March 2014 issue by Sycamore High School

The

Leaf

Sycamore High School Student News Magazine Volume 1 | Issue 8 | March Issue 2014

Principal Davis resigns, leaves legacy p. 3 Converse return as popular trend p. 8

Here comes the sun

How students make the most of their Spring Break IMAGE BY LAUREN GLYNN, KRITTIKA CHATTERJEE, ANA BARROS

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News briefs

GUEST COLUMN RAJAT BHAGERIA

GUEST COLUMNIST

LOCAL

So far only one animal - a salamander - has been found covered in crude oil at a spill at a Colerain Township nature preserve. The salamander was cleaned and is “resting comfortably” at a nearby wildlife rehabilitating agency.

Turtle Canyon is the newest attraction at Newport Aquarium. It opened on March 22 and features 14 new species that originate from the rainforest. There is a large variety of turtles that are showcased in the exhibit, including some from three continents and the largest and smallest species in the world. Aroldis Chapman, Reds pitcher, was hit in the eye on March 19. Chapman won’t be able to play for six to eight weeks due to the fact that he has broken bones around his eye and received a concussion. The injury occured in the practice game against the Kansas City Royals.

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chools are producing robots in a factory rather than problem solvers. They are leaching the innate creativity within students. Indeed, when poets are being forced to memorize a list of biological factoids only to forget the terms after taking a test, there is a problem. Why doesn’t the school have them focus on the poetry— something that they are passionate about? Scientifically, people will do their best work when they are interested in it, not when being forced to do something they don’t care about. There is a problem. We need a solution. That’s why I founded

CafeMocha.org. CafeMocha is the only website on the Internet that not only allows student to publish their creative stories, poems, essays, and ideas for the world to see, but also helps repair our broken education system. Additionally, teachers can ask their students to publish their creative content online; after seeing others’ content, the students will be encouraged to write more and do what they are truly passionate about. You, as a student at Sycamore High School, can help us find a solution; if you write, do research, or any other creative works, publish your work to CafeMocha and help reform the education system. And if you like the idea, spread the word!

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NEWS

“I hope kids know they had somebody who was willing to champion for them”

Davis resigns after seven years of leadership ANA BARROS

PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MICHAEL SAXON

EXECUTIVE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

n the evening of March 19, the Sycamore Board of Education accepted the resignation of Principal Chris

that is not something he considers his greatest success. “That’s expected here. You wouldn’t expect anybody else to do anything different here.” As principal, Davis feels that he left his mark in the personal relationships that he built with his students. “What I’m most proud of, you all will never see,” he said. A lot of his most meaningful work happened “behind closed doors,” in helping students not only with academic issues, but also with personal ones. And he sees the results, even years later. “You don’t always get to see the fruits of your labor when you’re doing it, but there’s always time afterwards when someone comes back and points that out,” said Davis.

Davis. An email was sent out to the staff, in which he announced his decision and reflected on his years as principal. A separate email with a similar message was also sent to students’ families from Dr. Adrienne James, Superintendent. After seven years on SHS’ administrative staff, Finding a replacement Davis’ resignation may seem sudden and abrupt. As soon as Davis’ letter was submitted, However, this is something he and his family District Office began preparing for the have been considering for years. monumental process of hiring a new principal. “As I looked at the bigger As a part of the search process, You don’t always picture of where my next steps they will conduct focus groups and things are, I felt that it was get to see the fruits in order to take the district’s of your labor when opinion on candidates into time to make that move and there are some opportunities out you’re doing it, but consideration. there that I’ve already begun to there’s always time Students, staff and parents explore,” said Davis. will be actively involved in the afterwards WHEN The timing of his decision, he process through these focus someone comes said, was “just right.” April is groups, and will have the the time of year when contracts back and points opportunity to influence the are renewed and schools around that out. decision, especially in building the country begin posting job Mr. Chris Davis, a set of criteria necessary for a openings. principal good principal. Therefore, his early resignation “We hope to use the input gives the district time to find the person who is from these groups to build a profile of what we the best fit for the position. It also allows him are looking for in the next principal,” said Mr. to explore his options. Frank Forsthoefel, Assistant Superintendent “My next step, ideally, would be in a central for the Sycamore district. office position somewhere,” he said. “I really Every candidate will have the right enjoy the human resources end of it, and those credentials, said Davis, but, to him, the difficulty are some of the positions that I’m pursuing lies in finding the person who will be able to right now because I think that fits my skill set help the staff reach its potential. really well.” “We’re blessed with a lot of strong In his email to the SHS staff, he talked about professionals in the building,” he said. “I really last year’s record-breaking test scores. However, think the person coming in has to realize that

Sycamore has some really good things going, we’ve got strong teachers, and you have to let them do what they do best and figure out how you come alongside of them to do it together, and to support them.”

Challenges facing new hire

According to a results-driven timeline put in place for this process, the new administrator will be hired by June 4, at which point SHS will have not only have to adjust to a new principal, but to a new set of state testing requirements and teacher evaluations. Staff and students are concerned that there will too many changes at once. “That’s the biggest challenge, even for me, but even more so for somebody new,” said Davis. “There needs to be some quick coming-together to try and ease the nervousness of that new evaluation tool.” However, he puts concerns to rest. “Every administrator [has challenges], whether [they] are staying, coming, or going,” he said. Therefore, this is just another opportunity that the district will have to embrace, in addition to more administrative turnovers. Other than the changes that have already been put in place, however, Davis promises no new, sweeping changes until the end of June. He will focus on hiring and facilitating calendar planning, as is customary. “It will be business as usual,” he said.

Legacy

At the end of every email from Davis is a quote that follows his signature. It reads: “Kids may not remember what we taught them, but they will remember how we treated them.” After a tenure of seven years as principal, Davis hopes this is what students are left with. “Really, that’s what I want people to walk away with, I really do...It’s the relationship side of it. I hope kids know they had somebody who was willing to champion for them, and that we did some good things. We didn’t do everything perfectly, but we certainly tried to take whatever was thrown our way and make good of it.”

Principal search timeline

(subject to change) March 20 Communication to staff and parents from Superintendent March 21 Posting of vacancy April 8-17 Focus groups at Building Level with students, staff and parents April 16 Posting closes April 21-May 2 Interviews with Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent May 5-16 Interviews with District Administrators May 16-23 Building interview of finalists with students, staff and parents May 27-30 Final interview with Superintendent, selection made, contract negotiated June 4 Board of Education appoints new principal

SOURCE: DISTRICT OFFICE ALL IMAGES BY ANA BARROS THE LEAF | NEWS 3

NEWS IMAGE BY ANA BARROS

Just knowing that there are people who are willing to stand up for us in the digital sphere is enough to keep us going

“

Venezuelan riots reveal social media’s ‘good side’ ANA BARROS

PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BENJAMIN HAMMER

STAFF WRITER

bout an hour’s drive from the border with Colombia, San Cristóbal in Venezuela is considered the birthplace of nationwide protests that have evolved from a march about campus security into a call for greater economic and social reforms. Students were the first to take to the streets. Unlike many Latin American countries, Venezuela’s student movement is largely conservative in its outlook. As of press time, at least 24 people have been killed across the country since fighting broke out in February, according to the government tally. Hundreds more have been wounded or arrested. Demonstrations have been calling for the exit of President Nicolás Maduro. They have been supported by sections of the opposition alliance, Mesa de la Unidad Democrática (MUD), led by Leopoldo López and Maria Corina Machado.

