THE LEAF Sycamore High School News Magazine Volume 5 | Issue 6| January 31, 2018
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LETTER EDITORS from the
Hello again SHS! Welcome to the first Leaf of 2018. Not too much has changed, but then, what ever does, eh? That being said, plenty of us make New Year’s resolutions, many of which revolve around getting healthy. Thus, we are getting...mental health-y with this issue. (I told you nothing changed.) It is easy to talk about eating better or working out, but discussing mental health involves much more gray area (although the aforementioned two activities do help). Here at SHS, and really around the world, we can all strive to better care for our own mental health and support the health of our peers. This is an incredibly broad and complex topic to cover, and we are well aware that there is more to say on the issue than what we can fit in 24 pages, much less the cover story section alone. That being said, we also feel that it is an incredibly and increasingly important and under-discussed topic for high school students. Our goal with this cover is to promote understanding and encourage dialogue, provide suggestions for regular mindfulness, and point out source of more guidance. The rest of the issue also features stories on science fair, Scholastic Art Awards, hockey, wrestling, and much more. Unfortunately, given that the issue has limited space, we cannot feature all the amazing things that are going on in this format. Fear not! Our website is updated daily with timely pieces, photos, videos, and even those interactive quizzes with which you young whippersnappers are always playing (I am not judging, just projecting).
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CONTENTS
news 2 3 4 opinion 5 6 7
Science fair
Societal problems in schools
Winter Olympics
Staff Editorial Lovesick
Failing to see color
feature 8 9 10 sports 18 19 20
TEAM(S) engineering Juggling through high school
cover 11-14 Mental Health
Eagle Scouts
a&e 15 16 17
Scholastic Art Awards Star Wars review
Meet the counselors
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
Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, OH 45242 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jenna Bao ASSOCIATE EDITOR Adhiti Chundur CREATIVE PROJECT DIRECTORS Taylor Close Yasmine Guedira Sydney Weiss Anne Marsh PRINT EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Natalie Brinkman Adhiti Chundur SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Sydney Weiss EXECUTIVE WEB EDITOR -IN-CHIEF Harsimran Makkad
LEAFLET EDITORS-INCHIEF Taylor Close Sydney Evans NEWS Yasmine Guedira SPORTS Sydney Evans Abigail Lefton FEATURE Allyson Bonhaus ENTERTAINMENT Lindsey Brinkman OPINION Hannah Lee VIDEO Emily Chien Yvanna Reyes
Dance team clinics Winter sports
spotlight 21
Benjamin Swart
AQT quizzing along Covers: watercolor texture by <a href=”https:// www.vecteezy.com/”>Graphics Provided by www.Vecteezy.com</a>
SPOTLIGHT CHIEF Kirsten Thomas 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
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
January 31, 2018
PRECISION. Sophomore Sahchit Chundur measures glucose concentrations. His project looks at the acid hydrolysis of cellulose compared to the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. He was inspired by the need to explore all possible avenues of renewable energy. Photo courtesy of Adhiti Chundur.
Science fair supports discovery JENNA BAO
executive editor
Each student interacts with science in the classroom, but few take on their own research projects to explore the possibilities. That is the purpose of science fair. This year, SHS’ science fair took place on Sat. Jan. 27. Participants planned and worked for months, and some did research over the summer as well. On the day of, students gave presentations on their projects to share and defend before two judges. Projects given superior ratings at the SHS level will advance to UC’s competition in March, followed by the Buckeye Science Fair at OSU in May. Competitors beyond the school level have the opportunity to present to more judges for feedback on their work and win cash prizes from corporations/ organizations. There is significant diversity of topics and types of projects at each science fair, with most of the work diverging quite far from the high school curriculum. “My topic is about bioremediation, specifically its potential as a method for treating oil spills. I’m essentially trying to optimize the bioremediation potential of common microbes in water 2 in order to break down organic
contaminants,” said Mohit Dighamber, 11. Many of these projects are inspired by real societal needs (approached from a smaller scale). “It’s important that, when oil spills occur, we’re able to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to minimize damage done to the environment, and this research may have the potential to satisfy this need,” Dighamber said. Junior Swati Bhageria has done science fair since seventh grade. This year, she is also taking on a project related to a global issue. “I’m doing research on finding natural methods for water filtration. In a lot of third world countries, the condition of the water isn’t good at all, and they can’t exactly afford chemical methods, so I’m trying to find natural things like plants to filter [the water],” Bhageria said. One can certainly never predict just how an experiment will go--rather, the competition emphasizes pursuing all types of questions with the scientific method. “I finished my research and the results look quite promising,” Bhageria said. Years of participation also develop
many widely applicable skills and can help students learn more about themselves and what they are looking for in the future. “I’ve learned a lot about the applications of science. I find science overall far more interesting when I can apply it to the world around me rather than just sitting in a classroom and hearing theory. “Also, science fair is largely about presentation. It’s more about what you say you did than what you actually did; I learned a lot about how to present my ideas,” Bhageria said. Science fair is an opportunity for passionate students to direct their energies and studies into deeper investigation. Serious participation takes hours of independent learning. “I am really passionate about all things STEM, so I spend quite a bit of free time learning about the ways that these subjects can potentially benefit society. I also combine this research with what I know about modern day issues related to science in order to come up with an idea I think can do serious good,” Dighamber said. See shsleaf.org for the results.
TEEN’S VIEW ON RACISM
Teens today are more skeptical that racism will go away
91%
44%
Design by: Adhiti Chundur
2016 1966
% Black teens believe racial discrimination is here to stay
% American teens believe racism is a problem for their generation
58%
NEWS SWEN
PUBLIC’S VIEW ON RACISM
Big problem
82%
Younger people view racism as a more permanent fixture in their generation than teenagers 50 years ago
January 31, 2018
29% Somewhat
9% 33% Small
2016 1966
3%
How big of a problem is racism in today’s society?
