The Wooster Blade, Volume XIX, Issue 1

THE WOOSTER BLADE

WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER • 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH • AUG. 31, 2018 • VOLUME XIX, ISSUE 1 Illustrations by Corinne Wiles and Holly Miller

Students

return to a

shifting dynamic

Index: On Campus 2-3 A&E 4-5 Focus 6-7 Cover 8-9 Trends 10 Sports 11-12 Feature 13-14 Views 15-16

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 2

Administration changes in the district WHS

JOHN GORMAN co-editor-in-chief

In addition to the hundreds of new students walking the halls this year, the WHS administrative team features three new faces: Heidi Haas, associate principal for grades eight and nine; Sara Crooks, associate principal for grades 10 and 11; and Nathanael Steiner, administrative intern.

Despite these changes, WHS principal Tyler Keener stresses that the main vision of the school remains steadfast.

“How can we continue to get better at what we do? How can we best prepare our students to be college and career ready?

The other thing we’re looking at, culture has been a big focus over the last few years,” Keener underscored.

Steiner echoed Keener’s sentiment, stating that one of his

biggest goals for the year is to continue fostering growth of a positive culture in WHS. A primary focus for Haas this year is to continue to build stronger relationships with the students she got to know last year, while Crooks relishes the opportunity to work with high school students again, having been a high school social studies teacher at Ashland High School prior to her experience at Parkview.

While both Crooks and Haas acknowledged some differences between previous roles with younger students and their current positions, they emphasized their excitement for the challenge.

Additionally, both said the year is already off to a strong start with the Aug. 24 pep rally organized

by Student Council and the Frontline, and expand their hope that enthusiasm and camaraderie endure throughout the year.

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ON CAMPUS Edgewood EMILY JEWELL focus editor

Martin Yoder begins his new year as the assistant principal of Edgewood Middle School.

Yoder was, for the past six years, the principal at Black River High School. Before that position, he was a mathematics teacher at Fairless Local Schools for the 17 years prior.

Bridget Frantz, seventh grade teacher at Edgewood, shared her excitement in the fact her new principal was also a mathematics teacher like her.

“I would say the one thing I am the most excited about with the addition of Yoder at Edgewood is the fact that he was a classroom teacher for so long, and in math to boot. His knowledge and experience as both a teacher and administrator will only help strengthen our building

climate.”

With the transition, Yoder discussed the challenges he expects for himself.

“First, my biggest challenge will be learning names of students, staff and parents. Second, will be to learn the operations of the building.

Third, I have only taught and been an administrator in local school districts.

This is my first time working for a city district,” Yoder said.

Fifth grade mathematics teacher, Patrick Lindeman, said he is excited to see how Yoder’s past experience affects the culture an climate of Edgewood.

Yoder explained he is excited to get new experience in the Wooster City School District, as well as bring the new Leader In Me program to Edgewood based on Dr. Steven Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Parkview

EMILY JEWELL focus editor

Parkview Elementary welcomes new principal Steve Furlong into their building this year.

Furlong, previous assistant principal of Edgewood Middle School, is making the transition from middle school to elementary school starting this year.

With the transition, Furlong explained what he will miss most from Edgewood: “The staff and students. Edgewood has an incredible team atmosphere and great people.”

First grade teacher at Parkview, Brenda Fleming, described the transition of new principals as moving her classroom or home furniture around. Explaining how she loves change, Fleming said, “It’s kind of like the furniture in my house, I’m always moving it, and trying it out to see what’s best.”

Overall, she is excited for the new ideas and activities Furlong has

planned for Parkview.

Furlong has some challenges expected in his new position.

“I think the biggest challenge will be adapting to the elementary school routines. I am used to more of the secondary school style, since that is where I have spent most of my career.

I will definitely lean on the awesome staff at Parkview for some good advice,” Furlong said.

Parkview physical education teacher, Matthew Giordano, is looking forward to simply a fresh start with the change in principals.

“I am also excited to watch our students grow into students that are strong not only academically, but socially, and emotionally. I want our staff to focus on developing the whole child,” Furlong said.

With the school year now in its beginning, Furlong discussed that in his new position, he is looking forward to developing great relationships with the students, staff and families of Parkview.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 3 Kelly Delaney was born in Akron and has lived in Wooster for 12 years. She has worked in the school system for nine years.

After getting married, she says she moved here because her husband lived here.

As a specialized paraprofessional, she follows alongside the students for one-on-one support. She describes her work as a “mentoring” of sorts. Delaney was originally a cafeteria worker for WHS. She chose her job because it is, “[something I have] always wanted to do, I love connecting with students.”

Tiffany Gutierrez moved from Maryland and has lived in Wooster since 2001. In her second year working in the WCSD, Gutierrez works as a Student Supervision Aide.

She says she chose her job because, “I like working with students and being in the school system.”

When she was younger she says, “I went here [WHS] and now so do my kids.”

Oliver Warren graduated from WHS in 2013 and now teaches eighth grade social studies at WHS. This is Warren’s first year teaching.

According to Warren, he chose teaching because he loves working with students and is passionate about helping lay the foundation from which his students will grow into citizens that lead and interact with the world.

“We’ve got a lot of problems in our society, even more around the world…I teach because I am personally addressing one of those problems in education, especially in our community, which is diversity and representation in the classroom,” Warren said.

Warren says he is looking forward to fostering lifelong learners.

WHS welcomes new staff members Blurbs written by David Cheng, Anna Nacci and Alec Pauley.

Photos taken by Maddy McCully, Reece Mitchell and Jacob Gooch.

Shannon Cooper started as WHS’s newest student supervision aide this school year.

As a student supervision aide, Cooper assists students with their credit recovery courses, and incites building relationships with students as the highlight of her position.

Cooper graduated from Tri-Valley High School, then went on to attend Kent State University, where she graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Kenny Rogers is beginning his ninth year of teaching. Rogers is an eighth grade English teacher and a debate coach for the high school speech and debate team.

Rogers attended Peoria High School and Bowling Green State University.

He says he came to Wooster because it is closer to his wife’s family, and it is easier to raise children with the support of family.

