THE
LEAF
Sycamore High School News Magazine Volume 4 | Issue 5 | December 15, 2016
YEAR
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THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
IN THIS ISSUE TABLE OF CONTENTS
pg.2 NEWS
pg.3
pg.6
pg.9 FEATURE
pg.10
pg.11
pg.15 pg.18 FUN &GAMES
pg.21
2| OSU attack impacts 3| Tennessee fire terrorizes nation 4| Ads
8| Donut take this lightly 9| Taking hurricanes by storm 10| Golden state faces rocky fate
OPINION
COVER
5| Staff Editorial 6| To be American 7| O(bama) do not leave us
11-14| A Year in Review
18| Wrestling works towards success 19| Checkmate 20| Hockey skates into season
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SPOTLIGHT
15| Minority representation in ‘Moana’ 16| Chance the Rapper’s rise to success
21| Goldstein’s hobbies dominate
17| What’s your Elf name?
SPORTS
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.
ADVISER
THE LEAF
Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, OH 45242
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
EXECUTIVE CO-EDITORSIN-CHIEF Hannah May Benjamin Ruskin MANAGING EDITOR Amy Deng ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jenna Bao CREATIVE PROJECT DIRECTORS Jenna Bao Taylor Close Sarah Horne Lauren Kurtzer BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TEAM Eshika Kohli David Wertheim PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Natalie Brinkman Adhiti Chundur
Sydney Evans SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Sydney Weiss WEBMASTER Caroline Bruns WEB EDITOR -IN-CHIEF Harsimran Makkad LEAFLET EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Frey LEAFLET MANAGING EDITOR Emily Chien LEAFLET DESIGNERS/ WRITERS Eshika Kohli Sydney Weiss COPY EDITOR Anne Marsh NEWS Yasmine Guedira Max Torem
SPORTS William Coleman Caroline Veraldo FEATURE Allyson Bonhaus ENTERTAINMENT Taylor Close OPINION Alexander Karev Joshua Patterson FUN & GAMES Samuel Ruskin STAFF WRITERS Elizabeth Arveladze Abigail Bastin Lindsey Brinkman Nathan Colliver Meghan DiGiovanna Lexi Fritzhand Jacqueline Grega Mark Huffer
Chelsea Kinney Yeyoung Lee Abigail Lefton Hannah Loftspring Jessica Lu Sara Margolis Lydia Masset Jason Merkel Yvanna Reyes Madalyn Saunders Jessica Schaad Madeline Shewbridge Uttkantha Sindhwani David Sung Kirsten Thomas Edward Wade Kamaria Walton Jacob Wittenbaum
THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG|1
N
NEWS
OSU attack impacts: Concealed carry concerns campuses LINDSEY BRINKMAN
MAX TOREM
staff writer
news chief
203021@sycamoreschools.org
176003@sycamoreschools.org
O
n Nov. 28, a student who attended The Ohio State University (OSU) named Abdul Razak Ali Artan ran his car into a group of students. Afterwards, he got out of his car and began stabbing people with a knife. The police were able to stop the tragedies with opening fire, which led to the misconception that there was a shooting on campus. The incident resulted in one dead (Artan) and 11 injured. Artan was originally a resident from Somalia. He came to the U.S. in 2014 with his family via Pakistan and was a permanent resident by the time of the attack. “The whole experience seemed almost unreal because there was little to no panic going on around me,” said Sam Myers, 2016 Sycamore graduate. This recent attack has brought attention to potential changes in Ohio
1.
gun legislation. Ohio is one of 18 states that prohibit concealed carry on college campuses. In 2015, Lebanon representative Ron Maag proposed a bill which would allow students with the appropriate license to carry a concealed weapon in school safety zones. “The bulk of House Bill 48 addresses forbidden carry zones and makes changes that only apply to those legally permitted to carry a concealed weapon,” Maag said. The bill is currently in consideration in the Ohio Congress. If passed, it would also lower the fine for a student caught with a weapon without a license and affect the rights to carry guns in childcare centers, airport terminals, and police departments. But regardless of whether the bill passes, it will still be up to the each college to make the final decision on the rights of the students.
According to Cincinnati.com, “When I am at Ohio State, I cannot keep myself safe. If someone attacks me with a butcher knife or an AK-47, I’m supposed to run away, throw things at them, or maybe hide under a desk and pray. Think about the terror you would experience if that was you,” said Jonathan Beshears, OSU student. However, opponents to expanded concealed carry say that more guns might have only complicated the situation at OSU. “This officer showed up, he was able to identify the source of the threat quickly because there weren’t other people around with superfluous handguns,” said Rev. Margaret Leidheiser-Stoddard, member of the Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Even if Maag’s bill is passed, it is not clear whether or not OSU officials would allow concealed handguns on campus. They have long opposed concealed weapons on campus.
1.OBSERVE. Students at OSU watch and wait in the aftermath of the recent attack. The college campus is now anticipating the final decision regarding the rights of concealed weapons. The campus is still recovering from the horrors and tragedies of the events that transpired. 2.RESPOND.First responders arrive after receiving news of the incident. Firefighters arrived to keep the situation under control. Police were able to secure the safety of both the staff and students in the area.
2|THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
Photo courtesy of Sam Myers
Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
2.
