The Edge, Issue 6, Volume 1

November 2018 vol. 4 | issue 1

literary & news magazine

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...�

Letter from the Editors

W

When Princess Tiana from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” sang, “There’s been trials and tribulations. You know I’ve had my share,” we felt that.

We started this magazine the first week of summer, ecstatic to be working together and anxious to start brainstorming. You should know, we are two very passionate and ambitious people, meaning we take on a lot of responsibilities during the school year. However, we had faith that our strengths and weaknesses would combine to create something wonderful to share in our school, within our community and, hopefully through our website thewoosteredge.thewoosterblade.com (shameless plug), with the world.

We laughed, we cried (a little too much) and we celebrated, but most importantly, we loved being able to bring our vision to life. We hope our readers learn something, laugh a little and find joy in our work.

We acknowledge that this first issue in the fourth volume of The Edge will not be perfect; issue one is a stepping stone, though sometimes it felt more like Mount Everest. This issue has allowed us a better understanding of where we need to improve and how to work with our peers on a large, high stress, project. Our experience working on this issue has become our guide to producing more in-depth and joyful content for later issues. We are already excited to get started on our next issue and hope you, the reader, are excited to read more.

We would like to thank Mrs. Hiner for all her time, patience, and support. Her constant energy and enthusiasm not only allows us to be successful journalism students, but also teaches us to be better people and to believe in our abilities. This magazine would not have been successful without her always being there to bring us back to center.

All in all, we have climbed a mountain and crossed a river to ensure the pieces of paper you have in your hands now, and the stories those papers hold, leave some kind of impact on you. And in our ongoing quest to create a more perfect magazine, as Princess Tiana would put it, “We’re almost there.”

& About Us The Edge is a literary and newsmagazine hybrid that showcases the creative work of our students. Our staff consists of many of The Wooster Blade staff members. We meet every day during Newspaper Productions classes throughout the entire year. Editors were chosen based on their demonstrated interest in the magazine and in their production of featured work.

Editorial Policy The Edge is produced for the Wooster City School District and for the greater Wooster community. The editors and adviser make the final decision on all material that appears in the publication. Letters and submissions should be addressed to the editor, with a limit of 400 words or less. Submit letters by email to thewoosteredge@gmail.com. If published, the meaning of the work will not be altered, however, we reserve the right to correct grammatical errors, punctuation and spelling. The opinions expressed in the publication are those of the individual writers, and do not represent the opinions of the staff as a whole.

We reserve the right to amend this policy at any time.

2 | Front | February 2016

Covers by Alexis Florence: The front and back covers of the issue are meant to be an artistic representation of the long line that people who want to immigrate to the United States are required to wait in.

Contributors Co-Editors-inChief

Faculty Adviser Kristi Hiner

Alexis Florence Rachael Schmidt

Editorial Staff Haley Balas Anna Birk Grace Brownson Maeve Florence-Smith Henry Gamble Madison Helms Julia Hootman Maddy McCully

Paulina Salazar Bryn Savidge Catherine Strong Mya Vandegrift Ellie Vojtkofsky Theresa Wendell Lena Weibe

feature

Index: 4 Simply Plants Wooster 5 Goat Yoga 10 Local Antique Stores

6 & 7 Local Roots

8 Black Squirrels

9 Muddy Water’s Performers November 2018 | feature | 3

Illustration by Bryn Savidge

Alexis Florence

Group grows monthly plant-based potluck

co-editor-in-chief

If you attend a Simply Plants potluck dinner, be prepared to be greeted with both hugs and handshakes.

Simply Plants Wooster is a local group that meets every fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. to host a whole food, plant-based, no oil, vegan potluck in the worship hall at the United Universalist church in Wooster.

According to one of the group’s founders, Phil Amerine, the potluck dinner helps support and build a community for people who have already transitioned to a plant-based diet, while also providing a learning experience for those who are wanting to make the switch to plant-based living.

“Having a potluck meal, people can see when you go plant-based, you aren’t just eating heads of lettuce,” Amerine said.

The sense of community at the potluck dinners is important for regular attendant Wendy Boman from Dalton. Boman said she switched to a vegan, plant-based lifestyle because it is a healthier way to live and is more compassionate toward animals.

“It seems like everybody has a unique reason for why they come… For me, I’m a vegan and I feel isolated

sometimes, so it’s good to have a community,” Boman said.

Tencha Schafrath is another member of the group who attends regularly with her husband, Bernie.

Schafrath says of her experience, “It’s been a journey to a healthy lifestyle.”

Schafrath realized four years ago that she had gout, with swelling and rashes all up her arms. Schafrath said, “After that experience, I got serious about eating healthy because it’s enough to scare you.”

Schafrath now says she feels better than ever eating a plant-based diet and also notes she no longer takes any prescriptions.

Amerine also cites the health benefits of eating plant-based, along with the environmental and ethical reasons, saying that eating meat is “not sustainable.”

For anyone considering coming to a Simply Plants potluck or transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, Amerine offers a few word of encouragement.

“The thing I would say to them is: we love you. Come to a potluck and try it,” Amerine said.

The group’s next potluck is Dec. 27 at 6 p.m.

“ The thing I would say to them is we love you. Come to a potluck and try it.”

Amerine said.

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Long brings unique yoga experience to Wooster with Goats+Pose Rachael Schmidt co-editor-in-chief

ALEXIS FLORENCE

ALEXIS FLORENCE

ALEXIS FLORENCE

Amber Long of Goats+Pose welcomed co-editors-in-chief, Rachael Schmidt and Alexis Florence, to meet the goats, try out some yoga poses and learn about her business.

Amber Long, animal care and management instructor at the Wayne County Career Center, grew up with a passion for animals.

Long’s love for the two goats she had growing up along with her interest in starting her own business sparked Goats+Pose: outdoor yoga classes with friendly goats visiting throughout.

Long has four male pygmy goats, a breed known for being small and friendly, two male Nigerian Dwarf purebreds, and one female Nubian Nigerian Dwarf Cross. The Nigerian Dwarves are brothers, Carlton and Mr. Wonderful, and the only female goat is named Penny Lane. The goats are well behaved and come running when Long yells, “Hey goats!”

