THE LEAF Sycamore High School News Magazine Volume 5 | Issue 9 | April 27, 2018
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CONTENTS
news 2 3 4 opinion 5 6 7
Facility updates
Journalism award
Primaries
Staff editorial Homework free weekends School start time
feature 8 9 10 sports 18 19 20
Pets and owners
cover 11-14 Day of Silence
Promposals Fortnite
a&e 15 16 17
Decile auditions for Netflix Senior Art Show
Meet the Entrepreneurs
THE LEAF ADVISER Cheralyn Jardine
PHOTOGRAPHER McDaniel’s Photography
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
Extreme sports Varsity Softball
LEAFLET EDITORS-INCHIEF Taylor Close Sydney Evans NEWS SPORTS Sydney Evans Abigail Lefton FEATURE Allyson Bonhaus ENTERTAINMENT Lindsey Brinkman OPINION Hannah Lee VIDEO Emily Chien Yvanna Reyes SPOTLIGHT CHIEF Kirsten Thomas
Herrick Tsao
Spring track
Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, OH 45242 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jenna Bao ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adhiti Chundur CREATIVE PROJECT DIRECTORS Taylor Close Sydney Weiss Anne Marsh PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Natalie Brinkman Adhiti Chundur SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Sydney Weiss EXECUTIVE WEB EDITOR -IN-CHIEF Harsimran Makkad
spotlight 21
Outside and inside cover: Abigail Lefton A&E Columnist Sara Margolis OPINION Columnist Allyson Bonhaus STAFF WRITERS Morgan Brownell Maya Goldenberg Ben Green Harsitha Kalaiarasan Anisa Khatana Everett Kohinke Abigail Lefton Emme Loon Jessica Lu Lydia Masset Claire Myers Aidan Noble Madeleine Suh Jack Wolfe
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 on which there may be dissent and controversy. Students can not publish material that is obscene, libelous, or is likely to cause “a substantial disruption of the educational process.” Content that may stimulate heated debate or discussion is not included in this definition. The views represented in our publications do not represent the views of the Sycamore Community School District or the Sycamore High School administration. Our publications are public forums.
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NEWS April 27, 2018
SHS to expect facility updates TAYLOR CLOSE
leaflet editor-in-chief
KIRSTEN THOMAS spotlight chief
WITH NEXT SCHOOL YEAR in sight, students and staff expect facility updates for the 2018-2019 school year. One update will consist of the roofs. Last summer, when the roofs were repaired, they were not fully fixed. Over this summer, changes will be made so the ceilings will no longer leak. The occasional leak can be expected, but with the repairs made to the roof, the leaks are predicted to decrease. Additionally, the science wing will be updated. As for now, only the second floor science labs will be updated. “If [the] Board of Education says [they] like the second floor and to remodel first floor, we would [remodel],” said Mr. Doug Mader, SHS Principal. Furniture and room changes can be expected in the science classrooms that are being renovated.
Students may be affected by the changes to the science labs. For the end of this year, students and teachers will be asked to conduct class in different rooms as construction begins. Looking towards next year, money will be saved by converting the boiler from electric to gas. This should make the building feel warmer as a result. As far as safety concerns, shatterproof glass will be installed in the front of the building. The current glass does not need to be removed, as the shatterproof element is added on top of the glass, described as a film-like material. School Resource Officer Paul Payne finds this update extremely important. “The laminate would be a huge safety front, and it gives peace of mind to the ladies up front,” Payne said. Regarding the Synnovation Lab,
changes will be taking place in the Little Theater. Although not permanent, the Little Theater will be the temporary location. “Looking at the future [I] don’t know if [the Little Theater is the] permanent place to hold [the] Synnovation Lab… we need a facility that can hold larger groups,” Mader said. In the beginning, the upper locker bay was considered for the Synnovation Lab but ended up not being the best option due to cost, and building another facility was not practical. Since the Little Theater is not used as often as the Main Auditorium, the Synnovation Lab will be held there. These exciting changes can all be expected throughout the upcoming 2018-2019 school year.
New Updates:
The building is always growing and changing, and this year is no different. Between a leaky roof and outdated classrooms, there will be much going on throughout the summer.
Fixing leaking roof Science wing remodeling Turning the bike room into a writing lab Transforming Little Theater into Synnovation Lab 2
Designed by: Taylor Close
CANNOT BE ‘BEAT’
April 27, 2018
NEWS SWEN
Journalism program receives national recognition JENNA BAO
executive editor WHILE THE PULITZER Prize winners of 2018 were just released, awards for student journalism have also been in full swing. On April 14, shsleaf.org was named a winner of the National Scholastic Press Association’s 2018 Online Pacemaker Award. The award is meant to honor the “best of the best” in student journalism. “Being a Pacemaker winner is such a huge honor. Before I joined the staff last year, I had no idea how much work each and every single one of the students puts in every day. It’s inspiring to work with everybody. “Journalism has become not just a class, but a passion. I am so thankful that all of our efforts paid off,” said Jessica Lu, staff writer, 11. 42 finalists were selected out of schools from 30 states and four other
nations. There were two categories based on school population, with SHS being in the 1,500 and more students section. Finalists’ websites were examined every day since early March to determine the winners. “Hearing the news... was so surreal because we were competing against so many great schools with amazing sites (and staffs much larger than ours), yet we still won. “This is such a great honor for our site, for our program, and for our school. I was also filled with a lot of pride; we couldn’t have done this without the help of everyone on staff. This truly was a team effort,” said Harsimran Makkad, Executive Web Editor, 12. The website was also recently
recognized as a School Newspapers Online (SNO) Distinguished Site after shsleaf.org received all six badges: continuous coverage, site excellence, story page excellence, excellence in writing, multimedia, and audience engagement. The website received this honor in 2017 as well. The program was the only one in the state of Ohio to receive either of these recognitions. “The website means everything to me. I can’t even put it into words. When you’ve worked with something for almost four years and have seen it become something amazing, then it becomes your best friend, your partner. “I’m lucky...to graduate with the knowledge that the site will continue to live on long after I’ve left,” Makkad said.