According to Rogers, he chose to go into teaching because he realized he was good at it and enjoyed it.

Rogers says he is looking forward to getting to know his students and becoming part of a new community.

Hollis Coldwater is a tenth-grade inclusion teacher who began teaching this year.

As a third-generation teacher, Coldwater says teaching is in her blood. She says she became a teacher because of the influence her own teachers had on her.

“I want to believe and encourage students just like my teachers believed and encouraged me throughout school,” Coldwater said.

Coldwater says she is looking forward to learning how to become a great teacher through the students and staff at WHS.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Band camp prepares students for success during the season MYA VANDEGRIFT staff writer

The marching band has been a long-standing tradition of the school since 1931.

But, before the iconic “Script Woo” and the memorable tunes of “Carmen Ohio” and “W and L,” there is a three week preparation that is band camp.

The three week process begins with “Rookie Camp,” a one week boot camp for freshmen and newcomers.

Dan Adams, who is the head director of the WHS Instrumental Music Dept., said that the band is comprised of 56 freshmen this year.

After week one, full band camp begins.

All band members begin to work on halftime shows and music, as well as pregame marching.

Adams said this his 29 year of

overseeing band camp.

Diane Adams, assistant director for marching band, is a key part of Wooster’s music department.

“I didn’t do it [band camp] for the first few years...I was over at the elementary, so probably 13 years for me,” Diane said in response to how many years she has been involved with the camp.

Doug Bennett, assistant director for marching band, said he is enjoying this year’s halftime theme.

“This year’s halftime theme is ‘70s rock. I just like all the tunes,” Bennett said.

When asked their favorite pieces from the five halftime songs, Adams remarked he liked Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” the best.

Diane Adams said her favorite song is “Purple Haze” because

of the saxophone part.

The halftime songs include Van Halen’s “Jump,” Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze,” Lynyrd Skynryd’s “Free Bird” and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”

For Dominique Nguyen (12), this will be her first year as majorette and her last year as a part of the marching band.

“It’s been kind of hard since this is my first year, so I have to learn a new part. But the challenge of leading the band is really rewarding,” Nguyen said.

Senior mellophone squad leader Emily Lay sums up her experience by saying, “It’s so fun. Band is great, enjoy it because it goes too quickly.”

Her favorite part about doing band has been the group’s post game performance.

ALEXIS FLORENCE

Band members performed the song “Purple Haze”as part of their halftime show and march in pregame at the football game on Aug. 24.

Marching band performs new show GRIFFIN MURPHY sports editor

The WHS band is mixing it up this year with a new touch to their normal halftime show.

“The band has elected this year to try and select music that highlights the strengths of the group, challenges the students, and adds diversity to the program of music that students will play over their four years in band,” Dan Adams, head director of the WHS Marching Band said, in regard to the marching band’s new show this football season.

This show, according to Adams and members of the band, looks to be one of the best to date, showcasing the growth of students in the program, as well as many of the new ones who have not seen the band fully until this year.

In looking at the show this year, Adams said he is excited

to working with such a great group of students.

In looking at the new band show, percussionist Stone Nicholson stated, “The new band show is really exciting. It’s a mix of late ‘70s rock and early ‘80s rock, which if done well, can make for a really exciting halftime performance that can add a lot of excitement to the atmosphere of a Friday night football game and pump up the fans for the second half.”

Nicholson said band members are excited for the changes that are coming to the new band show. Nicholson also said he is happy to have a good amount of input into the show this year.

“Mr. Adams really does a good job making sure every student in the band feels like they have a place,” according to Nicholson, who furthers this band season is shaping up to be one of the best we have seen.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | A&E | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 5

Editors review new music albums released over the summer

y b n Quee inaj M i k c Ni

MOLLY SCHNEIDER trends editor

Ye by st e W e Kany

HOLLY MILLER cover editor

od o l B New llow

by Ye DAVID CHENG views editor

If you thought Nicki Minaj could not have written a better album than The Pinkprint you might have been right.

That is until the album Queen came out.

Minaj’s album Queen offers a variety of songs and each song carries different emotional undertones and meanings.

Her famous diss track, “Barbie Dreams,” mentions artist such as 6ix9ine, DJ Khaled and

Drake and calls them out on different aspects of their lives.

This song makes a monumental impact in the rap community, making her one of the first female rappers to put out a “diss track” about some of the most prominent rappers in the industry.

However, not all of her songs are as standoffish as “Barbie Dreams.” Each one of her songs brings a different tone

to the album. Songs such as “Chun-Li,” “Hard White” and “Good Form” are faster paced songs unlike her songs “2 Late 2 Interlude” and “Come See About Me.” To preview this album, she released “Bed,” featuring Ariana Grande, and “Chun-Li.” In retrospect, Minaj’s album raised the bar for rappers to create a better rap album than what Queen is.

“The most beautiful thoughts are beside the darkest” Kanye West’s eighths studio album Ye consists of seven songs, 24 minutes in total.

This is the first album Kanye has ever shown his true emotions through his music and accepts that he can talk about the struggles he is has with mental health, with cover saying “I hate being Bi-Polar its awesome.”

Ye has real energy that you can feel through the lyrics and

sounds.

“Ghost Town,” featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, Kid Cudi and 070 Shake stands out on the album.

Twenty-year-old artist, 070 Shake, recorded her feature the day of the album’s release; it went on to be the highlight of the whole song. Her singing, “And nothing hurts anymore I feel kinda free” with the unique beat makes me feel an overwhelming amount of happiness. It is amazing that

music can completely change my mood.

The seventh track, “Violent Crimes” is my favorite song on the album. It starts with the most beautiful voice and unique sound; I was surprised to hear it was singer Dej Loaf.

This song makes me feel emotions that I can barely put into words.

The sound accompanied by the soothing instrumental is breathtaking. “Violent Crimes” was a perfect wrap up to Ye.

Dutch electronic music duo, Yellow Claw, dropped their third studio album this past summer, and the album offers tunes that everyone can enjoy.

