The first time i

The Leaflet 5.20.16 | Vol. 2 Issue 10

The first time I...

Dedicated to: The first significant moments that have defined our lives and the upcoming firsts that will continue to develop who we are.

STORIES ISSUE There is a first time for everything, no matter how trivial that something is. Everything has a beginning, and because of that, everyone has a lot of stories about the first time that have done something new.

These stories reveal a lot about a person, and are extremely important when telling the tale of their life.

For this reason we have dedicated this issue to all the first time stories.

We gathered various stories from students at SHS in order to share

some of their best first moments.

The first time I‌ stories are different for every person and are some of the best memories that people can have.

This is why it was so great that students were able to give us a glimpse into their lives and how they were able to handle new experiences in their lives.

We hope that you will enjoy reading about these firsts and that they are able to inspire you to do new things and create more firsts for yourself.

staff members

Sarah Abraham Allyson Bonhaus Natalie Brinkman Caroline Bruns Emily Chien Adhiti Chundur Taylor Close William Coleman Amy Deng Meghan DiGiovanna

Jake Englander Yasmine Guedira Rujula Kapoor Alex Karev Stephanie Kidd Eshika Kohi Hannah Loftspring Christine Macke Anne Marsh Hannah May

Hajime Minoguchi Calliope Osborn Joshua Patterson Sam Ruskin Madeline Schramm Max Torem Caroline Veraldo Kamaria Walton Sydney Weiss Abhilash Yarlagadda Nathan Zhang

Leaflet Editors-in-Chief Hannah Frey

Web Editor -In-Chief Harsimran Makkad

Executive Editors in Chief Hannah May, Benjamin Ruskin Managing Editor Amy Deng Print Co-Editors Natalie Brinkman, Adhiti Chundur, Sydney Evans Web Master Caroline Bruns

Associate Editors Jenna Bao, Business Manager Jacob Englander, Eshika Kohli, David Wertherim Social Media Director Sydney Weiss Broadcast Editor-in-Chief Sarah Horne

hannah frey

This issue p2: binge watched a show p4: performed p5: drove p9: played violin p12: met my best friend p16: went out of the country p18: played baseball p23: Ran a marathon The Leaflet, the official web newsmagazine of Sycamore High School, serves as an educational tool in the training of student journalists. We provide information and editorial leadership concerning school, national and world issues. We also provide a public forum for the exchange of ideas and viewpoints and give coverage to newsworthy events directly related to our diverse school population. These viewpoints are purely from the staff of The Leaflet, and not the administration.

Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, OH 45242

1

The First time I: Binge watched a show Sophomore Taylor Close said, “The first show that I binge watched was ‘Friends’ in the summer of eighth grade. My parents bought all nine seasons on DVD and I remember I had a bad flu, so I watched four seasons in three weeks. It was a feat that I had never done before, but it was not the last.”

NETFLIX

My five greatest binge watches: how i met your

mother

2

Design by Taylor Close Information by Taylor Close

UN BREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT

New Girl TEEN WOLF

...

I e tim

st r i f e Th ne a l p a flew

Sophomore Sydney Evans said, “The first time I flew a plane on my own was when I was 14 (in the summer of 2015). I flew my dad’s plane, which is a single engine Bonanza (B7227U). I had landed and taken off the plane before but I’d never manually flown the plane after take off for more than a few minutes. Last summer, I flew the plane for 45 minutes after takeoff. Afterwards I was completely wiped out. It had been really foggy so I’d had to fly solely based on the lane p y m instruments, as the horizon was hidden by clouds. What made it even harder is the main instruments are on the left side (the pilot side) which means I couldn’t just look down but I had to look across the plane and I had to be sure that the instruments were reading the plane’s position correctly. I’d never realized how tiring it was before since I wasn’t flying, but it’s so disorienting when you’re flying and everything around you is white. The reason I love to fly is that it is a hobby of my dad’s and because every year we fly up and camp at Oshkosh, the biggest airshow in the world. It’s one of my favorite places to be, especially since there is a restaurant there (the Smiley Face Balloon restaurant, as we call it) which has the best corn ever.”

9

10

1 3

7 6

This gauge tells you your heading Despite what you may think this is not used to steer. It is used to keep the plane level(parallel to the ground) while you steer with the pedals

com 1

2

8

5

4

This gauge measures your altitude

com 2

1 123.74

com 3

This gauge tells you if you are level to the ground

2 123.74 3 123.74

This screen will tell you your location with regards to your desired flight path

AP

HDG

Used to change frequencies and talk to different radio towers

Where my dad keeps the tic-tac’s

ALT

These switches are used to turn on auto pilot and change your heading(direction) and altitude

Design by Sydney Evans Information by Sydney Evans

3

Freshman London Brinkman said, “The first time I performed was in Annie in seventh grade.

The feeling that I got when I stepped on stage was just so indescribable. I knew that this was something I was gonna stick with.

Bringing joy to an audience is a feeling I wouldn't trade for the world.�

4

Design by Sydney Evens Information by Sydney Evens

The first time I... r a c a dro ve Freshman Sydney Weiss said, “I got my temporary license in March. After I passed, I left for my spring break trip in Chicago. I was safe from driving for about a week since my parents did not want my first driving experience to be in a new city.