New Voices sparks new perspectives
LYDIA MASSET
staff writer
PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A PURPOSE. For ten weeks SHS photo students visited Tender Mercies, a nonprofit that provides temporary living for those who have experienced both mental illness and homelessness. Students teamed up with residents to participate in a program called New Voices. “What I love most about New Voices is that it really makes you see things in a new light. You meet new people who you never thought you’d meet and listen to their story: how their decisions affected them, what they’ve gained and what they’ve lost,” said Matilde Mujanayi, participant, 10. For more information on New Voices, check out shsleaf.org. Photos courtesy of Lydia Masset. 3
NEWS
April 27, 2018
Preparing for primaries Getting to know the candidates ANISA KHATANA staff writer
OHIO PRIMARY ELECTIONS will be held on May 8, 2018. With some 18-year-olds preparing to vote for the first time and other SHS seniors readying themselves for their first primaries, getting educated about our candidates is as important as ever. This election cycle’s partisan candidate filing deadline was Feb. 7, while the voter registration deadline was April 9. The absentee application deadline is May 5, and the early voting deadline is May 7. As for the races, the chief of the Sycamore district falls under Congressional District 1 (these districts correspond to legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives), where the incumbent is Republican Representative (Rep.) Steve Chabot. Parts of Sycamore are located in District 2, which is represented by Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup. Ohio currently has two Congressmen serving in the U.S. Senate: Democratic Senator (Sen.) Sherrod Brown and Republican Sen. Rob Portman. Governor (Gov.) John Kasich, an Ohio Republican, has reached his term limit, meaning that he cannot cast a bid in the 2018 race for governor.
On the Democratic Ballot
Chabot’s seat in the U.S. House is challenged by Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval. Pureval is being regarded as the first serious Democratic opponent of the incumbent in years. In District 2, candidates are retired gynecologist Janet Everhard, familyoriented mother and former President Barack Obama administration staffer Jill Schiller, and William Smith, who is fulfilling his bucket list with his bid. Sen. Brown, seeking reelection for his third term, runs unopposed within the Democratic party. Brown is ranked as a most reliable Democratic vote,
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voting with his party for just about all Congressional bills. Top Democratic candidates for governor are former State Attorney General and State Treasurer Richard Cordray and former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Other candidates are Larry Ealy, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill, Paul Ray, and Ohio State Sen. MAKE AN IMPACT. Senior Katherine Dunne works at a Joseph Schiavoni. local polling site during the November 2017 Presidential election. Many students signed up to staff the polls, Cordray is endorsed by Massachusetts Democratic whether for the experience, the cause, or the pay. At any Sen. Elizabeth Warren and time there must be one Democrat and one Republican worker to have equal representation. Photo courtesy of former Democratic State Jenna Bao. Rep. Connie Pillich. His campaign website Mike Gibbons as well as candidates attests to his desire to foster a system Melissa Ackinson, Don Elijah that helps Ohioans and their families Eckhart, and Dan Kiley. instead of “powerful interests.” Renacci, currently serving in the U.S. Kucinich’s strategy focuses on House of Representatives, is commonly appealing to a broad range of voters. billed as an average Republican His campaign website emphasizes his Congressman. views on the economy, healthcare, and Gibbons, a wealthy businessman, education. intends to help run the government more like a business, and has taken aim On the Republican Ballot at career politicians in Washington. In the U.S. House, Chabot’s bid for Both support President Donald reelection is challenged by former Air Trump’s agenda. Force member Samuel Ronan. Ronan Those vying to succeed Kasich are originally filed to run as Democrat, current State Attorney General Mike but switched his party affiliation to DeWine and State Lieutenant Governor Republican in November of 2017. Mary Taylor. The incumbent is another who has DeWine and Taylor’s campaigns have been ranked as an average Republican appeared to be battling for the title of member of Congress, voting with said “most conservative.” party on the majority of bills. The former’s campaign seems to As for Congressional District 2, highlight job creation and retention. Wenstrup, who is running for reelection, Taylor names the opioid crisis as her remains unchallenged within his own top priority, but also emphasizes her party. A podiatrist and former military stances on healthcare and taxes. member, he is one of the most reliable Becoming educated on all candidates Republican votes in Congress. should be a priority for those voting in Vying for Brown’s seat in the U.S. the upcoming primaries. Senate are favorites Jim Renacci and
Sources: ballotpedia.org, wvxu.org, gibbonsforohio.com, aftabforohio.com, cincinnati.com
Leafing through the masses: How do you show respect during the Day of Silence?
SILENCE FOR CHANGE. Those choosing to be silent on Fri., April 27 are empathizing with those who are LGBTQ+ and have lost or do not have a voice due to bullying and harassment. Poor treatment of others is never acceptable, which is important to remember this day and every day. Each of us are unique, making our school and world truly wonderful. Image by staff.
