The Sycamore Leaf by Sycamore High School

The

ycamore

eaf

HOMECOMING

DR. SEUSS

All the photos from the weekend’s festivities, including the game and dance

No Peter Pan? No problem. Cat in the Hat is where it’s at

Thursday, October 27, 2011 | Volume LIX Issue 3 | 7400 Cornell Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45242, 513.686.1770 ext. 3089 | www.GoAves.com

Our heroes

newsbriefs

Senior Photos/ Baby Ads

Senior pictures are due Nov. 1. Pictures should be vertical and wallet sized. Senior IDs will be used for those who do not turn in their portraits. Baby ads are also due Nov. 1; they should be sent with an envelope containing a return address. All photos can be turned into room 115 or to the front office.

Battle of the Bands

An informational meeting for Battle of the Bands will be held on Nov. 2, but the actual tryouts will not take place until Nov. 18. Bands should come to tryouts with a ten minute application video, and be prepared to perform two cover songs live. The winning band of the competition, which will take place Dec. 16, will receive a $500 cash prize.

‘Seussical the Musical’

NEWS 2-4

OPINION 5-8

FEATURE 9-10

Over the summer, the Ohio Department of Education presented Central Office with a new option for handling calamity days: instead of making up missed days at the end of the school year, students could complete online assignments during the actual calamity day. The Office has opted to continue calamity days as usual this school year, but will reexamine the issue for next year.

college When Captain Kelly Lamphere decided to attend West Point Military Academy in 2000, he had no idea with a that just a few short years later he would find himself degree overseas. and be “There was no war when I went to West Point,” he said. “When I graduated, I found myself with a bunch put into a leadership of soldiers heading over to Iraq, not really knowing position in how we got there.” the Marines Lamphere’s military training at the premiere army immediately.” institute of the country of course prepared him for Though some of the physical challenges he faced. But the biggest adjustment was not physical – it was psycho- the military will pay for all logical. of Sweeney’s “Imagine if you found yourself in an unfamiliar, foreign world. You are just trying to accomplish the college fees, he is required to serve tasks at hand,” said Lamphere. eight years after his For some, the mental emotional trade-offs are graduation. “Some a small price to pay in comparison to the benefits gained. Many SHS graduates have opted to follow may view this negatively, but in my case I military related paths after high school, as opwill be living a dream,” posed to the traditional college or career routes. Bryan Boyle, ’11, decided to attend the Virginia he said. Matt Sweeney, 12, unMilitary Institute after graduation. Boyle, who is related to Brad, is taking a currently training, already notes the psychological impact and loneliness he is beginning to feel. slightly different approach. However, he also defines a strong unity and bond Instead of applying to an ROTC program or miliwithin the Institute. tary institute, Matt enlisted “There are many days I say to myself, why am directly into the navy. I here? Every cadet finds it lonely at times but “I really want to see the he can always turn to other freshmen that are world,” said Matt. “It’s going enduring the same stress for strength.” to be hard work, but it will Ideas of serving the country and leading other soldiers appealed to Boyle, prompting his build leadership and strength and all that.” application to VMI. After graduation, he will He plans to serve for at least be a Second Lieutenant for Active Duty in 20 years, the minimum number the army, though he is unsure what branch. required to receive the benefits Brad Sweeney, 12, knows exactly what he wants to do when he finishes his military ed- of service. ucation. “My overall goal is to become a Ma- Supporting the troops rine Infantry Officer,” he said. “Whether I On Oct. 12, Lamphere accomplish this through an ROTC program or via the Naval Academy, I will graduate Continued on page 2 >>

y Ch

Calamity Days

Stories from service

Jimm

Parents, athletes, and coaches will gather together on Nov. 15 to celebrate the end of fall sports. Jim Stoll, athletic director, will talk briefly of the season’s highlights. Then, teams will be addressed individually by their own coaches, who will distribute awards from throughout the season. Participants should arrive at 7 p.m. and meet in the gym.

he war in Afghanistan has become the longest conflict in American history, surpassing even Vietnam. Now, as the conflict concludes and troops are returning home, many are left wondering how it affected them, if at all. The distance of the war, as well as its consistency, has led many students to lose sight of its significance. While men and women give their lives in a foreign land, life appears relatively unchanged here at home. “There are no veterans in my family. I’m not saying I don’t care about it, but the war hasn’t affected me personally,” said Alex Martinson, 11. The fact that everyday life remains constant is a testament to the achievement of the armed forces. Their success is never more evident than when one sees how students can attend SHS every day without fear of terrorism or foreign attack. War’s commonality in American society has affected not only attitudes toward the wars of this decade, but also towards the wars of decades past. As time distances this generation from the generations of the Great Wars, it seems disturbingly more and more simple to overlook their significance. Armistice Day was created in order to celebrate the supposed permanent peace established by the conclusion of World War I, which was thought to be the war to end all wars. It is now known that this was not the case. The holiday has evolved into Veterans Day, a tribute to those who have fought and served to protect the freedom of the nation. Yet more often than not, Veterans Day is overlooked and even forgotten. “It comes across my mind, but I really don’t think about it too much,” said Isaac Goldstein, 9. “I don’t do anything out of the ordinary to celebrate it.” This prevailing attitude among Americans, not just high school students, represents a fundamental lack of understanding of what it means to be a veteran. In some ways, that misunderstanding is inevitable. It is simply not possible to fully grasp the commitment, dedication, and leadership that a member of the armed forces must show on a day to day basis. But by talking to these veterans, and by politely

e by

Fall Sports Awards

Sarah May news chief

inquiring about their experiences, it becomes possible to achieve a deeper understanding and respect for those who serve to protect our freedoms.

Imag

Aves Theater’s fall production will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in the main auditorium Nov. 1112 and Nov. 17-19. The musical combines many of Dr. Seuss’ most famous works into one family friendly production. Tickets can be purchased at lunch beginning the week of Nov. 1 for $10 apiece.

Honoring soldiers for service to country

A&E 11-14

SPORTS 15-19

SPOTLIGHT 20

2 >> Veterans cont. from pg. 1 spoke at an Interact Club meeting to kick off its first annual donation drive for the troops. He asked students to get involved regardless of personal views on the war. “Remember, the troops don’t get to choose where they go or how they serve,” he said. “They just volunteer to serve, so I encourage you to support them.” Mrs. Kathryn Korchok, Global Language teacher, organized the drive as a way to collect and send personal care items to the platoon of Scott Ferris, ‘08, one of her former students and son of Mrs. Sue Ferris, reading teacher. Scott was deployed to Afghanistan in mid October, and is completely unaware of the drive. “Hopefully it will really make his day, as well as the days of his platoon mates,” said Korchok. The supplies sent by the drive are small compensation in comparison to the privileges the troops work so hard to provide. Yet these privileges are often taken for granted; without a personal connection to the armed forces, thankfulness rarely crosses the minds of most students. Every day, thousands of students and faculty members pass blindly by the main office display case set up in honor of the veterans. Few take the time to consider its importance. Five former SHS grads have died in combat within the last six years. The display commemorates these soldiers in efforts to remind students not to take their freedoms for granted. “These men and women walked these same halls, sat in the same classrooms, and, in some cases, were taught by the same teachers as Sycamore students today,” said Mr. Ted Hungler, maintenance supervisor, who built the display case. “During graduation, the students going onto college get recognized, but nothing is said about the students who are entering the military as their next step. The display case gives attention to those who chose the military as a career,” he continued. The digital display runs every day, not just Veterans Day. But Nov. 11 specifically provides an opportunity to foster a connection with the troops, if only by simply dedicating a few moments of silence or prayer in their honor.

10.27.2011

Controversial ballot causes concern

Kasich kills passenger rail, pushes energy reform Alexis Corcoran staff writer

Atiya Dosani staff writer

William Gawin staff writer

hio’s Governor, John Kasich, was elected into office last November, and he has brought a lot of ideas with him. However, Kasich’s policies for 2011 have been met with criticism from both political parties. His new policies include the infamous Senate Bill 5 (SB5), which will ban collective bargaining.

Senate Bill 5

The major changes made in SB5 include what can be collectively bargained by public sector unions, the elimination of automatic pay increases, and the requirement that public employees pay at least 15 percent of their health care benefits. However, the bill also prevents public employees from going on strike and makes it more difficult for them to form unions. The bill was passed by the Republican Party this spring in an effort to save taxpayers money. However, State Representative Connie Pillich (D) Montgomery, points out, “the bill has no effect on the state budget.” This year, the state approved a budget that included dramatic cuts to governmentfunded programs. With the provisions in SB5, municipalities could fill holes in their budgets, caused by state funding cuts, by going after provisions negotiated with their employees. The most controversial provision in the bill guts collective bargaining rights for workers in the public sector. Collective bargaining is how workers negotiate pay and working conditions through their unions. For example, if the bill was passed, teachers would no longer be able to negotiate for class sizes, most benefits, and personal days. “Without collective bargaining, employers hold all the cards,” said Pillich.

Energy blues

Going green was previously pushed exclusively in the Democratic Party, but Kasich thinks that alternative energy is an important step in reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. “I think the energy summit is a good idea because it will get many leaders' ideas on ways Ohio can become more green and actu-

ally have an energy policy,” said Stephanie Adamec, 11. Republicans argue that fossil fuels such as coal have been a crucial part of Ohio’s economy for years. Kasich argues that the energy summit will bring in many new jobs to the state. “Ohio really needs jobs right now, so trying to become more economically friendly will create jobs and set a good example for other states in energy efficiency,” said Adamec.

Money-saving or short-sighted? Kasich also announced that he would be cancelling the plan to create a passenger rail between six cities including Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. The original plan to create the 3C rail was announced by former Ohio Governor, Ted Strickland, in 2009. "This is a one time opportunity for Ohio to establish vital infrastructure in rail service while improving the freight system," said Strickland to reporters at the Statehouse. But shortly after Kasich won the election, he made it clear that there would be no future for the 3C rail. Although Kasich has been talking about improving the environmental condition of

Ohio, the cancellation of the rail was the cancellation of a beneficial way to increase the eco-friendliness of the state. "My message today is to get jobs going in this state," said Kasich. Contradictory to his statement, by cancelling the rail, Kasich cancelled a project that would have brought 16,000 permanent jobs to Ohio. During the time that Strickland was in office, Ohio accepted $400 million from the government for the 3C rail. This was stimulus money which many other states were hoping to receive. “I think it was an incredibly short-sighted decision that was made as an attempted political statement, rather than what was best for Ohio. The funds would have allowed Ohio to explore the possibilities of regional, functional mass transit and develop stronger connections between cities in the area,” said Mr. Ron Hochstrasser, Environmental Science teacher. The money that would have helped the rail project was given to another state, causing a loss of environmental improvement, job increase, and easier transport for the citizens of Ohio.

NHS: Induction night allows members to honor mentors Brenda Shen staff writer

National Honor Society (NHS) lets students have a chance to thank the individuals that made a difference. The induction ceremony is considered to be one of the most important traditions in NHS and it is said by the National Council that each school should create their own ceremonies and procedures. SHS inductees were required to choose one sponsor to come during the ceremony on Oct. 26. “A sponsor is an individual who has somehow affected their life positively and is usually some-

one like a coach,” said Valerie Nimeskern, history teacher. The inductees must go up and say a few lines about why they chose their sponsor. Katie Demarest, 11, asked her dad to accompany her to the induction, unlike most students. “If it was not for him I wouldn't have had the motivation to take hard classes and get into NHS. He was never pushy, just supportive,” said Demarest. Tracy Wong, 11 is a pianist who actively participates in competitions nationwide. Though she wished her piano instructor could be there, her mom became

an obvious choice due to the long distance her instructor would have to travel. “I am using my mom as mine because I feel like she is the one who has done the most for me,” said Wong. This includes driving Wong to and from Cleveland for piano lessons, researching competitions along with sending in applications, and numerous other tasks that are and are not related to music. “This induction ceremony gives me a brief chance to thank her for these countless things,” said Wong.

AS SHE STANDS ON stage at the 2010 National Honor Society induction ceremony, Rachel Bauder, 12, gives an acceptance speech. In order to be eligible for NHS, students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5, as well as 30 hours of community service. Additionally, inductees must be enrolled in at least one weighted course.

Photo courtesy of McDaniels Photography

More treat than trick

10.27.2011

Students scare, surprise on Senior Halloween Jane Finocharo associate editor

Zoe Vanjohnson staff writer

Best group: running with the bulls

Best individual: Aunt Jemima

Best duo: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Upâ&#x20AC;?

