THE WOOSTER BLADE
WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER • 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH • MARCH 14, 2019 • VOLUME XIX, ISSUE 11 Graphic by Alexis Florence
OPEN pg. 19 MINDEDNESS
“I HOPE OUR COVER SECTION ACCURATELY REPRESENTS HOW INCLUSIVE WHS IS OF ALL LGBTQ STUDENTS, AND ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO BE MORE THOUGHTFUL AND OPEN-MINDED EVERY DAY.” Cover Editor Rachael Schmidt
INDEX
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 2
CreateHER mentoring program comes to WHS Pg. 6
Seniors succeed at JA Titan Competition Pg. 3
Orville hosts multicultural festival Pg. 14
Wheelchair basketball competes another undefeated season Pg. 9
Front Section 1-2 • On Campus 3-4 • Focus 5-7 • Sports 8-9 • Cover 10-12 • Feature 13-14 • Trends 15 • Arts 16-18 • Views 19-20
THE WOOSTER BLADE Editors-in-Chief John Gorman, Alexa Mitchell • Webmaster Jacob Gooch • Graphics Managers Jacob Gooch, Catherine Strong • Business Manager Anna Nacci • On Campus Editors Clara Lee, Gina Van Lieu • Investigative Feature Editor Alexis Florence • Focus Editors Henry Gamble, Rheanna Velasquez, Emily Jewell • Sports Editors Reece Mitchell, Griffin Murphy • A & E Editors Skyy Khounborin, Melina Mera, Catherine Strong • Trends Editors Molly Schneider, Corinne Wiles • Cover Editors Maddy McCully, Holly Miller, Rachael Schmidt • Views Editors David Cheng, Alec Pauley • Feature Editor Anna Nacci • Staff Writers Keifer Dilyard, Maeve Florence-Smith, Sophie Gamble, Mason Garcia, Madison Helms, Julia Hootman, Jacob Nurse, Korbin Reed, Leo Riley, Paulina Salazar, Bryn Savidge, Mya Vandegrift, Theresa Wendell, Lena Wiebe • Head Photographer Maddy McCully • Photographers Grace Brownson, Alexis Florence, Jacob Gooch, Maddy McCully, Reece Mitchell, Rachael Schmidt, Theresa Wendell • Artists Haley Balas, Catherine Strong, Corinne Wiles • Adviser Kristi Hiner The Wooster Blade is a biweekly student publication printed every other Friday by the Newspaper Production classes at Wooster High School. The paper is designated as an open forum and follows publishing guidelines as established in a district-wide publications policy protecting students’ freedom of expression. All copy, art and photography are property of The Wooster Blade and cannot be reproduced without permission. Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words and The Wooster Blade reserves the right to print and edit as per length and content. The Wooster Blade is a member of Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Wooster Blade is printed in cooperation with Wooster’s The Daily Record. Letters and inquiries should be addressed to The Wooster Blade, 515 Oldman Road Wooster, Ohio 44691. The Wooster Blade can be contacted at 330-345-4000 ext. 3210. The newspaper can also be found at thewoosterblade.com
ON CAMPUS
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WHS team places at Junior Students finish strong at states Achievement competition MASON GARCIA staff writer
On March 8, the annual Junior Achievement Titan competition was held at the University of Akron for high school students. JA Titan is a simulation of an entrepreneurial scenario, where teams of three compete to be the most effective businessmen. Former competitor and WHS alum, Nolan Khounborin, explains the challenge of the simulation. “The way the simulation works is that you are selling communications devices and you have the options of choosing how many you make and the price at which they sell for. You have basic components of a business and you get a set amount of turns
to become the most successful business,” Khounborin said. Like any competition, there are prizes for placing according to Ben Otto (12), a current competitor, who explains the top three placing teams win $150, $100 and $50 each. Besides the prize money, there are other benefits to the competition, according to John Gorman (12), another current competitor. “This event focuses on critical thinking and adaptability. Some simulations will be during economic booms or recessions so you have to identify and change your strategy,” Gorman said. The Wooster team of Breydan Hann (12), Keenan Woflfe (12) and Kole Emplit (12) each won gift cards for $25 to Papa John’s Pizza for placing first in their consolation round.
After WHS’s gymnastics undefeated season, Rachel Furlong (10) competed at the state meet at Hilliard Bradley High School where she placed fifth in the beam competition and ninth for the all around on March 2. PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL FURLONG
On March 2, Wooster’s Speech and Debate qualifiers for the state tournament competed at Jackson High School. Bryn Savidge (11) placed third in Informative Speaking, Jacob Gooch (12) placed fifth in Congressional Debate and partners, John Schmidt (12) and Sophia VanSickle (11) achieved second Policy Debate. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTIN KEATING
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Following WHS’ wrestling season, Jake Burns (11) moved on to compete in the state competition at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus from April 28 to March 2. Burns placed 10 in the tournament and said his goal for next year is to, “go undefeated throughout the whole regular season, win my sectional, district and become a state champion.” PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE BURNS BLURBS BY CORINNE WILES
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 4
Drama Club’s musical production Yearbook puts senior year in full focus CATHERINE STRONG graphics manager Yearbook: The High School Musical will be hitting the WHS stage as Drama Club’s annual musical production. Yearbook is a musical based on interviews with 100 high school students that details high school life in the ‘90s,
according to the platform the musical was published on Dramatic Publishing. The plot centers around several high school students lives, featuring a variety of musical styles in the play’s score. “There is no ‘traditional’ plot, but it essentially follows the lives of high school students throughout the school year, starting with the ‘First Day
Haley Balas: My hopes for this production are that everyone, especially the seniors, can find some nostalgia factors in it, especially with it being about high school memories, and with it being our last show.
As a senior, what are your hopes for the production? Rachael Schmidt: As a senior, I know that I find personal meaning in every single show that I have been a part of. I hope everyone in our audience can have a connection to the characters in the show and can appreciate and acknowledge the different lives every high schooler lives. Other than that, I am just incredibly grateful to be acting in my last show with some of my best friends from high school and I am going to miss them all a lot when I graduate.
of School’ and ending with ‘Graduation.’ It focuses, mostly, on a group of seniors. In a sense, some aspect of a high school student’s life is represented,” Brett Hiner, director of Drama Club and English Dept. member, said. Yearbook: The High School Musical will be WHS class of 2019’s final show. It has a run time of approximately two
Eli Bachman: As a senior, my hopes for the production are that everyone has fun and comes to enjoy Drama Club as much as I have over the past four years. I hope that when I look back on this show, I’ll remember the fun times spent with the cast and crew and appreciate the performance we gave for the community to enjoy.
Rachael Schmidt: My character Bryn relies a lot on her two best friends, Lauren and Mary Anne. I think that’s the part I relate to most because each of the friends has difficult things going on at home, but when they are all together at school they make each other happy. The friends that I have made throughout high school and been able to rely on are really important to me and I appreciate them and love all the memories we have made over the years.