NEWS
Tennessee fire terrorizes nation ALLY BONHAUS feature chief 193006@sycamoreschools.org
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ire has been tearing through Tennessee since Nov. 28 when embers from Chimney Tops Trail national park blew into Gatlinburg. The fire has produced an estimated death toll of 14. Over 14,000 people from Gatlinburg are fleeing the fire. Authorities have issued an emergency evacuation in Gatlinburg and surrounding communities. Rain will not extinguish the flames due to the recent drought, the Southeast’s worst in a decade. Piles of leaves that have accumulated and wind that has reached speeds of 90 mph helped to spread the fire. Around 100,000 acres have been burned from Alabama to Virgina. “This was the wedding chapel my parents got married almost 16 years ago in Gatlinburg, Tennessee [reference photos], and now it’s gone. It’s really sad to think about this,” said Madeline Davis, 10. Smoke has reached as far as Cincinnati, OH and Atlanta, GA. The smell of smoke has traveled over 300 miles. Rain is taking in the smell, but those with asthma or lung problems are still being told to stay indoors. The U.S. is in the middle of La Nina, which can cause drier conditions in the southeast, one of the causes of the wildfire. Climate changes have caused temperatures to warm, and thus the drought temperatures have been higher than normal. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, famous places for vacationing, were hit hard. Some tourist destinations such as Ripley’s Aquarium, Dollywood, and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort
were spared. Many SHS students have visited these popular destinations. “After this happened, I talked to my parents about it and my mom was devastated. All she had to say about it is that now they can’t go renew their vows there because it won’t be the same,” Davis said. The fire is not just in Gatlinburg, although the city was hit hardest in terms of death toll and property damage. Fire is in most of eastern Tennessee. Officials estimate that 15,000 acres of the Great Smoky Mountains are now ash and flame. “Gatlinburg is such a special place to my family,” Davis said. Power lines were destroyed and they have in fact started new fires, 14 in total. Schools have been canceled and some employees have been evacuated. More than 150 homes and business are completely gone or burnt in Gatlinburg, adding up to more than 700 overall. Community centers and Rocky Top Sports Park are taking in 1,200 evacuees. The National Guard has been deployed to try to help the firefighters. President Barack Obama has committed to providing assistance. Tennessee native Dolly Parton pledged $1,000 a month as part of the My People Fund for the families whose homes were destroyed. SHS students can help out the displaced families by donating and sending essential supplies. Experts predict that there will be more droughts and floods, and that they will become even more intense, and temperatures are expected to stay higher than normal.
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FIRE. After a raging fire blazed though Tennessee in late November citizens are left with destroyed homes and community centers. Even citizens around the United States are affected by the tragedy because Tennessee is a popular tourist destination. Reparation efforts are currently underway to restore the homes and communities while families search for missing people. Photo courtesy of Madeline Davis.
THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG|3
NEWS
Brookwood Retirement Community, located in Blue Ash, offers a full continuum of care under one roof, including physical therapy rehabilitation, nursing care, long term care and senior living. Our community is spacious, joyful and buzzing with life. We believe positivity makes for the most healthful environment. Address: 12100 Reed Hartman Highway Cincinnati, OH 45241
E-mail: Phone: BrookwoodAdmissions@hcmg.com 513-605-2000
4|THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
Photo courtesy: MCT Photo
Brookwood Retirement Community
Leafing through the masses: What do you remember most from 2016?
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“Probably the election-everyone was talking and arguing about it for most of the year,” Adam Johns, 10. “The loss of Prince. I grew up with all of his music and went to his concerts. He was a part of my high school experience,” Mrs. Johanna Gordon, English teacher.
ONWARD. This year has had a mix of ups and downs. Memorable moments include the death of Harambe the gorilla, the Rio Olympics, and the presidential election. This last year at SHS has also been memorable, with the football team advancing the farthest they ever have, the tennis team winning their third state title in a row, and the district levy passing in November. Image by Sydney Evans.
This past year has been a mix of both good and bad. We saw highs when it came to sports franchises breaking historic droughts and a massive discovery relating to ALS. Some of our favorite musicians released new and innovative projects. We also saw lows, with the deaths of legendary figures like Muhammad Ali, Prince, and David Bowie. We also saw the culmination of one of the most divisive elections in the history of our country. “Hamilton: An American Musical” presented its viewers with a musical version of a different, yet oddly familiar, election, while dazzling audience members. We saw tragedies in Orlando, San Bernardino, and Brussels. In 2016, we witnessed the worldwide reaction of support and strength against terrorist attacks. 2016 was a year of change. We have a new president. A new Harry Potter movie aired in theaters and Frank Ocean released a new album. Also, finally, Leonardo Dicaprio won an Oscar. All in all, 2016 may not have been the most fun, exciting, nor happiest year. However, looking back, 2016 was a year of progress, and this improvement cannot be understated. We are beginning to have an evolved discussion about the role of race in our country. New chemotherapy breakthroughs have increased the likelihood of fiveyear survival for pancreatic cancer from 16 percent to 27 percent. The Cleveland Cavaliers became basketball champions and the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. 2016 is now over. No matter what you think of the year as a whole, both good and bad, it is time to move forward into 2017.
“I’m not really sure. A lot of important things happened and it’s hard to narrow it down to one event because everything was really important,” Olivia Shuholm, 12. “‘Hamilton’ was really good. I really enjoy the soundtracks because the music has been great. It has a great balance between historical context and telling stories,” Jacob Englander, 11.