Staff Editorial
Bullying is that unspoken presence in schools. The question is not if it is in schools but where it is in schools. Bullying can affect anyone, and can specifically affect LGBTQ+ youth because of their identity. Nearly nine in ten LGBTQ students experience verbal harassment, according to “Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network” (GLSEN). This was the origin point for the Day of Silence (DOS) when it was started by a class project on non-violent protests at the University of Virginia in 1996. DOS is an annual day observed through a vow of silence which spreads awareness about the discrimination and bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and others (LGBTQ+) students. This year it is held on Fri., April 27. Whether a student identifies or does not with being LGBTQ+, April 27 is a day for all of us to reflect upon the way these students should be respected. The point of this day is to recognize the LGBTQ+ students who have been bullied, discriminated against, or even taken their own life in order to send a message that these discriminatory practices will not continue, and that no one condones violence based off of one’s sexual orientation or gender. Schools should be a place of learning and growing into an adult. Part of this is learning from your peers that any “difference” we have from another peer makes us all unique, helps us grow as a person, and helps shape us into an important members of society. This DOS calls for students to honor differences and stand up for our community each and every day. It is critical for everyone in the community to realize the silence LGBTQ+ students have felt and feel in order to ensure that they will not feel this way in the future. By increasing our understanding of the LGBTQ+ community we can reflect socially and grow to honor those LGBTQ+ who have been and are silenced. Incorporating this knowledge into our everyday lives creates more empathetic, conscious individuals.
“I try to respect what they are trying to accomplish... I do not penalize them... for who they are as a person,” said Mr. Thomas Bonenfant, history teacher.
“You just have to respect the people partcipating and not mock their... way to stand up for themselves,” said Sia Sindhiwani, 9.
“I think it is a great thing; I show respect by supporting my friends in whatever way they want to,” said Henry Loeb, 10.
“I show respect by staying silent during Day of Silence to bring attention to the unfairness and hardships faced by students all over the world,” said Aedan Williams, 11. Photos courtesy of Allyson Bonhaus
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OPINION School frees weekends, frees minds April 27, 2018
LINDSEY BRINKMAN
By the numbers
entertainment chief
IMAGINE THAT IT is Friday and
having two days without homework. For example, if students do not have homework, they are able to go to bed at a reasonable time, and these extra hours might allow them to feel better and catch up on missing sleep due to work from the previous week. Another advantage of this new rule is that it will allow students to be able to meet up with friends. Often, students do not have time during the week to hang out with friends or do many fun activities, so having a weekend off would give them the chance to.
you are in your seventh bell. You check your planner and realize that you have no homework due to the new policy that states: one weekend a month, teachers are not allowed to give any homework. This regulation would allow you to actually go outside and be active, or give you some time to relax and release some stress. It may seem like a faraway dream, but for schools like Hinsdale High School District 86 in Illinois, it is a reality. If implemented, this rule would allow students to have a full weekend free from stress. “56 percent of the students considered homework a primary source of stress, and 43 percent viewed tests as a primary stressor,” according to a study conducted by Stanford University. Many studies have shown the benefits of homework, which is why this policy does not totally dismiss assignments. But, if teachers do not give homework to their students for one weekend once a month, the positives outweigh the negatives.
Students spend about 3.5 hours daily on homework
*One clock is equal to one hour
1 in 5 students reported feeling anxious from homework
Other schools In Feb. and March, Kirkwood High School tried to implement a policy similiar to the one stated. After the two weekends they found their students were more relaxed and were able to focus better in class. All in all, students benefited from the policy trial. Even though later start times have never been used at SHS, it is something that should be considered because of the many benefits it brings.
Benefits
72% of parents feel that homework is a source of household stress Source: oxfordlearning.com
Student opinions:
Would a weekend free of homework help you? “I think it would help reduce stress and would allow me to do activities that I don’t always get to do,” said Sanjana Sukhavasi, 10.
“I generally feel like it wouldn’t help me because I usually can get my work done. But I also see how it would benefit others,” 6 said Alex Jowanovitz, 11.
“I think it would help because it would allow me to have a break from stress,” said Etienne Mueller, 9.
Photos courtesy of Lindsey Brinkman
There are many health benefits of
April 27, 2018
OPINION
Teens tired of start time Ally’s Alley: ALLYSON BONHAUS
KIRSTEN THOMAS
feature chief
spotlight chief
Each morning, I wake up at
5:50 a.m. I get ready for school, eat breakfast, and manage to make it out the door (only with a full mug of coffee in hand) by 7:00 a.m. at the latest. I live less than five minutes away from the school and I drive myself, so I sleep in later than some students. With one cup of coffee down throughout the morning, I try to make it until 2:20 p.m. By the end of the day, I am in desperate need of yet another caffeinated beverage or a power nap. Sometimes I cannot muster the strength to stay after school for activities, and call a friend on the way home to ensure I stay awake throughout my drive home. The school start time desperately needs adjustment for the safety and benefit of students. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that high schools should not start any earlier than 8:30 a.m. The Academy also claims that American teenagers are not getting enough sleep, which can damage teens’ physical and mental health, education, and ability to drive safely. Although some fear students will stay up later if granted a later start time, I know I would definitely be taking advantage of the extra hour of shut eye. Local school districts have been
looking at later start times, including Cincinnati Public (despite the $25 to $50 million cost associated with the change). There are many factors involved in a school start time change, such as local traffic patterns, other school start times in the district, and how athletic competitions could be affected. Knowing that changing the start time entails complications, I am not expecting a new start time to be implemented for the 2018-2019 school year. But, I believe that a later school start time should definitely be on the radar of school and district officials. It is time to push aside financial barriers, issues with traffic patterns, and conflicts with sports. It is time to give SHS students the sleep they deserve, so students can achieve and reach their full potential. No excuse validates students not getting enough sleep, and no barrier is too challenging to overcome. Many achieve great things at SHS, and that is undeniably significant. But imagine all the opportunities and achievements students are missing out on due to a factor that can be changed. Why are we valuing logistical matters over the health, safety, well-being, and education of our students? EXHAUSTED. Junior Alex Holdren gets roughly seven hours of sleep each night. Each morning, Holdren drinks a cup of coffee before she leaves the house to ensure she is wide awake. “If we went to school at 8:30 a.m. that would be so much better because I would be awake and have much more energy,” Holdren said. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Thomas.
