The pyschology behind giving thanks

WHS students give thanks to WHS staf

MAYA GALINDO-BENSON

staf writer The season of giving thanks is upon us, and WHS students are expressing thanks to the faculty and staff for all of their effort and assistance. There are certain qualities that students value in staff. Nathan Eberhart (12) says he values a teacher’s ability to adjust to meet a student’s needs as he emphasizes: “I think a teacher’s ability to adapt to what their specific class needs and what the individual students needs,” Eberhart said is what he values. Another student, Jake Rickett (9), said he also values the time a teacher puts into understanding the students: “How they [teachers] work with kids and, like, how they [teachers] take time to help them [students],” Rickett said. Rickett believes the way teachers work with students is the most important quality in a teacher. There are specific teachers and staff that Eberhart and Rickett respect in WHS, including Nathan Greene, who teaches Computer Science; and Matthew Knight from the Science Dept. “I would specifically give thanks to Mr. Greene; he’s been very helpful throughout the year in coding, and he is just generally a nice guy,” Eberhart said. Rickett is grateful for Knight, who he says is always very helpful to his students. “Mr. Knight is a nice teacher,” Rickett said. It is not only students at WHS who appreciate the staff; the staff also value each other. In a person, Greene values the qualities of hard work, honesty and determination. He said he respects Kristin Broda, who teaches Dramatic Arts, for her ability to approach students in an effective manner. “I am thankful for Mrs. [Kristin] Broda, she and I are always able to bounce ideas off of each other and help each other think of creative ways to reach students, and can turn a day around if it is not going so well.” Greene said. Knight values friendliness in people, and said that kindness is the best value a person can have. “...The number one quality is to just try to be nice to people, it’s going to make the world a better place and make a better learning environment,” Knight said. The people in WHS that Knight is grateful for are the entire Science Dept., all the teachers he has worked with, as well as Stan Burris, a retired Intervention Specialist teacher who Knight worked with for many years.

Holidays bring on mental health issues

LUKE POMFRET

co-editor-in-chief

The holidays off er the chance to see loved ones and refl ect on the past. Although everyone has a diff erent meaning of the holidays, the psychological explanation for how and why people feel the way they do is complex. Dr. Elaine Rodino, a psychologist in private practice in State College, Pa., joined podcast host Kim Mills on the podcast, Speaking of Psychology to discuss the stress and joy of the holiday season. Mills asked Rodino, for the individuals who feel nervous looking forward to November and December, what advice would you give them to cope with their feelings. Rodino said, “Well, one thing is realizing that it’s time-limited. Another is doing self-care things, making sure you keep up with the usual self-care things you do, whether it’s exercising, taking a warm bath, just taking a break, and reading a book. There needs to be just some time that you just check out from the holiday stress part.” Rodino also states that good and bad memories can set the intention for a person’s outlook on the holiday season. “Some people have early childhood memories of everything being so perfect. They had families, maybe their father decorated the house, and it was the best, most lit up house in the whole neighborhood... These then get taken on as traditions, and people feel they need to do that kind of special, over the top holiday. That can bring a lot of stress. It’s the expectations of what they feel, either negative or positive... There could also be some pretty hostile family arguments, and people storming out... For children, it could be pretty memorable in negative ways. So people may feel uncomfortable with holidays without even particularly remembering why, but they just are uncomfortable with it.” Linda Walter, a practicing clinician for over 25 years in New York, wrote a column for Psychology Today titled, “The Holidays are Over; Why am I so Blue?” Walter explains the multifaceted aspects of the holidays by stating:“We tend to have our schedules fi lled with social events during the month of December, only to have virtually nothing on the calendar in the month of January. So, we go

from being social butterfl ies to being homebodies... A change in your social calendar with a sudden lack of social events to go to can lead to loneliness, boredom and a feeling of isolation... We often spend time with family during the holidays. And spending time with family can leave us with mixed feelings. Sometimes we feel let down by our interactions with family