“I love them. They’ll be my pets forever, even if I stop doing goat yoga,” Long said.

Certified yoga instructor Margaret Davis from Flex Yoga and Crossfit instructor Katherine Turner teach yoga, while the goats roam about.

“My favorite part of goat yoga is how adaptable the classes are for all levels. People are coming to goat yoga with different expectations about the class. Goat yoga allows people the opportunity to participate more in the yoga class or to just sit and relax with the goats,” Davis said.

Long even has a few people who enjoyed goat yoga enough to come more than once.

“Off the top of my head, I can think of at least four or five people that have been to several sessions,” Long said.

One client, Alesha Wade, found out about the goat yoga classes through Long, as she used to be Wade’s Animal Care Instructor at the Career Center. Wade has since attended several goat yoga classes.

“I enjoyed the fact that you don’t have to do yoga the whole time, that you can take a break whenever and just play with the goats,” Wade said.

Long likes to open up her classes by informing the class to define their own experience.

“Make this what you want it to be. If you want it to be about the goats, you play with the goats. If you want it to be about the yoga and relaxation, make it about relaxation and yoga,” Long said.

Goats+Pose yoga is held outside on the property of Long’s farm, however, Long would love to be able to expand in the future to have indoor classes during the winter. Long’s last outdoor yoga class of the year was held on Oct. 18.

Long shares her goats with people through more than just yoga, as she has also taken her goats to birthday parties, allowing people to experience more time spent with her lovable pets.

“If they want to enjoy the experience of goats and the socialness and how much fun and how loving they can be, I find a passion in people enjoying that,” Long said.

Overall, Long’s purpose in starting her business was to invite people who may not have spent much time around animals to enjoy an easygoing session with the goats.

Long wants people to, “come with an open mind and just to have fun.

Enjoy the day and being around animals. I think that’s so important being able to have a good humor about it because they’re goats and they do silly things.”

Keep up to date with Goats+Pose and sign up for upcoming classes at goatsandpose.com.

November 2018 | feature | 5

Local Roots Stories of Creators

ANNA BIRK

The door to Local Roots located at 140 South Walnut St.

Marlene Boyer Anna Birk staff writer

Strolling through the streets of downtown Wooster is attestation to the sense of community a town can hold.

Drawing her inspiration from Nina Planck’s book, “What to Eat and Why,” and looking at the necessity for more local food, Marlene Boyer, with a committee of 13 others, produced the idea of Local Roots, executed by early 2010.

At Local Roots the objective is, “to sell goods that are closer to the earth, to support a sustainable ecosystem.” Boyer said.

Boyer, Family and Consumer Science teacher at WHS, explains that success at Local Roots has allowed for further growth of the store. Interest from other producers has sparked a new store location in Ashland County, and growth of the café inside the Wooster location increases the revenue of the store.

“The café is one of the strongest areas,” Boyer said. A different artisan comes in to make fresh lunches Monday thru Friday.

Local Roots continues to provide an outlet for entrepreneurs and a fresh option for local food lovers.

“I am happy Local Roots can be a part of downtown Wooster,” Boyer says with a smile.

6 | feature | November 2018

ANNA BIRK

ANNA BIRK

Marlene Boyer examines the local grown, fresh produce, peppers and tomatoes, that Local Roots sells.

Katie Balas “The Pierogi People” Anna Birk staff writer

Katie Balas has made a name for herself selling magnitudes of flavorful pierogies at Wooster’s Local Roots.

Balas connected with Local Roots first by selling her artwork. Then, when circumstances arose, she decided to jump in with both feet to the pierogi business. Balas has a strong culinary background, as it has always been a passion of hers, and she once hoped to attend culinary school.

“My dad was a good cook, and it was a family ethnic tradition since I was little,” Balas said.

Hobbies for Balas include biking, fishing, and golfing, but making pierogies is much more than a hobby for her.

On a slower day, the dough and filling alone takes four to five hours, but can go upwards of nine on a busier day.

Just three years have passed since the start of her business, The Pierogi People, and in that time, her pierogi count has jumped from five flavors to thirty.

While The Pierogi People is really only a pierogi person, Balas said she likes the name because it makes a community of pierogi lovers. Balas’s advice to future entrepreneurs is to, “Jump in, figure it out as you’re doing it, and work things out when you get there.”

Pierogi Monday is at the Local Roots Café from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m.

ANNA BIRK

ANNA BIRK

At one of her Monday lunches, Balas cooked chicken enchilada-filled pierogies with a Mexican inspired salad.

Wootown Bagels Haley Balas staff writer

Whether at Local Roots or the Wooster Farmers Market, it is almost impossible to leave without grabbing a bag of Wootown Bagels.

Wootown Bagels, established in 2015 by creator James Carey, is a bagel company that creates handmade bagels slightly different from an average bagel.

According to Carey, his bagels consist of five ingredients, and are then boiled and baked, while normal bagels are not usually boiled.

By experimenting with different recipes and techniques, Carey has found consistency in a rope technique to form his bagels, in which he rolls them out into ropes, and twists into the familiar bagel shape.

While not being the easiest food to make, Carey knew from the start bagels were for him.

“I chose bagels because it has always been a favorite food of mine, and there was a small niche in Wooster that I believe needed filled,” said Carey.

Starting at Local Roots to sell his product, this small creation for Wooster has

expanded exponentially.

Assisted by his wife Caitlin, Wootown Bagels are sold at multiple farmers markets, including ones in Medina and Plain Township and Loko Bean, located in Loudonville.

Todd Howman, a friend and customer of Carey’s, explains, “His bagels are unique to any bagel you could find in Wooster.

James puts so much into making them and is getting more recognition for that.”

Now looking to venture outside of just local areas, Carey has purchased a food truck in the making and hopes to travel wherever his bagels may take him.

November 2018 | feature| 7

Ohioans embrace black squirrels within local culture Lena Wiebe Antique seller and small business owner Sara Barnes never saw many black squirrels before the summer of 1985, which was when she moved back to her hometown Wooster.

