THE WOOSTER BLADE
WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER • 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH • NOV. 21, 2014 • VOLUME XV, ISSUE 5
Poverty hits home
Although it is often overlooked, poverty holds a tight grip on those experiencing its effects. The Wooster Blade sheds light on the culprit that is strangling the American dream.
INDEX
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 2
Students voice their opinions on school spirit Pg. 3
The Wooster Blade takes a closer look at Delmar Design Company Pg. 8
front section 1-3
on campus 4-7
WHS football team tackles the playoffs Pg. 13
Students check out new juice and smoothie bar Pg. 5
cover section
focus 8-10
sports 11-14
15-18
feature 19-22
a&e
23-26
views trends
29-32
27-28
THE WOOSTER BLADE
Front photo by Alex Hasapis
Co-Editors-in-Chief Taylor Bennington and Jack Reynolds • Co-Webmasters Han Mahle and Shreya Gurumurthy • Business Managers Alex Hasapis and Paige Clayton • Graphics Editor Alex Hasapis • Managing Editor Paige Clayton • Front Editor Alli Wigham • Design Managers Samantha Brunn and Alli Wigham • On Campus Editor Jack Hartmann and Gaelan Gatz • Focus Editors Shiyuan Wang and Becca Foley • Trends Editors Bri Bocook and Claire Lanham • Sports Editors Eric Belcik and Luke Wiest • Arts & Entertainment Editors Mike O’Donnell and Ben Snoddy • Feature Editors Olivia Berdadine, Stefi Hernandez and Chloe Landers • Cover Editors Samantha Brunn and Mary Grace Gorman • Views Editors Alex Barnard and Stephen Kridel • Staff Writers Kayla Barnet, David Burnett, Isabelle Cannon, Kayla Cooper, Matt Friedhoff, Sarah Hopkins, Emma Jeffries, Nate King-Smith, Claire Lanham, Tatumn McGrew, Maureen McKeown, Ryan Miller, Hanna Morgan and Olivia Sleek • Photographers Casey Baik, Maggie Flechler, Becca Foley, Fred Holmes, Marcus Jefferies, Claire Lanham, Cain Lanker, Maureen McKeown, Madison Culver, Austin Miko and Grant Peabody • Cartoonists Grace Cheng, and Fred Holmes • 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 or at thewoosterblade@gmail.com.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 3
WHS tells all: SCHOOL SPIRIT ASHLEY SARZOSA (12) “School spirit is absolutely important. It creates unity among the school. It is something for everyone to have fun with and participate in if they choose to.”
TYLER BILLINGS (12) “School spirit is a good thing. However, it should not be forced. It’s counterintuitive to force school spirit. The very essence of spirit is something that is not forced, it is given.” JOHN NEBESKY (10)
Photos by Maureen McKeown and Casey Baik
“School spirit is a step in the right direction. It gets students involved in school events. It’s important because it develops a sense of school pride and support.”
Overheard WHS they and
students were asked how felt about school spirit responded annonymously.
Q: What do you think about the new culture of school spirit at WHS? Was it necessary/ unnecessary?
“I think school spirit is definitely necessary and I think every school needs school spirit. Without school spirit, there would be a lack of motivation for sports teams.” “I don’t necessarily think the school spirit is necessary, but I think that it is a lot of fun.” Q: Are there any negative aspects to school spirit?
“Yes, I think school spirit has been kind of forced upon us at WHS, so those who are not as spirited have to pretend that they are.” Q: Some have said the school spirit at WHS is “forced.” Do you agree or disagree with that statement?
“I disagree. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The purpose of increasing school spirit is to have fun and support the Generals. Nobody is forcing anyone to participate, if they don’t want to it is completely fine.”
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 4
ON CAMPUS
LESSON LEARNED: Committee recommends traditional calendar STEPHEN KRIDEL
staff writer The Year Round School Study Committee presented their survey results and recommendation to the Board of Education at the Board’s monthly open session Oct. 28. The committee was formed by the board to research and analyze the possibility of a year round school calendar for the Wooster City School District. Chaired by Social Studies Dept. member Scott Miller and Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs, teachers and other WCS faculty comprise the committee’s 13 members. The committee gave their recommendation as to what
should happen for next school and reported their findings Question nine of the survey, justification for their “Having the Wooster City year at the latter end of the as recommendation. presentation. School District Speaking for the on a different committee Miller said, “At calendar than the this time the committee other regions,” would like to make the 67.75 percent of recommendation to the respondents saw this board suggesting that for as a disadvantage, the 2015-2016 school year, 24.25 percent we would recommend to responded being stay with the traditional neutral and 8.00 calendar at this time, and percent saw it being the committee asks that we an advantage. have further time given to Likewise, question us to continue research and 11 produced similar analysis of this topic...” results which seemed The committee surveyed opposed to year 429 people, 70.16 percent CAIN LANKER round school. of whom have a student To the question, enrolled in the Wooster Dr. Michael Tefs concentrates and listens to a “Would you be City School District, discussion at the school board meeting on Oct. 28. interested in year-
round schooling for your children,” 42.28 percent responded no, 21.95 percent were unsure and 35.77 percent said yes. In response to these findings, former president of the board Mike Steiner said, “As the Board of Education, we have set two primary objectives at every initiative that we consider is either driven by improved academic achievement or making sure we can sustain our financial capabilities.” Steiner said they have not yet touched the surface of the cost factors. The board has yet to make a final decision on next year’s school calendar, but will discuss it again at a later date.
Teen Institute paves way for sixth graders KAYLA BARNET staff writer The Wooster Teen Institute is finding a way to give the sixth grade students at Edgewood Middle School an inside look to WHS and the see lives of the students who attend there. This is the goal and purpose of Emily Norris (12) and the Wooster Teen Institute. Norris (12) has organized a program that involves high school students becoming pen pals with sixth grade students at Edgewood. Norris (12) believes this program will be beneficial to both the high schoolers and the sixth graders involved. “I want this to work because I believe this project will give each of these younger students a role model, as well as a way to improve their writing skills. As for the high school students, this will allow them to improve and demonstrate leadership skills, writing skills, etc. Not to mention they will all, hopefully,
be gaining a friend,” Norris (12) said. Katie Mount (10) is also working with Norris (12) in this pen pal program. “We’re trying to connect sixth graders and high schoolers, so they can get an insight to the high school, and make positive choices. It’s all about encouraging younger students to make positive choices and staying true to themselves,” Mount (10) said. Norris (12) wants this project to span the remainder of the school year, as well into next year after she graduates. “I’m hoping this will be successful and become something that the Wooster Teen Institute does every year, because I think it could be very beneficial.” Norris said this project was implemented last year, but, unfortunately, faded. Norris (12) and the Wooster Teen Institute are trying once again to get this pen pal program to work.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | NOV. 21 2014 | PAGE 5 |
Wooster PD and WCSD utilize ALICE to ensure students’ safety TAYLOR BENNINGTON co-editor-in-chief
In light of recent events, the Wooster City School District is reassessing the value of safety in our schools. According to Chief of Police, Matthew Fischer, the Wooster Police Dept. intercepted a note of a threatening nature to the WCSD. As a result of the note, the WCSD closed their doors on Nov. 14 and, since then, buildings in the district have been on modified lockdown. “Our students safety is our top priority,” Superintendent of WCS Dr. Michael Tefs said in a press release. Wooster City School District implemented the ALICE program in 2012 to help protect its students from an unfortunate situation. “WCSD and the Wooster Police Department have
partnered to protect our city’s students… we work together on developing and utilizing ALICE,” WCSD School Resource Officer, and member of the Wooster Police Dept., Ken Linz said. Dealing with these situations requires yearly training, and the state of Ohio mandates every district practice a lockdown scenario. Linz says the WCSD and Wooster Police Dept. adhere to these state mandated drills by running ALICE drills in all of the district’s buildings and conducting them with different scenarios in each one, as no real life emergency would never be the same as the last. Faculty, whom are often the first line of defense, are also receiving training to deal with these situations. “Our staff has been trained in ALICE and have recently completed a refresher
course in partnership with the Wooster City Police Dept.,” Kean Elementary Principal Kate Kandel said. Trainings and ALICE are not the only way WCSD is working to defend its buildings. “…we are also increasing the amount of cameras in our buildings and utilizing technology and door buzzers,” Linz said. Detecting who is entering buildings is becoming more difficult as this technology is being fully utilized. “Our new security camera allows us to communicate with visitors before entrance in the building. Visitors may be required to show their license before entering,” Kandel said. The WCSD and building administration are continuing to work with the Wooster Police Dept. to ensure that all students are safe and secure in their respective schools.
ALEX HASAPIS
A WHS visitor uses the call box to communicate with the office to identify her purpose for visiting the school, one of many measures to ensure student safety. Any questions about school safety can be answered by calling the Board of Education at 330-988-1111, where people can also find a directory to ask
specific questions regarding the individual policies and precautions taken by each building in the district to the administrators at that school.
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THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | ON CAMPUS | PAGE 6
What is one thing you wish more people knew about Wooster High School? “What good academics we have here. If you want to be challenged, you can find the challenge at Wooster High School.” –Carol Mills, Guidance Secretary “How much scholarship money our AP programs bring in.” –Chris MascottiRasor, Math Dept. member “As a student at WHS, each student should try activities they feel drawn to, instead of choosing activities they think will make them look good. WHS has so many opportunities to get involved and these should be taken advantage of.” –Helena Gastier (12) “How hard students work to be successful at what they do.” –Diane Adams, Music Dept. member Quotes collected by Matt Friedhoff. Photos by Alex Hasapis.
Students to open school spirit center Nate King-Smith staff writer
The WHS Student Government has decided to implement a major change in the school; they plan to transform the old school store, next to the food administration office, into a student spirit center. This new outlet in the high school is meant to provide students with a central location where they can purchase pride wear and showcase the school’s different clubs and groups. The spirit center is placed across from the gymnasium and near the Gault Recreation Center. This location will allow people from the community, who visit the school for winter sports and events, to see what activities are happening within the
5 facts about Wooster High 1) In the 1970s, Wooster invited back all the previous Homecoming queens for the Homecoming football game. -Jack Sleek, former WHS principal
2) Wooster High School has been housed in at least five different buildings historically. -Oldohioschools.com 3) The first WHS was built between 1868-1871 and was demolished in 1922. -Oldohioschools.com 4) The current high school has had students attending since 1994. -Jack Sleek, former WHS principal 5) The building of the current high school broke ground in 1992 and took a year and a half to complete. -Dan Adams, Music Dept. member Facts collected by Olivia Sleek
school, as well as what clubs and organizations WHS offers. Principal Tyler Keener said, “This will promote school spirit and engage people...when kids feel good, propensity to learn grows.” Keener believes this spirit center will allow the school to encourage students to feel more pride in their school. The spirit center will also keep students more informed as to what goes on in the school and in what they can become more involved. One of the main forces driving this new addition to the school has been the Student Government. Taylor Bennington (12) is the student body president and believes the center will offer new options for students. “The spirit center will give students a place to purchase spirit wear, information about
changes being made, and a location where they could become involved,” Bennington said. Bennington believes this addition to the school has been inspired by students’ necessity for an accessible location to purchase pride wear, as well as a location where they could become involved within WHS. Dave Burnett (12), student body vice president, says, “We are giving a home to student led initiatives in this building and the student body will be featured to the outside community in ways that it never has before.” The new spirit center will offer new options to students and a way for members of the community to get an idea of what goes on inside WHS. Burnett says the goal is to have everything finalized and set by Thanksgiving.
THE WOOSTER BLADE |ON CAMPUS | Nov. 21, 2014 | PAGE 7
Student Government collaborates to implement new General PAIGE CLAYTON
managing editor In collaboration with the new campaign for an increasing amount of school spirit this year, the WHS Student Government, along with the administration, have decided to redesign the logo of the Wooster General. The campaign to redesign the General logo has been spearheaded by Student Body President Taylor Bennington (12) and Senior Class President David Burnett (12). Such efforts were then assisted by committee leader Kevin White (12). According to both Bennington and Burnett, one of the main reasons for redesigning the General logo is based on its historical inaccuracy. Paul Locher, a writer for The Daily Record, mentioned the original mascot was designed to reflect General David Wooster, the founder of Wooster.