Yellow Claw is known for their production of electronic dance music, specifically trap, hardstyle and big room.

Their music may seem unconventional and that is because it is. The songs combine influences from R&B, as well as moombahton, a

combination of house and reggaeton.

Longtime fans will still recognize the signature Yellow Claw trap sound in songs that they co-produced with DJ Snake, San Holo and A$AP Ferg, along with many other collaborators.

If you are not a fan of fast head bangers or bass heavy trap, the album also has normal songs with a slower bpm, like the song “Lost On You” featuring

the Danish soul group, Phlake.

This duo caters more to the rave side of electronic dance music, but this album has a little bit of everything.

Whether it is a school dance or the hundreds of thousands of attendees at the dance music festival, Tomorrowland, this album has all your bases covered.

I guarantee that if you listen to the album, you will put at least one song on repeat.

WHS students choose the song of summer 2018

Poll conducted Aug. 28 by Madison Helms and Theresa Wendell. Members of the student body voted on favorite summer song from the Billboard Summer 2018 top charts. Results show “Lucid Dreams” by Juice WRLD was the top song.

Graphic created by Corinne Wiles.

“No Tears Left to Cry”

by Ariana Grande

“Nice For What”

by Drake

“Lucid Dreams”

by Juice WRLD

“In My Feelings”

by Drake

“Girls Like You”

by Maroon 5 (ft. Cardi B)

“Boo’d Up”

by Ella Mai

“I Like It”

by Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin

“Meant To Be”

by Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line

“God’s Plan”

by Drake

“Psycho”

by Post Malone (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)

FOCUS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 6

Keeping the story of Charles Follis running ALEXIS FLORENCE investigative feature editor One day in the mid ’90s, Jim Stone casually walked into the Shelby Museum of History.

There, he discovered an old picture of a young AfricanAmerican man on the football team surrounded by all white teammates.

That young man was Charles Follis, and Stoner’s chance encounter with that photo began a passion for sharing the story of America’s first professional African-American football player.

After asking a museum employee about Follis’ picture, Stoner began an investigation into the football player’s life.

Soon he began to tell everyone he met about the Charles Follis story.

Charles Follis was born in 1880 in Virginia the child of former slaves. His family moved to Wooster, Ohio, when Charles was about 5-years-old.

He grew up, attended WHS and was known for his athletic gifts in football and baseball, according to the research done

by Stoner.

He led his high school team through an undefeated season as captain and after he graduated, Follis played football for Wooster University,

now the College of Wooster.

There, Follis caught the eye of the owner of the Shelby Blues, a professional team. Charles was offered $10 a game so he decided to leave home and play with Shelby.

When it comes to this decision Stoner said, “I think the most inspiring piece [of Follis’ life] is how, in a time of extreme oppression and prejudice, he was willing to trust a white man and leave his family to move to Shelby which had a reputation of being racist and cruel.”

Stoner shared Follis’ story so often with friends, family and strangers that his wife strongly encouraged him to combine his love of history and theater to write a play.

In 2011, Stoner wrote The Black Cyclone, a historical play about Charles Follis’ life.

Since then, the play has been performed in places all around Ohio including Malabar Farm, Mount Vernon, Wooster and Mansfield.

Stoner, along with continuing to advocate for performances of his play to further the legacy of Follis, has also become an advocate for Follis in legislation.

This summer he was called to testify in front of the Ohio House of Representative and Senate to encourage the

passage of a bill to create a statewide Charles Follis Day. House Bill 229 to designate a Charles Follis Day was sponsored by Representative Mark Romanchuk and Wayne County Representative, Scott Wiggam.

Wiggam said in a press release on July 10, “It was at Wooster High School in Wayne County where Charles Follis established a name for himself through his hard work, positive attitude, and passion for the game of football.”

Governor John Kasich signed Charles Follis Day into law July 10 and Wooster/Orrville NAACP President John Clay attended the event. Clay emphasized that he wants to ensure Follis’ legacy lives on today.

“Education is always the best way of keeping Mr. Follis’ legacy alive. People should know about this man and his great determination to succeed,” Clay said.

Clay also explained that the local NAACP played an integral part in getting the Charles Follis memorial put into the Wayne county museum; Now the organization is in the beginning stages of talks to help bring another viewing of The Black Cyclone back to Wooster and also has become involved in the

PHOTO FAIR USE COURTESY OF BLACKPAST.ORG

Follis was not only known for his athletic accomplishments in football; he was also a star player on the WHS baseball team, according to Jim Stoner. discussion about building a permanent monument of Follis at the Wooster cemetery.

Stoner is also hoping to help place a memorial in the Wooster Cemetery to better acknowledge Follis’ headstone, as well a historical trail that would highlight moments of Follis’ life in Wooster, Shelby and Malabar farm.

The Black Cyclone writer not only wants to share the Follis story through his play, but is also in the process of writing a screenplay, working with friend, Peter Waldmann for a movie adaptation of The Black Cyclone.

Stoner said they are on their

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sixth rewrite of the adaptation and have producers in the film industry interested in making the movie into a reality.

When asked why he has dedicated large parts of his life to telling the Charles Follis story, Stoner responded with a sentiment from one of Follis’ family members.

“His great niece said at the dedication of Follis Field in Wooster, she closed with ‘Run Charles run for the ages.’ We just want to keep Charles’ story running,” Stoner said.

Stoner would like to thank his wife Amy Stoner for her support with play productions and constant backing of him.

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THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 7

Wooster Bike Trail Commission develops new bike paths HENRY GAMBLE focus editor A city commission is currently working toward a goal of, “providing nonmotorized transportation options for its residents and visitors,” according to the City of Wooster Bike Path Plan.

This plan has been put in place due to the fact that

currently, non-motorized options of transportation are very minimal, according to the City of Wooster Bike Path Plan.

Currently in its first phase, the Bike Path Plan is a sixphase project. There are currently 8.2 pre-existing miles of bike trails in Wooster; after this phase there will be 10.4.

Phase one will link downtown Wooster to the pre-existing trails on Burbank Rd, according to the

Bike Path Plan on The City Of Wooster’s website, woosteroh. com/parks/wooster-bike-path.