Economic crisis provokes unrest

The heart of this situation is an economic crisis. A cash shortage, partly prompted by government price controls, is leaving the shelves bare and the grocery store lines long. For basic products produced in Venezuela, including Harina Pan (corn flour used in Arepas, the national dish), the government has price controls. This has led to companies producing less - especially when they have trouble accessing machine parts or raw materials because of currency problems. The controls have led to a thriving black 4

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market, where traders are selling basic goods at prices 10 times higher than the controlled rate. Combined with one of the world’s highest murder rates and high inflation, the Venezuelan middle and upper classes have a myriad of reasons to oppose the current government as it seeks to continue Chavismo — shorthand for centralized government planning that the late President Hugo Chávez largely inspired. However, for all its faults, the government still has major public support. March 5 marked the first anniversary of the death of Chavez, who died of cancer after 14 years as president. There were pro-government marches, during which thousands of people have expressed their support for Chavez’s successor, Nicolás Maduro. President Maduro has been highly critical of the international media coverage, while protesters say the government is imposing a media blackout. Overall, there is a lack of reliable sources of information within the country and it is difficult to get an accurate depiction of what is going on.

Andreina Nash

Andreina Nash, 21-year-old student at the University of Florida, learned how to use Adobe Premiere Pro a month ago. And the first video she ever made may well change the fate of 30 million people. On Feb. 14, she posted the video, “What’s Going On in Venezuela in a Nutshell,” on YouTube, with the closing line: “if you are a human and want to spread the truth, please share this video.” On Feb. 12, on National Youth Day,

thousands of students nationwide came together to protest the illegitimacy of their government and its policies. “Venezuela has never been very safe but now it’s worse than ever,” said Alessandra Constantini, senior at Escuela Campo Alegre (ECA) in Caracas, Venezuela. “Hopefully these riots and demonstrations will make some sort of difference.” Amidst gunshots and tear gas, they have continued to march on, fighting for the rights that are being denied them. Most of all, they fight for freedom of speech. The government controls all means of communication – TV, radio, and even the internet – making it nearly impossible for any information to leave or enter the country’s thick walls. Nearly. When Andreina Nash made that video, she gave the millions of oppressed Venezuelans a voice. All her pictures and videos are first-hand footage from the past days, and all her words come directly from the mouths of her people: words of fear and resentment, but also of courage and hope.

Social media’s ‘good’ side

Teenagers are used to hearing about all the ‘evils’ of social media. There are entire books dedicated to protecting kids from its addictive grasp. However, Nash’s approach has shown

us a different side to social media; it has revealed the power of a global community united by a wireless connection. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube have become vehicles of information and, consequently, of change. As of press time, Nash’s video has nearly 3 million views, and the hashtag, ‘#PrayForVenezuela’ has been trending for weeks. And those living in Venezuela have felt its effect. “Just knowing that there are people out there who are paying attention to what’s happening and are willing to stand up for us in the digital sphere is enough to keep us going,” said Marco Morrill, senior at ECA. Adults like to call millennials lazy, complacent and self-centered, but the situation in Venezuela has allowed us to prove them wrong. While students lead demonstrations and riots in the streets of Caracas, youth around the world are leading a similar revolution online, turning something that some have deemed a weakness into a powerful weapon of change. It is easy for teenagers to fall into a pattern of complacency when it comes to social media. But when they harness its true power – of sharing and spreading ideas – they become unstoppable.

KISS FROM A ROSENBERG

MARCH 26, 2014

Arts&Entertainment

QUEEN BEY GETS BOSSY

VICTORIA SWART

BROADCAST EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

For more A&E, check out SHSLeaf.com.

BEVERLY LIU

STAFF WRITER

IMAGE BY KRITTIKA CHATTERJEE

As part of the Fine Arts Choral Concert on March 6, Elizabeth Rosenberg, 12, presented one of her pieces she performed for the finals of the Overture Awards Scholarship Program from March 1. Her selection was not a piece in musical theater, as is so prevalent in the Sycamore community, but rather in opera. “There are different ways of warming up between the two styles, as well as different techniques to get the best sound quality possible. They definitely feel different to the ear and to the vocal chords,” said Rosenberg. Rosenberg has not always had opera in mind. In fact, she was a gymnast on the Queen City Trampoline and Tumbling team for nearly ten years until she began taking private voice lessons with Mr. Karl Resnik her freshmen year. “I was under the impression that I was only capable of being an alto, but my voice coach suggested we try classical training. Somehow he knew I had it in me,” said Rosenberg. Along with Resnik’s training, Rosenberg also participated in the Overture Awards, which presents scholarships to tri-state high school students in the arts. Her journey began first with an audition in the Main Auditorium of SHS, then onto the Regional, Semifinal, and Final Competition. “I was taking a nap after Semifinals when my friend and fellow finalist called me. I cried. Then Resnik called my mom. She cried. It was glorious,” said Rosenberg. The winner was James Rootring, a sophomore at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. “If I said I was okay with not winning, I would be a liar. I am happy that James won, but of course I’m disappointed. In the end, however, I performed my best and I am proud of myself,” said Rosenberg. She plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University in the Conservatory of Music for the Opera Program, a world-renowned competitive program that she auditioned for in November. Eventually, she says, she wants to attend graduate school, then audition for opera companies in New York, possibly even in Europe.

eyoncé: singer, model, artist, actress, and now a modernday feminist? Celebrities including Beyoncé, Jennifer Garner and Glee’s Jane Lynch are joing the Ban Bossy campaign to encourage girls to take on leadership roles. The Girl Scouts of USA and LeanIn.Org created the campaign, a nonprofit founded by Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer. Not only is Beyoncé a part of the Ban Bossy campaign, but she also hopes to bring the same show-stopping power to the issue of gender inequality with an essay on Maria Shriver’s website, The Shriver Report. “The average working woman earns only 77 percent of what the average working man makes. But unless women and men both say this is unacceptable, things will not change,” said Beyoncé in her essay. The input of her words has already reached young minds at SHS. “I love her because she is a great role model for young girls and shows that if we want something bad enough, there’s nothing in our way to stop us from getting it,” said Sarita Evans, 9. The word feminist “can be very extreme,” Beyoncé told Vogue Magazine. “But I guess I am a modern-day feminist. I do believe in equality. Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are? Why do you have to label yourself anything? I’m just a woman and I love being a woman.” The singer contributes one of many pieces for The Shriver Report that talk about the rates of financial insecurity among American women, examines its impact, and offers solutions for change. “I know Beyoncé is making a change and I love her for her music and boldness. She is an inspiration to me,” said Josephine Fernandez, 10. SHSLEAF.COM | A&E 5