As a result of redesign in the 1980s, the General has reflected historical characteristics that do not pertain to General Wooster. “I have been making this case [for redesign] for decades ever since the figure was first redesigned,” Locher said. Locker went on to say he is very excited to see the new redesign of the General logo. “The current General reflects an attitude of the confederacy; a culture we do not support. Such a culture also reflects the option of defeat,” Burnett said of the historical inaccuracies revolving the current General. Burnett said General Wooster was a highly respected general and is responsible for the naming of our community and its schools. Bennington added that such a change simply could not have come at a better time than now. “We are in a perfect storm of conditions. We have the support of the Student Government, and the current administration,”
Bennington said. In an attempt to create a new logo, in which all students would appreciate, the Student Government has created a committee composed of students from all sports teams and clubs/ organizations throughout WHS. White has been voted the head of this committee. “Our goal is to make the new general more authentic to David Wooster, but also to avoid making him look weak,” White said. White said he is looking forward to such a challenge as changing the General. The process for redesigning the General logo is expected to take one to two months to ensure that all interests are met. In addition, the General will be presented to the Wooster City Schools Board of Education in an attempt to have the new design officially recognized as the school’s athletic logo, and thus used for merchandise.
COURTESY OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOVERNMENT [LAUREN WEBSTER, ARTIST]
This side-by-side comparison shows a rough sketch of the new WHS general (on the left) compared to the current WHS general (on the right).
FOCUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 8
Local students have rare opportunity in YMCA leadership assembly Han Mahle co-webmaster
The Wooster YMCA is preparing to send students to the 2014 YMCA Youth in Government program state assembly at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on April 16 through April 18, 2015. Laney Gilmore, Wooster YMCA Youth and Teen
Director, as well as the director of Wooster’s Youth in Government program, plans to send 10 students to the state assembly next year. Gilmore says she works with Angie Bos, professor of political science at the College of Wooster, and Bos’ students to prepare for the upcoming Assembly. Students learn how to write
and research bills they will present at the Ohio statehouse. Some of these bills, Gilmore says, have been put into action by the State Legislature. Student bills proposed during Youth in Government state assemblies that have been passed by actual state legislatures include those requiring signal lights at railroad crossings and holding
18 year olds responsible for contracts they sign, according to the Ohio YMCA Youth in Government web site. At the state assembly in April, students elect peers to positions including governor and speaker of the house and can campaign for election into positions in the next session, Gilmore says. The YMCA Youth in Government program
partners with the American Bar Association division of Education to provide legal advice to students in the program, according to “Partners in Civic Engagement” a 2008 report by the American Bar Association. WHS students interested in the program can contact Laney Gilmore for more information at lgilmore@woosterymca.org.
The idea of transitioning to trimesters was proposed to Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs and the administrative team of district elementary schools by the Standards Based Reports Committee in May of 2014, according to Karen Arbogast, Director of Elementary Education. Arbogast and Tefs agree trimesters have many educational benefits that will further student achievement
and growth. Giving teachers 12 weeks instead of nine during each educational period will enable teachers to utilize instructional time and rectify concerns with students. “Trimesters afford more time to instruct, assess and adjust subsequent instruction to address student needs in each marking period before a report card grade is computed,” Eric Vizzo, Cornerstone Elementary School principal, said.
The Standards Based Reports Committee stated, in a presentation given to the BOE in May 2014, additional advantages to trimesters, including allowing time to establish classroom culture, gaining knowledge of students and reviewing baseline data of students. Not many disadvantages were identified in the Standards Based Reports Committee presentation or identified by
administrative personnel. Tefs did, however, state the transition may create some confusion with parents. “We have worked to provide information to families via newsletters and the district website, so that the transition will be seamless. This communication was very important,” Tefs said. The first trimester ended Nov. 11; parent teacher conferences were the week of Nov. 17.
THREE’S A CROWD: Wooster elementary schools go for trimesters Alex Hasapis Graphics Editor
The district’s elementary schools recently transitioned to a trimester system from a quarter system, which is still utilized by secondary education. This transition will divide the school year into three, 12 week periods, rather than four nine week periods.
Wooster alum follows business dream OLIVIA BERNADINE feature editor
Brad Weckesser, 2005 WHS alum, has started a new business located in downtown Wooster. Weckesser believes his high school experiences have prepared him for his future in the business world. “Any entrepreneurial pursuit comes with a great amount of autonomy, so I would say that high school was the first introduction for me with handling responsibilities and duties both inside and outside of the classroom and being able to manage and organize all of those efficiently,” Weckesser said. Weckesser’s business, Delmar Design Co., currently uses screen-printing to transfer modern designs onto apparel and home accessories. He and his wife are currently the only employees at Delmar
Design Co. In an interview with clutchmov.com, writer Sarah Pytlik, who reviews creative art businesses, Weckesser said he draws inspiration from his wife, Emily, who also runs a creative design business. “Our inspiration comes from each other, mainly; from past experiences, travels and memories. Living in Appalachia has helped us see more of the importance of family and friends, so creating products that could be passed down from generation to generation has been a big influence,” Weckesser said. The couple has been featured in Southern Living and Emily’s products are currently for sale through Nordstrom’s and Urban Outfitters, via her Etsy outlet. Weckesser also helped develop a business in Summerville, WV called Richwood Creations. According to their website,
Richwood Creations specializes in high-end wood products and rustic home décor, in an effort to provide local employment and funding for Young Life Ministries operating in that area. “I definitely think a lot of the habits you form in high school, in regard to work ethic and handling responsibilities, stay with you for longer than you are aware of. So, be intentional in everything you do, and in your relationships as well. You won’t just suddenly fall into being ambitious and productive,” Weckesser said. Delmar Design Co. is located in downtown Wooster where Pierce’s Sports was once located. Products are currently sold online, but the studio is typically open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for shoppers who wish to visit. Weckesser hopes to serve Wooster’s downtown for years to come.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 9
Pulp offers fresh drinks for Wooster WCSD awards students
Remember when your parents could make everything better?
FO LE Y
wraps and salads offered at other fast food and chain restaurants locally. Everything offered at Pulp is obviously made to include the healthiest of ingredients. Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar is a great addition to the city of Wooster during these times of hipsters and health nuts looking for a nutritious place to enjoy a smoothie. A
focus editor With 10 other locations around Northeast Ohio, Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar is not a business unique to Wooster. However, Wooster lacked a place solely for juice and smoothies until last month, when Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar opened in the North End of Wooster. Pulp offers 30 different smoothie flavors and eight freshly squeezed juices. Pulp “Enhancers,” such as stress eliminator and fat burner can be added to smoothies for free. This wide variety of drinks is what makes Pulp a business
and is more than enough to satisfy as a mid-afternoon snack. Pulp also offers a variety of wraps and salads. Stuffed with the healthiest variety of vegetables, meats, cheeses and other low fat ingredients, these wraps and salads are unlike BE CC
BECCA FOLEY
different from others around Wooster. As for the taste, the smoothies taste exactly as described. The smoothies are made with a large variety of healthy fruits, including strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Every one of those flavors can be tasted in the smoothie. The smoothies do not taste artificial. They taste fresh and natural. It is hard to find another place around Wooster that offers smoothies so refreshing. At $4 for a “kid’s” size smoothie, the smoothies may be a little overpriced. However, this “kid’s’” size is 16 ounces
MATT FRIEDHOFF
staff writer The Four Star General program at Edgewood Middle School is one of the many outlets that the Wooster City School District uses to recognize its students. Dean Frank, principal at EWMS, is a supporter of the Four Star General program and plays a key role in its implementation. “Each month we select two fifth, sixth and seventh grade students that are responsible, respectful, have a positive attitude and put forth good effort in all that they do,” Frank said. According to the Edgewood Middle School page of the Wooster City School District website, Four Star Generals are chosen based on leadership skills, character skills, academic achievements and many other attributes. Frank goes on to explain that the Four Star Generals selected
Steiner remains optimistic after his resignation OLIVIA BERNADINE feature editor
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each month are recognized in a newsletter posted to the EWMS website. “In addition to the posting on the website, students receive recognition on the morning announcements, a certificate and a lunch pizza party with an administrator,” Frank said. Matt Bobola, a Spanish teacher at EWMS, says that students are nominated to be Four Star Generals by staff members. Bobola has nominated students to be Four Star Generals based on the aforementioned qualities. “I look for students that stand out as being kind and responsible,” Bobola said. D’Juana Whitfield was a Four Star General for the month of October. “It was an honor to receive the award,” Whitfield said. The most recent Four Star Generals for November include Sophia Troutman, Bradley Moses, Alex Christopher, Katelyn Burnham, Alex Coon, and Sophia Lee.
Michael Steiner, president of the Wooster City Schools District Board of Education resigned during the Oct. 28 meeting of the board. According to Linda Hall’s article, “Steiner resigns leaving Wooster City Schools board post” in The Daily Record, “Had board approval been required, Wooster City Schools board member Bob Reynolds told its board president, Michael Steiner, [his] Tuesday evening resignation would not have been accepted.” Steiner was president of the Board of Education for four years, as noted by the district website. He resigned in hopes that he could complete some activities he has always aspired to do. “My wife and I set up some travel objectives and
ALEX HASAPIS
Michael Steiner, president of the Wooster City Schools District Board of Education, announced his resgination on Oct. 28 during a board meeting. a bucket list, and with the frequency of board meetings, in order to really commit to my responsibilities at work, we didn’t get to do some of the things we’d like to do. So, I decided it was time to take some time for us,” Steiner said in an interview after his resignation.
Although the board may not have wanted their president to resign, Steiner has full faith in the board and only positive things to say on his departure. “I am incredibly impressed and grateful for the administration and staff of the Wooster City Schools. For the four years I’ve been on
the board, they have faced uncertainty, change, and it just came in waves. They have met that head on, and driven forward, allowing us to advance the district,” Steiner said. Steiner will never forget his experiences on the board. “It would probably be the most intellectually challenging experience I’ve ever had,” Steiner said. Robert Reynolds, previously vice president of the board, will be stepping in as president. A position is available on the board for those who meet the requirements and within 30 days of a resignation, the board must approve its candidate. As stated on the district website, the National School Boards Association , the four major thrusts of leadership for school boards include vision, structure, accountability and advocacy.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS| NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 10
Where are they now?
Rotary Exchange Students update The Wooster Blade about their trips
Rebecca Kreuzman: Spain
Juliet Freed: Taiwan
SARAH HOPKINS staff writer
COURTESY OF REBECCA KREUZMAN
Becca Kreuzman, former WHS student, has been on Rotary exchange in Sevilla, Spain for the past two months.
REBECCA KREUZMAN
WHS alumna Having just spent the past two months as a Rotary exchange student in Sevilla, Spain, has given me time learn about the complexity of an exchange. An exchange year can not be conveyed though the number of pins on a Rotary blazer or a string of photos on Instagram because an exchange year is so much more than that. Exchange is a whirlwind of emotions and it is not always a walk in the park. At times on exchange you feel completely and utterly alone. When thrust into a new culture with new people you’re bound to feel like the outsider at times. Not to mention, dealing with culture shock is not always easy. And, if sitting through six hours of lectures in school every day sounds boring, can you imagine trying to do that in a foreign language? At this point you may be
asking why I am on exchange if it sounds so difficult. The truth is, I am on exchange for those little moments that make me inexplicably happy and so grateful that I decided to embark on this journey. I am grateful when I share a laugh with new friends despite the language barrier or when I find myself damning at random times with my host sisters. I am grateful when I taste a delicious new food or when I sink my feet into the sand of the Mediterranean Sea. I am grateful when I look at a painting that is older than my country or when I get lost in a maze of streets with exchange students only to stumble across a cultural fair. It is these little moments that make me unbelievably happy. So, while it is not always easy to pack up your life for 10 months and leave your family, friends and home behind you, you just may find that it is completely worth it.
Eighteen-year-old Juliet Freed has done a lot of traveling in her life and has currently made her way to Taiwan. A Wooster native and WHS class of 2014 alum, Freed left for Taiwan Aug. 23 through Rotary International and will be there until mid-June of 2015. Freed encourages students to consider doing a Rotary exchange after high school. “If you’re not sure what you want to do after high school, go on an exchange,” Freed said. Cathy McConnell, the Outbound Chair of the Wooster Rotary Youth Exchange, also encourages interested students to consider Rotary. A constant worry for some students is that they will fall behind in college if they do an exchange, but McConnell argues against this misconception. “Students who do a gap year are generally more focused and mature when they start than most other first year students,” McConnell said. Freed has found this experience to be very fulfilling for her. “I’ve met a lot of really great people who I never would have known under any other circumstances,” Freed said. Freed’s host dad, Jackson Tsai, also believes that host families can benefit greatly from the Rotary experience. He is learning from her also. “Having an exchange student is a great start to understanding each other and the world around us,” Tsai said.