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Staff Editorial
THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG|5
OPINION
Photo courtesy: MCT Campus
O
To be American Today’s society shapes definition of national identity print co-editor-in-chief 183054@sycamoreschools.org
W
ith political parties flying high comes a nation that is split into opposing sides, arguing until we forget the true meaning behind nationalism and American pride. Today’s world is changing on the daily, news is being spread faster than ever, discussion on political issues is growing rapidly, and more people are becoming educated on the matters that influence our culture. The results being better communication and better means of understanding, but it is our duty to maintain a watchful eye for misinformation and use our sources to gain a better knowledge of the nation’s challenges. The United States is a diverse nation, our own school a microcosm of the many different cultures, histories, and faces that make up the very soul and body of this country. Therefore, to be an American is a diverse statement, but also one that is full of pride. This nation’s fabric is created with the weaving of a multitude of arts, humanities, and achievements, all of which join together in one. Therefore, it is our duty to be informed on the various heritages of others and to be open to learning about the stories of those around us. After all, unity is an
American trait, a trait that once brought 13 colonies together. Part of being an American is serving our nation in the form of civic duty: voting, completing jury duty, paying taxes, volunteering for the common good, and speaking on political issues. By completing these tasks, we, as a nation, are helping the country run with ease. Although that may seem like a large responsibility, it is our duty
to help aid the communities of our nation, and in return our nation gives us our freedoms and protects our rights. In conclusion, we, as Americans, must remember our pasts and our beginnings before we can look to the future. We are unified, together as one, in a nation that tries its hardest to represent the faces and cultures of those who call it home. Photo courtesy: Natalie Brinkman
NATALIE BRINKMAN
UNIFIED. Sycamore High School harbors a multitude of cultures, traditions, and histories. The flags in the commons represent the many nationalities of current and past students who have walked these halls. Sycamore prides itself on being both a diverse and inclusive school district, the flags are symbolic of the school’s harmonious attitude towards the world.
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OPINION
O(bama) do not leave us column: HANNAH MAY executive co-editor-in-chief 173130@sycamoreschools.org
W
JOSH PATTERSON
MAX TOREM
opinion chief
news chief
171042@sycamoreschools.org
176003@sycamoreschools.org
ith a new president about to take over the Oval Office, the next few months will be spent looking back on the presidency of Barack Obama... And what a great time it was. Under the Obama administration, the United States saw a rebound from one of its worst recessions after the 2008 housing market crash. Osama bin Laden has also since been killed, and the United States pulled troops out of Iraq in 2011 after eight years of conflict. The United States also saw the landmark that is the passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which set out to provide affordable health care to millions of Americans that did not have it. He also signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010 to re-regulate the financial sector after its practices caused the Great Recession. The act tightens capital requirements on large banks and other financial institutions, mandates that large banks provide “living wills” to avoid chaotic bankruptcies, limits banks’ abilities to trade with customers’ money for their own profit, and creates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to crack down on abusive lending. The United States also took massive leaps under President Obama when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. Not only did he repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, allowing LGBT people to serve in the military openly, but under the Obama administration, gay marriage was legalized in the landmark Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges. But everything that he and his administration have done in terms of policy only slightly measures up to the upstanding people he and his family have been while representing America.
Through the terms $787 billion Economic Stimulus Bill signed into law
2009 Barack Obama is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
2010 The Compromise tax plan is passed, extending the tax cuts initiated by George W. Bush
2011 Benghazi attack on the American diplomatic compound by Islamic militants
2009 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is passed
2010 Terrorist Osama bin Laden is killed a US raid in Pakistan
2012
2012 The No Budget, No Pay Act and the Violence Against Women Act are signed into law
2013 The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act signed into law
Obama is reelected to a second term as president, beating Mitt Romney
2013 The Continuing Appropriations Act ends the government shutdown and the debt ceiling crisis
2014
Design by: Hannah May
After the recent attack on Ohio State University (OSU), a question that has swept the nation in the past has resurfaced. The question is whether or not college campuses should allow concealed carry. The answer is no. Imagine if OSU did allow concealed carry on their campus. Now imagine if students, not trained and certified emergency responders, began to open fire on Abdul Razak Ali Artan when he was harming the innocent students. Unless one of the emergency responders saw the attack unfold in person, he or she would not know who committed the crime. Odds are that officers will not see every campus attack right before their eyes and begin to suppress the threat before it becomes serious. Odds are that they will show up at the scene of the attack moments after it begins. If there are multiple people shooting at each other, how do you expect anyone to know who is a real threat and who is just trying to defend themselves and other students around them? You do not. Not only would this cause confusion, but it could cause more harm than good. If there was a way to ensure that everyone who was carrying a weapon would use it only for non-aggressive purposes, I would be all for it. But there is absolutely no way to ensure or enforce that. For that reason, I just cannot get myself to support Ohio representative Ron Maag. I just cannot fully get myself to support concealed carry on college campuses. But most importantly, I plan on attending college in less than a year and I cannot risk the safety of myself and my friends at college.
THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG 7
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FE ATURE
Do-nut take this lightly ABIGAIL LEFTON
EDWARD WADE
staff writer
staff writer
192011@sycamoreschools.org
193056@sycamoreschools.org
F
ast versus healthy. The classic debate has been argued throughout the food industry. And as of recent memory, it seems like the fast food is winning. With countless fast food restaurants just around the corner, it is too easy for children to get their hands on a 400 plus calorie snack. The current generation of children could potentially live shorter lives than their parents due to malnutrition from fast food and other unhealthy foods. How did this happen? First, take a look at fast food companies. At most fast food restaurants, companies choose to put a toy in the kids’ meals. The guaranteed fun draws the children to their highcalorie foods. The toys are usually put towards the bottom of the box or bag to make sure the kids eat the food before they get to the toy. With the toy as a reward, the children succumb to the devious plan. Often, families do not have enough money to plan and cook a meal every night. Parents then tend to give their children something fast and easy. These quicker options can sometimes be healthy, but there can be times when parents gravitate towards the unhealthier options and choose fast
food. “Parents can set a good example of what healthy eating and regular exercise looks like,” said Mrs. Cindy Zetterberg, health teacher. When parents make this choice, children do not get the essential vitamins and minerals they need. Over the past thirty years, childhood obesity has doubled while adolescent obesity quadrupled. There is also the factor of habits. If parents introduce fast food or other unhealthy foods early in a child’s life, children will likely lean toward these foods rather than a fruits or vegetables. Children eat these types of foods more often because they are filled with artificial flavorings and fillers that make them taste better. “Habits that are formed at a young age oftentimes are carried over into adulthood,” said Mrs. Jessica Johnson, Child Nutrition & Wellness Director for Sycamore Community Schools. When at fast food restaurants, there are healthy options to choose from. These can be salads, wraps, or sandwiches filled with dark leafy greens. Kids can also try swapping french fries for apple slices and getting water in place of soda.
NUTRITION FAST FACTS
21%
34%
of adolescents in America are obese
of children from ages two to 19 eat fast food on any given day
8 |THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
When eating, you have to think about portion size. If you are eating too much fast food, your eating choices go from bad to worse. When in a situation where you find yourself eating too much fast food in one sitting, you have to think of the consequences. “Specific negative impacts of obesity on health include increased susceptibility to a host of diseases, chronic health disorders, psychological disorders, and premature death,” according to the National Center for Children Poverty. Education on the topic is not out of reach. There are registered dietitians whose sole jobs are to help families gravitate towards healthier food options. They try to help you stay away from foods that can harm you in the long run. “I use fresh ingredients, organic when possible. I also get my breads and bagels from local bakeries that don’t use preservatives,” said Tom Applegate, co-owner of Branch Hill Coffee Company. With childhood obesity becoming a major problem in today’s society, having a healthy diet is key to living a healthy life. “Food is fuel, so don’t put junk into the Mercedes,” Zetterberg said. Source: Time.com, healthyeating.sfgate.com, nccp.org, cdc.gov, healthyeating.sfgate.com
17% of adolescents are overweight in America
FEATURE
Helpers taking hurricanes by storm ELIZABETH ARVELADZE staff writer 206183@sycamoreschools.org
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atural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and the recent Hurricane Matthew are tragic events. However, they do bring people together to help those with nothing left. Students at SHS were touched and took action to help those impacted after the hurricanes struck. Since 2005, three major hurricanes have taken place. First Hurricane Katrina, taking place in eastern North America in 2005. Second, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 took place it the eastern United States. DISASTER. Hurricane Matthew destroyed most of the shores in Haiti. Finally, in 2016 Hurricane Matthew Spreading trash, rocks, and sand in places they should not be. It was took place in the Caribbean and almost impossible to get into the beach. Photo courtesy MCT. American Southeast.
Students talk Sandy
Students at SHS have family or friends that live near the Atlantic Coast that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. “My grandparents live near the Atlantic Coast and were greatly impacted by the hurricane. “Their house was completely falling apart and [they] had to spend a lot of time redoing it. My family was relieved to find out they were okay, but my friends and I continued to ask people to donate money to families that weren’t as fortunate as ours. “We helped Sandy survivors every chance we got,” said Madison Humphrey, 9.
Student survey Out of 62 students surveyed, 32% 68 percent are 68% more likely to help hurricane survivors if they have a personal connection to the country, while 32 percent said they would help no matter where and how it happened.
Hurricane Matthew
On the morning of Oct. 4, 2016, Hurricane Matthew slammed into Haiti near the town of Les Anglais, on the island nation’s southwest coast with winds of 145 miles per hour. The southeastern United States was then hit hard by Hurricane Matthew as it moved close to the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. According to CNN, there were 336 dead, 211 injured, and 600,000 displaced from their homes.
Helping Haiti
SHS started a fundraiser to help Haiti after Hurricane Matthew wiped it out. The donations were used to provide water, food, emergency supplies, and basic services. The money went to HavServe, a nonprofit which has been helping Haiti since the earthquake in 2010. The French department collected over $1,000 for the earthquake victims in Haiti. “I teach French at SHS, [and] my class and I study different Frenchspeaking countries. Haiti is a Frenchspeaking country, therefore we felt the need to help them,” said Mrs. Lesley Chapman, French teacher.
THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG|9
FEATURE
Golden state faces rocky fate EMILY CHIEN
MEGHAN DIGIOVANNA
YVANNA REYES
leaflet managing editor
staff writer
staff writer
181097@sycamoreschools.org
185032@sycamoreschools.org
187096@sycamoreschools.org
A
lthough the events in the 2015 movie “San Andreas” are surely exaggerated, ‘The Big One’ earthquake, as seismologists call it, is an all-too-real occurrence in California’s future. The looming geographical disaster has been on the state’s radar since before the technology to detect it was invented.
The sheer size is enough to frighten an entire population, as the San Andreas Fault runs for roughly 800 miles down the state’s coastline, tracing all the way down California’s scenic shoreline. Recently, residents have become even more concerned as a series of mini earthquakes rocked southern California and the sea near the fault itself. Not only that, but outside factors contribute to the coming of ‘The Big One’ quake. The record-breaking California drought has undoubtedly had an effect on its arrival and local agriculture, also causing a drop in central exports such as avocados and almonds. “In fact, the state grows an alarming “99 percent of all US almonds, and each seed requires 1.1 gallons of water to grow,” said M.M Makonnen, water footprint researcher.
QUAKE SCALE
San Francisco
San Andreas Fault-line
Los Angeles
Not only does the urgent drought crisis place pressure on the San Andreas Fault, it also alarms the populace with the possibility of rising water tides. California government assigned a drought research task force to review the issue, later saying that the excessive groundwater pumping and aquifer depletion can cause land to sink. “I have grown accustomed to small earthquakes, perhaps too comfortable for my own good. Everyone is aware of the drought crisis, but I never considered its effect on the big earthquake,” said Jacqueline Huerta, Irvine, California resident. “I will be sure to take precautions, and hope that we are somewhat ready for what may come,” Huerta said, thinking about her mother and younger sister.
severe
>8
major
7
strong
6
moderate
5
light
4
minor
3
subtle
<2
Source: National Centers for Environmental Information
1906 700 people dead after 8.3 magnitude earthquake
1957
1979
5.7 magnitude earthquake hits San Francisco
Earthquake occurs around Imperial Fault
10|THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
1989 World Series postponed after 63 deaths
2004 6.0 magnitude quake strikes Parkfield area
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COVER
Looking back
COVER
Front-page news: local, international JENNA BAO
SARAH HORNE
associate editor 181003@sycamoreschools.org
creative projects director 174214@sycamoreschools.org
SHS news 1.
Photo courtesy of McDanielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photography.
1. Sonia Nazario visit 2. New commons seating 3. Student gives Ted Talk 4. Ranked eighth in Ohio school districts 5. One to One 6. New superintendent 7. Highest ACT average 8. New pool, new lockers 9. Hiring new staff, saying goodbye to others 10. First Freshman Camp
Lists in cover story are NOT ranked in order of perceived importance.
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3.
Photo courtesy of Staff
World news 1. Death of Supreme Court 1. justice, Antonin Scalia 2. Syrian refugee crisis 3. Black Lives Matter movement 4. Standing Rock Pipeline protest 5. Election of Donald 3. Trump 6. Water crisis in Flint, Michigan 7. Brexit 8. Orlando shooting 9. Zika virus 10. 2016 summer Olympics
Cartoons
12|THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
All photos courtesy of MCT Photo
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4.
All cartoons by Sydney Evans
COVER
Arts & Entertainment: strokes of genius TAYLOR CLOSE
1.
Photos 4,6,7 courtesy of MCT Campus
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2.
3.
Photos 1-3,5 courtesy of McDaniels photography
creative projects director 182040@sycamoreschools.org
5. 7. 6.
1. Memory project begins
3. Orchestra’s Senior 5. Musicals: “Bring It Spotlight On,” “Spelling Bee”
2. Marching band gets second in championship
4. David Bowie and Prince’s death
7. “Hamilton” sets Tony record
6. “Fantastic Beasts,” 8. Frank Ocean “Cursed Child” release returns
9. OscarsSoWhite, Leonardo DiCaprio gets Oscar 10. “Finding Dory,” “Deadpool”
Be‘Leaf’ in puns
Best puns featured in ‘The Leaf’ 1. Jew wish you were president (Feb.)
5. Music Hall approaches next movement (May)
9. Students starting prom-parations (April)
2. One2One: (Google) Driving the future (Aug.)
6. Ray Tensing trial(s), tribulations (Nov.)
10. Trump trumps election polls (Nov.)
3. Heart of SHS: Blood drive pumps students’ spirits (Jan)
7. Viral madness: World goes bananas for Harambe (Sept.)
4. Str-ivy-ing for change: Colleges reform admissions (March)
8. Birk in business: Birkenstocks boomerang back (May) THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG |13
COVER
SHS Sports: History made LAUREN KURTZER
creative projects director 174029@sycamoreschools.org
3. Photos courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography
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1. SHS alum Gary Traub competed in the state tournament and placed second in his 195 pound weight class, the highest any SHS wrestler has gone in history. Traub also placed third in senior nationals. 2. Led by record-setters, the football team closed the regular season with four wins, including a win against Mason. They went to the regional finals, the farthest an SHS football team has gone. 3. The chess team has dominated this season with a 7-1 record and second place in the GMC following a first place finish last season. 4. The boys’ soccer team captured the GMC title for the first time since 2008. Their 9-6-1 regular season record led them to two playoff victories. 5. The Academic Quiz Team (AQT) tied for second in the GMC with a 13-5-0 record. In the postseason, AQT won the GMC tournament and moved onto the regional finals in April where they placed in the top seven. 6. The girls water polo team placed fourth in the state along with two girls being named First Team All Ohio.