But suddenly, black squirrels were everywhere: in her yard, scurrying across roads, and hiding their nuts in her flowerpots.

“The neighbors had this huge, huge walnut tree cut down. I thought the black squirrels would disappear then. Well, they did not,” Barnes laughed, leaning back into her recliner.

The resilience of black squirrels is both the stuff of legend and is everyday life for northeastern Ohioans.

However, their origin in the United States is a subject for debate.

According to Dr. Rick Lehtinen, Professor and Department Chair of Biology at the College of Wooster, historical accounts have featured black squirrels since the mid-18th century, but many older residents do not recall seeing them in large numbers until the 1970s.

That is when Carrie Elvey, senior naturalist at the Wilderness Center, believes they were imported from Canada to Kent State.

“Black squirrels are a rare color morph (type) of gray squirrels, meaning they are the same species, just different colors,” Elvey said.

But, similarities to gray squirrels aside, Larry Woodell, 1961 superintendent of grounds at Kent State University, was so fascinated by black squirrels that he decided to share them with his hometown. After recruiting a friend, M. W. Staples, a retired executive at Davey Tree Export Co., the two men petitioned Canadian and American authorities for over six months to gain permission to bring the species to America.

Woodell and Staples drove up to Canada, trapping 10 squirrels and bringing them back to Kent, Ohio. Within three years, the Kent Record-Courier recorded over 150 squirrels in the area.

Today, Kent’s official website boasts more than 10 groups named after the animals, including a festival, triathlon, and the Kent State campus police’s safety symbol; the website claims they, “own the campus.”

What it means to be an Ohioan may change based on whatever person is asked - maybe strange weather, constant road work, or lots of college towns. But, black squirrels have become an irreplaceable constant in the background of that identity. Whether they are a city’s mascots or its most pesky residents, they are everywhere, and most people have some kind of opinion about them.

Indeed, despite what Barnes admitted was grudging respect for the cunning of the black squirrels, she said she hated them.

“Oh, I despise those squirrels. They used to come up through my garage wall, so I bought two traps and put them there all summer. I asked a friend if he’d empty them out down by Moreland, but I had to give up once I counted seventy-five… I’d like to have a word with that man from Kent who found them so enticing,” Barnes joked.

But, even Barnes agreed that “In Wayne County, they certainly are a part of the culture.

They call it the tree city for a reason.”

Regardless of the many mixed opinions about them, black squirrels, and the history they carry with them have become inseparable from the people of Wooster and Ohio.

8 | feature | November 2018

Illustration by Ellie Vojtkosky

staff writer

Musicians create intriguing atmosphere performing live at Muddy’s Madison Helms staff writer

There are two things that can unite us as a society and bring people together, despite their differences.

Two things that every human has experienced and can appreciate.

Those two things are food and music.

Dennis Tafoya works to unify both music and food, creating the ideal dining environment at his restaurant, Muddy’s, located in downtown Wooster. Diners are able to enjoy live music at Muddy’s while eating their meal every Saturday night.

Performers are both local, as well as based in other states. Musicians are usually found either through the internet or by word of mouth. Tafoya says some of his favorite performances include Hey Monea, Duck Tape, and Charles Geil.

Hey Monea is a rock band based in Canton, while Duck Tape is a alternative grunge band from the French Riviera. This in itself shows how diverse the bands that perform at Muddy’s are, ensuring that there will be a performance intriguing to everyone.

Hey Monea formed as a band in 2011 and has toured around the country since. The band enjoys to perform at Muddy’s because of the atmosphere as well as the diverse crowd that attends the performances.

“People of all ages and backgrounds come to listen and enjoy the music,” according to Dan Monea, the lead guitarist as well as singer in the band. “Plus, they have the biggest rocking horse I’ve ever seen,” he adds jokingly.

Monea believes that live music is an important thing for performers as well as the community. Live performance help an artist grow as a performer, as well as entertain and inspire the audience.

Ben Hootman, local live music enthusiast, attends the live music at Muddy’s about once a month.

Hootman enjoys having live music at a restaurant because it is a nice change of pace. “I get tired of going to restaurants and seeing a hundred TVs on the walls showing nothing but sports or the news…. So live music is refreshing,” says Hootman.

Musical group 4i3 performs at Muddy’s every second Saturday of the month and enjoys performing there. Vocalist and pianist, Rob Elieff says of Muddy’s: “It’s a good vibe here, and we have a lot of fun.”

The part 4i3 enjoys the most about performing at Muddy’s is the audience participation. They say that they love when audience members request songs and dance.

4i3 also commented on how much they enjoy the owners of Muddy’s, saying that they are great people who give back to ALEXIS FLORENCE their community.

Tafoya began the tradition of having live music at his restaurant The band, 4i3, consisting of percussionist Chuck Howe, eight years ago. He started this tradition partly to help with the guitarist Eric Martonicz and vocalist and keyboard ambiance of the restaurant. player Rob Elieff perform their set at Muddy’s .

However, Tafoya believes “that for a community to thrive it needs a healthy dose of the arts. In this case, music and food.”

In this sense, the live music at Muddy’s betters not only the restaurant, but the community.

November 2018 | feature| 9

“... for a community to thrive, it needs a healthy dose of the arts. In this case, music and food,” Dennis Tafoya said.

Wooster stores explain purpose of selling antique items locally Julia Hootman staff writer

Historic Downtown Wooster is home to multiple antique and artisan stores.

Cecil Leslie, employee at Uptown Downtown Emporium said people shop at antique stores because, “they’re buying a memory.”

Leslie went on to explain that there is an infatuation with antiques in both young and old generations and emphasized that there is certainly a decorating trend that antiques fit into perfectly, a sort of rustic and used look. Leslie said these stores provide a good time and allow people to enjoy themselves.

Another reason people find antique stores appealing, according to Tyler

Whitney, cashier at Walnut Street Antiques is the nostalgia of the matter.

Whitney said people walk into an antique store and they are instantly hit with the nostalgia of items that have belonged to many people before them. Whitney went on to say the mission of Walnut Street Antiques is to sell a good product.

At Friendtique, the mission is different.