JACOB GOOCH
Director Brett Hiner and cast members of the Yearbook cast meet prior to beginning the rehearsal of a scene from Act One of the show. hours and is set to open at the three subsequent performances WHS Performing Arts Center on April 5 at 7 p.m. and 2 April 4 at 7 p.m., followed by p.m. on the April 6 and 7.
Seniors discuss upcoming musical
Anna Birk: My character from Yearbook has two very close people whom she can confide in, and I think I and many other high schoolers can relate with that because no matter how stressed or how bad a situation is, you have those couple people who know you better than anyone and who can help you through it all.
How do you relate to your character from Yearbook? Eli Bachman: Tripp is a senior in high school just trying to keep up with the expectations everyone has for him. He is stressed with it, in a sense drowning, as he tries to stay afloat. Personally, I can relate to this feeling as I prepare for college and try to balance high school classes and college preparation.
Anna Birk: Another main role I played was an office worker, so this is a very different role for me because it is a lot more personal.
Bryce Nelson: My role is different from others that I’ve done because this is actually my first school production. Drama Club is brand new to me, and I’ve been loving my experience so far.
What makes your role in this show different from other roles you have portrayed? Sarah Hackett: This show is my first high school production, and I’ve never been more excited. My last musical was in second grade, so this role definitely has more character and dialogue to it. It’s all so new, and also so thrilling.
Sarah Hackett: I’ve always been the mom of my friend group in more serious situations. I’m always the girl trying to persuade everyone away from trouble, so that they don’t have to face horrible consequences. I also have a mom that has high expectations for me, much like the mother in Yearbook has high expectations for her son, Tripp. Q&A conducted by Rheanna Velasquez Graphics by Catherine Strong
FOCUS
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Caring Closet aids WCS students ANNA NACCI feature editor
According to woostercityschools.org, 48.5 percent of WCSD students live in poverty. In an effort to help those in need, WCSD has launched a district-wide initiative called the General’s Closet. Beginning on March 5, families can donate a plethora of hygiene items, ranging from lotion to laundry detergent. The General’s Closet idea stemmed from the Caring Closet, an initiative at Cornerstone Elementary School, said Eric Vizzo, Cornerstone principal. The Caring Closet was launched in January, Vizzo said. As does the General’s Closet, the Caring Closet aims to aid
students in need of necessary health products, to create a more positive environment. “With our new addition of providing the personal hygiene products to the students in need, we may be able to build their self-esteem reducing possible behavior [issues], preventing bullying and creating an overall more nurturing learning environment for them,” Tammy Despoy, paraprofessional at Cornerstone who assists students with running the program, said. This goal has been met, as Despoy adds that the Caring Closet has received positive feedback from Cornerstone students. The idea for the Caring Closet originated at the end of last school year, according to Kristen Smith, a second grade
teacher at Cornerstone. Smith began the process to start the Caring Closet after seeing the positive results of offering free haircuts to students. “After we began offering haircuts last year, it made us so happy to see the students walk away from that with such confidence and happiness. We got to thinking that it needs to extend beyond that one day,” Smith said. The Caring Closet is run by students at Cornerstone. “They are responsible for taking inventory of our supplies, stocking the shelves, reading and filling the orders, and delivering the orders the students that requested them,” Despoy said. Despoy assists these students in running the Caring Closet.
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In the March 1 issue of The Wooster Blade, poll data regarding student attendance of assemblies was incorrectly listed as saying: 57% of polled, upperclassmen students would have attended the Attaboy concert if they were allowed. It should have read 57% would not have attended. The Wooster Blade deeply regrets this error.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMMY DESPOY
Cornerstone Elementary students Body Richards, Absolute Allison, Jude Hartman and Ashley Meyer stock shelves and read and fill orders for the Caring Closet. The program provides a range of hygiene products. Other schools in WCSD have similar initiatives to the Caring Closet. “There’s a small inventory of personal hygiene-type of materials at every building, but what we’re finding is we couldn’t replenish our inventory at each building really efficiently, so that’s what led to a district-wide effort
around General’s Closet,” Michael Tefs, Superintendent of WCSD, said. Any donations for the Caring Closet can be donated to the Cornerstone main office, and donations for the General’s Closet can be dropped off at the WCSD main office on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
BLADE begins “Micropolitan Journal” for the Wooster community PAULINA SALAZAR staff writer One member of The Wooster Blade staff has decided to add something new to the bi-weekly issue: “The Micropolitan Journal.” “The Micropolitan Journal” is a submission-based project that will allow readers to submit stories that are particular to Wooster and what the readers think represent Wooster. Maeve Florence-Smith (11), the creator of this project, said she came up with this idea from another publication. “I was looking through The New York Times and they have something called the “Metropolitan Diary” and I thought it would be really cool to do something like that but for Wooster,” FlorenceSmith said. Florence-Smith’s grandfather published a submission in The New York Times’ “Metropolitan Diary,”
which encouraged her to try this project. Alexa Mitchell, co-editor-in-chief of the newspaper, is excited about trying this new idea. “We’ve never done anything like this and I hope people in the community will take advantage of this and let it be a light, funny outlet for the community,” Mitchell said. Kristi Hiner, adviser of The Wooster Blade, said she is thrilled by FlorenceSmith’s idea and is looking forward to seeing the positive response. “It’s an opportunity to let people share their perspectives about our community. The idea of diversity and community response is a really good thing to encourage and allow ourselves to see,” Hiner said. Submissions are open to all ages and can be between 25 and 200 words and can include images. To make a submission, tag or DM The Wooster Blade’s social medias by April 1.
