THE WOOSTER BLADE
WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER • 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH • NOV. 13, 2015 • VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 5
Amy Maier (Preschool) “Vet”
Adam Frank (9) “Engineer”
Cassidy Sims (7) “Doctor” Miriam Stokes (Foreign Language Dept.) “walmart greeter in Mexico”
Andrew Bratcher (Associate Principal) “Iron Man” Bella Canas (Preschool) “Doctor”
Lauren Stiles (Allegheny College) “Art Therapist”
Savya Sharma (1) “Dentist”
When I grow up: Community members and students share their goals and aspirations
Anthony Norton (1) “Doctor”
Vivir en España
Saber Stell (Preschool) “Basketball player” Chris Matthew (Foreign Language Dept.) “Vivir en España”
Ashley Schroer (5) “Electrical Engineer”
Brianna Baughman (1) “Dentist”
Kendall Rising (1) “Teacher”
INDEX
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 2
on campus
sports
22-25
front section
Ella Scott (1) “Denist”
3-5
feature 10-13
1-2
a&e
Scout RakosikKarr (Preschool) “Princess”
14-15, 20-21
views
26-28
29-32 Photos on front and index by: Mary Grace Gorman, Megan Buss, Hannah Knapic, Bree Flinn-Johnson, Casey Baik, Claire Lanham and Maggie Flechler.
CORPORATE SPONSORS We would like to thank all of our
supporters for the 2015-2016 school year.
Corporate $250
16-19
6-9
trends Graphics made by: Spencer Dilyard and Shreya Gurumurthy
cover
focus
BCI Buckeye Division Bogner Construction Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnson Ltd. D&S Distribution Franklin Gas and Oil Gionino’s Seaman Corporation Swigart-Braunscheidel Insurance The Pines Golf Club Wooster Glass
Lauren Crum (7) “Interior Designer”
Ava Scott (1) “Mail carrier”
Blue $500
Dyer, Roche & Co. Freeman Building System Metals USA Pine Tree Barn The Western Reserve Group
ON CAMPUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 3
Drama Club cast and crew produce the musical Godspell
Grady Suggs (12) and Jaryn Lindenmuth (12) rehearse a scene from Godspell.
Parker Suggs (10) has fun with his fellow cast members on the set of Godspell.
Parker Suggs (10), Grady Suggs (12), Hope Kennedy (10), Aaron Cochran (12), Jaryn Lindenmuth (12), Hannah Reikowsky (11), Wil Gastier (11), Isabelle Cannon (11) and Adam Kirk (11) take a break.
“The production of Godspell is going very well, and our cast and crew have learned a lot during this production. There are many different styles of storytelling in our show, and we hope that our audiences enjoy the ways we have chosen to present these messages. People should expect great music, expressive storytelling, and heartwarming laughs,” director Emily Patterson said. The play opened Nov. 11 and will run through Nov. 15. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.
Blurb written by Olivia Sleek. Photos taken by Claire Lanham.
Interact Club begins food drive collection at WHS KATIE WARD staff writer
ng i l w Bo M
GlowFriday 10 P Every
Throughout the week of Nov. 16 until Nov. 20, the Wooster High School Interact Club will be hosting a canned food drive in collaboration with student government. The drive will be open to students, who can donate items to Rotary’s annual Al Van Wie Thanksgiving food drive. The cans will ultimately be delivered to People to People Ministries. Club co-presidents Mary Grace Gorman and Shiyuan Wang are looking to add a creative element to the food drive by incorporating a competition of canned food sculptures, designed to motivate students and faculty alike to contribute more canned foods through friendly competition. Gorman explained the club’s goals for the food drive. “We hope to see people excited about participating in this drive, leading to higher numbers of cans than we have seen in the past,” Gorman said. Gorman added the club will facilitate a competition between students during academic assist in the various departments to form sculptures or structures out of the collected prepackaged foods. Therefore, the more items being brought in, the better the sculptures can be through the competition. Co-president Wang also mentioned, “It is most likely necessary that students need more cans in order to make good sculptures; we’re hoping this will lead to an increase to the number of cans from previous years.” Upon the completion of the canned food drive, Interact also plans on volunteering at area nursing homes each month, as well as sponsoring a local family for Christmas this upcoming holiday season.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 4
WHS Speech and Debate team commences 2015-2016 season Speech events strive for success The speech portion of Wooster High School’s Speech and Debate team is comprised of 40 students in nine separate categories. These students are led by speech coach William Franck and interpretation coach Holly Custer. “The whole speech team is in kind of a rebuilding year. We lost a lot of great seniors last year, a state championship team, but I think we’ll still be successful this year,” Matthew Lorentz (10), duo interpretation division captain, said. The speech team’s next competition is Nov. 14 at Stow High School.
Debate categories expect strength Phil Klein and Andrew Wolf are the coaches for Wooster High School’s debate categories for this season. The debate team has 21 students who compete in four categories: policy debate, Lincoln Douglas debate, congressional debate and public forum debate. The team has competed in three varsity tournaments thus far. “This year they [the debate team] are looking pretty strong actually. We have a lot of novices who are already starting off really well and have the motivation and natural talent to do extremely well this year,” Katie Mount (12), congressional debate division captain, said. The debate’s team next competition is Nov. 14 at Stow.
Defending state champions, the WHS Speech and Debate team has to account for changes in the National Speech and Debate Association and the Ohio High School Speech League this season. According to coach William Franck, the OHSSL changed the name of Oratorical Interpretation to Declamation and Prose Poetry to Program of Oratorical Interpretation. Also, Informative, a category introduced to the OHSSL last year, is now a national qualifying event. As for changes within the team, Franck said, “We’ve kind of got a system that works, and we try not to change it much.” The team has 23 competitions leading up to the NSDA National Tournament in Salt Lake City this June. Matthew Lorentz and Evan Doan, Duo partners, perform a piece entitled, “William Shakespeare’s Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope.”
OHSSL makes changes to categories William Franck, English Dept. member, is the head coach of the WHS Speech and Debate team.
Katie Mount attended the National Speech and Debate tournament last summer in congressional debate.
Blurbs compiled by Stephen Kridel. Graphics by Ryan Miller and Spencer Dilyard. Photos courtesy of William Franck.
Letterman jackets:
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 5
Grady Suggs (12)
Suggs is a familiar face on both the swim team and in the Drama Club and may be best known for his recurring lead roles in several Drama Club productions. After landing the role of Claudio in William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Suggs is currently preparing for the lead role of Jesus Christ in the Drama Club’s latest production of Godspell. Suggs, a seasoned member of the Drama Club, was also a 2015 inductee of the Thespian Society, representing the Wooster High School’s Soc and Buskin Club, Thespian Troupe #339, an honor Suggs accredits as being of what he is most proud of on his letterman jacket. “If I’m most proud of anything it would be my thespian patch. I enjoyed the work I had to do to get it and it was the hardest patch for me to earn,” Suggs said. Upon induction, recipients are each awarded thespian patches and pins. Perspective inductees are inducted into the thespian society based off attaining a set number of hours working both onstage and behind the scenes. Suggs is looking to make the most out of his last few performances as a WHS Drama Club member, as well as remaining an active member in the Thespian Society.
What are students most proud of on their jackets? Kaitlyn Fast (12)
Chris Cannon (11)
Fast has made a name for herself as a talented member of the swimming and diving team. Fast, a three time letter winner in the sport, is most proud of the “3-peat” patch all girls swimming and diving members received, commemorating their sweeping back-to-back domination of both the NEAC and OCC championship swimming and diving meets, for the past three seasons. Fast was awarded a first place finish during the 2015 NEAC meet and earned a place on the district championship team. Fast said she is setting her sights high as she is hoping to qualify to the state swimming and diving meet in February. Looking to dominate the diving boards this season, Fast is also striving to break the school’s diving records.
Cannon spends his days dividing his time among being an athlete on the cross country team, swim team and running track in the spring. Cannon is most proud of his accomplishments in his extracurriculars; however, the patch on his jacket, of which he is most proud, does not come from varsity athletics at all, but rather his commitment toward excellence in the classroom. Cannon is a recipient of an academic letter. “I’m most proud of my academic letter because it took additional effort and because of my commitment to three varsity sports,”Cannon said. Cannon is looking to earn himself yet another place on the honor roll and, eventually, earn another academic letter once the school year concludes.
Letterman jacket achievements Acquiring a letter for a letterman’s jacket depends on how much play time an athlete receives when competing at a varsity level of competition. The more play time people receive, the more likely they are to obtain this prestigious award.
When playing a sport for multiple seasons at the varsity level, people can obtain a succession of letters. Those letters can then be turned into bars, which can be put on the “W” of the letter of the specific sport a person pays. At the most, people can obtain three bars because the “W” on the jacket signifies one year of varsity play time.
Letters on a letterman’s jacket are not the sole things that can be sewed on jackets as some sports offer patches that people can place on the sleeve of the jacket representing the sport they play. More notable patches that can be placed on jackets include state qualifier patches, which would be tailored to the sport in which someone qualified. Some students at WHS have a clacking sound on their jackets and that noise can probably be attributed to letterman jacket medals. These are awarded by the OCC for a variety of purposes, including recognition of first team honors, second team or honorable mention in a sport which can be recognized with gold, silver or bronze in that order. People can also acquire a medal by being OCC player of the year in a specific sport, which on the back side of the medal, would identify the athlete as offensive or defensive player of the year.
Photos by Hannah Knapic. Blurbs by Alex Barnard and Katie Ward
FOCUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 I PAGE 6
Broda surrounds herself with nature Heller enjoys traveling HANNA MORGAN feature editor
Kristin Broda, English Dept. member, lives an adventurefilled life alongside her husband, Dr. Matthew Broda. Biking and running have become two of her favorite hobbies over the years. Her husband is always right by her side during these adventures. Broda said she chooses to walk to school every day, even when it is snowing, because she admires nature so much. Along with the one car she and her husband share, she has fives bikes that all serve different purposes. “Material things do not
make up our worth,” Broda said. In 1998, Broda attended the Outward Bound Voyageur school in Minnesota. There, she learned many skills that applies to her s h e everyday life.
