach to the outside world and real world application.”

Nick Henkel, 12

“More lunch options.”

Tony Popenoe, 9 “Instead of the announcements, I wish there was some sort of bulletin board because no one can ever hear the announcements in the morning.”

Kendrick Li, 12

“I think activities and sports have often extended their seasons or hours so much that it really limits what we can do.”

Emily Winchell, 10 Image by Hailey Gilman

parking lots, automatically designating the appropriate and optimal door to be that by the front office, ideal to the school if they wish for students to sign out for lunch.

Additionally, SHS does not seem to have a large student-serving electronic resource. Certainly, teachers utilize clicker technology and their Interwrite boards, but students are not even allowed a computer lab or eLibrary solely for student use. At this point, computer use is limited to the highly criticized IMC laptops and use is restricted by time and accessibility. Granted, I was not here when desktops were available in the IMC, but even as a new student, it is evident that a lab or class with ready and waiting desktop computers and a printer is needed.

My most profound suggestion is a relatively easy fix.

In an outgoing and dynamic classroom full of chatty

students, it is incredibly difficult to hear the morning announcements. Could the school possibly email the announcements, getting them immediately out to students with smart phones, or parents if they wish? Perhaps the large televisions in the cafeteria could be utilized to scroll the day’s announcements or club meeting times. SHS has so much to offer with such an active and diverse student body, but how can any student be expected to participate without knowledge of what is going on?

Despite my suggestions, my experience this year has been a great one. This school is full of life and opportunities waiting to be explored. Yet I feel the school can go further, be greater! It is something to be considered at the close of every school year; how can SHS make future years even better?

Four plea to be GOP nominee Santorum, Romney, Gingrich, and Paul fight for remaining primary-caucus states William Gawin Staff Writer

T

he race for the White House has begun but the Republican Party is still at the starting line trying to find its nominee for president.

Over the past six months the GOP has seen multiple candidates jump and fall in the polls as primary and caucus voters have scrutinized each contender.

Party infighting

The debate in the Republican Party has centered on whether party voters want to select an ideological purist, such as Rick Santorum, or a moderate with a greater appeal to independent voters in a general election, such as Mitt Romney.

Throughout the primary process candidates have been relentless in attacking each other. Both campaign-financed and so called “Super PAC” advertisements are now so negative that independent voters have begun to turn away from the entire Republican Party.

In part because of these attack ads and an improving economy, President Barack Obama in recent months has seen national poll numbers shift to his favor.

According to a recent Gallup

poll, the President would beat or tie every Republican candidate if the election were held today.

Republican contenders need to decide to stop attacking one another to preserve their chance at keeping their party together and winning the Presidency.

Avoiding this fragmentation of the GOP between the conservative base and the moderate establishment is more important than ever as the biggest single primary election day is fast approaching.

Super Tuesday, with over half of all U.S. states voting between now and the end of March.

Momentum from Super Tuesday could likely drive a candidate to

the Republican nomination.

This means candidates will be pulling out all the stops, including negative ads to win as many of these key elections as they can.

However this could cost their party dearly in November.

Republican Presidential Nomination Map

Super Tuesday

March 6 is a major step in the election process with over 12 additional states having the chance to vote between now and Rick Santorum

Mitt Romney

Newt Gingrich

Upcoming Primary/Caucus

Source: AP

Image by Will Gawin

MAINE RESULTS HAVE BEEN DISPUTED BETWEEN MITT ROMNEY AND RON PAUL However the Maine GOP has declared Romney to be the presumed winner. Paul has not won a majority vote in a state at this point so he is not listed on the map.

7

2.24.2012

“Distraction comes in many forms: speeding, talking, changing the radio...”

Stakes high for young drivers Moriah Krawec associate editor

T

wo teen boys had completed their exams and were driving home from their Senior Night, which was held at Kings Island. Yet, due to an illegal maneuver, their car collided with a truck.

“When that happened, they got clipped, the vehicle rolled uphill, and a semi hit them,” said Officer Paul Payne, a young police officer at the time.

After being the first officer to arrive at the scene, Payne took out the automatic external defibrillator (AED) that he was required to keep in his cruiser.

When used, the AED recommended that the boy not be resuscitated.

“I watched him die in my arms with his blood in his hands,” said Payne.

Standardization needs

Although Payne witnessed his first teen driving death in the early 1990s, there is still an alarming number of accidents that cut far too many young lives short. This indicates that there needs to be more federal legislation regulating teen drivers.

According to the Allstate Foundation, car crashes are the number one killer of Americans from ages one to 34. Collisions are the cause of over 4,000 teen deaths every year.

For example, Ohio youths cannot obtain a learner’s permit before the age of 15 years and six months. Ohio teens are required to have 50 hours of supervised driving before they can be granted a teen license.

Under this system (which is called a graduated license system), there are also restrictions on when Ohio teens can drive at night until they turn 18.

Iowa is one of six states to allow teens to obtain a learner’s permit before their fifteenth birthday. Furthermore, teens

are permitted to hold special school licenses that allow youths at 14 years and six months to drive to school.

“I wouldn’t even go near the school if they [teens aged 14 years and six months] were driving,” said Connor Sabo, 11.

In spite of a lower rate of teen driving deaths nationwide, Iowa’s death rates have flatlined or increased slightly. According to a study by the Allstate Foundation, 32 Iowan teens could have had their lives saved with stricter driving laws.

Save lives: recognize what not to do behind wheel Although you certainly know not to text and drive at the same time, distracted driving takes many other forms. Here are three things to put the brakes on when driving:

Taking action

One can help save one’s own life and those of their peers even without supporting federal graduated license laws. One of the most profound steps youths can make is to not drive in a car with many other teens.

According to keepthedrive. com, the Allstate Foundation’s web site, 63 percent of all teen driving deaths involved vehicles containing other teens.

“When I was 16, it was one of my parents’ rules that I couldn’t have other teen passengers,” said Shelby Smith, 12.

Also, teens should be aware of the many reasons behind most car crashes. For example, less than 20 percent of teen auto deaths involve alcohol, but 35 percent of such collisions involved speeding.

“Distraction comes in many forms: speeding, talking in the car, and changing the radio,” said Officer Dan Long, Montgomery police officer.

Overall, an individual should probably just use common sense behind the wheel. Payne advises that teens check twice before pulling out but Long’s tips are a bit simpler.

“It’s really important to be careful of the weather and stop signs,” said Long.

Eating while driving: According to a 2009 New York Times article, 80 percent of all crashes involve a party who is eating. Even if you are in a rush, make it a point to put the burger down.

Talking while driving: For each friend a teen has in a car, his or her crash risk doubles. In-car distractions such as passengers and radios likely cause the highest number of teen driving deaths.

Drowsy driving: According to keepthedrive.com, tired drivers have four times the chance of getting involved in a collision than a more alert driver.

Although these statistics do not exclusively pertain to teen drivers, all drivers must be wary on the road.

Source: http://www.keepthedrive.com All graphics by Moriah Krawec

Top three causes of distracted driving collisions:

1 Rubbernecking (looking at collisions; 16 percent) 2 Driver fatigue (12 percent) 3 Looking at scenery (10 percent)

Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

8

2.24.2012

Fashion for the Cure preview - page 9

Science department restructuring classes - page 11

Winter Formal photo essay - page 10

this

month in

feature

Hunky heartthrobs help humanity

Annual Mr. Sycamore pageant sure to impress audience members Lina Cardenas staff writer

O

n March 2nd, ten of SHS’s finest men take the stage to compete in the annual Mr. Sycamore

pageant.

This fundraiser has raised money for numerous foundations in the past years, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as well as the Jose Cerda Scholarship Fund. This year, however, the event plans to give their proceeds to the Cincinnati Children’s hospital.

“This is going to be an extremely fun event raising money for a great cause,” said Sara Constand,

10, the head of the committee planning the pageant.