Best impersonator: Dr. Brackenridge 25

1997

3000

pieces of candy that senior 20 parents donat- Year that Senior Halloween, a ed for the treat long-standing 15 tradition, started bags.

Prizes handed out to seniors which include gift cards, restaurant coupons, Class of 2012 key chains, and more.

at SHS. Assistant Principal Mr. 10 Jim Skoog brought over the traditions from Turpin High 5 School when he transferred to SHS. 0

photos courtesy of Jeremy McDaniel

How many SHS teens still trick-or-treat? 25

Yes No

Freshman

Soph.

Junior

Senior

based on survey of 25 students per grade

by Megan Jiang

10.27.2011

cience Fair blasts off

Sanika Vaidya staff writer

tudents to start sending in project proposals &

Rachel Sun staff writer

utside of fighting off the exceptional workload that is expected in their first quarter of school, certain SHS students also devote much of their free time to prospective science fair projects. The Science Fair, held at the end of January, is the culmination of five months’ worth of research and experimentation. The Science Fair offers students a chance to win scholarships, cash prizes, and recognition at the district and state levels. Last year, of the 22 projects entered, several won awards at the district level, and of the four that reached the state level, three won cash awards, scholarships, or both. The path towards these awards starts with the submitting of a proposal for a project for safety review and approval, which will be due in late November. After their projects are approved, the students, working alone or in groups of two or three, may begin work on their project. The final result will be a presentation aided by a poster and binder or notebook containing information about the project, and after this the student can have several more opportunities to move on to higher levels and receive cash awards and scholarships. “I did the Science Fair last year but I didn’t make it to the district level, but this year I am excited to try to go to district with my partner, Pavan Nimmagadda [9], with our new project, though I’m not sure what it’s going to be yet,” said Naveen Viswanath, 9. While students are under no obligation to participate in the Science Fair, and must do the work on their own time, several science teachers offer extra credit for participation, and more for success in the fair. It also provides an opportunity to branch out

from what is taught in traditional science classes. “The science fair is an opportunity to do something out of the box that you wouldn’t normally get to do in class,” said Soham Agarwal, 12.

ARTUR MELLER, 12, AND Maulik Desai, 12, show off their project that they submitted to the Science Fair along with Brendan Corcoran, 12. The project won them several awards. Projects for the science fair are due in November, and several science teachers offer extra credit for participating.

Student soars in past science fair

In addition to the normal levels associated with the Science Fair process, one student has managed to go above and beyond the norm. Erik Bao, 12, then a junior, proceeded to compete at the BioGENEius challenge in Washington, D.C. His research on how fetal leptin treatment induces lung maturation in pre term newborn lambs “could one day prevent respiratory distress syndrome, which is a cause of death for many human newborns,” said an article published by Fox 19. “The Science Fair really helped improve my public speaking skills, and I enjoyed telling judges with confidence about what I did,” said Bao. Bao and a number of other veterans are returning to Science Fair this year. Having reaped the rewards and experiences that Science Fair has to offer, students are already speculating as to what their potential projects will bring. “I’m hoping that the experience I acquired last year will carry over this year and I’ll have success this year,” said Brendan Corcoran, 12, who won several awards last year for his project with Artur Meller and Maulik Desai, both 12. While the Science Fair is time-consuming and takes hard work, the benefits of the experience convince many students to participate each year. “The kids always amaze me and exceed my expectations,” said Mrs. Beth Quinones, science teacher.

Photo courtesy of Beth Quinones

Steps to science fair success 1. Choose a topic that interests you and ask a question.

2. Design an experiment which can answer your question

4. After your plan is approved, begin experimentation

5. Create a poster and write a speech. Make sure to include the scientific method.

3. Fill out all forms and write a research plan to give to Mrs. Beth Quinones by late Nov.

6. Present at the Science Fair.

Image by SM Dipali

CORNERSTONE ACADEMY LEARNING & TUTORING education: learning, sharing, empowering

Spanish Art AP Test Prep

English Math Science

Joyce Kyungah Ahn mail@cornerstonetutoringacademy.com www.cornerstonetutoringacademy.com

SAT Prep SAT Subject Tests ACT Prep (513) 575-6225 9565 Fields Ertel Rd Loveland, OH 45140

the Sycamore

10.27.2011

leaf

Dipal-Oh-tics

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. The Leaf’s complete editorial policies can be found at www.goaves.com. 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 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. News Sarah May Forum 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 Kayla Cantwell Lina Cardenas John Carroll Krittika Chatterjee Alexis Corcoran Gariauna Daniels Atiya Dosani Lila Englander Taylor Evans Zachary Fritzhand Jordan Gause William Gawin

Hailey Gilman Lauren Glynn Jenny Ham Isaac Harmon Deepak Indrakanti Megan Jiang Ashleigh Jones Margaret Jordan Britton Kemp Kelsey King Ellen Martinson Julia Mattis Ethan May Nakul Narendran Allie Oh Casey Rayburn Alma Rechnitzer Carmel Rechnitzer Hebeh Refaei Liam Reis Cailin Rogers Emma Rosen Lauren Saxon Eli Seidman-Deutsch Brenda Shen Joseph Slovin Scott Stefani Rachel Sun Victoria Swart Kathryn Tenbarge Sanika Vaidya Zoe Vanjohnson Kristen Wessinger Ryan Wessinger Alex Wittenbaum

Photographer Jeremy McDaniel Adviser Cheralyn Jardine About us Professional memberships: • Columbia Scholastic Press Association • Journalism Education Association

• National Scholastic High School Press Association • Ohio Scholastic Media Association • Ohio Professional Writers (National Federation of Women Writers) • Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honorary

Candidates gearing up for election SM Dipali editor-in-chief &

STAFF EDITORIAL Over the years, Veteran’s Day has become just another holiday. In fact, most of us acknowledge it as a day that is only important to people who served in a war. Unfortunately, the real meaning of Veteran’s Day has been pushed aside, hidden under anti-war sentiment and buried with some of the soldiers who inspired its creation. Veteran’s Day was founded on Nov. 11, 1918 as a day to represent peace and the end of World War I. The day was originally called Armistice Day, but President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed it in 1954 to honor those who have fought, been injured and died serving the United States. Now, in 2011 we are fighting the War on Terror. For the past decade we’ve grown up in a turbulent time – a time where we’re constantly in fear of losing our fathers, mothers and siblings – just like the many other American kids who grew up in war. The only difference now is that our country doesn’t stand behind our troops the way we used to. The current war has been going on for so long that many have forgotten about it. Meanwhile, soldiers who have fought for an entire decade are coming home damaged – mentally, physically and emotionally.

Cartoon by Lily Lefton

Unfortunately, the length of the war has also caused the post-war rehabilitation centers that many of these soldiers need to be overrun and eventually closed because of lack of funding. Because of this, the need to support our troops has never been greater. Showing members of the military that you honor them is actually one of the things that keeps them striving. We encourage all students to participate in activities that can help out the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as honor past veterans. Lack of supplies is a major factor in Iraq for the mass of soldiers. Sending supplies to lighten the stress is very much appreciated, and shows that you are grateful for what they are doing to keep us safe. Another thing students can do is write a letter to a soldier and personally express thanks and support for those fighting in the Middle East. Remember the men and women who protect our country don’t get to choose when and where they serve. They leave their homes and families to keep yours safe – and that’s the reason why we set aside a day with a special intent to honor them. They aren’t just fighting for themselves, they are fighting for our country – they are fighting for you.

leafing through the masses

What do you think about serving your country, the military, Veterans Day? I think about my father. He was in the Marine Corps. It is a solemn day. There are a lot of veterans out there without opportunities because of what they’ve gone through.

Coach Hank Ray My dad was a Veteran. He is now deceased. We should honor all our Vets from all of our wars.

Mrs. Pat Bernard, EAMC

Images by Rishi Choubey

My father was a medic in WWII. His PTSD led to him becoming an alcoholic. I’ve been affected by Vietnam, too. Everyone I went to high school with either got drafted or went to college. Mrs. Connie Smith, English Teacher

Retraction: The nutrition director’s courtesy title mentioned on the front page of the September issue was incorrect. Her name is Miss Jessica Johnson. Additionally, the cookies offered in the cafeteria are sugar-free, not gluten-free.

Emma Oh editor-in-chief

As 2011 comes to a close, the race for the 2012 presidential nomination has become increasingly tight. Although President Barack Obama runs under the Democratic ticket uncontested, there have been many concerns that he has lost the support of a once enthusiastic base. Frontrunners have emerged in the race for the GOP nomination, yet Republican presidential candidates are still locked in a close battle for the support of their eager base.

D: Obama has already cast

himself as the underdog in the 2012 presidential election – and rightfully so. Not only is the faltering economy costing Obama independent votes, but his lack of leadership has cost him the support of the invigorated 2008 Democratic base. His constant capitulation to the Republicans over the budget, the deficit, and even healthcare has served as blow to the liberal agenda – and thereby a blow to Obama’s approval rating. When Obama ran in 2008, he promised the country big things. He introduced ideas that energized those who had felt marginalized for too long. But after three years of watching him in the White House, I find myself disappointed. And I’m not the only one. It seems that Obama has approached his presidency the same way he approached being a Senator. What we’re left with is a President who cannot effectively lead – a President who has shown time and time again that he is unable to make the tough decisions. Yet, despite my disappointment, Obama still has my support for the 2012 election. In my eyes, he’s the lesser of two evils.

E: The grim economic picture

might be just enough to keep Obama from getting re-elected in 2012 – that is, if the Republicans can nominate the right candidate. As long as Michele Bachman stays out of the mix, it seems the GOP may have a few strong contenders for the job. The current GOP front-runner, Mitt Romney, has focused his 2012 campaign platform on reversing Obama’s handling on the economy, which relied on government expansion. Although Romney’s plan includes everything many Republicans have been longing for, his nomination could very well split the GOP. Many Tea Party supporters have deemed him unforgivable for supporting the Massachusetts health care plan. If this doesn’t cost Romney the nomination, the Tea Party could bolt and run their own ticket – a measure that may cost the GOP the win. Other potential GOP nominees include Herman Cain and Rick Perry. Their platforms also focus on economic reform.

For more DipalOhtics columns, visit www.goaves.com

10.27.2011

Freshmen 5

Leaf

Underclassmen discuss favorite things about SHS Deepak Indrakanti staff writer

Allie Oh staff writer

Rachel Sun staff writer

Course variety.

Carrying backpacks.

“The range of classes at the high school is great. I’m taking Intro to Acting right now and it is a lot of fun,”

“It’s extremely helpful to be able to carry your backpack around everywhere,” -Patrich Co, 9

-Reed Bie, 9

Freedom. The freedom that we get here with our schedules is one thing that separates the high school from the junior high. It gives me the opportunity to be able to see my friends throughout the day”

Starting the day earlier. “It took me a while to adjust to waking up early, but I really like getting out at 2:20,”

The cell phone policy. “The cell phone rule at the high school is way better. Being able to have them at any time other than during class is great,”

-Katie Oh, 9

-Alex Schlie, 9

-Melissa Sodi, 9

5 Image by Emma Oh

SHS food revolution: not fully baked

Cafeteria lacks adequate vegetarian options Lila Englander staff writer

veryone from Michelle Obama to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver are talking about improving the quality of school lunches. But has SHS taken advantage of this opportunity for change? If you ask students, most are still frustrated and disappointed with the choices available. Despite the administration’s claims, one group in particular, vegetarians, are especially concerned about limited and inadequate options. “I feel we have a good variety of choices for our vegetarian students by offering substitutions and daily meatless entrees. I am open to recipe suggestions from students at any time. Stop by my office in the global arts wing or email me your suggestions,” said Ms. Jessica Johnson, Child Nutrition Manager. While most people are aware of vegetarianism, many do not understand the reasons people would choose vegetarianism or its health benefits. People become vegetarian for many different reasons, including religious, animal rights, health, and environmental beliefs. For example, many Hindus choose to be vegetarian because of how highly they value animal’s lives. “Since I have never eaten meat before, it does not really feel like I am missing out on anything, which makes being a vegetarian easier,” said Sneha Rajagopal, 9. Other people, after accidentally stumbling upon grotesque videos, pictures, or stories of the inhumane slaughter of animals, suddenly decide to stop eating meat. Older people sometimes become vegetarian to lose weight or control cholesterol. Some become vegetarian because it is the number one way to reduce your environmental carbon footprint. There are also many degrees of vegetarianism-- ranging from ‘weekday’ vegetarians to vegans. Weekday vegetarians still eat meat, but only on the weekends. This

may be because they are still growing and need iron and protein. On the opposite side of the spectrum, vegans do not eat or use animal products at all. Vegans rely entirely on fruit, grains, and vegetables for all their sustenance. While there are many types of vegetarians, at SHS they make up a relatively small percentage of the student body. “We strive to have choices for each student and their lifestyle and taste preferences, but it is difficult to have a vast array of choices daily for such a small number of participating students,” said Johnson. It is understandable to focus on the majority of students, but healthy options should be available for students even if they are a minority. It seems unreasonable for the school to claim that fruit parfaits and deli sandwiches with just the cheese are substantial choices. These may be adequate snacks, but they do not constitute a full meal. “I pack my lunch every day because the cafeteria has snacks and pizza, but not healthy or filling vegetarian entrees,” said Rajagopal. Vegetarian students dislike many of the choices in the cafeteria, but if you ask any non-vegetarian students, it seems that they are not alone. “I am not vegetarian, but I usually pack because the school lunch options do not appeal to me. I think that students would be willing to give up the typical greasy options and try something new,” said Molly Gearin, 9. If the unhealthy entrees were replaced with fresh and nutritious vegetarian options, this would offer a solution for vegetarian and non-vegetarian students alike. Until students can walk through the lunch line and decide between chicken nuggets and tofu stir-fry, schools will not truly know which one students prefer. In an era of extreme food revolution, SHS is behind the times.