National Sports: legends born
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1. In Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos won the title, ending historic quarterback Peyton Manning’s career. 2. After 108 years without a title, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series after being down three games to one. 3. The Cleveland Cavaliers gave the city their first title in 54 years after being down three games to one. 4. The United States continued their dominance in the Olympics with 46 gold medals and 121 overall. 14|THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
Photo courtesy of MCT campus
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AR T S & ENTER TAINMENT
Minority representation in ‘Moana’ promotes diversity AMY DENG managing editor 175053@sycamoreschools.org
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isney has released a new film portraying a young girl living in the islands of Polynesia. Her name is Moana, voiced by Hawaiian actress Auli’i Cravalho, who goes on an ocean adventure with the demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The film features an original storyline that blends Pacific Island culture into the images and animation. Themes such as heroism and heritage are woven throughout the movie. When developing the story, directors John Musker and Ron Clements spent long periods of time consulting with island natives to learn more about Polynesian history and culture in order to better develop the characters and story. “Moana” is diverse in that it works hard to represent Polynesian myths, histories, and societies that filmmakers carefully crafted to best depict the culture. The cast is diverse as well. Cravalho grew up in Hawaii and her heritage consists of a mix of Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Hawaiian. Johnson is African American and Samoan. The Polynesian film is not the first Disney film to represent characters of color. The 1992 movie “Aladdin” depicted a musical fantasy about genies and magic carpets taking place in the Middle East. Following, came “The Lion King,” an African film featuring only animated animals. In 1998, Disney released “Mulan,” based on the story of the ancient Chinese warrior Hua Mulan. However, minority representation in Disney films has not always been accepted with open arms. Many such films have been criticized for using white actors and actresses to voice
foreign characters. In August 2016, the animation studio released a film named “Kubo and the Two Strings,” a stop-motion movie about the son of a lost samurai. The film received a lot of attention: it was praised for its design and model but was criticized for its largely white creative team and voice cast. People were angry that the mainly white cast was telling a Japanese story with Japanese characters and believed that the personas of those characters should instead be represented by those of that culture. Although the creators of “Moana” worked hard to ensure that the movie was culturally appropriate, the backlash is still evident. A particular concern for most critics is the portrayal of the demigod Maui. Some people found the large size of the character to be offensive to the native culture, as Polynesia has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. Overall, Disney took great strides in trying to represent minority cultures through beautifully-written story lines that do their best to display the traditions and aspects that make up unique societies.
1. ADVENTURE. Main characters, Moana and Maui travel across the ocean to restore life to the island. The story takes place 2,000 years ago. It was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. 2.TUNES. Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda made contributions to the “Moana” soundtrack. The music was released on CD on Nov. 18 in advance of the film’s Nov. 23 release. Musical numbers such as “You’re Welcome” and “We Know the Way” feature Miranda’s vocals. Photos courtesy of MCT Campus.
THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG|15
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Chance the Rapper’s rise to success Lil Chano from 79th sweeps hip hop world AMY DENG managing editor 175053@sycamoreschools.org
“Coloring Book” debuted on Billboard 200 in May 2016
From Chicago, Illinois
The album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 in the first week of its release. It was then eligible to be considered for a Grammy nomination.
Chance grew up in the middleclass neighborhood of West Chatham on Chicago’s South Side. At Jones College Prep High School, some of his teachers ridiculed his aspirations to become a musician.
Titled “10 Day,” his first fulllength project was released featuring a song titled “Windows.”
GRAMMY’S
Chance was nominated for seven Grammy awards on Dec. 6, 2016.
Released “Coloring Book” in 2016
Chance’s third mixtape was released and in the first week, the mixtape was streamed over 57.3 million times. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus
Released first mixtape in 2011
Released “Acid Rap” in 2013
“Acid Rap” was strongly praised by music critics and fans. In Metacritic, the mixtape received a score indicating “universal acclaim.” It was also nominated for Best Mixtape at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Released “Surf” with Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment in 2015
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(513) 563-7755
16|THE LEAF|December 15,2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
The album consists of a group of contributors and was highly anticipated because of Chance’s heavy involvement with the group, contributing vocals and some of the arrangements to the album.
F
FUN & GAMES
SAM RUSKIN
Hint: winter
lowalnbS
fun and games chief
Welcome to the December Issue! This section will feature a new game each issue. This month’s game will be...