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Girls on the Run Club launches in Wooster RACHAEL SCHMIDT cover editor Beginning the week of March 4, Cornerstone Elementary held their first Girls on the Run meeting of the 2019 spring season. According to Program Coordinator of Girls on the Run East Central Ohio, Deedee Amentas, the program is 10 weeks long, with meetings twice a week for 90 minutes with curriculum to help girls use positive self talk, express emotions
and
choose good friends. Amentas said the first time the program expanded to Stark County, it was at Shreve Elementary in the fall of 2016. The program then continued to Wayne County at Cornerstone in the spring and to Melrose in the fall of 2017. Amentas emphasized that though the 10 weeks end with a 5K race in which the girls may participate, the program is not really a running program. “Girls on the Run is a positive youth activity program. It encourages girls to be confident and be joyful in who they are
CreateHER mentoring program connects students
personally,” Amentas said. This season at Cornerstone, College of Wooster girls cross country team members are volunteering to help run the program activities. Amentas said the lessons are very individualized to each girl’s needs and having extra volunteers, as in this case with the COW girls, helps give each girl individualized attention. “The girls really look up to them. It makes them feel good to know a high school or college girl is taking time out of their week to be with them,” Amentas said. Sarah Davis, parent of a third grader in the program, said it was a wonderful opportunity to get the COW girls involved, as both Amentas and the COW athletes were interested in making it happen. Marian Overfield, a freshman at the COW, explained that the
COW girls are all cross country and track and field athletes living in a program house, which requires them to participate in an outreach program. Overfield said one of the girls in the house suggested working with Girls on the Run because she participated in it when she was younger and enjoyed the program. Overfield said, so far, their lesson plans have covered building a connection between the girls by seeing what they have in common with each other such as their favorite ice cream or favorite class, and another lesson centers around making choices and talking about what kinds of decisions are difficult to make. Another COW freshman, Megan Tuennerman, said she is most excited to, “see how the girls grow and see how it
helps them and changes them.” Davis said what she likes most about Girls on the Run is it not only keeps the girls active, but it makes them feel empowered socially and emotionally, while also teaching the girls to be leaders and helping them make great friends. According to gotreco.org, Girls on the Run aims to help girls gain confidence, character, connections, competence, the ability to compassionately care for others and contribute to community and society. “At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind,” the website says. Girls on the Run meets every Wednesday and Friday at Cornerstone Elementary from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
SOPHIE GAMBLE
Rosales said she believes connecting with women at a younger age in a college setting is important. Not only is createHER a resource for women to develop, but it also provides a safe, supportive, inclusive environment for all students. This environment helps the organization accomplish their goal, which is to help the next generation of women leaders succeed, according to the COW website. This event was coordinated at WHS by Sara Crooks, associate principal. “I find it incredibly important for women in leadership to pave the way for other women to lead and grow. This opportunity did just that,”
Crooks said. Six current college students discussed their college experiences with the WHS students who attended the morning session. The COW students touched on how social media and involvement in organizations such as createHER have shaped their college experiences, and discussed the importance of inspiring and building each other up as well. The next conference hosted by createHER is createHER Day, on April 13. It will involve a series of lectures, breakout sessions and networking, and will take place at the Ruth W. Williams Life Science Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
staff writer On March 7, the College of Wooster’s createHER initiative visited WHS. According to organization founder Marina Rosales, the goal is to connect with younger women to inspire them to take lead in their lives, both personally and professionally. Rosales started createHER when she was hired as the event planner for the Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Wooster two years ago, with the goal of inspiring women leaders on the college’s campus. “I felt that there was a lack of support for women that own businesses,” Rosales said.
MADDY MCCULLY
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 7
COW hosts discussion regarding harmfulness of anti-science beliefs LEO RILEY staff writer
Dr. Mark Wilson, a geology professor at the COW, recently gave a presentation on the harmfulness of anti-science, discussing things from Bigfoot to 9/11 truthers. Wilson started his presentation by discussing Bigfoot believers and notes that all of the evidence supports the fact that Bigfoots are implausible. In looking at evidence, he
references the original image of Bigfoot, which was found to be a man in a suit and, in order for this population to be realistic, he notes there would need to be a breeding population of 10,000. For people who believe in Bigfoot, according to Wilson, despite mounting evidence against that idea, their belief is fostered around a community that assists them in developing an identity and “to deny Bigfoot is, to them, like denying a religion.” His half-comedic, half-
scientific takes on the validity of Bigfoot have landed him on the cover of Museum Magazine, as well as a part on the History Channel’s “Ancient Aliens” segment, in both of which he looked at cryptids from a scientific perspective. The professor continued by saying despite that Bigfoot most likely does not exist, people’s unfounded belief in them is inconsequential and causes no harm. Wilson summarized that this same kind of belief-over-logic can, and does, transfer over into ideas much more harmful to society; ideas like antievolution, anti-global warming, 9/11 truthers, and one of the most dangerous, anti-vax. Anti-vax ideology is especially dangerous because there are some cases where people are either allergic to or cannot get vaccinated, leaving it up to the
rest of us to be vaccinated for their safety, as if 93 percent of people are vaccinated everyone is more protected, according to Wilson. Wilson finished the lecture by explaining solutions and nonsolutions, saying the answer lies not in more education or debate, as the backfire effect comes into play, but in a larger community response and not one from just the most renowned scientific minds. After his lecture, Wilson began to take questions, one of which was about the role of journalism in our time and whether or not it was a positive or negative force in the battle for anti-science. “Journalism is flawed, but it opens the door to more discussions,” Wilson said. As previously stated, Wilson, “more discussions can solve the problem” of anti-science.
Upcoming Community Events at COW March 17 - Wooster Chamber Music Series Features American Chamber Players April 3 - Wooster Science Cafe Features Gireesh Rajashekara April 7 - Wooster Chamber Music Series Features Arod Quartet April 11, 12 & 13 - Spring Dance Concert INFORMATION COURTESY OF HTTPS://NEWS.WOOSTER.EDU/EVENT/
SPORTS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 8
Tournament provides impetus for eligibility rule revision JOHN GORMAN co-editor-in-chief As is BLADE tradition, the winner of the previous year’s March Madness bracket contest is awarded a column in the next year’s issue come tournament time. Rather than take this time to confess how many countless hours I have spent watching basketball this year in preparation for this year’s tournament or explain why a healthy Zion Williamson is probably going to lead Duke to yet another title, I want to look further toward into the future, specifically to the 2021-2022 season. Why look three years ahead
to a seemingly arbitrary season? According to SI.com’s Michael McCann, the NBA has proposed to the players association that the One-andDone rule be repealed in time for the 2022 NBA draft, per the article “Examining What a Change to the NBA’s One-andDone Rule Could Mean for All Involved,” published March 3. Adopted in 2006, the One-andDone rule requires all players entering the NBA draft must be 19-years-old and be one year removed from high school. For most athletes, this means playing one year of college basketball, though a few have chosen to play overseas in the Euroleague or China instead. However, should the NBA Players Association agree,
which is likely, this rule change would open up the option for players to be drafted straight out of high school, making the G League all the more important. The G League is essentially the minor league system for the NBA. By next season, every NBA team will have an affiliate except for the Portland Trailblazers and Denver Nuggets. With younger players entering the league, player development becomes increasingly important. Luckily, the G League is prepared to handle player maturation both on and off the court. According to an article by Brian Kotloff from gleague.nba. com, players are provided with access to continued education through a partnership with Arizona State University, job shadowing and internships. Austin Ainge, director of player personnel for the Boston
Celtics and former head coach of their G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, further explains that off court development will be critical if and when younger players begin to enter the league. Luckily, Ainge explains that between the NBA, the G League, the Players Association and players’ agents, coaches and mentors are present in all aspects of development, from the weightroom to continuing education programs to helping players buy homes and set up charities and nonprofits. While for many, college is a critical step in preparing for the adult world, going for one year with little to no care for courses is not the path these
Editor sees no better playoff format than
REECE MITCHELL sports editor March Madness is the greatest sporting event of the year because people do not have to
know college basketball or even follow it in order to participate in it. That is one of the things that make it so great. Every year, millions of people fill out brackets, picking teams to win games and giving predictions as to whom will clinch the whole tournament. And, every year, out of the millions of people who create their brackets, no one has ever been perfect. The chances of someone actually having a perfect bracket is 1 and 128
billion. Those odds are what makes March Madness so great, and unlike any sporting event ever, the upsets, or Cinderella stories take place every single year. These stories involve small Division I schools that win their conference and make it to the tournament as a low seed and have to play really big Division I schools, and beat them. One great example of this phenomenon took place last year when a 16 seed UMBC beat a number one seed
Maddy McCully athletes should be forced down, as it often amounts to simply a waste of times for all involved. With the G League available for player development and maturation, the NBA should be done with the One-and-Done rule and let the kids play ball.
