THE WOOSTER BLADE
WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH OCT. 13, 2017 VOLUME XVIII, ISSUE 3
Down syndrome, according to the National Down Syndrome Society website. Graphics by Matthew Lorentz and Spencer Dilyard.
Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month Index:
front: 1
on campus: 2-5
a&e: 6
feature: 7 cover: 8-10
sports: 11-13 views: 14-16
ON CAMPUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 2
League of Women Voters hosts county candidates night On Oct. 19, Candidates Night will be held at Bruch Hall in the First Presbyterian Church. Candidates Night, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Wayne County, is held to cultivate citizens’ knowledge of the local candidates before the election and to promote informed voting. Kathy Helmuth, member
SKYY KHOUNBORIN The Wooster Way is a student led initiative that allows the students to assist each other in their emotional and social needs. Julianna Hamad, guidance counselor and head of the Wooster Way at WHS, stated, “Now, just in high school, adolescents in general, sometimes have a hard time putting the blinders down and understanding that there are students right next to them that are struggling.” Hamad said the message presented by the Wooster Way, you are never alone, is imperative to helping the students overcome their problems. The Wooster Way is represented in each class by ambassadors. All ambassadors volunteer
of the Wayne County LWV and program director for League of Women Voters as a national organization of women and men, “that seeks to promote the informed participation of citizens in government and in our democracy.” According to “Educating and Engaging Voters” on the league especially aims at aiding underrepresented
to be a part of the program. Korbin Reed (11), one of the ambassadors for the junior class, said, “I thought it would be fun to teach them about life choices, so they don’t make mistakes that I’ve made.” This year, the system of teaching the lessons has changed. According to Hamad, in previous years, there would be ambassadors in lower grades teaching upperclassmen, and this system did not work because those in the upper grades would not take the lessons seriously due to the lack of authority. Now, Hamad said, due to the change in academic assists, where they are organized by the same grade level, the ambassadors will have the authority they need in order to Ambassadors will be taught the
minorities and new citizens. Candidates Night serves to engage and inform citizens of Wooster. “One thing that we think our Candidates Night program does is if we can get people to come out and hear the candidates, it becomes much more interesting when you vote as to having knowledge what they’re like, how they speak, what their attitudes and ideas are,” Helmuth said.
lesson once every two weeks. The next day, they will teach their assigned academic assist the lesson. Anna Zerrer, another ambassador for the junior class, said, “I hope that they can take what we are saying seriously and under consideration. I want them to be prepared and ready for the future.” Hamad stated both teachers and students can learn from this system. “The Wooster Way allows teachers to learn new things everyday about the students that attend WHS,” Hamad said. Hamad also said the ambassadors will gain leadership skills, the ability to speak in front of others comfortably and are taught lessons that will not be found inside of a textbook.
According to lwvwaynecounty. org, candidates running for Wayne County Municipal Judge, Wooster City Council and WCS Board will be present at Candidates Night and Helmuth emphasizes the league’s appreciation for the candidates attending. “All of the candidates are coming to our event… and so we’re very excited about the high level of participation and energy that the candidates are showing, and we especially
Coming up in the WCSD
CLARA LEE
feel a deep appreciation to the candidates for being willing to come out and talk to the public,” Helmuth said. Helmuth explained the League of Women Voters of Wayne County will have about 30 at Candidates Night including greeting the candidates and public, collecting questions from the audience and timing the speakers, including the moderator of the event, Cindy Biggs.
Oct. 16 Kean kicks off food drive Oct .17 Blood drive at Cornerstone Elementary Oct. 20 No school teacher inservice day Oct. 24 BOE meeting 7 p.m. at WHS LGIR Oct. 27 Title 1 reading night 5 p.m. -7 p.m. at Cornerstone Elementary
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 3
New club will incentivize students’ drug-free lives AMBER SWIGART co-editor-in-chief
In the report of the Drug Task Force, titled “Random Drug Testing Research Findings” and presented to the Board of Education on June 27, the research group formed to address drug use in the district ultimately recommended that WHS adopt a voluntary and incentive-based program to combat drugs. That program will be Drug Free Clubs of America. “That was their recommendation because it was more about culture than discipline,” Dr. Michael Tefs, WCSD Superintendent, said. The Drug Free Clubs will become present at WHS in this school year, with plans to kick off the program set for this fall. “By the end of October we’ll have some informational assemblies that are taking place and we’ll hear more buzz about it. Then, November would be the kickoff,” Heidi Haas, Administrative Intern, said. Students will be able to sign up for the club through December, according to Haas. Essentially, on a random day every month a list of random club members is sent to the administration 24 hours before there is a screening of those students, according to Jean Roberts, a Career Connections Consultant at TriCounty Educational Service Center who will lead the implementation of Drug Free Clubs of America at WHS. Many incentives for participating in the program are determined by community involvement and what local businesses are willing to donate, according to Roberts. At the same time, club members qualify for incentives, which are usually offered weekly. At other schools, incentives include snacks, homework passes, early release times and a Cedar Point trip, she says.
Furthermore, she asserts that more than anything, the program aims to promote a culture that discourages drug use. “For us, the goal is that [the program] uses peer pressure in a positive light,” Roberts said. The incentives will be set by the WHS Student Government. Principal Tyler Keener hopes that Student Government will help the program find its footing and communicate student opinions, but plans for the program to run independently eventually.