Given that this is the third pageant, the contestants are now familiar with the course of events and could not be more excited.

This year’s participants include Matthew Severence, 9, Isaac Harmon, 9, Cayden Richter, 10, Jimmy Ponticos, 10, Cameron Harris, 11, Miles Johnson, 11, Colin Knowles, 11, Ricky Miller, 12, Ryan Hall, 12, and James Perryman, 12.

Each aspiring Mr. Sycamores will compete in various competitions judged by Mr. Greg Ulland, Mrs. Marnie May, and Miss Latoya Pitts. Each task is designed to evaluate the contestants’ physique, sense of humor, and likeability.

Aside from the grand title of Mr. Syc-

amore, participants are also in the running for Mr. Congeniality.

To win, contestants must raise the most money by encouraging students, parents, and faculty to place money the week prior to the event in jars based on who has the best arms, smile, and eyes.

As the event draws closer, participants’ excitement begins to escalate, and pre-pageant jitters become evident. However, former Mr. Sycamore, Ryan Reid, 12, offers a word of advice to future contestants.

“Relax and have fun with it.

Even if you aren’t a senior it does not meant you won’t win,” said Reid.

While some contestants may

feel the pressure to win, others could not be more excited.

“Ryan [Reid] thought he was something last year… he’ll be known as Mrs. Sycamore when I’m done with this competition,” said Miller.

Aside from the playful trash talking and self-pampering, the contestants are eager to participate in one of SHS’s biggest benefits.

“I’m really excited about participating in a fundraiser that is going for such a great cause,” said Harris.

Tickets to this event will be sold during lunch the week prior to the pageant for $4.00, and at the show for $5.00. Contestants will be pageant ready at 7:30 p.m.

This event is open to anyone, so do not miss out on one of Student Council’s major events.

images by Shea Lothrop and Jane Finocharo

Prepare for takeoff: Shea Lothrop feature chief

Since school started in August, AP European history students have sat through their 50 minute bell of incessant lectures, notes, essays and tests on a daily basis.

At last the hard work put into their learning is being rewarded this spring break.

“Miz.” Marilyn Ray and Mrs. Leah Chapman, with the help of 8 other adults, are hauling 40 students with them over the pond.

First stopping in London, the students will visit monumental sites that molded the history of England such as Buckingham Palace, and of course to engage the notoriously stringent guards in conversation.

Next they will take the TGV, which goes beneath the English Channel, to the city of love, Paris.

This ride generally only lasts for a surprising two hours.

Last they will visit Rome, stopping in Florence for a day.

Throughout all four cities the students will be given freedom to explore the places they wish to see that may not be on the scheduled tour.

The tour takes place in the morning and once the afternoon hits the students split into groups and can visit sites at their own pace.

Since students drift off after 11:00 a.m., they are in charge of feeding themselves lunch and returning to a certain place later that afternoon.

Dinner will be together at a given restaurant.

Planning for the trip takes place at the start of each school year and the deadline to sign up was in late September.

From September until the trip, time is spent dealing with forms regarding the trip.

The trip lasts for the full week of spring break and although the students will be rushed back into school, their experiences from Europe will guide them right back into their seats in AP Euro and ready for the upcoming exam.

LEFT: RYAN REID, 12, and Brandon Woods, 12, compete in the 2011 Mr. Sycamore Pageant. TOP: Ravi Sheth, ‘11, won the Mr. Congeniality award last year. ABOVE: Reid won the Mr. Sycamore title. This year’s pageant will benefit Cincinnati Children’s hospital.

AP Euro spring break adventure quickly approaching

Do’s

DO attempt to speak the country's language. Natives greatly appreciate your efforts, even if you sound ridiculous.

DO bring a journal to write down every single detail.

DO shower the morning before departure as you will not have another chance for a while.

DO go with the flow, things often do not always go as planned.

DO listen to Miz. Ray. She is incredibly knowledgable having gone on the Euro trip for years.

Don’ts

DON’T make fun of the natives accents. That is rude and disrespectful.

DON’T walk around with open bags. There are pickpockets all over Europe.

DON’T over pack, leave room for souvenirs.

DON’T be obnoxious, it is okay to be excited in a foreign country but make a good name for American teenagers.

DON’T break the law, school rules still apply and being in a e foreign country op does not grant r immunity. eu What happens in Europe does not stay in Europe.

Image by Kelcie Grega

9

2.24.2012

Boosting bravery:

Fashion for the Cure Lauren Glynn staff writer

I

&

Julia Mattis staff writer

n recent years, SHS has been crushed by several tragedies involving suicide.

To heighten awareness, this year’s Fashion for the Cure (FFTC) will benefit two organizations dedicated to ending teen depression and suicide.

“SHS has a tragic history of suicide among our students, a trend that we are desperate to stop. The committee and I felt it was very important to break the silence and bring this very important issue to light,” said Tricia McLaughlin, 12.

On Wed. March 21, 2012, Fashion for the Cure will offer the audience a unique experience. The committee plans the whole event – including setting up decorations, hosting model auditions, organizing outfits, and gaining sponsors.

The Fashion for the Cure committee includes Carla Ibarra, 12, McLaughlin, Haley Geren-Hindgardner, 12, Charlotte Harris, 12, Morgan Winnestaffer, 10, and Caroline Seiler, 11, Elizabeth Swofford, 10, Daniella Star, 11 and Sarah Birkhead,10.

Charities benefited

Fashion for the Cure has chosen to support The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) (Cincinnati chapter) and To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). While each organization offers a different benefit, together they spread the message that suicide is not an option.

AFSP is a nationally established non-profit organization that educates parents and teachers on the signs of depression. The organization is exclusively devoted to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and encouragement.

The foundation reaches out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.

Similarly to AFSP, To Write Love on Her Arms aims to prevent teen suicide; however, TWLOHA focuses on the emotional aspect of the cause. Founded by young people, TWLOHA focuses on spreading love and hope to young people.

TWLOHA, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery so teens can get back to their normal lives.

New changes

Although the event in 2011 was extremely successful, with $20,000 raised, the 2012 event hopes to achieve even more. The committee’s goal this year is to raise around $25,000 for suicide prevention and awareness.

Unusual as it is to support two charities, the organizations themselves are different because

Fashion for the Cure has often benefitted cancer charities.

“Fashion for the Cure has always been an event primarily benefiting cancer awareness and research; hence the ‘for the cure.’” said McLaughlin.

For example, Bridal and Formal will be sponsoring Fashion for the Cure 2012; the store will supply many of the models’ outfits.

The committee has envisioned many fresh, new ideas that they hope will encourage audience members to benefit these two charities.

Unlike previous years, models nominated by the chairs had to audition.

As suicide prevention is an undeniably dark topic, the committee hopes to keep the event to be upbeat.

Models have been told to have fun and smile a lot when strutting down the runway.

“The new genre of clothing, new stores, and models we believe will really help us keep the show upbeat,” said McLaughlin.

If the past years’ shows serve as precedent, the 2012 Fashion for Cure is sure to be incredibly successful.

Where:

Image by Julia Mattis and Lauren Glynn

SHS Commons

When: Wed. March 21, 2012. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Why:

What:

To prevent suicide among teenagers and to raise money for The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and To Write Love on Her Arms.

A fashion show with student models, a bid and buy, and a silent auction. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

start at $10 and a ticket/t-shirt combo is $15.

Admissions: Tickets Tickets will be sold at the school and door.

Reserve your seat: Call 513-226-4292

All photos courtesy of McDaniel’s photography.

SUPPORTERS OF FASHION FOR the Cure view the raffle baskets. Various raffle baskets will be displayed in the Commons for bid and buy opportunities. In addition, at 6:30 p.m. the silent auction will begin.

JANIE SILVERMAN , ‘11, AND BRANDON Buka, ‘11, strut down the runway during Fashion for the Cure 2011. The Fashion for Cure Committee decorates the Commons at SHS. The Commons are transformed so the area is the site of a fashion show.