No problem
Sources: Pew Research Center- August 2017 ; Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology; Newsweek
Societal problems surface throughout Cincinnati schools SYDNEY EVANS
leaflet editor-in-chief
Cincinnati area schools including SHS, William Mason High School, and Kings Mills High School have been faced with flaring racial occurrences. Back in late September, a post shared by SHS principal Mr. Doug Mader’s son, which supported racist views, surfaced. The post started by defending Confederate statues throughout the nation, but as it continued, it began to use derogatory language such as the “n-word.” Upon hearing the news, Mader apologized for his son’s post to an assembly of different groups including the SHS Student Council and Young Scholars, a club meant to promote young African American students. Consequences were given to his son. Then, in January the community was confronted by news from Mason mother Tanisha Agee-Bell that her 13-year-old son’s teacher had said, “When you come in tomorrow without your homework completed, your classmates are going to be angry and become a mob who will want to lynch you.” The incident occurred in December, but the news did not surface until January due to Agee-Bell’s son, Nathan Agee-Bell, not telling her about what had transpired for weeks, fearing he would be reprimanded for questioning his teacher. After the incident was confirmed to
have happened between Nathan and teacher Ms. Renee Thole, Mason spokesperson Tracey Carson told the “Cincinnati Enquirer” that the district had “investigated, documented, and set expectations for the future.” Shortly following the incident at Mason, a recreational basketball team comprised of King Mills High School students was kicked out of its league for sporting jerseys that bore racist and sexist words and phrases. The team, which is unassociated with the school, played in the Cincinnati Premier Youth Basketball League and was renting the gym at Kings Mills High School to practice. On Sun. Jan. 7, at their game against the West Clermont team, the Kings Mills team, named “Wet Dream Team,” was called out by a parent on the opposing team for the names on their jerseys. The jerseys had phrases such as “Knee Grow” and “Coon” in place of the athletes’ names. The game was canceled after a representative from the West Clermont team talked to referees at the end of the second quarter. The Wet Dream Team was kicked out of the league, and, after a statement by Kings Mills High School, was prohibited from using the school’s facilities. Despite attempts by the Cincinnati Enquirer to contact him, the team’s coach has yet to make any remarks.
Further, Mr. Kerry McKiernan, a member of the Kings Mills School Board and father of one of the players, said at a board meeting “Like all situations, we’ve got to learn from this. We’ve got to be better, and we can. “Our children, our students must learn that some things are never funny, never. They have to learn they must be accountable.” McKiernan concluded his speech by announcing his resignation. In efforts to rekindle school spirit and unity the school’s principal, Mr. Doug Leist, encouraged students to wear red on Fri. Jan. 12, and share pictures on social media with the hashtag #KingsStrongUnited. These efforts angered Kings senior Katie Waissbluth, who emailed Leist about her disapproval and arranged to have a meeting with him. She then took to social media, posting, “As the administration encourages the student body to wear red tomorrow and post positive things on social media to show the news that Kings is united, the students are asking the student body to wear BLACK as a show to the administration the we will NOT put on a fake smile and act like Kings isn’t full of racism, sexism, and bullying in order to bring attention to the real problem. #WeWearBlack because it’s time for real change.”
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NEWS
January 31, 2018
GAME ON. Competitors brave the snow to take home medals for their nations. The last Olympic games held in Pyeongchang, South Korea were the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. South Korea will be hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics. Amid the festivities of the games, threats and Russia’s doping scandal unfold. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.
Pyeongchang Olympics persevere ANISA KHATANA staff writer
BEGINNING ON FEB. 9, with closing ceremonies on Feb. 25, the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, a.k.a. the 2018 Winter Olympics, will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea (not to be confused with Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea). While customarily an event for celebrating the union of nations and the skill of the world’s best athletes, Pyeongchang’s games this year are marred by Russia’s state-sponsored doping scandal and nuclear tension with South Korea’s infamous neighbor to the north. According to 2016 findings of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Russian government’s Ministry of Sport veiled the positive doping results of hundreds of their best athletes. Russian intelligence agents reportedly also aided in the cover-up. “I think it’s ridiculous for athletes to work so hard in their sport and give it all up [by cheating], but for the state to encourage it is even worse,” said Ariela Kurtzer, 10. Ministry officials have recognized Russia’s “culture of doping” but denied claims of government involvement in these cheating schemes. On Dec. 5, 2017, however, the 4
International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned the Russian federation from competing at the games in February. The IOC has released a full report of systematic doping in Russia. The IOC did allow for a provision to provide a neutral designation for any Russian athletes who can provide evidence of their innocence, meaning that they never used drugs to cheat. These athletes will compete simply as “Olympic Athletes from Russia.” “Choosing not to dope, those athletes have worked hard to get to that level of athleticism. Taking that experience away from them would be wrong as that would mean years of training wasted,” said Grace Berlier, 10. Though the ambiguity of such a title has been questioned appropriately, Russian officials have estimated that 200 or more athletes could be eligible to compete under it. “I agree with the decisions made by the [IOC] because they found a way to punish the country without punishing the ‘clean’ athletes,” Berlier said. As for tensions with North Korea, Jan. 8 marked the isolated nation’s agreement to send Olympic athletes to Pyeongchang’s games. This news comes as a great contrast
to North Korea’s boycott and admitted sabotage (by means of a bomb it planted on a plane) of the 1988 Games in Seoul. The consensus was made via talks in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Such peaceful dialogue between the two nations could, to be generous, indicate North Korea’s desire to ease tensions. On Jan. 18, the two Koreas went further, announcing that (pending the IOC’s approval) their Olympic athletes will march under one unified flag in the opening ceremony. They also plan to send a joint women’s hockey team and host a spectrum of conjoint events for the Games. In other news, ticket sales for the games are struggling due to aforementioned safety concerns regarding North Korea. At the end of December, South Korea’s Olympic committee had made 61 percent of their targeted amount of ticket sales. “I feel sorry for South Korea because the country invested so much money into the Olympics in hopes of economic growth. “It is unfortunate to see those efforts go to waste because of something largely out of South Korea’s control,” Berlier said.
Sources: cnbc.com, washingtonpost.com, npr.org, nytimes.com, cnn.com
Leafing through the masses: Why should we talk about mental health?
PRIORITIES. As homework, sports, work, and personal responsibilities pile up, taking care of one’s mental health can fall to the bottom of the list. Yet, regularly neglecting mental and emotional health has dire consequences. Mindfulness and attentiveness to your own health and that of other’s will have meaningful results in the long run. Image courtesy of Sydney Evans.