“FOR US, THE GOAL IS THAT [THE PROGRAM] USES PEER PRESSURE IN A POSITIVE LIGHT” ROBERTS SAID. He said he wants the program to change students’ attitudes toward drug use so they decide against drugs throughout their lives. “Academically, how can we make students feel comfortable making good choices when they are out of high school? The long term goal is a drug-free lifestyle; It’s obviously going to help students and families be more successful after high school,” Keener said. He added that seeing 15 percent to 20 percent register for the program in the first year would be impressive. Program membership is not free, and a grant from OHuddle Inc. through Community Connector Consortium of Wooster will alleviate individual cost for the Drug Free Club program in addition to other initiatives. The grant details can be found on the ODE website under “Community Connectors FY18 Awardees.” An introductory assembly will take place later this month.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 4
Prism strives to create inclusive environment for students at WHS MELINA MERA & CORINNE WILES Prism is a club that strives to create and provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students at WHS, according to Marcelo Mirassol (12). Within the club, there are many ranks of leadership that the members choose, including president, vicepresident and secretary. The current president of the club is Catherine Strong (11), the co-vice-presidents are Marcelo Mirassol (12) and Ciera Carbetta (11) and the secretary is Madison Helms (10). Prism was created to be a secure place for any student at WHS. “It provides safety for people
who feel they can’t be safe in their natural environment,” Mirassol said. Previously the club was named the GayStraight Alliance. Recently they switched the title to Prism, in order to highlight not only gay and straight people, but also other
sexualities, Helms said. On the journey to aid all students at WHS, students who already belong to the club
encourage anyone to join. “It’s fun to be in and everyone feels safe and welcome here,” according to Jaxson Everett (12), a member of Prism. The leaders of the club hold bi-weekly meetings at WHS for the members after the school day. Katherine Putka, A r t Dept.
m e m b e r, advises each Prism meeting, which take place in her classroom. The main goal of the activities at the meetings is to lend
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Prism mission statement: Prism is a group of LGBTQIA+ and allied youth that advocates for human rights regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, gender or socio-economic status.
a helping hand to students while keeping updated on current events concerning the LGBTQ+ community. “We are planning to help inform more people in LGBTQ+ issues and help those who need support,” Helms reported.
Students who attend the meetings have also created posters to get the word out about the club in order to motivate others to join, said Helms. Oct. 19, their next meeting, Prism will be decorating pumpkins as part of their activity.
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THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 5
PHOTO COURTESY OF GIAMINH NGUYEN
West Holmes Knights make Mcghee’s touchdown dream come true
Joey Mcghee’s teammates lift him to the sky after he scores a 64-yard touchdown against the West Holmes Knights on Sept. 29, which contributed to the Wooster General’s third consecutive victory this season. The
THOMAS MATTHEW Sept. 29 was a dream come true for WHS student Joey Mcghee (12), as he scored a touchdown during the football game at West Holmes. Players and fans alike cheered him as he ran, while the marching band chanted his dream. Garrett Knapic (10), linebacker for the Generals, was also enthusiastic. “We were excited and proud
because it had been Joey’s goal to score a touchdown since the beginning of the summer,” Knapic said. Similarly, Joey’s parents were emotional about seeing their son achieve this goal. His mom was in the bleachers, eager to watch the game and surprised to see her son running “We were surprised it happened at an away game. We both are very grateful to the coaching Wooster football team that include him,” Christina McGhee said.
Coach Doug Haas never planned on Joey scoring. “We never planned it out to West Holmes. We handed the him to get hurt, and the refs relayed it to the kids,” Haas said. However, the West Holmes coaches facilitated the plan further. “Coach Gardener, the coach at West Holmes, relayed to the refs that we want him to score, let him score,” Haas added. Haas said that West Holmes showed unbelievable sportsmanship.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 6
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
In the bottom left, left middle, top center and top right formations. In the top left picture , the band cheers on the football team from the stands. In the middle right and bottom right pictures, the band marches into the stadium. Photos courtesy of Dan Adams.
Examining marching band’s storied history and future MADDY NACCI feature editor
The WHS marching band has been marching at games and in shows since they first began in 1931, according to www. whsmusic.nvi.net. Dan Adams has directed the marching band for 28 years and strives to make it a strong and well known program. About 170 students from grades 9 through 12 comprise the band.
“It’s really a fun challenge to get everyone working together as a group, but that is what makes being in a musical organization so rewarding. When we all come together from different backgrounds, ages and experience, putting it all together is what it’s all about,” Adams said. Each year, the band focuses on a different theme for their shows. This year they did a tribute to Michael Jackson, including songs; “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” “I’ll
be There,” I Want You Back” and “Never Can Say Goodbye.” “Input from students in the spring of the previous year provides most of the guidance in selecting music for the next fall’s marching season. Formations and drills come from inspiration found in the music selected. It can vary widely depending on the type or style of the music,” Adams said. Matthew Brunn (12) plays the saxophone and says the marching band draws
inspiration from The Ohio State University marching band and they do high-step, a more challenging type of marching. Stone Nicholson (11), a percussionist in the band, says he loves the environment that marching band brings. “I love band because of the great people around me,” Nicholson said. The band just performed the Homecoming tradition of Script “Woo!,” led by majorette Madison Cox (12). She says it is an honor to lead
this tradition. “The best part about being a majorette is being a role model to the younger audience when I perform. I love being a leader and putting on a show at halftime,” Cox said. The marching band takes a trip to perform to other communities every two years, like Disney World in 2015. They will play in the upcoming football games, as well as travel to Boston in the spring to perform at Quincy Market downtown.
FEATURE
Ida Sue and Nick Amster Workshop Ida Sue School develops through the years RACHAEL SCHMIDT
1965 and in 1967 to add more were attending the school at
:
RHEANNA VELASQUEZ & AMBREA DELLAFAVE
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 7
of the bands from the local high schools come
Heather Patterson is Program Coordinator at Nick Amster Workshop’s Oldman facility. “I don’t really consider it a job. I know we make
increased to 153 people total in crowded again. for handicapped children was needed. and taken care of. Robert Bond as secretary. passage of a 1.1 million dollar Nick
Amster
Workshop
grandfather and is a program
is no longer a part of the Wayne
GINA VAN LIEU & ALEXA MITCHELL
was held in 1956 at Knesseth Israel Temple in Wooster and more room.
implementing new programs for
and are looking at growing at a
Pat Visocky is a mom of three children: children. with both these schools.