Answers: Snowball, Holidays, Sled, Rudolph, Cocoa
193157@sycamoreschools.org
sdoHiayl eSdl
Crazy Jumble
hoRupld aocCo
Winter Special
Sudoku
W ha t’s your El f Name
Difficulty: Medium
2 6 7 4
8
4
Using the 1st letter in your name
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A-Buttercup B-Sprinkles C-Jolly D-Merry E-Witty F-Sneaky G-Peppermint H-Tinsel I-Dreidel
5
3
9
6
4
7 4 2
1 9 8 5
6 5 9 2
4
3
6
8
*Solution verified by hand and by computer
C H I L I 1949
Create your Elf Name by.... J-Eggnog K-Cheer L-Cozy M-Curious N-Sugary O-Sleezy P-Grinchy Q-Shiny R-Relentless
S-Lavish T-Tasteful U-Artisan W-Naive X-Cracker Y-Bubbles Z-Pudding
Then add the month you were born in
1
Jan-Fruit Cake Feb-Old Guy March-Evergreen April-Nutcracker
May- Kitty Cat June-Candy Corn July-Penguin Aug-Sugar Plum
Sept-Kangaroo Oct-Fool Nov-Leslie Dec-Cougar
Address: 5005 Cornell Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242 Phone: (513) 489-8488 Hours: Monday-Friday10:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday 11a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday 11a.m.-9 p.m. 17 THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG | |17
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SPORTS
Wrestling works towards success HANNAH MAY
co executive editor-in-chief 173130@sycamoreschools.org
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fter a rewarding 2016 season, with graduate Gary Traub placing second at the state tournament in his weight class and the team placing third in the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Championship, the wrestling team is ready to fill its own shoes and have another successful season. “[Senior] Jimmy Traub’s hunger to be as good as [his older brother] Gary Traub will make up for the loss. The varsity team can do well this year,” said Jeremy Pletz, 11. The team is coached by Mr. Jeremy Pletz, Mr. Timothy Arnold, Mr. Ben Williams, and Mr. James Weeks. Though official captains have not been voted on, there is a collective leadership that is taken on by the upperclassmen.
The team practices for two hours a day and implements strength training with a weight workout two days a week. They also have study tables before practice. The next tournament is on Fri. Dec. 16 at Blanchester High School. Looking forward, the team will compete at the GMC tournament and then each individual wrestler will attempt to advance in his own right. After the GMC tournament, the wrestlers will compete at the Ohio High School Sectional Tournament, in which they need to place top four in their specific weight classes to qualify for the Ohio High School District Tournament. The district tournament functions in the same way that the sectional tournament does-if a wrestler finishes top four in their weight class they will advance to the state tournament, which is the pinnacle of Ohio high school wrestling.
PIN. In a home match in the 2015-2016 season, senior Jimmy Traub earns a victory over his opponent. Traub earned a 3rd place finish in the Greater Miami Conference in his weight class. His 2015-2016 record was 29-9. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography
HIGHER SCORES MEAN MORE COLLEGE OPTIONS
ONE ON ONE INSTRUCTION! huntinghelps.com
CONTACT: 513-489--5777 ADDRESS: 11385 Montgomery Rd 18|THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
SPORTS
Checkmate:
Chess team earns second in GMC
column:
JOSHUA PATTERSON
opinion chief
WILLIAM COLEMAN sports chief 171098@sycamoreschools.org
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quare by square and move by move, the SHS chess team pushed itself to a final record of 14-2 this season. After a 2015 campaign that left the Aviators undefeated and GMC champs, team expectations were high for the upcoming season. Their title defense season started with replacing three players that they lost to graduation. All rose to the occasion in joining this team during a difficult rebuilding stage at the beginning of the season. “Being the only senior on the varsity team is interesting because I’ve been able to see four years of drastically different players, and I think that all of our new players have a ton of room to grow in the future,” said Daniel Dong, team captain, 12. Entering the post-season, the Aves fell just behind Mason in the conference rankings. SHS’s postseason matchup with the
FOCUS. Junior Victor Lim surveys the chess board. Lim is one of the team’s best players. Individually, he made first team all Greater Miami Conference. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
Comets played out just like the regular season one, a 5-0 Mason win. Yet considering how talented this Mason squad was, this season’s results left team members happy. “The season went well overall, and it was a good learning experience for me as it was my first year being a team leader,” said Victor Lim, 11.
AQT buzzing to success
Retraction
CAROLINE VERALDO sports chief 173000@sycamoreschools.org
After tying for second place in the Greater Miami Conference in 2016, the SHS Academic Quiz Team hopes to match or top that success in its 2017 season. The team graduated a few key members of the class of 2016, but it still has many skilled returning players including senior Mitch Radakovich, who made second team all GMC in 2016. The AQT captains, seniors Patrick Tosh and Kevin Sheetz, lead the varsity team during its practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. The team’s first match was on Dec. 7 against Lakota West High
School. The team’s biggest rival is Mason. “I think our team could be really successful this season. We have all of the bases of academia covered, and have good teamwork developed,” Radakovich said.
QUIZ. Members of the 2016 AQT team participate in a team round during their senior night against Colerain. The 2017 senior night will take place on Jan. 23 against Fairfield. Seniors and juniors are on varsity while freshmen and sophomores are on junior varsity. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
Whenever there is a playoff that is chosen subjectively, there are going to be people who are upset. We have seen it every year when selection Sunday comes around for college basketball. Every year teams feel slighted by committee decisions, and this year that team was Pennsylvania State University. The Nittany Lions finished the regular season with a 11-2 record and the Big Ten title after beating Wisconsin 38-31. They have won nine in a row, including a 24-21 win over Ohio State, and finished number five in the final rankings which determine the playoff. This time, the committee got it right. While Penn State made a late run and made the final decisions interesting, they do have two losses. And shockingly, two is greater than one. The committee is tasked with the purpose of “preserving the excitement and significance of college football’s unique regular season where every game counts.” That means that losing two games, while not ending your season, will mean that you would not only have to win all other games and have an incredibly tough schedule, but also have to be convincing in those wins. Penn State did not have the schedule nor the convincing wins to make it up. Penn State had a great season. A season better than anyone thought they would have, even some of their own fans. They even have a nationally-recognized kicker in Joey Julius. However, they do not have a playoff berth, and it was the right decision.