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Hidden masters of theater

Technical crew works behind the scenes ELIZABETH RICKERT

OPINION CHIEF

JACK LOON

STAFF WRITER

he “Star Wars” saga has been around for many years, but is about to change forever. The very first “Star Wars” movie, titled “A New Hope,” was created and directed by George Lucas in 1977. Then in 1980 came the second movie, and in 1983 came the third. While these were huge movies, Lucas felt that there were loopholes in the plot that needed to be answered. Because of this, he decided to release a prequel trilogy, making those three original “Star Wars” movies now episode four, five, and six. The first of these prequels was “The Phantom Menace,” which hit theaters in 1999. Following this came episodes two and three, released in 2002 and 2005 respectively. Many people objected to the making of the prequels, thinking that the series was best left untouched, and thinking Lucas had made a mistake. In reality, the movies did very well in the box office, in ratings, and in closing the plot holes in the saga. In late October 2013, Walt Disney purchased Lucasfilm, the makers of “Star Wars,” for $4 billion, giving them rights to create new branches from the six films. Soon after, they announced that they would be making the seventh, eighth, and ninth 6

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installments into the legendary “Star Wars” series. “Star Wars VII” has been confirmed to release in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. While there are fans that are excited, some of them are appalled by this, thinking that Disney could ruin the series and its legacy. One of the reasons that people do not want to see more movies from the series is because this is the first “Star Wars” that Lucas will not be directing. Instead, he will be the film’s “creative consultant.” We do not yet know what this job means, and what role Lucas will play in the making of the sequel trilogy, but he will not be writing the whole story. Another reason that people are not excited for these movies is because of how the final episode, “Return of the Jedi,” closed out the series. Some people felt that it had ended well. “I do not know how the movie will be different with George Lucas not directing, but I am very excited to see more ‘Star Wars,’” said Regis Liou, 9. “Star Wars VII” does not have a title yet, but will be in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. While “Avengers 2: Age Of Ultron,” “AntMan,” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2” are some of the most anticipated action and adventure movies of 2015, “Star Wars VII” is sure to be one of the most looked-forward to movies of 2015.

Students often hear about people participating in the upcoming theater production: in this case “Aida,” which took place on March 20, 21, and 22. However, when they hear or watch these shows, they often forget to think about the people who make the shows happen. Technical theater consists of the 23 students who put in countless hours behind the scenes working on the lights, sound, props, set, and costumes. Each of these aspects affects the overall show on the night of the event. “I really like being on stage but doing costumes is so much fun because you get to create stuff that people actually wear. Also, you learn so much, and when you see the finished product you can say to yourself ‘I made that.’ It’s a really awesome feeling,” said Emily Misali, 10. The amount of time that costume production takes depends per show. For example, the costume designers have been putting in extra days for “Aida” because everything has to be made from scratch, using sewing machines most of the time. However, some outfits are still bought and then modified by the crew. The other main aspect back stage is the “techies.” “Our job entails set building, painting, and doing backstage stuff during the show. My favorite part is definitely during rehearsal during tech week when we are moving set pieces and pulling flys [set pieces in the air],” said Tyler Miller, 10. This is no small feat. The technical crew puts in about fifty hours per show depending on the size of the production. They are the hidden masters of the production.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TORI SWART

Ms. Sarah Garvey, Aves Theatre director, drills a screw into a plywood contraption. She participates in the work of her theater students on a daily basis, especially during the Technical Theater portion of their curriculum, in which students are certified and work with tools such as drills, saws, and electric staplers.

MARCH 26, 2014

Feature

Carrying stress: e ag es ver carri a e Th dent ack stu ackp g a b ighin one we ost f his alm rth o ody fou her b or ight. we

M 40 ore st m tha Un ude illio n ca ite nts n ba rry d S in ck sc tat the pa ho es ck ol s.

Every year, thousands of people visit their doctor for injuries resulting from improper use of backpacks.

Backpacks place unnecessary weight on students’ shoulders BENJAMIN RUSKIN

STAFF WRITER

undreds of students bustle through the halls on a daily basis, and one of many things that all of those students have in common is backpacks. Backpacks are not just a means of getting your books to your classroom safely, they may also pose a danger to students’ overall health. According to the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, a backpack should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of the carrier’s body weight. Any more weight than this could result in serious back injuries later in life. “Statistically, backpacks that are weighed down can affect your shoulders if the weight is not distributed correctly inside the backpack,” said Mrs. Beth Quinones, science teacher. “Wearing straps on your shoulders and hips can help to correct weight distribution.” “An advantage of electronic books is that they can take some of the weight off from traditional text books, but many people feel more comfortable

with hard copies of books and worksheets,” added Quinones. When a heavy weight is placed on the back and shoulders incorrectly, it can cause the spine to compress unnaturally. This unnatural compression of the spine can eventually lead to shoulder, neck, and back pains. “My backpack was very expensive and has a lot of padding, so it does not hurt that much. However, when I have a ton of stuff in my bag, it causes some pain,” said Joshua Rosen, 9. Some backpacks that do not have any padding and have very thin straps, can interfere with your circulation. The interference in circulation can cause weak muscles in your back and arms. “My backpack is awesome, and it really gets the job done. Sometimes, if I have a lot of homework my backpack will be really heavy, but it has never made me physically sore,” said Ali Garcia, 10. Even though it may be more confortable to “one strap” your backpack, always use two straps, because it will help distribute the weight evenly among your body.

Both straps on shoulders to reduce back pain

Padded wide adujustable shoulder straps

Lightweight material

Using your backpack responsibly

Waist belt to redistribute the weight of the backpack from the shoulders Heavy objects lower in the backapck so they are closer to the body Lift backpacks with legs muscles, not extending the arms

ALL PHOTO CREDIT OF BENJAMIN RUSKIN

THE LEAF | FEATURE

FEATURE

Converse Iconic shoes reappear comeback: in fashion scene

n all-American brand first seen in the early 20th century, Converse shoes have officially return from their loss of popularity. With a new modern twist, a desire for these old but fresh shoes has soared. Founded in 1908 by a man named Marquis Mills Converse, Converse started out as athletic shoes for tennis. A turning point for the shoe, made by the Converse Rubber Shoe Company, came in 1917 when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe appeared. A symbol of style, comfort, and athletics, it was made famous by basketball player Charles H. “Chuck” Taylor. During World War II, Converse became even more popular as the production of the shoe shifted to creating one specifically for the military. Post-World War II in the 50s and 60s, Converse redeveloped their image and created the “Converse Yearbook” which played as an American image that described the role of Converse

in the lives of high school and college athletics. Despite its long run of fame, Converse lost a great deal of their demand during the 1970s when new competitors including Adidas, Nike, and Reebok stepped into the scene. No longer were they the official shoe of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a title which they had held for years. However, it was in 2010 that Converse revived itself and became a fashion statement for several big name celebrities including Demi Lovato, Kristen Stewart, and Willow Smith. This was the start of the ever expanding, heavily appealing request for these shoes. Over the years, the Converse brand has represented athletics including basketball and skateboarding, a fashion statement being worn by numerous celebrities, and also a representative in promoting good cause including the support in HIV/AIDS prevention. When the Converse shoe first strolled into the spotlight, the shoe