Comparing calories of veggies Eliminating meat from your diet can make staying full seemingly impossible. Finding vegetables that are high in calories is essential. Corn, carrots, and potatoes are a few of the more commonly eaten vegetables.

Corn One cup of sweet corn has 132.4 calories. One bushel of corn will sweeten more than 400 cans of Coca-Cola. There are about 800 kernels in 16 rows on each ear of corn.

Carrots

One cup of raw carrots has 52 calories. Carrots are about 87% water.

Carrots are a rare vegetable that originated in Afghanistan. They were purple, red, white and yellow, but never orange.

Potatoes One cup of cooked sweet potato has 203 calories. The potato is about 80% water and 20% solids. The average American eats 137.9 pounds of potatoes each year. Images by Lila Englander Sources: www,sparkpeople.com www.engin.umich.edu www.healthdiaries.com

GUEST COLUMN Anirudha Vaddadi guest columnist

Seniors, it’s that time of year again. These next few months consist of trying to get through that application process. This, paired with the school workload, can be pretty stressful. And even after everything is sent, you have to wait anxiously for that much anticipated email or letter. I’ve only finished a quarter of my applications and am already about to lose my mind. Without a doubt, this is the hardest part of high school for students. Although I’m far from finished, there are some things I have learned so far that I would advise to each class. Seniors. It’s easy to stress out about the process; it’s only normal. But what you have to realize is that most of your application is already done. Throughout your high school career, you’ve done your schoolwork, extracurriculars, and volunteer work. Those make up the bulk of your resume. You can still take the SAT/ACT, but at this point there really isn’t going to be a big jump in your scores, no matter how many times you take the tests. So the only thing you can control is your essay. That is where you can stand out. Besides that, I think the hardest part is just getting everything organized. After you know what you’re doing, it’s just a matter of filling out forms. Juniors. It may seem far away, but application time will come before you know it. By now, you’ve already found the clubs and activities that you want to participate in. Keep those up. Start looking at colleges, and if you can, plan for visits during breaks. Also, ask seniors or siblings for advice. You’ll find yourself much more prepared than everybody else once the gauntlet of senior year begins. As for standardized tests, taking a class isn’t that important but I would definitely recommend getting a book. Just remember that how well you fill bubbles on a Saturday morning won’t make or break your admission decision. Freshman/Sophomores. You’ve got plenty of time, but keep finding activities that you enjoy. Also, try to limit yourself to a few clubs; being very involved in just a couple shows more dedication than attending only a couple meetings for a dozen. Finally, challenge yourself, in and out of the classroom. Remember, you’re always building your resume. Ultimately, everyone’s college application experience will vary. The best thing to do is to not procrastinate. Work at it in chunks so you don’t feel overwhelmed and can enjoy the perks of senior year. Whenever you do feel worked up, tell yourself this: “I will be okay. I will get into college.” Because even if you don’t get into the school of your dreams, in the end, college is what you make it. You could also remind yourself that Steve Jobs finished his higher education with only one semester of classes.

10.27.2011

High schoolers concerned over rising unemployment rates

‘Someone hire me, please’ I Kayla Cantwell staff writer

have honestly lost track of all the places that I have applied for a job. But I can tell you in full confidence how many places have gotten back to me. None. For most teens, getting a job for the first time is quite a challenge. “It is so hard to get a job because we have such a tight schedule and no experience,” said Karolina Meskyte, 11.

It appears, though, that I am not the only one struggling in landing my first job. “I have applied for a job at five places,” said Meskyte. Meskyte also received no response from any of the places she applied to. It seems that there is a whole nation of teens struggling to get work. For 16-20 year olds, the unemployment rate is 25.4 percent. This is one of the highest numbers this country

has ever seen. In a differenct perspective, however, this does make sense. We are currently in a recession, and companies would rather hire experienced adults than some teenager who has absolutely no experience. But that is what is so frustrating about the situation. How will we ever get the experience if no one will ever hire us? I mean, everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Like most teens, I need money. I have to pay my own car insurance and gas. That adds up after a while. “I need money for gas, entertainment, clothing, and things I want,” said Meskyte. The only source of income most young people have is mowing lawns and babysitting. While this is wonderful, it usually is not enough, and there is no telling when you will get that job again.

Having jobs teaches things about life you could never learn anywhere else. Working somewhere requires you to be responsible and take on a role of leadership amongst your peers. “It is important for teens to work because it teaches them life lessons,” said Meskyte. Obviously, no place is required to hire you just because you are low on cash. Sometimes, I really wish they would.

Get all those service h urs in

Interact Club offers chances for volunteering Lauren Glynn staff writer

Finding a way to stand out by getting involved in volunteering is ideal when applying for colleges. Using Interact Club at SHS is a great way to start. “Usually about 200 kids join Interact Club,” said Kathryn Korchok, Interact Club director. “It is a very popular group.” There are other ways to get involved by using information that is available on the internet. There are countless places you could volunteer. Even if you do not have time to get involved

with the school you could ask your church or temple to see if they offer any volunteering. Get your friends in on it. Together, not only could you do good deeds but you could also earn volunteer hours. What could be better? “I like volunteering with my church because I get to do it with my friends and we make other people happy,” said Alexis Davis, 9.

Other places to Volunteer -Stepping Stones Center

Mrs. Kathryn Korchok, on Interact club How does one get involved with interact club? Anyone who is willing to volunteer can join. You must pay $5 to me and then I will add Interact club as a course for you and when you log on to Sycamore’s website it will show up with the rest of your classes. What days do you meet? The meeting dates vary depending on the month and what days are available.

- Vist them at www.steppingstonescenter.org

-Freestore Foodbank

- Vist them at www.freestorefoodbank.org

-ProKids

- Vist them at www.prokidscasa. org

Do you assign students to certain jobs? Throughout the year there are so many opportunities I give the members to be a part of. It’s up to them to decide what fits their schedule. To be considered an active member so you can stay in the club you must work at least 15 hours a year.

Additional articles on Interact club

http://www.goaves.com

Le Salon

Image by Kelcie Grega

Your ultimate full service salon experience

School Specials Spa Facial only

$70 value

Eyebrow Wax

Let one of our expert estheticians refresh, reinvigorate and revive your skin with a spa facial treatment. Let us ease your tension away while giving your face a smooth youthful look and feel. You also get a free eyebrow wax.

Appointments are required. Customer can purchase one or all deals at the same time. Upon redemption customer will receive welcome kit with other specials. Tax and gratuity not included. Promotional value expires on 11/30/11.

Women’s Single Process Color Special

$ 7808 Cooper Road Montgomery, Oh 45242 513.791.4141 www.lesalonofmontgomery.com

Wednesdays are

s y a D l o o Sch

at Le

Salon

}

All Sycamore School District Staff, Teachers and Students receive

25% off

any one service on School Wednesdays at Le Salon. (With school ID).

only

$90 value

Ladies, let us put a little color in your style. You receive a haircut, color and style to get you that look and color you want. Select designers only.

Appointments are required. Customer can purchase one or all deals at the same time. Upon redemption customer will receive welcome kit with other specials. Highlights are not included and long hair may be extra. Tax and gratuity not included. Promotional value expires on 11/30/11.

Men’s Blended Color Special only

Guys, let us blend that gray away and give you that look of experience with the impression of youth. It only takes us a few minutes to change your look.

$39 value

Lethal jurisdiction: Ana Barros & business manager

Shea Lothrop business manager

PRO

10.27.2011

Supreme Court injects world with controversy

It was like any other night in Savannah, GA, for any other person. For police officer Mark MacPhail, however, it was his last. He was at Burger King when he saw a gang harassing a homeless man and, in a burst of instinct, went to help the victim. In a sea of arms, legs, shouts, and pain, MacPhail was shot in the chest by an unknown man, ending his life in a second but creating almost a quarter-century’s worth of painstaking judicial investigation and debate -- Was the Supreme Court right when it executed Troy Davis? Two years after MacPhail’s death, and for

fter the execution of Davis, MacPhail’s supposed murderer, in September, many Americans despise the judgment of the Supreme Court. However, many have manipulated their opinion without fully looking into the case. Let us look at this from the angle of the Supreme Court. When the trial began in 1991, seven witnesses testified that they had seen Davis murder MacPhail. Two even proclaimed that prior to the trial Davis had admitted to killing the officer. The court had around 40 witnesses from the night in which the murder took place. 34 of them testified for prosecution, and a weak six, including Davis himself, pleaded that Davis was innocent. Even though the court seemed to have come to an agreement of Davis as guilty, the trial did not end until late September of 2011. The Supreme Court puts hundreds of hours into reviewing case material and reflecting on the trial before they even consider sentencing someone to death. The fact that the trial lasted for over 20 years proves that the decision was given abundant thought. To be sent to death row, one must be convicted of aggravated murder. According to the law, aggravated murder has various criteria. In Davis’s case, his intentional shooting was the criteria for his sentence. In 2009, the Supreme Court extended to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia and ordered them to provide new evidence that was claimed to back up his innocence. Although this did not change the outcome of the trial, it displays that the Supreme Court made an effort to reassure the fact that they were making the correct decision. Beyond the case itself, this trial was widely publicized because it dealt with the morality of capital punishment. What makes this interesting is that Americans are not sympathetic for a man being sentenced to jail for life- in fact we encourage it for the safety of ourselves and those around us. If Davis were only put in jail, would this have even made the news? But when a man is sentenced to death, there is always commotion and public protest. For years, people have sought multiple channels to end capital punishment. Morally, everyone has a different standpoint on this issue, whether it is religious-based or just how one feels. But politically, the Supreme Court has the right to kill: when it is sure that the person on trial is, in fact, guilty of a capital crime. In Davis’s case, after 20 years of trial, research, and testimonies the Supreme Court was correct in allowing the execution of this murderer. Until America, as a nation, abolishes the death penalty, we have to trust that what the Supreme Court does is legal and its purpose is to protect our country.

CON

Image by Ana Barros

‘I AM TROY DAVIS,’ said people around the world as they took a stand against the Supreme Court’s ruling to execute Davis. Though they lost their campaign, the world’s common reaction to Davis’s case brought them together and, together, they are all Troy Davis, fighting for a common goal - the abolition of the death penalty.

by the numbers:

death penalty in America

Ohio’s ranking in the U.S. for the most executions

number of executions in Ohio in 2010

number of states that have abolished the death penalty

number of executions in the U.S. in 2010 roughly the number

3,000 of people currently on death row

2.3

average cost of a death penalty case, in millions

number of countries that have abolished the death penalty America’s international ranking on amount of executions per year

139

Past controversial cases: Darrell Ferguson Executed: Ohio 2006 Ferguson was the youngest person to be executed in Ohio since the 1960’s. At the age of 28, he was convicted of aggravated murder of three people and later wrote a letter admitting that he intentionally killed them. IQ tests led his attorneys to believe he was borderline mentally handicapped, but he was still found competent for his three murders and executed.