When I got home a week later, my dad encouraged me to drive in the SHS parking lot. Reluctantly, I agreed. “

“When I first sat in the driver’s seat, I put one foot on each pedal. My dad laughed and explained how you only use your right foot when driving. I put the car in drive and freaked out when the car started moving without my foot on either pedal. After fixing the mirrors, I was ready to take a lap around the parking lot. I made it back to my original spot successfully with a B minus rating. My dad still has not given me higher than a B minus, but I am working on it.”

Design by Sydney Welss Information by Sydney Welss

5

THE FIRST TIME I HEARD MY FAVORITE BAND Junior Hannah Frey said, “The first time I heard my favorite band I was distraught because I had just lost my iPod with all of my music on it. This meant that I was forced to listen to my father's music. At first I was apprehensive about what his music would sound like, but the song “Hard Day's Night” by the Beatles filled the room. In that moment I knew that no other band could be better than the Beatles.”

6

Design by Hannah Frey Information by Hannah Frey

T he first t ime I danced

Junior Hannah Young said, “The first time I danced, I was two years old and in the middle of the recital I ran off the stage and into the audience because I had to go to the bathroom. I do not remember it very well but whenever I dance now my mom loves telling the story.�

Design by Hannah Frey Information by Hannah Frey

7

THE FIRST TIME I PLAYED PIANO

Sophomore Adhiti Chundur said, “The first time I played the piano was during second grade, on my electric keyboard.

I was instantly hooked, and begged my parents to give me real piano lessons.

I started classical piano lessons at the beginning of the 2nd grade year, and have been playing ever since. Now I consider playing the piano a valuable hobby and skill to have, and I appreciate the skills and work ethnic I have picked up along the way.�

by Hannah Frey 8 Design Information by Hannah Frey

THE FIRST TIME I PLAYED VIOLA Sophomore Stephanie Hong said, “The first time I played viola was in fifth grade in Bloomington, IN for a strings out-of-school program.

To be honest I chose viola because too many people were choosing violin and cello and I didn’t know what a bass was. Our first rehearsal in the program basically consisted of, ‘Okay everybody, this is your instrument and this is your case!

Let’s look at a diagram on how to hold it.’ My first performance was with the group and catastrophic is the only way to describe it.

A bunch of unmotivated fifth graders with barely one year of experience? Enough said. The first time I auditioned for anything viola related was for advanced orchestra in sixth grade with Ms. Castle. I actually quite vividly remember it as one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.”

Design by Hannah Loftspring Information by Hannah Loftspring

9

The first time I watched

Junior Amy Deng said, “The first time I watched The Office was in the beginning of May 2016.

I soon became addicted and would binge watch on weekends. After I finish the show, I plan on re-watching. I decided to watch this show because of all the good recommendations I got and all my friends loved it so I decided to give it a try.

It was definitely a good decision.�

10

Design by Amy Deng Information by Amy Deng

The first time I traveled alone

“Junior Abbey Baker said, “The first time I traveled alone I was sixteen and I was going to New York City for some college visits. My dad had gone in the day before because he had some meetings for work, so I was meeting him there. When I arrived at the airport in NYC I had to catch a cab because I was meeting my dad at our hotel to save money. I was nervous that something was going to happen on my cab ride or he was going to take me to the wrong hotel. Fortunately the cab driver dropped me off at the right hotel and everything went as planed. I was so relieved.”

Design by Hannah Frey Information by Hannah Frey

11

The First Time I Met My Best Friend...

Senior Zoe Schlosser said, “I had just moved to the Sycamore school district and I walked into Mrs. O’Connor’s 3rd grade class. I was very nervous given that I had to leave all of my old friends and attempt to make new ones. As the weeks passed

12

Design by Zoe Schlosser Information by Zoe Schlosser

I managed to have friendly conversations with many of my classmates but I had not developed a true friendship yet. Until, one day my 1st grade reading buddy was absent so my teacher instructed me to share with one of my peers.

Mrs. O’Connor sent me

over to read with Melissa, a classmate of mine who was reading a book about gorillas with her younger partner. What quite crazy is at that moment I didn’t even entertain the idea that 9 years later we would remain best friends.”

THE FIRST TIME I READ A GOOD BOOK

Freshman Allyson Bonhaus said, “I felt like I had just discovered this whole new world, where no stress or worry could follow me in.

When I read those words I lost myself in the character and wanted to be as heroic and powerful as they are.�

Design by Hannah Frey Information by Hannah Frey

13

THE FIRST TIME I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT Senior Nidhi Khanchan said, “The first time I stayed up all night it was the night before senior Halloween , and a bunch of my friends stayed over. We stayed all night. It was not a great idea because the next day we were tired and our costume involved us running around. But we had a great time at senior Halloween.”