Graphic by Jacob Gooch Virginia in the first round. Everyone likes to see an underdog story and that is what March Madness does, without fail, every year. Do not get me wrong: having the team lose in the first round that you picked to win the whole tournament is no fun, but that is what makes it so exciting. Everyone can participate and make a bracket, and you have as much of a chance for success as those people who pick their bracket by selecting
favorite mascots or as the guy who followed every game the entire season and researched for weeks prior to filling out his bracket. What makes college basketballs playoff so good is in every other sport, you know every team in the playoffs or in bowl games, but in March Madness, you see teams you have never heard of. The atmosphere and the amount of basketball games at all times of day connect people like no other event can.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 9
Wheelchair basketball team continues undefeated streak KORBIN REED staff writer Wheelchair basketball came to WHS in the 2015-16 year. This co-ed sport has been open for students with disabilities who want to partake in an athletic sport. The team has been undefeated since last year and won the state championship last season. Former team USA wheelchair basketball member, Will Waller, said it is important for wheelchair basketball to be available at all schools and is very happy that WHS offers wheelchair basketball. Waller played in community, domestic, and international leagues within the National
Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA), winning a Collegiate Championship, Division III Championship, Division I Championship, two World Championships Golds, one World Championship bronze and two Paralympic Bronze Medals. “Nowadays, I truly enjoy watching other people who I’ve had a role in supporting achieve their own levels of success,” Waller said. Waller went on to say he is very proud of the hard work and dedication the WHS team has. One of those people who he has inspired is WHS wheelchair basketball player, Evan Heller (11). “Watching Evan Heller now
go onto pave his own path has been, and will continue to be, rewarding beyond measure,” Waller said. Heller has been on the team since it started his eighth grade year. “I heard about the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio starting a high school team, so I joined. I didn’t like it at first, but I found out later that I was actually pretty good,” Heller said. Heller’s greatest memory in these years has been winning the state championship last season. Heller loves the competition and hopes for the sport to grow. “I hope more teams will join, so we can have a bigger tournament and more competition,” Heller said.
Maddy McCully
Evan Heller (11) takes a shot against Tallmadge High School. The Generals defeated Tallmadge to win the state championship. The team has been undefeated for two years straight with the head coach, Brett Followay. Followay has been coaching the team for four years. “All my athletes work hard to do their best, but the thing that really sets us apart is that we have older, more mature
experienced players,” Followay said. The team won the 2019 state championship at Massillon Washington High School on March 9. The team hopes to grow and learn more about the sport and to stay undefeated, through future seasons.
Spring athletes predict OCC standings in upcoming season
Teams:
Captains
OCC Standings
Baseball
Trevar Meese, Adam Frank and Kristian Scalf
12-0, 1st in OCC
Softball
Emma Anderson and Macee Harpster
3rd in OCC
Girls Lacrosse
Emily Jewell and Emmily Moses
15-5, and make it to sweet 16
Boys Lacrosse
Evan McGhee, Ivan Glaslow and Cameron Fast
18-0
Boys Track
Lane Wilson and Henry Wright
3rd in OCC
Girls Track Boys Tennis
Oksana Novotny and Brooke Huffman
2nd in OCC
John Gorman
3rd in OCC
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 12
Facing Transgender : improving transitioning within schools Discrimination KIEFER DILYARD staff writer Discrimination against transgender people is a serious issue and, according the 2016 “HRC National Survey of Likely Voters,” commissioned by the Human Rights Campaign, found at hrc.org, shows that around 35 percent of the voting population in the United States personally knew a transgender individual. The issue of discrimination is a visible, and often personal one to voters. Nationally, according to an article, titled “Transgender People and the Law” published by the American Civil Liberties Union, 17 states have
passed specific legislation banning harassment and/ or discrimination against transgenders, with Ohio not being amongst these. In California, Connecticut and Washington, laws have been passed that unconditionally allow transgender people to participate in sports, in alignment with their gender identity, and under NCAA rules, a transgender who identifies as a woman must take testosterone suppression for at least one year before competing. According to the aforementioned ACLU article, sports, restroom usage and direct discrimination have been especially contentious issues. On the state level, from
an article from the Dayton Daily News, entitled “District Adds Partition to Boys to ‘increase privacy for all students,’”written by Jeremy P. Kelley, published on Jan. 12, 2017, transgender bathroom accommodations have been made across the state. No major legislation, according to ACLU of Ohio’s article, “Legal Discrimination,” has been passed to drastically shift legality of bathroom use in the state, but the lack thereof means discrimination is, in fact, legal. This discrimination can come in the form of firings, denial of housing or denied access to their prefered restroom. According to one transgender student at WHS, who would
prefer to remain anonymous, transgender students face daily discrimination based on their status as a transgender, which varies from comments from students, to even the student’s own parents treating them unfairly. In one case, noted by this student, an administrator pursued and questioned this student on the use of the bathroom that aligned with gender identity, and this student was repeatedly questioned as to their decision to use a specific bathroom. The student noted that although transgender students still use the bathroom aligning with their gender identities at WHS, they still face discrimination because they
are expected to use the nurse’s office as a restroom, which can be very difficult to do in the time between class periods and because it is often occupied. In regards to improvement, though, the previously mentioned student stated, “I don’t see any issues with letting kids use bathrooms.” The simple allowance of transgender students to use the restroom of their choosing would solve the issue simply, and easily, after all, as the student says, “you don’t have to be a trans to go into a bathroom and do something bad.” Regardless of this alleged easy fix, issues still exist nationally, on the state level and otherwise.
Graphic by Spencer Dilyard
Artists combatting mental illness through expression HENRY GAMBLE focus editor According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in America experienced a form of mental illness in 2015. Turning to alternative methods of treatment, creating visual art is a treatment, as it is shown to reduce stress and produce relaxation, according to health.harvard.edu. Acting Out! Fest is a four-day art
themed event created in the hope of breaking down stigmas that surround mental illness with a program that includes musical performances, talks, film, comedy and visual art. Martin Geramita, who helped create the event, said, “art is a way of expressing what’s going on with me at the time, exploring the issues that I feel comfortable working through.” Geramita added that art does not necessarily heal or act as a form of escape, instead it helps the viewer relate to the artist. Expressing the same sentiment,
Kristin Broda, a WHS theater/ dramatic arts teacher, said, “Actors gain deeper appreciation for what it’s like to live in someone else’s shoes... we can gain a deeper understanding of our place in the world and know that we are not alone.” Broda highlights that some of the most profound artists have dealt with mental health issues. Expressing one’s self through art or activity is essential, according to Director of Vocal Music at WHS, Emily Patterson. Patterson adds that “using any art
form to work through feelings of pressure, anxiety and depression allows us a constructive path to healing.” Art helps us realize patience, commitment, vulnerability and the willingness to learn which are vital, according to Patterson.