Jason Massey Executed: Texas 2011 Neglected by his drug-abusive mother growing up, Massey turned into a juvenile. He was sent to a pyschiatrist for mental help after the discovery of his journal that fanatisized about rape and murder. The help did not work – in 1993 he murdered two local teenagers. He was quickly found guilty because of forensic evidence and was condemned with capital punishment.

twenty years after that, Davis’s hands were accepted as having held the murder weapon that night, and motions to execute him were made. However, in the past years, Davis’s guilt has been called into question – not only by his lawyers and family, but by the media and the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who resent his death sentence. In the months leading up to his execution, Davis had been made into a symbol of the Supreme Court’s fallibility and the American judicial system’s corruption. In order to convict someone in a criminal case, the jury must be beyond any ‘reasonable doubt,’ meaning that the evidence and the arguments presented clearly show the accused’s guilt. In Davis’ s case, this is a subject that has often been questioned, since the Supreme Court was not, in fact, beyond any reasonable doubt. It is very clear: in a mess of recanted testimonies, utter lack of physical evidence, and finger-pointing among witnesses developed throughout the years, there is no way that any court could have been sure about Davis’s guilt. What is more, it is possible that one of the witnesses who testified against Davis Sylvester “Redd” Coles - could have been the actual murderer. As the years passed, more and more evidence was piled towards the convict’s innocence than his guilt. One major reason for doubt was the seven of nine witnesses who recently recanted their 1991 testimonies and evidence. This means that almost eighty percent of the arguments used in the 1991 trial have been revoked and are unusable and unreliable. Another hole in the prosecution’s arguments was the lack of physical and forensic evidence tying Davis to the murder, as well as the fact that the gun was never found. Without physical or DNA evidence, the case is based on witness testimonies and twenty-year-old memories that have since faded into confusion. In spite of all these reasonable doubts, however, the Supreme Court denied Davis’ request for a re-trial, and went ahead with the execution. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, every year an average of 50 people are sentenced to death and executed. Studies have shown, however, that one Death Row inmate is found to be wrongfully convicted for every seven that are executed – meaning that nearly 15 percent of the time, an innocent person is executed. The death penalty is final; there is no turning back. With such a fallibility rate, how can we ever be sure that we have the right person? Davis’s death serves as an example of America’s judicial inconsistency, and we cannot keep living with it - the death penalty must be abolished once and for all.

Painful journey towards death: Troy Davis’ legal process through the years August 1989 Mark MacPhail, police officer, is shot and killed. Troy Davis is blamed by Sylvester “Redd” Coles and is arrested.

1989

August 1991 Davis is convicted and sentenced to death in his trial.

July 17, 2007 First execution date. The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles grants Davis a 90-day stay of execution.

September 23, 2008 Second execution date. The Supreme Court issues a stay two hours before Davis was to be executed, allowing the Court to determine whether or not to hear the case.

October 27, 2008 Third execution date. The Georgia Court of Appeals puts a hold on the execution to consider a new federal petition with 140,000 signatures.

June 2010 Davis’s evidentiary hearing. Seven prosecution witnesses recant their testimony, some accusing the police of coercion in the case, and at least one confirming that Coles confessed to the shooting. The evidence was disregarded.

September 20, 2011 Davis’s clemency is denied by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles.

2011

September 21, 2011 At 11:08 ET, four hours after the appointed time, the Supreme Court refuses to grant a stay and Davis is executed by lethal injection.

10.27.2011

‘I believe that we just won!’

Photos courtesy of McDaniels Photography

Homecoming weekend soars above expectations MacKenzie Boyd staff writer

Kristen Wessinger staff writer

SENIORS SHOW OFF THEIR school spirit and cheer on the football team to victory with the entire student section behind them. Many students dressed up in costumes, such as army men, to help encourage the team. Aviator fans got rowdy in the last seconds of the game with a final score of 28- 25. Freshmen and seniors alike spent their homecoming night on the dance floor. The theme of homecoming 2011 was “Welcome to the Jungle,” which was well displayed through the animal-print dresses that many girls decided to wear. SHS color guard gave a dramatic finish to the third movement during their halftime performance with the band. The band’s performance theme was ‘Flight Time’. This was shown through the color guard’s flag color and flight attendant outfits. Homecoming queen, Gika Okonji, 12, and homecoming king, Otis Miller, 12, celebrate being crowned with a hug. Freshman prince and princess, Mark Hancher and Lauren Saxon, sophomore prince and princess, John Carroll and Rachel Klein, and junior prince and princess, Josh Hunter and Keely Buckley all stand close by to celebrate their victories as well. Okonji’s sister, Dumembi Okonji, was crowned SHS Homecoming queen in 2009.

10.27.2011

‘Fuel for the fire’: Kelsey King staff writer

his year SHS has changed their ways, allowing sophomores to begin filling up vacant parking spots. Sophomores who were receiving a license within a few months were allowed to apply to enter a lottery to receive a parking spot. Aj Biershwal, 12, had many frustrations regarding the process of obtaining a pass for a senior who had yet to earn her license. “I went to the office asking for a pass when I was still waiting to get my license and was told I couldn’t receive a spot until I had my license. When I asked about sophomores getting passes without licenses I was told that they were but seniors could not. I think it’s a warped double standard,” said Biershwal. Having later received her li-

cense and a spot, her frustrations were dismissed. “I ended up getting my spot without much trouble after I got my license but still I felt the same rule the sophomores had should have applied to upperclassmen first,” said Biershwal. Shaina Bahler, 12, shares similar frustrations. “Freshman and sophomores should ride the bus - we had to do it and so they should endure the torture as well,” said Bahler. With many views on this subject, upperclassmen have different opinions. “I definitely think upperclassmen should get first dibs, but if there are spots left over, why shouldn’t the underclassmen get them?” said Zoe Bochner, 11. Ms. Renee Hevia, assistant principal, wants to dismiss rumors regarding the sophomore’s

Sophomore parking spaces cause controversy, spark debate among upperclassmen

spots. “No sophomores are parking in the senior lot,” said Hevia. In response to why these lucky few were chosen Hevia adds that many had after school activi-

ties, and a few were just turning 16 relatively soon. Two teachers randomly drew names out of the 56 students that applied, and the sophomores chosen were notified.

“I am now looking forward to recieving

“It’s only a junior and senior thing because we worked our way up” Hailey Wagers

my parking pass next year.” Esther Kaplan

Hevia hopes to continue this privilege for a few lucky sophomores. She also wants to send a reminder to all students driving to review pages 31 and 32 in the student handbook.

“It is not fair to the juniors and seniors who ca n’t get spots ” Tamar a Goldner

12 Image by Kelsey King

asing future financial troubles away Earning, winning college scholarships made manageable Hailey Gilman staff writer

College is costly. There is no denying it. As if the tuition was not already enough, books, dorm furnishings, room, and board add several thousand dollars to the already large chunk of debt. But after hyperventilating and enduring several panic attacks, students and parents should be comforted by this fact: there is money out there. Students just need to know where, how, and when to look for it. Ideally, the time to apply is now. Seniors may breathe a brief sigh of relief upon finishing college applications, but must remember that scholarship applications have deadlines, too. These applications can be just as

tedious as college supplements and may occasionally require an essay or short answer. However, in some lucky cases, college essays may be reused or edited in order to fit a scholarship essay prompt. Students just need to be sure they are answering the question asked. Of course, before one may apply, they must determine where to find the right scholarship offers. School counselor Dr. Maria Sarasua advocates using Fastweb.com, College Board Scholarship search, US News Scholarship search, and notes, “I would Google scholarships.” But for students solely planning on using the internet as a scholarship source, proceed with

caution. Be wary of scams. Certain unscrupulous agencies may fool students and collect money from them using their information provided. Colleges themselves are generally a very reliable source of money, and often have a tendency to express this fact through email and snail-mailed leaflets. “The college counseling office at school is also a more valuable resource than people might realize, so it’s good to talk to them or even just to your guidance counselor and find out about other opportunities,” said Ellie Jordan, 12. Sarasua agrees and suggests using the guidance website. “Many local employers and

World population increases exponentially, set to reach 7 billion Britton Kemp staff writer

As we start to reach the end of October, the population clock bumps up and down, as it gets closer and closer to reaching seven billion, with Asia being the major contributor to this population. There are many factors to finding out how many people are living in the world. According to www.worldmeters.info, the population clock on their site will reach seven billion on Oct. 31. The mathematic equations used to calculate the population make it highly difficult to achieve accurate results. For example, the Worldmeters website states that their population clock has a higher population count than the “pop” clock on www.census.gov. That population difference happens to be by nearly 30 million people. When starting off the popula-

tion clock every day, they use pectancies range anywhere from an estimate population for each 32 years of age (Swaziland) to continent. Worldmeters uses esti- 83 year of age ( Japan), and to mates rounded by the hundred incorporate this into finding the thousandth count. world population estimate takes Then, statisticians apply the time, as there are 195 countries ratios needed to show increase in the world. and decrease values. One of those With the population clock ratios is births to deaths. The reaching seven billion in three ratio is 4 births to every 2 deaths. days, it is quite an amazing To keep this clock running thought to think that in 1999 we 24/7, the equations need to reached six billion, starting with be modified on a day-to-day an estimate of 200,000 in the basis, just to keep the statistics year 1 A.D. as accurate as possible. South Population spread America Oceania Although the North between continents America Asia population clock runs Continents Population Europe off estimated 4,157,300,000 Asia populations, Africa 1,030,400,000 each country Europe 738,600,000 has their own N. America 461,114,000 Africa life expectanS. America 390,700,000 cy average. 36,700,000 Australia Life exImage by Britton Kemp

organizations also have scholarship opportunities,” said Alex Knorr, 12. Though the process may seem daunting, SHS and its staff are ready and willing to help. “Students say ‘I’m having trouble writing or thinking of something. We can help them,” said Sarasua, “We also have a Career Center. Mrs. [Kaye]

Gaffney [Career Center aide] is there Thursday through Friday.” Applying for scholarships takes time, energy, and patience. But the reward far outweighs the effort and once the scholarship application period is over, students will feel the worth of their work, with much more manageable college fees.

11304 Montgomery Rd Cincinnati, OH 45249 Phone: 513-489-3937

100

Over contact lenses available for

! n e e w o l l a H

30% off

all Halloween contact lenses

Spookify your eyes!

Applicable for Halloween contact lenses only. Valid at Harper’s Point location. Expires 10.31.11.

10.27.2011 Final Eragon novel set to release on Nov. 8 - page 13

Stuart Lindle explores collage work page 14

Melissa Mendelson showcases artistic talent - page 14

this

month in

Choir concert exhibits SHS diversity Students perform variety of different songs from different cultures

‘Ides of March’ New film shot in Cincinnati

John Carroll staff writer

f one was looking for adventure and excitement, and a way to enrich one’s life in such a way that an exorbitant amount of fun would be had in the process of obtaining such enrichment, one would have been wise to attend the last choral concert on Thurs. Oct. 13. The concert started with a bang as the combined choirs sang the “Chorale Finale to the Ninth Symphony,” showing of their impeccable German in this triumphant piece, conducted by the choir director, Mr. Kenneth Holdt. Keeping it upbeat, they followed up with “Tshotsholoza,” a traditional South African song. Student choir teacher Mr. Wade Lacey was featured, rocking lead vocals. “Mr. Lacey is the coolest,” said Caroline Bresnahan, 12. Holdt and Mr. John Whapham, the assistant director and theatre director, accompanied on bongo and darbuka drums. After this, each of the indi-

a&e

vidual choirs sang their own songs. There was a combination of both singing and dancing in the program. Notable are the contributions of Emily Fry, 12 and Tess Plona, 12, in the creation of the choreography for the concert. Their aptitude for choreography was illustrated in such numbers as, “It’s Raining Men,” by the Weather Girls, performed by Select Women. The concert proceeded in order of classical, traditional music and leading up to more modern pieces. It was announced just before the finale (a rousing rendition of Katy Perry’s “Firework” performed by the Combined Choirs) that the choir department will be embarking on an epic voyage to Disney World next year, received by much excited murmuring from the crowd. After the show, a vibe of awe and contentment could be felt in the crowd, fully spent from watching the electric performance.

Lauren Altemuehle staff writer

Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography

MEGAN SHINDLER, 11, PERFORMS a speaking solo in “Ani Ma’amin.” The song is a traditional Israeli piece sung by victims of the Holocaust. Elliot Handkins, 11, and Jay Burgin, 11, also delivered spoken solos describing the historical and cultural significance of the song.