KYLE SESS, 12 SERVES APPETIZERS at Fashion for the Cure 2011. SHS students dress up and offer appetizers to the guests before the fashion show. This is included in the admission for the event, and the proceeds go to the designated beneficiaries.

10

Winter wonderland: Kristen Wessinger staff writer

&

2.24.2012

Students dance ‘Arabian Nights’ away

Ryan Wessinger staff writer

ON SAT., FEB. 11, students crammed into the commons for the Winter Formal dance.

LEFT: Daniel Jiang, 12, and Nicole Chan, Loveland High School senior, strike a pose.

BELOW LEFT: Couples slow dance. Winter formal is often thought of as a slow dancing event rather than homecoming’s fast-paced hip-hop music vibe. This dance gives couples an opportunity to dance in a more intimate environment. BELOW RIGHT: Bek Abdusamatov, 11, and Cassidy Barton, Lakota West student, enjoy a slow dance together. DIRECTLY BELOW: Andrew Bemmes, 9, Tori Smith, 9, Alora Reiff, 10, Ryan Stoneberger, 10, and Lauren Demarks, 9, form a Congo line. For three of the five students, this was their first winter formal dance at SHS.

Photos courtesy of McDaniel’s photography

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2.24.2012

Science department re-structures courses

SHS implements new changes in three bio classes Rachael Sun staff writer

S

tudents scheduling for the 2012-2013 school year are being offered a slightly different set of classes. The curriculum advisors at SHS have approved changes in three courses: biotechnology, AP biology, and the creation of a forensics class.

Due to budget cuts, a Biomedical Sciences Program will replace previous biotechnology course. Provided by Great Oaks as part of Project Leading the Way, an initiative to develop career building in high school students, the program will be instilled next year.

“The biomedical course gives students a leg up in their future scientific studies; they will use skills and technologies usually unlearned until college,” said Mrs. Kerri Matheny, curriculum specialist for science.

Although the new program requires students to participate for the entire four years of high school, anyone who has interest in the course at the moment will have the opportunity to take it next year.

The course is specifically directed to encourage pro-active thinking in students.

“Our course is geared in a more applicatory direction. Students will conduct many investigations, and go through the hands-on problem solving process,” said Matheny.

This change in curriculum has delayed some students in selecting their courses for next year. With no knowledge of how the shift to a Great Oaks teaching style will be different from the previous biotechnology class, the approaching course holds many unknowns to prospective students.

“I think it’s interesting that the biomedical course was brought in. I was considering about taking the biotechnology class before, but now with the possible changes in curriculum, I need more information before decid-

ing,” said Ashley Bonnoitt, 10.

Students are advised to refer to their counselors for more information. All upcoming course information will be accessible to be considered and decided upon.

It seems the biology courses anticipate many changes next year. Although AP Biology has been around SHS for many years, slight curriculum alterations will soon be implemented.

According to an informational brochure distributed to all potential biologists, the re-vamped course contains “Less Breadth; More Depth; 8 Student Directed Labs”. The course becomes more inquiry based, calling for deeper analysis and critical thinking skills by students.

The third course introduced for the 20122013 school year is forensics, which will be taught by Mrs. Beth Quinones. The completely new course lasts for a semester, and is one of the few science electives that does so.

The course simulates scenes from the oh-so-popular television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Students will experience the processes in which crime scenes are examined. Class activities are planned to be very hands on, including exercises that involve sampling evidence and dissecting remains. The course is open to students from all pathways.

“I wish this course had been introduced sooner. It sounds like it’d be a really cool experience, but since I’m graduating this year I won’t be able to take it,” said Nelson Pang, 12.

It seems that changes in the science courses will also correlate to changes in students’ schedules. For better or for worse, the different ideas presented for the next school year are sure to affect SHS students’ decisions in the forthcoming scheduling season.

Photo Courtesy of SM Dipali

CASSIDY THOMAS, 12, IS currently a student in the biotechnology program. Biotechnology is just one of three changes occurring in the science department; including AP biology and forensics. The course is being replaced by a Biomedicine Sciences Program.

It is a four year program aimed at benefiting participants by teaching key skills and featuring hands-on experiments.

Course changes offer students new opportunities

Science Scientific Investigations

Starting next year, ninth grade students will enroll in Scientific Investigations or Biological Systems Accelerated. Within Scientific Investigations, students will study Forces and Motion, Conservation of Energy, Wave Motion, Matter, and the Universe. Students currently enrolled in Biological Systems Academic will have the option to take Scientific Investigations, Environmental Science AP, or Chemistry Accelerated, contingent on their concurrent math course.

Biomedical Sciences Program Principles of the Biomedical Sciences is the first course in a sequence of four courses which follows the establish Project Lead the Way Engineering Program’s hands-on, real world problem solving approach to learning. This course is designed to provide an overview of all the continuing courses in the Biomedical Sciences Program and lay the scientific foundation for subsequent courses in the program.

Forensics Forensics is a one semester course that studies the application of scientific methods to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in the criminal justice system. In this course, students use technology in their investigations, present information to student groups and participate in scientific inquiries both in the laboratory and in the field.

English World Literature Honors

Students who planned to take British Literature as a senior will now take World Literature Honors in its place.

World Literature Honors is a traditional literature-based course in which students read, view, discuss and analyze works from a variety of cultures and times in order to challenge students to develop a broader and more inclusive understanding of themselves and others.

Discontinued Classes Beginning next year, these classes will no longer be offered at SHS.

Computer Programming Biological Systems Academic Environmental Systems Academic World History Standard Computer Seminar Japanese British Literature

Business Advanced Computer Animation

Adding to their fundamental animation knowledge, students will learn more advanced animation and software development concepts. This is one of two pathways leading to the Advanced Placement course and is recommended for students with a serious interest in the animation and software industry.

Computer Science Principles Accelerated

In addition to exploring the impact of technology on our society, students will learn how to create software applicants using traditional development environments and techniques.

Ethical and legal issues will be covered as well as programming concepts such as decision statements, loops, classes and objects.

This is one of two pathways leading to the Advanced Placement course and is recommended for students with an establised interest in programming and software development.

New Requirements

Mathematics The class of 2014 and on will be required to take four years of math instead of three.

Financial Literacy The class of 2014 and on will also be required to fufill a Financial Literacy credit after freshman year. This can be done by taking Economics Academic or MacroEconomics Accelerated.

Economics Academic This course provides a solid foundation for students to make informed financial decisions in their roles as consumers, workers and citizens. Financial Literary topics include: Financial Management, Banking Services, Investments, Credit and Philanthropy. The course also provides students with an understanding of the major characteristics of the U.S. economy and some of the major economic problems facing our nation and world. The course satisfies the Ohio Core Financial Literacy graduation requirement for students in the Class of 2014 and beyond, but does not fulfill the Social Studies Elective graduation requirement.

MacroEconomics Accelerated

This course requires a reading assignment to be completed prior to the start of the semester.

The course satisfies the Ohio Core Financial Literacy graduation requirement for students in the Class of 2014 and beyond. For the class of 2013 and onwards, this class will satisfy the .5 social studies elective requirement.

*Note: Economics Academic and MacroEconomics Accelerated are not new classes.

Infographic by Emma Oh

12

2.24.2012 Local band comes home - page 15

Students fare well at O.M.E.A. - page 13

this

month in

a&e

SEE1 great concert - page 14

SHS artists compete for Gold Key Select students receive awards, honors Shayna Siegel a&e chief

A

ndy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote- these are some of the nation’s most admired and renowned artists. In the past, their exemplary work won awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing competition; thus, it is a great honor numerous SHS artists were recognized with the very same award.

During the 89th annual Scholastics Art & Writing competition many SHS students were chosen, several with multiple pieces selected.