The Wooster Bike Trail Commission has been active in Wooster for about three and one half to four years, according to Bill Buckwalter, a member of the commission.

The commission consists of mayor Bob Brenneman and 15 other community members and city officials.

College of Wooster SOPHIE GAMBLE staff writer The College of Wooster has recently finished the construction of the Ruth W. Williams Hall of Life Science; an addition to The Severance Chemistry Building.

The distinct features of this building include a caféserving local food, an atrium, an aviary, a rodent lab and a three-section greenhouse. In some of the hallways, there are plants growing, which is part of what is called biophilic design; connecting people with nature through the places they work, eat, and live. Isaac Weiss is a current junior and tour guide for the college’s admissions office. He says that this design, “incorporates the life into life sciences.”

This building includes classrooms for film studies and showings and new equipment, such as a new confocal microscope, epifluorescence microscopes, a new digital PCR and a low oxygen chamber.

It was named after Ruth W.

Williams, both a graduate of the college and a former trustee who passed away in 2006. The Ruth W. Williams Hall of Life Science has been given the nickname ‘The Ruth’ by Mr. Williams in honor of his wife, according to Weiss. The Williams family donated $15 million to the college to support science.

The building will house the environmental sciences major, biology, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, neuroscience and environmental studies.

Faculty have offices that are at proximity to student study work places and labs. Dr. Dean Fraga, biology professor at COW, spoke about the benefits of the design.

“The spaces are better suited for how we like to interact with our students now as it allows for an easier toggling between theory and practice, facilitating our ability to switch between lecture and lab quickly,” Fraga said.

Not only will this building be used for science, but it also will be open to students in other majors and to the community. Student

Over the past few years, “We’ve been working on promoting cycling in the community, as well as helping to develop bike trails and bike paths within the city of Wooster,” Buckwalter said.

Buckwalter said the path will connect to the Fredericksburg Rails to Trails in the southeastern part of Wayne County.

The commission was formed to address a growing interest in expanding available

opportunities for both recreational bike use and for people who commute, according to the bike path outline online.

At the conclusion of the project, there will be over 20 miles of bike paths, according to the bike plan.

“It’s a long term commitment, bike trails don’t happen overnight,” Buckwalter said, noting that the committee has met for almost four years with the first phase just beginning.

welcomes the addition of a newly constructed science hall to campus

MADDY MCCULLY

The College of Wooster’s newly constructed science building, the Ruth W. Williams Hall of Life Science, will house the environmental sciences, molecular biology, chemistry, and other studies as well as offer study space to other College of Wooster students and community members when the building becomes open to the public. study spaces can be used for studying, reading and simply hanging out, according to Fraga.

Reon Sines-Sheaff, Director of International Admissions, said that many will use this building

as the study areas and café will be open to all. She said students should see the building, because, “[students] will understand more about the collaborative nature of our classes here at

Wooster, and how we work to bring together students from all majors. Diversity is so important here.” There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 27 open to the public.

COVER

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 8

What are you excited for this school year?

“I’m excited for volleyball season with our team,” Elena Wagoner (10) “Graduating,” Danny Fash (12) “I’m excited for the sports seasons,” Nathan DeRodes (11)

“I am excited for the volleyball season and other sporting event games to go and watch,” Madison McCoy (11)

“I am excited to finish out the school year strong with all my friends,” Jessica Mai (12)

“I’m excited for nothing,” Landon Rice (11)

What is your favorite summer memory?

“My favorite memory was going to Florida,” Nathan DeRodes (11)

“I went to Mexico,” Riley Ardrey (10)

“I’m excited for football and basketball games,” Cassidy Brown (10)

“Probably just being with more people,” Morgan Schmitt (8)

“My favorite summer memory was when I went to Scotland,” Elena Wagoner (10) “Going to the beach,” Garrett Sypes (11)

“When I went to Maryland,” Gurleen Matharu (11)

“I helped staff at a camp,” Danny Fash (12)

“Going to North Carolina in the mountains,” Katelin McNeil (10)

“I liked going to cheer stuff,” Morgan Schmitt (8)

Quotes collected by Molly Schneider.

“I’m excited about the basketball season because we have a wide variety of talent this year all around,” Marius Stoll (10)

“Swimming on the swim team,” Min Kim (12) “My highlight of the summer was going to Hilton Head with the boys,” Marius Stoll (10)

“My favorite memory from the summer is swimming,” Cassidy Brown (10)

“Going to Tennessee,” Jeffery Manson (10)

“Beyoncé and Jay Z,” Kelci Kauffman (11)

“I guess it would be hanging out with my friends,” Calvin Winter (10) Graphics by Alexis Florence.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 9

Summer traveling inspires cultural diversity MELINA MERA a & e editor

DEAP gives students academic opportunities

WHS juniors Xavier Lubell and Auddie Carlton had the opportunity to travel abroad this past summer and experience different countries.

This summer, Xavier traveled to the southern region of France, Lozère, in a town named Allenc.

“My dad has family in France and inherited a house in the south of France,” he said.

Xavier said he went there as part of a family trip before his brother left for college and enjoyed the experience.

“I went and lived in our house in France and cleaned it up and did a lot of work.

Then, went to London for

a week and took the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship back to the states,” Xavier said.

In looking at what he gained from this international experience, Xavier said he learned a great deal.

“The trip showed a whole other perspective of the world and showed different cultures and how the world works in other parts of the world,” he said.

Auddie Carlton spent her summer in a city called Lecce, located in Puglia, Italy. In travelling there, she had the opportunity to work as a nanny.

“My grandparents love vacationing in Italy and while they were there a few years ago, they met a really nice guy named Fulvio. In June, Fulvio

asked my grandparents if I’d be interested in staying with him and his family for the summer to nanny their fiveyear-old daughter, Yasmine,” she said.

Carlton thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent in Italy.

“At night, we [the friends she made in Italy] would go to discos, which are basically big parties at the beach with a DJ. They were so much fun,” she said.