Sources: cincinnati.com
April 20 means a lot to society. It is 420, the numerical code for marijuana. It is also Adolf Hitler’s birthday. But most importantly, it is the 19th anniversary of the first major school shooting at Columbine High School. At the time, this shooting had the highest number of deaths and injuries ever recorded at a school, with 13 deaths. The event irrevocably changed the community of Littleton, CO. The school is still open, but closes on April 20 each year. In memory of these 13 students and teachers, students across America walked out to protest how they do not feel any more safe in schools than outside of them. How can anyone feel safe with so few limitations on who can buy a semi-automatic rifle? The walkout says that students are intelligent adults who recognize that they must protest to be protected in their schools, to show legislators that this issue is not going away, and that students will not sit docile as their peers are murdered. Now, there will always be students in any school who use the opportunity of any walkout, pep rally, or even bathroom break to skip school. It is an inevitable part of school that teachers cannot be hawks staring at students all day to make them sit and stay. But, this walkout is not about marijuana or anything other than students fighting for their right to be safe. Furthermore, the walkout on April 20 is not in support of taking drugs. Students want to be safe in their schools, and there is no possible way to guarantee safety without gun control. The walkout sends a message to legislators to get started on gun legislation because it is not a partisan policy. It is a moral policy. The connection to marijuana or (seemingly) politics should not deter anyone from advocating for gun control on April 20 or after.
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FEATURE April 27, 2018
Pets look like their owners
ANNE MARSH
creative projects director
A PET BIRD perches on the shoulder of a woman with a beak-like nose. A squishy pug walks on a leash held by a wrinkle-faced man. For years, society has asked the question through film (ahem, “101 Dalmations”) and in everyday life: do pets look like their owners? Science says yes. Psychologist Sadahiko Nakajima’s recent experiment confirmed that pets and their owners do indeed physically resemble one another. According to the Huffington Post, more than 500 participants were shown two sets of photos. One set depicted real pet-owner matches, while the other set contained random matches. More than 80 percent of the time, participants correctly matched owners and their pets based solely upon their physical appearances. When shown only the eyes in each photo set, they
correctly matched them 74 percent of the time. “Sometimes when I look at my cat, Oliver, I feel as though we look rather similar. “In general, I think we share many features, and I have to remind myself that I’m not looking in a mirror when I look at him,” said Keren Idelman, 12. The reason many pets seem to resemble their owners is due to the mere exposure effect, which states that people tend to gravitate towards those that are similar to themselves and are more comfortable seeking out the familiar. Therefore, a majority of people may
Oliver, cat Keren Idelman-Sidenko, 12
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Jeff, ferret
Jacob Fisher, 11
adopt a certain pet because they see aspects of their own appearance in the animal, making the pet more appealing to the owner. According to “Psychology Today,” the mere exposure effect is evident when we are comforted by songs we heard as children or choose to vote for a candidate whose name is familiar, even if we possess limited knowledge about them. “We have a bias toward ourselves so it would make sense that we would love a pet that looks like us, just like a parent appreciates when their kids resemble them,” said Laura Miniard, AP Psychology teacher. Familiarity generates positive feelings, and whether people are seeking friends or pets, the principle of mere exposure stands true.
Luna, dog
Snooki, fish
Rishav Dasgupta, 12
Meghan DiGiovanna, 12 Photos provided by staff
Prom-goers propose
April 27, 2018
FEATURE
SYDNEY WEISS
social media director
LEADING UP TO prom, juniors and seniors fervently begin to ask their prospective dates. Out of the box promposals are the norm; elaborate presentations are expected. Posters, flowers, and candy are
used frequently for promposals. Some students choose to go above and beyond for their date, while others prefer a classic punny poster approach. Students ask their dates everywhere: at home, at school, during
extracurriculars, or after athletic events. Students take a wide variety of approaches to ask their dates, but sometimes the gesture of asking someone to prom speaks for itself.
NERVES. Junior Adam Pelberg asks junior Sarah Guedira. Pelberg had a group of friends show up to Guedira’s house and shoot her with Nerf guns. Then, he saved the day and held up a poster. “I was so confused. I opened the door to give a friend my math book, and everyone pelted me with Nerf darts. It was definetly memorable,” Guedira said. Photo courtesy of Sarah Guedira.
SAY YES. Junior Sushobith Vadrevu asks junior Peyton Gilhart with a poster and flowers. Promposals tend to include inside jokes. Vadrevu asked in the SHS parking lot. “I was asked with a poster of my favorite Vine quote,” Gilhart said. Photo courtesy of Peyton Gilhart.
BERRY NICE. Junior Adam Levine asks senior Kate McNamara-Marsland. Levine went to McNamara-Marsland’s house. He delivered chocolate covered strawberries, in addition to a sign with a pun. Food is utilized frequently for promposals. Photo courtesy of Adam Levine.
CORNY. Junior Peter Folz asks junior Kathleen Good. He chose the poster method and used puns. Folz went to Good’s house in order to catch her by surprise. “I got a text from a friend asking me to let them in and when I opened the door he kind of just jumped out at me. I was so surprised! But he knows I love puns, so it was great,” Good said. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Good.