Q&A Lauren Miller: Italy MAUREEN MCKEOWN staff writer
What influenced you to go to Italy? “Overall, I was
interested in the Rotary Youth Exchange program because it is a unique opportunity to truly become involved in another culture. There are few better ways to challenge yourself in another culture, language, family and place. I have always wanted to go to Europe, especially Italy and was interested in learning about the culture and learning Italian.” What is your daily life like now? “I go
COURTESY OF LAUREN MILLER
Lauren Miller, former WHS student is on Rotary Exchange in Genova, Italy.
to school from 8 to 2 and have lunch at home. Schools are very different in Italy because there are many different types of high schools. I currently attend an artistic high school where students focus on studying art.”
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST. WOOSTER MILLTOWN 3540 Burbank Rd. • 330-345-5908 www.buehlers.com
Sports
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 11
Believe the hype: Pregame rituals help WHS athletes
B
MICHAEL O’DONNELL arts editor
e it a certain meal, routine or simply listening to music, the idea of pre-
game rituals, traditions and superstitions permeates through nearly every level of athletics. Whether for better or worse, athletes often look to pre-game rituals for a sense of constancy from one event to the next. Though a ritual may not physically alter an athlete’s performance, the completion of the same actions before a game can help get an athlete into the right mindset before a big game or meet. Rituals need not be a long and involved process; they can be simple actions. Zac Zemrock-van der Meer (12) said he merely listens to some of his favorite music and focuses on what his role in the following soccer game will be. As straightforward as his ritual is, Zemrock-van der Meer thinks his pregame music and focus session are integral to his performance on the field. “I do it out of habit and I think it helps. Whenever I do not do it, I do not feel as prepared,” Zemrock-van der Meer said. Mike Sullivan, former Youngstown State University and Butler Junior College basketball player and Social Studies Dept. member, used to listen to music before each game, much like Zemrock-van der Meer. But, Sullivan took it a step further and made sure to eat spaghetti before each game also. The idea of a pre-game meal, such as Sullivan’s, is very common because it ensures consistency from one game to the next. Since graduating college, Sullivan has spent 16 years on the other side of the lines of the basketball court, coaching at the high school level for both Glen Oak High School and, more recently, WHS. Sullivan noticed that many of the players he coached had similar pre-game routines to his own, such as listening to music as they warmed up and eating the same meal before each game. Thomas Newark, MD, president of the International Society of Sports Psychiatrists, in an Aug. 15, 2011, espnW article by Selene Yeager, said, “Sports are filled with elements beyond your control. Rituals, lucky charms, and superstitions give you little things you can control. It’s something you can do that is familiar and soothing that can help you control anxiety ... and to that end, maybe perform better.” Thus, performing the same tasks before every game, though it may seem like an extraneous step for athletes in their preparation, certainly does have its place.
Do WHS athletes have pregame rituals?
Green: 82 students (82%) said Yes Blue: 18 students (18%) said No
100 STUDENT ATHLETES WERE POLLED AT WHS LUNCHES AND IN CLASSROOMS ON NOVEMBER 7, 2014 . POLL CONDUCTED BY GRANT PEADBODY, GRAPHIC BY SHREYA GURUMURTHY, PHOTOS BY MARC JEFFRIES, BLURBS BY ERIC BELCIK.
“As a team, the varsity girls have a green stuffed animal pig that we kiss before every game. It has led us to many winning streaks, so we keep the tradition going. Also, many girls, including myself have lucky hairstyles that if we wear our hair a different way, it may jinx us,” Lauren Taylor (12).
“I listen to music. It helps me get pumped for the game and by listening and focusing on the lyrics and music, it helps me focus on other things like my assignments and the upcoming opponents. Personally, I think ‘80s music is what motivates me the most,” Storm Nicholson (12). “Before every game, I go on a run for two reasons; first, Friday afternoon is about the only time I have during the season to get any type of exercise in. Second, this is how I relieve stress before games. Exercise helps me unwind. Additionally, I am able to think about what scenarios in the game we might see and how I would respond to them,” Wooster Football Head Coach Doug Haas. “I always listen to music before I play sports, whether it’s baseball, basketball or golf. It gets me pumped and helps block everything out and get focused. For golf, I try to listen to more calming music, but for basketball and baseball, I listen to more motivational music,” Brett Lepley (12).
“Before every game, we do a routine warm-up to get our muscles and minds ready to play. We start off by throwing the ball to each other and just peppering until we’re ready. This helps us not only take time before the game to get our minds focused, but it helps us bond as a team by getting ready to go out and win,” Makayla Hart (12).
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 12
Home turf: Students and staff appreciate family football JACK HARTMANN on-campus editor
Thanksgiving is a time of tradition, and one of those traditions, in some households, is the playing of American football. In the United States, it is common that families will play an organized game of family football before they sit down for their annual thanksgiving meal. “Football has been in our family for three generations so it’s awesome to see my dad and my kids all go out and play the game we all love,” Wooster resident Dr. Michael Knapic said. Family rivalries can also appear when families clash for their annual football battles. “My brother and I both were quarterbacks at WHS so it is fun to have a little competition to see who is still better,” Cameron Daugherty (12) said. According to an article written by Allison Klein on howstuffworks.com, Klein argues that family football games are the second most popular Thanksgiving traditions, in the United States, behind watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “I have three brothers so we have always had a competitive childhood; however, on Thanksgiving, the winning team gets first dibs on the Thanksgiving dinner my mom, prepares so the game has much more on the line than just pride,” Math Dept. member Brian Burdine said. Klein also states in her article that aside from playing football, families also take part in watching football after the feast. Originally the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions have played every Thanksgiving, but now, the NFL has added two more games. The NFL produces three games for viewers to watch, usually starting around 11 a.m. with the final kickoff of the day starting around 7 p.m. This year’s Thanksgiving football schedule includes the Chicago Bears vs. the Detroit Lions at 12:30 p.m, the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Dallas Cowboys at 4:30 p.m., and the Seattle Seahawks will battle the San Francisco 49ers at 8:30 p.m.
Talkin’ Turkey: NFL boasts three high power match-ups this year ERIC BELCIK sports editor
The Chicago Bears Vs. The Detroit Lions This game features one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL. The Chicago Bears have been struggling, despite having a star studded offense consisting of Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte. Winning only four out of ten games, players are beginning to get frustrated. The Lions, on the other hand, have a record of 7-3. The temporary loss of Calvin Johnson, the league’s best receiver, has not plagued Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense. Lions win 31-17.
The Philadelphia Eagles Vs. The Dallas Cowboys The records of these teams do not tell the entire story. Both teams have won seven games. The Philadelphia Eagles have lost their starting quarterback and have to rely on former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez won his first game as the Eagles by beating the Carolina Panthers 45-21. The Cowboys, led by Dez Bryant and Demarco Murray, have been one most dominant teams in the league. Eagles win a close game 24-21
The San Francisco 49ers Vs. The Seattle Seahawks This game will be by far the most exciting of the Thanksgiving games. Featuring two high powered offenses and defenses, this game will also draw the most viewers. The Seahawks won the most recent match-up in the NFC Championship game. This game will be crucial to both teams seasons. Both have a record of 6-4. Whoever loses this game will be out of the running for winning the division. Seahawks win 42-10.
Thank You, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, for generously providing our work night meal.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | SPORTS | PAGE 13
Ten years later, Wooster football returns to playoffs David Burnett staff writer
Although the 31-6 loss to Olentangy signaled the end of the season, Wooster’s football rise may signal the start of a new era. After their 61-14 thrashing of Orrville Nov. 1, the Generals diligently prepared to be a formidable opponent for the Hamilton Township Rangers. Wooster head coach, Doug Haas, has high levels of expectation for his Generals and feels that a winning formula has finally come together. “I think we’re on track with our goal of success. Making the playoffs has been our expectation every year, but this was the first time that we’ve been able to put together a streak like this and win down the stretch against formidable opponents. Our seniors drew the proverbial line in the sand and got the job done as leaders for this team,” Haas said. Although senior captains
on offense and defense have accounted for the bulk of the big plays and scoring, Haas believes the team’s depth,with sophomores and juniors, has tremendous impact on the team’s success. “Football is a next-man-up type of game, and it’s had a tremendous impact on our team to be able to recover from injuries with guys filling in on a game to game basis. That’s what teamwork is all about,” Haas said. Athletic Director Andy Kellar said that while the team has been through its share of ups and downs over the past three seasons, he believes the team is poised for years of success. “We’ve got a solid program developing. This group of young men has gelled into a tough bunch that has a team first mentality. We want Wooster to be known as a team with tough players and an even tougher work ethic. These seniors have provided tremendous skill and leadership, and this crew of sophomores have gained
invaluable experience. We’ll have sophomores with 10 regular season games and a playoff m a t c h u p underneath their belt. That’s really exciting for the coming years,” Kellar said. Much of this season’s excitement HAN MAHLE has come from M a r q u i s e The football team storms onto the field before their playoff clash with Hamilton Township. Blair (12), the The Generals won the game 35-21 before losing to Olentangy 31-6 last week in Mansfield. Generals leading receiver and Syracuse recruit. in the Generals first playoff the playoffs. Blair said he is pleased with Wooster played a physical game, utilizing the abilities of his teammates en route to game, but ultimately fell 31-6. the accomplishments of the scoring all five of Wooster’s team, and felt the opening Although the playoff run touchdowns. victory over Highland gave fell short, the 2014 Generals The Generals gave Hamilton cemented their legacy as the the team terrific experience in a sound beating with a score of furthest advancing football beating a winning team. 35-21. “To beat Highland in team since the new high school Following the victory, the was built, and the best since Highland was a lot of fun and Generals looked to top the the 1986 Final Four team. tough to do. That’s a huge heavily favored Olentangy win,” Blair said. Things are looking up for Braves in the second round of Wooster football. Blair lived up to expectations
Kevin White runs to All-Ohio honors at state cross country meet Ben Snoddy
arts & entertainment editor
MAUREEN MCKEOWN
Kevin White runs in the Division One State Final Cross-Country race on Nov. 1. White finished 18 out of 142 runners and received All-Ohio honors.
Cross country runner Kevin White placed 18 out of 142 runners, with a time of 15:57 at the state meet Nov. 1 and earned the All-Ohio Division I award for the second year in a row, which is given to runners who finish in the top 25. “During the race, I was roughed up a bit and didn’t do as well as I hoped, but I was still aggressive. I managed to get all Ohio again, but I missed the podium by two or three spots. I did improve from last year when I got 19, so I am happy with that,” White said. Boys’ cross country coach, Doug, Bennett, said he is proud of White’s performance in the state meet, emphasizing the fact that White is the fastest
and most coachable runner he has ever had the opportunity to coach. Bennett also stated it is White’s ambition that has brought him this far. “He really pushes himself. When he runs faster than everyone on his own team, then he has to go find someone else to run faster than,” Bennett said. White stated it is the people who surround him that contribute most to his success. He said the team is filled with strong leaders that all push him to be the best he can be. White’s teammate Zack Buchholz says White’s performance at States has been the culmination of an entire season of hard work. “Kevin’s a special kid. He’s got the right balance of hard work, motivation, leadership and
talent that takes him far. His ability to push the team is one in a million. Teammates want to run with him and be near him. He just has this draw that inspires and motivates those around him,” Buchholz said. Bennett stated White cares about the progress and the well-being of the entire team. “He is humble, and never looks down on any of his team members, even though he knows, and they know, that at this point his ability to run is quite a bit better than everyone else,” Bennett said. White’s season culminated when he ran for team Ohio at the Mid-East Cross Country Championships, where he placed 12th out of 48 runners and second on team Ohio. White recently committed to run track and cross country at Loyola University.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | SPORTS | PAGE 14
Success Stories: A recap of the fall sports season
Oct. 24 - Marquise Blair and Wooster football beat West Holmes en route to winning the OCC title
Oct. 9 - Girls’ soccer wins OCC title outright against Clear Fork
Nov. 1 - Kevin White places 19 in D1 State Cross-Country meet and becomes an All-Ohioan again
Nov. 1 - Football team beats rival Orrville 61 - 14 and advances to playoffs
Photos by Han Mahle, Casey Baik, Cain Lanker, Maureen McKeown, Austin Miko
COVER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 15
55.6% of Melrose students 44.8% of Kean students 10.6% of Wayne County are disadvantaged, are disadvantaged, families fall below the WCSD 68.7% 55.2% 38.8% and the school has and the school has poverty line, and of statistics of of a performance a performance 67.3% fall within Cornerstone courtesy of Parkview Wooster index score of index score of 200% of the students are Superintendent students High School 109.4. 97.1. poverty disadvantaged, Dr. Michael Tefs. are disadvantaged, students participate line. and the school has a High performance and the school has a in the free and reduced performance index score index scores represent performance index score lunch program. of 92.1. high student achievement. of 104.7.