Dating back to 1923, this competition has an impressive legacy of recognizing students for their creative talents. Each year, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers cohorts with more than 100 regional affiliates nationwide to bring this competition to local communities.

All submissions are judged by individuals successful in the literary and visual arts, some who have previously been a recipient of a Scholastic award. Past judges include Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, and Judy Blume.

Although there are many judges involved, they all work to select submissions which best exemplify three characteristics- originality, technical skill, and individual voice. With those three things in mind, there is no questioning why SHS had so many successes.

Gold Key winners include: Jennifer Hill, 10, Alex Kirschner, 12, Marissa Shor, 10,

Alexandra Logsdon, 10, Kailyn Smith, 10, Benjamin Keel, 12, Celia Keim, 12, Olivia Smith, 12, Shaina Bahler, 12, Kendra Grubba, 12, Ben Head, 12, Emily Peltz, 12, Shayna Siegel, 12, Christine Touvelle, 12, and Graham Livingston, 11.

Silver Award winners include: Eric Byers,11, Ellen Wang, 12, Michelle Ewert, 11, Alyssandra Daniels, 12, Nicholas Lo, 12, Kara Marth, 10, Benjamin Wulker, 12, Molly Loftspring, 12, Elizabeth Martin, 12, Claire Pustinger, 11, Touvelle, and Ben Wells, 10, Hannah Goldman, 11.

Honorable Mentions include: Jake Paul, 11, Andrew Spiller, 11, Olivia Smith, Kelly Bryce, 12, Hill, Kirschner, Virginia Elliott, 11, Sarah Frey, 10, Megan Gundler, 12, Logsdon, Jaimie Maxwell, 12, Theodore Simon, 12, Wang, Alicia Zavala, 12, Ewert, Kirsten Ledbetter, 12, Lo, Caitlin Carey, 12, Leah Grinshpun, 11, Head, Eric Ma, 10, Siegel, and Livingston.

All of these regional selections were put on display at a gallery at the RiverCenter building in Covington, KY. They were put on display on Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. (open until 10 p.m.) until Feb. 20.

The Gold Key winners’ work will be further considered for national recognition.

If the Gold Key winners’ work is selected a second time it will be put on display in New York City at Carnegie Hall on June 1, 2012.

These pieces will also be competing against each other for scholarship recognition.

MENU

Mike DeMaio a&e chief

Photo courtesy of Virginia Elliott

VIRGINIA ELLIOTT, 11 RECEIVED an Honorable Mention for the piece pictured above, entitled ‘Stop the Stupid’. Elliott was one of many SHS students who received a Scholastic Award recognizing artistic and writing talent. All students who received Gold Key awards will have their work considered for national recognition.

Additional articles on Scholastics

http://www.goaves.com/

Three student artists compete in finals One week wait remains for Overture Awards Ellie Goldman business manager

Emerging artists hope others deem their work “excellent”- not many have that modifier publicly bequeathed upon them by top art critics from across Cincinnati.

The Overture Awards competition is currently the largest individual arts competition for area high school students. It hopes to “encourage training in, and appreciation of, the arts, and to recognize and reward excellence in artistic achievement.”

SHS can be proud to boast three students currently awaiting the last round of judging.

The triad of competitors, all juniors, and their entered into their respective categoriesTracy Wong, instrumental music, piano, Hannah Goldman, creative writing, poetry, and Emily Kissela, musical theater, song and monologue.

Their standing as finalists guarantees a scholarship of $500, and one winner in each division (creative writing, dance, instrumental music, visual art, theater, and vocal music) will be awarded a scholarship of $2,500.

The final round and awards ceremony for all divisions will take place Mar. 3 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. Kissela and Wong will perform for a panel of judges, while Goldman’s pieces will be reviewed.

Each artist’s domain is suited by specific preparations. Wong spends countless hours playing through her piano pieces at home, but that is not the whole process.

“Before going to a competition I write out the story I get from the music,” said Wong.

“When I play I think of the mood.”

Also in the musical realm, Kissela cites lessons with her acting and vocal coach, and also meeting with Aves Theatre director Mr. John Whapham, to learn the material. Then she reviews personally.

“I like to practice my pieces a couple times a night before I go to sleep, just to keep them up and really have them down backward and forward,” said Kissela.

Goldman spent much time choosing which works to include in her portfolio, meeting with Ms. Melissa Wolfe, head of the English department, to prepare for submission.

“I sent my work at the beginning of submission time,” said Goldman. Though it has been a painfully long wait since last November, “I don’t have to worry about competing again” for the judges each round.

As far as the competition is concerned, “This competition is very rewarding in itself, and being able to make it this far is truly a blessing,” said Kissela.

For now, the three must tick away the few days remaining before Finals, a ticketed event which is open to the public.

As each artist independently noted, they are there for the sake of the art.

“I write poetry because it is a forum I feel I can be truthful in, what I see and what I feel,” said Goldman. “It’s cool that what I do for myself, other people find value in.”

Additional articles on Overture Awards

http://www.goaves.com/

Overture Awards Semi-Finalists

Instrumental music Ben Fryxell, 11 *Tracy Wong, 11

Theater

Mike’s Music

Creative writing

Vocal music

John Carroll, 10 *Hannah Goldman, 11 John Carroll, 10 *Emily Kissela, 11 *starred names indicate Overture Awards finalists

Music abounds in the wonderful month of February. There have been recent releases from new, and established artists.

As we progress in these musical times, we have to count on artists to constantly be creating new, interesting sounds that break the mold and push are imaginations to new places creatively and intellectually.

These new releases have not disappointed in either of these two all-important categories.

Porcelain Raft, a relatively new artist on the solo scene but an accomplished film scorer, has just released a new album entitled Strange Weekend.

Through this album Mauro Remiddi, Porcelain Raft, takes listeners on an emotional journey that feels almost displaced, as if the listener is hearing the music outside of him or herself.

He does this by making the meaning of his lyrics not obvious to his listeners, and by layering his songs heavily to create a very full, but still spaced out sound that gives the listener the ability to step into the song instead of just solely listening.

LA producer Shlohmo has just released a new EP entitled Vacation. It is stylistically very similar to his previous works, but is more diverse rhythmically, employing more of a piercing sound on some tracks such as, “The Way You Do,” as opposed to his normal kick drum and rim shot patterns.

The EP as a whole is exceptional and is very similar in nature to Wilhem Scream by James Blake, which if you haven’t already heard should be listened to as soon as possible.

The immensely talented Gonjasufi’s released a new album entitled Muzzle. It is a thought provoking mixture of hip hop inspired beats, Gonja’s vocals, guitars, synthesizers, and just about every other sound that you could possibly think of, into one comprehensive album that has something to say.

As the envelope is pushed further and further on musical creativity there is not telling where we will end up, but as long as we have talented artists working hard all around us; we know that it will be an enjoyable ride.

For comments on this column, please write to WritetoTheLeaf@gmail.com

13

2.24.2012

[G]O.M.E.A: Teachers, students share support for musical event Alma Rechnitzer staff writer

T

wo dozen SHS musicians worked hard perfecting their recital pieces for the Ohio Music Education Association’s adjuncated event. It is not quite a competition, but rather an opportunity for students to perform before professional judges and earn a performance rating.

The event took place on Feb. 11 at Milford High School. Students were free to choose whether to perform as a solo artist or in an ensemble. They chose music from a list in which pieces were ranked according to difficulty.

Friends and family were allowed to watch the musicians as they took the stage. Judges filled out score sheets, which were later presented as feedback for students.

Scores ranged from one for a superior rating to five for a fair rating.

“Even though I’m terrified of performing, I enjoy playing music and I like getting feedback on something I’ve worked hard on,” said Madelyn Dukart, 10.

Matthew Benson, 11, explained another incentive for

participating in the event.

“Doing OMEAs counts as your first semester exam so I chose that over taking the exam,” said Benson.