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FEATURE
April 27, 2018
Fortnite takes SHS by storm EMME LOON staff writer
AIDAN NOBLE staff writer
it seems like all anyone is talking about is the popular battle royale game: Fortnite. Whether you are playing it on mobile devices or “riding the battle bus” at home, it is obvious this multi-platform powerhouse has taken over the video game world. Fortnite, among many other popular video games, takes its inspiration from the popular Japanese book/movie, “Battle Royale,” in which students are forced to fight each other until a sole survivor remains. The game starts players off in a flying vehicle known as the battle bus, from which they are able to drop down into various locations to search for items and gear. The player is equipped with only a pickax, and they can find weapons lying in places such as nearby houses. “The goal of the game is to survive the deadly clouds. As the storm intensifies, you need to kill as many people as you can so that you can be the last one standing,” said Benjamin Kaczmarowski, 11. There are a few reasons why the game became as popular as it is, one of which
being that it is completely and totally free to play. This lets the game reach a wider audience because anyone can pick it up and play it. “The best part of playing Fortnite is when you [have] won the game and you see ‘#1 Victory Royale!’ You just feel so satisfied that you beat everyone playing,” Kaczmarowski said. Another reason for the game’s popularity is its cartoon graphics and unorthodox humor, displayed in game costumes (also referred to as skins) and items unlocked in the game. “The best item you can get in the game is the rocket launcher because it shoots an extremely far distance and can destroy a lot. It is one of the [rarest] weapons in the game as well,” Kaczmarowski said. It is possible to play the game with a friend, or a “squad,” with up to four players. While the game could seem brutal on paper, the game remains true to its welcoming visual style and nonrealistic violence. “When I first started playing, I
GAME ON. Fortnite is a free, multi-platform game that has recently taken the nation by storm. It was released on July 25, 2017 and is currently coming to an end of its third season. This is the screen when a person is the last player left standing. “I like playing Fortnite mostly because I can play with my friends. Winning a round with my bros is the most satisfying thing ever”, said 10 Grant Kilgard, 10. Photo courtesy of Evan Leader.
could not stay alive for longer than two minutes. I always got like 70th place out of 100. Now since I play all the time, I am always in the last ten standing. It just took practice for me in order to win,” Kaczmarowski said.
BEAT ME. Fortnite is already wildly popular. And with nearly 3.4 million people playing the game, according to “Metro Gaming,” it shows no signs of dying. Fortnite is also on many gaming platforms. Photo courtesy of Emme Loon.
COVER April 27, 2018
day of silence
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COVER
April 27, 2018
All designed by: Adhiti Chundur Photos courtesy of Abigail Lefton
Breaking silence on ‘Day of Silence’ SHS students share thoughts on how LGBTQ+ issues affect them
ADHITI CHUNDUR ABIGAIL LEFTON HARSIMRAN MAKKAD associate editor
sports chief
the modern world is a multicultural and diverse place, where some are fortunate to live in a free society equally and without discrimination. However, for others, living in a way where one can freely express oneself may not be an option. Those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are one such group. LGBTQ+ is a recognized acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/ Questioning, and others. There are numerous stereotypes and misunderstandings that are present
executive web editor-in-chief
about members among the LGBTQ+. This is why it is important to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ in schools and communities during the Day of Silence (DOS). “We are honoring thousands of people, most of them children and teenagers, who took their own lives because they were hated for just being the way they were born. Show me how that is unnecessary. Show me how any one of them doesn’t deserve a moment of silence,” said Allison Landrum, 11.
“DOS to me is a day for people to step back, see, and realize just how serious of a problem homophobia is and how it affects our youth.” 12
Isabella Miles, 11
By the numbers:
April 27, 2018
42%
68%
of LGBT youth say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBT people
92%
COVER
of LGBT youth say they hear negative messages about being LGBT
Sources: glsen.org, gsafewi.org, hrc.org
9 in 10
LGBT youth say they are out to their close friends
2x
of LGBT youth say they hear negative messages about being LGBT from elected leaders
LGBT youth are twice as likely as their peers to say they have been physically assaulted, kicked, or shoved
Kalia Moeller, 11
“Oftentimes, talking it out is what helps the most. Other times, though, I believe that silence can be far more expressive than words.”
LGBT youth out to their immediate families are more likely to report being happy than those who are not out
“I chose to participate in Day of Silence because I want people to know what I stand up for and hopefully join me in making a difference.”
Abigail Bastin, 10
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COVER
April 27, 2018
What is the Day of Silence? Nearly four in five LGBTQ+ students do not see positive LGBTQ+ representation in their curriculum, nine in ten experience verbal abuse, and a third miss school because they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The Day of Silence is a response to this reality. DOS is a student-led day of action that highlights the silencing of LGBTQ+ students in school and demands that schools take action to be more inclusive. Students who participate in DOS take a vow of silence during the school day, handing out speaking cards to explain the reason for their silence. The first DOS took place in 1996, led by 150 students at the University of Virginia in response to a class assignment on non-violent protests. This was made national in 1997, with nearly 100 colleges and universities participating. Currently, students in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and even New Zealand, Singapore, and Russia participate in DOS, which will be on Fri., April 27 this year. “Day of Silence means honoring those students who came before me. Those girls and boys just as young as me who walked down a school hallway, just like me, but did not feel safe. “Those who never got to see graduation or prom or everything else I’m looking forward to about my future, because there was too much hate in the world. It’s all about them,” said Allison Landrum, 11.
Homosexual
Transgender
14
Bisexual
“GSTA is an inclusive, safe space for those associated with and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. The Day of Silence was created to remember those in the queer community who took their lives too soon. We honor their memories by refraining from speaking for a day.”
Shoshana Stern, 10
A&E
April 27, 2018
Decile auditions for Netflix JESSICA LU staff writer
UNLIKE MOST TEENS who decide to wait until college to truly pursue their dreams, junior Mark Decile is already breaking into the entertainment industry. His latest venture? A callback audition for an up-and-coming Netflix TV series. On April 10, Decile stood before the writer of the TV show, who flew in just to see him, and read a script for a character named Junior, a juvenile delinquent. It was Decile’s first inperson audition, but if he was nervous, he tried not to let it show. “I went with my instinct and my gut. When you get a callback you don’t want to change anything that you did for the first audition tape because they called you back for that audition tape,” Decile said. While Decile ultimately did not land the role, he was not too bogged down with how things had turned out “It was a nationwide casting, and they narrowed it down to two people. I was the second choice. My lack of experience among a bunch of other things probably factored into it. Another wave will come, and I will catch it, and ride it all the way down to Hollywood one day,” Decile said. Acting is a relatively new area for LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION. Junior Mark Decile creates a frustrated character while filming his own audition tape. When trying to secure an agent, Decile sent his information to almost every agent in the area. “I wrote my own monologue that I knew could touch someone. I took my own headshots using lighting and photoshop; I’m self-taught in every way,” Decile said. Photo courtesy of Mark Decile.