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SPORTS
column:
GOAL. Junior Liam Wells skates across the ice during a home game in the 2015-2016 season. Wells and the rest of the team have two more home games in their 2017 season. Their game on Feb. 3 against Mason will be their Senior Night. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
LAUREN KURTZER creative projects director 174029@sycamoreschools.org
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis’ coaching career has been anything but remarkable despite turning around a dead franchise. Sort of. His tenure has made Cincinnatians want to rip their hair out again and again. So with zero playoff wins in seven appearances and a few dismal regular season turnouts, how is Lewis still coaching this team? He is the ultimate insider in a championship-less franchise. According to ESPN, he talks with 80-year-old owner Mike Brown every day. Brown says he is very candid with Lewis, but I think that is one of the biggest lies I have ever heard. Lewis has continuously taken hometown discounts with his salary, making any owner want to keep him due to the amount of money they save. The NFL has their employees retain their jobs based off of current production; yet in the past 14 years, Lewis has continued to coach this cursed franchise, and he has produced nothing. No ring, no playoff victories, no order. The only other current coach who has been with the same team longer is Bill Belichick, who has four Super Bowl victories and has accomplishments left and right. Lewis does not; he is far from it. He may have brought the Bengals to six straight playoff appearances and the team was extremely close to a win last season, but two players he vouched for, Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones, were the ones who led the team’s downfall in that game. Cincinnati needs a change. 14 years is too long to have nothing to show for. If the Bengals were not the dysfunctional franchise that they are, a change would have been made long ago.
New season, new coach: Hockey hires Blaine Stoughton CAROLINE VERALDO co-sports chief 173000@sycamoreschools.org
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ith an entirely new and very experienced coaching staff, the SHS junior varsity and varsity hockey teams are looking to have a successful season. “Bobby Johnson, our head junior varsity coach, played college hockey at The Ohio State University, our varsity assistant coach Matt Sperry has experience in college level hockey as well, and our new varsity coach is tenyear National Hockey League veteran Blaine Stoughton,” said Tevis Leavy, 12. Stoughton played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Hartford Whalers, and New York Rangers in the United States, as well as in many major teams in Canada. “When we were first introduced to Coach Stoughton, we knew his experience and knowledge of the game was unmatched. He is completely transforming our program and I am very
20|THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG
fortunate to play for him,” Leavy said. The team plays all of its home games at Sports Plus in Evendale. Most of them take place on Friday nights with tournaments almost every weekend. The league that the team plays in consists of eleven teams in and around the Cincinnati area with its biggest rival being Mason High School. Their main goals for the season are to beat Mason and beat their record from the 20152016 season. “I am looking forward to the rest of the season. We have a lot of underclassmen on the team this year, so we are working really hard to build up and shape the future years of SHS hockey,” said Richard Nardi, 12.
Scan here to learn more about Aves hockey
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All photos courtesy of Avi Goldstein
SPOTLIGHT
Goldstein’s hobbies dominate HANNAH LOFTSPRING spotlight chief 172032@sycamoreschools.org
T
he diversity at SHS is all accredited to the students. Students like Avi Goldstein, 12, who hike, climb, scuba dive, and snorkel contribute to making SHS so special. Goldstein has chosen to graduate after three years of high school with this year’s senior class. “I decided to skip sophomore year because I felt like the world outside the walls of high school have more to offer me. Sycamore is an incredible school, but the traditional learning style just isn’t for everyone. My original plan was to take a gap year before entering college, but now that graduation is around the corner I may go straight to school,” Goldstein said. It seems like there would be extreme
requirements to skip an entire year of classes and still graduate with enough credits, but Goldstein said otherwise. “What I did to skip the grade wasn’t that much different than [what] I would do during a four-year path, because for graduation requirements most of the subjects are only required for three years,” Goldstein said. Although she is working hard to maintain her grades and get accepted into a great college, Goldstein has not strayed away from her hobbies and her Jewish background. In April, Goldstein will travel with a group of Jewish teenagers to Israel and Poland on a trip called March of the Living. They will visit sites of concentration camps as a tribute to all the victims of the Holocaust. As April is months away, Goldstein is currently occupying her free time with
hobbies such as climbing and scuba diving. She climbs both indoors and outdoors on hikes and climbing trips. “I’ve always been the kid who would go to climbing birthday parties and spend the entire time on the wall instead of celebrating my friend’s birthday. I didn’t get serious about it, though, until about two years ago.” Rock climbing is not a traditional sport shown on television or raved about during the Olympics, as it is not included, but it means the world to Goldstein. “It’s easy to fall in love with rock climbing. It’s a really great full body workout, but strength is only one-third [of] climbing. One-third is mental and one-third is technique. Climbing pushes me far beyond what I ever imagined I could do.”
Standing 10% off for anyone showing Sycamore or staff ID 11142 Kenwood Rd Cincinnati, OH 45242 513-469-7151
HIKE. Goldstein climbs a boulder. “I was hiking with some friends. I saw a nice-looking boulder and decided to throw on my climbing gear and try to get on top of it,” said Avi Goldstein, 12. THE LEAF|December 15, 2016|SHSLEAF.ORG | 21
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