Carlton said communicating with Yasmine was interesting, as she does not speak Italian.

“It was cool because we kind of taught each other our own languages,” she said.

Carlton says she is already planning her next trip to visit them and is now much more interested in travel.

RHEANNA VELASQUEZ

Vivien Lai. Lai expressed the hope that program participants increase their awareness of energy related problems and topics and gain a sense of how concepts learned in the classroom apply in real life.

Maggie Oliver (12), from Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs, Ind., said she applied to DEAP as someone interested in renewable energy. Oliver aspires to be an environmental engineer and promote energy sustainability.

“After attending DEAP, I definitely think that I will focus on energy sources and consumption in the future.

I learned so much from the academy about energy — it is a massive part of our society, and undoubtedly affects our planet. I would love to be

focus editor

The seventh Duke Energy Academy at Purdue welcomed over 80 students and teachers to immerse in the energy sciences from June 18 through June 23.

Participants engaged in research projects, hands-on activities, lectures and tours of energy facilities.

“One of the most valuable aspects of the Duke Energy Academy at Purdue is the vast network of academic, industry and government experts that our students and teachers are able to learn from and ask questions about the energy and STEM field,” said Project Coordinator for the Duke Energy Academy at Purdue,

Illustration by Holly Miller

able to increase our use of renewables and decrease our consumption of coal, oil, and other nonrenewable, unclean resources,” Oliver said.

Another participant drawn to DEAP through an interest in energy sources was Anna Kuenzel (12) from Charleroi Area High School in Charleroi, Pa. Kuenzel described enjoying learning how solar power is created and used during the program’s tour of a solar farm.

Kuenzel noted that whereas most of Pennsylvania’s energy sources from coal, Indiana, due to the state’s geography, enjoys a more diverse energy portfolio that utilizes windmills and solar farms.

“DEAP really opened my eyes to all the possible ways to use our environment to create the

energy we need for everyday life,” Kuenzel said.

Both Kuenzel and Oliver agreed the information from the program is worth spreading beyond the academy.

“Practically everything we do is dependent on energy, so it is unfortunate that so many people are uneducated about it. Learn about your energy sources and consumption so that you can make responsible energy decisions to promote a more sustainable world,” Oliver said.

DEAP participants attended a wide range of lectures, from drones to bio-agriculture to geopolitics, and performed experiments on energyrelated topics such as building batteries, designing electronic cooling systems and electrospinning nanofibers.

TRENDS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 10

Balenciaga Triple-S

YEEZY Wave Runner 700

“Ugly Shoes” Return to Fashion Prominence CORINNE WILES trends editor

Fila Disruptor

Sean Wotherspoon X Nike Airmax ‘97

Summer 2018 has been the revival of the fashion trend of “ugly shoes.”

Most of these so-called “ugly” shoes are sneakers, with the occasional sandal or boot coming into the discussion. These shoes are most often oddly shaped and much chunkier than normal shoes. They also feature unique colors rarely seen in a basic shoes, including muted primaries or illuminating neons.

Although this shoe trend has always been fairly relevant, recently it has regained popularity.

The comeback of such shoes was mainly influenced by several models and celebrities sporting high-end sneakers. Most commonly seen are the Balenciaga Triple-S sneakers and YEEZY Wave Runner 700, both displaying muted neon colors paired with basic gray and black hues in addition to unusual, thick soles.

You may recognize the Balenciaga model mentioned earlier as being regularly worn by musical artists Pharrell and Jaden Smith, as well as the musical group, Migos. The average cost of this particular shoe is around $895. The first and most frequent wearers of the Wave Runner 700s, retailing for $300, is the co-designer himself, Kanye West, his wife, Kim Kardashian and supermodel sister-in-law, Kendall Jenner.

Other, more affordable “ugly shoes” include the Fila Disruptors and Nike Air Max ‘97, which range in price from $60 to $160. While these are also extremely popular and worn by celebrities, these two models are much less expensive and less high-end, as they are not designer.

Illustrations by Corinne Wiles and Holly Miller

SPORTS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 11

WHS golf has expanded its program to include a girls team this school year, by welcoming five players to the new teams ranks.

Mark Snowbarger, head coach for the golf team, says he sees a lot of potential in the new players.

“My main goal is for the girls to get the ball in the air and to be more consistent in their shooting,” Snowbarger said.

The girls team started off their season with three matches and a scrimmage against Orrville.

Last season, the boys golf team ending with a 6-0 record in the OCC. John Karamas, the boys golf teams coach, says golf, in and of itself, is the biggest challenge for its competitors.

“Golf is a unique sport. If you ask one person, they may define the ‘biggest competition’ as the golf course itself. Another person may say the golfer is his/her biggest competition. Golf is very much a mental sport and having the correct mindset is half the battle,” Karamas said.

The boys golf team’s next home match is Sept. 5 at 4 p.m.

The girls golf team’s next match is on Sept. 13 at 3:30 p.m.

Volleyball

Tennis

Football

Girls tennis players in their pre-season practice individually, then as the season begins, they play competitively against each to prepare for official matches, according to one of the team captains, Lauren Nielson (12).

Nielson said the team is fairly evenly divided between new players and tennis veterans.

“We have a solid lineup full of great players and those characteristics go for every player on the team,” Nielson said.

The next girl’s tennis match will Sept. 4 at West Holmes High School.

The cheerleading team this year consists of eight seniors, five juniors and three sophomores.

Duper Pallotta says she does not have captains and has not in years.

“My seniors accept the responsibilities a captain would,” Pallotta said.

Pallotta describes her team as sweet, hard workers who strive for excellence.

Pallotta also says her team is close-knit.

“The entire squad like to hang out together… [it] makes for a team that wants to achieve and win for each other,” Pallotta said.

The team’s goal this year is to achieve another OCC victory, making it their fourth consecutive win.

Pallotta says she would also like to see the team place within the top three at the OSU competition, to do their job well at ball games and to remain close friends.

The OCC competition is Nov. 4.

The football teams are competing for an OCC title, like in the past, according to head coach Doug Haas.

The record last year was 5-5.

Haas says the team has great chemistry.