Last spring, Hollywood icon George Clooney came home to direct the political drama, “Ides of March”. According to an insider, his longtime desire was to shoot in his hometown of Cincinnati. Big name actors descended upon Cincinnati to shoot the movie, but it took more than these stars to put it together. 1,700 extras, or background performers, were used to make the movie come to life. “Over 25,000 people sent in applications to be background performers,” said Gregory Matusak, former casting assistant for Dare to Dream. “The opening scene of the movie showcased over 800 extras in a crowd scene at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.” Matusak worked with his boss to decide who was right to be a background performer in the movie. One extra who made the cut was Dan May of Montgomery, Ohio. “It was an interesting experience in general, but nothing outrageous happened,” said May about the shoot. “Most of the day was spent sitting around and talking with other extras.” Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright and Paul Giamatti were just some of the actors that had to live in Cincinnati for the month of shooting. Gosling stayed in a private home because his dog was not allowed in the hotel where the other cast members were staying. Many of those involved in the movie had interesting stories to tell about their experiences on set. “Jeffrey Wright confused me for Paul Giamatti on set one day. In his defense, we were both wearing the same hat and had a similar beard,” said Matusak. “I got a day off school and met George Clooney, even though I didn’t know who he was,” said Drew Altemuehle, another extra. “It was so cold; we got to go into a lady’s house for hot chocolate and cookies.”

Mythbusting: Peter Pan grounded Carmel Rechnitzer staff writer

Invisible ink: 18% A trip on a ship: 14% Beautiful schlopp: 16% An elephant up in a tree: 17%

stair to the sky: 13%

A stair to the sky 13%

Rechnitzer

Thinking as far and wide as one could dare: 22%

A summary of ‘Seussical’ in the Cat’s hat Image by Carmel

Peter panned and the Captain was not enough of a Hook! We are doing “Seussical the Musical” instead! Or so cried the rumor mongers. This however, is not the truth. The actual complications with “Peter Pan” were very different. SHS’s new insurance policy would not cover the theater if director Mr. John Whapham decided to use harnesses to fly the students. And so, our actors remain grounded while the production itself goes flying out the window in their stead. While Peter and his boys are now lost to us, hope is still here. Doctor Seuss has come to the rescue. Aves Theater has always prided itself on high quality shows, and now that Peter literally cannot rise above the rest, the decision has been made to switch the shows. After all, when the home of the Aviators cannot fly its actors, some eyebrows will be raised. “Seussical” is already raising hype throughout the cast, who are excited to think of all the places this show could go. However, the production is still plagued by some rumors, mainly as to the participation of Max Poff as Jojo, the smallest Who of all. The reason Poff was invited to participate in the show is quite simple. The part of Jojo is written for a boy with an unchanged voice, so none of the current theater men could perform the role.

Poff masterfully performed the role over the summer during a theatre camp directed by Whapham, and he is familiar and comfortable with the role. Finally, for those wondering, "Suessical's" plot is a mixture of "Horton Hears A Who" and "The Cat in the Hat" by Doctor Seuss, with several appearances by other beloved characters from his books. As to how the two stories combine, the Cat in the Hat said that "I simply move the show along, I connect the scenes and sing my song." While Cat takes a background narrative role, Horton the Elephant is the lead. Horton himself spends the show protecting the tiny Whoville, a city so small that it sits on a dust speck. "I just had to save them, because after all, a person's a person, no matter how small," said Horton. Even though he is pursued by the wild Wickersham brothers and put to trial for protecting Whoville, Horton remains loyal to the Whos. "I said what I meant, and I meant what I said, an Elephant's faithful a hundred percent,” said Horton. Horton and the Whos manage to prove their existence, and at the end of the play, all is well, and the Cat returns for the closing number. While the plot can be dismissed as silly, the show is definitely enjoyable. “Seussical the Musical” opens Nov. 11. Tickets will be sold at lunch the week of Nov. 6.

‘Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!’

10.27.2011

No help needed for ‘The Help’ Mike’s Movie meets, surpasses audience expectations Alma Rechnitzer staff writer

The film had several strong aspects. The costumes and set were beautiful and accurate; he Help” written by Kathryn Stock- they depicted the 1960s and were a helpful ett, is the story of African-American and captivating visual aid for the audience. housemaids in 1962 Jackson, Missis"My favorite aspect is that it was surprissippi risking their lives to have their ingly very funny and made me laugh a ton," voices heard with the help of a daring young said Jessica Hobart, 9. Characters had such white woman who hopes to be an author. distinct personalities and did some pretty This gripping book captivated readers and outrageous and hilarious things. It was hard was made into a film, which is currently not to laugh at all the twists of events. showing in theaters. Both the movie and the The casting for the movie was perfect. novel have "I love Emma Stone," gotten great said Charlotte reviews. Aguilar, 9. The book My favorite aspect is Stone played was over 500 Miss Skeeter, that it was surprisingly pages, but the white very funny and made each page woman who felt relevant worked me laugh a ton. to the story. closely Readers got with the to know the black characters and women to Jessica Hobart, 9 watch them help them grow. The speak out. relationships A fault portrayed in the novel were dynamic. Each of the movie was that it character's motives were well developed and went so quickly through understood. the plot, making the Mrs. Beth LeBlanc, an English teacher, message unclear at times. said that on a scale of one to ten, she would "I think the movie's mesrate the book a ten. However, when asked if sage was a little hazy," said boys would enjoy this novel, she replied, "Not Hobart. as much as other choices." Nonetheless, the movie "It's not something guys would go for," said was able to raise strong Andrew Leonard, 9, who has read the book. emotions among audiThe story is written from the perspective of ences. Aguilar said she several women. Guys might have a hard time cried "many times" while relating to the characters. watching the film. LeB-

lanc appreciated that the film was so similar to the novel. "They stayed true to the book," she said. Overall, The Help was beautifully crafted, both as a novel and as a film. The plot is suspenseful, emotional and thought provoking. If you are looking for a story that stays near your heart, pick up a copy of “The Help”.

Inside Look:

the characters of The Help Minny- A feisty and sassy maid who never holds her tongue, but has a big heart Aibileen- A maid. who is mother-like, caring, and wise. Image by Michael DeMaio

. Miss Skeeter- A white lady, fresh out of college and aspiring to be an author, who learns what it really means to stand up for what is right.

Music MENU

Mike DeMaio a&e chief

Rock and Roll might not be dead, but it does have some competition. Electronic music of all shapes and form is taking over all aspects of music today. Whether you listen to the smooth electronic mixes of James Blake, the hip hop and jazz inspired beats of musicians like “Madlib and Flying Lotus”, dance to “Booka Shade” or “Gang Gang Dance”, vibe to “Rattatat”, chill out to “Neon Indian or Washed Out”, even relive the eighties by getting funky to “Toro Y Moi”. Whatever your preference, there is something in the world of electronic music for everyone. The popularity of electronic music is majorly due to the level of availability of the software and instruments used to make it, the portability of these instruments, and the cool factor associated with making beats also greatly contributes to its predominance in the musical marketplace at this time. To start making music in this day and age all someone needs is laptop software and a midi keyboard. This kind of availability really makes music making an option for anyone. Also, with the recent influx in self-produced records and social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Sound Cloud, distributing music to a large eager audience is easier than ever. So get out their, start making and sharing your music today!

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Miss Hilly- A white socialite who is intolerant yet driven.

All students interested in participating in Battle of the Bands should check out the following dates and requirements:

Miss Celia- A white lady who just can't get it right. She is a little clueless, but well intentioned.

Nov. 2: Informational meeting

source: The Help

Band tryout criteria will be revealed Intermission act tryout criteria will be revealed

Image by Alma Rechnitzer

Nov. 8: Tryouts 10 minute video due

Bands must perform two cover songs Bands must perform one original song Intermission act tryouts

Dec. 16: Battle of the Bands

20% Student discount with coupon and valid ID.

Prizes: 1st $500 2nd $250 3rd $100 *Note: a majority of band members must be Sycamore students.

10.27.2011

Book here, era gone Final novel of Eragon series causes excitement, sadness among avid fans Rishi Choubey & opinion chief

Emma Rosen staff writer

espite the fact that it placed on the New York Times Children’s Books Best Seller list for 121 weeks and that it has sold millions of books worldwide, the Eragon series remains relatively unknown to many. For some, the Nov. 8 release of the final book, “Inheritance,” has been eagerly awaited—9 years after the first book was released. “Oh my God I love Eragon! Especially the part with the dragons,” said Izy Martin, 12. While the book may not be as well-known and well-liked as the Harry Potter series, it still has an extremely devoted fan-base across the U.S. and other countries as well. For them, the last book’s release means something. “I hope it is a great book. It better wrap up the series wellI’m expecting a lot after all this wait- it’ll be sweet,” said Alec Stamper, 12.

Plot summary

For those who do not know, the story revolves around Eragon, the protagonist, who one day discovers a mysterious blue stone, which happens to be one of the last dragon eggs in existence.

Later, after being chased from his hometown by servants of their tyrannical king, Eragon and his dragon set out on a quest to rebel against the evil king of the land, Galbatorix, to free innocent people from his grasp and conquer “evil.” Along his way, he and his dragon, Saphira, encounter numerous trials that test their will. They come across dwarves, elves, Shades, and hooded creatures called Ra’zac. Eragon and Saphira make many friends, including Arya, the elf and Brom, the storyteller.

History of book

Christopher Paolini, the author, first started writing the book “Eragon” at age 15. Within a span of two years, the book was published and available to the masses. “Eragon” was received warmly by fantasy book lovers of all ages. “[A] good series of books, well written with a lot of action,” said Alex Wright, 9. The first book came out in 2002; the second book, “Eldest,” came out in 2005; and the third book, “Brisingr,” in 2008. Many readers received a nasty surprise while reading the third book when it did not end as expected. Due to the growing length of the third book, “Brisingr,” Paolini made the decision to make the series four books long. Fans were disappointed when this happened. It was supposed to be a trilogy. “I’m so upset. I was little when the first book came out, I was seven. Then I waited for the next two only to feel ripped off when he decided there would be a fourth book,” said Hanna Goldman, 11. Disappointment aside, Goldman is still going to read the fourth book.

Review

Some critics of the Inheritance Cycle note that it has too much in common with “The Lord of the Rings” and “Star Wars.” They say that the plot is straight out of those series. “Common Sense Media” even goes as far as saying that the dialogue of “Eragon” is “longwinded [and] clichéd.” “The first book in the series wasn’t very good, and from the reviews I’ve read, the others aren’t any better. The author also has a serious case of an oversized ego,” said Clayton Hamre, 12. Despite the somewhat negative reception by book critics, “Eragon” has gathered an ardent fan-base who have keenly followed the series from the beginning. “I just think it’s cool that a teenager wrote these books, and they don’t suck,” said Ryan Rasulis, 12. Paolini’s writing style is spellbinding. He uses intense landscape descriptions and powerful metaphors to draw in readers. He embraces the “archetypal ingredients” of a fantasy book in his novels: a quest, a journey of experience, romance, revenge, betrayal, and a sword. All are included, and all are distinctly recognized. “The books were very interesting with a lot of sensory detail. They were so detailed it was almost like you were there in the story,” said Steven Wessinger, 9. For people like Wessinger, Nov. 8 will be an important day.

All images by Emma Rosen

Theories, thoughts on ‘Inheritance’

‘The Leaf’ staff’s predictions

Roran and Katrina’s son will probably be part of the new generation of dragon riders. I predict that Arya is the next rider. Saphira will give birth to another dragon, and there are more dragons that will play a role that neither Eragon or Galbatorix know about.

Rishi Choubey, 12

Kelcie Grega, 11

Personally, I think that the next rider is Arya. It’s pretty obvious when you look at the colors of the riders’ magic. My thoughts on who will be the next king are a long-shot; I think it will be Roran.

Emma Rosen, 12

I think that the new Rider will be Roran. There has got to be some connection between Eragon and Roran since they’re brothers.

Michael Saxon, 10

Arya is going to be the next rider, Galbatorix will be defeated, and Arya will be a third rider with Eragon and Murtagh.

Ethan May, 9

All about Christopher Paolini, author of Inheritance Cycle Paolini started writing “Eragon” at age 15. He says that he was inspired by the landscape of his home state, Montana. His family self-published it in 2002. It was discovered by the publishing company Alfred A. Knopf, and soon after was mass-marketed. Paolini was home-schooled, and graduated when he was 15, right before he started writing “Eragon.” He is currently on a book tour to promote “Inheritance.” Currently he is 27.