KATHRYN TENBARGE

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

only had three colors: red, black, and white. Also, it came as a high-top version instead of a low-top. Nowadays, the shoe comes in every size and almost any color imaginable including light blue, purple, green, striped, checkered, and more. Besides the classic appearance of the Converse shoe, the company has made special edition shoes including DC Comics, The Ramones, Dr. Seuss, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Green Day. It can be said that Converse is simply a timeless brand and that is the reason why this footwear has appeared and reappeared in the desires of people everywhere.

IMAGE BY LAUREN GLYNN

ORION SCHLOSSER

STAFF WRITER

Kickstarters offer alternative fundraising method In one of “Time” magazine’s latest issues, there was peculiar statistic: Kickstarter, an online fundraising web service, has officially raised over a billion dollars since its launch in 2009. A staggering number, and yet the site is still relatively unknown among the student body. Something a little more well-known is “Veronica Mars,” a show that went off the air in 2007, but is returning with a new movie. And it is all thanks to Kickstarter and its users who raised 5.7 million dollars to make the project happen. “I see it as more or less deviant than megachurches raising money for some guy’s private helicopter,” said Ron Hochstrasser, science teacher. Projects vary from “Peg,” an organizational tool that holds any object in place on a porous board, to “MiStand,” a rotational viewing tool that holds an iPhone, to video game startups like “Homestuck,” based off a popular webcomic by Andrew Hussie. While Kickstarter is not completely secure, it has definitely changed the product market, or at least left an impact. As its popularity expands, it will be interesting to see how corporations use Kickstarter, and whether independent projects from relatively unknown producers will succeed. The internet has already created revolutionary changes in day-to-day life, and its intrusion into the business world is just one mark of that. In the best-case scenario, Kickstarter will do something amazing to the consumer market: level the playing field, and allow anyone, anywhere to be successful.

Law Offices of J. Louis Kurtzer 7434 Jager Court Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 232-2600 jkurtzer1@fuse.net

Wills, Trusts, Probate, Guardianships, Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney 8

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MARCH 26, 2014

Cover story

Leaving winter behind

Spring Break gives much-needed relief from school, weather

COVER STORY

ALEXIS CORCORAN

WEB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LAUREN SAXON

SPORTS CHIEF

ABBEY BAKER

STAFF WRITER

BENJAMIN RUSKIN

STAFF WRITER

fter seven snow days and three blizzards, the anticipated spring has finally arrived. With temperatures in the negatives on some days, this past winter has been one that no one expected. Over a two day period, it was as if Cincinnati experienced all four seasons consecutively, and restlessness was rampant after being forced to stay inside. Spring Break comes as a much-needed relief from not only the usual stress from school, but also the added cabin fever from the long winter. It gives every family a week to take a breather and not have to worry about school and work. Some choose to do so by staying at home, while others travel abroad through schoolsponsored trips. It is possible to have a good time regardless of whether students are getting to their destination by plane, boat, car, or even couch. Underclassmen commonly use this break as a time to catch up on sleep and hang out with friends. Meanwhile, upperclassmen often take the opportunity to visit colleges, and, for seniors,

enjoy their last Spring Break as high school students. “I am visiting Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, and University of Indiana over break,” said Adam Dock, 11. “It gives me a chance to explore my options.” Meanwhile, some Varsity athletes have to stay home to begin spring season practices and games. The girls lacrosse team is making its way to Ocean City, MD over break. They will play a few scrimmages in Pittsburgh and Salisbury in the process of getting there. All players are required to go to Maryland, although a few exceptions have been made for the younger Varsity players and for those who are going on the school trip to Peru. These atheletes may not be spending their break like the rest of their classmates, but they do get to spend it with the team and build the camaraderie necessary for a successful season. Furthermore, the players hope that this trip will help them to prepare for future competitions. “Traveling will help us improve our game and expose us to some better teams that we

would not see during our regular season,” said Madeline Baker, 12. Similarly, the Varsity Gold boys tennis team will also be traveling over break as they compete in different tournaments all over Ohio. “For tennis, we are going up north to Cleveland,” said Deepak Indrakanti, 11. All of these Varsity players are required to stay home so they can travel with the team during Spring Break if they would like a spot on the team. “Personally, I really enjoy the time with my team and don’t mind it at all that we have to stay home for the majority of break,” said Indrakanti. Once Spring Break is over, it is a race to the finish: seniors begin their countdown to graduation, juniors and sophomores (and some seniors) begin preparing for their AP exams, and freshmen look forward to the end of their first year of high school. Therefore, it is important to take advantage of Spring Break as a way to get out of the winter rut and prepare for the last stretch of the school year.

COLLEGE VISITS

GABE SCHENKER, 12

university of missouri 10

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ESTHER KAPLAN, 11

MARIA CONSBRUCK, 11

Some families with older children can take advantage of Spring Break by visiting colleges. People who visit colleges can spend time with their families while learning about potential schools. “I had to make additional visits to some schools that require on-campus portfolio reviews, since I’m going into a field of art,” said Faith Kaufman, 12. Kaufman visited schools in Boston and Pittsburgh last year as she chose where to go for art school. College visits can be stressful and difficult when students have to bring things along to show the college staffs. “I remember my visits as primarily the struggle of transporting a giant,

heavy portfolio around,” said Kaufman. “It was most difficult when flying with it because I needed to go through special measures to make sure my art would survive the trip, damage-free.” While some people go far away to visit colleges, others stay close to home. Jennifer Hill, 12, visited Ohio State University last year. “I only went to Ohio State, but I got to see students’ projects and the kind of classes I would take,” said Hill. “It was nice to explore the campus and compare it with others.” While proactive students take the time to go on their visits, their families can take this time to also have a vacation close to the colleges they are visiting.

COVER STORY

While hanging out with friends and being social is always fun, Taylor Gardner, 11, is choosing to spend break taking advantage of the down time. She will be watching Netflix and finally finishing the series “American Horror Story. “After break has come to an end, Gardner wants to feel revived and ready for the end of her junior year.