Dalton and Rittman began to “They were caring and compassionate and opened on its own property.
COVER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT 13, 2017 | PAGE 8
DOWN
syndrome awareness at WHS
Graphic by Matthew Lorentz
Special Education Dept. promotes inclusion EVAN DOAN a&e editor
In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Special Education Dept. at WHS provides each student with an educational experience designed to meet their unique needs. Under IDEA, according to www.ed.gov, students with disabilities must have access to, be involved with and progress in the general curriculum of the school. Additionally, IDEA outlines the importance of preparing students with disabilities for a future outside general education. “The purpose of special education is to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living, the law states,” the law states. Holly Pope, a Special Education Dept. member, has been teaching special education at Wooster for eight years. For Pope, the best and most worthwhile part of her job is being able to watch students grow within the culture of the school. “I love the inclusion aspect of my job. I love that my students
have been nominated for Homecoming court, that they are recognized in the school and community and when they are included and accepted in the various aspects of school: socially, academically, in extracurriculars etc,” Pope said. As outlined by the Ohio Department of Education, standardized testing within Special Education is an important aspect of the learning process. According www.education. ohio.gov, the ODE is committed to providing standardized testing to all students, including students with disabilities, English learners and English learners with disabilities. “Ohio’s state tests provide opportunities for the widest possible number of students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Together, these elements will increase student access to Ohio’s State Tests with fidelity of implementation,” the website said. Pope said the most important aspect of special education is preparation for life outside of school. “As a high school teacher, the most important aspect of working with any student is preparing them for the next step in their life. Whether it is preparing for them for college, work, military etc., I feel like it is my job to help prepare students to be productive citizens,” Pope explained. The Wooster City Schools
District Profile outlines the importance of tailoring each student’s education to meet his or her unique needs. To accomplish this specificity for each student, certain strategies are used, including what the District Profile refers to as strength-based instruction, integrated special education and mental health services that address the social and emotional needs of students. Pope highlighted the essential importance of acceptance in approaching special education. “I think the important thing for everyone to remember is that we are all people first. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We will never know what people are capable of until we give them the opportunity to do them. That is not just in reference to people with disabilities, but it’s really best practice for all,” Pope said. As of several years ago, according to Pope, students with disabilities are incorporated into elective classes with the general student population. “Students have been included in electives for several years now, both at Edgewood and the high school. My students have the same choice in electives just like all other students,” Pope said. As Pope previously outlined, this inclusivity is essential for students with disabilities to thrive and further grow within their learning environment.
MOLLY SCHNEIDER
During the school day, Amanda Yates works in the General Grounds Cafe and Lexi Vertucci (9) performs an exercise in Acting I Class.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 9
JOHN GORMAN On Oct. 5, A Brush and A Beverage held its first fundraiser for Down syndrome awareness. The fundraiser was created by Sandy Crandall, who said she started it for her 8-year-old grandson who has Down syndrome. One primary focus of the event was to remind people that, “people with Down syndrome are more like us than different,” according to Crandall. This event was not the first one Crandall has held in
Wooster. Other such events include jewelry shows and Zumbathons at the YMCA. According to Crandall, the proceeds will go to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio. The DSACO was founded, “to support families, promote community involvement, and encourage a lifetime of opportunities for people with Down syndrome,” according to the organization’s mission statement on its website. The funds raised at the Brush and a Beverage fundraiser will go to the DSACO’s main fundraiser: the Buddy Walk. Of every dollar raised by Buddy Walk teams, 93
percent stays in Central Ohio counties, while 7 percent goes to the National Down Syndrome Society for national advocacy, according to the Buddy Walk website. These DSACO services include scholarships, parental on
disability legislation. The day long event culminates in a trek around Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, according to the DSACO Facebook page. According to Crandall, there are no immediate Wooster Down syndrome awareness fundraisers planned, but she hopes to continue her work as an advocate of awareness.
MADDY MCCULLY
Down syndrome proves to have a large impact on family ALEXIS FLORENCE & EMILY JEWELL The diagnosis of Down syndrome not only has individual, but also impacts their family members. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition related to the 21st chromosome, that causes learning and poor muscle tone. The condition also increases the risk of cardiovascular and digestive problems as well as hearing loss. The condition live born to the Genome Addy
infants, according National Human Research Institute. Fletcher, a parent
mentor who works at the at Tri County Educational Services Center with families who have a child diagnosed with Down syndrome commented that when talking about disabilities like Down syndrome, society often solely focuses on the how the individual diagnosed is mentally or physically that parents and siblings also face large challenges. “Having a child with Down syndrome often forces families to navigate many systems that are new to them, such as the worlds of doctors, therapists, insurance companies, the board of developmental disabilities and special education. With each new system comes a new set of rules to learn and navigate,” Fletcher said. At WHS, Science Dept. member Troy Worth has a 24-year-old
son who was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth.