members and disappointed with the way they behaved towards us and/or treated us. This can lead to sadness and its own kind of mourning. Other times, we might experience tremendous joy at being with family members and then miss them terribly when they have gone home.” Michael Sullivan, Social Studies Dept. member and AP Psychology teacher, describes theories that factor into the feelings surrounding the holidays. “Seasonal Aff ective Disorder, which is the body’s lack of sunlight that is being received, can also be a factor into someone’s feelings surrounding the holidays… The holidays also off er a chance of boosts for serotonin, but then a letdown usually occurs in early January.” Sullivan describes Sigmund Freud’s idea of the unconscious mind and how the mind is defi ned as a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories outside of our conscious awareness. An example of Freud’s idea could include a traumatic event. So, what does one do to cope with depression during the holidays? Sullivan suggests visiting a psychologist or counselor to discuss Graphic by Grace Brownson feelings. “To understand the reasons why you feel a certain way in the present, you have to talk through your experiences that occurred in the past with a professional, and hopefully, resolutions can be made,” Sullivan said. If you or someone you know needs help fi nding mental or physical health resources, visit the Resources and Perks tab on the Wooster City School District website.

Giving thanks locally

It can be hard to fi nd ways to give thanks to friends, family or community for a multitude of reasons. It can feel insignifi cant and not generally special. Thankfully, around Wooster, here are small businesses you can visit in order to purchase

SOPHIA MERA

SOPHIA MERA

staf writer Great gifts that Blue Spruce has are chapstick, including one that is part of Oprah’s Favorite things. They also have salt and light boxes, which make a perfect gift. They have them at

LUCIA PERFETTI

Getting someone a book about their interests, like a cook book, is a good way to say thanks. Even getting one you would recommend with a little note on the inside cover shows gratiude. The photo on the right is a picture of a local bookstore, Books in Stock.They have a lot of preowned books at great prices. unique items for people you would like to thank. There are many small businesses in Wooster, including Local Roots, Books in Stock and Blue Spruce, that are great places to fi nd gifts to give thanks to everybody who deserves thanks.

a range of prices. You can also never go wrong with a candle, which they have a variety of. As for teachers, they have nice Wooster bags. For friends and family, initial necklaces are a great idea, and they have lots of them. The photo above is a picture of Blue Spruce’s store front.

OLIVIA HINER

cover editor Local Roots is another great place locally to shop for ways to give thanks. The photo to the left is some of the skin care items that Local Root’s sells. Other great gifts that can be found at Local Roots include handcrafted soaps, candles, and more skin care items. They also sell artwork and jewelry from local artisans, another great way to express gratidtude for someone GRACE BROWNSON

Showing others we are thankful for them

LUCIA PERFETTI

cover editor By now, society is sick and tired of talking about COVID. Sometimes it feels like the human species has lived multiple lives during the past 20 months. It makes sense that many want to forget quarantine ever happened and focus on getting back up on their feet. Instead, we could take a minute to reflect and use COVID as a learning experience; a lesson in gratitude. From the beginning of the pandemic, relationships with loved ones were tested. Many were kept apart because of travel bans or lockdowns. Some were forced to spend long weeks in close quarters with family members, no doubt finding new things they hate about each other, but also new things to love. Others grew increasingly concerned as more peoplepeople who reminded them of siblings, parents, and grandparents- began dying. When put in a situation where families and friends were suddenly unable to interact with one another, and uncertain if loved ones would make it to tomorrow, people realized what a world without those they loved would look like. In the midst of this gloom, many learned to find pockets of light. Through Facetimes with friends, virtual movie nights, Zoom family reunions, and good morning texts, people were able to stay connected and grow relationships with those they love. Although perhaps subconsciously, the ways people stayed connected during COVID were ways of saying thanks; thanks for being here, thanks for caring, thanks for checking in. Now that restrictions are being lifted and people are able to see one another, it is important to say thanks to those who were there through it all, those who did not let the barriers,or lack thereof, discourage them from loving. These last 20 months have taught us to take nothing for granted.

Taking time to give thanks to ourselves

MOLLY BYRNE

staf writer As people enter this holiday season, taking care of others and remembering to be thankful is just as important as remembering to take time to be thankful for ourselves, remembering all the things we do every day and just how hard our bodies work. One way to connect with ourselves and take a minute to calm down is through yoga. When communicating with Becky Thorne, a nurse practitioner at the Wooster Community Hospital, she said we need to slow down and think about how we can appreciate ourselves every single day. “Yoga and meditation are great ways to relax the mind and body, but even if someone doesn’t want to commit to those, they can easily incorporate the yoga stretches into their life,” Thorne said. Applying this to a high school environment is something that Brooke Coblentz, Family and Consumer Science Dept. member, brings into her College Readiness class. “They might not be able to control how much homework they are given, school and work schedules, deadlines for college applications, etc., but they can take a minute for themselves and control their breath,” Coblentz said.

