The Wooster Blade, Volume XVII, Issue 2

THE WOOSTER BLADE

WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER • 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH • SEPT. 23, 2016 • VOLUME XVII, ISSUE 2

TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF LOCAL HISTORY 4

Index On Campus 2-3

Focus

-1 3 1 s t r Spo

4-5

-8 6 r e v o C

A&E 9-10

Featu re 11-1 2 Views 15-16

ON CAMPUS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT 23, 2016 | PAGE 2

Social leadership: interschool program promotes acceptance SPENCER DILYARD graphics manager

The Social Justice Leadership Academy is a series of events that focus on promoting diversity and acceptance around Ohio.

Wooster became involved in this program through the Straight A grant and is sending

10 students to the four academy meetings throughout the year.

The meeting was attended by schools from Wayne County and Stark County.

The first meeting was held Sept. 8 at Wayne College in Orrville.

Amanda Terakedis, Administrative Intern, explained that she hopes for

Rachel’s Challenge, the Social Justice Leadership Academy and the Wooster Way to come together and create a better environment at WHS. Terakedis is new to her role of Social Justice Ambassador Coordinator.

One of Wooster’s participants, Chloe Boucher (11) said the goal of the program is to end

discrimination and promote equality.

Emily Kemmerer (11) also represents Wooster. Kemmerer said that each meeting has a different message and speaker.

The 10 students chosen include sophomores and juniors only, so they will be able to see the program reach its goals over time. The participants

will be tasked with a project they must work on around the meeting sessions, and on the final evening, they will present to the other schools the results of what they have done.

Ashland, Orrville, Waynedale, Rittman, Triway and Dalton were just a few of the many schools represented at the first meeting.

Humrichouser returns to alma mater for student teaching MAUREEN McKEOWN views editor

Zach Humrichouser (2012 WHS alum) has returned to his alma mater to start his student teaching and has already made a great impression at WHS. Humrichouser was class president during all four years of high school, was a member of the varsity boys cross country and track teams for four years and also was a key role model for his fellow peers.

Now he is looked at from a very different perspective.

“It’s a surreal feeling walking through the hallways as a teacher now. I hope my experience will show current students that it is okay to come back to Wooster especially if you want to work in the school district,” Humrichouser said.

Returning to an alma mater could be either awkward or uncomfortable, but for this WHS veteran, that was not the case.

Humrichouser said he came

HANNA MORGAN

Humrichouser educates Klein’s second period AP Government class about the Second Constitutional Convention and the foundations of American democracy during his student teaching stint at WHS. back to WHS because, “WHS offers several history electives, as well as AP courses, that I

would not have experienced at other schools in the area.

I knew the teachers here are

great and would challenge me everyday. If you want to be the best at something, you have to

go and learn from the best.”

Humrichouser has been working in classes at WHS for about a month and has already started to make an impact on his students. Phil Klein, Social Studies Dept. member, serves as the cooperating teacher for Humrichouser until early December.

Klein said Humrichouser has been helping him to teach classes since the first week of school and notes that he, overall, has a confident attitude in the classroom environment.

“Mr. Humrichouser has helped me a lot this school year so far. He can explain things to us that might be confusing to someone by giving good examples. He helps out when Mr. Klein can’t get to everyone, and it really helps the class run smoothly,” Connor Niro (11) said.

Having an alum return sets an example for current students, and allows them to see that high school will have an impact on their futures.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 3

Dave Snider receives recognition for outstanding teaching EMMA STRONG feature editor

WHS Science Dept. member David Snider is the 2016 recipient of the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Outstanding Teacher Award.

The award recognizes teachers in the district for dedication to their students including excellence in classroom teaching, commitment to the educational goals of the school district and contribution to student development beyond the classroom, according to the Wooster City Schools website.

Snider has been teaching in the Wooster City School District for 33 years and is certified to teach every science course the high school offers, according to Snider.

Of these courses, Snider

has taught everything from astronomy to physical science to AP and IB chemistry.

Fellow Science Dept. member Shelly Silvaggi commends Snider’s teaching style and appreciates his ability to help students.

“He applies all of the science he is teaching to real-world scenarios, so that students always understand why the information is relevant,” Silvaggi said.

In deciding to become a teacher, Snider cites he would rather work with people than just sit behind a desk.

Over the years, he has found that students provide his inspiration.

“I think what inspires me to keep teaching is seeing kids figure out what’s going on when they were not before,” Snider said.

Silvaggi notes Snider’s lasting

influence on students.

“Everywhere he goes, [Snider] runs into former students who are thankful that they had him as a teacher and role model,” Silvaggi said.

For the recipient, the award comes with a n unrestricted $ 5 , 0 0 0 stipend, w h i c h is funded by the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation, according t o GRANT PEABODY Snider.

CORPORATE SPONSORS We would like to thank all of our supporters for the 2016-2017 school year.

Corporate $250

BCI Buckeye Division Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, LTD Swigart- Braunscheidel Insurance Wooster Orthopedics & Sports Medicine The Urban Cottage Everything Engraved The Pines Golf Club The Studio on Liberty Baaron

Past Outstanding Teacher Award Winners At WHS 2000 2005 2006 2007 2010 2011 2014

Todd Patterson Sharen Althoff Daniel Adams Melanie Vinion Karen Tooley Randal Carmel Christine Mascotti-Rasor

Facts according to Woostercityschools.org

Blue $500 Metals USA Dyer Roche & Company, Inc

FOCUS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 4

Wooster gets roundabout ESTELLE SHAYA business manager

At the intersection of Smithville Western and state Route 83 stands an unfamiliar feature for Wayne County: a roundabout.