FEATURE
‘Voice of the Generals’ impacts the community
GRIFFIN MURPHY sports editor Scott Allen has served as the voice of Wooster athletics for some varsity programs and has been for many years. Allen has been the voice of Wooster football since 2012, but has been announcing for both boys and girls varsity basketball since 2010. Before that, Allen helped do announcing for boys and girls lacrosse since 2005. Along with Allen’s support of Wooster athletics and help of the school he has also used his career to help the community in many ways. Allen talks about his time at Whitaker Meyers and said it has meant a great deal to him and also notes he wants to leave an impact on people so that when they look at the first 150 years of that company their little blip on the timeline does not seem so insignificant. Allen said he wants to help people with his business as much as he can. “But, at its core, our business
has always been all about people. It’s serving people, helping people and making the concerns of people and their businesses more important that ourselves.” In addition to his work at Whitaker Meyers, Allen has done a multitude of things to help WHS. “In addition to timing and working concessions at track meets and lacrosse games, my help with athletics is generally, pun intended, linked to public address announcing,” Allen said. Nick Allen, Scott Allen’s youngest son, is pleased by his father’s announcing career and commitment. “I’m extremely proud of what my dad has done for Wooster athletics in his time as ‘the Voice of the Generals’. He’s always had a passion for public address for high school sports, but what I really admire is his strong desire to serve the community with his talents,” Nick said. The work he has put into helping this school with
Students announce Donation Drive Project
ANNA BIRK AND ELLIE CICCONETTI guest student columnists What initially began as an assignment for our AP Seminar class has now become the
project that we been looking to do for the past few years of our high school career.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 13
announcing is only rivaled by the help he has done with the fundraising committee. “As part of a fundraising committee of the Business Advisory Council, a small group of Photo courtesy of the Allen family us raised the money for the For his ninth year as a WHS basketball announcer, Scott Allen (in pink) serves as a voice i n s t a l l a t i o n for the Generals in one of many WHS varsity athletic programs. of field turf for Follis Field. This was all a support for him throughout has being the voice of Wooster private donations, as no school the years, and Amy Allen, his athletics and does not wish to funds were used for the turf wife, said his work has been give it up, but knows that time project.” very beneficial. will come for him to eventually From a father watching “Scott absolutely loves being do so. his children grow up the ‘voice of the Generals’ he “What nobody knows is that through Wooster athletics, to is so passionate about Wooster I’m still trying to do the ‘perfect volunteering the school, Allen and Wooster City Schools. game,’ and it hasn’t happened has helped this school in more Being the public announcer yet. And, it probably won’t. ways than can be counted. for Wooster High School helps But, when it does happen, trust “Being the “Voice of the satisfy his dream at the same me, absolutely nobody will Generals,” for me, is a labor of time it fulfills Scotts’ desire to notice. But I will – and that’ll love. I love the Generals, love help support the community he be all that matters. It’ll be then Wooster City Schools and I love is so passionate about,” Amy that I can retire, satisfied, and to do the PA work,” Allen said. said. let someone else have the mic,” Allen said his family has been Allen said he loves the job he Allen said. Both being very serviceminded people throughout our lives, the in-class assignment gave us the push we needed to pursue volunteer work as part of a curricular discussion we were having in class. Our original assignment was to research a community nonprofit outlet who would greatly appreciate additional donated goods. We immediately pursued our idea, which involved contacting OneEighty, a rehabilitation facility located in downtown Wooster. After many phone calls and emails with OneEighty, we came to the resolution that our focus would center on helping
the children housed in a shelter that they will construct and hope to have as fully functional by 2020. According to Christy VanSickle, Community Relations and Marketing Manager at OneEighty, the current shelter averages 10 children a week. The children entering the facility would greatly appreciate a “welcome kit,” which would include fun items for the children to interact with. With this focus, we immediately found our passion and the project on which we wanted to assist in the community. We would like to announce
our Donation Drive to help provide items for these children, both current and in the future. Beginning at 4 p.m. on April 2, at Follis Field during the home track meet against Norwayne High School, we will be hosting a donation drive in order to collect the donations of community members. Items needed in this drive include crayons, stuffed animals, games and other fun activities for youth to do. The children to whom you are donating will greatly appreciate your generosity, and we look forward to seeing our community support those youth.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 14
Multicultural festival promotes diversity and understanding MYA VANDEGRIFT staff writer The Wayne College Multicultural Festival, formerly known as the International Festival, is a three day event held at The University of Akron Wayne College. This year it was held March 6 through March 8, with new activities and discussions about topics like racism, sexism and classism each day. Sessions with panels on immigration and travel promoted the 2019 theme of “Celebrating Unity in Diversity.” The campus event coordinator, Jackie Ashbaugh, expressed
that the event focus is based on participants having fun learning about different cultures. “Our student population is not very diverse, and we wanted to give our students an opportunity to experience other cultures. Then we decided to open it up to the public,” Ashbaugh said. Lack of diversity goes beyond Wayne College, however. In the 2010 United States Census, it was reported that Wayne County’s racial makeup was 95.7 percent white, with the Pew Research Center reporting that 73 percent of adults living in Ohio identify with having a Christian
faith, as opposed to 4 percent identifying as Non-Christian and 23 percent as non-religious. “Exploring other cultures is important to our worldview,” said Dr. Jarrod Tudor, dean of Wayne College in a press release distributed by the college. “The Multicultural Festival connects our students with the traditions and customs of other countries in a fun and interactive way that highlights our similarities and celebrates diversity,” Tudor said. The festival makes clear that its events are to educate and celebrate other cultures to create a more understanding community.
MADDY MCCULLY
Tables with traditional Russian and Chinese objects on display at the Multicultural Festival March 6 through 8.
TRENDS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 15 MADDY MCCULLY
SKYY KHOUNBORIN a&e editor There is no doubt that the best Girl Scout cookies are Samoas because they have the unique combination of caramel, coconut and chocolate all in one cookie. The different textures within these cookies are like no other cookies. First, is the crunch of the cookie. Next, is the soft caramel. Then, the smooth chocolate. Finally ending with a soft crunch from the toasted coconut flakes. In poll done on Feb. 15 by USA Today, Samoas came in second in America for the most popular cookie, while Tagalongs came in third. The basic combination of peanut butter and chocolate has been used for years. Whether is has been in candy, ice cream, cookies, etc, it has been done. The wow factor in terms of flavor and originality is just not there anymore.