Apartment rent: $658.33
poverty in wooster
Wayne County data 6.3% of Wayne County from the Ohio Office The median annual The average weekly wage of Policy, Research, household income in of a goods-producing 15.2% residents age 25+ have 12.9% The some college but and Planning’s Wayne County is worker in Wayne of of Wayne average no degree, and “Wayne County $48,375. County is $943. weekly wage Wayne County 6.1% have an Profile” County residents of a service associate’s (2012). residents age 25+ age 25+ have a worker in Wayne degree. bachelor’s degree, and Doctor’s have no high school County is $567. diploma, and 43.2% have office visit: 6.3% have a master’s only a high school degree. degree or higher. $92.50
Wooster provides decent living costs While it has a few minor disadvantages, the micropolitan of Wooster generally has favorable living costs. “Overall, Wooster is a less expensive place to live [than surrounding areas like Akron] in large part due to housing and low land costs, but also due to a variety of other factors,” Jonathan Millea, a City of Wooster development coordinator, said. “Sometimes, though, we may pay more for other things, including medical care and certain technology,” he said. Millea explained competition between greater numbers of medical clinics and stores and lower transportation costs drive down prices for such services in metropolitan areas. Still, Millea contended that the overall cost of living in Wooster is generally quite fair.
Insurance deductibles create burdens Health insurance can be a major cost to families living in or near poverty. Jaime Parsons, executive director of the Viola Startzman Clinic, said, “Many of our low income patients who don’t qualify for Medicaid bought insurance plans on the new federal marketplace… The plans typically come with deductibles of over $4,000 for an individual or $8,000 for a family. For our patients who are often making around $20,000 annually, a $4,000 deductible means they can never afford health care. In essence, their insurance plan is useless to them. ” Even with insurance, when a family has to make difficult budgetary decisions, health care often falls through the cracks.
Coffee: Dozen eggs: $3.89 $1.64
Pizza: $8.00
Dry cleaning: $11.10
Phone: $34.15
Veterinary services: $35.45
Newspaper: $11.35
Blurbs written by Mary Grace Gorman. Statistics compiled by Alex Barnard. Dollar bill photo by Cain Lanker. Graphic produced by Mary Grace Gorman with data from the Council for Community and Economic Research (2013).
1 in 30 children in America are homeless - National Center on Family Homelessness at the American Institutes for Research
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | COVER I PAGES 16 & 17
revails in today’s society, at home and abroad SAMANTHA BRUNN & ALLI WIGHAM
w
cover editor & front editors
dollar amount assigned to a family whose wages cannot meet the basic standard of living. If their income is less than half their poverty threshold, they are below 50 percent of poverty; less than the threshold itself, they are in poverty, which is below 100 percent of poverty; person’s poverty status.” In 2012, the National Center for Law and Economic Justice found the poverty rate in the United States to be at its highest in the past 54 years. It went on to report that out of the 46.5 million Americans living in poverty, 21.8 percent were children under the age of 18. In Cleveland, 54 percent of children living in the city are poor by the U.S. Census Bureau’s standards. Not only is the child poverty rate high, but Cleveland is ranked second nationally with the highest level of child poverty behind Detroit, according to an Oct. 6, 2014 article
The percentage of children living in poverty locally is just as surprising. According to The National Center on Educational Outcomes, Wooster City School District’s population, that is considered economically disadvantaged, amounts to about 53 percent of the entire student population. Additionally, 46.1 percent of students in the Wooster City School District are on the free and reduced lunch program. Considering Kean Elementary has a total percentage of 36.8 students on the free and reduced lunch program, and Cornerstone has almost double that at 63.7 percent of students on the program, child poverty is a problem that cannot be overlooked. nation’s population of underprivileged children from life below the poverty level. According to their website’s home page, The Children’s Defense Fund states, “Last year federal safety net programs kept 8.2 million children out of poverty, cutting child poverty by 40 percent. Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Oct. 16 show that safety net programs like tax credits for working families, nutrition and housing assistance, Social Security and other federal programs, kept 8.2 million children, more than 11 percent of America’s children, out of poverty in 2013.” Locally, The Christian Children’s Home exists to provide for the needs of children whose families are not able to care for them. According to their site, The Christian Children’s Home mission is to meet the mental, emotional, physical, recreational and spiritual needs of each child in their care. Even with solutions at hand, child poverty continues to prevail both here at home and across the nation.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 18
The season of giving: People to People People to People Ministries is a nationally recognized charity. The Wooster branch offers a food pantry, which is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They collect donations and also offer financial help through vouchers for items like gas, prescriptions and electric bills. They offer the Christmas Toy Project, for which families sign up to shop for gifts for their children, ranging in ages from infant through age 18, on Dec. 1 at Greenbriar, according to Lydia Stahl, Executive Director of the Wooster branch.
Charities plan additional efforts in preparation for the holidays
Rotary Club
Credits
Every year, the Wooster Rotary Club has a food drive in honor of Rotarian and College of Wooster basketball coach Al Van Wie. According to Wooster Rotary Club President Chad Boreman, “Al Van Wie had a mission to ensure there was food for families in our area.” Boreman reports that over 42,000 food items were donated in 2013.. “Many of the local schools are really the backbone of this campaign. Support from superintendent Tefs and all of the administration at Wooster provides thousands of food items,” Boreman said.
Blurbs written by Isabelle Cannon and Matt Friedhoff Photos by Fred Holmes. Rotary photo fair use via Rotary International. Snug in their Beds logo courtesy of Rachel Messenger.
College of Wooster
Salvation Army The Salvation Army provides many goods and services to those in need. All year, the homeless shelter is open for residents of any age to come for assistance. It also offers an after school program every school day from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., where children from elementary through high school can come and receive help on their homework, and a soup kitchen, open year-round to anyone looking for a warm meal. The meals are served daily from 9 a.m. to noon, according to Madeleine Dwyer, Captain Officer for the Wooster division.
Red Cross The Wooster chapter of the Red Cross hosts a holiday tree auction every year to raise funds. According to RedCross.org, “Local decorators donate holiday trees, wreaths, swags and centerpieces that we then auction off.” In a letter to the community, Executive Director of the Wayne County Chapter, Katie Myers Griffith, states, “All proceeds from the Festival of Trees stay in Wayne County and benefit our local disaster services and programming.”
Viola Startzman Clinic
At the Viola Startzman Clinic, clients can receive everything they need in one location. They may come to collect food stamps, but at the same time, they can also receive Medicaid, insurance, gas vouchers and whatever else they need. The onestop-shop prevents clients from missing work and helps save their gas money, according to Carol Labuza, Community Outreach Director at the clinic.
“Snug In Their Beds is a program where we give beds being cycled out of the College of Wooster residence halls to children in our community (Wayne and Holmes counties) who need a bed to sleep in,” Rachel Messenger, Assistant Director of Campus Life and Area Director at COW, said. Messenger expects the program to donate 25 to 35 beds this year, having already donated over 233 beds in the past six years. In addition to bed frames and mattresses, the program also delivers bedding and other items such as night lights or stuffed animals.
Feature
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 14, 2014 | PAGE 19
My pets
Memories
Green Beans Stuffing Turkey Potatoes Cranberry Sauce Pumpkin Pie Rolls
DID YOU KNOW?
Other
Love Receiving Mail
Women’s Rights
Chocolate
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD?
Snow Days
Turkey
Shelter and Food Cornerstone Football
Diet Coke Noodles CATS Wool Socks Brad Pitt Air Conditioning Shoes Cosmic Brownies Christmas Music
Movies
Running Water
Boots
My brothers Mittens
Social Media
Pie
Sweaters
Technology
The Wooster Blade asked...
144 Students were polled in grades 9-12 on Oct. 5, 2014
Jet Skis
Pizza Laughter
Family
BLADE offers insight into the month stuffed full with family, food and fun
Friends
Netflix
THANKSGIVING EXTRAVAGANZA:
I am thankful for... Mary Cain
Equality
Good Books
Wiener Dogs
Thanksgiving is celebrated in...
Netherlands
Canada
Norfolk Island
United States
Grenada
Liberia
The Netherlands celebrates the day as a thank you for the hospitality received by Dutch pilgrims who travelled to the Plymouth Plantation between 1619 and 1620. Grenada celebrates it on Oct. 25, but for different reasons than the United States and Canada. Unlike other Thanksgivings, Liberia celebrates the colonization of freed black slaves from the United States on the first Thursday of November. Norfolk Island, off the east coast of Australia in the Pacific Ocean, celebrates Thanksgiving on the last Wednesday of November and was introduced by visiting American whaling ships.
Graphics: Shreya Gurumurthy Cartoon: Grace Cheng Thanksgiving around the world blurbs: Bri Bocook
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | FEATURE | PAGE 20
WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT NOVEMBER:
The name originated from the Latin word novem, “nine,” because it was the ninth month of the early Roman calendar.
National Author’s Day
18
19
26
ACCORDING TO NO-SHAVE.ORG
27
10
11
20
21
Thanksgiving Day
4
3
Daylight Savings Time ends
9
ACCORDING TO ALMANAC.COM
The month of November is also known as “No Shave November” in support of cancer awareness.
2
1
8
NOVEMBER 2014 National Doughnut Day
6
13
Veterans’ Day
22
National Adoption Day
28
Black Friday
14 23
7
16
15
12
17 24
29
25 30
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
NOVEMBER IS ALSO KNOWN AS... Approximately 540 peanuts go into making a 12 oz. jar of peanut butter. [National Peanut Board’s “Fun Facts” website]
NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER MONTH
5
Americans spend around $800 million annually on peanut butter. [National Peanut Board’s “Fun Facts” website]
The average American child will consume 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before she graduates high school.
One acre of peanuts produces enough peanut butter to fill 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches. [National Peanut Board’s “Fun Facts” website]
Any product labeled “peanut butter” in the United States must legally contain at least 90 percent peanuts. [National Peanut Board’s “Fun Facts” website]
Peanut butter is eaten in 94 percent of American households. [National Peanut Board’s “Fun Facts” website]
[National Peanut Board’s “Fun Facts” website] PEANUT BUTTER GRAPHIC: SHREYA GURUMURTHY HOLIDAYS: SAMANTHA BRUNN CARTOON: GRACE CHENG
DID YOU KNOW?: NATE KING-SMITH PEANUT FACTS: MARY GRACE GORMAN
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 21
The Wooster Blade explores emotions triggered by senses
Smell
Our sense of smell can be a powerful trigger in bringing back old memories and emotions. A lilac-scented candle can remind one of spring, the smell of coconut can evoke thoughts of suntan lotion and beach vacations, a peppermint candy can make one think of Christmas’ past, and a familiar perfume, though on a complete stranger, can bring a lump to the throat as one recalls a favorite aunt who wore the same fragrance. The reason for this recall effect, according to a New York Times article entitled, “The Nose, an Emotional Time Machine”, is that our olfactory cortex is located in the brain’s Amygdala where emotions are created and stored. Now, as the holidays approach, there again will be the smell of warm apple pie and the scent of fresh pine from a newly cut tree, that will fondly remind many of past celebrations spent with family and friends.