The roundabout’s construction results from safety concerns about the intersection, especially the severity of crashes, Roger Kobilarcsik, the Wooster city engineer, said.

According to an Ohio Dept. of Transportation public meeting handout from Sept. 17, 2013, a total of 18 crashes occurred in a three year study period.

According to Kobilarcsik, the goal of the roundabout is, “the reduction of the severity of crashes.”

Roundabouts, in general, are proven to accomplish just that. In the City of Wooster’s project presentation from the public meeting on Sept.

17, 2013, the statistics reported on roundabouts included an 89 percent reduction in fatalities from a normal intersection.

The City of Wooster worked closely with ODOT on the project.

Kobilarcsik said, “The ODOT has a fund for safety projects, and because of the severity of crashes at that intersection, we applied for funds from the state.”

Instead of the former four-way stop, the new roundabout is now open on Wooster’s outskirts.

New roundabout improves safety With the implementation of the result in lower travel new roundabout at Smithville speeds. Drivers must slow Western and Burbank, vehicle down and yield to traffic before entering a roundabout. safety looks to be on the rise.

Roundabouts reduced injury Speeds in the roundabout are crashes by 75 percent at typically between 15 and 20 miles per hour. intersections, Roundabouts are according to a also less expensive study by the to maintain then a Insurance Institute traditional traffic for Highway light when it Safety. comes to longStudies by term costs. the Insurance Roundabouts Institute and also eliminate Federal Highway maintenance and Administration electrical costs , have also shown which can cost that roundabouts GRANT PEABODY between $5,000 typically achieve business manager and $10,000 per a 90 percent year. reduction in While some might say waiting fatality collisions and a 40 percent reduction in pedestrian a few months was not worth it for a simple roundabout, the collisions.

According to the Washington safety that comes with it should State Department of give drivers a piece of mind Transportation, roundabouts while on the roadway.

61%

of WHS students do not think that roundabouts are safer than four-way stops

Yes

Safer

Not Safer No

10% of WHS drivers do not know how to use roundabouts

Poll conducted the week of Sept. 12. A total of 115 people participated in the poll. Polls were distributed by Jacob Gooch and John Gorman. Graphic by Matthew Lorentz.

Lack of awareness concerns writer After months However, 10 percent of drivers of construction and attending Wooster High School hundreds of thousands of are unaware of how to use a taxpayer dollars, Smithville roundabout.

While 90 percent of WHS Western Rd. and Burbank Rd. on the north end of Wooster drivers being able to properly use a roundabout now meet at a is the distinct roundabout. majority, the The roundabout’s percentage should implementation be significantly was motivated by higher. safety, according When lives are to city council on the line, one member Jon in 10 teen drivers Ulbright in a approaching a March 18, 2014, foreign-looking article titled traffic circle helter “Wooster Council AUSTIN McCULLY skelter is an Gives Approval to focus editor alarming ratio.

Roundabout” in Before undergoing a costly The Daily Record.

Roundabouts being a safer nuisance in the implementation alternative to traditional four- of a roundabout, it should be way-stops are contingent on seen to it that awareness on how the drivers maneuvering them to maneuver roundabouts is being aware of how they work. sufficient.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 5

Wooster City School’s state report card scores elicit criticism ALEXANDER THOMPSON webmaster

Wooster City Schools received a “C” in achievement, an “F” in ‘gap closing,’ which measures achievement for traditionally low performing groups of students, an “F” in K-3 literacy and a “B” in progress, which measures student growth, on the school report cards released by the ODE on Sept. 15.

WHS received “D”s in achievement and progress, an “F” in gap closing, a “C” in ‘prepared for success,’ a measure which aggregates things like ACT scores and professional certifications, but an “A” in graduation.

These grades, in part, reflect results of the 2015-2016 AIR testing, the third form of testing in three years, as OGTs were

administered in 2013-2014, and PARCC tests were used in 20142015.

WCSD’s low scores come amid what The Plain Dealer’s education reporter, Patrick O’Donnell, reported in a Sept.

15 article as, “a mostly-expected plunge for the second year in a row on new state report cards released this morning.”

ODE addressed low scores last Thursday.

“Ohio has raised expectations for students to reflect what is necessary for them to be successful in college, careers and life. This year’s report cards and the grades we’re seeing reflect a system in transition,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Paolo DeMaria said.

WCSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs was quick to respond to the report cards as,

“Probably the worst metric that I have personally ever seen.”

Tefs contends that while, at face value, the results are staggering and depressing, delving into the results reveals that WCSD should be proud of the job the schools are doing, saying, “I’ve never been more proud of our district.”

Tefs had many criticisms of the report cards.

Tefs said, “[AIR] measures, a bit, your technical literacy, on a computer, before it measures math, science, social studies, ect., and I think the cut scores are significantly different than what they were on any other test the state ever offered including PARCC.” Dr. Joshua Hawley, the director of the Ohio Education Research Center disagrees with some of Tefs’ critiques.

“Teenagers live on phones...I

think it’s a bit of a red herring to blame [scores] on online testing,” Hawley said.

He went on to say the proficiency rates in Ohio have been set artificially low and the bar was raised to keep pace with a knowledge-based economy.

Aaron Churchill of the Thomas C. Fordham Institute, an Ohio based education think tank said, “If you’re going to tighten standards, it means lots of kids are not going to be deemed proficient on their state exams, so what we’re seeing is a natural reset of test scores and school ratings that are designed to reflect the higher standards that we’re putting into place...I wouldn’t go ballistic over one year of Ds, especially if the track record of the district over the past couple of years has been pretty solid.”