Staff Editorial
Mental health is an issue scarcely talked about in our society. Unlike physical injuries, mental health is not immediately, or in some cases ever, visible. Thus, these issues in adolescents are often dismissed and written off as “teenage angst.” Feeling sad or anxious is a normal part of any person’s life, but, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental disorders are “generally characterized by dysregulation of mood, thought, and/or behavior” and affect a person’s normal functioning of daily life. Unfortunately, mental health issues are so prevalent they touch each and every one of us, directly or indirectly. It is clear that mental health is getting worse for adolescents-specifically, depression has seen an uptick in recent years, especially for girls (who are doubly at risk for depression than boys)-- yet access to care is limited. A study published in “Pediatrics” found that there was a 37 percent increase between 2005 and 2014 of teens who reported having a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past 12 months. In fact, NPR did a series on teen mental health in 2016, and the data was shocking. They called this mental health crisis “A Silent Epidemic,” and for good reason: there are 50 million public school students in the United States, and as many as 1 in 5 show signs of a mental health disorder. Nearly 80 percent of these students will not get the treatment they need-- which significantly impacts their school work, relationships, and lives in general. Yet, it is important to remember that disorders like anxiety and depression are treatable-- what matters is seeking help and treatment to get better. There are opportunities to get support both in and out of the school. Being informed and conscious of mental health risks and signs is valuable to all of us, which is why we must continue to encourage honest dialogue on the issue.
“People in our school and friends suffer from mental issues that we should care about,” said Alex Ma, 9.
“A lot of my friends struggle with it and something needs to be done about it in these important years of our lives,” said Allison Landrum, 11.
“Mental health is important to me because it’s what makes me, me. Self love and positivity are essential for growth,” said Anita Pan, 12. “We should take care of our mental health like we take care of our bodies, in order to be able to serve others,” said Mr. Randall Lothrop, math teacher.
Photos courtesy of Hannah Lee
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January 31, 2018
Lovesick
Media influences feminist mindset NATALIE BRINKMAN
print editor-in-chief
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
OPINION
POPULAR AND HISTORICAL
culture paints love as an ideological and romanticized aspect of femininity, a prized element of only a woman’s life. While love can exist in a multitude of ways and not only in a romantic sense, movies, music, books, and social media thrive on the vulnerability of women when it comes to this role of love. Cliché themes of marriage, true love, and soulmates saturate the market, targeting women and young girls who are susceptible to the words and images thrust upon them. Romance movies often portray a young female character as weak and vulnerable, in dire need of a man to make her life in many ways more important or valuable. In the circumstances that the main character is a man, he is brooding and sad, and his dream girl, characteristically feminine and quirky, simply exists to change him without motives and goals of her own. This character type exists in so many movies that film critic Nathan Rabin even coined a term to describe this fantasized depiction: the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Directors and producers know their audiences, they create films that feed off the desires of women, thus perpetuating the notion that women are weaker or inferior to men, especially in relationships. The same cliché pattern exists in books, many of which have become terrible screenplays filled with lovesick female characters after enough women buy into the plots.
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Music, too, fills the ears of women with tales of intense love and ultimate heartbreak; search Youtube for a breakup playlist and thousands of melancholic, soulful tunes will fill the results. These films, books, and songs instruct women on how to handle relationships and love, but the lessons are one-sided and static. They lack the true nature of modern women--independence and power. On social media, images of “perfect” couples flood young impressionable audiences, but again, these images lack the dynamics of true relationships--they fail to document the good and the bad. Twitter has threads dedicated to relationships. Thousands of young girls pine and fawn over the cute pictures and stories of boyfriends shared by online peers. “Bare minimum” Twitter posts, although mostly humorous, highlight what minimal tasks a boy would have to do in order for a girl to fall in love with him. These jokes encourage the notion that women are weak, inferior, or desperate to fall in love, even if the posts are supposed to be understood as comedic. Furthermore, popular culture continues to perpetuate the role of marriage in a women’s life. From a young age, girls are taught to covet their
future wedding days--yet boys are not taught the same. In her Ted Talk on feminism, writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discussed this issue at length, specifically how her childhood influenced her views on love and marriage. “A marriage can be a good thing; it can be a source of joy and love and mutual support. But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same,” Adichie said. In the pursuit of having a more feminist mindset, we should not abandon our favorite books and movies, but instead change our perspectives when enjoying them-- they should be seen for what they really are: stories. In addition, we should also consider the role these various forms of media have on our own views of love, and ultimately consider how we can use these incorrect models as fuel for change in our writing, thoughts, social media posts, reading, and speech. Source: rearfront.com, tvtropes.org, ted.com
Society turns blind eye to racism
Photo courtesy of Everett Kohinke
Failing to see color YVANNA REYES video chief
Recognizing the existence of racism in our community is the first step in the right direction towards correcting racist behavior. After perception comes accountability; we need to allow wrongful teenagers and adults to take responsibility for their own actions. If wrongdoers are not aware that they made a mistake, then they cannot learn from it. We cannot continue to perpetuate a culture of bystanders. If we see slurs on the back of boys’ jerseys or hear a teacher tell a young black boy that he might be lynched, we must immediately speak up. Silence is just as bad, if not worse, than spreading bigotry. If you do not take action and you know that what you are witnessing is inappropriate, you are condoning that behavior. It is like watching the beginnings of a wildfire with a pail of water in your hands. We, as young adults, are smarter than that. That being said, taking action does not always assume an obvious form like a rally or protest. In our daily lives, we can stand up to prejudice by simply refusing to laugh at racist “jokes,” condemning the use of racial slurs, and listening empathetically to others around us. Two-thirds of Americans cite individual prejudice as the cause of racism. Behind every individual is a support system, a parent, a friend, a brother, a sister, a teacher, or a classmate. Behind every individual is an opportunity to speak up.
Sources: pewsocialtrends.org, ywca.org, prri.org
In recent weeks, race relations have come to the forefront of issues at local high schools. Racial slurs were advertised, prejudicial ideologies were affirmed, and white supremacist rallies were attended. Aside from their inexcusable nature, these incidents have one thing in common: a young person did something wrong, an adult apologized for their actions, and nothing else was accomplished. The same reasoning was repeated. “He is a good kid, he didn’t mean any harm, he thought of it as a joke, he didn’t know...” It seems as though people are under the assumption that teenagers who commit racist acts are too young to discern right from wrong. If we are mature enough to drive, we are mature enough to know that slurs ought not to be said. If we are smart enough to learn about Jim Crow laws, of oppression and segregation, we are smart enough to know that we cannot allow semblances of that era to continue. There is no age requirement one has to reach in order to learn that racism, in all of its forms, is wrong. Indeed, half of the battle against racism is acknowledging that it is still a largely visible problem today, especially for minority groups. According to a poll conducted by the Public Religion Research institute, only 63 percent of white young adults agree that black Americans and minorities face a considerable amount of discrimination today. On the other hand, a stark 85 percent of black Americans attest to experiencing racial discrimination.