“Anything is possible,” Broda
said. That was the main lesson learned at Outward Bound. All of her experiences with nature have influenced her: biking, running and even cooking, as Broda is a vegan. Biking has been a huge part of her life. Broda rides on trips called 100 mile days. “Literally, my legs and lungs got me here. And it’s one of the coolest feelings,” Broda said. She enjoys biking and running because it makes her feel like a child again. Broda thinks everyone should have a hobby they can truly enjoy. She said her hobbies make her feel young and they help manage stress, so she can be a better wife, teacher and friend.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTIN BRODA
OLIVIA SLEEK focus editor
Eric Heller, Science Dept. member, does more than teach at WHS. Outside of school, Heller s p e n d s q u a l i t y time with his wife, Rachel. “My wife and I like to go on r a n d o m dates; we pack up our bikes on the car and go ride 20 miles on a bike trail,” Heller said. In his free time, Heller also
enjoys traveling. “We went to Chicago for a wedding last weekend, which was also my birthday, and this past weekend we went to the Melt and Dave and Busters,” Heller said. Last summer, Heller and his wife went on a few adventures taking them to the Midwest and Europe “Last summer, we took a two week trip to Italy and then a 10 day camping road trip to Mount Rushmore; Omaha; Branson Missouri; St. Louis and Indianapolis,” Heller said. In addition to outside activities, Heller is also involved with science and Ultimate Frisbee club. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC HELLER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | FOCUS | PAGE 7
Belly program creates opportunities for rewards at stores SAMANTHA BRUNN business manager
“A bellyful of rewards” awaits anyone who joins the app and universal loyalty card program, Belly. According to Jordan Baker, employee of Spoon Market and Deli located in downtown Wooster, the Belly program was introduced to many businesses in Wooster a couple of months ago, and many of these businesses implemented the program at the same time. “It gives people an incentive to come in… I think we’ve had anywhere between 50 to 100 people sign up for a card on our store’s iPad over the past few months,” Baker said. Also, instead of signing up to be a Belly member at a
local store, people can sign up at bellycard.com. All that is needed to sign up is an e-mail address. If a bellycard is lost or misplaced, one can reregister a card using the same email and will still have all points from the previous card. According to bellycard.com, after becoming a Belly member, customers can earn points at various locations that utilize the Belly program and mobile app. However, the points earned at a store or chains are specific to that business, and points are only redeemable at that store. The site goes on to say that customers can redeem their points for rewards. Baker explained that Spoon Market and Deli, for example, offers a free cookie for 15 points or a free pound of cheese with the purchase of
another pound, among many other rewards. Also, once a customer earns 100 points, they can receive a free meal or t-shirt. Additionally, businesses can offer “Belly Bites,” which are freebies that can be reserved on the Belly app to be redeemed, according to the website. Currently, according to the aforementioned website, there are 10 businesses in Wooster that use the Belly program. These locations include El Campesino, El Tapatio, Oak Grove Eatery, Spoon Market and Deli, First Amendment Public House, Great Clips, Kate’s Diner, The Ugly Duck, Omahoma Bob’s BBQ and Lucky Records. Rewards that can be earned from the program are listed for each store on the Belly site.
What rewards can I get with my Bellycard? Oak Grove Eatery 75 points: Free breakfast for two 200 points: Chef’s Menu All Inclusive Spoon Market 5 points: Free hug from butcher or cashier 40 points: Free smoothie El Campesino 40 points: $7 off of bill 120 points: All inclusive dinner for two The First Amendment Public House 15 points: Free fountain drink and high five from their least smiley server 55 points: $10 off of bill
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 8
BLADE staff members review local coffee joints
Graphic by Spencer Dilyard
Editor pours out her feelings about coffee
SARAH HOPKINS cover editor
Coffee is the best. Coffee is that friend who has seen you cry from stress, cry from happiness and cry from stress some more. When I am at my worst, running on less than four hours of sleep and wearing two socks that clearly do not match one another, coffee saves me. In the eye of any 21st Century person, everything in the world nowadays must constantly be improved upon. We are always building on what already
suffices in order to stay one step ahead of what the people will want. The saying “do not fix what is not broken” is practically nonexistent. However, coffee is one of the pieces of the world that is better left untouched. Sure, adding a dash of vanilla and a bit of chocolate every once in a while is fine, but these concoctions sold by big name coffee shops are not even coffee anymore. Complicated names allude to a caffeinated drink that will provide the energy we all need to finish that midterm project that is due the next morning, but, in reality, they are little more than a glorified milkshake. I suppose the world will continue ordering their double chocolate chip frappuccinos with or without me, and I am okay with that. I will be here, sipping on my plain latte and all of its caffeinated glory.
COURTESY OF ZOMATO.COM
Though Muddy’s, previously named Muddy Waters, is no longer just a coffee shop, one would be very pleased with their selection. I ordered a chai latte and loved it. In addition to the fair pricing, the latte was rich and creamy. The atmosphere of Muddy’s is very welcoming and fun; possibly making the coffee seem even better. From eccentric items hanging from the walls and ceilings, such as plastic sharks and vintage signs, to the very club-like music playing, Muddy’s is an all around fun restaurant to be in. If you want good food and surprisingly tasty coffee, Muddy’s is the place to go. Written by Kayla Barnet
Gathering Grounds is a fairly new coffee house in the heart of downtown Wooster. With exposed brick and warm walls, Gathering Grounds paints the perfect picture of an attractive neighborhood coffee shop. Live music is also offered a few times each week, which sets an enjoyable and homey atmosphere. The average price of a drink is around $4, but the coffee is much better quality and made with more care than that which can be found at Starbucks or other national coffee chains. Gathering Grounds is a great addition to downtown Wooster, providing coffee-drinkers everywhere with an enjoyable and relaxing place to stop by on their way to work. Written by Becca Foley
MAGGIE FLECHLER
MEGAN BUSS
MAGGIE FLECHLER
Templeton’s Scottish Bakery serves a variety of baked goods, including bread, pastries and other types of cakes, as well as a variety of sandwiches and soups. I entered the bakery and ordered a cappuccino without any syrup. It was very milky, but still had a strong coffee taste. The atmosphere was very casual, perfect for just hanging out with friends. The items were reasonably priced, as I paid $3.25 for my small cappuccino. I would definitely recommend this new addition to downtown Wooster to anyone looking to try something new. Written by Tatumn McGrew
South Market Street is home to a gem that holds a unique flavor and taste of Hungarian culture. Tulipan Hungarian Pastry and Coffee Shop is a small cafe that serves a large selection of pastries and drinks, as well as open faced European style sandwiches and other small food items. Hungarian pork goulash, Hungarian paprikash salami and rice cakes are a sample of the type of food and pastry not found in any other Wooster coffee shop. The style, quality of food and atmosphere make Tulipan one of Wooster’s most enjoyable coffee shops. Written by Stephen Kridel
MAGGIE FLECHLER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 9
New businesses come to Wooster Clothes Minded
Dick’s Sporting Goods The sporting goods chain Dicks Sporting Goods opened up shop in Wooster earlier this year. The store filled the space JCPenney vacated, which, according to Justin Starlin of the Wooster Chamber of Commerce, is a positive indication for businesses. “Dicks coming in and filling JCPenney, is a very good sign in retail,” Starlin said. Dicks Sporting Goods had its grand opening on Sept. 27.
Five Guys Five Guys Burgers and Fries will be opening in the Shoppes on Burbank. The restaurant is set to open in early 2016. It is being built by Goodman Real Estate Service Group, according to the Goodman Real Estate website. Currently, the closest Five Guys is located in North Canton.
Graphics by Nate King-Smith, Shreya Gurumurthy and Spencer Dilyard Blurbs by Tatumn McGrew, Valerie Anderson and Ryan Miller
Located on 140 South Market St., Clothes Minded Boutique adds to the atmosphere of Wooster’s revamped downtown. The fairly new boutique opened for business in spring 2015. Organized by color, customers can easily find the outfits and garments for which they are looking. Co-owner James Amato says the store aims to appeal to women 20 to 60 years of age. Amato also stated the store is looking to hire seasonal, part-time employees. Clothes Minded Boutique hours include Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Business in Ohio According to the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, there are currently 926,977 businesses in Ohio. Of these businesses, 743,915 have employees, while the remaining 183,062 currently do not have any paid employees. Since October of 2013, the unemployment rate in Ohio has fallen from 7.2 percent to 5.2 percent.
TJ Maxx TJ Maxx is set to open a store in Wooster in the near future, though the opening date has yet to be announced. It will be the last commercial property in the North End, according to Justin Starlin of the Wooster Chamber of Commerce. “TJ Maxx will be the last commercial property in the North End. Anything farther than that would have to be annexed,” Starlin said. TJ Maxx will be located in the Shoppes on Burbank shopping center.
Gioninos In downtown Wooster, Gionino’s Pizza offers in-house dining, take-out and even catering. Dan Kipfer, the owner of Gionino’s Wooster and Orrville locations, is happy to be a part of the Wooster community. Kipfer also said they are looking to hire part-time high school and college students with good work ethic. The restaurant is located on 114 North Buckeye St. Gionino’s is open Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays 2 to 10 p.m.
Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkin’ Donuts is set to open in the former First Merit Bank Building on 1812 Cleveland Road. The store is being opened by Chase Properties Ltd. Dunkin’ Donuts sells coffee and pastries. The closest Dunkin’ Donuts location to Wooster is on Strawberry Lane in Orrville.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 10
FEATURE
This or that? Students weigh in with their personal preferences During the week of Oct. 26, 300 WHS students in grades 8-12 were polled during lunches.