Hawley said the WCSD’s “A” in graduation combined with ACT averages is, “a pretty good indication that the high school, in particular, is doing a good job.”

WHS met eleventh grade indicators in government, history and biology.

Phil Klein, Social Studies Dept. chair, said in an email, “This stability [in testing] allowed us to adapt our instruction based on past performance, a benefit that our other departments did not share in, as the state has abruptly cancelled the PARCC test for math and English and hastily replaced it with AIR.” WHS principal Tyler Keener says the Building Leadership Team and Teacher Based Teams will now break down scores, so curriculum changes can be made to increase student success.

COVER

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 6

Wayne County Historical Society showcases community history AMBER SWIGART & ERIN O’DONNELL cover editors

The Wayne County Historical Society, founded in 1904, showcases a diverse collection of items from the county’s and the nation’s past, and holds tours and events open to the community, making it an educational source for Wayne County residents.

The organization, which relies on donations and is completely volunteer-run, offers tours to the public and to local elementary schools that exhibit historical belongings pertaining to categories like fashion, agriculture, the military and recreational activities, Vi c t o r i a C l a f i n

according to president Bob Everett.

According to Everett, the WCHS has a century’s worth of community donations and an abundance of historical information, making it a valuable source for both teachers and students when it comes to local history.

“One of our largest fingerprints would be the guided school tours, which are free to students… It really is a service to the students of Wayne County,” Sandy Keim, WCHS vice president, said.

In addition to guided tours, the society also hosts local and community events, like community band concerts, which are located downtown and on the WCHS campus

lawn, among others.

On Oct. 15, the Society will be hosting a “Ghost Walk” in which renowned figures from Wooster’s past, including Charles Follis and Tony Lee, will present information about themselves and the county. ”We’ll have some pretty interesting characters, some of whom are the founding members of Wooster,” Nell Reardon, WCHS Board of Trustees member and head of the society’s education program, said.

Although it has changed locations several times, all eight of the historical society’s buildings can currently be found at 546 E. Bowman St.

In this issue, The Wooster Blade chronicles the storied past of Wayne County. From the historical society, to the street names, to the architecture, Wayne County is full of unknown and underappreciated diamonds in the rough.

ERIN O’DONNELL

Since its formation in 1904, the Wayne County Historical Society has been documenting and preserving local history in exhibits like the one above.

Students appreciate value of Wooster history

to run for President of the U.S., lived in Wooster for a short time, according to a newsletter published by the WCHS in 1996.

GRAPHIC BY SAM SCHONFELD

AMBER SWIGART & ERIN O’DONNELL cover editors Overlooking the value of knowing local history can prove detrimental to our decision on making in the future, and paying attention to how we are shaped by our history is an important step in advancing.

When the lives of high school students are consumed by homework, standardized tests and extracurricular activities, learning about Wooster can

begin to seem like a lesser priority. However, educating oneself about Wooster’s rich history is not only an interesting task, but also our obligation to Wooster as the citizens of its future generations.

In 2008, Wooster celebrated its bicentennial. The Daily Record published various stories about Wooster’s history in the weeks leading up to the bicentennial parade.

According to Greg Long, member of the bicentennial board, these stories sparked interest among Wooster residents about the foundation of our community, and emphasizes why such awareness is important.

“The more you know about the environment around you, the more it explains why some things are the way they are… Everything came from somewhere,” Long said.

Wooster’s diverse community and its history contribute to

the characterization of our city as one that upholds tradition in addition to growing and changing.

From street names and architecture to the display of Wooster’s motto “Keeping tradition a part of our future,” the influence of Wooster’s history is evidenced across the town.

Dave Broehl, past president of the Wayne County Historical Society and involved community member, sees understanding and learning from local history as an integral element to advancing as a society.

“You can not be successful as a community in a decade or two. [The community] really needs to have that continuity of commitment, purpose, and optimism… This does not happen in isolation,” Broehl said.

Broehl also emphasizes the difference between understanding history and

dwelling upon it. He asserts that while Wooster should look to its past for guidance, history should serve as, “a springboard for the future,” rather than serve as an instruction book.

In any case, history is not a blind recollection of dates and names, but a study of how people lived in the past, which can prove useful to running our own lives.

Genealogy librarian Deborah Kitko encourages students to discover more about family history and themselves in turn.

“I think it is important for students to see the importance of history and to actually bring history alive… You can actually put one of your ancestors in that place and that time to see what life was like then,” Kitko said.

More than anything, knowing where we come from and fully understanding our roots is necessary in order to ensure we are fully equipped to determine where we are going next.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 7

Wooster boasts rich architecture The historic buildings of downtown Wooster showcase

Longtime Wooster citizen expresses local pride AMBER SWIGART & ERIN O’DONNELL

a unique mix of building styles and purposes RACHEL DUGAN WOOD staff writer

Wooster is over 200 years old, and many aspects of its storied past can be seen in historic buildings downtown.

While some buildings such as the Wayne County Courthouse have been used for a single purpose, many others have seen multiple uses over the years.

One historic building that has had many purposes is the Faber Building, located at 148 W. Liberty Street. According to Chamber of Commerce President Justin Starlin, this structure was built in 1890 by Quincy Jones, then sold to Emil Faber.

While Faber originally opened a restaurant and saloon there, later owners used it as a boarder house, cigar shop and a billiards hall.

In the late 1930s, it held the Nobil Shoe Store and later the Euga Shoe Store.

Decades later, the shoe trend continues as sports shoe and equipment store Vertical Runner plans to move there next year. Repurposing an old building for a modern store requires extensive renovation, but as noted by Ellen Pill in her June 30 Wooster Weekly News article “New life for downtown Wooster: Amazing potential in the Faber Building,” tax incentives are available to encourage businesses to invest in historic buildings.