Tagalongs 13%
Thin Mints 46%
Samoas 22%
What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie? Graphics by Corinne Wiles and Jacob Gooch. 110 polls distributed by Holly Miller, Alexa Mitchell and Grace Brownson. Polls were distributed on March 6-7, 2019.
Boy Scouts of America accepts girls to join the troop JACOB NURSE staff writer Troop 64 is looking to be the first all girls troop in the Scouts BSA to be located in Wooster, according to a Daily Record article written by Linda Hall on Feb. 6 entitled “Just like the boys- first all girl boy scout troop forms in Wooster.” With nine girls, Troop 64 cannot be recognized officially, but members hope to get their 10 member soon, which gives them enough people to start, according to Colleen Cole, who is the scoutmaster of Troop 64. The troop was initiated by Cole, who is committee chairman for Cub Scout Troop 61. Cole volunteered for the position when asked by the district. “I have a lot of fun doing it with my boy and I just want to have fun with my girl,” Cole said Cole comments on the seamless nature that the once Boy Scout organization has accepted and integrated girls. “They have all been super supportive; they’ve even founded the charter organization that helped start our group,” Cole said.
MOLLY SCHNEIDER trends editor ‘Tis the spring season for Girl Scouts cookies, and there is no question that the best type of Girl Scout cookie to choose are Tagalongs. Tagalongs are crunchy, peanut butter cookies with a chocolate coating, perfect for a sweet treat. Tagalongs are one of the most underrated Girl Scout cookie, according to the article on GQ by Jack Moore, unlike thin mints which only taste like decent toothpaste when frozen. Also, unlike Tagalongs, Samoas, another sales chart topper, only has a quarter of the chocolate that a tagalong provides. Samoas only have a single drizzle on top of them versus the completely coated Tagalong. So next time a local Girl Scout troop is offering cookies, try out a box of tagalongs, they are not a cookie that you will regret purchasing.
At January’s Klondike campout, attended by Scout troops throughout Ohio, Troop 64 was paired with another all male troop to complete various stations throughout the day. “They were really accepting of us and helped us out a little because we were brand new,” said Christina Other Sayer, who is acting senior patrol leader and is also a member of The 11% Girl Scouts of America. “Girl scouts is a great organization, but I wanted to experience more of the outdoor aspects that Boy Scouts have to offer,” said Sayer. Samoas Thin Mints Both Sayer and Cole are in 16% 64% agreement that Scouts BSA teaches important lessons, like the scout oath and law, and is much more outdoors based than Girl Scouts. “It’s all very important for character development and turning these kids into something great, and it’s important for all children to be apart of,” Cole said Sayer hopes the troop will grow and What is your family’s favorite Girl Scout cookie to b is glad that girls can now experience the new outdoor adventures associated with scouts BSA. Cole said she hopes over time, people will get used to the idea and troops can all be co-gender.
gs lon ga Ta 9%
Other 19 %
Which Girl Scout cookie is better?
What is your family’s favorite Girl Scout cookie to buy?
A&E
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 16
2019 Wooster Fine Art Hall of Fame Inductees The Wooster Fine Arts Hall of Fame will be adding eight new members to their impressive list of inductees with a ceremony that will take place on April 6, 2019 at the Wooster Country Club at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner to follow at 6 p.m. The purpose of the WHS Fine Arts Hall of Fame is to recognize alumni who have used their WHS background to establish themselves within a fine arts field, and bring awareness and appreciation to the Fine Arts within the Wooster City School District.
Cottle poses for her senior photo in the 1968 edition of The Imperator.
Landis poses for his senior photo in the 1996 edition of The Imperator.
Berend poses for his senior picture in the 1989 edition of The Imperator.
Photo courtesy of Patterson as he is seen posing in his 1974 senior photo.
Melanie Cottle
Corey Landis
Tom Berend
Todd Patterson
GINA VAN LIEU
JULIA HOOTMAN
GINA VAN LIEU
JULIA HOOTMAN
on campus editor
staff writer
on campus editor
staff writer
Melanie Cottle was in the band and orchestra at WHS, at the College of Wooster and Northwestern University. Cottle graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelors of Music in music performance. After college, Cottle began performing professionally in Chicago and has since played for 65 different Broadway shows and T.V. and radio commercials. In 1983, Cottle started playing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and has traveled to Asia, Russia, Europe, South America, and throughout the United States. Cottle has taught at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music since 1974, Northwestern for one year, and also instructed at the High School Music Summer program at Northwestern University for 10 years. Cottle wants students to know that,“with hard work and focus, they can actually have a career in music.”
Corey Landis found his love for the arts at a young age. He knew he wanted to pursue an artistic career path early on. After graduating college, he moved to Los Angeles and worked toward a career in singing, songwriting and acting. At Wooster High School, Landis participated in activities that influenced his love and career in the arts including plays and musicals, speech and debate, marching band, symphonic band and jazz band. A typical day in Landis’s job is centered around trying to find work. Landis sifts through and applies for available projects, prepares lines, and goes to auditions.
Tom Berend graduated from WHS in 1989 and now lives in Portland, Ore. At WHS, Berend excelled in 2-D work and enjoyed all aspects of design, according to retired from WHS Art Dept. member Lisa Wiles, who nominated Berend to be inducted. After graduation, Berend was accepted into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Industrial Design Program and went then went to University of Cincinnati for five years for their Industrial Design Program, according to Wiles. Berend was hired to work for Nike on shoe designs. He was able to work with pro-athletes and he designed the ‘Jordan 23’ shoe. In 2001, Berend was “promoted to Nike’s advanced innovation group, Innovation Kitchen,... where he worked for the next 12 years,” Wiles said. In 2015, Berend formed his own design firm, KIKLaboratory “where creativity and experimentation are encouraged-a safe space where it’s ok to fail,” Wiles said.
Todd Patterson said he found his inspiration in the arts from television, films and productions on stage as a young child. Patterson quickly found success as the co-director of the WHS Drama Club, stating that “a lot of what it took were the same things that helped one be a successful teacher and coach; organization, planning, and doing your homework.” Today, Patterson is retired from teaching science at WHS from 1978 to 2013 and coaching wrestling from 1985 to 1990. He continues to work with the WHS Drama Club, having participated in over 40 productions so far.
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2019 Wooster Fine Art Hall of Fame Inductees
Carlisle poses for his picture in the 1967 edition of The Imperator.
Soesmann poses for her picture in the 1971 edition of The Imperator.
Anderson poses for her picture in the 1967 edition of The Imperator.
Armbruster poses for his headshots. Photo courtesy of Abby Armbruster.