“ HAVING A CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME OFTEN FORCES FAMILIES TO NAVIGATE MANY SYSTEMS... WITH EACH NEW SYSTEM COMES A NEW SET OF RULES,” FLETCHER SAID.
reaction that come with raising a child who has down syndrome. Worth said he fears, “that he life, that he won’t be able to get the things that he wants to do.” Deana Worth, an IB math teacher and Troy Worth’s spouse, said she retired early from teaching and currently only teaches part-time in order to be home more with her son. She commented on her reaction to her son’s diagnosis. “... he was in an intensive I just thought he was going to die. So I cried. Later, after I put everything together, it was There was no more ‘He will be a doctor;’ it was just changed
is
common
when
parent. Grief is almost always a part of the process. Even though the children are alive and thriving, as parents of children with disabilities, we grieve the lost dreams that we had for them,” Fletcher said. Furthermore, at WHS, growing up with a sibling who has Down syndrome. McGhee said there are challenges to having a brother with Down syndrome. However, McGee said, “I’ve learned to have more compassion and, overall, I think I am a better person because of him.” Both Deana and Troy Worth value patience and to enjoy life more through their son.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 10
The eugenics debate:
How Iceland has eradicated Down syndrome, and the moral implications of the legislation “WHILE ICELAND IS AT A NEARLY 100 PERCENT ABORTION RATE... OTHER COUNTRIES ARE NOT FAR BEHIND, WITH DENMARK AT 98 PERCENT, FRANCE AT 77 AND THE UNITED STATES AT 67 PERCENT.” JULIAN QUINONES AND ARIJETA LAJIKA HANNAH KNAPIC & ESTELLE SHAYA sports editor & co-editor in chief
T
hrough technologies introduced in the late 20th century, prenatal genetic screening
in part responsible for the high While Iceland is at a nearly 100 percent abortion rate of fetuses
part by saying abortions on the
countries are not far behind,
are a form of discrimination.
France at 77 and the United States at 67 percent, according to data presented in the CBS article. At the same time, the United
“While I take seriously the concerns that disability rights activists raise about market eugenics, to the best of my
According to the June 27, 2011, article “Genetic Screening,” by Burke, et al., screening
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. These types include prenatal
is disappearing,” by Julian Quinones and Arijeta Lajika. According to John Rudisill, a professor of philosophy at the College of Wooster, there are arguments to be made that more information on the health of a fetus is better and that prospective parents should
evaluation of asymptomatic people to detect an unsuspected
syndrome
testing, as for many, test results
syndrome, is becoming a common practice.
order to improve future health. Screening can happen on a including prenatal, infant and reproductive genetic screening in order to detect carriers of diseases before conception, according to Burke, et al. Prenatal screening for the syndrome began in the 1960s and continues to advance to this day, according to the 2015 Brandeis University ethical inquiry, “The ethics of prenatal
probability,
and
almost 100 percent accuracy rate of detection.
include
parent
choice
and
inadequate information are concerns, according to Brandeis University. available in nearly all developed countries, but Iceland has taken it further than others. expecting mothers be informed of the availability of tests to
testing are available and recommended by the American
imposed such bans. Thomas Tierney, professor of sociology and anthropology at the College of Wooster, said the
article, “‘What kind of society do
on keeping a child. Since the introduction of optional testing in the early 2000s, around 80 to 85 percent of
Syndrome Society has not taken approach to abortions of fetuses Ohio is considering. From my perspective, rather than an introduced to the Ohio Senate, sponsored by Senator LaRose,
to use the Combination test to The test includes an ultrasound,
syndrome, according to a bill analysis by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission. According
article.
make performing an abortion
in Iceland terminated their pregnancies after receiving a
a fourth-degree felony for the doctor performing the abortion, accompanied by a revocation of
according to the same article. fetus has a deformity, including
the abortion.
address the concerns raised by disabled rights activists is to these reproductive decisions are provided non-directive information by professional genetic counselors about the implications (including a discussion of market eugenics) decisions.” Iceland and the United States have taken action on spectrum,
inciting
extremely
CONTROVERSY develops around NCAA
SPORTS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 11 HOLLY MILLER feature editor
In the last week of September, news of the FBI’s criminal investigation into a corruption scheme involving Adidas and multiple Div. I college basketball coaches rocked the sports world. Beyond the criminal complaints and the ongoing federal investigation, the fallout continues, exceeding the NCAA’s own rulings from the findings, the suspension of Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino and the decommitment of many players to programs involved in the scandal, according to an ESPN article titled “Source: ‘Coach2’ in federal complaint is Rick Pitino.” Louisville recently renewed its contract with Adidas to receive $160 million over 10 years for the school’s sports teams to wear the brand.
However, according to an ESPN article titled “Report: Rick Pitino took in 98 percent of the cash from Louisville’s current Adidas deal,” Pitino embezzled 98 percent of this money. Additionally, Jim Gatto, director of global sports marketing for Adidas, and Merl Code, another Adidas employee, planned on paying star recruit Brian Bowen’s family $100,000 if he committed to Louisville. Bowen’s agreement also stated that he would be advised by Christian Dawkins, an employee of an athlete agency, and Munish Sood, a financial advisor, upon signing with Adidas when he became pro, according to an ESPN article titled “How Christian Dawkins went from unknown to key figure in a scandal that could bring down college basketball.” Rick Pitino was placed on unpaid administrative leave for these actions.