According to manager, Kelvin Bond, Friendtique is a donation and volunteer based organized where all profits go to Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice services in Holmes and Wayne county.

Friendtique is home to a large variety of antiques as well as other products, mostly

donated by various people.

A different kind of store in Wooster is The Urban Cottage, which is owned

by Dani Savage. The Urban Cottage is a home goods store with mostly gift type products and some consignments that are mostly from artists.

Savage described why the stores appealed to people, saying, “We have very unique things that you won’t find anywhere else… we just try to focus on snarky gift items and unusual things that you’re not going to see everywhere.”

Wooster’s antique stores offer a large selection of items to costumers throughout the week.

ANNA BIRK

(Top Left) Dani Savage stands in her store, The Urban Cottage. (Top Right) An array of vintage signs available at Walnut Street Antiques. (Bottom Left) Old glass soda bottles at Walnut Street Antiques. (Bottom Left) A typewriter for sale at Uptown Downtown Emporium.

10 | feature | November 2018

cover

Illustration by Ellie Vojtkofsky

Index:

12 & 13 Immigration Policy

14 DACA 15 Travel Ban 17-19 Stories of Immigration 16 Immigrant Children November 2018 | cover | 11

Reflecting on the complexities of the U.S. immigration system Alexis Florence co-editor-in-chief

I

In the United States, it seems that almost everyone can agree that the immigration system is broken.

A New York Times/CBS news poll of 1,079 adults concluded that “The vast majority said it [immigration system] needed reworking, including 44 percent who said it needed to be completely rebuilt and 45 percent who said it needed fundamental changes,” according to a New York Times article “Poll Shows Most in U.S. Want Overhaul of Immigration Laws” by Randal C. Archibold and Megan Thee-Brenan However, the county seems to divided by the question of how the immigration system broken.

In May of 2018, according to an article by Brennan Hoban from the Brookings Institution titled “The state of US immigration policy and how to improve it,” Donald Trump implemented a zero-tolerance immigration policy that would crack down on illegal immigration and increase the presence of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The travel ban that Trump implement via executive order that banned travelers and immigration from seven countries has held up in the nation’s highest court.

Furthermore, no solution has been made for people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status.

On the other side of the political aisle, Democrats like Senator Elizabeth Warren were quoted in an article “Warren: ‘We need immigration laws that focus on people who pose a real threat” by Tal Axelrod from The Hill, condemning Trump’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration and advocating for stricter protections of immigrant families.

In this cover news section of The Edge, the writers aim to deconstruct the political debate surrounding immigration by looking through a humanist lens and analyzing different parts of the immigration system.

12 | cover | November 2018

Graphic by Alexis Florence

84,989

DHS estimates that

million unauthorized immigrants were living in

persons were admitted to the United States as refugees in Fiscal Year 2016.

the United States in January 2014 (most recent).

Persons naturalizing in fiscal year 2017 spent a median of

8 years

in lawful permanent resident (LPR) status before becoming citizens.

707,265 people naturalized in Fiscal Year 2017.

There were

6.6 million unauthorized immigrants from Mexico in 2014, representing

55 percent of the unauthorized population.

12.1

Top Five Countries of Birth

340,056 aliens were removed from the United States in Fiscal Year 2016.

By the Numbers: reviewing different facets of the U.S. immigration system

The naturalization process confers U.S. citizenship upon foreign citizens or nationals who have fulfilled the requirements established Mexico 16.8% by the Immigration and Nationality Act. After naturalization, foreign-born citizens enjoy India 7.2% nearly all of the same benefits, rights and China 5.3% responsibilities that the Constitution protects Philippines 5.2% for native-born U.S. citizens, including the right to vote.

Dominican 4.2% Republic Estimated detected unlawful entries fell from 2.0

million to 624 thousand from FY 2006 – FY 2016, a 69 percent

decrease.

United States Border Patrol Fiscal Year 2017 Budget

$3,805,253 106,167 aliens

were returned to their home countries without an order of removal Fiscal Year 2016.

48,681

unaccompanied children were apprehended or determined to be inadmissible at the southern U.S. border.

Information collected by Alexis Florence from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and Department of Homeland Security.

November 2018 | cover | 13

DACA: Graphic by Alexis Florence

examining the local impact at the College of Wooster Henry Gamble staff writer

D

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is an American immigration policy introduced by President Barack Obama in 2012.

The policy allows for immigrants brought to the United States under the age of 16 to apply for a two year deferment from deportation and a work permit.

Recently, President Trump announced that he would be terminating the program, but a federal court blocked the action, leaving the program with an uncertain future.

According to College Board’s website, professionals.collegeboard.org, however, there is, “no federal or state law that prohibits the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S. colleges,” which allows for DACA recipients to attend U.S. colleges such as the College of Wooster.

As of 2017, there were 689,800 DACA recipients in the United States according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The COW has 15 DACA students who currently attend, according to David Newberry-Yokley, Director of Multicultural Admissions.

After President Trump’s attempt to terminate the

program, COW President Sarah Bolton and five other Ohio College presidents released a statement urging Ohio senators to take legislative action to secure a future for DACA students who, “have defied every obstacle in order to pursue education at our colleges and others around the state who are persistent, talented, and successful members of our academic communities.”

The COW and 17 other U.S. colleges are partnered together with the Noble Charter Network, which aims to become, “national leaders at providing equal access to quality four-year colleges for undocumented students,” according to their website, charterschoolcenter. ed.gov.

Under this program, undocumented students can apply for the The Pritzker Access Scholarship which can provide up to $12,000 in aid. Any cost not covered

by PAS, and an agreed upon family contribution, is provided by the COW in a financial aid award, according to NewberryYokley.

Due to their undocumented status, DACA students are not eligible for federal aid.

students who, “have defied every obstacle in order to pursue education at our

14 | cover | November 2018

colleges...,” as stated by the Ohio Five college presidents to Ohio senators

Executive Order 13769 : Trump’s travel ban proves to have global effects Mya Vandegrift staff writer

What is the travel ban?