14

Designed by Hannah Frey Information by Hannah Frey

The first time I went on a cruise Junior Lauren Kurtzer said, “My first time I went on a cruise I was five years old. I went with my family, along with all of my dad’s family, maybe to celebrate something-I forget. I remember it was such an adjustment change because the cabins were so small and you were obviously on water. I loved all the food they had too.

Being able to see a lot of the Caribbean was so cool and helped spark my love of travel.”

Designed by Hannah Frey Information by Lauren Kurtzer

15

The first time I went out of the country Junior Caroline Veraldo said, “The first time I ever went out of the county I went to Spain with my family, there were 13 of us in all.

We wanted to travel all around the country of Spain but we didn't want to have to pay for a bunch of flights, so we rented two nine passenger vans and drove them all around Spain. The problem is that none of the streets or parking places in Spain are made for giant nine passenger vans. They are meant for small mopeds or compact cars, so it was extremely stressful for my parents to navigate around.

We visited nine cities in nine days, stopping for lunch in some of the smaller cities for lunch on the way to larger ones. We spent the night in Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon, and made small day trips to Seville, Granada, Valencia, Toledo, Segovia, and Cuenca. My favorite part was definitely the food and the architecture. We visited tons of Catholic cathedrals and famous parks and museums Spain is my favorite place in the entire world and I dream of going back every single day. It was truly the best experience of my life.�

16

Design by Hannah Loftspring Information by Hannah Loftspring

The first time I moved...

Sophomore Ally Lohorn said, “The first time I moved felt sad because I was going to be going somewhere where I didn’t know anyone. But after we got to Ohio I was able to meet a lot of awesome people and really enjoy my new environment.”

Design by Zoe Schlosser Information by Zoe Schlosser

17

THE FIRST TIME I PLAYED BASEBALL GUEST HOME

Junior David Wertheim said, “The first time I played baseball I was four years old. I asked my mom to play, and she signed me up. I think she was just glad to have me out of her hair for a couple hours every week. It was tee-ball, and I did not like it very much because I wanted to be like the “big kids” and hit off a live pitcher instead of a tee. I achieved that goal four years later and have been playing ever since. Baseball is my favorite game to watch and play, and it was definitely worth the four year wait to hit off a real pitcher.”

18

Designed by Hannah Frey Information by Hannah Frey

THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO A SCHOOL DANCE

Junior Hannah May said, “The first time I went to a High school dance was my freshman year and I went to the Homecoming dance. I went with a group of my friends and since I was a freshman, I was very awkward at dancing but I still had a fun time. It was definitely a positive experience and made me want to go to more school dances.�

Designed by Sydney Evans Information by Sydney Evans

19

THE FIRST TIME I RODE A BIKE Junior Caroline Bruns said, “It was a nice spring day, and I was really looking forward to going outside and riding my bike, but when I got out there, I was faced with a bike without training wheels. My dad helped me up and then kind of ran with me as I peddled and then let me go by myself. It was thirty seconds of pure bliss before I ran into my neighbors car. What made it worse was that they saw me run into their car. I was so embarrassed but after that I learned how to steer and how to ride my bike without training wheels.�

by Hannah Frey 20 Design Information by Caroline Bruns

THE FIRST TIME I GOT AN Sophomore Keren Idelman said, “I remember coming home crying and my mom could not stop laughing at me because I was being so overdramatic. Which, of course made me feel even worse about the situation.

How not to get an F I later got over it because I realized how little that grade Study days in advance mattered overall.” of the test Freshman Stephanie Kidd said, “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, my parents are going to kill me’. I was in fifth grade at the time. It was the very first time I ever received a grade like that, so I wasn’t used to it. I eventually learned that grades do not define me.”

Ask your teacher questions during class Get a good night’s sleep Go over the quizzes from the at unit Go over class notes Make a review for the test

Design by Hannah Frey Information by Emily Chien

21

The First Time I... heard my favorite rapper

Junior Joshua Patterson said, “The first time I listened to Kanye West was when he released ‘Graduation’. I was going on iTunes with my old iPod and I found the single ‘Stronger’ off of the album. I then used my iTunes money to buy the album and spent an hour sitting in my room listening to Kanye. I then went on YouTube and listened to some of his older songs like ‘Jesus Walks’ and decided that I really liked Kanye. Ever since then I have been an avid Kanye fan.”

22

Design by Taylor Close Information by Taylor Close

The First Time I

Ran a Marathon Junior Brooke Baker said, “When I ran a marathon I learned what it really means to train alone, something I've personally thought to be extremely difficult. Through the training I've learned how to practice mindfulness in order to push through, which means just constantly being in touch with my thoughts and body. The moments when your attitude becomes negative or you keep telling yourself pay attention to your pain and stop to walk are the moments that will ruin your experience and make it impossible to keep going, so Ive learned to mentally maintain positivity under stress. I ran pretty slowly, in fact a little slower than what I could've done, so I don't remember it being physically harder than what I could handle.

My amazing friends, Rebecca Holdren and Jessica Wei, and my amazing parents, came to support me and my two cross country coaches were there to run the half, and they really motivated me as well. I cannot thank them enough for everything they do for me.�

Design by Hannah Loftspring Information by Hannah Loftspring

23

The Leaflet