Another historic building that has transitioned far from its initial use stands at 340 E. Liberty Street. According to Wayne County Historical Society member Susan Zimmerman, it was built

by John Wilhelm in 1853. First used as a carriage shop, it later housed Clapper printing, and still bears the name Clapper on the roof.

Likewise The Gift Corner at 131 S. Market Street was previously home to widely divergent businesses. Since its construction in the 1880s, it housed Clapper Printing, the McClure Stove Shop and a toy company, among other businesses.

cover editors

Sally Bernhardt, who has lived in Wooster for 90 years, has played an active role in the community and offers a unique perspective on the city and its amenities.

As a child, Bernhardt attended Bowman Street Elementary school, which according to oldohioschools. com has since been demolished.

She graduated from Wooster High School and lived outside of Wooster for a short time to attend college at Denison University, where she studied to become an English teacher at Waynedale High School.

In her adult life, Bernhardt has been involved in c o m m u n i t y

organizations including The Wayne County Historical Society, Every Woman’s House and Planned Parenthood.

Through her constant involvement in the community and her time spent in Wayne County, Bernhardt has observed qualities that characterize the area.

She commends Wayne County for a number of reasons, such as the town’s business atmosphere and agriculture, and especially admires the friendliness of the people here.

“People just talk to you as if they have known you for a number of years,” Bernhardt says.

In addition to Wooster’s amicability, Bernhardt values the opportunities that the OARDC and College of Wooster offer to the community and thinks they benefit society as a whole.

Stanley Gault: The legacy of a successful

regional businessman and philanthropist endures DREW FRIEDHOFF sports editor

Stanley Gault, former Chairman and CEO of both Goodyear and Rubbermaid, will be remembered by the Wooster community for his philanthropic endeavours, as well as his accomplishments in the business world.

As a Wooster native and WHS and College of Wooster grad, Gault spent most of his early life in the city of Wooster.

Growing up, Gault experienced economic hardships and worked multiple jobs to supplement his family’s income, according to

son Steve Gault.

“This significantly strengthened his resolve to excel in future endeavours. Dad told me many times how much he admired his parents, and how they dealt with financial diversity while still providing for him and his sister,” Steve said.

According to the article “Stanley Gault, Who Led Rubbermaid and Goodyear, Dies at 90,” by Matthew Goldstein, posted on nytimes. com, after college, Gault worked for three decades at G.E. where he rose through the company’s ranks, becoming head of G.E.’s consumer products division and later its

industrial products division.

He then became the CEO of Rubbermaid where he was credited with almost quadrupling annual sales and, finally, went on to Goodyear, where he was attributed with similar achievements for the company.

Through all of his success, Gault never forgot about the community where he got his start.

His generosity to the city of Wooster has resulted in numerous beneficial programs and opportunities for the city as well as multiple buildings throughout the town and college campus in his namesake.

“For all his accomplishments on both national and international stages, he was always proud to say that he was from Wooster,” Steve Gault said.

Greg Long, accountant and community leader, partnered with Gault for 30 years in giving back to Wooster.

Long worked with Gault on various projects with nonprofit organizations including The Village Network, Red Cross, Boy Scouts and others, but Long said that the project that had the greatest impact on Wooster was the leadership Gault gave to getting the new Wayne County Public Library building in downtown Wooster.

GRAPHICS MADE BY MATTHEW LORENTZ, JACOB GOOCH AND RYAN MILLER. PHOTO BY HANNAH KNAPIC

THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 8

Beall Ave. was named after General Reasin Beall.

kind ter a ed af loped at m a n e . was t was dev se Dr . a Melro le, one th e Orchard p os of ap arby Melr the ne Town Woos send Dr. t Town er ’s first p was name send d M.D. hysician, T after homa s

Wooster Christmas tree origin discussion continues ISABELLE CANNON design manager

Despite local belief, Wooster is not home to the first Christmas tree.

In 1847, August Imgard, a Bavarian immigrant residing in Wooster, was feeling homesick and decided to cut down an evergreen tree and decorate it with ornaments, as this was custom in his hometown.

The following Christmas, Wooster residents began following Imgard’s custom, and it soon became a widespread tradition, according to an article entitled, “Wooster: Home of the Christmas Tree?” on woosterhistory.org.

However, woosterhistory.org also states that the Ohio Historical Society cites early letters from families in Cincinnati as proof of Christmas trees being in Ohio as early as 1835.

Nell Reardon, a member of the Wayne County Historical Society Board of Trustees, agrees that Wooster may not be home to the first Christmas tree.

“I don’t think we will ever arrive on anything definitive historically on the Christmas tree,” Reardon said.

Even though Wooster may not have had the first Christmas tree, it is still a fun holiday tradition to continue over the years.

THE SULTANA:

Barre the fi tt Circle r be wo st Wayne was nam e F. Bar unded in County s d after oldie the C rett. r ivil W ar, Jo to hn

EVAN DOAN In April of 1865, the Confederate steamboat Sultana set sail from Cairo, Ill., loaded with 2,300 Union POW’s; unbeknownst to the passengers, a leaking boiler aboard the ship would soon lead to the little-remembered tragedy of the Sultana.

As told by author Alan Huffman in his nonfiction memoir Sultana, over 1,700 people lost their lives when the ship exploded, making it the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.

Those who lost their lives included POW’s 102nd Ohio Volunteer Regiment, which was based out of Wayne County and included many Wooster natives. Of the local regiment, there were seven survivors and eleven who were confirmed to be dead resulting from the explosion, according to the Wayne County Historical Society.