January 31, 2018
OPINION
Ally’s Alley: ALLYSON BONHAUS feature chief
When I watched the Golden Globes, I thought, “This protest is amazing. The united effort they showed about a topic swept under the rug for too long is revolutionary.” And it was. But, the message on how to change society was not in the headlines. Actors and actresses have become suddenly similar to every day people in that they are impacted by the same crimes as normal people are, and they too are afraid of vocalizing what happened to them. In the wake of hundreds of allegations, countless actors and actresses have been brave enough to call out their attackers. By now, it seems to a commonplace fact that yet another person has been harassing for years without being caught. It seems to be the new normal. Was it not the point of naming accusers that the society that has been condoning this behavior would finally be shocked by the multitude? Or have we been shocked by our own capacities to get used to the terrible things we see in the news? I personally hope that we have not reached this point, but I know that the headlines read “[Name] accused of sexual misconduct” not “How one school can change society” or “What one business does to prevent misconduct.” The point of putting these stories into the world is to motivate a business associate or manager or hotel employee to ask, what rules in the workplace that protect accusers? Or what questions, what change, can I push in my sphere of influence? It has become popular in Hollywood to call out names, which is a courageous act, but I hope they too wanted more from the public. Educate about sexism. Listen to those who share their stories. Do not be a bystander or a silent listener, support those being victimized. Idaho lawmakers had an antiharassment training session, then updated policies. It is just a start, but hopefully one the rest of the 7 nation will follow.
FEATURE January 31, 2018
‘Let’s go TEAM(S), let’s go!’
Eight sophomores, eight seniors prep for engineering competition HARSIMRAN MAKKAD
executive web editor-in-chief
“WE CANNOT SOLVE our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them,” the famous physicist Albert Einstein said. Sixteen students will be employing both kinds of thinking on Feb. 24 as they compete in the annual Technology Student Association’s (TSA) Tests of Engineering, Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) competition. As the name suggests, the entire competition is team-based and revolves around science, engineering, and mathematics. It is divided into three parts: an essay, 80 multiple choice questions, and a hands-on design/build challenge to be completed with a set of given materials. The essay and multiple choice topics are related to the annual theme for the competition. This year’s theme is “Engineering a Greener World.” Each year, eight sophomores, four girls and four boys, are selected to participate as part of the SHS team. Depending on the cycle, they may be given the option to continue participating their remaining three years in high school. This year, sophomores Deeptangshu Chatterjee, Andre Harte, Hari Iyer, Anisa Khatana, Chee Yin Leong, Alice Lundgren, Anupama Narayana, Caroline Skwara, and seniors Jenna Bao, David Godar, Matthew Isakson, Jodie Lawson, Harsimran Makkad, Yvanna Reyes, Max Snyder, and Matthew Swartz are competing. “I started involving students with TEAMS because it was a good introduction to engineering and what it really is. So many high school students say they want to be engineers, but they don’t know what engineering 8 actually involves.
“I have found that it pushes students out of their comfort zones, making them think outside the box about problems that they may not fully understand or have knowledge about,” said Mrs. Julie Haverkos, physics teacher. Each group competes in a different section, since there is one for underclassmen and one for upperclassmen. For the seniors, this will be their third and final time competing together. A $5,000 scholarship goes to each of the top three teams at the regional competition, with the top three going to the national level which will be held in Atlanta this year. Last year, the junior team placed third in the region and the senior team placed first; the seniors placed in the top three at state. They qualified for nationals but were not able to go. “Whenever we go, I have lots of fun spending the day with a group of friends, being creative, and building something together. We get to have fun and get an intellectual challenge. I’m going to miss this,” Swartz said. All 16 participants have already started meeting together every
RAISE YOUR HANDS. SHS junior and senior teams pose with their mechanical arms and awards at last year’s TEAMS competition. They were challenged to design and build “arms” from a set of materials to transport water bottles in as little time as possible. The senior team placed first overall in the region while the juniors placed third, with both teams receiving $5,000 scholarships to UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Photo courtesy of Julie Haverkos.
Wednesday during both lunch bells. During this time, their number one priority will be writing their essays, which will be turned in prior to competition day. The prompt involves making a building within the community more environmentally friendly. They will also research eight different engineering scenarios, which have been provided by TSA, for the multiple choice section. “It is fun to get the day off to compete together. Working amongst a group makes things interesting, and we all help each other out. And of course, we get to eat lots of food,” Lawson said.
January 31, 2018
Juggling through high school
FEATURE
CLAIRE MYERS
common for most teenagers. Many work at restaurants, rec centers, and stores, but working for the circus is a rare occupation to have, especially while still a student. That is exactly what senior Brad Rollins does to pass his time after school and during the summer. Rollins has been a part of the Cincinnati Circus Company for a little over two years after his neighbor brought him along to a practice and introduced him. “I meet so many fun and interesting people, and I get to learn from them and improve my own skills. I make balloon animals, unicycle, and tightrope, but my specialty is juggling,” Rollins said. He joined because he wanted to find a job where he could share his talent but also make money from it. There are busier times of the year than others, and he can also make his own schedule that suits his needs. The Cincinnati Circus Company
never has an exact schedule; it depends on when people want to see it. They perform at different events on different days. While being a part of the Company, he has learned how to unicycle, trapeze, tightrope, and roll on a globe. He claims his favorite is the unicycle. Rollins loves his job because of how happy he makes other people feel. “I love seeing the smiles on kids’ faces when I am juggling for them or making them a balloon animal,” Rollins said. He is also a big hit outside of the circus. Rollins has participated in the Variety Show every year and is one of the top attractions at his church Halloween party where he makes balloon animals for the kids. The Cincinnati Circus Company tends to stay in the local area, although Rollins shared about how he has been to Kentucky, Indiana, and Virginia in the past two years. “There are usually a pretty good mix of adults and kids at each gig, although it tends to vary. Just in the circus alone, there are people ranging from their
Everyday activism:
BREATHE. Brad Rollins demonstrates breathing fire. He can walk around on stilts and juggle at the same time. He knew how to juggle before joining the circus. Photo courtesy of Dan Luckett.
teens to their 40s,” Rollins said. Rollins wants to continue to be in the circus if he decides to stay local for college. He loves how it is an easy way to make money and that the hours are really flexible. This job will be a story for Rollins to tell for the rest of his life.
Environmentally conscious choices anyone can make EMILY CHIEN
media director
Shop smart.
Eat clean.
Reuse and recycle.
Recreational shopping, however therapeutic, is not sustainable. According to Forbes, fast fashion sends 12.8 million tons of clothes to U.S. landfills every year, and its carbon dioxide emissions are predicted to increase to 2.8 billion tons per year by 2030. ‘Conscious consumption’ includes thrifting, an amazing alternative.