MAR 26 2014

“

SERVIC

NI T EU E

STATE

OSTAL

SCHOOL TRIPS

taylor gardner, 11

Spanish: Over the past few years, students in Spanish Intermediate III or above have been offered the option to travel to Costa Rica and other cities in Spain. This year’s Spring Break trip to Peru is the first in which this destination has been offered by SHS. Chaperones for the seven to eight day trips are Spanish teachers from the high school as well as SJHS. Cities visited in Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla Cities to be visited in Peru: Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu AP European History: The yearly trip to Europe offered to AP European History students is a popular one, and a big draw to the class. The trip allows students to see the historic areas they study firsthand. Future Prospects: Because AP European History teacher Ms. Marilyn Ray, who has traditionally led the trip, will be retiring at the end of this year, the future of the trip is uncertain. Mrs. Leah Chapman and Mr. Andrew Ovington, who may be teaching the course in the future, have other obligations that keep them from continuing to schedule this trip for Spring Break. To get student opinions on the subject, they organized a survey for all accelerated World History students. Although over fifty percent of the students who responded said they would prefer a Spring Break, nearly half said they would like a summer trip if Spring Break is not a viable option. Cities visited in Europe: London, Paris, Assisi, Rome, Florence

Cincinnati and Columbus areas like the Cincinnati Zoo, and the North Market in Columbus. “Because it’s our last year together in high school, we want to spend it together,” said Thompson. Hobart agreed. “There’s no pressure to spend our time a certain way or have fun doing a specific activity, we can just relax and enjoy ourselves,” he said. Rather than following a structured schedule, Hobart admits he will probably spend the majority of his days watching Netflix. “‘House of Cards’ and ‘Scandal’ must be finished, but of course, if the weather is nice, I’ll go outside and see people.”

William Hobart, 11 and Lauren Thompson, 12

For Lauren Thompson, 12, a staycation was a simpler, more afforadble option. “My friends and I started planning a big senior trip, but then we figured out it was cheaper and easier to stay in town, and really we just wanted to hang out with each other,” said Thompson. Thompson and her friends Jacquelyn Rudich, 12, and William Hobart, 11, plan to sleep over at each other’s houses and spend each day together over Spring Break. “Because we are staying home, we don’t have the stress or cost that comes with traveling, but I still get to hang out with my friends,” said Hobart. The group also has plans to visit attractions in the

ALL IMAGES BY LAUREN GLYNN

‘STAYCATIONS’

Dallas Stokes, 11, Paige DomHoff, 12, and Nakul Narendran, 11

“

On the Spain trip, we were able to tour the Real Madrid soccer stadium and browse through small markets in Sevilla. Nakul Narendran, 11 THE LEAF | COVER STORY

COVER STORY

spring break staying

safe

PACK SMART.

Pack lightly so you can move more quickly and have a free hand when you need it. Carry a minimum number of valuables and plan places to conceal them. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity and nationality. Avoid packing IDs, tickets and other documents in backpacks or other locations you will not be able to see at all times.

PLAN WELL. Spring break is a high volume time for airports, train stations, and hotels. Book your tickets well in advance, and find hotels using sites like Travelocity. When deciding how much money to bring, consider cab fares, waitressing tips, and unforeseen emergencies. Make sure to get currency exchanged before departure, if necessary. Arrive well in advance for flights or trains, and have your tickets and identification ready at all times.

during

STAY HEALTHY.

If you are going abroad, find out if there are any special vaccinations you should receive well before departure. If you will be doing a lot of walking that you are not used to, prepare for your trip by exercising in advance or taking frequent short walks. Do not forget to stay active and eat nutritiously. Vacations are relaxing, but should not be sedentary! Be careful that you are only consuming clean water.

BE PREPARED. Try not to go out alone into areas with which you are not familiar. The buddy system is tried and true. Consider purchasing cards that let you make calls abroad, or seek out places with internet/phone connection. Find out what hospitals and medical centers are near the place in which you are staying as well as around the area you are visiting. Find out the emergency medical numbers for your country, as well as other crisis numbers.

ABOVE ALL ELSE, BE RESPONSIBLE.

Drinking underage is not just illegal, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fatally dangerous. Be accountable for your own life. IMAGE BY KRITTIKA CHATTERJEE

SHSLEAF.COM | THE LEAF

MARCH 26, 2014

Fun&Games

KATHRYN TENBARGE

9 8 6 1 6 2 5 8 6 4 7 3 2

4 6 8 5 2 3 6 5

Across

2. The first college listed that Adam Dock, 11, plans to visit over Spring Break. 4. What is the cover story about? 5. Which student is featured as the Spotlight? 7. This franchise, mentioned in A&E, is making a comeback. 9. A popular singer featured in A&E. 10. What country is the focus of News? 11. An article in Opinion features a trip to this office.

9 7

7 9 4 3 8 2

5 9 6 4

1 8 3 7

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Down

1. What website is available for online fundraising in the Feature section? 3. Where will a new turtle exhibit, discussed in News Briefs, be opening? 6. Who wrote the Guest Column? 8. This shoe brand (in Feature) has made recent gains in popularity. 1 3

Spring Break packing

LIFE HACKS

• Duct tape • Clothespins • Safety pins • Sanitary wipes • Power strip • Earplugs

7 The answers to this crossword can be found in the pages of this issue.

9 10 11

THE LEAF | FUN&GAMES

Fencers foil foes

MARCH 26, 2014

Sports

Club members advance their way through season

“We graduated some very good fencers last year,” said Mr. Ron Hochstrasser, rmed with a sword science teacher and club instead of a ball, advisor. “The team we have fencing is a club sport competing this year is very sometimes forgotten by SHS young.” students. Three teams, with a Some of the team’s more total of 15 members, compete veteran fencers include in this unique activity THERE ARE seniors Allison Salach primarily during the FRESHMEN and Maxwell Leach. winter sports season. PLAYING BIG Despite the rather The fencing team ROLES THIS inexperienced team, practices two or YEAR Hochstrasser feels three times a week to the year has still gone Ron Hochstrasser prepare for weekend coach particularly well. competitions at a “There are freshmen fencing club located playing some big roles this in Sharonville called Sale Du year. They have actually done Lion. much better than I expected Over the past year, the SHS throughout the season,” said fencing team has undergone Hochstrasser. immense changes. LAUREN SAXON

SPORTS CHIEF

A 2

Some of the team members even go as far as taking private lessons, taking extra steps to improve their individual skill. “I coach at the fencing club in Sharonville on Monday nights, so sometimes players come train down there,” said Hochstrasser. Although fencing is not a GMC sport, the team still battles fierce competition. Some of the team’s big competitors include Mason, Walnut Hills, St. Xavier, and LaSalle. The fencers competed in their end of the year, roundrobin style tournament on the weekend of March 21, concluding their season until fencing strikes back up again.

IMAGE BY LAUREN SAXON

Properly equipped 3

Passing forward, Hanna Suggs, 12, prepares to engage in a competition, referred to as a bout, with her opponent. The fencers compete on a rectangular strip of floor that is 5.9 to 6.6 ft wide and 46 ft long. Fencing is not considered a GMC sport, but is a club offered to all SHS students.