Showing thanks through photography

BLADE photographers were assigned to take one photo of their artistic interpretation of giving thanks and the Thanksgiving season. WHS Art Dept. members Katherine Putka and Tricia Nussbaum picked their fve favorite photos to represent the Thanksgiving season in a creative way.

MAYA GALINDO-BENSON

Two friends of almost two decades, both widows, are thankful for each other’s company at West View Healthy Living Retirement Community.

HANNAH LOGIUDICE

The production of Mamma Mia that is being put on by the WHS Drama Club has been an exciting experience. Being able to finally perform the show after two months of rehearsal and a summer of knowing about the show is an amazing accomplishment.

NORA LEVY

Thanks to the vaccine, I have been able to visit with my family again. Spending time with my cousin’s never fails to make me smile. I’m so thankful for all of the love and support they’ve shown me throughout the past year.

BRITTANY WACHTEL

I am thankful for the opportunity to have a part in raising my younger sister into a strong independent woman. Being raised in an all female household, she is learning to embrace her femininity and use it in a powerful way. She is going to change the world.

Banned Books Week Book evaluation raises awareness

STELLA POWERS

staf writer Throughout the years, many books have been banned and removed from various schools, libraries and other organizations as a result of concerns or complaints regarding content or subject matter of those books. Banned Books Week, a week devoted to the importance of the freedom to read, occurred recently, causing many to question what exactly it means when a book is banned. Some notable banned books include, but are not limited, to titles including: To Kill a

Mockingbird, Animal Farm,

Thirteen Reasons Why and

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

When a book is banned, a concerned person or group shares their issues with the literature and why they feel it is harmful. Uriah Landfried, circulation clerk at the Wayne County Public Library, shared that books are often banned when they are considered a threat to authority or financial interests. “Usually, a person or group of persons read or hear about something in a book they feel threatened by for some reason or another,” Landfried said. “Sometimes the author’s life or family is threatened, or the publishing company is threatened with a boycott. Sometimes there are protests.” Melanie Dyer, another employee at the Wayne County Public Library, said there are many reasons why literature can be challenged. “Books are challenged for a variety of reasons. It tends to happen when a person or group objects to the content, theme or language of a book,” Dyer shared. “Books are also challenged when they are perceived to have a viewpoint antithetical to the values or beliefs of a certain person, community, or group.” Dyer also shared that children’s books tend to be a big target when it comes to banning. Both Dyer and Landfried believe that the censoring of books is not acceptable and that people should be able to read as they please. A WHS GRACE BROWNSON English Dept. member, who chose to remain anonymous due to the nature of this topic, said books are often challenged and sometimes banned based on content that could be perceived as offensive. “Typically, books are banned based on their content being considered offensive. Some things considered to be offensive would be racial issues and graphic violence or negativity,” she shared. She also said that it is very important for people to know the difference between books being banned and books being challenged. “Banning books is considered censorship and those books are taken off book shelves in schools and public libraries. A challenged book is one that has

Pictured is a collection of the most commonly banned books, including: To Kill A Mockingbird, 13 Reasons Why and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. offended someone or a group and they are trying to get it banned,” she said. In order for a book to be banned, it must first be challenged due to someone’s issues with the content it contains before it gets censored. This year, Banned Books week, nationally, took place from Sept. 26 through Oct. 2.

Curator hosts lesson with students

DELANEY WILSON

on-campus editor On Nov. 10, Dr. Marianne Eileen Wardle, Art Curator at the College of Wooster Art Museum, spoke to AP Seminar and IB students at WHS about the theme of identity, as used in current and upcoming art exhibits at the College of Wooster. The fi rst art exhibit, “Beholden” by William Paul Thomas, which runs until Dec. 14, is based on relationships. Wardle said the duration and types of relationships vary and are based on photographs taken by Thomas. “About Face,”which runs until Dec. 5, was made in collaboration with COW Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair of Neuroscience Dr. Grit Herzmann, who studies face processing, addresses several diff erent questions about faces and creating them. According to Wardle, this exhibit addresses questions, including: How do artists make faces, and how do they range across cultures? How do faces help us connect with one another? How do we recognize each other? Wardle, during her presentation at WHS, helped students answer some of these questions by having them interactively observe several pieces from the exhibits. Wardle had students spend time observing the diff erent pieces and then led a discussion as to the thoughts of students about the different works included within these exhibits.. At the end of her presentaSHERIDAN SCHAUER College of Wooster Art Curator, Dr. Marianne Eileen Wardle, presents “About Face,” the current art exhibit at the COW, to AP Seminar and IB Programme Students.