Blurbs written by Emma Jeffries and Kayla Cooper
Taste
Someone’s favorite food may be spaghetti, while she may despise brussel sprouts. People develop their likes and dislikes of certain flavors due to a combination of factors including: taste receptors on the tongue that lead back to the brain, biological survival mechanisms, flavor associations with smell, and past experiences, according to washingtonpost.com. Taste receptors tell the brain if something is sweet or sour, bitter or savory. Bitter may be associated with bad or poisonous due to evolution. Sweet only becomes fruit-flavored when combined with our sense of smell. With foods that are liked and disliked, associated memories may be the key. The taste of Christmas cookies can trigger thoughts of past holidays and the taste of lemonade can prompt memories of summer. Like other senses, memories of taste are stored in the Amygdala of the brain, according to nytimes.com.
Sight
Sound
Sight can bring emotions simply due to whether or not people want to see what is in their line of vision. Eyes may be covered while watching a frightening horror movie or may be open wide with wonder when looking at the view from a mountaintop. Sight, like other senses, can bring a huge wave of emotions like fright, happiness, sadness, and many more. It can have a big impact on someone’s day, whether that person sees something he would like to see, like a big red A on an especially hard test, or something he did not want to see, such as a crush flirting with an enemy. Sight evokes emotions, as with the other senses, due to the sensory cortex of the brain receiving signals from our eyes, ears, nose and mouth, and the memories stored are related to the specific senses they process, according to Rachael Rettner, writer of “Brains Link Between Sounds, Smells, and Memory Revealed,” from livescience. com.
Hearing is one of the traditional five senses. New World Encyclopedia describes it as, “receiving information about the environment from vibratory movement communicated through a medium such as air, water, or ground.” Mms-us.com says that the ear is superior to the eye. It is more sensitive, accurate, fast, effective, and less likely to deceive. Obviously hearing has a great effect on everything we say or do, but what exactly can it do for us? Music is something that is relative when it comes to this sense. Belle Beth Cooper examines the effects of hearing music in her article “8 Surprising Ways Music Affects and Benefits our Brains.” “Even short pieces of happy or sad music can affect us. One study showed that after hearing a short piece of music, participants were more likely to interpret a neutral expression as happy or sad, to match the tone of the music they heard. This also happened with other facial expressions, but was most notable for those that were close to neutral,” Cooper said.
Touch
Graphic by Joseph Gorman
Scientificpsychic.com says “The sense of touch is distributed throughout the body. Nerve endings in the skin and other parts of the body transmit sensations to the brain. Some parts of the body have a larger number of nerve endings and, therefore, are more sensitive. Four kinds of touch sensations can be identified: cold, heat, contact and pain. Hairs on the skin magnify the sensitivity and act as an early warning system for the body.” Our fingertips are the most sensitive when it comes to touch and this sense increases animals’ chances of survival and does many other things. Touch can be considered as another language. Humans tend to communicate through touch without even noticing. Rick Chillot, the writer of “The Power Of Touch,” believes this to be true. “If touch is a language, it seems we instinctively know how to use it. But apparently it’s a skill we take for granted,” Chillot said. The sense of touch is very important and is a way that improves survival and communication.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | FEATURE I PAGE 22
Facial expressions can communicate thoughts and feelings
CLAIRE LANHAM
Lying
Anger
Joy
Nervousness
Low self-confidence
Sadness
What does body language reveal about you? Body language is a form of non-verbal communication. Oftentimes, people involuntarily express their inward emotions through outward signs.
Lying
Anger
Joy
Dr. Lillian Glass, an expert on behavior analysis, teamed up with the FBI to determine signs of deception. The shuffling of feet and covering of a face or mouth could often be a sign of lying, as could oversharing of (often) repeated information. A lying person will either avoid eye contact or try to make up for that by staring intently at the person to whom she or her are lying.
ChangingMinds.org says that defensive behavior, including muscle tension, aggressive tone of voice or clenched fists, signals anger in a person. Crossing of arms and heavy breathing also indicates aggression in an individual. These signs alert others that an individual is angry and alert people to the fact they should be cautious about how they act around the individual.
A Google image search for the word ‘joy’ will yield the results of many people jumping in the air. The expression “jump for joy” makes sense as a description of the body language of a person experiencing joy. According to “The Nonverbal Dictionary of Gestures, Signs, and Body Language Cues,” by David Givens, tears are a sign of extreme joy. The phrase “tears of joy” is another description of the body language of joy.
Nervousness
Sadness
Low self-confidence
Signs of sadness may include drooping of the body, trembling lip, flat speech tone, body shaking, slow movements and tears. Charles Darwin described signs of sadness as drooping eyelids, hanging head, contraction of the eyebrows, lowered lips and cheeks and “remaining motionless and passive,” according to “The Nonverbal Dictionary of Gestures, Signs, and Body Language Cues” by David Givens.
Often, people with a low self confidence will walk with their heads down and are reluctant to make direct eye contact with people according to 1stholistic.com. They also might not accept compliments well. Another common trait of a person with low self esteem is being overly apologetic and feeling guilty when there is no need to do so. The demonstration of these signs could mean that person is insecure, but it does not necessarily prove that fact.
According to, ImproveYourSocialSkills.com, key signs of nervousness include touching of the face or rubbing the neck. These actions signal that a person is trying to comfort himself or herself. Because there are nerve endings in the neck, face and legs, rubbing these areas increases blood flow, thus helping to calm a person. In usual settings, a person will usually make direct eye contact. Little eye contact also signals a person is uncomfortable.
Information compiled by Shreya Gurumurthy, Alli Wigham, Becca Foley
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 23 |
Some of season’s newest shows face low viewership and ratings
SHREYA GURUMURTHY web master
Though some shows this season rake up millions of viewers, others drastically fail.
Without a quality screenplay, it seems like many TV shows this season will not return. One such show is The Mysteries of Laura. It is about an NYPD homicide detective trying to juggle her children along with her demanding job. The show airs on NBC at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Though this show has a good storyline, the screenplay is not as impressive. Although meant to be more of a comedy than a crime show, the jokes are pretty dry and the best part seems to
be the investigation. The tempo is a bit slow and the show does not keep the viewer’s attention. Watching one or two episodes is like watching them all, leading me to think that The Mysteries of Laura may not come back for a second season. Another show that has come into the critics’ eyes is NBC’s A to Z, a cliché romantic comedy. Although the jokes are funny, it may be a little too stereotyped. The show plays on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. Overall, the show is not too
bad. Though unoriginal, the casting is good and because it is badly publicized, the comedy’s viewership dropped 25 percent from its first week to 2.4 million viewers. This drop in viewrship leads me to predict that the show will not last long enough to be renewed for a new season. The new FOX show Red Band Society airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and although it is a cute teen drama about cancer patients in the pediatric wing of a hospital, the concept is way overused. Although it may
come off as cute and emotional, it may be too sappy for some. The show is overly emotional and it shows what we have already seen before, just in a TV show format. It only has 3.2 million viewers and a low 1.0 rating from E! I do not see this show lasting a long time. ABC has already canceled the next season of many shows and other networks are starting to do the same. Without good ratings and an increase in viewership, many TV networks will probably follow suit.
New series, seasons show signs of life and promise excitement
ALLI WIGHAM
PHOTO FLCKR.COM
front editor me impressed, I worry if The Walking Dead the writers will be able to launched its fifth season fill the rest of the season premiere Oct. 12, with with the same kind of an episode so intense, it action. The latest episodes, soothed any worries of a which focus on a single lull in the series because it is clear the show is back group of characters, have already seen a decrease and gorier than ever. in the amount of action. Most fans are thrilled However, there has been with the season so far. an impressive showcase of “The season started stunts, such as the flipping strong with one of the of a bus in the Nov. 9 best, if not the best, season premieres I’ve ever episode. These stunts will not be enough to carry the seen. So far, they have impressed me and I hope series. With the promise of they can keep it up,” said adding new characters, or Zack Buccholz (12), an even the threat of taking avid The Walking Dead away the beloved ones, viewer. The Walking Dead will While the amount of action packed into the first always have a way to entice their viewers. three episodes has left
ALEX BARNARD
PHOTO LISTAL.COM
views editor Forever may seem like a the only person that generic criminal detective knows Henry’s secret, show at first glance, though the series soon however, ABC’s new show reveals that is not the case. is much more than what Along with Morgan meets the eye. trying to figure out The series follows a his own mystery, he 200-year-old man, Dr. assists NYPD detective Henry Morgan played by Jo Martinez in solving actor Ioan Gruffudd, a murder mysteries that medical examiner in New have the feel of a Sherlock York City hoping to unlock Holmes story. the curse of his apparent Morgan solves many of immortality. When the mysteries by using his Morgan dies, he awakens experiences in the past and in New York City’s applies it to the present. Hudson River, naked and Forever has great in the water. potential, due to actor Morgan’s friend, Abe, Ioan Gruffudd’s likeable played by actor Judd character qualities and Hirsch, owner of an insightful knowledge of antique shop in Lower the past from skills he has Manhattan, is seemingly honed over 200 years.
RYAN MILLER
PHOTO WIKIMEDIA.COM
staff writer Scorpion was originally and her position on the just four geniuses that team is to teach these fixed routers for a living, geniuses how to be normal but after a crisis at LAX and interact in society. airport in the first episode, Scorpion is, by far, my they are commissioned to favorite new show this fall be a high-profile problem- for a few main reasons, solving team by the one being that this show government. shows a great deal of This team also includes problem solving. a waitress with a child The team’s situation can who is thought to have often be characterized special needs, but really is by the phrase out of the a genius; the four original “frying pan and into the members of Scorpion fire,” because they often quickly realize his abilities. face a new life or death Later, the leader of problem directly after the team has difficulty solving one. separating himself from I sincerely hope that this her son when his real show stays on the air, father comes back in the seeing as it has emotional picture. She joins the team appeal and a great during the first episode storyline.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | PAGE 24
Superheroes possess unparalleled coolness SUPERHEROES: THE FACTS
OLIVIA BERNADINE feature editor
When I was asked why superheroes are cool, I had an immediate answer. “Dude,” I wanted to say. “They just are.” .” Unfortunately, that statement does not take up the appropriate amount of space on a page of The Wooster Blade. So, in order to tackle the definition of what makes superheroes cool, I have compiled a list of admirable, sometimes enviable, qualities that a superhero tends to possess. Number one: superheroes have superhuman powers. This statement seems obvious. However, when I contemplate the super abilities that are commonly associated with heroes, I would not mind adopting a few for myself. Number two: superheroes have secret identities, and, might I add, quite unique names. The thrill of leading a secret life has its appeals and also its downfalls. I am not sure I could keep up with the different lives I led. This quality only makes heroes more admirable. They can save one lifetime for fighting crime and the other to lead a semi-normal existence. I can barely lead one life without experiencing exhaustion, much less two. As for their names, how clever one must feel to introduce themselves as Peter Parker, Diane Prince, Clark Kent,
Aurora Monroe or Tony Stark. All those repeating consonants just roll off the tongue with an air of confidence. Then you have the pseudonyms. Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Iron Man… The singular use of the term ‘man’ implies that there is
about most people, but a personalized wardrobe sounds pretty excellent to me. Number four: superheroes nearly always receive a buttkicking before defeating their villains. Any fan of the superhero genre knows that good always defeat evil. Always. But, evil never goes down without a fight. Our hero takes an uppercut to the gut, a left hook to the cheek, a
1. Marvel’s The Avengers is the highest grossing superhero movie of all-time, with lifetime earnings of over $600 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The highest grossing made before 2000 was Batman. 2. According to Geeks of Doom, it would take the fictional character Peter Parker (Spiderman) 49,923 years to earn the same amount of money that his movies have grossed, which stands at over $2 billion, with his occupation as a freelance photographer. 3. IGN ranked Superman as the greatest hero of all-time in their “Top 100 Comic Book Heroes” list. The list was based on factors such as cultural impact, character development and social relevance. 4. The most popular animated superhero movie of all-time is The Incredibles. According to Box Office Mojo, this movie has lifetime earnings of over $260 million, putting it in 13th place among all superhero movies.