“They are a really good group of hard-working kids who are coachable,” Haas said.

There’s 13 seniors this year, the captains are: Dylan Dagley, Jett Morgan, Jake Burns, Dalton Powers, Brayden Taylor and Lonnie Harper.

Haas says he always look forward to working with returning players and the influx of new players.

The team’s next game is tonight, home, against Wadsworth.

Girls and boys cross country have prepared for their upcoming season with a summer full of running and workouts, according to a team captains Beth Schmidt (12) and Lane Wilson (12).

“I think we’ve been putting in a good amount of effort in practice which will lead to a solid season,” Schmidt said.

Both teams have promising underclassman which, according to Wilson, will help the whole team excel.

“I think the team will do very well this season because there are some underclassman pushing us seniors,” Wilson said.

The next cross country meet will be Sept. 1 at the Ashland High School Invite.

Girls and Boys Cross Country

Cheerleading

The girls volleyball team is starting their season off with a 1-2 record.

With 31 players, coach Jen Snowbarger says, “I am looking forward to getting this team better than we could have ever expected. We have girls that work hard and love volleyball, so they are eager and ready to go.”

Snowbarger stands by her goal, “to always be getting better with a purpose.”

Their next game will be their first home match against Garfield on Sept. 1 at noon.

J.P. Lytle, boys soccer coach, describes this year’s team as a deep team full of talented and determined players.

“The guys go out of their way to help one another be successful and that’s the key to this year’s team,” Lytle said.

Lily Williams (12) and Savannah Ebin (12) Brooke Huffman (12) are the girls varsity captains and Joe Stoll (12) and Tyler Strand-Fox (11) are the boys varsity captains.

The girls team record was 8-5-4 last season and they are 1-3 in the season so far with, “much promise coming in the next season,” according to Charles Cerniglia, the girls head soccer coach.

Last year, the team’s record was 10-3-4.

Lytle says goals for this team are to obtain their third OCC title and be the best team in Wayne County.

The boys next game is Sept. 1, at home, at 7 p.m. against Brunswick.

The girls soccer’s next game is Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. at Dover.

Boys and Girls Soccer

Girls and Boys Golf

Looking forward to WHS fall sport seasons

Blurbs written by Clara Lee, Skyy Khounborin, and Alexis Florence.

Graphics by Catherine Strong

SPORTS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 12

Wooster vs. Orrville football rivalry: 108th meeting ends in spirited Wooster victory BRYN SAVIDGE staff writer

Last Friday marked the beginning of Friday night football for the Wooster Generals.

The team left the field with the scoreboard at 43-24, showing their triumph over Orrville’s Red Riders, Wooster’s rival for over a century.

As the Red Rider’s are not in the same conference, they are no longer the last game of the season. Doug Haas, head football coach, said, “From a team standpoint it’s kind of two-fold…it’s a week one win and it’s a week one win against your rival. That’s a huge springboard in terms of momentum in terms of moving into the season.”

Now the game against Ashland, one of the most competitive teams, closes the season--keeping the Generals focused up until the very end.

Last year, the Generals started off their season with an unexpected loss to Orrville.

According to Brayden Taylor (11), varsity linebacker and running back, they expected to easily beat the Riders and

GRACE BROWNSON The student section, lead by Adam Frank and Luke Frantz, had a large number of students in the Frontline to cheer and provide spirit and encouragement to the Generals football team. The team beat the Red Riders and are now 1-0 in the season. The Wooster Generals will play Wadsworth High School at home on Aug. 31. underestimated their potential.

Miriam Stokes, a WHS alum and Spanish Dept. member, explained, “Kids’ll tell ya, they might not remember their season, but they’ll remember if they beat Orrville or not.”

And, years later they still do, with Taylor pointing out last year they lost by just four points.

However, Stokes has noticed the rivalry has lost some of its historical magic. Although the football team values the rival game just as much, if not more, Stokes suggests there

is a lack of spirit in the rest of the student body. Not all of her students view themselves as Generals and, as she calls it, have a, “lack of blue and gold fever.”

This year, Stokes points out many traditions that seem to be left in the past. She recalls the painted storefronts downtown supporting the football team, the spirit week leading up to the Friday game and decorating competitions throughout each teaching department.

The spirit she saw while attending WHS does not seem

Thank you to Bosco’s Pizza Kitchen for donating a work night meal to our Aug. 27 work night.

THE WOOSTER BLADE Staff

as widespread throughout the school today. Haas counters this point by saying, “I think it has just transitioned a little bit because it went from a week 10 to a week one [game] ...it’s a matter of figuring out and creating new traditions.” He thinks the rivalry will continue, saying, “I don’t see any reasons for it to stop...it’s natural.”

Taylor channels both the contrasting ideas of Stokes and Haas by remembering the community being more involved, but also believes the importance of the game to the

team seems to be growing.

Taylor and Stokes both said that the recent upperclassmen have been disconnected.

“I think there’s been a regression [in unity and support] through classes,” Taylor said.

In an effort to promote the unity Taylor references, WHS held a pep rally on Aug. 24.

Student Council played an active role and approved the planning as a way to excite the student body about more than just football.

Student body president Lexi Nolletti (12) said, “I didn’t feel any of the same divisions that had existed between classes in the past and a lot less negativity and resentment than in previous years...everyone seemed really enthusiastic at the pep rally and that continued in the student section Friday night.”

The enthusiasm was also seen through the packed stadium and community attendance.

Noletti and Taylor echo each other’s sentiments, by hoping this first game win, combined with continued efforts from upperclassmen, infuses the student body with a little extra spirit.

FEATURE

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 13

Jones Foundation awards Outstanding Staff Member to Bielek GINA VAN LIEU feature editor Jeff Bielek, a custodian at Melrose, recently won the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation Outstanding Staff Member Award.

During teacher convocation, the Wooster City School District recognizes one teacher and one staff member who have, “exceptionally served students and the community while demonstrating respect for their students, peers and members of the community,” according to the Wooster City School press release.