Musicians view this challenge as a rewarding experience.

“You have to put in a lot of time and practice, and even though it can be exhausting, it’s really rewarding. Especially when the judges say nice things about your playing,” said Dukart.

Competing at the OMEA also instills great confidence in many of the musicians.

“By participating, I feel that I will be more confident when performing or talking to others in the future,” said Sky Wong, 10.

Journey ‘Into the Woods’ with Acting Ensemble Victoria Swart staff writer

Though the Acting Ensemble show is not until April, students have already started preparing for it. The class wants to make sure they perfect the music, as the pieces are extremely challenging.

“This is probably the most complicated music that we’ve ever done, for a lot of us,” said Caroline Bresnahan, 12.

Mr. John Whapham, Aves Theatre director, has directed this show many times before, while Garrett Douthitt, 12, has participated in it. Even with the experience, they both admit the music is difficult to learn.

“They’re working on a lot of rhythmically difficult pieces,” said Whapham.

With this knowledge, the ensemble has striven to be as prepared as possible by starting music rehearsals in class.

It was not until Feb. 7 that they started scene rehearsals after school.

“We were all really excited because we were waiting for a really long time to start the show. It was really fun to actually do our first rehearsal,” said Cady Aucilino, 12.

Of course, since different people participate in each scene, only five students attended the first rehearsal. The class expects more to come in the future.

“More people are going to start coming to the practices the next couple weeks. At first, we all have to do separate scenes, but then we’ll put it together, and that’s when everyone is going to come,” said Aucilino.

The costumes of “Into the Woods” are another matter.

Since this musical is the main production the class will perform, the costumes will be especially intricate. “[The costumes] are going to be big. We’re going for an old 1600s look. The ball gowns are going to be very big, extravagant, and pretty,” said Samantha Misali, 12.

A lot of hard work has already been contributed by those participating. As lines are memorized and music learned, excitement is building. Both veterans and rookies continue to delve deeper into what it takes to produce a musical.

“I like the emotions that go into it, and exploring your different emotions for each scene,” said Michael Severence, 12.

Image by Jimmy Chau

FOR MONTHS, STUDENTS PREPARED for the Ohio Music Education Association’s adjudicated event to gain experience performing in front of judges. Pictured here, Adam Rechnitzer, 12, practices his trumpet in the band room. Rechnitzer’s performance at the Feb. 11 event impressed the judges.

14

2.24.2012

‘I love how you can just feel the bass’

SEE1 orchestra on fire Carmel Rechnitzer staff writer

B

right lights flood the SHS auditorium’s stage.

Eleven SHS students set up their instruments with a calm anticipation. They ready their fingers, drumsticks and musical bows. They take a last, nervous breath, and begin playing. And head-banging.

A wall of high energy, mindnumbing rock and roll blasts forward, and an infectious beat begins to pound into one’s eardrums demanding that he or she tap their feet and their heart beat in time with it. Your mind is mostly likely blown.

What is this unbelievable experience? The one, the only, SEE 1. Performing tonight, Feb. 24th, SEE 1 is an electric orchestra that uses specially designed violins, cellos and other traditional instruments to perform stunning renditions of classic rock songs.

These instruments were designed by rock legend Mark Wood, a man who’s works Times Magazine has described as “funk

metal violin at its best,” and were made so that string players could distort their sound much like an electric guitar.

“The violins are really cool” said Andrew Leonard, 9, “because they’re made so that you don’t have to hold them down with your jaw, so that you can headbang.”

In previous years, Wood himself had performed with SEE1, this year SEE 1, will feature Chritian Howe, whom the Minneapolis Tribune has called the “arguably most intriguing young violinist in jazz.”

“We’re performing classic rock pieces like Aerosmith and Guns and Roses,” said Madeline Shaw, 11. “Some kids will also be improvising.”

SEE 1 is a totally new experience for the players, as both the instruments and the music are so different from what they would normally be doing in Orchestra.

The music, rock fans will appreciate, is also much louder.

“I love how you can just feel

the bass,” said Shaw.

For any fans of head-banging, ear-busting, mind melting rock genious, this concert is will provide a totally new, high energy experience. Tickets are only $10, and will be available at the door.

SEE1 PERFORMS AGAIN FOR their yearly concert. They get ready for one great show as the performers (front row left to right) Deborah Wu, 12, Mahima Devarajan, 11, Madeline Shaw, 11, Kristen Diaz, 10, (back row left to right) Benjamin Boughton, 9, Konnor Montchai, 11, Aaron Pang, 10, Matthew Broene, 10, Justin VanWagenen, 10, Collin Myers, 12, Andrew Leonard, 9 rehearse. The show takes place Feb. 24 and tickets are $10.

Cabaret night:

SHS strong singers plan to shine again Kelsey King staff writer

Returning for the first time in four years, is the SHS Cabaret.

“I am so excited to get a chance to perform in the cabaret. It is exciting that I get to sing my song in front of both friends and family,” said Molly Balk,11.

Feb.25, will be a night filled with a large array of songs; from classical to musical selections. The event is focused on the voices of the choir students, as they get a chance to share their individual talent to an audience.

SHS has not seen a cabaret since 2008 when it was performed in a similar fashion.

“The song selections for the showcase are so different that it will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Every performer is bringing something completely different to the show, “said Rachel Handkins, 11.

The night begins at 7:30 p.m. in the commons. Audience members should dress casually, as they are encouraged to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Tickets are $10 dollars in advance, being a sit down event delicious gourmet desserts and coffee will be sereved for those who have already purchased their tickets.

“I am really pumped about getting the opportunity to perform with my friends that are in a different choir than me. I think the whole cabaret is really going to bring all the choirs together,” said Kyle Hackett, 10.

There will be an opportunity for guests buy a ticket and sit at tables with open seating that night, if they were not already purchased.

Tickets will be sold at the door the night of the show but will be for the show only.

This event is finally being revived here at SHS, after being absent since 2008. The cabaret will showcase 30 curricular and extracurricular choral students who auditioned for their spot on the stage.

“Of course I will go; it sounds like so much fun! Plus, I really enjoy hearing people sing,” said Samantha Furtwengler, 11.

If you want to see one of the strongest performance SHS has to offer, come see Cabaret Night.

2012 Performers: Freshmen: Marissa Wyrick Allison Rogge ChenieceWilson Danielle Ferguson Katie Amster Alyssa Waters

Sophomores: Kyle Hackett Elizabeth Rosenberg John Grossheim Brady Johnson Matt Degenhardt Mycah Williams

Yael Friedstrom Krittika Chatterjee

Juniors:

Molly Balk Fiona Shaw Maddie Shaw Tracy Wong Jay Burgin Kelsey King Rachel Handkins James Reece Taylor Bowling Brooke Banner Christine Rollins

Image furnished by staff

Extremely Loud & incredibly mediocre: Audience leaves movie disappointed Jane Finocharo associate editor

Alexis Wilsey Yanessa Morillo- Delerme Alexis Wilsey Alexis Luensman

Seniors:

Tamara Goldner Abbey Geverdt Shaina Bahler Additional articles on SHS choir

http://www.goaves.com/ Image by Kelsey King

Though “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” did not fully encompass the depth of character, the range of emotion, and the quirky sense of humor of the book by the same name, by Jonathan Safran Foer, it did a satisfactory job in presenting a complex story in a short amount of time.

The movie focuses on 9-year-old Oskar Schell, who lost his father on 9/11. He feels disconnected from his grieving mother and terrified of the world because of the trauma of his father’s death. But when he finds a mysterious key in his father’s closet, he sets out on a journey throughout New York City in a desperate attempt to cling to the fading connection he shares with his father.

Thomas Horn does a spectacular job portraying peculiar and precocious Oskar Schell. He brings Foer’s character to life exactly as I imagined him: curious and troubled, yet still fascinating, endearing, and hilarious.