In Trump’s first month of presidency, he issued an order that banned all entry for 90 days from seven Muslim majority nations: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. This order also indefinitely stopped refugees from Syria, while halting the admission of all refugees to the United States for four months. The final installment of the ban took place last December, was upheld in June, and is still in effect today.

What does the ban do?

The ban suspends the distribution of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas to applicants from countries where the a majority of the population is Muslim. The U.S. government claims to have a comprehensive system for who is able to receive waivers for possible admittance to the United States.

What countries are affected?

The ban prevents any visa distribution to the countries of Libya, Iran, Somalia, Syria and Yemen- all Muslim majority nations. The ban is also in place over North Korea and Venezuela.

What groups of people does Executive Order 13769 affect?

While the Supreme Court claims the ban is not meant to be anti-Muslim, the countries that are banned raise questions. But since North Korea does not usually allow people to leave their country, and Venezuela’s restrictions are not as strict, critics claim that the ban signals toward anti-Islamic motives.

Restrictions by country

Iran

Libya

Somalia

Syria

Suspends immigrants and nonimmigrants.

Exchange students are still permitted, but they may face enhanced screening.

Suspends entry to Libyan immigrants and to nonimmigrants on corporate and tourist visas.

Suspends entry to Somalian immigrants.

Suspends entry to immigrants and nonimmigrants.

Yemen Suspends entry to immigrants and nonimmigrants.

North Korea Suspends entry to immigrants and nonimmigrants.

Sources:

Venezuela Restrictions to only certain Venezuelan government officials.

“Trump’s Travel Ban: What It Is and Who It Effects,” The New York Times and “What It’s Like in the 7 Countries on Trump’s Travel Ban List” from CNN Politics

November 2018 | cover | 15

Examining the psychological impacts on immigrant children

F

For children who are immigrants or whose parents are immigrants, growing up in the current heated, U.S. political debate around immigrants can have lasting psychological impacts, according to educational psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at the College of Wooster, Barbara Thelamour, Ph.D. Ever since her time in graduate school, Thelamour knew she wanted to study immigrant youth and focus on the differences in how immigrant children operate in education.

In, “the worst case scenario,” Thelamour describes the possible psychological effects of the separation of undocumented children from their families, who illegally crossed the U.S. southern border, this past summer.

In the summer of 2018, the Trump administration separated immigrant children from their families and processed them in different facilities. Though this separation is, for now, no longer the policy of the Trump White House, in an executive order issued on June 20, the president wrote: “It is unfortunate that Congress’s failure to act on court orders have put the Administration in the position of separating alien families to effectively enforce the law.”

Though the full psychological impacts of this family separation are unknown because of the recency of the actions, Thelamour explains that what she and other psychologists theorize is that the children will be affected throughout their lives because these children were living in harsh conditions and high stress situations without their parents, without any form of medical intervention, these children could be, as Thelamour says, “put on a path toward really negative outcomes later on.”

Even when children are reunited with their parents, Thelamour said the youth will likely have relationship issues because going through a high stress situation without a comforting presence can create a feeling that they are unable to trust their parents.

“The kid doesn’t know that this parent was taken away. They just know they [parents] are gone. The person I am supposed to trust early in life I do not have that, and we know that the relationship with parents is a foundation… So, it might be hard to form relationships and to trust other people,” Thelamour said.

Furthermore, these high stress situations for young children flood their systems with stress hormones that can affect not only their mental development, like intellectual performance and impulse control, but also take a physical toll on the child and stunt growth, Thelamour said.

Thelamour also describes that the effects of

16 | cover | November 2018

Alexis Florence co-editor-in-chief

stress felt by children can be translated into youth growing up in families without legal documentation to reside in the United States.

The Dept. of Homeland Security officially estimated that in 2014, there were 12.1 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States; with that number expected to be higher in coming years more and more children will be living in situations of fear and paranoia, according to Thelamour.

Thelamour said the concern of deportation can cause a flood of constant stress and anxiety for children, which can result in the aforementioned negative effects on development.

Additionally, for immigrant children residing legally in the United States, the often negative rhetoric in the media and political spheres used against immigrants can impact a child’s formation of identity and sense of belonging. “...that belongingness is a need. You, as a person, fundamentally have a need. It is what makes us people: to belong to something or somewhere. So to not have that met in the that country you live in is tough, and it has all these implications for you later on,” Thelamour said.

Thelamour used a more personal anecdote to explain how comments such as those allegedly said by President Trump in a meeting, can affect an immigrant child’s sense of self.

Earlier this year, Josh Dawsey reported in a Washington Post article, entitled “Trump derides protections for immigrants from ‘shithole’ countries,” that President Trump referred to El Salvador, Haiti and African nations as “shithole countries.”

Being a child of Haitian immigrants, Thelamour recounts a disheartening feeling about her background and she mentions how immigrant children or first-generation Americans can lose a sense of belonging to the country they live in.

“Based on what I know psychologically, hearing that your country of origin or adjacent countries being called a ‘shithole’ is not a good feeling. What does that mean for your identity as a person from that country? How does that make you feel less like a citizen of this country [United States]?” Thelamour said.

Lastly though, Thelamour explains that despite what immigrant children may hear in the media a strong family or support system can always help to set a child on a better course for connecting with their identity and forming a strong sense of belonging.

Graphic by Alexis Florence

Graphic by Catherine Strong

From Germany to the United States: one citizen’s journey through language, culture and dual citizenship Maeve Florence-Smith staff writer

M

Mareike Herrmann, professor at The College of Wooster and Wooster resident, was 20 years old and living in Kiel, a small city in northern Germany, when she came to the United States for one year to study and work as a teaching assistant at Kenyon College.

She wanted to leave Kiel because she was eager to travel, to see the world and get away. Her rural hometown was sheltered, largely educated and middle class and, although Kiel had a few Turkish immigrants, it felt monocultural to her. At Kenyon, she hoped to study French and English.

Yet, during her year at Kenyon, Herrmann had less independence than she experienced as a student in Germany. The education system in Germany was bigger and more anonymous, which encouraged independence.

As a student living in an apartment in Kiel, she bought her own groceries and made her own meals. At Kenyon she lived in a dorm and had a meal plan.