Behind the scenes, the food we buy at the grocery store comes from factory farms. According to One Green Planet, factory farming contributes to 37 percent of methane emissions, uses 70 percent of the world’s freshwater supply, and is responsible for increasing the rate of climate change by 50 percent through intense deforestation. Research where the food you buy comes from to make informed decisions.
Although it seems that landfills can expand forever, enormous waste sites still produce methane, leachate, and other harmful substances, contributing heavily to climate change. Meanwhile, 50 percent of plastic is used just once and thrown away, according to Plastic Oceans. Make the conscious choice not to buy many plastic products-- reduce first, then recycle whenever possible.
Related documentary: “The True Cost”
Related documentary: “Food, Inc.”
Related documentary: “A Plastic Ocean”
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Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
HAVING A JOB in high school is
hope:
staff writer
FEATURE
January 31, 2018
Eagle Scouts take flight JENNA BAO
executive editor
MANY BOYS HAVE memories of camping and Cub Scout meetings, but few earn the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout. Two seniors, Benjamin Armstrong and Matthew Monaghan, recently achieved the rank after years of service and hard work. Eagle Scouts must complete a special project for the community. “I did mine for the Transition Internship Program (TIP) House which is next to the [E. H.] Greene school. I built a mulched picnic table area for the students there. It took a total of 56 hours, not including the prerequisite 24 hours of service. “I ended up finding a project for the TIP house, which needed an area for students to enjoy the outdoors. The picnic area was cost effective and helped my Sycamore peers, so I couldn’t turn it down,” Armstrong said. Yet, the project is also about much more than just building. “You need to raise funds and lead others to create something beneficial
SPEAK. Senior Benjamin Armstrong gives a speech to the Eagle Scout Award Ceremony. Next to him is senior Matthew Monaghan. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Armstrong.
to the community. I built a park behind Saint Barnabas Church so kids who go to camp there have somewhere to play. “I had to grade the area, built benches and tables, and assembled a play set that was donated by a member of the church, while meeting the safety standards all kid-friendly parks must meet. “It took 2 years to complete. Eagle projects aren’t about you doing all the hard labor, but it’s about raising the
money, planning, and leading a group of volunteers to complete a task,” Monaghan said. Looking back, it is clear that Boy Scouts played a significant role in shaping the lives of these veterans of the program. “I learned a lot of core values through Boy Scouts, made some of my closest friendships, and learned valuable skills that will give me an edge later in life,” Armstrong said.
Valentines VS. Pal-entines Spending the day with that special someone...
-Keep it classic and classy and take your significant other out to a nice restaurant. Restaurants such as Maggiano’s, Taste of Belgium, and Nada are affordable and offer reservations.
-Take advantage of Cincinnati sites and visit a museum or park around the city. The Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, or Washington Park can all be fun locations to explore.
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Design by: Lydia Masset
...Or with your best friends
-Dine at your favorite restaurant. Depending on your group’s preference, you can dress up and go somewhere nice or keep it casual and carry out. Fast food can be just as fun as a nice restaurant with the right company (plus a lot cheaper too!)
-Try out some local activities. Laser Tag, bowling, go-karting, and roller skating are all in the Cincinnati area and can accommodate large or small groups.
COVER
January 31, 2018
MENTAL HEALTH Covers by: Adhiti Chundur
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COVER
January 31, 2018
Mental Teen mental health suffers health ALLYSON BONHAUS feature editor
ANNE MARSH
creative projects director
SYDNEY WEISS
social media director
Mental health issues are widely felt by all ages but are especially prominent in teens. While all students may not be directly affected by these disorders, they are likely indirectly affected by peers who have struggle with them. Students at SHS have an abundance of places to go when they or their friends are experiencing a mental health crisis: Eating Disorders: There are several eating disorders that concern obsessive thinking about food and weight. Symptoms: Eating too much or not enough Eating when full Feeling like eating behavior is uncontrollable Bipolar Disorder: Mood swings of extreme highs and lows. Symptoms: Decreased need for sleep when manic Being overly talkative Depressive symptoms of sadness and lack of energy
Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder:
ADHD is a chronic developmental issue that causes inattentive and impulsive behavior, among other effects. Symptoms: Failure to pay attention Trouble focusing Appearing not to listen
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BY THE NUMBERS
this includes any of the counselors, hotlines on the SHS crisis cards, or a trusted adult. Eating disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, attentiondeficit/hyperactive disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are just six of the many mental health disorders that are found in teens today.
Anxiety Disorder: Chronic and excessive anxiety that affects an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Symptoms: Persistent anxiety about disproportional events Overthinking plans and outcomes Indecisiveness
Depression: A mood disorder affecting how a person feels, thinks, and behaves with chronic sadness. Symptoms: Lack of interest Tiredness Reduced appetite
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: OCD is the patterned
1 in every 4 to 5 youth have a lifetime mental disorder that is associated with severe role impairment and/ or distress
In 2008, 8.1 percent of youth ages 12 to 17 had at least one depressive episode For a quarter of individuals with mood disorders like depression, these first emerge during adolescence
25%
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Suicide is the third leading cause of death in young adults
The average combination of thoughts/fears with delay between repeated actions. onset of mental Symptoms: health disorder Fear of contamination symptoms and Aggressive thoughts about harming intervention is oneself/others ten years Unwanted thoughts
Disclaimer: These are in no apparent order. There are many disorders not listed, but they were not intentionally excluded.
Design by: Sydney Weiss
10 Sources: nimh.nih.gov, nami.org
How to reduce stress Yoga
Yoga has been proven to lead to reduced stress levels.
Take a technology break Disconnecting from technology and social media can help you relax.
Get creative
Coloring or participating in creative activities can contribute to relaxation.
Yoga club
-Mondays in the mirror room 2:30-3:30 -Ms. Meredith Blackmore leads the group through different poses -Junior Grace Creek is the president
Brain health -Rotating bell schedule one day a week -Led by Mr. Mark Millett, Mrs. Brenda Fisher, and counseling interns -Helps with stress management, wellness, and sleep strategies
Design by: Sydney Weiss
January 31, 2018
COVER
Journal
Writing down your concerns or what you are grateful for can clear your mind and make your thoughts positive.
Laugh
Laughing helps with anxiety. Try watching a funny TV show or surrounding yourself with friends who make you laugh.
Exercise
Regular exercise causes an increase in endorphins and decrease in stress.