1 - Wire mesh mask: The mask protects the head and face. It also covers the neck. It is able to withstand about 25 pounds of force. 2 - Padded, long-sleeved white jacket: The jacket is padded in the chest area, and fastens on the side opposite the weapon hand. It usually extends below the groin area. 3 - White glove: The glove covers about half the arm with extra padding on the backhand to protect the weapon hand; the opposing hand is bare. 4 - Foil: A foil, the most commonly used weapon in fencing, is about 35 inches long and weighs less than one pound. *SHS students have the option of buying their own equipment, with discounts available through the school or the U.S. Fencing Association. The U.S. Olympic committee also has a program where participants can lease equipment for a certain period of time. Source: HowStuffWorks

SHSLEAF.COM | THE LEAF

SPORTS

ennis creates racket at new location

ryouts take place at Lindner Family Tennis Center

JOSEPH AHN

FEATURE CHIEF

ALEX WITTENBAUM

STAFF WRITER

he first official meeting for all players interested in trying out for the tennis team took place on Feb. 26. Coach Michael Teets announced that tryouts would be held from March 10 to 15. The only catch was that they would not be held on the new SHS courts. Instead, players traveled by bus to the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason. This massive, 16-court venue hosts the Western and Southern Open every August where the world’s top ranked tennis players compete. The student athletes played a series of one-set challenge matches to determine their place on the team. Although somewhat deserted, for some, it is easy to picture the stadiums as they look during the summer – roaring with hundreds of fans. “It’s an amazing experience, but it’s somewhat nervewracking. When you see empty stands, it’s hard not to envision people in each seat watching you play. You get a taste of the pressure real professional tennis players feel when they are on the grand stage,” said Nimit Desai, 12. Due to the rough winter that Cincinnati has experienced, construction has been halted on the new courts, which were originally set to be completed by the start of the boys’ season. “Even though the court is the same size if you measure it with a tape ruler, I think that playing somewhere you aren’t used to

can definitely affect your game. I just try to ignore where I am and play like I usually do,” said Aditya Venkitarama, 11. They are expected to be finished during or before the first home matches. “It’s a shame that we will not get to feel our courts out before the season starts, but I am fine with playing at a world class venue like the Lindner Family Tennis Center,” said Desai. On March 12, eight athletes were taken to the Mercy HealthPlex Tennis Facility to play doubles pairings. “I think this is the first time that we’ve done something like this during tryouts, and it was a lot of fun,” said Ajay Qi, 10. The boys were divided into two groups, and played four game sets with different partners. This would help to determine the team and position where each athlete would be most successful. “This is important because someone might beat another kid in a singles match, but might lose to him in doubles. So, if we’re looking for strong doubles players, then the kid who lost the singles match could still be the better option,” said Nakul Narendran, 11. “I know for a fact that SHS tennis is easily one of the hungriest and most hard-working teams out there, if not the most. We want that state title, and nothing short of it."

Boys tennis held their tryouts the week of March 10. Due to weather conditions, they were at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. “I am really excited that our tryouts are at the W&S Open this year. Hopefully, I will get to play on a show court where all the pros play,” said David Muskal, 11. The SHS courts will be completed in time for the first matches. With a group of committed players on Varsity, they are hopeful to win State this season. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCDANIEL'S PHOTOGRAPHY

Column:

Running rejuvenation MICHAEL SAXON

EXECUTIVE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

When my high school soccer season ended last fall, I was actually looking forward to a break. I love soccer, but after months of practice and games (and a long club season right before), I was ready to relax. I enjoyed it at first – doing nothing, that is. “So this is what it feels like,” I thought to myself as I sat on my couch at 2:30 in the afternoon- plenty of hours left in the day to finish my homework, plenty of hours to do whatever I felt like. This lasted for about a week. I got restless: I had so much energy it took me hours to fall asleep, and I couldn’t concentrate on anything. I guess like most student athletes, I’m most productive when my time is crunched, when I’m forced to prioritize. So, I started running. The concept of it wasn’t really too new to me. I spent a lot of time on the track for soccer conditioning, and sometimes I’d just go for a run out of the blue. It was usually spontaneous, whenever I needed to clear my head. But now, running has become something more for me. I do it religiously. I crave it. The feeling I get while doing it – almost a mix of power and freedom – is incredible. Limitless is probably the best way to describe it. Most of all, I love how I’m the one in control. I’m not relying on other players, or unpredictable substitution patterns. I’m not at the mercy of an opponent. I’m competing against myself. In the words of Drake, it’s literally "all me." What’s funny is I never thought I’d feel this way about running. It used to seem so exhausting to me. Silly, actually. I would laugh when I’d hear cross country runners talk about how much they love it; now, I’m in their shoes. I understand what they mean. This May, I plan on running in the Flying Pig for my first half-marathon. Marathons, which sounded like a prime example of a waste of energy/time a few months ago, now seem invigorating, especially when I’m surrounded by hundreds of other runners. Now, I’m getting restless again; those 13.1 miles can’t seem to come fast enough. THE LEAF | SPORTS

SPORTS

With March comes madness JOSH PATTERSON

STAFF WRITER

ALEX WITTENBAUM

STAFF WRITER

he end of third quarter means the time to enjoy the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament is here. This year’s championship tournament is no different from other years, as 68 teams compete for the ultimate title of “national champion.”

Tournament preview

With strong competition so far, no team in particular has stood out and dominated like in years past. The Wichita State Wheat Shockers were the first team since the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in 1991 to be undefeated going into the NCAA Tournament, posting 34 wins and no losses, but many critics and fans condemn their weak strength of schedule.

Powerhouses North Carolina, Kansas, and Arizona have also posted great records, and each team will be a threat to many during the tournament.

to fill out brackets and seeing how well my predictions turn out. It provides endless excitement and suspense,” said Noah Stern, 9. Even if one thinks they are the best fan in the game, their odds of picking a perfect bracket are Billion-dollar bracket worse than winning the lottery: one in A tradition for many sports fans 9.2 quintillion. “This is my (and soon to be non-sports fans) With those odds, it is more likely to favorite time continues again this year: the flip a coin and land on heads 37 times of the year filling out of a blank bracket. in a row. This year, a twist has been because of the If one person does happen to pick added to the “bracket madness.” excitement the perfect bracket, they can opt to 59 billion dollar man Warren around the receive their cash in two payments of Buffett is changing the rules and sport,” $500 Million or mutual installments of partnering with Quicken Loans JOSH GLAUSER, 9 $100,000. to give away $1 billion to any Furthermore, if one person has person to pick every game of the picked every game correctly up to the tournament correctly on their bracket. finals, Buffett will personally invite him/her to Many students at SHS will participate to test watch the game with him, with “a check in his their luck. pocket.” “My favorite thing about March is getting

BY THE NUMBERS

Number of times a #1 seed has lost to a #16 seed in the first round

Percent of #2 seeds beat the #15 seed in their first rounds.

Arizona

Florida Oklahoma St.