The accident received very little coverage from newspapers or magazines, and to this day, it is not well remembered.

CHRISTOPHER ROCHE

the after re d e m na o we t was others wh ens S l l i Larw arwill br first citiz L ’s three g Wooster n o m a

Freedlander Rd. was named after three generations of merchants.

But, the rain did more than just that. threatened residents of low-lying areas, especially in the Bauer Street Neighborhood, also called Soaptown, which lies next to Apple Creek.

Mathew Wickham, a local resident, remembers that for days, the water was contaminated and people had to get their drinking water from the water tower. But, they were the lucky ones, as 10 people in Wooster died that night and 22 in Wayne County. One elderly couple was washed away as they carried their groceries not found for a week.

Wooster residents can still see how high the water rose on specially marked buildings at the fairgrounds.

Quinby Ave. was named after the Quinby brothers, Ephraim Jr. and Samuel, who were prominent citizens in the early 1800s

Graphics by Matt

Wooster by Richard Peter.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 9

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES DOMINANT CHOICE OF STUDENTS Streaming services are paid subscriptions that Streaming increases allow users access to movies and television, some of which comes from cable and some

72.59% of students prefer

other streaming services have become cultural phenomenons that are revolutionizing how people consume media and how they spend their downtime, as a CNBC article published on June 1 by John Maloney outlines that stopping cable companies in favor of online streaming services has become widely popular among many consumers, and that trend has been placing pressure on cable TV companies.

streaming services to cable or network television

32.6% of students polled use

89.9% of students polled

Amazon Prime

3.7% of students polled watch HBO GO

25.2% of students polled watch Hulu

SARAH HOPKINS co-editor-in-chief

Times are changing.

Technology has taken over the dating scene, One Direction is no longer together and, most importantly, traditional TV networks are not creating the newest or coolest content.

Subscription services like Netflix, Hulu and HBO GO have found their niche in the TV production realm and do not seem to be letting up.

As a young person with an ever-changing schedule, tradition television watching has kind of gone out the window. I can not always commit to being home every Wednesday at a specific time to watch a specific show; subscription services make it much easier to watch where and when I have time.

Similarly, binge-watching has become an epidemic amongst the old and young alike, and streaming services make it that much easier to watch an entire season of Law and Order: SVU in one sitting.

Furthermore, some of the best content is being created by these services.

Recently, I can not get enough of Hulu’s Difficult People with Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner. The characters are so full of life and cleverly written, something made easier by the lack of restrictions, in terms of language and content, placed on shows not created for network television.

With less of the constrictions traditionally put on television networks, Netflix, Hulu and HBO GO can have more creative freedom and artistic liberty.

In an interview with The Daily Beast, creator of Master of None, Aziz Ansari, talked about his decision to produce with Netflix.

“I just didn’t want to do a network show for a number of reasons. I didn’t want to deal with the content restrictions,” Ansari said.

Without these liberties, popular shows like Difficult People, Master of None and Casual simply would not be the same.

So seriously, get Hulu. Or, at least get someone you know’s account information.

the poll, 135 students were surveyed.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 10

WHS Ideal Homecoming Playlist Play

Follow

Artist

Song

Homecoming will be Oct. 1 this year. With this event approaching, students shared questions and concerns revolving around the dance and BLADE staff members collected answers to those questions.

Graphic by Matt Lorentz

Album

Dancing Away with My Heart

Lady Antebellum

Own the Night

3:53

Baby Got Back

Sir Mix A Lot

Mack Daddy

4:23

Chocolate

The 1975

The 1975

3:45

Ice Ice Baby

Vanilla Ice

Extremely Live

4:14

All Night

Chance the Rapper Coloring Book

2:22

Juju On that Beat

Zay Hilfigerr

Single

2:04

Never Gonna Give You Up

Rick Astley

Whenever You Need Somebody 3:33

Don’t Stop Believin’

Journey

Escape

4:09

Forever

Chris Brown

Forever

4:38

Madness

Muse

The Second Law

4:41

Music selection explained Questions about dance answered The Speech and Debate team will, once again, host Homecoming this year and hopes this year’s theme, Shanghai Moon, will be a success.

Over the last few years, music selection at Homecoming has been a problem with both students and administration, according to William Franck, Speech Debate coach and English Dept. member.

Last year, Franck left the playlist making to Audio Extremes Entertainment based out of Akron, and according to him, it was a hit with both the administration and students.

Contrary to popular belief, music is neither selected, nor is it censored by the administration.

“Music is solely chosen by the DJ; the playlist does not go through administration,” Franck said.

According to Audio Extremes Entertainment website, “We offer a great music selection including the most up-to-date new releases. We subscribe to a national music preview service, which means that we have the new music before most of the radio stations do.”

Therefore, prior to WHS Homecoming the DJs have a playlist that has been played at other schools, including Norwayne High School and Smithville High School.

Blurbs by Tatumn McGrew and Kayla Cooper

Q: How do you differentiate the Homecoming dress code from the dress code in the handbook?

A: Andy Bratcher Associate Principal: “I would refer you to pages 14 and 15 of our handbook.

It talks about young ladies’ attire for all dances and young mens’ attire for all dances. It says dress length should not be above the fingertip, undergarments should not be visible. Ladies, no plunging necklines or backs, no gaping holes or slits at the sides above the waist or above the knees. For men, please follow the school dress code. No jeans and no undergarments showing.”

Q: How do you choose the theme for Homecoming and who is involved in the process?