Decile. While he has dabbled in the field before, his recent focus has been in directing, film making, and Youtube. With his technical background, he does not just have a better understanding on what goes on behindthe-scenes. It was with those learned skills that he was able to pick up an agent from Katalyst Talent last January. So far with his agency, Decile has sent in an audition tape for the role of Harvey in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” But apart from acting, which is a “spontaneous” profession, Decile wants to continue producing short films and Youtube content. Over the years, Decile has had, as he likes to put it, his fair share of failures: unsuccessful Youtube channels, theatre pursuits, and films. Entertainment is notorious for its difficult and unforgiving industry. Yet one thing remains certain. Decile will do nothing less than fully chase after his passions. “If you postpone what you’re doing, it’s never going to happen. And you will live a life filled with regrets,” Decile said. You can check out Decile’s new channel “Dexile” on Youtube.
column: SARA MARGOLIS
a&e columnist Technology is taking over the world. E-readers such as Kindles, Nooks, and iPads are becoming the new books. When you think of reading a book, the first thing that comes to my mind is the new book smell, followed by crisp pages getting turned. But when you read on an E-reader, you lose all of that and the chance of not actually being able to read because your device is dead. I had a Nook a couple of years ago, and in the moment I loved it, until one day it would not turn on. I tried charging it, calling Barnes & Noble, and nothing worked. After I bought this book, I could not even read it. I do have to admit, using an E-Reader is more environmentally friendly. You are not using as much paper, but in my opinion reading it defeats the principle of reading a book. Before high school, I always had this idea that reading was a fun, non-electronic activity. But when I started high school, the amount of unnecessary reading, or the reading that was just so boring strayed me away from this idea. Now when I am given the opportunity to read a book on my own, I would rather just watch TV. If this is the case, if I do decide to read and I would read on an E-Reader, I would be doing anything but reading. The light of the screen is distracting, and all of the other apps are much more tempting than reading. But if I had an actual book, the distractions would never come. Some students even read on their smart phones. The aftermath is the same as an E-reader. While there are pros and cons to each side, we can all come to a consensus that reading is reading, and no matter which way you choose to do it, you are feeding your brain.
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ENTERTAINMENT
April 27, 2018
AP students design Senior Art Show
ADHITI CHUNDUR associate editor
AS ANOTHER SCHOOL year draws to a close, this year’s graduating class celebrates their last year with showcases, displaying their hardwork One such showcase is the Senior Art Show: an exhibition of the AP Studio, AP Photo, and AP 3D senior artists and all of the work that they have created this past year. “It is bittersweet because it is usually the last day that the seniors have class, and it is also the day they send their best work off to AP, but it is really a celebration and a big party--that moment you can breathe and say ‘you did it.’ “It is exciting and happy and celebratory, but it’s also kind of sad because it is the last event before graduation,” said Mrs. Kat-Rakel Ferguson, art teacher. This year, the Senior Art Show will take place on Fri., May 4 at the front office area. Students will display their framed work from all of senior year.
There are also opportunities for the seniors to sell their artwork. “I hope the artists gain a sense of accomplishment. It is a reward for a job well done,” Ferguson said. For many artists, this show has been a big event they have looked forward to since freshman year, showcasing their hard work throughout high school. “I am excited about the Senior Art Show because...I saw [the seniors] working so hard on this show [last year], and it looked so cool to me to make art and introduce it to everyone. I was very excited because I can show off my art to other people,” said Miyabi Hibino, 12.
ARRANGEMENT. Senior Melinda Looney arranges her pieces of art. She and other AP students must balance preparing for the art show and AP exams. They will be sending their five best pieces away the same day as the Senior Art Show. “There will be fabulous art and artists...[there is] no judgment and no expectation other than celebrating,” said Mrs. Kat-Rakel Ferguson, art teacher. Photo courtesy of Harsimran Makkad.
”WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.” Senior Elayna Berry works on her oil painting after school. Senior art students are all scrambling to finish their pieces in time for the art show in May. They must have their work completed and framed before the event. Photo courtesy of Harsimran Makkad.
NAILS & SPA
FINALE. After a long day of setting up the District Art Show Looney stands next to her own exhibited artwork. The Senior Art Show will be a special exhibition just for the graduating class. “I am excited to see the growth of my fellow students as they pursue not only a hobby but a possible career,” said Jacob Truitt, 12. Photo courtesy 16 of Adhiti Chundur.
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Valerie Timofeyev, 11
“At the Art Show I had my dog portraits and some [patrons] wanted a commission of their dog. Generally people want a commission of something more personal. I do it because it’s fun for me and relaxing, it makes other people happy. Art is always going to be a hobby.”
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Miyabi Hibino, 12 “I make jewelry for children, five years old through junior high, because I realized when I came to [the] United States the difference between Japan and the United States was that Japan has more jewelry for children. I realized the United States jewelry is not fashionable. It doesn’t look good to me. If I make it for [the] child, they will enjoy the fashion. If I make a set of jewelry for mother and child, they will have a good relationship. I want everyone to enjoy the fashion, and hope the relationships are good. In the future, I want to open a jewelry shop with the same purpose.”
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Emma Sulfsted, 12
“I am a photographer and graphic designer! I’ve been photographing for six years and designing for three. Outside of yearbook and Fashion for the Cure, as for design, I make fliers and posters for advertisement for The Dragonfly Foundation. My sister is a musician, and I get the honor of being her designer and photographer. I got to create her album artwork and branding! I also was the original designer for Kudzu magazine. For photography, I’ve worked for years taking senior pictures, wedding and family photos, and other various paid shoots. Learning to be an entrepreneur was hard, as I had to truly be a professional even when I started at 15 years old. Now at 18 I learn to take my professionalism further and give clients the best product I could give. I love doing shoots. It’s a really great way to make money while doing what I absolutely love.”