Florida

Oklahoma St. Oklahoma St.

Pittsburgh Florida

Oklahoma St. Oklahoma

VCU

OUR PICKS Fast Fact : The chance of having a perfect bracket is 1 in 9.2 quintillion ( 1 quintillion = 1,000,000, 000,000,000,000 )

VCU

San Diego St.

UCLA Florida

Baylor Syracuse

SHSLEAF.COM | THE LEAF

Baylor Creighton

Syracuse Louisville

Kansas

Wisconsin Oregon

Stanford Kansas

Wisconsin

Kansas

Wisconsin

Michigan St.

Virginia

Wichita St.

Virginia

Wichita St. Kentucky

Memphis Michigan St.

Michigan St.

Louisville

Harvard

Saint Louis Michigan St.

Louisville Louisville

Michigan St. Michigan St.

Louisville Tennessee

N. Carolina N. Carolina

Duke

Iowa St.

Duke N. Carolina

Duke

Connecticut Villanova

Wisconsin

Ohio St.

Texas Connecticut

all Images by Alex Wittenbaum

Oklahoma

Michigan Michigan

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MARCH 26, 2014 Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography

Opinion

Staff Editorial

Commitments we can’t support Spring Break means the end of third quarter, a break from school, and a time to recharge. With all the burdens of school - homework, no sleep, and activities - we need time to find peace again in our crazy lives. Spring is a new beginning. Winter is ending; the days get longer, the weather is warmer, and the sun is out. School is waning until summer - what we have all been waiting for. Your choice of destination - whether around the country, the world, or staying home - is, and should be, your choice. However, some of SHS’ athletes do not have that privilege. While staycations are chosen, athletes’ commitment amounts to anything but a vacation. Lacrosse, baseball and tennis already have practice and games during break. To be part of these teams, you need to make sacrifices. These forced staycations are debated within the teams and go beyond taking away their time. They made a commitment to their team,

“

Leafing through the masses: How do you feel about your sport practicing during Spring Break? 18

SHSLEAF.COM | THE LEAF

to give their all on and off the field, to be a trustworthy teammate. But how much of their time is enough? A spring athlete’s day consists of morning and afternoon practices combined with homework and other commitments in the community. Spring Break is their time to recuperate from a busy schedule and do activities they are unable to do during school. How much would an athlete really miss with a week off ? Decreasing the number of team activities won’t ruin a team’s chances of state or winning, but rather give hard working athletes a break from strenuous activity, coaches and teammates. It may just help. Not only are they missing their break, but also family time where annual trips and time spent with their loved ones occur. These atheletes are missing far more than sleep. No matter the destination, Spring Break keeps SHS intact for the rest of the year.

I feel like it is good to keep working and running. i don’t dislike practice over spring break. i think practice is the key to winning. Alexis Tillman, 9

Tennis has several matches over spring break and i enjoy them because we have the opportunity for team bonding on overnight trips. Alexander Taylor, 10

We have six games over break. it is disappointing not being able to go on vacation, but i know we will have a good time just playing baseball. Matthew Green, 11

Every four years girls varsity lacrosse goes to a beach over spring break to play lacrosse.

Madeline Baker, 12

OPINION

Teenage girls beware: condom song F SHEA LOTHROP

PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

irst of all, ‘men’ of SHS, I’m giving you a fair warning. This article has everything to do with the doctors who specialize in lady parts. Yes, that’s right: the gynecologist. Technically, this is a doctor who specializes in the health and diseases of women, especially in their reproductive organs. However, I much prefer to call it the doomed office I avoid at all costs in effort to not look like a pregnant, STDridden, complacent teenage girl. I thought it might be humorous to take you through an average visit for us young ladies. As soon as I get into the building I feel like it’s the ‘walk of shame.’ No, not that

IMAGE BY LILA ENGLANDER

until I step into the actual office covered in one; a different one. The elevator ride pictures of newborns and happy families. I consists of me, an expecting mother along get that it is also an obstetrician’s office, but with her two children, and an elderly seriously? couple. All I want to do is I’m no mind reader announce I’m choosing but as soon as grandma THE WORD CONDOM REPEATED IN DIFFERENT the GYN option on the saw which floor I was check-in sheet. going to I felt her eyes TONES TO A MELODY FOR 30 Few things are worse checking me out and SECONDS. AND I THOUGHT than 10 (hormonal) can only imagine what LISTENING TO THE DOPPLER pregnant women she was thinking. EFFECT IN PHYSICS WAS BAD. glaring at me. As if Oh wait, I can they’re trying to tell me actually tell you exactly the next nine months are going to be hell. what she’s thinking- how corrupted this Once again, NOT pregnant. generation’s adolescents are, assuming The only person I feel worse for is the everyone is knocked up. No m’am, I am lone guy. NOT pregnant. Why, you ask? Because more often than I think the end of the elevator ride is not he’s slouched over blocking his face a relief from the shame. I wonder if that baby was planned… At last my name is called. The usual weight and blood pressure are checked, no harm there. At least not until the nurse asks if you’re pregnant. Then asks five more times. Why would I deny it if I was already at the OBGYN? By that time I’m already in a room being

haunted by the lay table and weird leg cuffs joined by a light machine also used for… you know what. Finally, the doctor comes in. After a series of questions on sexual habits comes what I try to avoid at all costs: the condom song. No matter what answer you give to the gynecologist the result is always the same. The word condom repeated in different tones to a melody for 30 seconds. And I thought listening to the Doppler Effect in physics was bad. Once that humiliation is over you’re asked what’s wrong with your ‘woo hoo.’ This makes me laugh. Not because of the word but because you made me come here. Your office demanded a checkup before refilling a prescription. Why couldn’t this be done over the phone? I think the awkwardness is over until I get yet another lecture on how the lady part is like a rubber band. I’m not very athletic but I think I could beat Usain Bolt in a sprint out of that office. Though this article won’t change anything for teenage girls on a regular checkup there, at least you know you aren’t alone.

ELLEN MARTINSON

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Practice is necessary for a team’s success, but how much is too much? SHS teams from tennis and cross country to baseball and football have participated in before-school activities. “During the fall, every Friday we had before-school runs at 5:45 a.m. to save our legs for the upcoming meet. I think the majority of the girls enjoyed it,” said Abby Belcher, 11, girls cross country runner. As a cross country runner myself, I completely agree. The morning runs every Friday were refreshing and I found them to be a great way to end the week. Plus I had plenty of time to take my afternoon nap later that day. I am also a member of the softball team. For the first time in SHS softball history, the team began lifting nearly every Tuesday and Thursday morning starting in January. Similarly, the baseball team held tryouts every day for two weeks before and after school- four hours total per day.