A full book review of “Inheritance” will be available online after Nov. 15. http://www.goaves.com

10.27.2011

Making prisma magic with Melissa Kelcie Grega associate editor

ver since she was very young, Melissa Mendelson, 11, has been passionate about art. Her desire for art, however, did not completely develop until she attended Scottsdale Artist Academy in Arizona one summer, where she learned the primary basics. “I can honestly say I would not be at the level I am without that exposure to different aspects of art,” said Mendelson. Mendelson uses a variety of different styles in media. Some of her favorites include watercolors, inks, and Prismacolor colored pencils. “I really like using my Prismacolor Colored Pencils. I can use them to blend colors and create a huge range of value, and they are really fun. They are also easy to control, which is a nice contrast to watercolors, which tend to be unforgiving and random,” said Mendelson. Mendelson favors wolves and other animals in her art, but she is beginning to become more interested in people, preferring males over females. She also enjoys creating fantasy pieces, another prominent subject in her work. Mendleson posts all her work on Deviant art, a website for artists to share their work. She is also open to comissions. All images by Melissa Mendelson

IN THE PICTURE ON the left Mendelson was inspired by the television show “Mr. Who.” RIGHT: pieces Mendelson sculpted for an auction supporting an organization called ‘Bricks Along the Journey’ that allows artists to donate their work in order to raise money for breast cancer research. The wolves, made out of Super Sculpey and acrylic paints, were super glued onto a brick along with some real moss. One wolf is offering the other a pink ribbon in a symbolic way of offering support to those who must suffer through breast cancer.

Cut, collage, create

Stuart Lindle, 12, explores mixed medium Shayna Siegel a&e chief

For the past four years, senior Stuart Lindle has dedicated a majority of his time to photography. “It’s a lot of work, but I think it’ll be worth it to further develop my photographic style and grow as an artist,” said Lindle. He is one of many distinctive artists in the AP Photography class who utilizes unique techniques. “I do a lot of collage work, blending traditional methods such as dark room with more experimental methods: Polaroid, drawing and painting,” said Lindle. He likes to manipulate his artwork in different types of ways. The images to the right are just two of his extraordinary collection. “I’m creating my own personal aesthetic,” said Lindle. In the image on the left, he combines photography with his own water color painting. The photo of the girl is a black and white silver gelatin print created in the darkroom. He then included his own painting to put

Photos by Stuart Lindle

on top of the picture.The image on the right is part of Stuart’s current work. “This piece of mine uses an underexposed background: rocks, and water, in combination with the central collage of these almost 70s era color photographs,” said Lindle.

A majority of his work this year incorporates nature and a discrete use of color. Lindle has a unique style that will give him advantage in his AP portfolio at the end of the year.

10.27.2011 Star cross-country runner addresses his road to redemption - page 17

Brothers discuss sentiments about sharing soccer field - page 18

Brothers JV boys,supply girls soccer sentiments end strong about seasons sharing on soccer high field notes- page page18 19

Girls place second in race for GMC glory Julia Mattis staff writer

he girls’ cross-country team competed in the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) League meet, held Saturday, Oct. 15 at Voice of America Park in West Chester. Samantha Siler, 11, placed an impressive third overall. Siler led the team with a time of 18:29. She was sidelined with mononucleosis this summer, but now it appears her comeback is complete as she recorded her best time of the season. “I have not felt tired like I used to in weeks and I am back. I am ready for the postseason,” said Siler. For seniors, this meet marked their Senior Day. “This was a great Senior Day. The underclassmen really made it special by supporting us. After we ran they gave us special gifts. It was a really special day,” said Amanda Frey, 12. The Varsity race at 10:30 a.m. had extremely windy conditions. Runners were running into 25 mile per hour winds. The winds made running harder, but the girls did not let it get to them. Siler was not the only runner on the team who dealt with adversity; the whole team had to overcome

Image by Danny Bayliss

IN THEIR FIRST MEET of the season, the Sunset Invitational, Alexis Corcoran, 10, Charlotte Harris, 12, and Laura Gonzalez, 11 (left to right) lead a pack of runners. Corcoran and Harris placed tenth and twelfth respectively at the GMC meet. Gonzalez transferred to Seven Hills High School in September.

Shocked: Lina Cardenas feature chief

Under new leadership, the girls’ water polo team has put in four long months of conditioning and skill work in order to obtain that coveted state title. Zoran Tseic, the new assistant coach from Serbia, prepared the girls for fast paced, high intensity water polo by assigning rigorous swim sets and drills. Alexis Blaxberg, head coach and former player, has also worked hard to get the girls’ skill level up to par with that of the top teams in the state. Unfortunately, the girls fell one game short of reaching the State tournament. “We were tied at halftime and ended up falling short, but our

Girls’ waterpolo falls just short of state Boys honor injured leader on Senior Night

team worked so hard and gave it our best. It was heart wrenching knowing I would never play again with these girls,” said Liz Bitzer, 12. The girls played Milford, a team they have been eager to beat since the beginning of the season. Unfortunately, they fell to the Eagles 18-20, marking the end of their season. For the seniors, it was a bitter end to their careers. For the underclassmen, it added to their desire to become a better team next year. “Although we will be a young team [the girls will have only three seniors], knowing we were so close to beating Milford and going to state will definitely be good motivation for next year,” said

Morgan Grzegorzewski, 10. For the boys, the 2011 season marked one of the most successful seasons thus far. Although they too fell short of a State appearance, the boys made tremendous improvements, beating several top teams in the state for the first time in their careers. “Finishing with a winning record and beating teams we haven’t beaten in a while made it a great way to end my high school water polo career,” said Zim Zimmer, 12. Zimmer underwent surgery to treat his Scoliosis this past summer, and was unable to play in the 2011 season. However, as a special way to honor him, Zimmer was able to swim off and make the first pass on Senior Night.

GMC showdown: Mason High School Mason Comets Coach: Brian Castner

Record: 6-2 (4-1)* *as of press time

7:30 p.m. Previous meeting (2010):

Sycamore W 27-24 (OT)

“Getting in on Senior Night meant so much to me, especially having all the support of my friends and teammates,” said Zimmer. Although he was not able to play, Zimmer travelled with the team to all their tournaments. At Regionals, the boys lost against Upper Arlington in a close game, ending their season. Both Drew Hugenburg, 12, and Erin Glass, 10, were awarded First Team All Regional, and were key contributors for their respective teams. The 2011 season will go down as a successful one for both the men’s and women’s teams, each accomplishing tremendous feats in the program’s history.

Editor predictions:

at @

setbacks throughout the season. Siler’s mono left the team without their number one runner at full strength. The number three runner, Laura Gonzalez, 11, transferred in early September. Fortunately the freshmen came through. Rosie Menyhert, 9, logged the fastest time in many of their meets and gave Siler serious competition for the top spot. Abby Belcher, 9, also proved herself as a Varsity runner with several strong performances. The girls pushed through and placed second in the GMC. Mason, the top GMC team, is ranked number two in the state. Alexis Corcoran, 10, placed second on the team and tenth overall with a time of 19:41. She was closely followed by Menyhert, who placed eleventh overall with a time of 19:42, and Charlotte Harris, 12 who placed twelfth. Leading the Junior Varsity team to their second place finish, behind a deep Mason JV team, was Wendy Lu, 10. “Every girl really did a great job fighting to move up every possible place. It was a total team effort and should prepare us well heading into post-season,” said Steve Nestor, girls’ cross country coach.

Sycamore Aviators Coach: Scott Dattilo Record: 7-1 (4-1)*

helmets by ohiohelmetproject.com

Check out our section in November’s issue of The Leaf for special features on: Varsity girls’ golf and their historic run to state, and Varsity football’s quest for the playoffs.

Bayliss: It is the final week of the regular season, and SHS has everything to play for. Along with playoff seeding at stake, they definitely do not want to lose to Mason. Both the Black Hole and the Ave Cave will be rocking, and tempers will be flaring on the field. It is the team that keeps its cool and makes the most plays that wins. SHS is better, and it should show in this rivalry game. SHS 34-28 Kaplan: In a game that could possibly determine if SHS makes the playoffs or not, all of the statistics and records can be ignored. SHS is hungry for the playoffs. SHS 27-10

Danny Bayliss sports chief

SHS and Muhammad Ali. No, there isn’t a primary connection, but after reading this you’ll think there was. I’m not here to focus on boxing. I’m here to focus on a rivalry. The Rivalry. It’s not Sox-Yanks, but the hatred is still there. Kevin Youkilis knows this all too well. Youk hates all things New York Yankees. But just like Youk, an alumni of SHS, loathes the Blue and White now, he used to feel the same about the Green and White. I’m talking about Mason, whose mere mention in this column makes me gag. Green and White (G & W) is to Mason as “He-Who-Must-NotBe-Named” is to Voldemort. You don’t want to say that to a coach or an athlete, unless you like a death stare. They are our GMC rival, but they are also our Ohio State-Michigan. You don’t need pump up speeches when you play the G & W. Spoiling their fun is all you want. This is one time where you cherish the Wet Blanket role. It’s fine as long as the G & W are on the wrong side of the scoreboard. It’s that sick, twisted guilty pleasure you get from another man’s pain. “Beat Mason” rings out year round, no matter the scheduled foe. Last week I said that games like SHS vs. Middletown warrant t-shirts. Green and Gold vs. Green and White games are much more. Vomit Comet bashing cannot be radical enough. That, my Green and Gold groupies, is why we have the Battle of the Skies. You want tangible proof for our Week 10 victory? You got it. The mounted trophy is not just a token of achievement, but a voice that shouts dominance, and a spirit that awakens egos. Like I said, this matchup, The Matchup, provides its own hype. But if you really are looking for something to get you revved up, I’ll refer you back to Ali. The G.O.A.T once said, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Your hands can’t hit what your eyes can’t see.” In essence, if you move fast enough, you can’t be taken down. So how, you ask, does this apply to The Rivalry? Well, Comets may move fast, but they’re straight-line projectiles. Aviators maneuver throughout the air with supreme velocity and agility. They do possess the ability to pick their targets. So as we’ve now learned, an Aviator can hit a Comet, but a Comet can’t hit an Aviator. Not in the air, and not on the field.

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

Kruger, Southard, swing through state

Senior saves best season for last Nakul Narendran staff writer

Bennett Kaplan sports chief

oach Michael Teets led the SHS Girls’ Varsity Gold tennis team to a winning season, and two of his girls participated in the state competition on Oct. 21 and 22. SHS was represented at state by Sophia Southard, 11, and Sammi Kruger, 12. Southard and Kruger, as a doubles team, placed third at districts, and helped lead the team to a regular season record of 13-6. They placed third in the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) standings, behind Mason and Lakota West. While Kruger played the best tennis she has played in her four years this season, she attributes much of her success to her relationship with her teammates, Elina Panteleyeva, 10, Grace Kays, 10, Jamie Pescovitz, 9, Nanki Hura, 11, Riley Miller, 12, and Southard. “This season has been my best yet,” said Kruger. “Not just because I have played my best tennis, but because my teammates became like family to me and I love them all.” Coach Teets helped coach the girls to finish second in the GMC tournament “This season was a great one. We all became extremely close and we also did really well this

PRO

sports KAPITOL Remembering Carl Lindner Bennett Kaplan sports chief

Photo courtesy of McDaniels Photography

Nanki Hura, 11, returns a shot in a mid-season match. Hura, along with the rest of the Varsity girls tennis team, worked for months to attain a winning record of 13-6. Sammi Kruger, 12, along with Sophia Southard, 11, represented SHS at the state match, and results were not final as of press time.

year,” said Southard. In order for a team to be successful, they need to get along well. Part of the success of the team can be attributed to team chemistry. “This year [the team chemistry] was awesome. We all got along and knew each other really well,” said Miller. Tennis competition often involves long trips to and from competition, so teams will often have to spend long hours traveling with together, as well as eat many meals with their teammates. “I think we all memorized each other’s bagel and Subway orders by the end of the year,” said Miller.

All of the girls became close on and off the court. This not only helped them on the tennis court as a team, but it helped them cement themselves into a close and happy group of friends. Overall, the girls had one of their most successful seasons in several years. “Our season was a blast. We had a winning record and all of the matches that we lost, we came close. This shows how much we progressed as a team. I know coach was really proud of how we improved and the way we carried ourselves. I’m definitely going to miss my team,” said Miller.