A: Bill Franck, Speech and Debate coach and English Dept. member: “We try and make sure that the theme is different from anything that has been done in the last four or five years. We kind of rotate the ideas for themes, like this year is Shanghai Moon. That kind of motif will not be used for another four or five years. Normally we talk to officers, but this year we didn’t have time, so the coach and I sat down, looked up what we’ve done recently and decided which one we haven’t done in awhile.”

Q: How much time should be given in advance for asking someone to Homecoming?

“At least three weeks ahead of time.” -Bri Coppola (12) “A month in advance.” -Max Kane (12) “At least two weeks in advance.” -Shelby Kain (12) “Couple weeks.” -Parker Sugs (11) “A month.” -Caleb Noel (12) “Usually two and a half weeks.” -Brendan Dulaney (12)

FEATURE

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 11

Dedicated students aspire to compete at the collegiate level

Athlete wants to play college lacrosse

HANNA MORGAN feature editor

Former Olympic athlete, Jesse Owens, once said “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self discipline, and effort.”

I am a huge sports fan, as I come from a family who is very involved in athletics.

I grew up an athlete.

There were times I would go from cheerleader to soccer player, or from ballet stage to basketball court within hours.

You name it, I probably played it, or at least tried it.

My father went to college to

play football and baseball.

My mother was a college cheerleader for football and basketball. My brother played football in college until an injury caused an end to his career.

I am currently a three sport athlete of tennis, basketball and lacrosse, with aspirations to continue my lacrosse career in college.

Lacrosse was something I decided to play on a limb in middle school, but it instantly became a love of mine.

After two years of playing, I decided to join a travel lacrosse team. A good portion of my summers were spent traveling to tournaments, practices and camps.

I was constantly trying to improve my game and get better.

I loved being on the field. It just came naturally to me.

That is when I realized I wanted to play lacrosse at the collegiate level.

Playing in college is not going to be a walk in the park.

I know it will take determination, dedication, self discipline and effort, like Jesse Owens once said.

It has been a dream of mine for several years now and will soon become a reality in my near future.

The one aspect that separates CrossFit from other traditional techniques is the idea of functional fitness.

CrossFit provides a constructive atmosphere, which is extremely important for athletes.

CrossFit helps athletes get better

Hanna Morgan (12)

“CrossFit is a lifestyle, CrossFit not only teaches it’s not just a workout you about your body routine, you learn how physically, but also to take care of yourself mentally. to be the best version of yourself,” according to CrossFit instructor Janine Salisberry.

by Sam Schonfeld

Local students give their take on becoming college athletes HANNA MORGAN feature editor

Many WHS students have aspirations to take their athletic careers to the collegiate level.

Seth Folks (12) has dreams of playing football in college.

Folks has been on many college visits this summer, attending many schools that are interested in having him play football for them.

“Watching the Buckeyes play football on television, made me realize it’s something that I want to do as well. As I’ve gotten older, I see that it is a whole new level and that it is a great opportunity to meet new people,” Folks said.

Folks talked about how dedicated one must be to their sport and how hard one must work to reach that certain level.

“You need to be coachable and you need to have the mindset ‘I’m going to play in college’,” Folks said.

Lexi Rehm (12) is aslo planning on taking her softball career to the next level.

“I want to play some of the best competition there is, and I want to get better. Playing in college will help me,” Rehm said.

Rehm said playing in college takes hard work and dedication Sidny Chamberlin (11) has spent many years of her life playing lacrosse. She knew at an early age that she wanted to play lacrosse in college.

Chamberlin plays year around lacrosse, as she is on a travel team, along as playing for WHS. “I”ve been playing lacrosse ever since I could remember, so now it’s to the point where I can’t stand being without it,” Chamberlin said.

Chamberlin thinks that being a college athlete means she will have to be willing to give up a lot of her free time. She said it is a juggling act between sports and academics.

“You have to give and commit 100 percent,” Chamberlin said.

Athletes planning on playing a sport in college agree that a certain mentality is needed to reach the goal of playing a sport at the collegiate level.

Seth Folks (12)

Lexi Rehm (12) Sid Chamberlin (11)

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | FEATURE | PAGE 12

HOW TO: REGISTER TO VOTE

Student encourages voting

DROSOS KARDULIAS on campus editor

Refusing to vote is refusing to contribute to humanity’s journey, it is deplorably selfish and it is, regrettably, common.

The current election is shaping up to be a close one, as the Clinton versus Trump graph on realclearpolitics. com shows with its near-daily shifts.

More and more often, the decision between Clinton and Trump is referred to as choosing between two evils.

However, some refuse to make the choice altogether.

According to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted on April 28, 2016, 24 percent

30 (44 percent)

of voters plan to either stay home, refuse to vote for a real candidate or will vote for a third party, with those under 40 being twice more likely to hold this view than those over 40.

When young people throw away their votes, be it by refusal to participate or voting for a third party, they shirk their democratic duty.

While voting is not legally required, casting a ballot is morally imperative, a binding obligation to do your best to ensure that the presidency is held by the person most qualified to hold it, if not for oneself, then for the sake of others who will live under the same system.

Young voters cannot be apathetic come election day.

These voters will be forced to put aside their pseudoedgy everyone sucks mentality, and realize that their ballot matters for millions of Americans who are Hispanic or Muslim, it matters for the LGBTQ community and it matters for those born into poverty.

Millennials need to find it within themselves to care about America’s future.

REQUIREMENTS

You must be a U.S. citizen, you must be 18 by Nov. 8, 2016, and live at an Ohio address.

REGISTER IN PERSON

Get registered to vote before Oct. 11. Go to your local board of elections, which for Wayne County residents is 200 Vanover St., which is across the from the fair’s east entrances, and someone will help you register. You will need to bring an Ohio driver’s license or the last four digits of your Social Security code.