Also, she was used to spending more time in public places like parks and markets; in Kiel, people rarely used cars and favored bikes. In contrast, Kenyon students lived in dorms on campus, and most Americans travelled by car.

Herrmann also recalls being surprised by the nuances of American English, explaining, “In the beginning, I was flabbergasted by the American accent because we had learned British English in school.”

She studied English for seven years in school, but still had to work on fluency. She listened a lot to her friends and other Americans. Herrmann said that as a student in a foreign country, she noticed the differences between Germany and the United States, and it took her awhile to adjust.

Herrmann added, “We knew a lot of things about America from the media, TV and the pop culture that influenced Germany.”

Nevertheless, being fully immersed in America helped her understand and see past the media stereotypes.

She said her transition was made easier by the very friendly way that she was received by her host family and faculty adviser; she also made new friends by quickly getting involved in college activities.

As she noticed, “Americans are very eager to befriend each other and others.”

Herrmann pointed out that her process of immigration was

unusual because she started with curiosity: she wanted to explore a new culture so she came over with the intent to stay for a year.

After she returned to Germany, Herrmann realized that she would like to study further in the United States. In 1988, she visited again to get a master’s degree, and then she decided to stay to earn her PhD. Ultimately, she remained to work as a professor at The College of Wooster. Her initial visit to experience the education system during a gap year became, over time, a series of decisions to stay longer.

Herrmann commented, “My story of immigration...is one of privilege. I often feel it was much easier for me to get to this place because of my education...it was really a choice for me.”

She did not become a citizen for about 20 years.

In Germany, people must give up German citizenship before becoming a citizen of another country unless there are special circumstances for dual citizenship.

Keeping her German citizenship was very important to Herrmann because she said that being German remains a huge part of her identity. She applied for American citizenship in the end because she wanted to vote, but she was able to make the case and keep her German citizenship.

Giving up her citizenship would have distanced her from her family and heritage.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAREIKE HERRMANN

Circa 1990, Herrmann visited New York City, a historic gateway for immigrants, before gaining her own U.S. citizenship.

November 2018 | cover | 17

From Mexico to the United States:

A family’s journey to leave a violent community

Mya Vandegrift staff writer

I

In 2010, when many American children were just learning long division, the Martinez family, as well as an entire community, were dealing with a tragic shooting outside of their daughter’s elementary school.

The everyday street violence in their city was the main reason for their decision to move out of Mexico and into the states.

“We lived in this border city...safety was an issue because drug cartels were fighting for territory. You can’t live your life in a normal way, because there’s this constant violence occurring in the streets. We had good jobs, but it was more important for us to have safety for our family,” Rosita Martinez explained.

Rosita, their daughter at age 15, was raised in that city, and Martinez expressed she was not able to have a normal childhood because of the extra precautions they had to take for safety.

“You have to plan your life according to what’s going on with these people,” Martinez said.

They began to send applications to the United States in hopes of securing a job that would allow them to move into the states. However, she notes most jobs here required possible employees to be U.S. citizens or green card holders. Once hired, Martinez said companies will grant visas to immigrants to be able to live in the States and work with them.

“It wasn’t easy. My husband sent hundreds of applications to different companies.” Martinez said.

Eventually, they were able to move to Wooster because her husband was hired at a company stationed here. They have lived in the United States for two years, and have loved being able to not have to worry about the violence they used to worry about.

However, with current tensions involving the border and false narratives circulating about Hispanic immigrants, xenophobia is on the rise in the United States.

18 | cover | November 2018

“The main issue is ignorance...the news makes it seem like immigrants are dangerous. But, they’re families with kids and just looking for somewhere to be safe.” Martinez stated.

She wants everyone take a moment and realize that the people immigrating are human beings.

“Most are simple families that are trying to get safety and work. They are not things, and they are not dangerous.,” Martinez said.

“The main issue is ignorance...the news makes it seem like immigrants are dangerous. But, they’re families with kids and just looking for somewhere to be safe,”

Graphics by Catherine Strong

Rosita Martinez

From Thailand to the United States: A family’s journey to find a better future for their children Bryn Savidge staff writer

B

Banthom Luangamath, a resident in Orrville, arrived at a refugee camp in Thailand in February of 1980.

He was the last of his two oldest daughters, Thic and Khannie, and his wife PhongPhanh, to leave the family’s home in Laos.

Prior to their departure, their country was run by the Communist Party during the Vietnam War. The government was drafting people to fight in the war and Banthom and his wife chose to relocate their family, stating, “We wanted to bring our children for a better future, which includes education and work.”

Banthom describes the immigration process as cumbersome, as it involved a heavy load of paperwork and interviews.

Additionally, “like much of what happens in struggling countries, there were some bribery involved.”

The family acknowledges how lucky they were. They had connections in America through their work and the process took less than one year. Banthom’s brother already lived in Orrville, and got them in touch with a Mennonite Church to sponsor his family.

They arrived in the United States in October of 1980.

A couple of months later, Banthom found a welding job through the church. He had an engineering degree in Laos, but it did not translate to the U.S. workforce.

“I did not have previous welding experience...but I am a quick learner,” Banthom said.

PhongPhanh, according to her husband, was “an amazing salesperson and to this day can sell ice to an Eskimo.”

The couple worked hard to make a living. “We first rented an apartment. Saved enough money to later buy a quaint house in Orrville.

I worked two jobs to continue to save money to then build our house in 1988, where we still reside today,” Banthom explains.

The Luangamath family acknowledges how they were treated as immigrants, with Banthom stating, “It was a bit difficult. There were times that people looked down at us due to our broken English, but we persevered through it all.”

However, being a part of the church community helped the family to adjust.

Today, Banthom and PhongPhanh are both retired and still live in Orrville. “We are enjoying our time with our grandchildren,” Banthom adds.

Although they have established a new life in Ohio, Banthom says the Luangamath family still makes annual trips to Thailand and Laos to visit the rest of their family.

Thai population in the United States in 2015

295,000 English proficiency of foreign-born Thai population in the United States

48% 62%

of foreignborn Thai population in the United states has at least some college education.