YouSeason 3: A bloody good time

BRITTANY WACHTEL

views editor Season three of You is sure to leave viewers everywhere begging for extra home security. In the newest season of the hit Netflix series, main character Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley) struggles with balancing married life, becoming a father and covering up his past murdering tendencies. You presents its viewers with an unshakable partisanship, as Joe leads the season through his one sided narrations. Joe vouches for his own character, while demolishing that of anyone who dares to stand in the way of his newest stalking muses. What makes this newest season differ from the rest is the malicious partnership between Joe and his wife, Love (played by Victoria Pedretti). Joe is no longer alone in his murderous endeavors, as he drags along Love for the ride, quickly manipulating her into taking on a bulk of his crimes. Joe continues his previous stalking tendencies, despite the vow he makes to himself and Love that he is completely dedicated to their marriage. Better yet, his new stomping grounds bring a plethora of opportunities. The suburb of Madre Linda, where Joe and Love have settled, brings along a plethora of new and interesting characters that expose the dwindling marriage between the Goldberg’s. Season three makes up for past plot based shortcomings rooted within the series. Joe’s obsessions with women other than Love become more complex as viewers are given a glimpse into the traumas endured through his childhood. While You is definitely not a show for the faint of heart, viewers are sure to be enticed by the messed up world of Joe Goldberg.

K. Stewart’s Spencerimpresses

MOLLY SNYDER

feature editor Released on Nov. 5, Spencer is a historical drama following Princess Diana (played by Kristen Stewart) at the three day Christmas celebration of the royal family in 1991. The movie has no linear plot, but in the best way possible. The lack of nuance in the movie makes Spencer a work of art that etches out its own subgenre of drama. Because there is no linear progression to the film, there is no conflict resolution or any explicit conflict in the first place. The movie relies on symbolism and metaphors, most notably showing the similarities of Princess Diana’s experiences and that of Anne Boleyn. Going into this movie with, at very least, minimal knowledge of Princess Diana is almost needed to understand what is going on. The film starts 10 years after Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married and does not flashback to how they got to this point in their relationship. The directing choices of the movie are subtle, yet incredibly impactful, as there is no dialogue between characters without Diana being in the conversation, and intense scenes are paired with crescendo of thrilling classical music. Stewart’s performance as the princess is phenomenal, effortlessly portraying her deteriorating mental health. The progression of the movie requires the audience to pay close attention to what is happening in reality and what is happening in Diana’s head. Frequent illusions of Anne Boleyn and fantasies of self harm merge effortlessly into the plot. Beautifully directed and produced, Spencer shows the monster of mental illness behind the beauty and glamour of the royal family. The film deals with many mature themes, with scenes of self harm and suicidal actions, given the R rating. I would recommend this movie to any person who is fascinated by the story of the former Princess of Wales or anyone who enjoys interpretive movies that let the story of the plot up to the audience to figure out how they perceive the characters’ thoughts and actions.