Simply put, there is no time to do homework. Nearly all of my classes are AP and accelerated classes. I know it was my choice to take rigorous courses, and obviously not everyone faces this problem. But, based on who I’ve talked to, other athletes are in the same boat. The constant cycle of little sleep, practice, school, practice, and finally homework can be relentless. Not only have my grades suffered, my performance in softball has suffered slightly as well also, due to my lack of focus. It is a coach’s job to make us the most successful we can possibly be. I don’t believe that before-school practices are accomplishing this. In moderation, I think before-school activities can be effective in improving athletes’ performance. The harm comes when they are used too frequently. So, before coaches go and schedule their practices, I think they need to realize that athletes are more than just athletes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY BORMAN

Before school practices pose problems

Jordan Schuster and Tori Shaw, both juniors, increase wrist strength for softball before school. Softball became one of many SHS sports to adopt morning conditioning this year. It is unclear whether this extra training will be beneficial. THE LEAF | opinion

OPINION

Lessons learned from Davis news LAUREN GLYNN

Logging off: Senior takes break from social media SHEA LOTHROP

PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

started my journey in mid-January, coming to the realization that social media could be having a much larger negative effect on me than positive. I decided to give it up for a month; might as well try it. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were an escape route for me. Something to go on rather than do my homework, or be productive in any sort of way. I had a similar experience when I gave up my cell phone for a summer a few years ago; however, this was before the technological breakthrough and popularity of these sites. Starting off, I thought giving up my social connection would be easy so I quickly said goodbye to cyber-Shea. My mindset was very hopeful for the outcome I would soon find. 20

SHSLEAF.COM | THE LEAF

About an hour or two into it I realized how much of a habit I had. I constantly was going to click on the websitesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; icons on my bookmarks bar only to realize they had been deleted. I had a similar issue with the apps on my phone. Oddly enough it is not even that I cared to see what others were doing. It was just something I automatically did. Luckily, after a couple of days I was able to swing out of the routine of going straight to Twitter when I woke up or scrolling on my Facebook feed before I fell asleep. Not having the apps anymore greatly aided me on my endeavor. Surprisingly, the following Monday I received multiple questions on why I had deleted my accounts. Who knew cyber-Shea was more popular than actual Shea? I was hoping to fill this article with

IMAGE BY ANA BARROS

MANAGING EDITOR

a groundbreaking point, but about a month into the cleanse I still had nothing. But maybe that is the groundbreaking point. I saw little difference in my life without social media. If anything, an improvement of focus and less procrastination. And when I returned to the sites, they were interesting for about five minutes, only quickly become boring. For now, the apps will remain off of my phone. And though I may return to the websites as my roommate search for next year begins, I plan on spending as little time on them as possible. I encourage you to do your own experiment of going social media free. Not only may you become more productive, but it becomes interesting to see which friendships flourish even without your cyber appearance.

When I found out that Principal Chris Davis was resigning, I was truly shocked. His leaving is going to affect not only his life, but also the lives of all 1,789 students, 200 members of the faculty/staff, and the entire community. The fact that students were so surprised is a huge problem and displays that the administration is not communicating well and in a timely manner with us. We should be contacted more directly rather than hearing the announcements through our teachers or parents, considering the news affects us the most. No matter where we go after high school, it is the only real influence we have before college. We need role models who will be frank and honest with us. We as students want to be independent, but we still need stability. Whether we have had conversations with Davis or not, he affected each and every one of us. With so much changing next year with administration, and as a junior who will be applying to college next year, I want stability. In no way am I saying that the administration tried to hide the fact that Davis is leaving, but the day it was official, an email was sent to all of the teachers and nothing was said to any students or parents until later. Naturally, the rumors had started by third bell. All it took was one teacher telling one student for the news to spiral into different rumors regarding why he is resigning, which honestly is not even that important - that is his business. But, this situation was not handled in the best way possible. I wish Davis the best and hope that he reaches his aspirations after leaving SHS, but I also hope that the administration does not take the change in position lightly. Davis has done a good job as principal. He was the instructional leader not only through tough times like loss and sorrow, but also when OGT scores soared. Students take a lot of things for granted and I hope individuals know that this administrative change affords us the opportunity to grow. We do have the administration to thank for that, but there is always room for improvement. I hope the administration takes this chance to make a difference and to improve the school itself in ways such as communication. We know this year has been especially rocky, and that is okay. It has been a transition year in which a lot of things have changed, and when new ideas are tested, things will go wrong. When we have situations such as this one, we need to treat it as a two-way street. We want to act like the adults we are expected to turn into. With that expectation, the administration needs to recognize that we are able to handle important information and be able to process it on our own. Starting next year, the standards for how teachers are evaluated will also change, and with this will come opportunities that have not been presented before. As we face such big adjustments upstairs, it is truly important that students be involved in every decision made.

Audrey Moeller LILA ENGLANDER

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ance, art, math, and science all have something in common. They are strengths of Audrey Moeller, 11. “I think most people who know me would describe me as friendly, outgoing, energetic, and confident,” said Moeller. For someone that most people describe as outgoing, I am embarrassed to say it took me years to find out about Moeller’s many talents. I asked to interview her when I found out at lunch that she is illustrating a children’s book. “Professor William Lambers was on a jog and decided to stop in to the art show to look. He really liked my drawing and I wasn’t at the show, so he found someone from my school and said ‘help me contact this girl, I need her to illustrate for my book,’” said Moeller. She will create four illustrations for Lambers’ book, which is set in 1940s Norway. Although she does not want to be “a straight-up artist,” Moeller hopes to end up in a field that allows her to utilize her creativity.

“I would really like to go to DAAP. That’s my dream school. But I am also really interested in math and science so I feel like if I go into an art career I wouldn’t be using all my strengths to their greatest potential,” said Moeller. Moeller manages to pursue her interests through a variety of activities. An organization called Interalliance serves as an outlet for Moeller’s talent in math and science. The organization brings students from around Cincinnati together to connect with local Fortune 500 companies. Through Interalliance, Moeller has helped run the Tech Olympics, apply for internships in IT positions at P&G, Pomeroy, and Kroger, and create and present a business plan for employing disabled people. “Our idea was an organic farm and we had to invent technology for disabled people to harvest the food. It changed my life, honestly. It sounds corny but it’s true,” said Moeller. Another talent that Moeller enjoys taking part in is dance. “I’m at the studio 18 hours a week. I do tap, ballet, lyrical,

MARCH 26, 2014

Spotlight

dances, draws, derives 1

*Pictures printed with special permission from Audrey Moeller. Not for reprint or duplication.

1. Audrey Moeller, 11, begins her first illustration for Professor William Lambers’ book. 2. Moeller was asked to illustrate the book after Lambers saw this drawing. 3. She also spends 18 hours each week dancing.

contemporary, jazz, and clogging. I started competing in sixth grade,” said Moeller. It is a rare privilege to interview someone as uniquely talented and passionate as Moeller. It is these kinds of interviews that remind me why I love working on the news magazine. I hope that this article will motivate other SHS students to come forward with their own stories, opinions, or topics they would like to see covered. SHSstudentvoice@gmail.com will be waiting.

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