According to the Pew Research Center Social & Demographic Trends

Graphics by Catherine Strong

November 2018 | cover | 19

submissions

Index: 21 Art Education Q&A 20 | submissions | November 2018

22-28 Artist Profiles

29-31 Photographer Profiles

& Q A

with WHS art teachers

Should every person be required to take a visual arts class before they graduate high school?

Yes, it’s good for making connections with other disciplines and it’s good to express yourself.

In my heart yes, I feel as if every student should have that basic knowledge of visual art because I feel so many people take for granted the skill and the necessity art has in our society.

How do the WHS art classes allow students to explore their passions?

There’s a lot of different subject areas you can go into, and we allow a lot of choice space projects.

We do not have everything that we need here as far as diversity of art, but in my 2-D art classes I try to allow freedom of choice even when working with a certain medium, so they can explore their passions... We are limited in the selection of

Katherine Putka

what we do, but considering the courses we have, students can still show their diversity, their passion and their excitement toward something because we allow a choice aspect in exploring their skill.

Why are the arts important in education?

The arts link together all the other things you learn in school, as well as provide real life applications for those things you learn.

It’s the basic heart of problem solving in your brain. If you know how to problem solve in the process of making art, you can problem solve in every other aspect of your life…

Art is crucial to academic success because it connects different parts of your brain.

Why do you feel people overlook the arts in education?

People often do not see the value in it[art] when it is not something they are going to pursue in life, but it definitely has lifelong potential, even if it

&

Tricia Nussbaum

is not for a job.

Because I feel people do not think it’s a necessity. They think it’s extra, it’s the frosting, it’s not the base, it’s not the foundation, but that’s not true. To me, it’s interesting that when I ask kids, “Why is art important?,” they have a hard time coming up with answers. Give me your clothes, house, video games give me all of those things that envelop you as a person every day. All of those things are created by artists. If we didn’t have art, we wouldn’t have life.

That’s what makes up humanity.

That’s what makes us human.

Why do you think The Edge should feature artists?

It’s good to be exposed to the work your peers are doing and see what they are doing outside of testing and those intangible things.

For the same reason we feature athletes, academic excellence and every other part of a person. We should highlight what people are good at.

Period.

November 2018 |submissions| 21

Artist Profile

Sam Armstrong (12) I first started really enjoying art when I was in seventh grade. At that point, I mostly drew. The following year, I got into photography. It was not until ninth grade that I became interested in 3D art. Now, I focus on sculpture and photography. I think art is really fun and relaxing. Art is a way for me to get my mind off stressful and upsetting things. One of my favorite pieces I have made is an angular toothpick sculpture that I painted silver. I tend to like my wooden sculptures the most. When it comes to photography, I think my photos of plants and animals look the best.

Although I do not plan to go into an art based career, I want to continue to do art in some capacity for the rest of my life.

The assignment was to show energy and color through movement.

First wooden piece Armstrong created in his senior year.

Citric Stacks

Most recent piece in a series of orange pieces.

Armstrong’s favorite piece he created in 2017.

22 | submissions | November 2018

Artist Profile

Haley Balas (12) My love of art began at a very young age, when I would just draw my family or friends in my kindergarten journals. That love only grew as I would watch my mom, an abstract artist, paint in her studio, and then travel with her from Chicago to New York to different art shows, constantly surrounded by art. My personal favorite medium is drawing with graphite in a realistic style. My favorite piece I have done, however, is a painting I did in tribute to the students lost in the Parkland, Fla. shooting earlier this year. I have had work shown in shows in the Wayne County Fair, Wooster Fine Arts Festival and the Regional High School Exhibition. I hope to pursue a career doing something that allows me to be creative in the future.

Oil painting of Madison Helms

Sydney made it to regional art exhibit in Balas’s junior year.

#MarchForOurLives created in tribute to Parkland shooting victims

Self portrait created over the summer with colored pencils Acrylic painting of Dominique

November 2018 | submissions | 23

Ben Cornelius (12)

Artist ProďŹ le

I knew that I liked art from a young age, as I was always doodling and sketching on my homework and any other paper I could get my hands on. At that time, art was a way to escape boredom when teachers would drone on with uninteresting topics. At the end of fifth grade, I watched The Lorax and fell in love with animation. My scribbles started to take shape into a cartoonish form. All of my characters gained complex back stories, which fueled my desire to get better at art. Nowadays, I sketch things that pop into my head like superheroes, cartoons, concepts. To me, my best, my favorite works are not finished pieces, they are sketches of random things that inspire me. I contemplated going into animation or some other art centered career, however, I decided against it because I would then be forced to make art from others ideas and not my own. Although, I am convinced that whatever field I go into, art will have an influence in it.

Hands sketched in pencil.

Still life of TARDIS from Doctor Who sketched in pencil.

Human bat based on comic book character, Man-Bat, a villain of Batman.

24 | submissions | November 2018

ProďŹ le pictures using lines for shading.

Artist Profile

Dani Legg (12) I have always liked art; even in preschool, I can remember drawing pictures of my family.

Back then, they were just stick figures, though. But now, my art is much more advanced and, honestly, I do it because I love the way I feel when I finish a painting because it makes me feel proud. I do realistic paintings and drawings, but painting is my favorite.

Some of my favorite pieces are my koi pond and cool hands painting. My cool hands piece went to the Ohio Governors show and made it all the way to regionals. I have also submitted artwork to the Cleveland Clinic eXpressions Program and I won second place at the Fine Arts Festival. I plan on going to college for art and, hopefully, I can find an art based job one day.

Picture of a Young Gamora

Yellow inspired by Legg’s favorite color.

Playing Koi

Puzzled a self portrait.

Modern structure with a twist of the colosseum.

November 2018 | submissions | 25

Artist Profile

Catherine Strong (12) I always loved to draw. I would scribble on anything I could get my hands on as a toddler and I spent all my free time in elementary school doodling. My passion for art as a whole came with visiting museums that housed famous and beautiful art, as well as a love of animation.

For me, making art has always been about telling a story. There is always a background to what I draw or paint, from doodles I made as a kid to character sketches I have recently developed.