CON Joseph Ahn staff writer

Lila Englander staff writer

Many students groan at any mention of waking up early. However, morning conditioning is often not as bad as it seems. Tennis, water polo, and cross country are a few of the sports that have morning practices or conditioning. “I do not particularly enjoy getting up early, but after working out, my mind is ready to go for the day,” said Abby Miller, 9. After intense exercise and showering, it makes sense that students who participate in morning workouts would be more awake in school than those who roll out of bed and onto the bus. Students who practice in the morning need more energy and therefore eat a bigger breakfast than students who wake up ten minutes before the bus comes. A bigger breakfast means better performance in school. “Morning practice gives swimmers an advantage and allows them to focus on water polo skills during after school practice,” said Joe Moreno, 9. For many sports teams, morning conditioning replaces after school practice. This allows students to go straight home after school and do their homework while it is fresh in their mind. It also gives students more time for other activities. “Working out before school makes the whole day better. I feel alert and I have extra time after school for homework,” said Miller. For sports like tennis, morning conditioning is conducted in the off-season to keep players in shape. Most students would admit that if they did not attend morning conditioning, they would not do exercises on their own time. Often forgotten is that coaches are volunteers, with jobs, families, and hobbies. Coaches often do not work at SHS meaning morning practices are more convenient. Coaches prefer morning conditioning because it leaves the rest of their day uninterrupted by practices. Although students will continue to angrily complain at the ringing sound of their alarm clock, they should try to be mindful of the benefits that come with morning conditioning.

10.27.2011

After working out, my mind is ready to go for the day. Abby Miller, 9 For more coverage, visit

http://www.goaves.com/

It is a pain for my parents to get up and drive me to school. Anna Garett, 9

There are also some negative effects of morning conditioning. Students say that they feel extremely tired and zoned out throughout the day. This takes away from the level of their academic performance. Sports conditioning in the mornings leads to sleep deprivation, which causes the brain’s ability to function to swiftly degrade. A person’s ability to concentrate is impaired. Lack of sleep can also cause stress, which can be increased with even the simplest of daily tasks. Lack of sleep also increases the risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts or even cancer. “You are awake for most of the conditioning but during school you feel like you’re going to fall asleep. It’s hard to concentrate,” said Mark Hancher, 9, member of the boys Varsity water polo team. Athletes also say that parents are sometimes frustrated by the fact that they must drive their child to school so early in the morning. “It is a pain for my parents to get up and drive me to school,” said Anna Garett, 9, cross country runner. Another sport that holds morning conditionings is tennis. Boys have conditioning every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 a.m. in the Gregory Center. “I have to wake up at five in the morning, and so my parents wake up then too,” said Jonathan Jih, 10, tennis player.

Quick Hits: Girls golf goes to state

After the most successful season in program history, the SHS girls golf team set off for the state tournament on Oct. 20. “2011 will be a successful season for us no matter what happens this weekend. We’ve won the GMC title (first time ever), qualified for state (first time since 1994) and won multiple tournaments,” said Coach Keith Brackenridge, prior to the state competition. As of press time, the four girls have shot a cumulative score of 327 in the first round, tying them for third place with Ursuline Academy.

Girls volleyball season comes to close The fall season is coming to a close for the freshman, JV, and Varsity volleyball teams. The varsity finished off the season with a record of 9-12. With their conference record of 5-4, they placed a solid fifth place in the Greater Miami Conference. Six seniors will be moving on from SHS- Erin Wahler, Megan Stoy, Courtney Robertson, Christine Mulvaney, Kristina Bartlett, and Annie Blood.

“As a group, they are very committed and overall are great people that make the world a better place,” said Mr. Greg Ulland, head coach.

The city of Cincinnati lost an icon. Carl H. Lindner was a visionary, and entrepreneur, and most of all, a philanthropist. His contributions to the city of Cincinnati are numerous, and his impact on the city that he called home for 92 years will be felt long after his death. While many associate him with his tenure as the owner of the Reds, Lindner should be most remembered for his charitable contributions to the Greater Cincinnati community. His list of charitable acts are numerous. Whether you are referring to his attempts to better the neighborhoods of Cincinnati, or start up private schools such as CHCA, Lindner gave back to a community that gave him so much. Lindner is a true representation of how far the American dream can take somebody, for at age 14 Lindner expanded his family dairy business into what would eventually become United Dairy Farmers, one of the largest dairy chains in the Midwest, with over 190 locations. Lindner made his name on the brand, and eventually became one of the richest men in the world. You, however, would not be reading this in the sports section if we did not talk about Lindner’s multiple contributions to sports in Cincinnati. After Marge Schott relinquished control of the Reds, Lindner immediately became concerned about the security of the Reds staying in Cincinnati. Lindner purchased the team with the city of Cincinnati in mind, and although Lindner was not a baseball expert, he cared about the city and knew that the Reds were an important part of this city. Although the Reds were unsuccessful during his tenure as owner, Lindner was embraced by fans and was missed after he sold the team in 2006. Lindner also popularized the yearly ATP event that takes place at Lindner’s self-named tennis facility, bringing thousands of people to Cincinnati every summer to watch high quality tennis. Lindner is the richest man to ever live in the city of Cincinnati, and while he was here he used his wealth to benefit others. Through thousands of charitable acts, Lindner truly changed many lives for the better and left Cincinnati a better place because of it. While he is no longer with us, he will be survived by his many tributes around the city, including but not limited to the Lindner Center of Hope and the Linder Family Tennis Center. Albert Einstein once said that “Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation.” Although Lindner is gone, his impact will be felt for years to come. Linder will be missed, but certainly not forgotten. For comments on this column, please write to WritetoTheLeaf@gmail.com

10.27.2011

‘Everyone is different, and you have to figure out who you are and what you can do. But if you’re not pushing yourself, you’re not trying’

Meller, 12, rises above the rest Rishi Choubey opinion chief

Bennett Kaplan sports chief

“Artur answered quickly and correctly, then continued his nap as the entirety of the class oming into his senior year, Artur erupted into laughter out of pure shock.” Meller, 12, was expecting to find a Teachers seem to feel the same way about starting position on the Varsity socMeller, too. Gutekunst, who just so happens cer team. He had played soccer his to be the AP Physics teacher, sees Meller entire life—he assumed that he would be a from two sides, as an athlete and as a student. starter. “He listens well, is competitive, is not afraid But when the results from tryouts came to work hard, and he wants to succeed,” said around, Meller’s name was not on the list. Gutekunst. “I thought I did well at try-outs. I came in When asked why he chose to run cross thinking I would make the team, but I didn’t. country instead of pouting over soccer, and I made Varsity as a junior, and I was comwhy he participates in numerous school repeting for a center-mid position with some lated activities, includpretty good players.” ing Model U.N., Mock “But I missed the Trial, Debate Club, summer workouts due You need to be focused, Science Fair, Science to a biomedical enhave drive, and be ready Club, Physics Book gineering program at Club, Math Club, all to work harder, longer, UC that I participated on top of the most in, and I believe that is and be capable of elimirigorous course load why I didn’t make the imaginable by taking as nating your distractions. team,” said Meller. many AP classes as he Soon after school Artur Meller, 12 can, Meller claims his began, though, Meller motivation and work started to feel like ethic are key. something was miss“One thing I’ve aling. ways told myself is you just have to get things “The first day of school, when we got out done. You don’t have a choice, you need to at 2:30, I came home and felt like something be focused, have drive, and be ready to work was wrong. I needed to do something with all harder, longer, and be capable of eliminating of my extra time.” your distractions.” “The next day I went to Coach G. and

signed up for cross country. He told me he had been trying to get me on the team, and that he was happy to let me sign up late,” said Meller. Shortly after joining the team and easing his way into the arduous daily practices, Meller quickly established himself as one of the best runners on the team, second on the Varsity roster behind only Tallin Forshey, 11, as a rookie. “Soccer is essentially cross country with a ball,” said Meller. He believes soccer prepared him to succeed at cross country. He says he spent years running up and down soccer fields, and he considers that experience to be one of the key factors in his cross country success. “At the end of the day, what you are doing is running. Coach G. did a good job easing me in, but after two weeks I was running the traditional seven miles, and I felt it was a very natural transition.” “Coach G,” also known as Mr. Mike Gutekunst, Cross Country Coach, agrees with Meller. “Artur is built for running—he has a quick turnover (he takes about three strides each second), he doesn’t bounce much as he runs so that most of his motion is directed forward.” “And he has a great mix of speed and endurance from his years playing soccer.” Meller’s academic quiz team teammates feel the same way. “I remember this one quiz team match last year; it was the final round, and Artur honestly answered six straight questions before the prompter completed the questions. He was so fast,” said Vibhor Kumar, 12, a friend of Meller and an academic quiz team participant. “The other team started laughing too since they knew the match was over.” Cross country and quiz team aside, Meller’s success seemingly persists off the field, outside a quiz team match, and into the classroom as well. Classmates of Meller feel as though no matter what he attempts, no matter what situation or task, he always seems to rise to the occasion. “Artur was sitting in the front row and had fallen asleep during a discussion about some short story. Mr. Breen Reardon, English teacher, trying to catch him off guard, asked him what the theme was,” said Alec Hershey, 12, a friend of Meller and a fellow classmate.

Drive, quiz team, extracurriculars

While some may not consider quiz team a sport, the GMC states that it is. Every school in the GMC is required to have one, and Meller has been one of SHS’s top performers since his freshman year. As team captain, and after winning the GMC with an undefeated record last season, Meller claims the team’s goal is to be more competitive at the state level, and possibly win the state championship. “Our team looks very solid this year, and we should place top four in the state,” said Meller. “We should be able to compete with the best teams. I practice an hour every day to stay on top of my game.” Last season, Meller was individually ranked seventh in the state of Ohio, which is consistently one of the most competitive states in the country when it comes to quiz team. As one of the top runners and academic quiz team members, as well as a top student and member of numerous activities, Meller has a lot to balance, but somehow manages to be successful on both ends of the “sportsacademic” spectrum. When asked if there is a secret to navigating high school, Meller is quick to point out that no such thing exists. “The route I’m taking is only one road. It depends on the individual. I’ve tried to do everything. Maybe some people want to have more free time, or more room for recreational activities. Everyone is different, and you have to figure out who you are and what you can do. But if you’re not pushing yourself, you’re not trying,” said Meller.

Photo courtesy of Artur Meller

LEFT TO RIGHT: MELLER, Annirudha Vaddadi, 12, Shawn Krishnan, 12, and Soham Agarwal, 11, pose at a quiz team tournament in Centerville, OH. SHS came in ranked fourth but placed second out of 20 teams.

Photo courtesy of McDaniels Photography

Meller has established himself as one of SHS’s top students athletically and academically. He placed top ten in the state last season on academic quiz team, and in his first season running cross country, has become one of the fastest runners, right behind Tallin Forshey, 11.