Horn encapsulates Oskar’s sadness and his sense of humor, his passion and his grieving, his feeling of isolation and his awe of the world around him. This is the most impressive performance by a child actor I have ever seen.

Fans of the book may be disappointed – entire plot lines, as well as several favorite characters, were almost completely removed from the movie. The beauty of Foer’s book lies in the precisely intertwining stories; and in this regard the movie fell flat.

However, this movie serves an important purpose: released just after the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, it reminds viewers of the lives that will forever remain haunted by this tragedy.

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” scales down this national catastrophe to its effect on one family, revealing the heartbreaking personal side of an all too familiar disaster. It presents an integral part of our history in a way many Americans have not previously experienced.

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” is one of the best books I have ever read, so I went into the movie knowing that I would likely be disappointed. Though it is difficult to capture the emotion and complexity of this fantastic novel in 90 minutes, the movie fared about as well as possible in bringing this story to the big screen.

Oskar Schell and his family will remain alive in the viewer’s mind long after the final credits roll.

15

Walking full circle Cincinnati band Walk the Moon returns home 2.24.2012

like you know them in a way before you even get there,” said Loren Hamilton, 10.

On Feb. 24, Walk the Moon will return to After two years on Cincinnati for one night at the Madison Theater in Covington, KY. They will be opening tour, Walk the Moon, for Young the Giant on their tour this year. a local band, will “They talk a lot about being from Cincinbe performing at nati, so when you see them in concert you feel like you know them, like you can already Madison Theatre. to relate to them,” said Gil Kaplan, 10.

Their homecoming is Walk the Moon was a project started by Nicholas Petricca, a music composition and eagerly awaited by theory major at Kenyon College. After going many fans. through masses of musicians, the group stuck in 2009 and recorded their album the next year.

Alexis Corcoran The band released their first studio album staff writer in 2010 titled “I Want I Want” after forming incinnati is often the butt of every the year before. Their hit single “Anna Sun” is joke, from trends, to sports, to named after one of their Kenyon professors. weather. In particular, the city “Almost a year ago, we released the ‘Anna somewhat lacks a music scene.

Sun’ video which Cincinnati includes a lot of dancis known more for their ers wearing face paint. pigs and chili than any ...when you see them We [wore] it at our sort of artists.

CD release show in However, one success in concert, you feel like Cincinnati and people story is indie pop band you know them, like decided to come to Walk the Moon (named our shows with face after the popular Police you can already relate paint. We started album from the 80’s). to them. bringing it. It became Cincinnati based, this a live tradition,” said band includes several Gil Kaplan, 10 Petricca, lead singer.

Kenyon College graduAs for the concerts, ates as well as Cincinthe band likes high nati natives who claim energy and enough to be Skyline fans. dancing to sweat face paint off.

In the last two years, the band has gone “The face paint was basically my favorfrom underground college band to Bonnaroo, ite part of the concert. It is a fun, unique Lollapalooza, and numerous tours. Now, they tradition.

All in all, it was really a blast,” are coming home. said Hamilton, who saw Walk the Moon in “Knowing the band is from Cincinnati concert last Nov. makes the concert more personal. You feel

C

Images by SM Dipali

STARTING OUT AS A Kenyon College project, Walk the Moon has come a long way. The indie pop band has played at large festivals such as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

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16

2.24.2012 this

BK

Pair of SHS football players commit to play in college - page 17

sports KAPITOL

month in

sports

The Kapitol is ecstatic about the upcoming MLB season - page 17

Swimming squads square off against top competition in postseason - 18

One team, one dream Varsity girls’ basketball ride historic hot-streak to tournament play

Photo courtesy of McDaniels Photography

PRIOR TO THEIR DEC. 21 matchup against Middletown, SHS Varsity girls’ basketball coach Paula Hayden and her five seniors, (from left to right) Chloe Pavlech, Alexis Newbolt, Keri Kleist, Lauren Hancher, and Liz Bitzer, hold hands during the playing of the National Anthem. SHS completed a season sweep of Middletown and are now in the midst of a title hunt. Hayden’s team drew the first seed in the Harrison 1 District and Walnut Hills for its first game.

Danny Bayliss sports chief

F

or coach Paula Hayden and her SHS Varsity girls’ basketball team, an undefeated February means two things. First, it means that Hayden’s squad finished the regular season on a 17-game winning streak that included a 55-52 payback win against GMC rival Princeton.

Second, their dominance puts them atop the Greater Miami Conference standings, which means the GMC title will be brought back to 7400 Cornell Road.

“It’s been a few years since [SHS has been first in the GMC]. It has been quite a few years. It is always an accomplishment, especially this year because the city’s top-five teams are GMC teams. We usually have the city’s number one team in the GMC, so it is pretty tough to win the GMC,” said Hayden.

Five-senior salute

In the midst of SHS’ unscathed

February was Senior Night. Five seniors -- Chloe Pavlech, Alexis Newbolt, Lauren Hancher, Keri Kleist, and Liz Bitzer -- played their last home game on Feb. 1.

SHS dominated fourth-place Colerain, 63-44. To Hayden, the night was more than just a win.

“Our five seniors have brought so much to the program. Yes, it was emotional, but since we were in the running for the title, we had other thoughts and goals for that evening,” said Hayden.

A 64-33 blowout win at Middletown on Feb. 11 ended the regular season on a high note.

The season went exactly the way Hayden expected.

“This is our most wins in a season [in my tenure]. We have topped out at 17 many times. It is hard to compare because some of those teams over-achieved and we got the best out of them each game.

The expectations of this team were higher due to the talent level. But 19 wins with the schedule we had is exceptional and our girls should be

proud of beating tough competition day in and out,” said Hayden.

The team made it to the championship game in the freshmen tournament after defeating Fairfield, 48-37.

Unfortunately, the team lost to Winton Woods, 33-18, in the finals.

team members to be in shape. One benefit of the small team was that each player received a lot of playing time.

“Playing on such a small team was definitely a challenge. Most of us had to play the whole game which was exhausting,” said Erin Kroell, 9.

Postseason push

Now all that is left is the postseason tournament. Up first for top-ranked SHS was Walnut Hills, ranked 29 in the Harrison 1 bracket. The Eagles finished in the bottom-half of the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Standings with a record of 5-15 and 4-12 in FAVC play.

“We scrimmaged Walnut early in the pre-season. Their leading scorer is averaging 7.5 a game. When we play our game, we should take care of business,” said Hayden.

And that’s exactly what happened, as SHS won easily, 62-25 at Lakota East on Feb. 14.

Pavlech and Hannah Locke, 11, led the scoring for SHS with 14 and 13 points, respectively. The team’s depth was shown, as SHS’ bench (30 points) nearly out-scored their starters (32 points).

Freshman guard Taylor Darks came into the game as the Eagles’

top scorer with 7.6 points per game.

She played true to her average, finishing with seven points.

The team’s next opponent is Morrow Little Miami, Harrison 1’s 30th-ranked team (Score and statistics were not available at press time).

Coach Hayden knows it is hard not to look past an opponent, especially in tournament play, but she also knows that SHS’ draw in the Harrison 1 District produces some worthy competition.

“We will have a tough sectional final vs. St. Ursula. They played us tough during the regular season. I like our District draw. We will play the number three or number fourseeded team in the Dayton area.

The team is confident of a State Final Four run. If Hayden feels the same, she is doing a great job of not showing it.

Hayden said, “Let’s get past tomorrow... Love to coach and watch our girls. Ready for the second part of the season.”

Freshman fighters overcome depleted roster to prevail Lauren Saxon staff writer

When only eight girls showed up to the freshmen girls’ basketball tryouts, no one knew what to think. It was clear from the start that the season was going to be long.

Derek Christerson, head coach, was set on changing the perception of the team, and he did just that. The team finished with a record of 13-6, ranked second in the Greater Miami Conference, and won second place in the end of the season tournament.