Copy Compiled by Luke Wiest
only one, and will only ever be one, super…well man, or whatever adjective you choose to describe him/her with. These are only the earthly population of names. There is Thor, a god from Asgard and Superman’s given name, KalEl, both originating from other worlds. I have never heard names as unique as these and wish I was as creative as those boys’ parents. Number three: superheroes wear costumes. I do not know
roundhouse kick to the temple. Around that time of the beating, any human, super or otherwise, is slumped on the ground. This defeat is when the audience is at the edge of their seats, praying a director has not prepared a plot twist in which evil finally prevails. Our hero eventually draws himself (or herself) back to his or her feet and conquers whatever evil he or she was battling. *Whew.* That was a close one. Good has seized the day once again, saving any civilians that may have been subject to evil’s horrors a mere moment ago; there is no need to fear. The list of superhero coolness could go on. However, the restraints that come within the margins of The Wooster Blade prevent me from continuing my admirations. All I have left to say when someone is questioning my awe of the coolness of a hero is, “Dude, they just are.”
The rise of superhero culture spills over to television shows TATUMN MCGREW staff writer
Along with the rise in popularity of “binge-watching” TV programs on Netflix and Hulu, a rise in TV shows based on comic books has been noted. Recently channels such as the CW and ABC have aired shows like Arrow, Gotham, The Flash and S.H.I.E.L.D, also channels such as AMC has aired The Walking Dead since 2010 and it is based on the comic book series that follows the same name. According to IMDB.com, in 1952 ABC aired Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves as Clark Kent, and in 1966 ABC aired Batman starring Adam West as Bruce Wayne, and these were the first superhero TV shows. Although comic book based features in the past have typically been in the form of movies, including, The Dark Knight, Daredevil, Green Hornet, X-Men, etc., now the rise of TV shows based on
comic books are high and are well received among the public. As well as the output of superhero based shows, people have now been dipping into the paper version of comic books according to a NY Times article “Comics Sales Rise, in Paper and Pixels,” the comic book sales in 2013 was $870 million, and in 2012, was $635 million. The growing number of people who view superhero movies and TV shows contribute to the rise in popularity of said programs. Two major comic book companies are Marvel and DC comics, with shining stars such as the Avengers, Superman and Batman, have been major production points for movie companies. The highest grossing superhero movie currently is Marvel’s the Avengers with a total of $623,357,910 and is only third in the All-Time USA Box Office according to IMDB. com, behind Avatar with $760,505,847 and Titanic with $658,672,302 and ahead of The Dark Knight with $533,316,061.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 25 |
Groundbreaking science-fiction Interstellar leaves viewers... ... with respect for those involved with the project
... awestruck by the visual beauty of Nolan’s film
JACK REYNOLDS
co-editor-in-chief Interstellar, the ninth feature-film by director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception), and follows suit with Nolan’s prior films featuring immense settings and a triumphant score by Hans Zimmer (Inception, Rain Man). Interstellar takes place some time in the future, where blight has destroyed most of Earth’s organic food. A lone farmer, who is also a trained NASA pilot and engineer, is tasked by the now topsecret NASA to find a planet for the human race to populate. In order to find a new home planet, the explorers must travel to another galaxy. Problems arise when the travelers realize that this journey could take hundreds of years and they may never see their loved ones again. They must ask themselves whether the lives of those they love or the safety of humanity should take precedent. I will agree with the masses that this movie is an incredible project and I must commend Nolan for taking this on, given its unpopular subject matter. However, Nolan utilizes Nolan-esque clichés that prevent it from reaching its potential. Nolan and Zimmer have had a long and prosperous career together; however, in recent Nolan films, Zimmer’s score has become a character in and of itself. The soundtrack can be so loud and in the viewer’s face that it overshadows the dialogue of the moment. I cannot argue with the fact that Zimmer puts all of the emotion he can into his music, but, at times, it just seems to be too overwhelming. I also had a problem with the characters of this movie. Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club, Mud) plays our farming, engineering, pilot hero who must make the tough decision of seeing his children again or saving mankind. McConaughey seems to play the only character who has true development. The other actors play characters that make completely illogical decisions and are just there to contribute to one scene. Looking past flaws that seem obvious, Interstellar is doubtlessly groundbreaking. It focuses on subject matter that most directors and actors would be afraid to pursue. I have gained respect for all those who took on this movie, thus I recommend it to anyone for its pure ambition and thought-provoking plot.
MICHAEL O’DONNELL a&e editor
Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Interstellar, is an ambitious project, both conceptually and visually. Interstellar sees Cooper, a corn farmer played by Matthew McConaughey, and Dr. Brand, a physicist played by Anne Hathaway, travelling to the depths of the universe to find a planet to potentially sustain CAIN LANKER human life. Joined by a large rectangular robot named TARS, the pair faces giant tidal waves, a planet of ice and a black hole. With a run time of 169 minutes, Interstellar is certainly a large investment of time, time constantly filled with new visuals The wow factor of Nolan’s vision of the universe cannot be overstated; Interstellar is a beautiful film. Showing the beauty of the vast emptiness of space, Nolan easily portrays the small role of humanity as compared to the rest of the Universe. That being said, his film also shows the ambition of humanity and the lengths it will go to in order to survive. Interstellar portrays the theme of love of family as a force for humanity’s survival and then willingly turns that idea on its head when it is convenient for the movie. Therein lies my major reservation about the film; the themes sometimes trip over each other or themselves as they reach the audience. ***SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT, DO NOT READ UNTIL THE ASTERISKS IF YOU HAVE YET TO WATCH THIS FILM. Nolan builds up the story to be about Cooper making a choice between seeing his family one last time or saving the future of humanity and then demolishes the idea of sacrifice as a theme when no choice has to be made and everything turns out happily anyway. It would have been more cathartic for the viewer had Cooper made a choice that did not somehow turn out well through the magic of plot armor. The only real sacrifices were made by characters to whom the audience has little or no attachment. ***Less importantly, but related to the previous idea, Nolan sacrifices realistic characterization for the sake of plot development. Though the main leads are generally very well-written and well-acted, some of the supporting roles are less so. Despite my slight misgivings about Interstellar, I highly recommend it.
Gyllenhaal’s performance secures Nightcrawler as one of year’s better films
BEN SNODDY a&e editor
The movie Nightcrawler, directed by Dan Gilroy, offers a unique perspective on the state of modern media and the wave of sensationalist news that has infected the United States. Intriguing, refreshing and
interesting are the words that dominate my thoughts when I think of this movie. While it was not my favorite film of the year, the commentaries offered by the film, paired with the driving action and suspense did in fact hold my attention throughout the entirety of the movie. This film follows the character of Louis Bloom, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal (Prisoners, Source Code) as his ambition and sociopathic tendencies lead him to become successful in the world of freelance journalism. After realizing that freelance journalists can make a good amount of money by simply
being the first ones to the scene, he decides to abandon his old career of thievery and embark on a new journey, in which he aspires to be the most successful Nightcrawler (an independent journalist that covers crime at night) in Los Angeles. Gyllenhaal’s performance in this film is quite good, depicting a chillingly detached sociopath who will eliminate anyone and anything that stands between him and the goals he sets for himself. On one hand, his character is inspiring, showing how ambition and persistence results in success. But, on the
other hand, his lack of empathy and indifference to human suffering and death is haunting and makes the audience question his protagonism. Perhaps the most thoughtprovoking aspect of the film is the commentary it provides on the state of the media, particularly TV news. Characters are motivated to twist the facts of stories, leave out information and even stoop to illegal activities all in the name of receiving the highest possible viewer ratings. Nightcrawler shows that TV news is not always a good representation of reality, and individuals should not be so
quick to trust what they see. Overall, I think this is a decent movie. At its best, its meaning goes deeper than face value, offering valuable commentary from which viewers can learn. While watching Nightcrawler, I found myself to be more interested with the subject matter of the film, rather than being compelled by the actual events that take place. That being said, I think the thought-provoking premise of the movie, as well as Gyllenhaal’s solid performance, are enough to ensure it’s place as one of the better films of the year.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | PAGE 26 |
Performers prepare for biannual ballet, The Nutcracker JACK REYNOLDS
co-editor-in-chief Every other year, Wayne Center for the Arts performs the classical story of The Nutcracker. On Dec. 5 through Dec. 7, Wayne Center for the Arts will be putting on this ballet once again. The Nutcracker is a ballet originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with an original score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Based off the story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, by E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker Ballet was originally performed in 1892 in St. Petersburg. Ninety-eight years after its original showing in St. Petersburg, the Wayne Center for the Arts began performing it biannually in 1990. Most of the dancers performing in The Nutcracker
have grown up telling this story. For Elise Weiland (11), this will be her seventh and final nutcracker performance. Weiland will also be playing the lead as Clara. “This is my last nutcracker, and I’m probably going to cry because of it. Playing Clara, I want to put on a great show for everyone that comes; not that we haven’t in years past, I just feel more responsibility to,” Weiland said. Along with Weiland, Sarah Daugherty (9) will be appearing in her fourth nutcracker ballet. “For me, The Nutcracker is special because it only happens once every other year and it just seems to have a special meaning for the dancers and audience members that keep coming back,” Daugherty said. Daugherty draws inspiration from her fellow dancers for this nutcracker performance. “I want to make this
nutcracker great for not only the audience, but also for the older dancers. For some of them, this is their nutcracker, like Elise,” Daugherty said. Similar to most performances, not only dancers must be working hard, but also the efforts of those behind the scenes are required for this show to be great. Tricia Meyer, choreographer, is working diligently to make this nutcracker great. “The nutcracker is a classic, a majority of the people involved with this performance have danced in the show growing up,” Meyer said. As a former dancer in The Nutcracker, Meyer looks forward to certain scenes in this ballet. “The snow scene is beautiful to me. We have bags of snow that fall and it’s just all white. I’m really looking forward to that scene. It’ll turn out really well,” Meyer said.
WHS Speech & Debate team gives back six square foot size limit. The tree will be auctioned off front editor today, along with hundreds of other trees and wreathes, The officers of the Speech and all of the money and Debate team kicked raised will be donated off the holiday season by to Akron Children’s decorating a Christmas Hospital. tree at the 33 annual “This team has been Holiday Tree Festival given so much by the to raise money community and for Akron we wanted to find Children’s a way to give Hospital on Nov. something back. 18. The Holiday The officers Tree Festival is donated a the perfect Christmas opportunity,” tree, along Bill Franck, with all head coach, of the said. The officers chose a theme decorations Photo Courtesy of www.freechristmaswallpapers.com for their tree, needed for “Christmas, donning the tree with joy. The students Sweet, Christmas.” “We got to incorporate a lot spent one day decorating the tree and had to keep it within a of sweets into our design,
ALLI WIGHAM
which was a lot of fun,” Brooke Hemphill, co-vice president of the Speech and Debate team, said. Franck has a personal connection with the Akron Children’s Hospital. His son, Mason, spent 31 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Akron Children’s Hospital after being born prematurely. “The staff was so kind and helpful during this experience. It really made a difference and I can’t begin to say how thankful I am for that,” Franck said. According to akronchildrens. org, the 2013 Holiday Tree Festival raised $262,000 to add to the $4.7 million that the festival has raised over the past three decades. Franck plans on continuing the Speech and Debate team’s involvement with the Holiday Tree Festival and hopes to make it tradition at WHS for students in the future.
CAIN LANKER
Girls practice at the Wayne Center for the Arts for the ballet The Nutcracker which will open on Dec. 5 in the High-School PAC. Showtimes for the Wayne Center for the Arts are Dec. 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased over the phone or at the Wayne Center for the Arts. Ticket prices range from $20 to $15.
WHS Orchestra speaks The WHS orchestra performed at the Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference on Nov. 11 in Columbus. [Quotes compiled by Hanna Morgan] “Our performance at the conference was very impressive. Mr. Adams definitely prepared us very well for the trip.” -Valerie Anderson (10) “Playing for an audience outside our own community makes this even more evident. A side benefit is that we get to meet new people and share our talents with people we have never met,” -Dan Adams (Director) “Playing at the OSBA Conference was a really unique opportunity for our orchestra. Playing up on the stage with hundreds of educators watching was a cool experience. -Ben Snoddy (12) “We worked very hard and practiced every single day to improve. I think that was shown in our performance, since we did very well.” -Alyssa Leach (10)
TRENDS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV 21, 2014 | PAGE 27
Black Friday shows promise
PAIGE CLAYTON managing editor
Cosmetics Clothes
This was an informal poll conducted by Claire Lanham the week of November 3 to 150 students in various classrooms
Beginning with the first Macy’s Day Parade in 1924, Black Friday has often been considered the busiest shopping holiday of the year in America. The term “Black Friday” began in the 1960s in reference to the accounting records being
ing they would open at midnight. A new term “Gray Thursday” has evolved because of stores opening on Thanksgiving Day. According to cnn.com, a record breaking 59.1 billion was spent over the 2013 Thanksgiving weekend and this amount is predicted to increase another five percent for this coming shopping season.