REGISTER BY MAIL

Graphics by Matthew Lorentz Blurbs Written by Alexander Thompson

VOTING ON ELECTION DAY

If you vote in-person, you need to bring an Ohio driver’s license, some other government photo ID, a military ID, paycheck, or any government document that shows your name and address. You can vote on election day, which is Nov. 8. You need to go to your specified polling place, which you can find online at My Voter Information Ohio.

The second way you can register is by mail. To do this you can go to Phil Klein’s room to get a form. You have to enclose a copy of a valid photo ID, military ID, utility bill, bank statement, government check or document or paycheck, which has your name and address. You need to mail, or turn in, your form to your local board of elections before Oct. 11.

EARLY VOTING

You can also early vote in-person. You do this at your board of elections. You will still need an ID. Early voting starts Oct. 12, but you cannot vote on any of the weekends until Oct. 29 through Oct. 30. The times for early voting vary, so go online to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website and look under ‘Voting Schedule.’

2012 Presidential Election Voting Statistics

VOTING BY MAIL

You can absentee vote by mail by going to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website and downloading the application, filling it out and sending to your county board of elections. You need to have the ballot in by mail

by Nov. 7 or handed in to your county board of elections on Nov. 8.

Youth voter turnout rates

pewresearch.org (26 percent) or independents (30 percent). “Young Voters More” pewresearch.org

have had the widest gaps in voting

exceeded the white voter turnout rate.

66.2 percent versus 64.1 percent. “Six

since 1972. “Young Voters Supported

Voting Report” pewresearch.org

More” pewresearch.org

Report” pewresearch.org Facts Compiled by Nate King-Smith

SPORTS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 13

Athletic equipment helps to improve students safety JOHN GORMAN High school athletics are a great way to learn persistence and leadership skills, but they are not without risk.

While every sport has the potential for injury, one growing safety concern is concussions.

The Mayo Clinic, as located in their “Diseases and Conditions” section, asserts that while usually caused by a blow to the head, concussions can occur when the head and upper body are violently shaken. Additionally, because concussion symptoms include headache and fatigue, which are seemingly ordinary feelings after physical activity, many people may have concussions without realizing it.

Athletic Director Andy Kellar

reaffirms there are ways WHS athletes are protected. First, Ohio Legislature was passed creating a uniform protocol for coaches, doctors and trainers when treating athletes with concussions.

Additionally, athletic trainer Wayne Gerick explains that IMPACT testing has been invaluable in ensuring adequate recovery time for athletes. All athletes must take an IMPACT test prior to participation in their sport.

These tests provide doctors and coaches a baseline measure for an athlete’s mental state.

When recovering from a concussion, the athlete’s new IMPACT results are compared with his or her baseline, allowing the medical officials to gauge the athlete’s readiness to return.

Kellar also points out that

even with advancements in both football and lacrosse helmets, helmets do not prevent concussions.

Instead, they prevent severe head trauma.

Also, Kellar stresses that the most concussions occurring OHSAA athletics do not result from classically perceived contact sports, such as football and lacrosse, but rather from girls’ soccer.

Though sports have potential health hazards, both Kellar and Gerick reiterate the top priority in WHS athletics is keeping athletes safe.

Tips to prevent injuries in sports MAUREEN McKEOWN views editor

According to a study researched by usnews.com, “More than 7.6 million students played sports during the 20102011 school year.”

In saying that, injuries are quite common. Studies have also suggested ways for athletes to avoid common injuries in high school level sports.

A very important tip, defined by Jonathan Miano from The Washington Times investigation team for high school athletes, is, “to start training for a sport six weeks in advance. Preseason training is such a key element in making a healthy athlete, due to the fact that it gets the mind and body ready for the upcoming season.”

An example of a common preseason training would be weight lifting or running base mileage. It should not be too taxing in this season, so the body does not become fatigued

extreme level could result in a long term injury.

Easing up Face 7% when noticing pain is not an excuse. When something is bothering the body, there Finger 12% is usually a reason, and Knee 9% if not treated within a quick amount of Ankle 15% time, there could be consequences.

Every after a while.

Another tip for high school injury is special, and no two athletes is to simply maintain are exactly alike. A final tip what you built up in the pre- proven by USA Today High season. The body is working School Sports is to, “Get off the hard enough at practice and chicken wing and Mountain during games. There is no need Dew diet. Pound the water and eat this and that, a wellto overdo it.

Lastly, an athlete should know balanced diet.” Injuries come their limits. Overdoing it will in varying shapes and forms, be a quick way to get on the but with these fast facts they injury bench. Training at an can be prevented.

Common sportsrelated injuries of children seen in the emergency room in 2012 from www. safekids.org

Head 14%

Athlete health discussed GLARA LEE From the lights on the football field to the introductions before a tennis game, every high school athlete lives for these moments.

However, with competitive meets once or more a week, injuries are all too common.

USA Today reported, in 2013, that 1.35 high school athletes are injured each year, which can be as minor as straining a muscle to the worst case, injury-related deaths.

Whatever the injury, all athletes must heal, which can be varying in length.

For senior Nick Johnston, aortic bicuspid stenosis made his football career skid to a stop. “It’s a strain

on my heart that caused my aorta to expand. It got worse as time went on and my doctor said it wouldn’t be safe to play because I’ll need surgery sometime soon,” Johnston said.

On the tennis courts, Skyy Khounborin (9) wears a knee brace while she plays.