To be selected for the award, staff members have to have a sustained record of outstanding performance; demonstrate dedication to the district and

the students; serve the larger community; commit to the educational goals of the school district and be respected by the students peers and members of the Wooster community, according to Douglas Drushal, the committee chair.

Bielek was nominated by someone and then a committee reviews the nominations and selects the recipient of the award.

“The process for selecting both categories of winners, Outstanding Staff Member/ Teacher, is for any interested person to submit one or more nominations, explaining why the nominator thinks that the nominee meets the relevant criteria. The selection committee then meets and reviews all of the nominations and makes the selection,”

according to Drushal.

One of the nominations that Drushal received said, “he [Bielek] demonstrates an amazing work ethic, he is agreeable, helpful, cooperative and patient while always demonstrating an upbeat positive attitude.”

Bielek said he loves his job.

He loves helping the school run smoothly because it helps the teachers to help the students.

“It’s the little things that make a difference, nothing major,” Bielek said.

When Bielek was notified of his nomination, he said it came as a total shock and surprise, as he just likes to do his job and never thought that a custodian would get the award.

This is the second year that the Outstanding Staff Member Award has been given.

Grace Brownson Jeff Bielek, a custodian at Melrose, wins Outstanding Staff Member Award for 19 years of work in the Wooster City School District.

Jen Snowbarger receives annual Outstanding Teacher recognition ALEXA MITCHELL co-editor-in-chief

Reece Mitchell Jen Snowbarger, a high school math teacher in Generals Academy, wins Outstanding Teacher award for this school year.

On Aug. 16, Convocation Day, Jen Snowbarger, a math teacher in Generals Academy, stood on the PAC stage to receive the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation.

The intent of the award is to recognize teachers whose performance inside and outside of the classroom is recognized in the greater Wooster community as above and beyond the ordinary, according to the Wooster City Schools website.

In order to receive this award, teachers have to be nominated by others.

“I had no idea that I was going to get it. I think that many teachers are deserving of this

and I was honored to even be considered,” Snowbarger said.

Snowbarger explains she does not like receiving awards because that is not why she does what she does, but she is happy others see her work in a positive way.

Ryan Smith, a teacher who works with Snowbarger in Generals Academy, expressed why he thinks she deserves the teacher of the year award.

“I think Jen Snowbarger received this award because, if you spend any time around her, you will quickly see that she fully devotes her abilities into helping make those around her successful. It is also very evident that she cares for the students and athletes she works with. She really takes the time to get to know everyone she works with,” Smith said.

WHS principal Tyler Keener

said he is very proud of Snowbarger.

“Mrs. Snowbarger is an outstanding teacher and is well deserving of the award. Her commitment to her students and the Wooster community is to be commended. She goes above and beyond for all her students on a daily basis,” Keener said.

In discussing the day she received the award, Snowbarger shared one funny part of the ceremony.

“I happened to be wearing jeans that day with holes in my pants, above the knees.

Little did I know that I would going up on stage in front of every Wooster employee that morning to accept my award,” Snowbarger said.

Snowbarger is honored to accept the WHS Outstanding Teacher Award.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 14

Foreign exchange students come to Wooster High School

Kanon Saito

Constanza Aliste

CORINNE WILES

MELINA MERA

trends editor

a&e editor

Kanon Saito is an exchange student from Mie, Japan, attending WHS for the this school year. In addition to coming to Wooster, Saito plans to travel throughout the United States.

Saito said she joined the Rotary Exchange Program because she wanted to study abroad.

As members of the program, students can go to several different countries, including the United States and many European nations, so Saito chose to come here. She arrived Aug. 11 and plans to depart the United States in the new year.

“First, I wanted to go to Canada or the United States, and then chose here,” Saito explained.

Saito has many interests, including exercising, although not with an organized sports team, watching movies, listening to music and celebrating Disney, especially Duffy the Disney Bear.

According to Saito, ever since she has arrived in the United States, she has liked it because of the openness of many of the people she has encountered.

“I am looking forward to being friends with a lot of people and going to Disney World,” Saito said.

Saito is excited about spending her time here and spending time with her host family, the Strongs.

Constanza Aliste is a Rotary Exchange student from Curicó, Chile, and is attending WHS this year.

Constanza explains where she lives in Chile. “I live in the mountains with my parents and older brother,” she says.

In making her decision of where to travel through Rotary Exchange Program, she says she chose the United States because of its green landscape.

When considering what she has enjoyed about her first week in the United States, Constanza says, “I like the food, it’s very different from Chile. I also enjoyed shopping and visiting the school.”

She is looking forward to visiting places throughout her time in the United States. “I want to go to Disney and New York,” Constanza said.

Constanza is not planning on participating in any sports this year, but she says she likes to run and ice skate for exercise.

She is participating in yearbook.

When Constanza is not running or ice skating, she has several hobbies back home in Chile. Constanza says, “I like listening to all different types of music, hanging out with my friends, and being with my little dog named Pinky”.

So far in America, Constanza says what she likes most is meeting new people and staying with the Parker’s, her host family.

Maddy McCully

“I am looking forward to being friends with a lot of people and going to Disney World,” SAITO SAID. Graphics by Catherine Strong.

Reece Mitchell

“I like the food, it’s very different from Chile. I also enjoyed shopping and visiting the school,” ALISTE SAID.

VIEWS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | AUG. 31, 2018 | PAGE 15

Homework Homework: REBEKAH BELL

english dept. member For the past two years, my professional focus has been on implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into my classroom.

Dr. David Rose, of Harvard Graduate School for Education and co-creator of UDL and its research center (CAST), researched how traditional curriculum (and its staples like lectures and homework) is not only ineffective but also contains implicit biases that discriminate against students with learning disabilities and students who are economically disadvantaged.

In short, UDL requires that teachers and curriculum empower students through choice and voice. By offering choices for how we represent information and empowering students to have a voice in how they take action and express their learning, we will see students take ownership of their learning and master fundamental concepts in powerful ways.

Unfortunately, this does not happen with standard homework. Drill worksheets, mono-modal exercises, and single-representation activities prevent authentic learning experiences.