This page was inspired by the original 2005 Coke or Pepsi book, which ďŹ rst originated from online quizzes.
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Grahpics by Nate KingSmith, Spencer Dilyard, Shreya Gurumurthy and Hanna Morgan. Polls compiled by Emma Jeries, Hannah Knapic and Nick Cosmo.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 11
Kathy Sauers plays supportive role in WHS athletics AMBER SWIGART staff writer
Kathy Sauers has been involved with Wooster athletics since her graduation from WHS in 1992. She manages the volleyball, girls’ basketball and softball teams, keeping busy during all three of these sports seasons and citing the softball team as her favorite group to support. In addition to cheering for them as much as possible, Sauers retrieves balls for the teams and takes care of the girls’ hydration when necessary, which is especially important at summer practices for the teams’ sports. “Kathy is always there to fill up any water bottles or rebound balls. She would do anything for the team to make sure we are prepared to win the game… Kathy is definitely the best manager out there, and we are so fortunate to have her supporting our teams,” Maddie Osiecki (10), who was managed by Sauers in both basketball and softball last year, said. Despite Wooster’s rivalry with Orrville, Sauers states defeating West Holmes is her main goal and is especially competitive when Wooster faces them during the season. According to Sauers, she stays involved in WHS sporting events because she enjoys encouraging school spirit and working with and watching Wooster athletes, specifically the females in the sports she manages, who exemplify good sportsmanship. “School spirit, that’s what we need, and more sportsmanship in the OCC… I support everybody because we have better sportsmanship. It goes both ways. And, we have good girls who have a good heart about everything,” Sauers said. However, Sauers does more than manage three teams. She is an avid supporter of all Wooster sports, often attending football games, soccer games and cheerleading competitions when she is not busy working and making pizzas at Buehler’s Milltown. “I think that Kathy’s presence brings up everyone’s morale...she’s always so positive,” Athletic Dept. secretary Tara Martin said. Above all, Sauers’ endless support of the school’s athletic programs and vivacious presence make her a recognizable face in the WHS halls.
“SCHOOL SPIRIT, THAT’S WHAT WE NEED, AND MORE SPORTSMANSHIP IN THE OCC,” SAUERS SAID. MAGGIE FLECHLER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 12
ndy a Political s D ama’ s? correctness is a nt Ob k e d i c s controversial issue because it che uld’ven regardingpPrroeposals d holds a different meaning for different n l i o l o r a u t P h people. As defined by Merriam-Webster, political gro ent. S - Sarah gun con k c correctness is, “agreeing with the idea that people should a d b i s e be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a Mor Mr. Pre yours. particular group of people.” , Donald Trump, one of the leading Republican presidential candidates, once idea ed with announced, “I’m so tired of this politically correct crap,” as Politico reported on Sept. 23, 2015. t Political correctness has been discussed in fields other than politics as well. star Some believe political correctness protects the oppressed, while others believe it violates free speech.
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Amid the controversy, The Wooster Blade decided to delve deep into political correctness and all of its implications.
Discussions spread over the efficacy of Black Lives Matter KAYLA COOPER focus editor
There should be no controversy regarding the name of the Black Lives Matter movement. Critics claim the movement should not solely focus on black lives, which is how All Lives Matter started. There is an importance for equality in all lives and that is what this movement is working toward. Black Lives Matter is not claiming that black lives matter over all other lives, nor was that ever the intention. They are not singling out one race to make them seem superior to others. They are simply showing support for the race that gets more discrimination and racism
toward them. This movement is more than reasonable and necessary because it is working for the validity of black lives. By responding to Black Lives Matter with All Lives Matter, people are taking all of the racism and injustices that have happened to black lives and brushing them under the rug. If people proclaim that all lives matter and then ignore the type of injustices that Black Lives Matter is trying to fight against, then they are contradicting that statement as they are using it. This movement was reasonably named Black Lives Matter, and should remain so. At the moment, we need to focus on the lives of the people who have been treated less than equally.
Is Black Lives Matter a beneficial social movement?
Black Lives Matter spreads awareness of racism
Do you think political correctness is necessary?
Black Lives Matter lacks a practical plan
BREE FLINN-JOHNSON
DROSOS KARDULIAS staff writer
While black lives obviously matter, this ideal is woefully underserved by the movement currently professing their importance. Black Lives Matter is intended to end anti-black violence, but, unfortunately, has no plan to accomplish this worthy goal. The website for the movement, though it contains a detailed “herstory” (sic, unfortunately), lacks any sort of plan to reach its goals. While previous movements such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Push for Marriage Equality had aims as well as advocacies, Black Lives Matter has only the first. To continue pushing for a movement that only states a
problem and does not advocate for a solution to that problem is simply wasteful. Black Lives Matter also lacks public support. A Rasmussenreports.com poll conducted in August projects that only 11 percent of voting age Americans support Black Lives Matter. Thus, every time a politician has been bullied into retracting a statement that all lives matter or a blogger has declared any statement against the movement racist, these views only represent 11 percent of the total electorate. A vocal minority of voters cannot be allowed to radically change the direction of public discourse. The road to radicalism is paved with good intentions, a lesson Black Lives Matter would do well to remember.
Does political correctness harm or benefit free speech?
“Yes, it helps to keep society from overreacting and getting offended.” Sam Schonfeld (11)
“Yes, because then what you say won’t be taken the wrong way.” Cameron Schmidt (11)
“It may slightly harm free speech as it does limit some thoughts people can say.” Paul Lindemann (11)
“No, we have become too politically correct and now you don’t really know how people feel because they’re too afraid to actually speak their minds.” Social Studies Dept. member Misty Bisesi
“I believe complete political correctness is not necessary. It depends on the situation. If it is harmless joking around with friends or family, it’s okay. If it is serious, in public, and offensive, then it is a problem. Matthew Schaeffer (9)
“It does not harm free speech. Political correctness is used so that no one is offended, such as saying illegal immigrants vs. saying undocumented immigrants.” Asvin Gireesh (11)
“I think if you are bright enough, you could still express free speech with political correctness.” Social Studies Dept. member Bryan Ehrlinspiel “It regulates free speech positively by creating unspoken rules to promote empathy, so I would say it is beneficial.” Izzy Rico (10) Quotes collected by Spencer Dilyard and Shiyuan Wang
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 13
Wooster Fair Board hosts discussion about Confederate flag SHIYUAN WANG feature editor
As a conversation over the Confederate flag takes the national stage, this discussion is also reaching the local community. During the Wayne County Fair this year, several displays of the Confederate flag were made. Some people in the Wooster community believe these displays of the flag possess a negative connotation in American history. Andries Coetzee, a pastor from Westminster Presbyterian Church, is one of the community
members who is advocating for banning the selling of the Confederate flag at the Wayne County Fair. The church is joined by several other organizations interested in the same goal, including the Wayne County Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the COW Black Student Association and the Wooster/Orrville NAACP. Coetzee explained that one of the group’s motivations for making this request is the decision made by the Ohio State Fair to ban sales of the flag. And, as other big retailers in the country are also banning the flag, certain members of the
GRANT PEABODY
Wooster residents fly the Civil War era flag despite controversy. community say it is time for the fair board to take responsibility. “For the Wayne County Fair
Board to reflect the conscience of Wooster, they will have to be mindful of the ethnic minorities in our midst and how they perceive the Confederate flag,” Coetzee said. Coetzee said the flag represents a horrible time of intolerance in American history and should be taken down in order to be considerate toward those who still experience the effects of the flag today. However, there are other controversies involving the flag. Drew Dennis, an attorney from the ACLU of Ohio, explained banning the sales of the flag could potentially be a violation of free speech.
“It is likely unconstitutional for the government to prohibit the sale of an item simply because the government disagrees with the message that item is conveying,” Dennis said. While people might find a Confederate flag represents a negative message, it could be a violation of free speech to ban the sale of the item. Pete Armstrong, a member of the Wayne County Fair Board, stated they will make a decision on the issue during their upcoming meeting on Nov. 16. Various churches and organizations plan to attend the meeting in order to host a silent protest.
Head to head: Should the United States replace a traditional celebration with a new national holiday?
Columbus Day applauds beginning of New World
AUSTIN MCCULLY staff writer
The storied history of celebrating Columbus Day should live on, despite recent movements to remove the federal holiday. The celebration of Columbus Day has come under fire lately as many have labeled the holiday corrupt due to the indecency of some of Columbus’s actions once he reached the New World. However, those who hold this view misconstrue the true meaning of the federal holiday. Columbus Day is not a celebration of Columbus’s
character, but rather the beginning of the Age of Exploration and the first exchanges between the culture of Europe and what is now North America. The brutal treatment of Native Americans by Europeans settling in the New World cannot be downplayed. However, Columbus has shouldered an excessive amount of the blame. According to David Sprecace, from The Denver Post, “Today, Columbus is a scapegoat for perceived European sins... Those who oppose Columbus Day blame Columbus - and only Columbus.” Columbus did not oppose the corrupt activities, but he was not the only one in the wrong. Despite doubts about the morality of Christopher Columbus, North Americans should continue to celebrate the accomplishments made some 500 years ago and be grateful for the significant effects of the discovery of the New World.