I most commonly draw out my ideas in pencil, but my junior year, I took a painting class and began to branch out with acrylics and oil. I find painting very difficult, but with enough time and effort I was able to make pieces I was proud of.

Recently, I’ve mostly been sketching. I love to sketch because you can do it anywhere. My most recent project is storyboarding and developing characters.

Self portrait drawn by Strong when experimenting with different styles.

Calypso- water color painting painted Strong’s sophomore.

Experiment with marker on an old book page.

Sketch from freshman year.

26 | submissions | November 2018

One of Strong’s first digital graphics.

Libra Pritchard (11) I would say I have always had a lovehate relationship with art. Being an artist is its own special kind of toxic relationship. You are emotionally distraught and all over the place, divided between hating everything you have ever made and loving what you are doing. Doing art can destroy your confidence, frustrate you, crush your self worth, etc, and the strive for perfection is a painfully addictive thing. That being said, I am not sure if I “like” art, I am just good at it and it is impossible for me to stop creating. I became a “serious artist” around seventh grade, I think. Art is the most direct form of expression, as it allows you to see into someone’s imagination, thoughts, dreams, etc. When looking at someone’s art, it is their entire mind on a canvas, in a sculpture, dance, performance, etc, and that is so beautiful. I can not stop doing art because I have too many things going on inside my head, and art is my method of getting everything out. I do all art types, I paint with acrylic, oil, watercolor, sketch, line, colored pencils, I’m learning guitar, I act. My art is meaningful, and I try and push the boundaries of self expression. My most recent favorite is my Cleveland Clinics eXpressions piece, as the brain sculpture is so fun and neat, smelly, but beautiful. I had no idea what I was doing the entire piece, but it turned out fantastic.

Closet experimental with the perspective and abstract lighting. Representative of LGBT/queer community struggles.

Artist Profile

Brain sculpture created for Pritchard’s Cleveland Clinic eXpressions piece.

Precious a very personal, symbolic piece.

The Witch and the Fire Lion on a 2 foot by 3 foot poster made with graphite and water color.

November | submissions | 27

Artist ProďŹ le Emma Yoder (11) I am not sure when I knew I liked art; it is kind of always been there. I began getting more into it around third grade, and my passion grew more and more. Art is both an escape and a way of expressing myself. Explaining my feelings and thoughts through words is not a task that comes easy to me. Like most people, I wish to be understood both by others and myself, and drawing is the easiest way for me to do that. I mostly draw people in my own style traditionally with pencil, some of them being my original characters with stories I have created myself. My favorite piece I have ever done is of my original character, Wren, with a detailed background of his work space.

Whilst drawing, I do not always have a goal, but go with the flow, creating a story as I go.

The one show I have participated in was the art fair at the high school my freshman year.

It was a hatched portrait and painting of myself. It won third place in the 2-D category. I am pursuing the job of a comic artist and possibly a YouTube animator.

Original character, Wren, with his dragon.

Two Owl Brothers studying Magic Illustration.

Cath, the Queen of Hearts, fanart.

Original character, Wren, making herbal tea.

28 | submissions| November 2018

YouTube Artist Collective Masquerade Theme Illustration.

O O W

R E ST

D N I W E R Anna Birk staff writer

Photography holds a thousand words and the power to reflect memories otherwise lost. Shown here are photos highlighting different aspects to the start of the 2018-2019 Wooster High School year, which has been filled with spirit, camaraderie and passion.

(Top left) Trumpeter, Francis Sims (10) recants the Alma Mater to fans during a football showdown with Wadsworth.

(Middle left) Madison Helms (11) tosses candy at the 2018 Homecoming parade.

(Middle right) Lauren Nielsen and Nate Lewis prepare for their senior Homecoming, sporting all red.

(Bottom left) Decked in beachwear, senior, Chewy Coetzee, supports WHS football from the frontline, (Middle bottom right) Joey McGhee and Amanda Yates support each other at a football game.

(Bottom right) “Three Claps Ready,” led by senior football kicker, Joe Stoll.

November 2018 | submissions| 29

FOR LOVE OF THE GAME It feels like just yesterday I was holding my grandpa’s tape-requiring camcorder, taking videos of my sister’s second birthday. I watched my grandpa take pictures and videos at family events and was mesmerized by how it could capture the world in front of me. Years later, at 12- yearsold, after saving up money, I got to buy my own DSLR. I found love in photography and got to find my own style while sharing pictures with my friends and family that I was very proud of.

Theresa Wendell staff photographer

(Top) The Wooster Generals football team makes an entrance at a football game. (Right) Jaden Boucher (10) kicks the ball in a soccer match. (Bottom) The cheerleaders are all smiles throughout the Homecoming parade. (Left) Skyy Khounborin (11) gleams during a tennis match. (Middle) The Frontline proudly supports the football team during the first home game.

30 | submissions | November 2018

staff photographer

INK BL of an e

ey

The reason I like photography is because, to me, it is a way to relax.

The way I got into photography is just I have always liked looking at the pictures in National Geographic, or even sports photos in magazines. My mom has a camera, and I borrowed it a few times to take pictures of my little sisters, and now I am in BLADE. It is a way to bring out your personal creativity. My favorite type of photography is sports photography. You have to try to get the perfect picture in a very short amount of time, and the feeling when you get the perfect picture feels so good. I also like to take portrait photos, as it is much easier to take pictures of someone who you can tell how to move or let them pose how they want to. I used to think that photography would be very easy, but I have learned that it isn’t, but it’s really fun.

the In

Grace Brownson

(Top left) Mya Gish (10) shining at a football game.

(Top right) Alyssa Coots (12) enjoys the fresh fall weather.

(Bottom right) Joey McGhee and Aiden Strand-Fox (9) pose for a photo before a home football game.

(Bottom left) Vince Fiorita (11) hustles throughout a soccer match.

(Middle left) Libra Pritchard (11) works on entry to Cleveland Clinic eXpressions.

(Middle right) Kristian Scalf (12) races down the football field during Friday Night Lights.

November 2018 | submissions | 31

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

November 2018 | 32