“Our team had a great season.

We started off kind of rough, but our team improved along the way and finished strong,” said Christerson.

Team Size

During the season the team dropped to six players. This created problems at both games and practice.

“Having only six players was tough. I had to change the way I coached because in past years we have pressed a lot. It was also hard due to foul trouble,” said Christerson.

With such a small team it became important for each of the

Season Highlights

Although the team lost in the finals, they still had an amazing season full of memorable moments.

“Games were fun, but we had a lot of team bonding at practice too,” said Nathalie Ray, 9.

“Giving Lakota East their first loss was my favorite game of the season. They beat us the first time

we played, so it was nice to see our team’s growth,” said Christerson.

Lakota East was ranked number one in the GMC, so beating them was no small feat. The team of six also beat Lakota West twice, a strong opponent in the league.

Other exciting games were against St. Ursula and Colerain, and especially Middletown, where Kroell scored a season high 29.

The freshmen class has never had such a successful of a season before and the coaches and players should be proud of their efforts.

The team received a high ranking in the GMC, brought home some hardware to SHS, and overcame adversity. All it took was a small roster with big heart.

Danny Bayliss sports chief

A true Lin-Lin situation

Sports’ fanatics are usually treated to the finest performances that our professional ranks can offer. For the past week and a half, we’ve been flat out spoiled. Why? Jeremy Lin. Every time I try to do Lin justice by raving about his story, I just tell myself I’ve failed. There’s no way in the world that anyone can put into words what “Linsanity” means to the wide world of athletics.

First, let’s dispel the rumors that Lin is Tim Tebow 2.0. Yes, the pair of athletes’ statistics in each of their fifth-career starts coincides in such mind-boggling fashion that one can only conclude that the Mayans may be right.

But the NBA’s darling is not the next version of Tebowmania. Show of hands: who knew of Lin and his magic prior to this run with the Knicks? His story began once he stared stardom square in the face and didn’t even bother blinking.

Tebow’s timeline started when he was just a prep star in high school, followed him at the University of Florida, and currently waits for his next act with the Denver Broncos.

If cameras had surrounded Lin since high school, the outcome might be different. Lin won a high school title against a team with players bound for basketball at multiple Division I powerhouses.

At Harvard, Lin lit up powerhouse Connecticut for 30 points, then followed that performance with 20 and 15-point performances against Boston College and Georgetown, respectively. Far from cakewalks if you ask me.

Lin went undrafted and bounced around the league before the New York Knicks needed a body.

Fortunately for Lin, that body was him.

The Lin-laden surge (say that five times fast) is made even more impressive without the presence of Amare Stoudemire or Carmelo Anthony. When they return, I can easily see Knick fans reminiscing to the glory days of Ewing and Starks.

I hate to play the role of buzzkill, but Lin is quite turnover prone.

Lost in the chaos ensued by his 27 points, 11 assists, and gamewinning shot against Toronto were his eight turnovers. Turning the ball over that many times is not how you win in the league.

But that’s the thing about Lin -he’s defying logic. Before his streak, he was sleeping on his teammate’s couch. Now, he’s been offered a luxury apartment. We don’t know how long this fad will last, so let’s ride it while it’s still alive and kickin’.

After all, Linstant classics like this don’t come around that often.

For comments on this column, please write to WritetoTheLeaf@gmail.com

2.24.2012 BK

sports KAPITOL

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Spring means one thing Bennett Kaplan sports chief

All images by Emma Oh

After months of indecision, Kyle Sess, 12, and Jonah Bettman, 12, have made their college decisions. Sess will join teammate Michael Gray, 12, at Dayton, and Bettman will take his talents to Morehead State University. Both had multiple colleges pursuing them before they made their respective decisions.

Sign right here, please Sess, Bettman become most recent players to commit Bennett Kaplan sports chief

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fter leading the city in rushing yards, Kyle Sess, 12, expected to receive significant interest from D-I colleges. Sess, although not receiving attention from any major programs, received plenty of interest from other schools.

“I received a lot of interest from a large range of colleges. I was actually surprised by the number that were interested. It got to the point where there would be three or four coaches a day coming to talk. It was almost annoying, but in a good way.”

Unlike many high school athletes, Sess understands that it is unrealistic for most athletes to go pro from college and decided to focus more on academics when deciding which school to attend.

“Chicago and Dayton were my top two choices because of their academics.

After college, football isn’t going to pay the bills, education is. Both schools have great track records and I feel that they

would give me the best opportunities to go where I want to.”

Sess, who many thought would be recruited by big name schools, is not disappointed by the fact that there was not much major interest from such schools.

While his talent suggests that he could compete at that level, schools do not look kindly on smaller athletes, and Sess is shorter than the average player at his position.

“I wish I would have been looked at by the big time schools, but realistically, it just wasn’t going to happen. It’s hard to stand out, especially if you don’t stand out physically, so I was hoping for at least one because the experience would be cool but in no way, shape, or form am I not happy with the schools that showed interest.”

Sess, however, is not the only SHS football player to recently announce his commitment. After long deliberation, SHS football player Jonah Bettman, 12, announced his commitment to play football at Morehead State University, becoming the most recent SHS player to

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commit to play in college. Bettman had narrowed his choices down to Morehead and Wittenberg University, but ultimately decided on Morehead.

“It was a really tough decision, deciding which school,” said Bettman. “It had come down to Wittenberg University and Morehead State University, and both are great schools. Everyone thought I was going to pick Wittenberg, and frankly, I did too. I finally decided on Morehead because of the D-I status, the school’s field, locker rooms, and because it has a bigger school population than Wittenberg.”

Bettman, who played in a high school all-star game in Tampa earlier this year, knows that the stakes are higher when playing in college and is ready for the challenge.

“It was a different experience playing with some of the best players from around the country on one team,” said Bettman. “It gave me a taste of what college football would be like when every one of the players is selected to play because of their talent.”

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When thinking about what to talk about in this edition of Sports Kaptiol, I struggled to think of a topic. Jeremy Lin and Tiger Woods surfaced as the only two that I could think about, but I just don’t feel passionate about either.

Sure, Lin is a fantastic story, but I am sure that it will all eventually blow over. Then I realized it. Baseball comes back soon.

Around this time of year, people begin to anticipate the upcoming season, as I do, with excitement that baseball is right around the corner.

Many people signify the start of baseball with the reporting of pitchers and catchers to spring training. Fans count down the days of winter until the ever glorified day that the first of their respective teams begin to prepare for the season at hand.

Whether the day pitchers and catchers report is meaningful or not does not matter, because it is symbolic of the passion that thousands have for the game of baseball that, frankly, exists in no other sport.

I think that passion is evident, especially here in Cincinnati, where people begin counting down the days until spring training from the minute the season ends in the fall.

I know I am not alone when I say that I am a Reds fan before I am a Bengals fan, and that is because I simply like baseball more than I like football. I am a firm believer that those who own the Reds are a little more focused on winning a championship than Mr. Brown is with the Bengals.

Putting all of that aside, I still put baseball before football.

Baseball signifies better weather, the eventual ending of the school year, and hope.

Hope that this is the year for the Reds. Hope that this will be the year that everything comes together for the team that has only had one playoff appearance in my lifetime. Hope that this season will be different.

And to add to the hope, the Reds have made some major additions to their roster, showing their seriousness about competing for a championship and have possibly put together the best bullpen in baseball.

There is something in the air as baseball season approaches, and if you’re not a baseball fan, you just do not understand it.

While we still have a few months until we will actually see regular season action at GABP, we can continue to count down the days, and enjoy the excitement of the anticipation of baseball.

In the words of the late Sparky Anderson, one of my favorite people to ever be involved in baseball, “If you don’t think baseball is the greatest game, then leave. You’re missing it all.”