“These allegations come as a complete shock to me,” said Pitino in a press release, even after phone calls between him and Gatto about money were found, according to an article in The New York Times titled “N.C.A.A. Coaches, Adidas Executive Face Charges; Pitino’s Program Implicated.” An article titled “What We Know About Each School Implicated in the FBI’s College Hoops Investigation” by Daniel Rapaport published in Sports Illustrated, Auburn assistant coach Chuck Person, a 13-year NBA veteran, was charged with bribery, wire fraud, solicitation and conspiracy among other federal crimes. According to Rapaport’s article, Person received almost $100,000 for steering pro prospects and Auburn players to a financial advisor after their college career. It is also alleged that Person accepted $50,000 in bribes from Rashan Michel, the owner of an Atlanta-based
clothing company, in order to bribe Person to steer prominent athletes to work with Michel. The College of Wooster, as a Div. III college, does not provide athletic scholarships. College of Wooster Director of Athletics Keith Beckett said one problem the college has is finding athletes interested in continuing their careers away from the spotlight and without being able to offer financial benefits beyond the same academic and financial aid packages available to every student. Beckett said prospective student-athletes should choose a school they would be happy attending even if athletics are not a factor. “Explore the distinctions of Div. I versus II versus III and ask yourself the question, what is it that you really want to gain from your experiences as a student-athlete,” asked Beckett. The FBI’s investigation is ongoing at this point in time.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 12
Take a knee: JACOB GOOCH webmaster
Some players in the National Football League have taken it upon themselves to show their disapproval of institutional racism and bias in the United States by kneeling during the national anthem. According to the NY Daily News, taking a knee has long been a part of protest, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Ala. to the current practice of taking a knee to protest the treatment of colored persons in the United States and to remind the country as a whole that protest is a fundamental liberty guaranteed to all people. According to SBNation, Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers began his protest of the treatment of people of color in the
HANNAH KNAPIC
sports editor With constant access to, and coverage of, the movement in the NFL, high school athletes are among those affected by the protest of racial inequality in the United States. Beginning as early as the Friday night after former 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, first knelt during the national
United States on Aug. 14, 2016. Kaepernick’s protest, through sitting during the national anthem, went unnoticed at the 49ers first two preseason games, but at the third game on Aug. 26, 2016, Kaepernick was captured in a photo posted to Twitter by Jennifer Lee Chan of Niners Nation. Following the discovery of his protest, Kaepernick told NFL media in an exclusive interview, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Looking forward to Sept. 1, 2016, at the next 49ers
History of the controversial inequality protest explained
58
anthem, high school athletes began to respond and participate in the movement. Former Brunswick High School football player Rodney Axson, who graduated in May of 2017, was recorded as one of the first high school athletes to kneel during the national anthem, according to Chuck Modiano’s article in the New York Daily News, entitled, “First high school player to
game, Kaepernick was joined in protest by team member Eric Reid. That same day, Jeremy Lane of the Seattle Seahawks joined the protest as the first non-teammate of Kaepernick’s to sit or kneel during the national anthem. Just a few days later on Sept. 4, 2016, Megan Rapinoe of the National Wo m e n ’ s S o c c e r League’s Seattle Reign took a knee at a match against the Chicago Red Stars. Rapinoe said that as a gay American, she knows, “What it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties.” Following those events,
02
protest national anthem is receiving vile racist threats.” Axson, now a member of Winston Salem State University’s football team, said high school students should take the time to discuss political issues, hear others viewpoints and form opinions based on personal beliefs, rather than following the beliefs of peers. Football players from other Ohio high schools, including
Paul Laurence Dunbar in Dayton and Withrow in Cincinnati, protested racial inequality by kneeling or raising fists during the national anthem last football season, according to the article, “Ohio High School Athletic Association won’t punish athletes for taking a knee,” by Nick Castele of WOSU Public Media. Published on Sept. 26, Castele’s
one can see athletes of all walks of life kneeling at their respective competitions to show their support of the movement today. President Trump, on Sept. 24 commented that the protests had, “nothing to do with race.” Following that statement, according to CNN, players from NFL teams such as the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns took a knee during the national anthem. In addition, the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans did not come out of the locker room until after the national anthem. The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed in the locker room as well, with the exception of one player.
Graphic by Matt Lorentz
article cites the OHSAA director of communications, Tim Stried, as he states that, although OHSAA policy is for athletes and spectators to stand, no penalty will be placed on those who choose not to do so. Stried, in response to complaints from parents and coaches, encourages dialogue to happen between athletes and coaches to form support and limit possibility for surprises.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | OCT.13, 2017 | PAGE 13
discouraging kneeling Kneeling displays citizens’ rights
CATHERINE STRONG The principal of Parkway High School in Louisiana, Waylon Bates, announced an unconstitutional prohibition of student athletes kneeling during the national anthem in a letter published on Sept. 28, according to an article titled “Louisiana high school will kick students off team if they don’t stand for national anthem” from The Washington Post published on the same day. The act of taking a knee during the national anthem is a form of protest against institutional racism and police brutality. In the NFL, entire teams have knelt before, during, or have stayed in the locker room during the playing of the national anthem. Several teams have locked arms with one another during the song. Scores of high school athletes have followed the example of their professional counterparts. At Parkway High School, students face the punishment of losing playing time or removal from their respective team. Despite being addressed to the
student athletes and parents of Parkway High School, the letter soon gained traction over social media, eliciting thousands of responses. The big question regarding this prohibition is: is it constitutional? The answer is no. The proclamation goes against the First Amendment, as well as the Supreme Court cases that upheld the amendment and their precedents. Debates over free speech are not new in the American school system. In the 1943 case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment prohibited public schools from forcing students to salute the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The Court held that the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment protected students, according to West Virginia State Bd. of Educ. v. Barnette 319 U.S. 624 (1943) on supreme.justia.com. In 1965, the principals of a Des Moines, Iowa, school suspended three students for wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War. The children’s families sued, and the case was appealed and eventually argued before the Supreme Court. In 1969’s Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, the Supreme Court ruled that the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment protected students in a public school’s
right to undisrupted symbolic speech, according to the text of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District 393 U.S. 503 (1969), which can be found on the court case’s page on supreme.justia.com. In the same thread of black armbands, kneeling during the national anthem is a textbook definition of symbolic speech. These actions do not directly involve speaking, but make a point in a direct, silent, and non-disruptive manner. According to the precedent set by Tinker v. Des Moines, nondisruptive speech during school hours or at on-campus, schoolsponsored activities, such as taking a knee, is protected. Athletes refusing to stand for the national anthem may offend some people. Veterans or their loved ones may be justifiably offended by athletes taking a knee. However, the act of taking a knee during the national anthem does not seek to disrespect those who served but rather point out injustices that veterans have fought to abolish. The subject of racism and police brutality might just make some people uncomfortable. Either way, student athletes’ symbolic speech is protected under the First Amendment as well as the Supreme Court cases that uphold the amendment. Therefore, Principal Bates’ prohibition and condemnation of student athletes kneeling during the national anthem is unconstitutional.