Mindfulness club -Either Aviator Bell once a week -Seniors Anne Marsh and Thea Ferdinand are co-presidents - This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sign ups are technically over, but can still join
Empowerment
-Rotating bell schedule one day a week -Led by Mr. Mark Millett, Mrs. Brenda Fisher, and counseling interns -Focuses on wellness, relationships, and self-esteem
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COVER
January 31, 2018
Reaching out: numbers to know Child Abuse/Neglect Crisis/Suicide Hotline 241-5437 281-2273 Hamilton Co. Mobile Crisis Drugs/Alcohol/Poison 584-5098 1-800-222-1222 School Safety Tip Line 1-844-723-3764
Q&A
Chelsea Rose, Counselor
How do you recommend students seek help if they/someone they know is suffering from a mental illness? My number one piece of advice is to talk to somebody. I think there’s a lot of fear that comes with knowledge about certain things for any individual whether it be a student or an adult. Sometimes we hear information or have an experience in our lives that really changes or challenges us and doesn’t feel right, and that’s scary to open up and talk about. Make sure you’re talking to somebody
to connect with them, and whether that person is or is not somebody who could directly get you help, sometimes sharing that information can bring you some relief. Also, it’s easier for that outside person to take steps to get help, which a lot of times as counselors is why we hear from students who are concerned about a friend; it’s a lot easier for them to say ‘hey, this is what’s going on,’ but it’s harder for the person who made a post or went through something to come and talk about it. This can be because a lot of times they think: if I tell somebody they’re going to
think it’s my fault,’ and I think that’s what the bigger conversation is; it’s breaking down the stigma that [says]sgf there’s something wrong with you. What are things that students can do on a daily basis to relieve stress and improve mindfulness in their everyday lives? Understand it’s important to take breaks. Whether it is taking a walk, petting a dog, being goofy with friends, watching a video, whatever it is, find something that brings you joy and make sure that you do what you can to infuse that into your day.
Help a friend
What to do when concerned about a friend’s mental health: Express concern and support Ask questions and listen Ask what you can do to help Continue to engage them in activity What not to do when concerned about a friend’s mental health: Make dismissive remarks Think of mental illness as a weakness Use words associated with mental health stereotypes 14 Design by: Sydney Weiss
Source: mentalhealth.gov, healthdirect.gov.au
A&E
January 31, 2018
Scholastic Art Awards ADHITI CHUNDUR associate editor
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are a chance for students to have their art recognized in the regional and national levels. Artists in photography, painting, 3D, architecture, digital art and more entered, and as a result SHS won over 100 Scholastic Art Awards-- to view the winners’ list
and images of the winning work, visit shsleaf.org. Particularly, senior Emma Sulfsted won a Gold Key for her photography portfolio, and an American Vision Nomination for one of her photographs. All Gold Key winners will advance to the national level to be judged.
“Once a Beauty, Always a Beauty” Valerie Timofeyev Gold Key Drawing Graphite/ Charcoal “Go Fish!” Jacob Grega Gold Key Sculpture “Thirteen Years Old” Emma Sulfsted Gold Key (Individual and Portfolio) Photography
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ENTERTAINMENT
January 31, 2018
Movie franchise spurs opinion wars JACK WOLFE
staff writer
“STAR WARS THE LAST JEDI,”
one of the most hyped movies of 2017, had a huge backlash of public opinion. The Star Wars fan base is split in half, debating whether the film was a good or bad movie. Financially, the movie was a success making $1.205 billion in the box office, but reviewers and the public audience are arguing whether it was good on a story level. One thing “The Last Jedi” does that has not been done in a while in the Star Wars franchise is that it has a clear message/theme. The whole movie shows every character fail and then learn from their mistakes, except Kylo Ren, which eventually becomes his downfall. Yoda even states the theme in the movie,“The greatest teacher, failure is.” Although the movie has a good message, it is flawed. The public on both sides of the argument agree that a certain part called the “casino scene” did not have to be as prevalent as it was. Also, another common complaint is that there are too many jokes in the movie. People compared the comedic flare to the quips in the Marvel movies. Now, on the first viewing this might
not be as noticeable, but after multiple viewings, you notice them more. Yet, there are also some popular invalid complaints that do not make sense story-wise. One complaint is that Luke seems out of character in the movie because he is not how we last saw him in “Return of the Jedi.” People say this even though Luke’s character arc is dealing with his legendary status. By showing us his flaws and his big mistake, the audience sees that he is human. Another complaint is the reveal of Rey’s parentage. [Spoiler alert] In one scene, Kylo taunts Rey telling her that she has always known who her parents are. People are upset because Rey is not a Solo, Kenobi, or Skywalker, but if in the movie they said she was “so and so’s” kid it would make the universe smaller by making everything in the movies connected. Rey’s background mystifies the force again, showing that anyone can be a hero and that it does not rely on heritage. Overall it was a good movie, even though it has its flaws. But then, what movie does not? EARTHBOUND. The newest movie in the continuing story of a galaxy far, far away recently hit movie theaters across the globe. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” was released Dec. 15, and opening weekend earned $220 million. Recently, fans of the movies have voiced opinions and started arguing over whether the film was a cinematic success or not. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.
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column: SARA MARGOLIS
a&e columnist I do not know what it is about television locations that are actual places (and not sets), but they fascinate me. Growing up, hands down, my favorite show was “Full House.” This past winter break I went to San Francisco, and one of the top things on my list to go see was the “Full House” house, which is the house they show for not even five seconds on the show. That was not the first time my family has done something like this. We have visited the “Home Alone” house, taken a family photo in front of the Solow Building in New York (more famously known as Chandler Bing’s office), and have even seen the “Brady Bunch House.” The reason why my family and so many other people are eager to visit these sites is because when you get drawn into a television series or a movie, you get invested in the lives of the characters (which, when you think about it, is kind of sad), and you want it to become real life. There is amusement when you go to these places--it is exciting. I mean, who would not want to go to the hotel where Nick Parker famously got pushed into the pool in “The Parent Trap?” Speaking of the “The Parent Trap,” when I was 11, I was in the process of looking at sleep-away camps. I found out my grandma went to Camp Walden in Maine. I was later notified that the camp in the movie is inspired by Camp Walden. I did not end up going there, but I have to say that would be pretty sick! TV shows give viewers have these goals and desires based off of what they are watching, and seeing real sets makes it even more apparent. There is nothing wrong with obsessing over these locations. As a matter of fact, I plan to visit more famous locations in the future.