Cities that have replaced Columbus Day:
Indigenous People’s Day honors Native Americans
Olympia, WA St. Paul, MN Portland, OR Albuquerque, NM
Anadarko, OK
NICK COSMO staff writer
Indigenous People’s Day should replace the celebration of Columbus Day. According to the site timeanddate.com, Indigenous People’s Day is celebrated in parts of California, Minnesota and Washington in place of Columbus Day to honor Native American culture. Currently, there is not a national holiday focused on Native Americans. Indigenous People’s Day should be expanded to a national holiday and replace Columbus Day. First, the fact that America
does not currently have a holiday to honor Native Americans is an injustice. It is a further injustice that we, instead, have a holiday for the man who began a genocide of their people. Native Americans not only deserve to be recognized, but as a further sign of respect, we must replace Columbus Day with this. Furthermore, Columbus did not even discover America, and an article from truth-out.org outlines that Vikings were in America long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. When the fact that Columbus did not discover America is coupled with the fact that Columbus led a campaign of terror and genocide after he arrived in the Americas, there is no support left for why we should honor him with his own holiday. Rather than honor a murderer, pillager and perpetrator of unspeakable horrors, we have a duty to honor Native Americans instead.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The evolution of sound
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 14
Musical experiences differ in benefits
KAYLA BARNET on campus editor Hearing live music is one of my favorite things ever. To actually be in the presence of the singer, to be surrounded by others who have spent hours on end listening to these exact songs, to hear the emotion and rawness live.
Nothing can compare to this. Attending concerts is something I do as often as I can. I am an avid music listener, so seeing my favorite bands and artists live is an unreal experience. The difference between listening to music live versus recorded is the sheer passion these singers and bands put into a live show. Jumping and screaming the lyrics with the crowd around me only enhances this adrenaline rush. Recorded music is also beautiful. The artist’s voice is perfect; there are no note changes, and no talking between songs. The music and songs will always be consistent in the way
they sound. Some people prefer hearing music this way. If artists or bands are touring and have been performing live for six nights in a row, their voices might sound slightly raspy or they might not be able to hit those incredibly high notes. This is not saying they cannot perform live well; it is simply what happens to every single performer. Though I go to many concerts, there are still a number of artists I have yet to see live, and will probably never get the chance to see in concert; however, this is perfectly okay. Sometimes, I also prefer the sound of music when it is recorded, not live.
How often do you listen to music?
Once or twice a day
37%
Throughout the day
51%
A few times a week
12%
131 WHS students were polled in 5B flex periods
Data collected by Scot Nielson Graphic by Shreya Gurumurthy
It provides recommendations of music to users.
2015: Apple Music is founded and is marketed as “the world’s music.”
Alex Ljung and Eric Wahlforss,
2007: SoundCloud is invented by Swedes
2001: The first iPod is invented, which is an upgrade from CD players and Walkmans.
1997: Auto tune is creeated.
by Karlheinz Bradenburg.
1995: The MP3 Player is invented
1989: The World Wide Web is born, which leads to programs like YouTube, Spotify and Pandora.
1981: MTV launches, making America the first country to have an all music channel.
1954: Elvis begins the official era of rock and roll.
player is invented.
1920: The record
1894: The first radio is invented, which revolutionizes the way music can be listened to.
Graphic by Stephen Kridel Timeline by Claire Lanham
:
1877, 1878, 1894, 1920 data according to timetoast.com, 1981, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2007 data according to rollingstone.com 2015 data according to apple.com
1878 The first record is made: Jules Levy plays "Yankee Doodle."
The timeline (right) exemplifies the multiple forms and iterations that listening to music has taken, touching on everything from the beginning of recordable music with the gramophone to the music listening stations used today, such as SoundCloud and Apple Music.
1877: The gramophone is invented by Thomas Edison, which allows people to listen to recorded music.
Sound goes through a complex evolution as history progresses
Radios connect people
Although older, the radio is still widely used, especially in cars. The radio, in many cases, is a convenient way to listen to music or the news. Available in almost all cars, listening to the radio involves nearly no setup or extra costs. Radios are simple to use and safer than having the distraction of music streaming through a phone while driving. Stations in Northeast Ohio, like the University of Akron’s
88.1 WZIP, consistently discuss interesting topics and have special themes, such as Saturday morning polka. Interactive features such as song requests allow the listener to get involved, while contests help motivate people to listen to the show and engage people in a way Bluetooth cannot. Weather and other alerts are also broadcasted through the radio and keep listeners informed about important updates.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 15
Radio
vs. Bluetooth BLURBS BY STEPHEN KRIDEL. GRAPHICS BY SHREYA GURUMURTHY AND NATE KING-SMITH.
Recent & upcoming releases Oct.
20
Oct.
RELEASES COMPILED BY KAYLA BARNET
A Strangeness in my Mind by Orhan Pamuk This book follows the unforgettable tale of a Turkish street vendor and the love of his life.
26
Confessions: The Murder of an Angel by James Patterson In the final installment of the Confessions series, Tandy Angel believes she is losing her mind due to the amount of paranoia coming from her job.
27
After Alice by Gregory Maguire The author of the award-winning book, Wicked, is coming out with his magical twist on Alice in Wonderland, transforming the old story with a new take.
6
Little Mix: Get Weird This is the third studio album by the girl group that won the 2011 season of the British X-Factor. A tour to promote the album will kick off in March 2016.
Oct.
Nov. Nov.
10
Nov.
13
Nov.
13
Nov.
War is Beautiful by David Shields This picture book shows real front page pictures from newspapers and magazines, illustrating how the media has glamorized combat over the years. One Direction: Made in the A.M. The group will be releasing their first album after the departure of Zayn Malik and their last album before their much talked about hiatus. Justin Bieber: Purpose This will be Bieber’s first album since 2013 and his big comeback after his outbursts in the media.
20
Adele: 25 After a four year break from her last album, Adele is to release her comeback record filled with lots of soulful music such as the hit “Hello.”
20
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 In the final installment of the Hunger Games trilogy, Katniss Everdeen and District 13 engage in an all-out revolution against the autocratic Capitol.
Nov.
Nov.
25
Nov.
26
The Good Dinosaur In an alternate universe, Arlo, a longneck dinosaur, is stranded from his family, befriends a small caveboy he names Spot and tries to find his way back home. The Danish Girl Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne portrays the first ever registered transgender, Lili Elbe, struggling with identity crisis in early 1900s Denmark.
Bluetooth allows for ease When comparing Bluetooth and radio, Bluetooth is the newer and superior medium of enjoying music. With the capability of utilizing internet radio services such as Pandora and Spotify and having the ability to play music from a phone, Bluetooth has more possibilities and uses than radio. Music without static is a clear advantage of using Bluetooth; however, depending on the brand, the small distance
within which a device has to be to pick up a connection can be a burden. Podcasts, videos and audio books can be streamed through Bluetooth, adding to the array of functions Bluetooth offers. Bluetooth can be used with a large range of speakers, giving the user the option of purchasing better sounding speakers for their music. Radios, like the ones in cars, can not easily or frugally be changed for better sound.
Vinyl makes a return
BECCA FOLEY a&e editor
Perhaps the biggest reason for the increase is the rich, warm and high-quality sound produced by a record. The sound produced by a phone or even speakers does not capture the same quality sound as vinyl. While it may sound cheesy, the feeling of putting a record on a turntable and dropping the needle is also a large appeal of vinyl records. Lastly, one of the best ways to discover new music is by flipping through the records at a record store. Whether one buys a record or not, hundreds of records are eyecatching and can provoke exploration of new music. I have
Over the past few years, vinyl records have increased in sales and are back spinning on turntables of hipsters and the elderly alike all over the world. According to a study conducted in January by Nielsen, vinyl unit sales M discovered a love for Bob LANHA CLAIRE totaled Dylan, Billy Joel and other 9.2 million in 2014; classic artists through their an increase of 53 percent from records. the previous year. While many people still do not Additionally, vinyl album appreciate vinyl or even know sales have grown an amazing what it is, I value the comeback 260 percent in the United States of vinyl records and spend lots since 2009. of weekends flipping through The increase in popularity of them. Vinyl records may only records and record stores is the be a fad that will pass in a few result of a combination of many years, but I will always have a factors. collection of vinyl to value.
COVER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 I PAGES 16 & 17
Daniel Nemeth (OSU)
Photos by Mary Grace Gorman, Megan Buss, Hannah Knapic, Bree Flinn-Johnson, Casey Baik and Claire Lanham.
“Nurse” -Vinny Peretti (Preschool)
Chelsea Porter (English Dept)
Ashlee Lyn Hummel (6) Emily Ramseyer (10)
“Princess” Ally Foley (2)
“Engineer” Corbin Lanker (10)
WHAT
History teacher
Fiona Davis (9)
DO YOU WANT Natalie Drevets (Wheaton College)
Jazzlyn Mitchell (6)
Naisy Flannery (Allegheny College)
Micah Hutchison (6)
Hannah Doan (Wheaton College)
TO BE WHEN
Ethan Hann (5)
“Video game designer” Connor Roto (6)
“Mail carrier” -Shawn Duong (K) Construction manager
YOU GROW UP? “A soldier” -Dane Hoffman (K)
Dan Gorzynski (College of Wooster)
Molly Coen (OSU)
“Famous!” Maddie Helms (8)
Interviews conducted by Evan Doan, Valerie Anderson, Amber Swigart, Hannah Knapic, Mary Grace Gorman and Maddy Nacci.
Rumen Zdravchev (6)
“A grandmother!” Erin O’Donnell (10)
Alexandra Ferretti (Allegheny College)
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 18 Tracy Morgan (11) thinks the most appealing job would be acting as a character at Disneyland. “I think it would be so much fun spending all day pretending to be a character... It would just be the coolest thing ever to bring that to life for kids and be part of the magic there,” Morgan said. The characters displayed range from princes and princesses to classic Disney icons such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck..
Disney Character Leah Tieche (11) sees private investigation as work, which can be boring at times, but often rewarding. Many people may misconstrue the job as being more glamorous than it is. Gathering information often requires tedious surveillance covering wide hours, according to CriminologyCareers.About.com However, the work can also be very rewarding due to assignments always having a clear purpose. Private investigators enjoy a great amount of freedom and do not require supervision. The work often starts early in the day, but investigators can get off at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m., according to Mark Lemon, a private investigator in Atlanta, GA.