Randall Carlisle
Petra Soesmann
Claudia Anderson
Chuck Armbruster
GINA VAN LIEU
MAEVE FLORENCE-SMITH
EMILY JEWELL
on campus editor
staff writer
feature editor
Randall Carlisle, is retired served as the media and community relations director for Odyssey House in Utah. In sixth grade, Carlisle auditioned and got the role of Young Patrick in Auntie Mame, a play directed by a professional summer stock theater group called Arena Fair. Carlisle said this experience sparked his interest in acting. In ninth grade Carlisle got involved in dramatic readings, debate and state radio contests. He won the state radio announcing contest and was offered a part time job at WWST, which became his 40 year career. As Carlisle got older, he started working in small markets where he honed his skills and said he gradually climbed up into larger markets in Minneapolis and Dallas. WHS helped Carlisle to be on the path he is on today. “WHS had wonderfully dedicated and talented drama, speech, debate and music teacher who helped me improve my skills and encouraged me to continue, especially in debate,” Carlisle said. Carlisle graduated from WHS in 1967.
Petra Soesmann, an art professor as well as chair of the first year foundation program at the Cleveland Institute of Art, graduated from WHS in 1971. She said she has always been interested in the arts; she knew that she wanted to pursue a career in the arts as early as grade school. Soesmann notes her parents supported everything she wanted to do that had anything to do with art. “My interest in art was supported from all sides,” Soesmann said. She appreciated the liberal arts range of courses she took. “All of those things really gave me a grounding,” Soesmann said, also noting she uses this grounding in her art. A liberal arts range of courses not only includes the core courses but also allows for electives. Soesmann stated, “I was co-editor of the yearbook. I totally loved that opportunity...I learned a lot about photography and editing and how you work with a team of people and creative design ideas... We put all the seniors in astrological order instead of alphabetical.”
Dr. Claudia Anderson graduated from WHS in 1967 and participated in band, orchestra and choir throughout her time in high school. “My band director, William Shepherd, encouraged me in every way to be a leader in my section, to take responsibility for being the best flutist and musician I could, and to believe I was capable of achieving whatever I dreamed of in the musical profession,” Anderson said. Today, Anderson is a flute professor at Grinnell College, teaches and performs in various music festivals in Colorado and Idaho, is the principal flute in one of Iowa’s regional symphonies and is a part of the longest standing professional flute duo in the country: ZAWA!. Anderson took a liking to music at a very young age. “My parents played records a lot during my early childhood, and they said I seemed to really like certain ones even as a toddler...Starting flute and playing in the band gave me a feeling of excitement and belonging I had not felt before. I wanted that to continue,” Anderson said.
EMILY JEWELL
feature editor Chuck Armbruster is the 2019 recipient of the Blue and Gold Service Award. Although Armbruster graduated from Wynford High school in Bucyrus, he has dedicated time to the WHS Drama Club. “Wooster’s arts offerings allowed our children’s participation. According, that allowed me to re-engage and to become active in supporting the arts once again, “ Armbruster said. Throughout high school, Armbruster participated in choir, band, the Royal Singers group, local follies and musicals and became a thespian his junior year. Armbruster is retired from a food processing company located in Orville where he worked for their operations and cooperate engineering. Armbruster used his engineering background and applied it to set building for the Drama Club. “Probably unconventional, but I support the performing arts by applying my engineering background to WHS Drama Club set building. I enjoy applying science to solve everyday problems,” Armbruster said.
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Fine arts festival:
Ria Vimal
WHS students display and perform different medias of art
Ria Vimal (12) will be featured in the Fine Arts Festival this year with work completed in the Drawing 3 class. Vimal has taken Drawing I through Drawing IV classes and Painting I. Her artwork has been featured in the festival all three years.
Tristyn Pittman Tristyn Pittman’s (10) work will be featured in the Fine Arts Festival after completing Tricia Nussbaum’s Drawing I class. Pittman wants to take AP Art in the future.
Madison McCoy
Emma Chelf Emma Chelf (11) is being featured for the first time in the Fine Arts festival. This year she took Adventures in the Arts with Tricia Nussbaum and plans on taking AP Art in the future.
Jackson Case and Stella Powers
Madison McCoy (11) will have her work from Tricia Nussbaum’s Drawing I class featured for the first time in the Fine Arts Festival this year.
Jackson Case (8) and Stella Powers (8) are both excited to perform in the Fine Arts Festival. Next year, Case plans on participating in concert choir and Powers plans on joining women’s choir, both taught by Emily Patterson.
Blurbs by Haley Balas and Holly Miller. Photos by Haley Balas.
We Sing Songs choir group makes first festival appearance MADISON HELMS staff writer We Sing Songs is an after school choir group run by WCSD choir director, Emily Patterson. However, it is open to all students of WHS, not just choir students. If people want to join, all they need to do is audition. Patterson, who created the group in 2012 and continues to
direct to this day, touches on the purpose of We Sing Songs. “We are here to entertain the public, for the most part, but we talk about music concepts, vocal technique and how to put together pop music,” Patterson said. She adds that the group tries to make performances enjoyable for both performers and audience a like. We Sing Songs helps those involved develop many choral
skills, as Melody Ashworth (12) and Holden Jackson (12) attest. “I have learned to improve my sight reading,” Ashworth said. Ashworth attributes this growth to the rigorous practice necessary to be successful in We Sing Songs. We Sing Songs also teaches members important skills they can use later on in life, outside of the choir setting. “I have learned the skill of
working as a team and finding a compromise with certain situations,” Jackson shares. Jackson also notes there is a great amount of work and compromises necessary for students who take part in We Sing Songs. We Sing Songs is a group of about 15 students, but according to Ashworth and Jackson, the amount of people in the group allows the group to be closer, and rejoice in every
small victory. Both Ashworth and Jackson enjoy how tight knit the group is. “I love the feeling you get when a piece finally ‘clicks’ and you look around and see everyone else in the group smiling because they also hear it ‘click’,” Jackson said. Ashworth also comments on the intimacy of We Sing Songs being her favorite aspect of the choir.
VIEWS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 19
Women’s History Month The end of year blues consume students must emphasize diversity
ALEXIS FLORENCE investigative feature editor Tarana Burke, Dorothy Pitman-Hughes and Dolores Huerta. Do you recognize any of these names? No? Okay, well then let us try something else. Susan B. Anthony, Gloria Steinem and Christine Blasey Ford. You probably recognize these names as strong, outspoken women. However, Tarana Burke is the founder of the #MeToo movement. Dorothy PitmanHughes is a child-welfare advocate and co-founder of Ms. Magazine. Dolores Huerta is an American Labor leader who co-founded the National Farmworkers Association. These women, along with countless other women of color
Stress should not affect empathy
or of a lower socioeconomic class, led feminist movements and broke down barriers in society, yet most people do not recognize their names. This occurrence is due to what feminist scholar and full-time professor at UCLA school of law and Columbia Law School Kimberlé Crenshaw calls intersectionality, which is how different social groupings such as race, gender and economic class create overlapping system of discrimination. As we celebrate Women’s History Month in an era of women breaking the silence around sexual assault and demanding equal pay, let us be hyper aware of other biases so that we celebrate the accomplishments of women from various backgrounds. I urge you to share the stories of Tarana Burke, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Dolores Huerta and other women who have been left out of the limelight in history, so that everyone will know these names. Women’s History month should celebrate all women regardless of race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class or any other social classification.