January 31, 2018
Mrs. Ann Delehanty-Koenig
The best mental health advice I can give is to learn to recognize and become mindful of your body’s physical response to a stressful or anxiety-causing situation. Stop in the moment and breathe through the situation and really listen to how your body is feeling and not becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on. It takes a lot of practice for this to become a habit, but when you get used to it and begin practicing it as your natural response to stress, you will feel
less stress and anxiety about things happening around you and it will pay huge dividends as you go through life. The second piece of mental health advice that I could give to all teenagers is [that] the way things feel today, no matter how bad (or good), [it] is not the way things are always going to feel. Don’t try to find permanent solutions to temporary problems; realize that life is full of wonderful challenges and triumphs, and you are constantly somewhere in the middle. Fun fact: I donated my kidney to my brother.
*There are, of course, other counselors. These three were randomly selected.
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COUNSELORS
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Photo courtesy of Anisa Khatana
Mrs. Bonnie Stephenson
Learn how to motivate yourself, take care of yourself, identify your passions, and develop healthy coping strategies that you can use in stressful situations; this is as important to a teen as what you learn in your academic classes.
Fun fact: For three summers, I worked at an outdoor music venue called Pine Knob in Michigan which fed my love of live music. I’ve seen a lot of shows and still try to see as many as I can, including Dave Matthews Band every year.
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MEET THE...
Photo courtesy of Harsitha Kalaiarasan
The other counselors and I are here to help you successfully get through high school, and that looks different for everybody. It would be good for a lot of people to know that everyone is going through their own struggle, and more people
struggle than you might think, so be kind. Just ask for help if you’re struggling--that’s what counselors are here for, but it’s also what everyone in the building is here for. Fun fact: I got a kayak and start learning how to kayak over the summer.
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Mrs. Megan Brenner
Photo courtesy of Harsitha Kalaiarasan
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SPORTS
January 31, 2018
Dance team prepares for clinics MADELEINE SUH staff writer
Q&A
Grace Zhang, 9 Riley Lauterbur, 10 Verany Iek, 11
What is your favorite part of the SHS Dance Team? Zhang: The team! We do so much team-bonding, and I’ve really gotten to know the girls better! It’s nice to know that we can always count on each other. Lauterbur: My favorite part about the dance team [are] the relationships
that you get from it. I just love dancing in general. Iek: Definitely the people. We’re a family who share a passion for dance, and I am so grateful to dance with them. How have you been preparing for the Dance Clinics? Zhang : For the mini and junior clinic, we get to choreograph the dances! We also work on technique and skills such as leaps and turns to teach to the younger girls. Overall, it is a really fun experience. Lauterbur: We are currently
choreographing dances to teach the [kids] who come to the clinics… we picked the song last week. Iek: We’ve been designing choreography for K-eighth grade. It’s cool to see it all come together and to have the kids learn our stuff. SHOWTIME. On Jan. 23, boys Varsity basketball took on Fairfield, joined by the SHS Dance Team. Along with the high schoolers, children in grades K-8 joined them in a performance. The dance showcased their skills and choreography learned at the annual Mini Clinics, the week prior. Photo courtesy of Grace Zhang.
Filippelli freezes competition LYDIA MASSET staff writer
MARC FILIPPELLI HAS been playing hockey since he was three years old. If you do the math, that is 13 years on the ice. Having started at a young age, Filippelli believes from first hand experience that the hardest part of learning is just getting down the basics. “The hardest part is definitely the beginning of learning to skate and using your stick. That’s because it does feel so unnatural. However, once you start feeling comfortable with skating and the puck, the game becomes much easier and you can shift your focus to the finer details of play,” Filippelli said. It is clear to anyone who has ever watched a hockey game, or knows anything about the sport that it is not easy, not to mention the freezing conditions athletes must play in. So, what is it that gives a team it’s edge in the rink? 18
Filippelli said it is all about the people you are playing with. “Playing with a team that you know and are comfortable with can make all the difference whether you win or lose. I play in summer leagues during the offseason, and it is blatantly obvious how little chemistry the team has by how they play together. “With my teammates [at school], we have developed together and play with each other four to five times a week, so that connection you have leads to better plays on the ice,” Filippelli said. Just like any other team at SHS, hockey brings people together in a unique way. “Playing hockey for Sycamore is great because of how close it allows the team to be. I’ve made great friendships with the entire team and of course it’s a lot of fun. It is great having teammates you know want to help you develop and support you. Also being able to
represent the school is an amazing feeling!” Filippelli said.
COLD COMPETITION. Sophomore Marc Filippelli goes for the puck at the 2017 hockey senior night. The team is hosting their 2018 senior night on Feb. 2, at Sports Plus Arena. “I have been playing hockey since I was three year old, so about 13 years,” Filippelli said. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
Winter sports grind along
January 31, 2018
ABIGAIL LEFTON sports chief
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All photos courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography 1. The team has two top three players including senior John Dean Folz who has a win, loss record of 16-5. They also have seven athletes who have placed top five in their brackets.
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SPORTS
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2. On Jan. 22, the girl’s team had a 48-45 win against Princeton, and the men’s team had a successful game against Colerain with a final score of 73-59. “It’s been an honor to play under Coach [Andrew] Ovington and Mike Stephens,” said Davis NiBlack, 11.
4. Junior Paige Weitz played a perfect game in the 2017 season, setting a team record and placing her co-captain of the 2018 team.
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5. The team practices at Sports Plus Arena where they work to build a strong team. “The season has far has been great. We have improved greatly as a team,” said Jacob Ziedenstien, 11.
3. “[Academic Quiz Team] is going relatively well this year, especially considering the immense amount of seniors that departed last year,” said Max Snyder, 12. 6. For the Varsity swim team, the season is heating up. They have competed in three home meets and one away tournament at Bowling Green State University.