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SPORTS
April 27, 2018
Athletes weigh risks of sports MADELEINE SUH staff writer
A 20-foot fall with no precautionary nets and no safety harnesses led to the death of Cirque du Soleil acrobat, Yann Arnaud, during their VOLTA show in Tampa, Florida. Arnaud had performed with Cirque du Soleil for more than 15 years; his expertise in acrobatics was praised by his colleagues. This awful tragedy leaves us to wonder why precautions were not placed despite the obvious risk? As well as what safety procedures will be placed in the future to hopefully prevent future accidents? Several shows were postponed because of the event and all audience members were refunded. The company had a hard time deciding if they would perform at their New Jersey shows the following week. Cirque du Soleil is now fully back to daily performances. In fact, they will be coming to Cincinnati from May 3 through May 6 to present their Corteo show. It will be hosted at the U.S. Bank Arena downtown. The unfortunate death of Arnaud demonstrates how even professionals can make a simple mistake that costs them their life. However, this is not
Q&A
the first death among extreme sports and risky performances. In fact, most sports include some level of risk. Specialized trainers at SHS help diagnose and treat everything from a pulled muscle to a broken bone. They may also help suggest further recovery treatment, as SHS’s very own students experience risks everyday. Even in more common events, we see the astonishing death rates that result from these courageous athletes. Football, skiing/snowboarding, and skateboarding all made it onto Health Fitness Revolution’s list of most dangerous sports. In fact, nearly 50 snowboarders die yearly due to injury on the slopes, but that does not stop junior Jenna Foy from practicing the sport. She enjoys the risk of this intense sport as she regularly practices in the winter to improve her skills. Foy’s passion for snowboarding far exceeds her fear of the potential dangers. This is true for many other SHS students. However, athletes should always take precautionary steps, no matter what exercise they are performing.
PASSION. Junior Jenna Foy has traveled to many ski resorts. She plans to continue this passion for the rest of her life. She is not a part of SHS’s Ski Club but she tries to go to Perfect North once a week. Photo courtesy of Jenna Foy.
Jenna Foy, 11
What about snowboarding makes you passionate about it? I love snowboarding because it’s one of few things I have complete control over. And, since I can only do it half a year, it’s all I want to do in the winter. How are you affected by the risk of potential injury? Does the adrenaline help or scare you? Injury doesn’t bother me because I know my boundaries. Also, from playing sports my whole life I’ve been hurt so many times I know I will always heal and be fine eventually. How do you take caution to prevent injury? I wear a helmet to protect [my head from] any serious injury, but the best way to prevent injury is to know what you can do and what is too much. It’s also important to keep an eye out for other people on the slopes 18 because you don’t know if they are in control.
April 27, 2018
Softball swings into season
SPORTS
ALLYSON BONHAUS feature chief
THIS IS A year of growth for Varsity
Stuntebeck. Juniors are Mallory Comerford and Isabel Ingle. Softball after a good season last year Sophomores are Abigail Bastin, Mayu and a large sophomore presence on the Fukuda, Olivia Lozano, Allison team. The previous season, the team Porterfield, Aaniyah Trout, and won their first tournament game and Michelle Urbina. was close to winning a second game. “Every game, we try to learn and As of April 18, Varsity Softball has improve for the next one. As we play in a record of 1-9 in the GMC, but is one of the hardest leagues in the state, continuing to grow as a team. our goal this year is to win more games On the team are seniors Anne than we lose and try [to] play a whole Baldwin, Elizabeth Eilers, game every game,” Comerford said. Jessica Fehr, Gina Luck, and Yves Comerford is on Varsity I GOT IT. Junior Softball and has played on the Mallory Comerford team since freshman year. She has being playing generally plays third base or for five years. Some catcher, and bats fourth. of their biggest “I have been playing softball rivals are Mason and for over five years, so it holds Colerain. The team will play Colerain a special place in my heart, during their next and there is something about home game on April making a great play or having 27 at 5:00 p.m. Photo a terrific hit that is unmatched courtesy of McDaniel’s in any other sport I have ever Photography. played,” Comerford said.
In the GMC, games run for seven innings, with the game being called if one team is winning by ten or more runs at the end of the fifth inning. Just like baseball, the team that scores the most runs will win. Softball differs from baseball in more than just gender, though, as pitchers in softball throw underhand and from a level pitching area closer (than in baseball) to the batter. Baseball has an elevated pitching mound, and the pitcher throws overhand. “As I mentioned before, this year is a growing year, and even though we have not won a game, we have learned a lot as a team,” Comerford said. Head Coach Sarah Melvin and Assistant Coach Kelly Borman have both played at SHS, and Assistant Coach Katie Sullivan also has a history with softball. “Our team dynamic is to work hard everyday and be ready every pitch,” Comerford said.