Shoes
Sales at Home Depot will include a Samsung French door refrigerator in stainless steel for $998, a Whirpool top load washer for $349 and a Hoover turbo scrub carpet washer for $98.
Utilities
Sam’s Club will include over 100 products on sale. These products include a 55-inch Hitachi LED TV for $468, a 60-inch LG LCD TV for $648 and $100 off the 16GB iPad Air.
Cosmetics
trends editor
kept by hand, red ink indicating loss and black indicating profit. Once store owners discovered they could bring large groups in by discounting their items, Black Friday grew to an even larger scale. Originally, stores opened at 6 a.m., but now open as early as 4 or 5 a.m.. By 2011, Walmart changed the game by announc-
Clothes
What’s best to buy?
Black Friday evolves through the ages CLAIRE LANHAM
Utilities Shoes
Express is discounting 40 percent off select jewelry, women’s tops are expected to be buy one, get one for $14.90 and men’s hoodies will be buy one, get one 50 percent off.
Black Friday turns violent GAELAN GATZ on campus editor
Technology
Technology
In today’s society, full of materialistic nature and consumerism, we, as a culture, have managed to create a holiday of sorts solely based off shopping: Black Friday. Black Friday, held the day after Thanksgiving, is the first official day of the Christmas shopping season. With doorbusters and extravagant sales, one can almost not afford to miss the occasion. When I was younger, I remember having to spend the day with dad, more often than not watching the English Premiere League and eating the vast amount of leftovers from the day before. When I got to the age of about nine, I began to question why my mom was always missing on this day, leaving at the break of dawn and returning in the afternoon, only to head back to bed for financial and mental recovery. I was told mom was having a meeting with Santa Claus. Finally, once I began to realize what my mom was
actually doing on such a day, I was enthralled by the idea of an entire day dedicated to shopping. With good behavior, and promising not to spoil anyone’s gifts, I was allowed to enjoy the adventurous day with my mom. Now, several years later, I am able to participate in the day by myself. And, having my own bank account and responsibility for buying presents for my family and friends, Black Friday has become a necessary day for my Christmas shopping to-do list. Working part-time, I, as most students my age, am not exactly rolling in cash. And, as we all know, Christmas is extremely expensive. Even the highest of economic standing often have a problem filling Santa sacks as much as they would like to. At the end of the day, the financial balance of most middle-class Americans, pertaining to Christmas time, depends on the sales of Black Friday. Although critics complain of the loss of Thanksgiving significance, with sales beginning at 10 p.m. that evening, the Black Friday festivities have become a tradition all their own and should be held to such standards. Overall, when looking at the economic and traditional aspects of the holiday, Black Friday is most definitely worth the early morning Starbucks run and food coma that comes from the day previous.
What do you most often buy on Black Friday?
Apple’s iPhone 6 will be expected to be discounted 50 percent by carriers such as Best Buy and Verizon. Amazon is having a three-week-long “Countdown to Black Friday” sales event. Every day until Black Friday, Amazon will be discounting items. During this threeweek period, some of the sales include up to 50 percent off on tool items, 70 percent off Cuisinart cookware, and 35 percent off green toys.
Sears will be marking down Kenmore, Samsung and Craftsman appliances. Kenmore’s electric dryer will be marked down to $349. The Samsung Galaxy tablet will be priced $399 and Craftsman will be selling a 26 piece wrench set for $37.
Blurbs compiled by Stefi Hernadez
As Thanksgiving approaches, so does the infamous Black Friday blowout sales that takes place all over the country and the barbaric savagery that shoppers get to release once a year. Black Friday advertisements are resurfacing once again, but do not let the negligible savings fool you, 10 percent off your favorite toaster is not worth a potentially violent encounter. The sheer number of individuals who crowd around stores for discounted prices on that dreadful night have caused some appalling tragedies in past years. According to Kevin Short, writer for The Huffington Post on 11/26/13, demand simply outweighs the limited supply, and the race to get a Walmart parking space in 2012 ended in two people being shot. Short also cites examples of a woman using mace on fellow shoppers and a man flashing a concealed gun as a threat to a line jumper . For all of the intentional acts of violence, there are many tragic accidents as well. According to David Ellis of CNN on 11/28/2008, 34-yearold employee Jdimytai Damour was trampled to death in a New York Walmart on Black Friday as the doors opened and customers flooded into the store. Tara Kelly of The Huffington Post writes on 11/27/11 that Walter Vance, a 61-year-old pharmacist, died in the hospital after he collapsed in a Target store and everyone around him was too preoccupied with shopping to provide any assistance. Shoppers were simply stepping over his body and continuing on their way. If you decide to go Black Friday shopping this year, be weary that a fist fight over a discounted waffle iron is moments away at any point.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | TRENDS | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 28
The Colbert Report
Earlier this year, Comedy Central announced the popular late night satirical program called The Colbert Report is coming to an end toward the closing of 2014, on Dec. 18. According to an article in The Week published on April 10, 2014, after The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert will move on to replace David Letterman on The Late Show.
Top 10
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN DECEMBER
Window Wonderland
Night at the Museum 3
After the beloved Robin Williams passed away, many fans are missing the legendary comedian and actor. However, fans might still get a chance to view his final movie. On Dec. 19, the third installment in the Night at the Museum series will be released in theaters.
Unbroken
On Dec. 25, the movie Unbroken is coming out, which is based on the book by Lauren Hillenbrand. The movie and the book are based on the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who joined the military and was then captured and imprisoned in a Japanese war camp during World War II. The book was the #1 New York Times best seller and is directed by Angelina Jolie.
Window Wonderland will dazzle downtown Wooster tonight, Nov. 21, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Main Street Wooster’s Project Coordinator, Beverly Chrapowicki, shared that throughout the night, there will be music, food, pictures with Santa, shopping and much more.
Blurbs compiled by Shiyuan Wang and Sarah Hopkins Photos courtesy of fair use flickr.com, google.com and Dan Adams
Tuba Christmas
Tuba Christmas is a time around Christmas where a large group of people from the community, including students, play a wide variety of brass instruments ranging from the trombone to the tuba, and perform classical Christmas music for audience members. It will take place Dec. 13 in the Performing Arts Center.
Breakfast with Santa
The Wooster Inn’s annual “Breakfast with Santa” is back again. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Dec 6. Families will have the opportunity to take a picture and have breakfast with Santa. The cost for entry ranges from $15 for each adult to $8 for children three to 10 years old, according to thewoosterinn.com. Space is limited, so tickets need to be bought in advance.
Annie
The family c l a s s i c Annie has been remade a n d is planned to hit theaters Dec. 17. Academy Award nominee, from 2013, Quvenzhané Wallis stars as Annie. With a cast including Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Annie is a movie to watch for.
25 Days of Christmas
Every year ABC Family puts on 25 Christmas movies for each day leading up to Dec. 25 with various classics as an opportunity for families to gather and watch a movie every day. According to the Facebook page of ABC Family, the first movie they are showing is the 1979 version of Jack Frost.
Mockingjay
The first part of the final installment of The Hunger Games will grace Wooster theaters today, according to fandago.com. Mockingjay Part 1 marks the beginning of the end for the movie adaptations of Suzanne Collins’ bestseller series. Wooster’s local Cinemark has a variety of matinee and evening showings throughout the weekend, with adult tickets costing $8.
Pictures with Santa
The Wayne County Public Library will be hosting downtown’s “Pictures with Santa” on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6. According to Barb Landers, the library’s Children’s Department Manager, the picture taking will be held in the library’s conference room from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6. A 4 x 6 picture is $5 and children can also enjoy holiday songs, stories and crafts before or after having their pictures taken.
VIEWS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | PAGE 29
Students lead way to General change
TAYLOR BENNINGTON co-editor-in-chief
By now it should come as no surprise to the staff, faculty and community of WHS that the students, lead by the leaders of the WHS Student Government are serious about changing the culture of our school. Phase two has started-overall rebranding. Our current mascot is a ghost figure of the late Confederate general Robert E. Lee. And, as if him being a racist bigot were not enough, our mascot represents a losing force, a force that could be overcome,
and that is certainly not the message we want to send to our opponents. The WHS Student Government polled the student body and found that a majority of the students were in favor of reverting back to our original general mascot, our city’s namesake and founder, Revolutionary War hero, General David Wooster. Our new mascot, as featured in this issue of The Wooster Blade, is one that represents the interests of the entire student population. Leaders from various sports teams, clubs and interests groups in our high school came and spoke on behalf of their organizations and offered input as to what our new mascot should look like. This truly is Wooster’s general. Yet, as with any change comes push back. We have been asked “why now” or “are you just changing things for change?”
Let me make something very clear: I did not get elected as student body president to take the back seat and let my predecessors’ apathetic positions define the way I intend to lead the student body. I care about this school, our student government executive team cares about this school, and we will work to make sure every student feels welcome at WHS. That can not be done without a change in culture. Together, we will achieve a change of culture, but it is not a process that will be done at the end of my administration, nor can it only be supported by the student government. This movement is going to take years for students to get invested in and will require the support of student athletes, clubs, staff, faculty and administration. But together, this dream can become reality.
reflection on myself required for completing my application has helped me better understand my values and my direction while in high school and throughout my life. While the end goal of an application to a college or university is admittance, I have learned more about my high school experiences and the things about which I am passionate. This process has allowed me to look back on the hours I have spent in class, playing sports and spending time with friends during high school and has helped me realize how I want to use that to move on to the next phase of my life. In many ways, a college application represents the beginning of the transition into adulthood and independence, allowing me, for the first time,
to shape a decision that will affect me for the rest of my life. As an underclassman, I was afraid to even begin thinking about which college I would apply to and hopefully attend. Underclassman thinking about college should take time to reflect on their high school experiences so far and find their passions rather than being apprehensive about how an activity will affect their application odds. I think high school students should see an application and the college admissions process as a challenge to find and show the best in themselves rather than just seeing it as an ordeal. When I hear back from colleges in December and March, I hope I will remember how far I have come to reach this point and how far I still can go.
Senior reflects on application proccess
HAN MAHLE
webmaster The college application process is one of the most stressful and fulfilling parts of a senior’s year of high school. Filling out minute details about my life and compressing my high school experience into small blurbs is an emotionally and psychologically draining exercise. However, I have realized that the introspection and
ALEX HASAPIS
Officer Ken Linz and officer William Belcher patrol the hallways at Wooster High School, after a threatening letter was found off campus.
Our Opinion:
Administration reacts well in midst of threat On Nov. 13, the Wooster Police Dept. discovered a note with threatening intent to the Wooster City School District and its students. Superintendent and CEO of WCSD Dr. Michael Tefs and Chief of Police Matthew Fischer decided that the nature of this note was credible enough to close the entire district on Nov. 14 for the overall safety of the students and faculty of WCSD. Shortly after this decision, all buildings were evacuated so the Wooster Police Department and the WCSD could work together effectively to investigate this threat. Throughout this entire ordeal, families were kept up to date with posts on the WCSD website, phone blasts and tweets. Often, it feels as if students are the last ones to be considered when a major decision in the district is made, but this stereotype was put to bed after the district’s response to this event. The Wooster Blade Editorial
Board finds the comments and justification behind closing the district reassuring. Dr. Michael Tefs has often been quoted, even in a recent phone blast, saying “our students are our number one priority” and this was truly exemplified during this strenuous time. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes the leaders of the WCSD went above and beyond what they were required to do in keeping the public updated and emitting a general sense of safety by utilizing social media, the phone blast system and media outlets, it was also a calming thought having the Wooster Police Dept. at weekend events The Wooster Blade Editorial Board would like to thank Dr. Tefs, Principal Tyler Keener, other district and school administrators and the Wooster Police Dept. for exemplary leadership throughout this frightening time.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | Views | PAGE 30
Students dispute the controversy of voter photo ID cards DAVID BURNETT
ERIC BELCIK
staff writer
The American people have been misled by swindling politicians for years, and the case being made on Capitol Hill by leftist Democrats against VoterID laws, is another example of Washington bamboozlement. The average American often hears accusations that minority voters are abused within a VoterID system, but that claim can not be further from the truth. First, a simple VoterID system would be impossible to manipulate and gear toward disenfranchising voters. A national database for the registration of voters that works to produce a standard ID would help to eliminate the type of fraud seen in the Acorn scandal of the mid 2000s. Furthermore, I firmly believe the United States should move toward creating a standard national ID for all legal adults. Nations like Israel, Germany, Russia, Luxembourg, Spain, Thailand and the Netherlands all have a compulsory ID that is carried at all times and used in voting. A national ID that could be used for voting also helps to eliminate the serious issue of voter fraud. According to a 2012 Washington Post survey, 74 percent of Americans favor voter identification reform. This reform would help to eliminate the 160 counties and 19 states in the United States with over 100 percent voter registration that were cited in a 2013 National Review report. In fact, the same National Review study found that there were 1.8 million dead voters still eligible on voter rolls across the United States in the 2012 Presidential election. I am proud to say that I am a Democrat, but I am ashamed by the hyper-liberal function of the party that stamps the good Democrat name on their pipe-dream policies. In short, Lyndon Johnson and Bill Clinton have been replaced by Bernie Sanders and Al Sharpton. When it comes to VoterID laws, the American people have a tremendous opportunity to send a message to the opponents of true liberty. We must guarantee the right to vote to every eligible American and ensure that our elections run as fairly and efficiently as possible. Voter ID laws have worked around the world and will clean up the mess we have with our electorate. Freedom and fairness should still be valued in our weary and hypersensitive nation.