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Teamwork makes dream work Young team prepares to strive LINDSEY BRINKMAN entertainment chief
AS THE WEATHER gets colder, the wrestling team is still working up a sweat and practicing hard together. This season the wrestlers are dealing with the issue of having an overall young team, as a lot of seniors graduated. All three teams are working hard to overcome this hurdle. One way they are trying to better themselves is by helping the newer wrestlers as well as working with the more experienced team members. Despite having three teams, they
all work together as one and try to overcome the separation that exists between them. On Sat. Jan. 20 the group demonstrated how working this strategy is effective by finishing first in the SHS Invitational. Their season officially ends the second weekend in March. SUCCESS. The referee raises sophomore Edward Hartwig’s hand in victory. The wrestling team works hard towards victory. On Sat. Jan. 20, the team placed first in the SHS Invitational. “It’s been a fun season,” said Mr. Jeremy Pletz, wrestling coach. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
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SPORTS
January 31, 2018
AQT quizzing along JENNA BAO
executive editor
Speed and agility are of the essence in any sport, and training must be maintained throughout the year for success. In the case of Academic Quiz Team (AQT), participants enhance mental agility in and out of the classroom in the hopes that they will be able to retrieve a winning piece of information when it counts. AQT has teams compete to answer questions covering everything from traditional academic topics like history and literature to pop culture and sports. “I’d probably say our best topics are sciences and history, just not literature and fine arts. Our best round is definitely the lightning round,” said Sahchit Chundur, 10. SHS’ JV and Varsity teams prepare by going through questions from previous competitions at practice on Tuesdays
and Thursdays and strategically studying. As of Jan. 22, the team has played six matches with a record of 8-4-0. “We won two games against Oak Hills, one against Lakota East and West, and one against Mason. We have faced our toughest competitors early this season, so we have a good chance of finishing in the top three of the GMC (Greater Miami Conference). “JV has done really well and had a very good showing against Mason this year,” said Mrs. Laura Newton, coach. The JV team consists of freshmen and sophomores and Varsity of juniors and seniors. At each competition, the Varsity team plays two matches and JV plays one between. “Our season has been tough in that we lost some strong senior players this year, but we have some good juniors on varsity this year and are doing well figuring out strategy and team strengths
Gymnastics raises bar ABIGAIL LEFTON
was the space where the gymnastics team would practice and compete. Gymnastics is defined as “a competitive Currently, the space is used for multiple sport in which individuals perform activities throughout the day. The team optional and prescribed acrobatic feats has relocated to a different space to mostly on special apparatus in order practice. to demonstrate strength, balance, At SHS, to be considered an and body control” I think about official team, there must according to be at least three athletes it every time Merriam-Webster who participate. There are I practice. It dictionary. currently two girls on the Motivates me For juniors team, therefore, they are Anna Cummins to work even not officially recognized as and Alyssa So, harder a team. “strength, balance, ANNA CUMMINS, 11 “Since and body control” Sycamore are the core principles when competing does not have an for the SHS gymnastics team. “official” team, Small but mighty, these two girls we practice with represent the entire team. Cincinnati Country “There are two of us this year on Day at Seven Hills the team. We’re both juniors and we and our main coach compete in every event, bars, beam, is Steve Conner,” floor, and vault,” Cummins said. Cummins said. In the past, the “back gym”
sports chief
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FOCUS. The team hopes to take home the gold at the GMC tournament. They plan to finish in the top three of the GMC. “Even if we don’t have the best division record, we hope to win the tournament in early February, advancing us to regionals,” said Max Snyder, 12. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
as the year progresses,” Newton said. There are still several matches left ahead and the GMC tournament will be on Feb. 3. Both the winner of the GMC season and the winner of the tournament advance to regionals, and the team remains hopeful.
They have a limited amount of competitions to their season so they spend more time practicing than competing to perfect form and technique. The team practices Monday through Wednesday, but Cummins said she goes Monday through Friday. “I always look forward to competition season because I love showing what I’ve been working on the past months,” Cummins said. In a normal competition, the events include Vault, Uneven Parallel Bars, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise, AllAround, and Team. “My favorite event is beam, and it is usually the event I score highest on. My least favorite is bars because I’m not very consistent, but that’s the event I work the hardest at since I need it the most,” Cummins said.
Photo courtesy of Anna Cummins
SPOTLIGHT January 31, 2018
Music sparks Swart’s passion KIRSTEN THOMAS spotlight chief
Some may see music as just a credit all students need to graduate, but senior Benjamin Swart takes music to a whole new level. Music has always been apart of Swart’s life, so taking music courses in high school felt like first nature. “[Music] has always been important for me to incorporate into my lifestyle, and I don’t remember a time where I didn’t have music in it,” Swart said. Swart is involved heavily with multiple programs in and outside of school including Select Ensemble, Madrigal, school musicals, and leading worship at his church. Some classes Swart has enjoyed taking are Music Tech and AP Music Theory. These courses have helped Swart grow by deepening his understanding of music. “I wouldn’t have been able to learn how to mix and create any style of music that I want without taking Music Tech, and I also wouldn’t have the level of understanding of music that I do now without taking AP Music Theory. “Both Mr. David Swift and Mr. Ken Holdt are so much fun to learn from, and they truly allow you to access the creative freedom that you need in order to further develop your skills,” Swart said. Outside of school, Swart choreographs, teaches hip-hop, and competes for Queen City Dance
Academy. On top of his involvements, Swart is also working on his own album. Last summer, Swart and a small group of choir students had the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform with Foreigner at Riverbend. Swart will never forget it. “Performing with Foreigner at Riverbend has definitely been the highlight of my musical career. Rarely anyone gets the chance to perform in front of 20,000 people let alone with a legendary band like Foreigner. “It was honestly surreal. The adrenaline rush before walking out on stage along with everyone else in the choir and hearing such a loud cheer was very special,” Swart said. In his future, Swart plans on keeping music as a hobby. “I believe that everyone has a few lenses in how they look at the world, like methods in understanding it further. “Music, for me, is one of those lenses. It can impact somebody’s emotions in many ways, creating panic or decreasing stress. It can be used to fire somebody up before a football or basketball game, or express a sad and meaningful message. “There are trillions upon quadrillions of ways that we can utilize music to communicate and understand the world better, and I have always been fascinated by it,” Swart said.
BIG FISH. Benjamin Swart took part in last year’s musical “Big Fish.” He played the role of Karl the Giant. Swart wore stilts to appear like the giant in the film. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.
FOREIGNER. Swart relaxes with senior Kyle Ballman before taking the stage with Foreigner. Participants had the opportunity to meet the band. The performance took place at Riverbend. Photo courtesy of Amber Holdt. PASSION. Swart’s love of music shines through in his senior photos. Music has been important to Swart throughout his life. Swart plans to continue music in his future. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Swart.
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Marchers stand in solidarity ALLYSON BONHAUS feature editor
EQUALITY. The Cincinnati Women’s March was on Jan. 20, 2018, going for 1.5 miles around downtown. There were roughly 10,000 to 12,000 marchers including many students. The theme was “Power to the Polls” for the mid-term elections. Posters protested President Donald Trump, advocated for immigration and climate change policy reform, and celebrated women’s empowerment. All photos provided by staff.
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