Private Investigator Sophia Davis (11) shared that her dream job would involve being a professional ice cream taster. “All you have to do is taste ice cream for a living... and you get to try new flavors before they come out,” Davis said. Ice cream tasters sample possible new flavors for ice cream companies and critique them. They also use a golden spoon, so their tasting is not tainted in any way, according to “The Man with The Million-Dollar Taste Buds” on cookinglight.com.
Ice Cream Taster
Sarah Otto (11) thinks an interesting occupation could be that of a deep sea diver. Deep sea divers are more commonly known as commercial divers. Commercial divers’ duties range from conducting experiments to underwater photography to even rigging explosives, according to Careers.org. The majority of their work is, in fact, done in the water, and they utilize a variety of power tools and equipment. Much of the job involves laborious physical activity, so job-seekers in this area should look to be physically fit, according to Dive Training Magazine. Mental fitness is also an important asset, since another crucial skill of a commercial diver is decision making, as much analysis goes into solving problems on the job.
Deep Sea Diver
Being a crop duster pilot is John Schrader’s (12) ideal job. Crop duster pilots fly a plane over a field and drop pesticides or fertilizers on crops. According to bloomberg.com, crop duster pilots can make up to $80,000 per year. However, it is also one of the most dangerous jobs in aviation due to the requirement of flying very low to the ground and also due to the threat of flying into objects.
Crop Duster Pilot Evan Rice (11) is interested in diving occupations, especially in the work of golf ball divers. Golf ball diving involves wading in bodies of water around golf courses, salvaging the balls and reselling them. It can be a legitimate career with a sufficient paycheck; however, the work is surprisingly dangerous, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The divers risk trodding in chemical-laden waters containing dangerous bacteria, snapping turtles, poisonous snakes and sometimes alligators. The work is physically demanding and conditions are not always ideal, but many golf ball divers thoroughly enjoy their work. Earnings for golf ball divers range greatly, but committed golfball divers in the right locations can earn upwards of $100,000 per year, according to Golf.com.
Golf Ball Diver
WHS students dream of unusual jobs BLURBS COMPILED BY SARAH HOPKINS AND AUSTIN MCCULLY. ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESS LYONS, LEAH SIM AND SCOT NIELSON. PHOTO BY MAGGIE FLECHLER.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 19
The Science Behind Growing Up From childhood to adulthood, brains change drastically DREW FRIEDHOFF staff writer
As children grow up, their brains are growing and developing, making connections and learning through new experiences, shaping who they become. A child is born with about 100 billion neurons that work hard to connect as they learn from their environment and adapt to new situations, according to Wooster psychologist Dan Stavnezer. The more
connections these neurons make, the more mastery children develop at different tasks, including the ways in which they think. “If you get sick, your body creates antibodies that can prevent sickness in the future. Psychologically, if you can master a problem, the next time that problem comes up, you are more likely to have success in managing it,” Stavnezer said. John Strong, pediatrician at Wooster’s Cleveland Clinic, explains the frontal lobe portion of the brain is key in
psychological development. The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that controls judgment, planning, decision making and some emotional regulation. Strong stated the frontal lobe begins to develop at six to twelve months of age and does not fully mature until people are in their twenties. These progressions in the brain affect the way people act and the decisions they make. Staff psychiatrist at Illinois State University Student Health Services, Janine Donahue,
points out that children and teens are more prone to mood swings, impulsive anger and emotional decision making because of the ongoing changes in the brain. “The parts of the brain that are especially still maturing in adolescence and young adulthood include the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system. Adolescents are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviors and underestimate negative consequences because of this lack of maturation,” Donahue said.
There are many factors that influence the way and the speed at which a child matures. Stavnezer states that one’s environment plays a big role in regard to development because what a child is allowed to practice or experience changes and enhances those things for the child. Parenting styles have an impact on this environment and can enhance or delay maturity. Adversity can also induce growth and maturity depending on how it is managed.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 20
WHS students identify with their movie character alter egos The BLADE asked: “Gretl from The Sound of Music because I’m shy and the baby of the family.” -Izzy Rico (10)
“Wei -W we b ei from oth h Stick a routi ne.” ve a funk It becau se y bea m -Sar ah W eeks (10)
“Todd from The Fox and the Hound. Todd is loving, caring and sees the best in others and is friendly to everyone.” -Tremaine Wilson (12)
use beca eat s s e l it s gr in Lim some, ha r e p d oo .” an ley C ng, h adies “Brad ery cunni with the l (11) r v he is d is great is Snyde n ll a i r i W a h
“Spiderman, because he’s really awesome, and I always use him as my character when I play Lego Marvel Superhero on Xbox.” -Gillian Fannin (11)
With which movie character do you most associate?
se tional Treasure becau ry “Abigail Chase from Na ow kn to Sto to.” s and likes y o she is very adventurou T pota ) d crimes.” from , jolly r (10 more about history an d a e -Holly Miller (9) -He rge nk ato is a la in La t o r. P he -Corb “M ause bec
in o be ike t s bratty l I . rats rly a Rug not nea e h T t I’m rom u ica f ings, b l (12) e g h per “An ol of t o o r C ley cont r.” e -Hay as h is e he ce.” s u a c n for o y, be aut charge e B n e rica o tak Ame trying t 1) n i r (1 ham ho is Burn man w Rayno r e t a and “Les simple riann slow a B s ’ t e s ju e. H e Ag c I 2) from n (1 oth e Sl t’s me.” Worto h t “Sid and tha revor -T lazy QUOTES COMPILED BY CLAIRE LANHAM, MAUREEN MCKEOWN, ISABELLE CANNON AND ERIN O’DONNELL
f elie
rb f he .” o e s aus gle bec strug e v ir Bra r ha (9) om as he Davis r f a ll na erid we “M er as -Fio pow
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PHOTOS BY CLAIRE LANHAM AND MEGAN BUSS CARTOONS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS AND STICK-MAN-11.DEVIANTART.COM GRAPHICS BY SHREYA GURUMURTHY, NATE KING-SMITH, SPENCER DILYARD AND BECCA FOLEY.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | PAGE 21
Local photographers share their favorite snapshots with The BLADE
Barry Rawson
Bill Thornhill
LOOKING THROUGH
Lisa Wagoner
THE LENS
Noah Morgan
Grace Jones Matt Dilyard Graphic by Becca Foley
Photography requires more than just an expensive camera CHLOE LANDERS trends editor
With modern technology and camera phones capturing excellent quality, the question arises of whether photography takes real skill or whether all that matters is a nice camera. Duane Martin, a local professional photographer, expressed the importance of photography knowledge and understanding every detail of taking a great photo; not just buying an expensive camera and snapping a picture. The interest in photography blossomed for Martin when
he attended WHS and took a class in photography. Martin continues his skill in photography at the Career Center for graphic arts. “People are able to take beautiful photos now-adays, due to great technology advances in camera. However, I think the understanding on how to make the photos even better are lost. Cameras on phones are great. But, there is a lot more than pointing and shooting,” Martin said. Another fellow professional photographer employed by the College of Wooster, Matt Dilyard, learned the skill of photography in a
photo journalism class at Smithville High School and continued his learning at The University of Akron, where he joined The Daily Record as a photographer. Dilyard said the importance of unstaged, natural photos is important. He believes it is important that a photo should be praised when it entails emotion or feeling. “Emotions, unstaged human interactions, even moments of pain and struggle are better fields to harvest with a camera. Having a broad, varied liberal arts education will help immensely. The technical skills will come with time, the ability
to move someone with your work will take a lifetime of wonderful struggle,” Dilyard said. Owner of Stop Time Studio, Rob Knight, can agree with both Martin and Dilyard in that there is much more than just snapping a picture and hoping for a great photo. The lenses of the camera are very important to Knight, as he said that camera phones offer a wide angle lens, which does not allow for a good portrait. At Stop Time, Knight tends to focus on true portraits, using old mastery style. With this style of portraits, Knight says that understanding lighting
and posing is very important. He focuses on flattering the face using the correct lighting and hand positioning to express a feminine or masculine look, depending on whom the portrait is for. “A picture can look completely wrong if you have a male in a very feminine position. You want to make sure the poses correctly match the gender of the person in the portraits,” Knight said. All three of these professional photographers can conclude that photography is more than aiming and shooting with an expensive camera, it takes skill, practice and knowledge.
SPORTS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13 , 2015 | PAGE 22
Cleveland Cavaliers look to capture coveted finals trophy 34%
GRANT PEABODY sports editor
With the NBA season in full force, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers look to achieve something they have never achieved before: bring an NBA championship title to Cleveland, Ohio. With the dislocated shoulder of Kevin Love in round one of the playoffs last year, and the broken knee of Kyrie Irving in Game One of the NBA Finals, the Big Three were diminished to just one man: LeBron James. James would go on to have one of the single greatest finals performances the world has ever seen. Although it was not enough to win the title, just the Cavs making it to the finals showed the team has the raw talent. Now, it is only a matter of the Cavs staying healthy. With the departure of Mike Miller and Kendrick Perkins, the Cavs freed up two roster spots to bring in some veteran players. The Cavs signed Mo Williams and Richard Jefferson, each of whom have 14 years plus in the league. With Kyrie Irving taking time to heal his knee, Mo Williams was made an immediate starter for the team. Richard Jefferson would also play 20 minutes off the bench for the Cavs, giving the team a boost of overall bench production. With a win over the 76ers on Nov. 2, James grosses over 25,000 career points and has also become the youngest to do so in NBA history. This milestone did not come very easily, though. With over 35,000 minutes played, and 12 seasons behind him, it is safe to say James does not have the same explosiveness he used to have. With mild back soreness occasionally sidelining James and decreasing his minutes, Jefferson had no problem stepping up and taking big minutes. Tristan Thompson’s contract ordeal was finally put to bed (four days into preseason camp Nate King-Smith which gives the Cavs nonetheless), one of the best depths in the league come playoffs. A healthy Cavs’ roster will boast Williams, JR Smith, Jefferson, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao all off the bench. The Cavs’ second team’s combined stats can compete with multiple NBA teams’ starting five players, which will play a crucial part in the playoffs, and most importantly, bring home the illustrious finals trophy.