SHS top cross country times this season

Runner

Tallin Forshey Artur Meller Cory Chisholm Jacob Belcher Ben Wulker Paul Salach Ryan Rasulis Jack Busch Ryan Hall Nick Frankowski Alex Winchell Nick Hershey Jonathan Seger John Eifert Ricky Orellana

Time 16:18 16:42 16:47 16:52 17:13 17:26 17:30 17:50 17:56 18:04 18:10 18:12 18:16 18:20 18:33

Location Milford GMC GMC GMC GMC Milford Milford GMC GMC GMC Mason GMC Kings Milford Milford

10.27.2011

‘I’m not considered just a little brother anymore. I’m a teammate and a friend’

My brother’s (goal) keeper Danny Bayliss sports chief

Lina Cardenas feature chief

hey say Philadelphia is the center of “Brotherly Love.” This may be true, but the Varsity soccer team is giving the city a run for its money. Coach Scott Sievering has not one, not two, but three pairs of brothers at his disposal. The eldest brothers of the Bieggers, the Byers, and the Sorgers are two years older than their respective siblings. While age may separate the brothers, it is the only thing that does so. “We’ve bonded. It’s been a great experience actually,” said David Sorger, 10. Prior to the season, the younger brother trio had not made the varsity team. To secure spots on the team, the Byers bunch used their relationship to their advantage. “We tried to make each other look good during try-outs. The best part about having my brother on the team is that he can drive me places, and he pushes me to try harder during practices,” said Charlie Byers, 9. Brotherhood is not always perfect. While Charlie enjoys the carpooling situation, Eric Byers, 11 feels differently. “The worst part about having my brother on the team is I have to drive him everywhere,” said Eric. Difference of opinion among siblings is not unusual by any

Rishi Choubey opinion chief

means, but the brothers want it to be known that playing together is definitely a positive. “It’s fun, and kind of weird. The interesting part about it would be the fact that I’m getting to learn more about him on the field,” said Eric. Eric’s excitement also caused Charlie to reminisce. “It’s the first time we’ve really played soccer with each other since we were really young,” said Charlie. But it is not all fun and games on the field. There is definitely a sense of responsibility, and T.J. Biegger, 12 understands that. “I feel more responsible for Jake now that we play together. I feel like it’s my fault if Jake lets a goal in. I make sure Jake’s always on time and ready to go,” said T.J. Jake Biegger, 10, who is the backup goalkeeper, knows that while T.J. will monitor his progress, Jake’s special service to the team demands a different skill set than his older brother’s. What T.J. has helped Jake with is the transition from Junior Varsity to Varsity. “We’re at different positions, so I don’t feel pressured to live up to T.J.’s personal expectations. It was definitely easy to come up to Varsity though. I have a better bond with the rest of the seniors [introduced to me by T.J.] and I’m not considered just a little brother anymore. I’m a teammate and a

friend to them as well,” said Jake. “The difference between Junior Varsity and Varsity is incredible. [Varsity] is more high-paced and intense. It’s a different game on the field than it is from in the stands.” David, too, has had relationships with the older teammates. They have also helped him get used to the physicality and game speed of Varsity soccer. “It’s fun. I’ve always been close with all of those guys. I found out pretty fast that Varsity was a lot different. It’s a lot faster and the players are much bigger. It’s not intimidating, but you have to get used to it quickly,” said David. The siblings are hoping their bonds will drive them to postseason success, similar to the glory of last year. The brothers who were on that “dream team” know how it felt, and hope to duplicate that run. “There’s more pressure this year because of last year. We came together at the right time and I think we can live up to it,” said Jacob. The season is already coming to a close, and this is the last go-round for the seniors. Their advice to their younger siblings is to “enjoy it while it’s there.” “I’ll be sad when it’s over,” said David. Brotherhood is definitely a component of SHS’ success, and whenever the Bieggers, Byers, or Sorgers have that drowning feeling, they must remember one thing: blood is thicker than water.

Image by Danny Bayliss

EXERTING ALL OF HIS strength, Charlie Byers, 9, (24) delivers a lead pass to David Sorger, 10. With this being the first year both have been on Varsity, they look to their brothers for support. When asked how he felt about playing with his brother Jacob Sorger, 12, David said, “We’ve bonded. It’s been a great experience, actually.”

What do you know about your bro?

David Sorger, 10, on Jacob Sorger, 12

Jake Biegger, 10, on T.J. Biegger, 12

Favorite type of food:

Favorite music artist or group:

Chicken answer: ribs

Lady Gaga answer: Kid Cudi

Favorite sport to play besides soccer: Football answer: Basketball

Pregame: sits in his room and ignores everyone Postgame: eat answer: eat before and after every game

20%

Jacob Sorger, 12, on David Sorger, 10 Favorite type of food:

Taylor Swift answer: Eminem

Favorite soccer team:

Same compression shorts answer: Constantly have to check if I have everything ready leading up to each game

40% T.J. Biegger, 12, on Jake Biegger, 10

Favorite type of food:

Favorite music artist or group:

Basketball

Pizza

Steak answer: spaghetti with meatballs

Prepares himself mentally to sit on the bench answer: Pregame: check to make sure I have everything like ten times Postgame: eat

20%

Lil Wayne

Favorite soccer team:

Manchester United

Favorite sport to play besides soccer: Basketball

Pre/Postgame superstition:

X Listen to music answer: take advil

80% Eric Byers, 11, on Charlie Byers, 9 Favorite type of food:

X Ice Cream

answer: Cheeseburger

Favorite soccer team:

Basketball

Pre/Postgame superstition:

Has to eat a Cliff Bar or at least bring one to the game answer: Wear same socks and straps for each game

60%

Images by Rishi Choubey

Favorite music artist or group:

Favorite soccer team: Favorite sport to play besides soccer:

Basketball

Favorite music artist or group:

or Yo Yo Ma X Slayer answer: Lil Wayne

Favorite sport to play besides soccer: Pre/Postgame superstition:

Dewey’s Pizza

Kid Cudi answer: Eminem

Manchester United

Real Madrid answer: Columbus Crew

Favorite type of food:

Favorite sport to play besides soccer: Pre/Postgame superstition:

Pre/Postgame superstition:

Columbus Crew answer: FC Barcelona

Columbus Crew

Lil Wayne

Favorite soccer team:

Steak answer: nachos

Charlie Byers, 9, on Eric Byers, 11

FC Barcelona

Favorite sport to play besides soccer:

Tetherball answer: Football

Pre/Postgame superstition:

socks with tape X Decorate answer: Listen to music. After the game I get very mad the rest of the day if I had a bad game

20%

And the winner is... Charlie Byers!

10.27.2011

JV soccer ceases season Allie Oh staff writer &

Michael Saxon staff writer

t the beginning of the year, the boys and girls JV soccer teams began in hopes to have a tremendous season. Now that the season has come to an end, both teams are proud

Varsity soccer’s post-season schedule, visit http://www. sycamoresoccer.com.

Girls get it done

”That’s a wrap!” The JV girls soccer team ended their season on Sat, of Oct. 15 with a win against Anderson High School with a score of 2-0. Goals were scored by Katie Oh, 9. that they lived up to their expectations. With a final record of 8-3-4, the team is satisfied with Boys bundle up wins their results. After months of conditioning, training, and matches, “I am happy with our record this year. I think we the boys JV soccer season has finally come to an end. could’ve won the games we tied though,” said MelaBefore the team’s final game against Hamilton High nie Klyop, 10. School, there was somewhat of uneasiness in the air. “I am proud of the team’s The players knew that this would effort. They definitely be the last time they would be deserved their wins,” said together, at least in a while. Norman Snead, a girls’ I am proud of the “I think we’re still really good soccer trainer. team’s effort. They friends even if the season is over. The team was sad We’re almost like a family,” said definitely deserved to say their goodbyes Mitch Hill, 10. after such a great season their wins. The team defeated Hamilton with each other. High School 2-0. This puts them “I am really going to miss this Norman Snead, at a record of 11-2-2. team. We have gone through so “Our record isn’t as good begirls’ soccer trainer much together,” said Michaella cause we didn’t meet our expectaKeyes, 10. tion of going undefeated, but I “This team has become a family still think it was a magical season over the time that we have been together. I am going to in the end,” said Hill. miss this family,” said Stephanie Adamec, 11. During the win, Brian Cleary, 10, scored both goals Even though the team was unhappy to leave each other, for SHS. they are looking forward to next years’ season. Britton “It felt really good scoring those goals. It was just Conley, soccer coach, will be returning as the JV coach a great way to end the JV season for myself and the next year as well as Norman Snead returning as the team,” said Cleary. trainer. Eddie Rivin, 10, was added to the Varsity roster for “I was honored to have the chance to coach these girls. I the upcoming post-season tournament. Rivin scored am expecting next year to be just as good,” said Conley. 14 goals this season and broke the JV points record. “It feels great to move up. Now I get a chance to get to prove that I can help the program on the Varsity Additional articles level,” said Rivin. on JV soccer For the team, it was a season of highs and lows, but for many it can be described as unforgettable. http://www.goaves.com For more information on JV soccer and to see

Images by Michael Saxon

JV SOCCER PLAYERS David Thang, 10, and Chelsey Wade, 11, control a ball. Both teams finished the season with very impressive records and a combined total of 19 wins. The future for boys and girls soccer is looking very bright.

all-ing into new season

irst sports session comes to a close

Ryan Wessinger staff writer

When fall ends and winter takes its place, the men’s golf team, water polo team, and soccer team reflect, remembering the good and the bad. The Men’s Varsity Golf team finished strong with one district qualifier. The team competed in many tournaments, invitational’s, and matches. “We are a young team and will only get better. The freshman stepped up and really impressed me. Overall, I would say the year was a building block for the great team we will be next year,” said Jake Lampe, 11. Macalister Auciello, 11, finished with a seasonal average of 42.70 for 9 holes, Zach Jones, 12, with an average of 42.60, Lampe finished the year with a 43.60, Mark Reinhart, 10, averaged a 43.90, and Charles Heldman with a 44.00 seasonal average. The JV team had a great year, and had two freshman move to varsity, Ryan Wessinger, 9, and Sam Fredette, 9. “I had a positive experience, and next year I will hopefully be on varsity full time,” said Fredette The soccer team is not done yet, but they are wrapping up their season. As of Oct. 13, the boys record is 8-3-4 overall and 6-1-2 in their conference. “The year has been a huge success, we had a freshman make the team, Charlie Byers,

9, and we are third in our division. Hopefully we can make it to regionals again,” said captain Michael Bemmes, 12. The JVB soccer team finished with a positive record at 8-2-1. The team was led by sophomores Ian Geverdt, 10, Bobby Rahe, 10, and Nimit Desai, 10. “I was glad to part of such a great program and had a lot of fun,” said Devin Galinari, 9. The Men’s water polo team was led by seniors, Zim Zimmer, 12, Drew Hugenburg, 12, Mike Richter, 12, and Andrew Callaway, 12. Also, for the first time in SHS history, a freshman, Mark Hancher, 9, made varsity. Head coach Nicholas Hellwig, has returned to his 3rd year as head coach for the Varsity boys’ water polo team. Alexis Blasberg and Kam Keeling are each returning for their second year as coaches for water polo.

Zach Jones, 12, on Varsity golf What was your favorite memory of your high school golf career? My favorite moment had to be during my sophomore year. We made Districts and Sectionals. I shot an 83 at Sectionals and we tied at 317 with Loveland. How was your personal season? As statistics show, it wasn’t as successful as it should be, but I thought it was still a decent season. My ball striking and short game really improved from last year. What’s your next step for golf? My dream is to walk-on at Ohio State. It will be difficult, and it will take a lot of work over summer. My swing coach knows people at Marshall and Evansville, and I just got a full-ride scholarship to Transylvania University, a Division-III school. They were in the top-15 in the nation last year. So I definitely have options. What Varsity player did you see improve this year? I’m really just proud of all of them. They all improved a lot this year. What past or present person has been a role model and an inspiration to you? Matt Nickol, ’11 and Nick Capozzoli, ’10 were basically my mentors. I met them my sophomore year, and I can safely say that I wouldn’t be as good as I am today without them. How did it feel being the only senior on Varsity A? I knew I’d be the only one. I knew I’d have to take a leadership role. We’ve had good leaders in the past. I definitely gained leadership skills from Matt and Nick. It definitely helped me become a better leader.

10.27.2011

Jammin’, struttin’ with Jutten

Aditi Sharma managing editor

What are your hobbies? Guitar is my life, I love my music, and I also like to take things apart and build things.

What is your top college choice? My top school would definitely be OSU. I loved the campus during my visit, the city feeling, the classes, everything. I would like to go into an engineering field.

Which celebrity or famous person would you like to have dinner with? I kind of have an obsession with candy, so I would love to have dinner with Willy Wonka at his Chocolate Factory. What is your favorite TV show? South Park because it is about little kids who go on crazy, unrealistic adventures, things that wouldn’t happen in real life.

What bothers you the most about others? Definitely unnecessary cursing, it’s just rude. What is your favorite band? I know the name is kind of strange to most people, but I like The Black Dahlia Murder.

What do you like best about your brother Karam Tatla, 11? I really appreciate that he supports me and looks out for me. I can always trust him to be there for me.

What is your favorite subject in school? Definitely the sciences. I enjoyed physics last year, and I am enjoying a second year of physics this year. I like it because it not only applies a lot of the math I am learning, but I get to see why things work. And I like that there’s only one right answer.

Name a few things on your bucket list. I have always wanted to get a sports motor cycle or go skydiving someday.

What is one word that your friends would describe you as? Shy. All my friends know me well enough that I’m kind of reserved towards most people and that I’m really quiet around people that I’m not very close to. If you could have any superpower what would it be? Being able to move objects without having to touch them.

“The one word I would use to describe Jutten is original. He is not one to follow the crowd, instead he does what makes him happy.” Karam Tatla, 11

Check in online or on your iPhone

All images by Aditi Sharma.

Near BW3’s and Subway at Harper’s Station