This fact puts team owners in a precarious position where they must manage players who are protesting and weigh that fact with how detrimental to the team’s funding the act may be. Players have already had sponsors cut ties after choosing to kneel, such as Brandon Marshall, quarterback of the Denver Broncos, who lost two local endorsement deals in AVERY ROSS the aftermath, as recorded by Lindsay Jones of USA Today. If players continue to kneel, When Colin Kaepernick knelt entire teams could see backlash, for the first time in 2016, he significantly reducing funding, sparked a controversy that has and causing a multitude of been sporadically re-ignited over financial issues for the team the past year. owner. The issue came to a point Another thing to keep in mind when President Trump is the message kneeling carries recently commented on Twitter with it. The national anthem intimating that he would no is played at sporting events longer attend NFL games, to create a show of patriotism raising the question: can a team and honor those who have demand athletes to stand given their lives defending during the national American beliefs. anthem? When Kaepernick Professional knelt for the sports teams first time, he are private explained in businesses an interview who have no with Steve affiliation with the Wyche that he U.S. government, meaning believed African there is no legal requirement for Americans were being owners to allow their players to oppressed. He said African express themselves freely. The Americans were not being league has no obligation to allow given the same freedoms as players to kneel, especially when other American citizens and many corporate sponsors are he felt it was unjust to salute pushing for the team to portray American patriotism that day. a very patriotic, family friendly Which begs the question: what image. has led so many other players However, as stated in the to kneel? article “Freedom Of Speech Kneeling during the anthem is In The Workplace: The First not a proper show of disrespect Amendment Revisited” from toward the president, but is, FindLaw.com, matters of race instead, a show of disrespect and religion are not legally toward our fallen, which acceptable reasons to suppress should lead many players to employees, making kneeling as reconsider if they should be a form of protest significantly kneeling at all. murkier in terms of legality.
Graphic by Matthew Lorentz.
VIEWS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 14 Graphic by Matthew Lorentz and Spencer Dilyard.
Photos by Maddy McCully.
Head to Head: Students discuss the entanglement of politics and sportsPR
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Ever since the days of Ancient Greece with the birth of both the Olympics and democracy, the worlds of sports and politics have been intertwined. Recently, however, peaceful protests by vie NFL athletes have brought that connection ws to the forefront of discussion. edi The best way to promote a strong democracy is tor through free discourse of ideas. It is crucial for all individuals to listen to all sides of any issue, especially those as fervently debated as national politics, and the sports world is an ideal spark for discussion. Sports allow for common ground to be found between individuals. Dan Roen, writing for the BBC in an article titled “Democracy in sport: An uneasy relationship with politics,” explains that sports help people to agree and begin to trust each other, a key step for fruitful discourse. By establishing this understanding, people have a greater ability to see eye to eye on contentious issues. Protests originated by Colin Kaepernick during the playing of the national anthem have grown in recent weeks, in part due to criticism by President Trump. According to Steve Wyche of NFL.com, Kaepernick refuses to stand and, “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” While his protests have yet to result in any changes, sports have often been catalysts for political change worldwide. International Sports competitions have helped to shape global politics for the better. The IOC excluded South Africa from the Olympics as part of a South African sporting boycott in an effort to end Apartheid. Or, look to the 1988 Seoul Olympics during which protests and demonstrations played a part in the downfall of Dictator Chun Doo Hwan. Perhaps the most commonly known example being Muhammad Ali’s refusal to fight in Vietnam, after which he became a focal point of the Civil Rights movement. Though he was stripped of his titles and sentenced to prison, he helped to bring about societal change in the United States. Obviously, sports were not the sole reasons for these changes, but it is impossible to ignore the effect sports have played in societal changes.
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Today it is hard to escape the barrage of news and politics surrounding sports. When several football players took a knee several weeks ago, they were attacked by Donald Trump and his supporters. In 2003, ESPN hired Rush Limbaugh as a commentator, but was met with backlash. The issue was not because Limbaugh was a
have known what they were getting into because Limbaugh Limbaugh’s termination just goes to show that sports and politics do not mix and that athletes should stay out of it. However, when athletes voice their personal opinions about politics, they are berated by the public and the media and it is not okay. Our country was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and property. There is no liberty with police brutality. No wonder Kaepernick and his followers are protesting; it goes against all our values. They are not arguing that people should attack the police, but are instead protesting police brutality. However, once Kaepernick brought politics into sports and tried to shed light on a major issue, he was immediately attacked by the public, but in cable news, you can see two politicians just having a casual conversation about a team’s terrible coaching skills. If we can not make up our mind about politics and sports, then it should not be involved. One thing we are always told as a child is that there are some things that we should not talk about in public as we get older. Those two things are politics and religion. Politics are ugly; everyone knows that. Politics brings us stress and stir discussions that we would rather not have at the moment. That is why we have sports. Sports provide an escape for us, as citizens to get away from the Washington D.C heat. Sports involves sports; politics involves politics. E.J. Dionne, writer for The Washington Post, summed it up best, “Most of us who love sports want to forget about politics when we watch games. Sports, like so many other voluntary activities, creates connections across political lines.” If we want to make society better it would be best to keep things where they belong.