No
Will the Cavs win the finals?
66%
Yes
Cleveland Cavaliers Stats: NBA titles: 0 Conference Champions: 2 Playoff Apereances: 19 Odds on winning title: 9-4 odds, highest of any NBA team, according to Westgate Las Vegas Superbook. Poll conducted by Alex Barnard. 250 students were polled in the week of Nov. 2 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in lunches 5A, 4A and 4B.
Wooster and Princeton together again! Every year since 2002, U.S. News and World Report has asked college presidents and deans to name schools with outstanding undergraduate research opportunities and senior capstone programs. Only two have made both lists every year: Wooster and Princeton.
W wooster.edu Wooster, OH!
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 23
Do you think student athletes pay too much for shoes? Do you Think Student Athletes Pay Too Much for Shoes
Do you Think Student Athletes Pay Too Much for Shoes
How much are you/would you be willing to pay for athletic shoes? How much are you / would you be willing to pay for athletic shoes
No
$200-250 Yes
No
$150-200
Yes
$100-150 $50-100
Average Prices of Various Sports Shoes Basketball - $130 Football - $113 Baseball - $92 Soccer - $154 Cross Country - $116 Lacrosse - $121 Average prices derived from all available shoe prices at Nike. com and Adidas.com
What is your favorite brand of athletic footwear?
Shoes play a significant role in performance and safety of many athletes. Jeremy Pope, employee at Wooster’s Vertical Runner, explains most sports require athletes to be on their feet the entire contest, making the shoes athletes choose to wear very important. Athletic shoes can also prevent or even provoke injury. Gretchen Reynolds, writer for The New York Times, said in her article “When Athletic Shoes Cause Injury,” that the traction of a shoe, or lack thereof, can introduce risks of injury to athletes. Reynolds suggests testing shoes before purchase. “Ask the salesperson if you can go outside while wearing them. Find some grass and sprint, halt, pivot and cut. If your foot slips when you move forward or noticeably sticks when you pivot, try another pair,” Reynolds writes. Pope adds that comfort is more important than style in choosing athletic shoes.
What is your favorite brand of athletic footwear
Other Reebok New Balance
Other Reebok
when looking at comfort vs. style which one is more important in buying shoes to use while playing sports Style
New Balance
Asics
Asics Under Armour
Under Armour Jordan
Jordan Adidas Nike
when looking at comfort vs. style which one is more important in buying shoes to use while playing sports
Adidas
PHOTOS BY GRANT PEABODY
Comfort
Style Comfort
Is comfort or style more important when buying shoes to wear while playing sports?
blurb written by Drew Friedhoff
If the shoe fits: footwear plays role in athletics
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 24
Basketball teams look to box out opponents
“This season we have a lot of new talents that are being contributed to our team, which is a good thing, but it also means that we still have some work to do in order to play well as a team.” Carla Stoll (12)
“The coaches are bringing a really fast-paced, aggressive system, which I am really looking forward to. I’m excited to get the season started and seeing what we can do as a team.” Nick Koontz (12)
“I just think we need a winning record this year. I wish to letter again, play the whole season and win OCC.” Ny’eemah Brown (10)
“They will work us hard and change the culture of Wooster basketball with the results on the court.” Ben Wiest (11)
Y SE
CA IK
BA
Boys prepare with new coaches
ERIN O’DONNELL
T
QUOTES COMPILED BY MADDI NACCI
What are your thoughts on the upcoming basketball season, and what do you need to do to succeed?
What are your expectations for the new basketball coaching staff for the upcoming year?
staff writer
he boys’ basketball team is shooting for a winning season with a new coaching staff and high expectations. According to Peyton Bennington (11), returning varsity member, the new coaches will be a welcome addition to the team. “I think the new style of coaching really fits with our players because we like to get up and down the court quickly,” Bennington said. Although the players primarily expressed excitement, head coach Mike Snowbarger also expressed some concern. “Any time in your first year coaching at a school, the glaring weakness or struggle is the kids’ overall understanding of the program. The kids are being asked to learn both new offensive and defensive schemes, which sometimes take a little time,” Snowbarger said. The team’s first game is Nov. 24 at Northwest.
Girls shoot for success in the OCC MADDI NACCI
T
staff writer
he girls’ basketball team is looking to work hard and improve their 10-13 record from last year in the upcoming 2015-2016 season. The team’s head coach, Mike Baus, says if the team continues to strive for success and use their speed to their advantage, they expect to compete well in the OCC. Last year, they placed fourth in the OCC, and they are looking to move up in the conference this season. “Our strengths this season will be our speed and ability to run the floor,” varsity player Izzy Rico (10) said. Under the leadership of captain Alexis Sigler (12), the team is looking to build on these strengths. “This year, we have several younger girls with tons of potential. The challenge would be to bring them along so they can contribute,” Baus said. The team’s home game is Nov. 21 against St. Thomas Aquinas.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 25
AIR MORGAN:
Two sport athlete, Colt Morgan, excels on the field, on the court and in the classroom
Colt Morgan palms a basketball and a football. Photo by Grant Peabody.
KATIE WARD staff writer
Colt Morgan (11) is the type of student who allows his actions to speak louder than his words, both in the classroom and in his involvement in varsity athletics. Morgan works to find a balance between his involvement in football and in basketball, along with being a recent inductee into the National Honor Society. Morgan, a two time letter winner in football, first began playing the sport at age 15 as a freshman. Now, with his junior year winding down, Morgan has seen a transition amongst himself as each year he strives to do better than the previous year. As a junior, Morgan remarked on what he believes has been his biggest transition throughout his football career. “My confidence. I was very shy and didn’t have much confidence in myself. As I’ve grown older, I’ve built confidence,” Morgan said. Fellow teammate Nick Ballard (11) commends Morgan’s performance on the team. “He’s really gifted with the talent that he has. He gives 100 percent effort every day,” Ballard said. Though football season has come to an end, Morgan will also be a returning face on the basketball team, on which he is also the recipient of a varsity letter. Aiming to have another great season on the court, Morgan is setting his goals toward playing both smarter and stronger, and is hoping to be a contributor in the team’s efforts toward advancing in the playoffs. “I’m doing the best I can in both sports, and I’ll make future decisions when and if opportunities open up,” Morgan expressed as to whether or not he has any intentions to play at the collegiate level. Once his high school career comes to a close, Morgan remarked, “I want to be remembered as a hard working, ethical athlete who didn’t play for himself, but for the guys beside him.” Morgan has a rigorous academic schedule as well. English Dept. member Michael Sexton expressed that Morgan is, “very conscientious and he sets high personal goals for himself.” Dividing time between varsity athletics and academic has left Morgan with little time for himself, but also with excellent time management skills, attempting to find a healthy equilibrium between his school life and personal life. “It is very difficult,” Morgan expressed. “I try to get done what I can at school, but most of the time I have homework that I have to take home after practices and work on during the evening. There are a lot of things I’d like to do with my free time, but I have to make the choice to work on homework instead.” As the school year unfolds, Morgan looks to continue his academic and athletic success.
TRENDS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 26
BLADE explores the popular seasonal shopping holiday Twice.com predicts that Walmart will be the best retail store to shop at this Black Friday season due to its one hour in stock guarantee, its price matching, the vast number of deals and an exceptional amount of online exclusives. According to allyou.com, the best time to shop is midnight to 4 a.m.. Most of the competition will not be starting until later in the day, and all the worthwhile items will likely still be in stock.
Allyou.com suggests shoppers divide and conquer the stores. Make lists with the stores everyone wants to visit and note the items desired, so it is easy to split up and buy the products before they are sold out.
Tips for getting the best deal
On Cyber Monday, look for large price drops on designer brands such as Jimmy Choo and Coach, according to Dealnews.com.
According to allyou.com, use apps and social media to stay aware of any last minute deals or sales that may be occurring. Apps can also inform shoppers of exclusive bargains. Dell.com is offering an Xbox One bundle with “Fallout 4” and an extra controller for $299.99.
Blurbs compiled by Claire Lanhan and Isabelle Cannon
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32%
68%
CHLOE LANDERS trends editor Fighting your way through lines on Thanksgiving night is not ideal and it is definitely more convenient to sit at your laptop, press “add to cart,” and continue watching your favorite episode of New Girl. The only problem: are you actually getting the better deal? According to www.realsimple.com, Cyber Monday is seen as an extension date for Black Friday that is found online rather than in stores. Most of the deals first hit the stores and the websites prior to Cyber Monday. Although walking through the store zombie-tired due to lack of sleep is not always a great time, brooklyn.about.com made a valid argument as well. When being in the actual store, people are able to see the items they are buying. Buyers then can look at the size and shape and decide if it is still the item that was worth running through the store, knocking over small children for. The time spent at these chaotic stores can be enjoyable when accompanied by a fun crowd, but one must also question if it is worth the trouble. On www.howtogeek.com, the writer proudly advises shoppers to be informed that the beloved online Amazon store offers online deals the entire week of Black Friday. Almost every product is on Amazon, which is reason enough to question the crowds.