Painting the town Red

LUCIA PERFETTI

cover editor For the most part, artists re-recording hits is a sign of burnout. Not for Taylor Swift, though. Three years ago, Swift made it known that her former label, Big Machine Records, and its founder Scott Borchetta denied her the ownership of her old music and was preventing her from singing it live. In a Tumblr post from 2019, Swift stated that Borchetta would allow her to use her own music, “(If) I agree to not re-record copycat versions of my songs next year.” So, Swift did the exact opposite. The highly anticipated Red (Taylor’s Version) was released at midnight Nov. 12. Swifties were most excited for the unreleased 10 minute version of “All Too Well.” Swift explained on The Tonight Show, “The 10 minute version of ‘All Too Well’ was what was originally written for the song before I had to cut it down for a normal length song.” The 10 minute version did not disappoint. The first new verse comes two minutes into the song and is one of the most talked about lines already. “You were tossing me the car keys, f---the patriarchy,” Swift sings, a testament to how she has never been the perfect country girl everyone wanted her to be. Another crowd favorite lyric, “You kept me like a secret but I kept you like an oath,” is beautifully written to relate Swift’s pain to any listener. The top comment on the YouTube lyric video sums it up, saying, “This is everything we’ve ever been missing in our lives. How does she capture something so personal and make every one of us feel as though it’s about us? She is incredible…” The original 16 songs sound the same, with cleaner vocals and production. The never-before released tracks encapsulate the country-pop edge that Swift’s music was standing on at the time, with “Message in a Bottle,” sounding like something straight out of 1989, while” I Bet You Think About Me” is reminiscent of country Taylor complete with a harmonica. With a current score of 96- 19 higher than the original- Red (Taylor’s Version). Metacritic score says it all. Not only is the album better than Red quality-wise, but the nine new songs add depth to the album that completes it perfectly.

Improv club returns

BAILEY MESSNER

staf writer Wooster’s Improv Club was unable to meet for the entirety of last year due to COVID concerns. But this year, the club is back to their usual schedule of meeting once a week in adviser Kristin Broda’s room. Broda states that her goal for club members is: “...for students to laugh and have fun. In addition, the skills learned in improvisation are skills that serve us in life. The concepts of listening, trying to make your partner look good, and going with every offer and building on it help us become active creators and collaborators in other aspects of our lives.” Club members spend the majority of their time playing off each other and doing games that involve quick responses. Skylar Lynae (11) says that “We play a lot of improvisation games to get the blood flowing and to have fun.” Lynae, who was unable to join the club during her 10th grade year, said, “My favorite part of improv club is that everyone is free to be themselves, and have fun with all the games we play!” A fellow Improv Club member, Caleb Singer-Holden (11), said the club is enjoyable and beneficial. Singer-Holden said a friend encouraged joining the club, so starting in eighth grade, Singer-Holden joined and has been doing it ever since. Singer-Holden says a favorite part about the club involves, “...the connections that get built, becoming friends with people I’ve never met before, and getting closer to people I’ve known for a long time.” Singer-Holden also agrees that Broda achieves her goal for the class by describing the hour as, “...just a time to joke around with your friends.” Club meetings involve anywhere between 10 to 20 people, and meet from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. DELANEY WILSON Casey Lin (12) and Tristan Miller (9) put up signs around Wooster High School, in order to show where each category will compete, in preparation for the Speech and Debate tournament hosted by Wooster on Nov. 13. WHS Speech and Debate season begins

THEO OLLIER

staf writer The WHS Speech and Debate team kicked off their season at the 61st Annual Perry Varsity Speech and Debate Tournament on Nov. 5, their first in-person varsity competition in over a year. Chris Vann (12) and Molly Snyder (12), policy debate partners, won the Perry Tournament in their category, which qualified them for the state tournament. Vann notes that qualifying for the state tournament by winning one tournament is something that only policy debaters have the chance to do. His goals this season are qualifying for the national tournament and winning the state tournament. “That [qualifying to states in one tournament] is exclusive to the policy debate category, so basically certain tournaments are called PDQ’s [Pre-District Qualifier’s]. . . if you do well enough at prelims, you can qualify to the state tournament if it is considered a PDQ . . . My main two goals are to qualify for the national tournament and get first place at the state tournament,” Vann said. According to Speech and Debate President Sammy Amier (12), the team is bigger than last year, and more students will be able to compete in big districts and have a chance at competing in the national tournament. Sammy placed fifth in the informative speaking category of speech at the Perry Varsity Tournament. “I’m really glad that we have a bigger team this year...it’s definitely bigger than last year. And, with a bigger team, we’ll be able to qualify more students to send to the big districts, which is a national qualifying tournament,” Amier said. Hayden Michel (12), who competes in humorous interpretation, explains that in this category of speech, performers use a play, movie or book and act out all of its characters in 10 minutes. “So, you basically take a play, or a movie or a book, and you cut it down to 10 minutes, and then you act out all the different characters and tell the story. And then, you want to make sure each character has a different voice or they act in a different way, and it has to be funny,” Michel said. The WHS Speech and Debate team placed well in a variety of categories at their first varsity tournament and will host the Sharen B. Althoff Tournament on Jan. 15.