THE WOOSTER BLADE |VIEWS| OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 15
Title IX policy revisions encouraged in light of national changes The American public can no longer fail to discuss Title IX and push it to the background of public discussion, and it is our responsibility to examine the WCSD Title IX policy and implementation, asking how the local policy could be improved in response to national shortcomings. At a speech given in September to George Mason University students, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the process for handling sexual assault must be revised, according to an article from The New Yorker entitled “Betsy DeVos, Title IX, and the ‘Both Sides’ Approach to Sexual Assault.” Title IX mandates that gender discrimination should not occur at federally funded institutions. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” the U.S. Dept. of Education website states, under the section “Title IX and Sex Discrimination.” The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes the WCSD must do more to increase the visibility of Title IX and the issues it encompasses. Although WCSD meets the legal standards of Title IX, the district should go above the basic federal requirements to set a progressive example for other schools, especially considering that the U.S. Education Dept. is rolling back the policy and its coverage of harassment. In a poll of WHS teachers, conducted by members of the Editorial Board during the week of Oct. 2, only 4 of 44 teachers correctly identified Rich Leone or Karen Arbogast as WCSD Title IX coordinators. Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs said he believes WHS faculty already know how to address Title IX complaints in an interview on Sept. 22. “The staff is all first responders, even custodians
and cafeteria workers. From there, [the staff] is trained to get [the issue] to the appropriate people,” Tefs said. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes WHS staff members would likely report instances of harassment to administrators without knowing the names of our Title IX coordinators; however, making the position easily accessible to students, teachers and parents simplifies the process of filing a complaint, involving as few parties as immediately necessary. That so few staff members know who the Title IX coordinator is reflects a national misunderstanding of the policy. In the poll, 6 of 44 respondents pointed to athletic director Andy Kellar as the coordinator because Title IX requires that public institutions provide equal opportunity in athletics and extracurriculars. Kellar said that while he would not speak with Editorial Board members about Title IX, he believes the school provides boys and girls with equal opportunities and access to athletic facilities. The title of Title IX coordinators may belong to Arbogast and Leone, but every WHS staff member, including the Athletic Dept., should be comfortable speaking about Title IX’s contents so they are indisputably available to speak with students who express concerns about gender equity. Much of the district’s policy on Title IX can be found in BOE policy 2260, which addresses nondiscrimination and equal educational opportunity, establishing the Directors of Elementary and Secondary Education as Compliance Officers who handle harassment. Burying Title IX in board policy and simply meeting legal requirements is not enough to make students aware of their avenues of reporting harassment, especially considering the reevaluation of harassment procedures taking
place at the national level. According to Ed Swartz, who represents Neola, the company that constructs BOE policy in accordance with federal law, the superintendent is responsible for overseeing employees in the district and making sure they are aware of policy. Swartz clarifies that it is not the responsibility of Arbogast and Leone to ensure the visibility of Title IX. “[Compliance officers] are there only to respond to a breach of the policy. They don’t oversee, they react,” Swartz said. The same BOE policy states that “Students and all other members of the School District community and third parties are encouraged to promptly report incidents of unlawful discrimination and/ or retaliation... Any teacher, administrator, supervisor, or other District employee or official who receives such a complaint shall file it with the CO within two school days.” The Wooster Blade Editorial Board encourages the district to make the grievance procedure more accessible for students, parents and faculty members. WCSD policy regarding Title IX is not unique, as many school districts address Title IX only as the law requires. At the same time, some districts similar to the WCSD outline the grievance procedure in their student handbooks. Ashland High School, under the subsection “Filing a Complaint” in the 2017-2018 Student-Parent Handbook, clearly defines their grievance procedure by stating that “Any member of the Ashland School community who believes that they have been discriminated upon or harassed may file either an informal (oral) or formal (written) complaint.” There, the Title IX Coordinators are Linda McKibben and Robert Knabe. According to Knabe, the section of the handbook, which is also accessible from an AHS app, makes it easier for
Teachers respond to the question: Who is/are the Title IX coordinators of Wooster City Schools? 2% 2% I don’t know Andy Kellar Richard Leone Jennifer Crum Tyler Keener Amanda Terakedis
9% 9% 14%
students to file a complaint. “The student grievance procedure is included in the Student Handbook, so students understand their rights and how they can file, if they have a grievance. This ensures that all students have a clear understanding of their rights,” Knabe said. Students would feel more comfortable coming forward to report issues of harassment if there were a clearly defined path to resolve issues, and it is feasible for the WCSD to take progressive measures and provide an more accessible route for students to contact their Title IX coordinator. According to Lori MakinByrd, Title IX coordinator at the College of Wooster, the COW policy was filed under harassment until recently, when it was removed and highlighted individually for increased accessibility. In any case, knowing the Title IX coordinator would help students, not hurt them. “I think visibility is really important because visibility makes people more comfortable to come forward and report problems that they are having or concerns that they have about the institution or individuals... Many of the issues we are dealing with are ones that there is natural reluctance or hesitancy to talk
64%
44 teachers were polled on October 5th and 6th. Graphic by Matt Lorentz.
about, it’s within society that people don’t want to talk about it,” Makin-Byrd said. Leone and Arbogast address Title IX complaints on a caseby-case basis. Leone and Arbogast said they find that the nature of the positions means that complaints will filter upward to them, even if their title as coordinator is not known. “It’s not abnormal for people not to know who your Title IX coordinator is… There are a lot of roles and tasks that Mrs. Arbogast and I carry downtown that some people are familiar with and some people aren’t familiar with,” Leone said. It is true that Title IX is not at the forefront of discussion, but perhaps that should not be the case. Title IX is essential to protecting gender equity in public institutions and because it is not prioritized at the national level, we must take extra measures in the WCSD to make it accessible. There should be no ambiguity surrounding who the Title IX coordinator is, and the district should go a progressive step further than what is legally required and clearly define the grievance procedure to students, parents and teachers, ensuring that no Title IX issue goes overlooked and unreported.