Do you prefer shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
day Fri ck
ay
Cyber Mo nd
Black Friday causes problems
Graphics by Shreya Gurumurthy and Spencer Dilyard
Poll conducted by Jenna Zhu. On Nov. 13, 150 students were polled during 5B lunch.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | TRENDS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 27 Graphics by Spencer Dilyard Blurbs by Emma Jeffries, Isabelle Cannon and Samantha Brunn
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Bark Box
In the , subscribers receive a monthly box of toys, treats, food, etc. picked specifically for their dog types. When choosing their boxes, customers pick from different sizes and prices, and then personalize by choosing their dog size and a one, three, six, or 12-month plan, and then their box is shipped on the fifteenth of each month. The Bark Box is a way for a dog to try a variety of treats and toys. Bark box is also for a good cause, supporting 3,000 rescues, shelters and nonprofit organizations.
Fake Eyelashes
Cravory
The subscription box, co-founded in 2009, brings cookies to one’s doorstep monthly. These cookies are new creations each month, and the buyers does not know what they are going to get. Other options for customers include ordering flavors of the month, “Cravory mixes,” which are selected combinations, such as the “chocoholics mix” and the “adventurous mix,” or purchasing signature flavors such as birthday cake, red velvet and lemon bar.
o ’s N GMO : e Mor ing Help tay S You thy l Hea
Bestowed
subscription boxes provide a bundle of healthy snacks and food right at one’s door step every month. According to bestowed.com, subscribers can pick a box based on their health preferences, such as a paleo diet, non GMO, vegan and many more. Bestowed Boxes costs $20 a month and allows people to stop delivery at any time. The boxes contain healthy snacks and food based on people’s preference and contain recipe cards to help create nutritious meals which are are designed by nutritionist Heather Bauer. Bestowed Boxes are perfect gifts for those who are very conscious about what they eat.
Birchbox
subscription boxes are the perfect gift for someone who is hard to buy for. According to Birchbox.com, Birchbox is a company that delivers packages every month that contain samples ranging from beauty products to ear buds to protein bars. To join, simply go to the website and request to become a member. The packages are never the same and come in men’s and women’s options. Not satisfied? It is easy to cancel a subscription at any time. Birchbox is a steal for only $10 a month and can create happiness in a person that lasts a lifetime.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | TRENDS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 28
The Wooster Blade takes a closer look at fall decorations Simple craft presents alternative to classic candle decoration 3. 1. 2. 4.
Materials needed: sticker paper, leaf, jar, paint, craft leaves, twine, flameless candle
1.
Trace leaf onto sticker paper and stick onto jar.
Paint over leaf sticker and jar and wait until dry.
Peel sticker, fill jar with plastic leaves and a flameless candle and tie twine.
FALL FLAIR: Leaf stamp paper craft mimics fall foliage 2. 4. 3. Materials needed: paper, leaves, paint, paintbrushes
Paint the leaves.
Press leaves paint-side down onto the paper.
Classic fall decorations stay popular
VALERIE ANDERSON staff writer
Although the seasons change, home decor for autumn stands the test of time.
As summer comes to a close, the air becomes dry and tree leaves burst into a mosaic of yellows, browns, greens, oranges and reds. These are the same colors we have decorated our homes with for decades. Fall colors are not the only way we celebrate this season. Many homes represent Thanksgiving in their timeless decor. The horn of plenty or cornucopia, coming from the Latin word “cornu copiae,” is a symbol of abundance. For years the cornucopia has been seen in
fall decorations, often as a horn shaped basket overflowing with produce representing the fall harvest. So this fall, as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, take a look around you and think back. Every year it is the same iconic objects: red and orange leaves, pumpkins, rustic brassy colors, harvested crops and scented candles, decorating the world around us during fall. Just as trees change the same colors every year, our fall decorations decorate our homes just the same, every year.
Photos taken by Casey Baik and Maggie Flechler
Lift leaves off paper. Polls were conducted by Jenna Zhu in 5B lunch on Nov. 27. 165 people were polled. Graphic by Shreya Gurumurthy.
54%
Homemade or store-bought 46% decorations?
VIEWS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 29
Asylum seekers search for Migrant crisis spreads in Europe: refuge in record numbers Germany
DROSOS KARDULIAS staff writer
Switz.
al
France
Portu g
Despite America’s physical distance from the events in the Middle East, WHS students would do well to understand the ongoing refugee crisis. In terms of humanitarian concern, the refugee crisis is a problem for the whole world, Wooster included. The number of refugees is higher now than ever, at 60 million, or about one fifth of America’s population, according to rescue.org. These people leave their home countries over fear of violence, starvation or any variety of complicating factors and they make immense journeys in order to survive. These journeys often bring refugees into contact with human trafficking networks, disease and poverty-stricken camps and even further conflict. Perhaps the closest reason to care about the crisis is that its victims may find refuge in our cities and neighborhoods. According to a Sept. 22 NPR article, America is pledging to take in 100,000 refugees a year by 2017.
Czech Republic Austria
Italy
Spain
Greece
Graphic by Spencer Dilyard
Morocco
Tunisia Algeria Libya
Egypt
Domestic affairs must trump international affairs
The United States should have empathy for refugees
SCOT NIELSON
MARY GRACE GORMAN
Since April, governments have debated causes of the European Migrant Crisis, ethics of aid to refugees and potential impacts of interference with citizens from other countries. First and foremost, roots of the crisis should be evaluated. Christopher Hill, of Project Syndicate, provides some insight saying, “Still, the U.S. did play a major role in the Syrian drama.” He refers to U.S. military interaction in Middle Eastern countries and 2011’s failed attempt to negotiate with Syrian leaders, arguably the end of productive dialogue with the home country of many refugees. The United States should turn its attention internally; America has done enough to harm the world’s migrants. Aid to migrants should be evaluated on an individual basis, under a specific framework. Careless acceptance of any countries’ peoples, without prioritization of a government’s own citizens, risks infringing on sovereignty of a country’s own people and decreases chances that places from which citizens flee can actually resolve domestic issues. Governments have an obligation to their own citizens; it is the purpose of a government. Any policy of aiding other countries’ citizens needs to be built with the government’s own citizens as the priority. More importantly, pulling migrants out of countries in crisis reduces the likelihood that stability will ever be reached at home. Accepting migrants capable of fleeing ignores the elderly, sick and poor who cannot flee, therefore removing those most able to bring peace and stability back to a region.
It is disgraceful that America has not done more to help the migrants fleeing horrendous conditions in North Africa and the Middle East. Out of selfishness and fear, wealthy nations have left countries with the fewest resources to bear the largest burdens. According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 3.6 million Syrians took refuge in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan since 2011, compared to 1,500 in the United States. This September, the Obama administration announced plans to accept some additional asylum seekers, but we can do so much more. Eighteen major U.S. cities have already urged the federal government to increase that number, according to a press release from The Pew Charitable Trusts on Sept. 29. Community members in St. Louis rallied with a cry of “Bring them here!” requesting at least 60,000 Syrians to add to the city, as Sarah Kendzior wrote for The Guardian on Sept. 15 in a piece called, “‘Bring them here’: the case for St. Louis to welcome refugees.” Fears that refugees threaten national security are simply unfounded. An article from the Economist on Oct. 17, entitled “Yearning to breathe free,” cites the Migration Policy Institute’s statistic: of 745,000 refugees resettled in the US since 9/11, only two were arrested on terrorism charges. Hundreds of thousands of human beings are risking their lives because the conditions they were born into are so unbearable. We privileged people, should be doing everything we can to help.
co-editor-in-chief
staff writer
CASEY BAIK
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 30
MAUREEN MCKEOWN front editor
Life is all about making sacrifices and taking risks. So, in the spirit of this idea, I decided to drop this generation’s easiest way of
communicating for three weeks by having absolutely no social media. Before I was “off the grid,” social media was an everyday necessity for me. According to a recent article by Common Sense Media, teens spend about nine hours a day using social media, for their enjoyment. Not using social media for a long period of time showed me I do not have to know exactly what everyone is doing all the time, and that I should focus more on myself. I would say the hardest part of this detox was finding something to fill all the extra time I had, since I was not
Emojis harm expression
HANNA MORGAN feature editor
When I heard the idea for “The Week I Tried” page, I thought it would be super fun to participate. I read through the choices and choose an idea that said, “text in emojis for a week.” I thought to myself that this challenge was going to be easy because there is basically an emoji for everything. The rules required that I only text with emojis and forbade me from calling anyone. I was also required to use only emojis on social media. The day before I started my challenge, I warned all of my friends that I would only be texting in emojis for the week. Most of them said they would try to avoid texting me.
Those I forgot to tell were very confused when I kept sending the thumbs up or the thumbs down when asking a question or when I sent them a bunch of random faces after they told me something. One of my friends thought I was angry at him because I was not using words. I felt bad, but it was actually pretty funny. Some of my friends thought it would be amusing to text me, asking me difficult questions that I just could not answer. I tried to send emojis that were relatively close to the question asked, but it just did not work. I would send different emojis to show what I was trying to say, but not one person could understand what I meant. Other than those exceptions I did my best to text in all emojis. I have learned it is nearly impossible to communicate with only emojis. I think emojis do enhance texting by adding something extra to a sentence, but an entire sentence of only emojis is too hard to translate to words. Never again will I choose to text using only emojis because it is hard explaining to others what I am attempting to convey.
staring at my phone. Now that my three weeks are over, I may stay offline even longer because seeing all the bullying and drama that goes on in social media truly makes me hate everything about it. Knowing that kids nowadays are not having as great of a childhood as I did because they are now all over social media makes me wonder what life would be like without all the fun times that I had before I joined the social world. Overall, I am honestly glad I took time to really be me again and to not worry so much about how many likes I can get on a picture.
Hey what’s up?
GRAPHIC BY SPENCER DILYARD
Social media detox cleanses mind
Complaining provides a therapeutic lifestyle
Did you do the math homework?
SHIYUAN WANG K. I’m coming over. Want some food?