Varsity Gold Tennis embraces growth HARSITHA KALAIARASAN staff writer
With the spring sports season well underway, the boys Varsity Gold Tennis team has been competing tenaciously. Although the boys treat every match with the utmost importance, their historic rivalry with Mason makes every Mason versus Sycamore match a spectator event. The seven boys faced their rivals away at Mason Middle School April 12, which Mason entered with an undefeated record. On an overwhelmingly windy day, both sides fought to the end, but the Mason team eventually came out with a 5-0 win. Senior Captain Nathan Zhang shares his thoughts on the difficult loss. “The match obviously showed us that we have a lot of things to work on, but there are a lot of good things to take
away. Every court was a battle, and I have complete faith in my teammates that we will bounce back. “We will meet Mason plenty more times this season, and there is no doubt we will be back as a stronger team,” Zhang said. Zhang refers to the upcoming Coaches Classic and Greater Miami Conference tournaments, where meets with Mason are possible. Nikhil Sekar, another senior captain, reflects on the match as well. “It was a good experience playing in such a high-intensity match in front of such a hostile crowd. We are all more accustomed to playing against them, and know how to play them next time. “The match gave us a good sight of our goals and how to achieve them. Now
SCORE. Senior Rishav Dasgupta is one of three seniors on Boys Gold Tennis. The team also took home wins against Indian Hill, Massillon Jackson, Hamilton, and Fairfield, but faced a tough 2-3 loss to the strong New Albany team. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
it is time to get focused and practice like we will compete from here on out,” Sekar said.
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Photo courtesy of Gordon Anaple
SPORTS
April 27, 2018
Track enters new lane BENJAMIN GREEN staff writer
THE TRACK SEASON is officially
underway for the Aviators. The season started with the Reading Invitational held at SHS on March 31 after being postponed. “I was really looking forward to the season starting, but I was out of town for both the original and postponed date,” said Gordon Anaple, 9. The boys won their first meet at the Indian Hill relays because of strong performances from the 1600 sprint medley team and 800 relay team. SHS competed against teams from St. Xavier, Madeira, Indian Hill, and more. The team traveled to Louisville, KY for the Lousiville Male Invitational on April 14. The boys finished second in the male and female meet. “It was a really cool experience to go to Louisville to compete against nonOhioans,” said Jonathan Malek, 12. The Aviators have competed in seven meets and are in day two of the Wayne Invitational meet held at Wayne High School (April 26 and 27). The 2018 track season officially wraps up May 4. However, the GMC championships are held May 9 at Mason. If a track runner wins their meet, they compete in the OHHSA district championship, then 20 regionals, and finally, state.
Q&A
Gordon Anaple Track Runner, 9
What team are you on? I am on JV and Varsity B. My goal is to be on Varsity by the end of the year.
What lessons have you learned from your coaches this far in the season? My coaches have taught me that when doing a workout, finishing is the most important thing.
Is this your first year doing track? No, I started running track in seventh grade. However, this was my first year running indoor track for the high school.
Besides track, what sports and activites do you do? I play football in the fall, and during the winter, I run indoor track. I play recreational basketball and also snowboard in my free time.
What have you learned from track this year compared to the Junior High School?
What kind of training or practice do you do to prepare for meets?
I’ve learned that I need to rest and take care of my body a lot more because we do many hard workouts. In JH track, the coaches focused more on getting a feel for running; we never did any challenging workouts. What events do you run? I do the 400 meter, 200 meter, 4x200 relay, and 4x400 relay. I have to always make sure to pay attention during meets so that I do not miss my events. What kind of conditioning does the track team do? We lift as a team every other day, but as a 400 meter runner, we do a lot of 200’s, 400’s, and 800’s with various times and speeds required.
We usually start the week with a really hard workout, but after that it gets easier. During the days before our meets we usually work on block starts and relay handoffs with the batons. How have you placed this far in the season? In our latest meet, my 4x4 team won a third place medal, we got a fourth place ribbon in the sprint medley, and the guys got a first place trophy for winning the whole meet If you could summarize SHS track in one sentence what would it be? A winning program that expects nothing less than our hardest work.
SPOTLIGHT April 27, 2018
Tsao takes on globe KIRSTEN THOMAS spotlight chief
BORN IN LOS ANGELES,
sophomore Herrick Tsao later moved to Taiwan, as traveling seems to be first nature to him. Living in Taiwan for 14 years, Tsao has now lived in the United States for two years, coming to SHS in his freshman year. Tsao has traveled with different school, choir, and family trips to places such as Norway, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and Italy. While traveling, Tsao enjoys diving into the community and meeting new people. “[It is] important to be engaged with the country… it is good to actually live with and talk to locals,” Tsao said. He believes it is important to hang out with the people you meet in that country, especially those who are around the same age.
SNAPSHOT. Tsao stops to take a photo on his trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, located in Michigan. Tsao was trying to capture the beautiful sunset. When traveling, Tsao enjoys capturing photos of what he sees along the way. Photos courtesy of Herrick Tsao.
Sometimes, Tsao stays in touch with the people he meets through social media. One reason Tsao enjoys traveling is because of the new perspectives or views he gains. Traveling to about 20 countries, Tsao has learned a lot about the world through his travels. “[You can] look at the world from a lot of different views and see what it is actually like versus stereotypes,” Tsao said. One hobby Tsao enjoys is photography. Although he occasionally takes photos at home, most of Tsao’s photos are taken while traveling. Upon moving to the United States, Tsao noticed how people here are extremely reliable on cars for transportation. In other places Tsao has lived, he did not always rely on cars. Rather, he took advantage of public transportation. “I found [driving everywhere] very weird when I first came here,” Tsao said. In places like Asia, Tsao says people
live closer together, and there is more interaction. Furthermore, Asia is not as car dominant. Since moving here, Tsao misses things such as playing table tennis, as he played it for ten years but cannot find a team to play on here, and the convenient public transportation. Tsao has adjusted well to SHS, joining in activities such as swimming on the JV team and playing soccer with his friends. As far as schooling, SHS is much less competitive and has shorter school days, allowing Tsao to like the education here better than his previous school. There is much less pressure, putting nerves at rest. Tsao still continues his travels, and went on the most recent Europe trip with SHS. Traveling will always be a part of Tsao as he continues to embark on new adventures, his traveling continuing with his family and other organizations.
BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. While traveling on spring break this year, Tsao captured this photo. He traveled with the school to Vienna, Austria. Tsao is in one of the choirs at SHS, putting him in connection with this spring break trip.
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