RACHAEL SCHMIDT cover editor For a high school senior, there is no better time to talk about open-mindedness than right now.
ALEC PAULEY views editor No matter the grade level, it is rare that a student can avoid the wave of a lack of motivation known as the end of year blues that comes as chapters of our high school lives are wrapping up and we prepare for the last tests and exams. Students sense that summer is drawing near and they slowly change from an academic mode to relaxation mode, while some students even begin to plan vacations. The issue with end of year blues is centered on the fact that toward the end of the school year, grades are most likely to fluctuate due to final exams having a large effect on final grade averages. Bobette Berno, in her May 2, 2018, article on collegenanniesandtutors.com, Scholarship deadlines are right around the corner, the last of college acceptances are being sent and AP classes are still in full swing. For me, all of these things have made me really tired and very focused on myself. Though it is important to be focused on my own deadlines and responsibilities, I realized, lately, I have been pretty ignorant to everything around me. So, when the concept of “open-mindedness” came up during our brainstorming for cover this issue, I thought, this
entitled “10 Ways to Finish the School Year Strong,” gives a few strategies to push through the end of the year so students do not let their grades plummet due to these blues. One good thing to remember, when getting over the seemingly insurmountable hill of the end of the year, is that midterms and the end of the third and fourth nine weeks are not times that should be times for students to just coast through. Though students may be taking different classes that may be hard or easy, the second half of the school year is still half of the entire whole school year, and students should not allow themselves to go on auto-pilot as the school year is coming toward a close.
Bobette talks about setting goals as a good strategy to avoid the blues as well. To end the school year strong, students should set goals that will help them stay motivated and give them something to strive for, rather than just wait for the school year to be over and summer to start. Making and having goals does not have to be solely academic either, as having goals outside of school can motivate students to stay active and, again, stop them from going on auto-pilot and coasting through their end of year experience. Avoiding the blues through the end of the school year will allow grades to stay high, motivation to not diminish and will, most likely, help create a better summer.
Graphic by Cate Strong is exactly what I need, and it just might be what everyone else needs too. To me, openmindedness is being aware of the different perspectives people have and how that affects their words and actions. But, what is even more important to me is the ability to be inclusive that comes with being open-minded. If people able to look past their own views, into someone else’s, they are probably much more likely to be inclusive of that other person. This made me wonder: what do we do at WHS to be
inclusive of everyone? This question then led to the cover section focusing primarily on Wooster’s inclusion of LGBTQ students. On the doubletruck, the graphic depicts students wearing the colors of the flags with which they identify, which is meant to be inclusive and representative of students at WHS. I hope our cover section accurately represents how inclusive WHS is of all LGBTQ students, and encourages others to be more thoughtful and open-minded everyday.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | MARCH 14, 2019 | PAGE 20
OUR VIEW
Arts programs deserve more community observers With March being National Music in Our Schools Month and the Fine Arts Festival, allcity band performances and opening night of the spring musical rapidly approaching, students throughout WHS tirelessly prepare for the opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities. As such, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board strongly encourages that all members of the community, especially students, consider attending these events in support of WHS’ incredible arts programs. Attendance of theatre and musical performances provide incalculable benefits to both performers and attendees alike. Brett Hiner, English Dept. member and Drama Club director, views theater as one of the most impactful experiences participants can have in life
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development and maturation. “[Theater productions] help in every aspect of life; social awareness, academics, global understanding, ... like Atticus says in “Mockingbird”... ‘you never really understand someone until you crawl into their skin.’ Performers get to do that all the time,” Hiner said. Visual Art Teacher Tricia Nussbaum, describing art as fundamental to humanity, said her students work tirelessly to create art both poignant and beautiful. “In the past, the art club has created community artworks in conjunction with the Wayne County Commissioners, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Gouda restaurant, the Wooster Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Arts Council. I am certain we could be more
visible throughout the school and community with some brainstorming and community involvement, whether it be displays or events,” Nussbaum said. Moreover, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board acknowledges that the impact of the arts programs reaches beyond their participants. Rather, attendance of concerts, performances and festivals, while greatly appreciated by performers, is valuable to viewers as well. Music Dept. member Dan Adams elaborates, explaining, “When students see their peers in unfamiliar settings, it helps them to understand all people better. Staying inside your bubble robs you of the opportunity to see that your classmates have different ways of looking at the world. Just as travel helps one to see the
world from a new perspective, involvement in the activities of your peers helps one to understand our common threads.” Adams also commends the tradition of the football team attending the annual Marching Band concert each fall to return the support the band gives the team week to week, explaining that “When the students reach out to be a part of this [arts] experience, it helps them to see band members differently, and likewise, band members see the team in a new light.” This spring and in the future, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board strongly recommends that community members and students alike make an effort to support the plethora of students participating in arts programs that enrich the school and broader community.
ARTS
in our Schools March 19 - Jazz Night in the WHS PAC @ 7:30 p.m. April 6 - Fine Arts Festival in the WHS Commons @10 a.m. April 4-7 - Yearbook: The High School Musical in the WHS PAC @ 7:30 p.m. on Thurs/Fri and 2 p.m. Sat/Sun
Writer urges others to adopt more open minded thought
BRYN SAVIDGE staff writer In today’s age of controversies and social media, I seem to notice more of my peers involved in heated lunchtime discussions and Twitter feuds about politics and recent gossip
than ever before. Now, I have never been the type of person to engage in political conversations or talk about the latest drama at school. So, as I overhear these types of exchanges, I cannot help but notice the high school mentality that is all too common. We, especially as high schoolers, want to, and claim to, know everything, from the latest celebrity scandal to the newest rumor. We are so eager to uncover the “truth,” that “I don’t know” is no longer an acceptable answer. So, we present our opinions as facts and begin to take pleasure
in doing so. These rapid-fire opinions coincide with a tendency to undermine any opposing views. We no longer listen to better understand the perspectives of others, but rather to find ways to make our side better understood. It is this mentality that perpetuates the false validation in which we continue to relish. Most of us have been told at some point to “keep and open mind,” however, what most of us do not realize is that being open-minded is not only possessing the ability to consider all sides of a story, but
a willingness to admit fallibility. Being open-minded in today’s age is regularly evaluating new ideas, even if we do not instinctively agree with them. As a high schooler myself, I can attest to the fact that all of us, at one time or another, have gotten caught up in even the slightest possibility of an answer to a rumor or accusation. However, We must constantly seek to acknowledge, and change, this behavior. Open-mindedness is not a trait we can acquire overnight. We must practice encouraging ourselves and others in taking deliberate actions to understand
alternative sources and engage in difficult conversations. Most importantly, we should foster our curiosity to hear the stories of others, which might just shed light on otherwise hidden standpoints. We need to take the time to ask new types of questions such as: “How did you come to form your position on this?” “Where can I find more information?” Or, “I don’t understand, could you walk me through your interpretation?” Just imagine how different our world would be if we asked each other these questions.