Homework, even in small amounts, usually does not offer choice for student voice either. Traditionally, homework requires students to do an activity one way—write a set paragraph, draw a specific graph, do a certain formula.

For students with learning

Student and teacher provide their perspectives

REECE MITCHELL

variabilities, traditional homework will not allow students to bridge their learning gap. Students will fall farther behind if there if they struggle in a learning activity and their homework assignment is the exact same.

So how much homework is too much? When homework is offered as one specific activity and it follows the same lesson delivery, it is always too much homework.

However, when teachers offer homework as a way for students to display their learning from the day in unique, personal ways, it is not only highly effective but also necessary.

I would challenge all teachers— and

Homework is a very controversial topic for every student who is involved in different activities throughout the year.

For student athletes and for students who have jobs, it is difficult to juggle all the work at one time.

Finding time to do it all has always been a struggle for students who are consumed in their sports and in their work.

Many students are forced to work late at night to finish their homework because of their after school activities or

myself— to not ask, “How much homework am I giving?”, but to ask, “Does this assignment allow students to show what they learned in a way they have not been able to yet?”

employment.

Students go to school for eight hours a day, and although I understand that kids need to practice the topics they are taught, I also think that eight

sports editor

hours of school is already a considerable amount of time in their days. Add to that eight hours the amount of time it will take them to complete all of their homework, and students barely have enough time to practice or work, relax or even sleep for that matter.

Students should only have one and a half hours of homework a night, but most of us will tell you that we generally have more than two hours a night.

This two hours or more does not include studying, but simply just includes the practice of the lessons we have learned.

Teachers are given plenty of time each day to teach their students lessons, and I think they should utilize it more so students are not so overwhelmed.

The amount of homework should be drastically decreased from what it currently is. For many athletes and students, coaches and employers make them devote most of their out of school time to the sports they are playing or the work they are completing for their jobs, making it difficult to finish homework.

Also, many students have jobs for which they have to complete work, making nights even longer because of the homework they have at night. Not only is it difficult for athletes to juggle school and sports, but those who are working part time out of school.

Photo by Jacob Gooch

THE

WOOSTER

BLADE

Editors-in-Chief John Gorman, Alexa Mitchell Webmaster Jacob Gooch Graphics Manager Jacob Gooch, Catherine Strong Business Manager Anna Nacci On Campus Editor Clara Lee Investigative Feature Editor Alexis Florence Focus Editor Henry Gamble, Rheanna Velasquez, Emily Jewell Sports Editor Reece Mitchell, Griffin Murphy A & E Editors Skyy Khounborin, Melina Mera, Catherine Strong Trends Editor Molly Schneider, Corinne Wiles Cover Editors Maddy McCully, Holly Miller, Rachael Schmidt Views Editors David Cheng, Alec Pauley Feature Editors Anna Nacci, Gina Van Lieu Staff Writers Keifer Dilyard, Maeve FlorenceSmith, 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 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

THE VOICE OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL

THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | AUG 31, 2018 | PAGE 16

OUR VIEW

Board commends new pep leadership The Wooster Blade Editorial Board would like to express gratitude to Student Council and the Frontline for holding an entertaining and uplifting pep rally the first week of school.

This school year, Student Council, formerly Student Government, aims to be inclusive of all sports, arts and other student groups at pep rallies and other school events, said Student Council adviser Jennifer Wright.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board has been aware of the lack of school spirit the last few school years and we support all efforts made by Student Council and the Frontline to create a more inclusive environment at WHS. According to Wright, Student Council hopes to create a greater work efficacy within the student body by making them feel welcome at school and, “to make sure students like to walk down the school hallways with General pride.”

In order to create a welcoming environment, administration and Student Council members spoke out against booing underclassman during pep rally cheers.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board

fully supports the objective of creating proud students who take initiative in order to improve our school culture.

Wright stresses the importance of camaraderie between Student Council and the Wooster Frontline working together to plan pep rallies.

The Frontline leaders, seniors Adam Frank and Luke Frantz, along with Student Council, are helping plan pep rallies this year and spread school spirit throughout WHS. According to Frank, he saw a need for improvement of student camaraderie at WHS. He wanted to be an advocate for that change.

Two teachers who participated in the rally games, Science Dept. member Matthew Knight and Foreign Language Dept. member Christina Matthew, commented on the success of the pep rally. Both teachers loved participating in the games and fully support the inclusion of more fall sports.

“It’s not a football rally; it’s a pep rally for all sports,” Matthew said.

Knight and Matthew also agreed that the general morale was raised, and said the morale extended to the enthusiasm at the game.

Knight and Matthew also said it was definitely one of the better

Photo by Jacob Gooch English Dept. member Brett Hiner kicks a soccerball toward Chewy Coetzee (12) at the student-led Aug. 24 pep rally prior to the Wooster Orrville football game.

rallies WHS has held. “It’s my ninth year here and it was definitely one of the best rallies yet,” Knight said.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board agrees the pep rally was one of the best rallies in recent years as it involved much more student interaction throughout and included all fall sports.

WHS Principal Tyler Keener, Wright and Student Council members are planning for school spirit events, while Frontline leaders Frank and Frantz are planning specific spirit inducing activities.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board appreciates the increased interaction and involvement of students generated by these actions.

According to student body president Lexi Nolletti, Student Council hopes to have at least two more pep rallies before fall sports end and more pep rallies throughout the school year.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board greatly appreciates how the pep rally activities got students excited and carried the enthusiasm to Follis Field Friday night, and would like to see more spirit raising events like this one.

That sentiment is echoed by WHS administration, who found the pep rally to be a success. “I was blown away by the initiatives that students took to lead their peers,” Associate Principal Heidi Haas said.

Associate Principal Sara Crooks commented on the energy shown at the football game Friday night stating, “If we can continue that [energy] and have it generate in all the different ways that Wooster is represented out in the community, not just at the football game, but in every club and every activity, that will be a really positive momentum.”

Overall, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board finds that student lead pep rallies with the intentions of enhancing school spirit for all grades is valuable to the wellbeing and education of the student body.