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Editors-in-Chief Estelle Shaya, Amber Swigart Webmaster Jacob Gooch Graphics Manager Matthew Lorentz Business Managers Matthew Lorentz, Jacob Gooch On Campus Editor Spencer Dilyard Focus Editor Chris Roche Sports Editor Hannah Knapic A & E Editors Nick Cosmo, Evan Doan Trends Editor Chelsea Patterson Cover Editors Alexis Florence, Erin O’Donnell Views Editor John Gorman Feature Editors Holly Miller, Maddy Nacci Staff Writers David Cheng, Ambrea Dellafave, Henry Gamble, Emily Jewell, Skyy Khounborin, Clara Lee, Emma LoGiudice, Thomas Matthew, Maddy McCully, Melina Mera, Alexa Mitchell, Reece Mitchell, Anna Nacci, Alec Pauley, Avery Ross, Rachael Schmidt, Molly Schneider, Cate Strong, Gina Van Lieu, Aleesha Vaughn, Rheanna Velasquez, Devika Walia, Kyle Ward, Corinne Wiles Head Photographer Hannah Knapic Photographers Ambrea Dellafave, Spencer Dilyard, Jacob Gooch, Emma LoGuidice, Maddy McCully, Reece Mitchell, Chelsea Patterson, Molly Schneider, Cate Strong, Aleesha Vaughn Adviser Kristi Hiner The Wooster Blade is a biweekly student publication printed every other Friday by the Newspaper Production classes at Wooster High School. The paper is designated as an open forum and follows publishing guidelines as established in a district-wide publications policy protecting students’ freedom of expression. All copy, art and photography are property of The Wooster Blade and cannot be reproduced without permission. Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words and The Wooster Blade reserves the right to print and edit as per length and content. The Wooster Blade is a member of Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Wooster Blade is printed in cooperation with Wooster’s The Daily Record. Letters and inquiries should be addressed to The Wooster Blade, 515 Oldman Road Wooster, Ohio 44691. The Wooster Blade can be contacted at 330-345-4000 ext. 3210. The newspaper can also be found at the woosterblade.com
THE VOICE OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | OCT. 13, 2017 | PAGE 16
OUR VIEW
Partisan approach prevents gun safety April 16, 2007: 32 People died in Virginia Tech Massacre
Oct. 1, 2017:
58 killed at Las Vegas June 12, 2016: 49 People died in Orlando Pulse Nightclub Country Concert
The Virginia Tech Massacre and Orlando nightclub shooting are the two previous deadliest mass shootings on U.S. soil. However, the number of lives lost from these past shootings have been eclipsed by the Las Vegas shooting on Oct. 1 where 58 people were gunned down at a country music concert. These heinous crimes all took place in the span of 10 years; in the span of every WHS student’s lifetime. Yet, these tragedies barely scratch the surface of the horrific realities the United States is facing in relation to firearms. An article published by CNN on Oct. 4 entitled “How U.S. gun culture compares with the world in 5 charts” points out that despite containing a mere five percent of the world’s population, America holds 31 percent of global mass shooters. Not only this, but gun homicide rates are 25.2 times higher in the United States than other high-income countries. It seems as though the staggering amount of gun-related deaths have not prompted a meaningful increase in research into the topic. Business Insider points out, in an article titled “Americans are more likely to die from gun violence than many leading causes of death combined” on Oct. 2, that gun violence is the second-most poorly funded cause of death relative to other common causes. This lack of funding may be attributed to the presence of multiple federal funding restrictions that prevent scientists and agencies from advocating and promoting gun control or even being able to have ample resources to adequately research the issue. The Business Insider article also points out the likelihood of death from assault by gun is 1 in 370 in America, as opposed to the 1 in 2,938 chance of being killed by any force of nature, the 1 in 45,808 chance of being killed by a foreign-born
terrorist and the 1 in 8,000,000 chance of being killed by a shark attack. Furthermore, as reported by Calla Wahlquist of The Guardian, in an article titled “It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur,” Australia is an example of a country that was able to rally in the wake of a tragedy to make comprehensive reforms despite a powerful lobby and cavernous divide of public opinion. “Twelve days after the Port Arthur massacre, the Australian prime minister, John Howard, announced a sweeping package of gun reforms,” Wahlquist said. However, despite the attacks endured by the United States nearly every day, members of the legislative body are paralyzed by a debilitating fear that they will become a political bullseye for special interest groups. This fear of losing political capital and not being reelected leads to inaction, even when lives are at stake. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board is appalled by this increase of violence in America and implores the country to unify over this issue of utmost importance. Gun control and the Second Amendment are subjects often brought up as polarizing issues that further the divide between Americans. However, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes that whether one’s opinions align with the left or the right, the regulation of gun access in America must be examined without a partisan lens. The unprecedented gun violence should not be a party issue, but an issue of human life and quality of living in the United States. From elementary schools to college campuses, to movie theaters, to nightclubs and concerts, it is clear that the places where Americans should feel most secure and
THE UNPRECEDENTED GUN VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT BE A PARTY ISSUE, BUT AN ISSUE OF HUMAN LIFE AND QUALITY OF LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. comfortable are the most unsafe. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board understands that alone the discussion of gun control may not bring about meaningful change, but the examination of issues and changing of regulations is paramount in today’s climate. The board urges readers to discuss with peers, contact representatives, research gun control legislation and push for a change that will truly make America a better place. As the children that politicians constantly refer to in their uplifting speeches about the future of the United States of America, as young American citizens, as the future leaders of the world, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board does not want to continue to live in a country that is too concerned about political capital to consider the cost of losing human lives.