Cool. I’ll be there soon!
feature editor Last week, for an assignment for The Wooster Blade, I was told to not complain for an entire week. I knew when I undertook this task that it could be quite difficult; hashtags like #FirstWorldProblems exist because our society does have the tendency to complain a lot about little things. As a high school senior, I am at a stressful time in life, especially since this is the point where I have to make so many decisions regarding my college and basically, my entire future, when I am technically not even
a legal adult yet. I am also juggling three AP classes and a bunch of extracurricular activities, so my academics have not necessarily been a breeze either. Not complaining for a week forced to me to really think about what I wanted to say before I started complaining. Just in a normal conversation with my friends, we would whine about how much homework we have. So, in my moments of anger and frustration, I would calm down a little and maybe take a deep breath so I could relax. In a way, it was like meditation for me, some much needed meditation. For a week, it was nice to not be entirely consumed by my stress, but I do not think I am capable of keeping it up for a lifetime. In some ways, complaining lets me release my frustration and thus provided catharsis for me. Complaining is therapeutic, and I realized from this assignment that I really need it for the sake of my own sanity.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 31
“Giddy Up” united school BLADE staff members discuss recent policies influencing the WHS student body
Student body voters prefer “Go Woo”
SCOT NIELSON & JENNA ZHU staff writers
Over the course of three days, WHS students had the opportunity to vote as to whether “Giddy-up Generals” should be the 2015-2016 WHS motto. This controversial phrase suffered nearly a 70 percent
loss in the vote. Having answered the question of whether or not “Giddyup” was representative of the student body’s desires, a dilemma arose of choosing a new motto. In a period of looking toward the future, while remembering the past, “Go Woo” is appropriate for the 2015-2016 school year. While the same may be true of other phrases, “Go Woo” reflects initiatives of the student body as a whole, supporting democratic values. Furthermore, we posit that a culture of ownership should be a top priority of school leaders; this atmosphere can be achieved through the motto change.
Arguments that this motto should have left with former WHS Principal Anita JorneyGifford lack substance, as this catchphrase existed long before her time as principal. Many students grew up with “Go Woo”. Not only did the district use this phrase for years, but “Go Woo” was adopted by community organizations, clubs and sports leagues. It may be that the motto changes every year. In fact, we advocate for an annual evaluation of the motto, contingent on the decisions of next year’s student government. Is a new motto each year not a new tradition? We think the motto is a great fit.
ERIN O’DONNEL staff writer Last year brought a whirlwind of change to WHS. One most notable change was the new school motto: “Giddy up, Generals!”. The new motto was met with negative reactions, and, thus, lasted for only one year, until it was recently replaced by the original “Go Woo!”. Though the motto has been met with negative reactions and was ultimately replaced, I believe that WHS should re-adopt the motto “Giddy up, generals!” because it unites
us as a school and serves as a symbol of forward thinking and respect between the students and administrators. At the Wooster versus Orrville football game last year, the Orrville student section used “Giddy up, Woo!” to mock WHS, but the Wooster students who heard it stood their ground and defended the motto. The incident united students to defend their school. Last year’s Student Government members and co-founders of the new motto, Taylor Bennington and Dave Burnett, stated in a letter to the editor published last issue that the motto symbolizes “a wave of positive thinking… a close and positive relationship between the administration, students, and faculty,” and I agree with their statement. The dynamic at WHS is changing quickly, and to revert back to the outdated “Go Woo!” is to ignore these changes and new culture at WHS.
Discussion takes place regarding in-service day policy changes Delays maximize class time Full days prevent cramming RYAN MILLER on campus editor
In today’s school environment students need as much time in the classroom as possible to achieve their potential. The results of the National Assessment for Educational Process, a test which takes a sample group of 50 students in grades four and eight in each state and in 21 large cities around the United States. The results of the assessment found a substantial difference in test scores when students missed even a small amount of school. In fact, students scored a whole 5 points less on the test missing just one day of school the month prior to the test which is about a 3 percent loss in score.
Seeing as time in the classroom is vital to student learning, any time in the classroom is helpful to a student’s learning process as a whole. So, we should grant students more classroom time whenever we can, in order to prioritize benefitting them. It also just makes sense from a logistically minded standpoint: having a two hour delay rather than having a day off on teacher in-service days would help shave off days at the end of the school year because shortened days still count toward the total number of school days needed. There are many benefits students can procure from having two hour delay days on teacher in-service days rather than closing down our schools on those days.
NICK COSMO staff writer
Taking full days off from school is a better alternative to two hour delays. The advantage can be seen through a comparison between the two options and when looking at the differences, it is evident that taking a full day off is much better than a two hour delay. Two hour delay days affect the learning schedule, as periods are shortened by a considerable length of time. This shortening of time means that students do not have as much time to learn the lesson, meaning that they won’t be able to retain the information. This issue will only have
negative effects on students, as students will not have a solid grasp on that concept, leading to lower grades. Furthermore, in class time will be lost due to questions on the concept, only leading to more unnecessary problems. With full days off, there is no opportunity for rushed lessons. Students will have the time to learn that lesson on another day, and will have enough time to fully comprehend the subject. They also may use the day to review subjects which they are reviewed over. We should give the students time to breathe rather than rush them at the cost of their learning. We should do what is best for the students and their learning, and opt for full days off from school.
THE
WOOSTER
BLADE
Editors-in-Chief Mary Grace Gorman, Stephen Kridel Webmaster Shreya Gurumurthy Graphics Manager Nate King-Smith Business Manager Samantha Brunn Front Editor Maureen McKeown On Campus Editors Kayla Barnet, Ryan Miller Focus Editors Kayla Cooper, Olivia Sleek Sports Editors Casey Baik, Grant Peabody Arts & Entertainment Editors Becca Foley, Claire Lanham Trends Editors Emma Jeffries, Chloe Landers Cover Editors Isabelle Cannon, Sarah Hopkins Views Editors Alex Barnard, Fred Holmes Feature Editors Hanna Morgan, Shiyuan Wang Staff Writers Valerie Anderson, Megan Buss, Nick Cosmo, Spencer Dilyard, Evan Doan, Bree Flinn-Johnson, Drew Friedhoff, Hannah Knapic, Austin McCully, Maddy Nacci, Scot Nielson, Erin O’Donnell, Amber Swigart, Katie Ward, Tatumn McGrew, Drosos Kardulias Photographers Fred Holmes, Grant Peabody, Casey Baik, Megan Buss, Bree Flinn-Johnson, Hannah Knapic, Jenna Zhu, Maggie Flechler, Maureen McKeown, Claire Lanham Cartoonists Scot Nielson, Jess Lyons, Fred Holmes, Leah Sim Adviser Kristi Hiner The Wooster Blade is a biweekly student publication printed every other Friday by the Newspaper Production classes at Wooster High School. The paper is designated as an open forum and follows publishing guidelines as established in a district-wide publications policy protecting students’ freedom of expression. All copy, art and photography are property of The Wooster Blade and cannot be reproduced without permission. Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words and The Wooster Blade reserves the right to print and edit as per length and content.The Wooster Blade is a member of Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association.The Wooster Blade is printed in cooperation with Wooster’s The Daily Record. Letters and inquiries should be addressed to The Wooster Blade, 515 Oldman Road Wooster, Ohio 44691. The Wooster Blade can be contacted at 330-345-4000 ext. 3210.
THE VOICE OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | NOV. 13, 2015 | PAGE 32
Editorial Board Discusses: After School app disrupts student privacy
A new app has surfaced at Wooster High School that allows high school students to post anonymously on a forum specific to their school. The app, After School, is only available on Apple devices and describes itself on iTunes as, “an anonymous and private message board for your school.” The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes the ability for high schoolers to post anonymously on social media, in this and other similar apps, presents several problems. While posts, as of yet, are rarely malicious or derogatory, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes the idea of anonymously posting comments about peers can be uncomfortable and inappropriate. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board would also like to remind students that even posts that may be intended as compliments are often not received as such. Comments that sexualize students can cause those being talked about to feel disrespected, embarrassed and threatened and can be considered the virtual equivalent of catcalling, which is not acceptable in any environment. Similarly, Ask.fm, an app that has been popular in previous years among WHS students, resurfaces in popularity from time to time. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board is also critical of Ask.fm, as it allows users to ask questions to others anonymously and has also resulted in bullying and inappropriate comments, as students are willing to say things online they would not consider appropriate to say in person. After School is also similar to an app called Yik Yak, as it is also designed to allow people to post anonymously, but is commonly used by college students. The effect this app has on college campuses is much different than in high schools. The reason for this difference is that high schools are much smaller and give students the chance to reference people by name, making the attacks more deeply personal. Yik Yak even has a rule about not referencing people by name. People utilize initials and graduation years to protect students’ identities, and posts that use specific names are taken down. While The Wooster Blade Editorial Board is not advocating for Yik Yak, we believe it takes better precautions to protect students’ privacy than After School does. The strict monitoring by college administration and Yik Yak causes a greater accountability for one’s actions, which is not present on After School. In addition to new apps, anonymous Twitter accounts have also repeatedly caused problems. Currently, popular Twitter accounts such @waynecotwitpoll and @WoosterPolls have become popular, taking advantage of Twitter’s new polling features to ask questions comparing students, often using terms traditionally considered derogatory. This public comparison of students can damage their self-esteeem by allowing the public to vote on their personal characteristics. The mask of anonymity is especially problematic. Students can see that hurtful comments are being made about them, without the ability to know who is making the statements, as users can make statements and propagate them, with little to no sense of responsibility. This forum creates a perfect environment for bullying to take place and go unpunished. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board urges students to remember that words communicated via the Internet hold just as much power as those said in person. Students should have greater respect for their peers and themselves and refrain from posting things that are harmful or uncomfortable to other people.
FRED HOLMES