Facts and history of voter photo ID laws across the United States Sources: ACLU.org, National Conference of State Legislature.com
sports editor
Voter ID laws are blatantly discriminatory toward minorities and are actually counterproductive in terms of preventing voter fraud. First, let us discuss how they are counterproductive in accomplishing their main goal, stopping voter fraud. The Supreme Court of The United States’ decision, 2008 decision in the case, Crawford v. Marion County Board of Elections, set the precedent that as long as measures prevented more voter fraud than disenfranchised legitimate voters, then it was constitutional. With that in mind, Justin Levitt from The Brennan Centre for Justice, found in 2007, that there were 11 proven cases of voter fraud in Wisconsin, eight in New Jersey and six in Missouri. These examples of fraud amounted to fraud rates of 0.0006 percent, 0.0004 percent and 0.0003 percent respectively. Levitt furthers that all of these proven cases of voter fraud were not stoppable with voter ID laws which target in-person voter fraud, but because most voter fraud is absentee ballot fraud. Currently, voter ID laws are not meeting the first requirement of the Supreme Court because they do not decrease voter fraud at all. Now, let us see just how discriminatory they really are. Matt Barreto, professor of political science at the University of Washington found that in 2007 whites were 10 percent more likely than nonwhites to have a primary form of ID. CBS News puts this statistic in perspective in an article titled “Study: Voter ID Law Would Exclude up to 700,000 Young Minorities,” on Sept. 12, 2012, by saying, “the laws could turn 170,000 to 475,000 Blacks, 68,000 to 250,000 Latinos, and 15,400 to 55,100 other nonwhites away from the polls.” These voter ID laws are disproportionately affecting the minorities and they do not actually stop voter fraud. A national ID would not be a guaranteed fix to voter fraud, because it has not been implemented yet in a country of our size, and states that have required an ID still have voter fraud issues. It is very clear that these Voter ID laws do not meet the precedent set by The Supreme Court and, therefore, are very much unconstitutional.
There are 34 states that require citizens to present a valid form of identification to vote in federal, state and local elections. The other 16 states require no such ID.
Acceptable forms of identification to vote in Ohio include: an unexpired Ohio driver’s license, military ID, original copy of current utility bill, original copy of current government check, current paycheck or an original copy of a current government document.
Twenty-one million Americans, who are eligible to vote, do not have the proper government issued photo identification.
In 2006, the state of Indiana became the first state to enact a strict photo identification law, a law that was deemed constitutional two years later by the U.S. Supreme Court.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | VIEWS | PAGE 31
Future hampered by amount of college debt
STEPHEN KRIDEL views editor
Throughout primary and secondary education, students are told that a college education is imperative to make it in the increasingly restrictive job market, but is college even worth the cost and effort? For those who are not lucky enough to receive scholarships or win the lottery, college may be too pricey for its worth. Tuition is the main factor that prevents potential college graduates from ever entering a university. It is also a main factor that weighs college graduates down for years after graduation. According to, “State by State Data” by The Institute for College Access and Success, 71 percent of last year’s college graduates are leaving college with an average $29,400 of debt. The scariest fact is not the amount of debt this year’s college graduates have, but the amount of debt next year’s graduates will. That $29,400 of debt is rising
at 6 percent every year since 2008, and from 2008 to 2012, graduates of public universities have seen a 25 percent increase in what they owe, according to, “Quick Facts about Student Debt” by The Institute for College Access and Success. Vocational schools and fouryear colleges are the two main options for students wanting to further their education. Vocational schools are two-year technical institutes that allow a student to develop skills in a trade for less money. The average debt accrued by vocational graduates is, on average, about $19,400 less than getting a four-year degree, according to, “The Average College Debt” by collegescholarships.org. Vocational schooling is a good middle ground. It is cheaper than most four-year colleges and it offers practical trade skills that are needed in the workforce. Of the two options, college or vocational schooling, the latter is exponentially better in relation to the small pricetag. College is all about preference and money. As the education gets more advanced, graduates take the gamble of accruing too much student debt and not being able to find a job. However, a better degree tends to earn more money. In time, more potential fouryear graduates are going to go the vocational path as student loan debt continues to rise, and the student debt crisis will slowly dissipate.
6%: Annual rise in college debt 25%: Debt from public universities from
2008-2012 $19,400: Average vocational debt
Average College Debt
$29,400 Per Year
Average Public Tuition
$14,292 Per Year
Average Private Tuition
$33,047 Per Year
Most Expensive University
Columbia $51,008 Per Year
Sources: Average College Debt, Project on Student Debt Average Public and Private Tuition , National Center for Education Statistics Most Expensive University, US News By the Numbers compiled by Ryan Miller
College proves to be vital asset to many
This average is up from 89 percent five years earlier. Most arguments against higher education point to unemployment of recent graduates and loan debt as reasons to not attend college. Most of these claims are actually exaggerated. The unemployment rates of recent college graduates is a mere 2.9 percent, while the average LUKE WIEST student loan debt is only sports editor $25,000, only a fraction of the overall economic benefit of a As college students today college degree, according to face many obstacles and “Trends in Higher Education” struggles in paying for their education, some are asking if a data from the College Board. In fact, choosing to go to college education is still worth college can be a positive the cost. The overwhelming answer to economic decision. According to David Autor in the article that question is yes, college is “Skills, education, and the still worth the cost. rise of earnings inequality A main concern of new college graduates is salary after among the ‘other 99 percent,’” published on May 23, 2014, college, as the average cost of higher education and loan debt for Science Magazine, ” the actual “cost” of going to college increases. is negative $500,000, or in But, new information shows other words, choosing to go to the pay gap between college college will make a student, on graduates and non-graduates average, half a million dollars has reached a record high. more than if you did not. New data from the U.S. Of course, all of this data Labor Department suggests is dependent on a student that Americans with fouractually graduating from year college degrees made college. 98 percent more an hour, on If students are willing to average, in 2013 than people without a degree, according to navigate the initial negative economic impact of college the article “Is College Worth and earn a degree, they will it? Clearly, New Data Say,” by eventually find that college is, David Leonhardt in the New in fact, worth it. York Times on May 27, 2014.
2.9%: Unemployment rate of college graduates.
98%: Amount more per hour college graduates make compare to those without.
$500,000: Amount more college graduates earn in their lifetime.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 21, 2014 | Views | PAGE 32
News outlets spread unnecessary fear of the Ebola virus
SHIYUAN WANG
Focus editor According to the ABC News article called “Ebola: A Crash Course in Fear and
How it Hurts Us,” more Americans have been married to Kim Kardashian than have contracted Ebola and died from it. These days, whenever I turn on the television to look at the news, I see people spreading panic about ebola in the United States and, as a result, making light of the real issue at heart; the fact that over 4000 people have died from this deadly virus in West Africa and that there is a lack of resources necessary to contain the virus.
Instead, so many media outlets have turned to fearmongering to instill a sort of paranoia into the public. This kind of irrational fear spreading through the American public has been dubbed “fearbola.” This fear trumps the actual dangers of the virus in the United States, which is very little. The Ebola virus only spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, such as sweat or urine, and it
is highly unlikely that being on the same plane as a victim would infect a person. “Fearbola” has led to schools being closed, which recently just happened in Solon’s middle school and has led to hospital employees being shunned as well for being in the same vicinity as a victim. According to a CNN article titled, “Fear-bola hits epic proportions,” Navarro College has rejected every single student application from Nigeria, even though Nigeria
is very close to being declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization. “Fearbola” leads to its own kind of discrimination against people, and politicians have also used this mass paranoia to their own advantage to win extra votes in the midterms. I am not, in any way, making light of this virus and how devastating its effects truly are to the thousands of people that have died from this disease in Africa, I am simply stating that this mass fear is not helping .
With the increasing amounts of standardized testing implemented into today’s education system, members of The Wooster Blade Editorial Board have found the everyday environment of schooling to be dangerously similar to that of a corporate enterprise. Throughout the United States, standardized testing and the “teaching toward the test” method have developed an overwhelmingly negative connotation. With that being said, members of The Wooster Blade Editorial Board feel the value of a true education is being lost in the minefield of numbers and scores. Under current academic standards, students are viewed as statistics rather than people striving for knowledge. In recent events, students as young as the elementary school level have become subject to the torment of an overpowering education. In Lake County, Fla., recess was abolished at the elementary schools level. School officials believed the banning of recess would increase student attention. Classes have become more
interactive, districts claim, and students are no longer in need of the external activity. According to an article by Elyssa Cherney in the Orlando Sentinel, protesting parents were able to earn their children back 60 minutes of recess over the course of an entire week. Although the action of
because of this change. Actions like this have caused us to form the stance that schools in today’s society have become similar to the stances of corporate America, and schools are being run like businesses. As a result of such behavior, high school seniors in Denver, Colorado recently refused to participate in standardized testing. Actions such as these prove the student population has become frustrated with the business like actions of today’s education system. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes the regulations the educational system has should be changed. Education should focus on the prosperity of student life and aiding students on life after school. However, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board recognizes the immense efforts, faculty and staff, and funding it takes to run a district. That being said, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board would like to solidify their stance that in the business of the educational system, the education, itself, is the most important aspect.
Students frustrated by Education shifting from student improper word choice success to district prosperity
ALEX HASAPIS business manager
MATT FRIEDHOFF
staff writer For some time, the persistent use of the word “gay” in and around WHS has become both upsetting and worrisome. The word “gay” has become ingrained in the vocabulary of the WHS population so deeply that it has become a part of daily conversation, despite the attention being brought to the offensive connotation of the word. It should be common knowledge in today’s society that the word “gay” has never been an insult and should not be used as such. However, many students and faculty at WHS choose to ignore the implications of their choice in words on a consistent basis, by constantly using the diction “gay”
incorrectly. Every day, throughout the school, the word “gay” is used by these individuals to make fun of everything from inanimate objects to other human beings. Whether or not these individuals intend to use the word maliciously, it needs to be known and understood that “gay” is not synonymous with “bad,” “lesser” or other such terminology. Merriam-Webster.com defines the word “gay” as “happily excited” or “homosexual.” The use of the word in any other sense should not be tolerated by anyone because of its offensive connotation. “Gay” is not the only word being used in an unethical manner; the high school needs to eliminate all offensive language from its vocabulary, including the words “retarded,” “jew” and “faggot.” There are entire dictionaries filled with adjectives that have more powerful and appropriate meanings, so we need to make the effort to utilize these adjectives, and remove the offensive and hurtful words from our list of insults and descriptors.
Under current academic standards, students are viewed as statistics rather than people striving for knowledge. banning recess may seem harmless, depriving students of a healthy physical outlet for the school’s statistical benefit has caused The Wooster Blade Editorial Board to call into question the value of education. In an earlier article by Cherney, instances of student academic achievement decline and mental stress have been evident in Lake County