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2.24.2012

ectionals, Districts, State, oh my

wimming teams ride wave to state finals

Sarah May news chief

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Wolkoff, who has never competed in Districts before, made the meet in all four events this year.

The women’s 400 freestyle relay, consisting of Charlotte Harris, 12, Sarah May, 11, Cara Norris, 9, and Wolkoff is seeded third at Districts, and is perhaps the most likely relay to qualify for the state meet.

“I am so proud of this relay,” said Norris, who leads off the relay with its fastest split. “I love all of the girls on it, and I really want us all to make State.”

Regardless of how the relays and individual swimmers are seeded at Districts, the girls know they will have to step it up and drop time if they want a chance at qualifying for the state meet. It is typical for swimmers to move down several places at Districts, even if they stay around the same time as at Sectionals.

“Districts is a fast meet,” said Harris. “What makes it even faster is that you are racing against girls at three other locations, girls you can’t see or haven’t even heard of. All of these swim-

Ethan May staff writer

he Varsity girls’ swimmers had a busy day on Sat, Feb. 11. In addition to the Winter Formal dance, many of the girls had another commitment: Sectionals.

Sectionals is the first meet of a three- week championship series that concludes each season of high school swimming. Swimmers compete with the hopes of qualifying for Districts, which in turn will qualify them for the State meet.

In addition to distractions from the dance, the girls faced other problems during the meet.

The team competed at Mason High School, where the meet ran smoothly; however, at Keating High School, another sectional location, problems were encountered. Due to a broken ventilator, the meet was postponed.

Because of this, results for District qualifiers were not posted until Sun, Feb. 12. Borderline swimmers at all locations were unsure of their district rankings, or if they made the meet at all.

“It was really stressful, not knowing whether I qualified in my events, especially since I was borderline on making the meet,” said Samantha Wolkoff, 11.

Despite the circumstances, Wolkoff and other members of her team managed to perform well, with several swimmers ranking highly at the District meet.

Outstanding swims came from Katie Caldwell, 11, who ranked 16th in the 100 backstroke, and from Dominique Bookwalter, 10, who after a slow start on the medley relay, managed to place seventh in the 100 backstroke going into Districts.

mers are competing for your spot at State.”

The state meet will take place at Canton High School on Feb. 25 and 26. The team hopes to qualify at least one relay and several individual swimmers.

Qualifiers will be posted on http://www.swimmeet.com.

The boys also had success at at the Sectional meet, and now that the meet has come and gone, they will start to focus on the upcoming District meet. To qualify for Districts, one must either place in the top two at sectionals (there are 4 sectionals in our district) or be the next 24 fastest.

Many of the boys swam well at the Sectional meet and advanced to Districts. Thomas Norris, 12 won the 200 free just barely edging out teammate Charlie Fry, 11, by just fourteen one hundredths of a second.

SHS advanced 15 boys in 25 events to districts. They include, Norris, Drew Hugenberg, 12, Fry, Patrick Aguilar, 11, Venkaat Naresh, 11, Jonathan Seger, 11, Stephen Ioas, 11, Aaron Abraham, 11, Mitchell Camfield, 11,

Brenden Girten, 11, Ben Hammer, 10, Mark Hancher, 9, and Isaac Goldstein, 9.

Out of the six freshmen boys on the team, only two made it to districts.

“I am really pumped. I was not sure if I would have the opportunity to swim districts as a freshman but now I cannot wait

Image by Michael Saxon

SWIMMER VENKAAT NARESH, 11, propels himself through the water.

Naresh was one of the 15 boys that qualified for the District meet. Both the boys and the girls team hope to have some swimmers advance all the way to the State meet.

Quick Hits: Frey commits to Gannon University

On Feb. 2, Amanda Frey, 12, officially committed to play Division II lacrosse at Gannon University in Erie, PA. Gannon is currently ranked 13th in IWLCA preseason national rankings, and is projected to have a successful 2012 season.

Frey is excited to take her defensive talents to the next level, but first wants to focus on the upcoming high school season.

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DiMasso ‘s clutch dive seals state bid

Sophomore diver Andi DiMasso qualified for State out of the Division I district, one year after she fell short of doing so by seven points.

On her last dive at the Miami University Aquatics Center, DiMasso scored 41.80.

This score was good enough to move her from tenth place to sixth place.

By qualifying, DiMasso joins her sisters Alex and Dani as the third girl in her family to earn a State tournament bid.

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The boys basketball team was given the 20th spot in the post-season tournament.

The team will play Northwest High School on Feb. 24 at Hamilton.

Northwest is the 15th seed with a current record of 11-7. The school competes in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference.

Last year, SHS lost to Anderson High School, 74-70, in the first round. The team hopes to avoid a repeat of the quick exit.

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to swim,” said Goldstein.

After Districts a few swimmers will advance to states in Canton, Ohio. Norris and Fry were the only swimmers that made it last year.

“I am excited to get back out there and see what I can do at Districts so I can make it to State,” said Fry.

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2.24.2012

19

2.24.2012 20 ‘Art is a more a way of seeing things than it is of just making things’

Olivia Smith, 12, talks art, music, philosophy Emma Oh editor-in-chief

&

Aditi Sharma managing editor

Q: Why do you like to do art?

A: I practice art because I can. Anyone can do art. I like that it’s a very human way of connecting with others and with the world around us. Art gives people perspective, voice, freedom. I mean, it can literally be used for political and social change on a global level, but it can also make a difference on a much smaller scale.

There have been many times when something someone wrote or drew made me think of that person, or of life even, from an entirely new angle. I can look at a French painting from the 19th century, read a suicidal poem, listen to a gospel choir, pour over family albums, cry during foreign film- and while doing all these things, I can imagine, to the best of my abilities, living that life and feeling that feeling. Art makes me think about ideas as trivial as alarm clocks and as large as the universe on the same scale, and I find that outlook refreshing and attractive.

THIS PIECE, TITLED “Korean Bride and Groom,” was created using paint chips.

Q: What is your favorite piece of artwork you have created and why?

A: I HATE ALL THE ART I’VE MADE. That being said, the piece of artwork I hate the least is my acrylic self portrait I painted this year. I surprised myself with that one.

It’s got a lot of emotion that I didn’t realize was evident until I stopped worrying about minute specks and stepped back to get a looser look. That first time I really saw the painting as a whole, I couldn’t believe I made it with my own hands, my own ideas.

Q: I heard that you are big on instruments?

SMITH CREATED THIS piece, titled “Hyperrealism”, using colored pencils.

All images

courtesy of

Olivia Smith

Q: What is your favorite medium and why?

A: I’d have to go with India ink. It’s so precise and unforgiving.

Q: Do you plan on continuing this hobby?

ABOVE: S MITH’S SE LF-PORTR created usi AIT, ng acrylic paint. RIG piece title HT: A d “Heil” th at Smith c using c-pri reated nt.

A: Hobby..? HOBBY? ART ISN’T A HOBBY, IT’S... A LIFESTYLE. Honestly, art is more of a way of seeing things than it is of just making things. I believe sketches, poetry, conversation... it’s all art, and it’s not something I could discontinue, even if I wanted to stop.

A: Instruments, yes. I began studying piano at age 4. In second grade, I picked up the violin. I was a Suzuki kiddling (I’ve been in the Sycamore orchestra three years (6th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade), and I still play. In fact, I’m playing violin in the spring musical).

4th grade I played cello with Marissa Finlay (12), and in 5th grade I joined the school band on trumpet. That year, I switched from brass to double reed, and began my whirlwind love affair with the oboe. Ah, the oboe.

Much of my high school career was spent anticipating a future career as a professional oboist.

Things changed. No longer am I planning to be music major, but music will always be a part of my life. Sometimes when I’m watching movies, the oboe part sings at me so hauntingly that I picture myself performing the part and am distracted from the film. I’m like the lover who left for bigger things, but still wonders at times... “what if?”

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