“My knee caps shift and I have tendinitis in my right knee. I’ve had it for about two years now, but was born with it and just didn’t experience it until my first year of track. The best thing you could do is rest. The more you play with an injury, the longer it will take to heal or your injury may become worse,” Khounborin said.

Athletes have obstacles to face, but injury is a barrier that is uncontrollable and hard to overcome.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 14

Sibilia family legacy swims on at Wooster High School MADDY NACCI sports editor

Editor’s note: This story begins part one of a two part series on generations of WHS athletes. The second installment will appear in our Oct. 7 issue.

The Sibilia family has made a splash in Wooster swimming since 2005 and continues the legacy currently.

According to Michelle Sibilia (10), the Sibilia family has eight children who have all, or are currently, participating in swimming, along with many other sports.

Robbie, Angela, Kimberly and Gabrielle have graduated from Wooster High School, all being Robbie and Gabrielle making

all Ohio teams and all American consideration, said Michelle Sibilia.

Gabrielle was OCC swimmer of the year her senior year, has four Wooster school records, and now swims in college at Duquesne University on a Division I scholarship, starting her sophmore year.

Michelle Sibilia (10) and Joey Sibilia (11) are currently participating on the WHS swim team.

Johnny and Anthony are younger and participate in swimming in their free time, along with other sports, including soccer, and baseball.

Christina Matthew has coached all of the Sibilias in her 22 years of coaching and said that she can always count on the Sibilias to be at every practice, working hard.

Sibilias have such a passion for swimming and love swimming in relays because they are all such great team players.

Michelle Sibilia was a district as a freshman and participates in soccer, swimming and track

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHARON SIBILIA

Robbie (on left) and Michelle (on far right) cheer on Joey Sibilia as he swims in a Freedlander meet over the summer in 2012.

“The Sibilias show all of the characteristics that I would want anyone on my team to

have… They add so much to the team,” Matthew said.

Matthew adds that all of the

looks forward to continuing her family’s big history.

“I love doing sports and I’m motivated and super determined to live up to my siblings’ records and work hard to make my own records,” she said.

Joey Sibilia plans to continue to swim for two more years at WHS and will graduate in 2018, while Michelle Sibilia will swim for three more years and graduate in 2019, with two more Sibilias to continue the dynasty.

VIEWS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 15

Barack Obama’s triumph As the banking system was collapsing, automotive companies near bankruptcy, unemployment was rising and the housing market was

DREW FRIEDHOFF sports editor

years: homicides have dropped 13 percent, the unemployment rate has dropped below the historical median, corporate

enacted policies, staunchly opposed by a Republican Congress, that were able to point the economy in the right direction. automobile industry, adding jobs and reducing unemployment, Obama then was able to begin to leave his own unique mark on the United States. He warming, increased the

15 million more people have health insurance and wind and solar power have nearly org.

While Barack Obama’s presidency may not be able to statistics, they truly illustrate president able to turn a country around.

women.

States, he was able to take out Osama Bin Laden, end the war in Iraq and reopen relations with Cuba.

When comparing the country Barack Obama was handed with the one he will soon be leaving, there is no doubt that his presidency

Barack Hussein Obama was And, with the current challenging situations an incoming president has ever

swing, he will also surely be missed.

“Despite what he did wrong, he sure did do a lot of rights.” -Alex Nyguen (12)

Election sets bar low article published by The Guardian on April 15, written

by Ed Pilkington and Lauren Gambino titled “Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton turn

“He, in my opinion, has been one of the most the history of the United States.” -Julien Lubell (11)

What do students think of Obama’s presidency?

“It was like all other politicians; a waste of time and money.”

-Andrew Cochran (11) “Obama has done a phenomenal job handling the many crisises our nation has faced during his presidency.” -Lexi Noletti (10)

NICHOLAS COSMO

points out that the ninth Democratic debate included personal attacks and exhibited animosity between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

Furthermore, media outlets

a&e editor

The campaigns run by this election’s presidential campaigns run in previous years, but not in a good way.

This election cycle’s presidential campaigns have

Some conspiracy theorists have

attacks targeted at other candidates. A Washington Post article by Sean Sullivan, published on Feb. 13 titled “Republican debate: Raised voices, name calling and personal attacks,” outlines how Republican presidential debates during the primaries

memorial event.

This election cycle certainly is

Hillary Clinton was swapped

attacks on other candidates, nor will it be the last.

However, the sheer volume

calling, raised voices and candidates during their answering time.

Trump and Clinton have had myriad personal attacks launched against them, but,

has not been entirely contained to the Republican side. An

the public instead.

Student investigates parking passes: why do we have them? administration, but ticketing those who do not have one just

passes are recommended to have in case an incident should occur on school grounds. That way, the school would have the

The tickets can be issued to any person’s car parking in the lot, not just a WHS

have been issued to students who parked their cars at WHS without a pass.

the car.

For that reason, everyone should have a parking pass.

and natatorium, community members park in the lot as well.

So, there is no way to

working out in the Gault, or swimming in the natatorium.

Anyone could receive a ticket. because I did not want to pay a be the smarter choice.

random cars in the parking lot

HANNA MORGAN feature editor

Students parking in the WHS parking lot during the school day should have a parking pass, according to the WHS

“WHS Student Parking Permit Application,” which also student’s driver’s license and administration, I learned that According to Terakedis, the

Issuing out $10 parking tickets to random cars in the parking lot does not seem fair.

The tickets can be issued to any person’s car parking in the lot, not just a WHS student.

students, who could potentially receive a ticket. It is their choice to not buy a pass.

For those whom it may concern, parking pass applications can be picked up

THE

WOOSTER

BLADE

Editors-in-Chief Sarah Hopkins, Nate KingSmith Webmaster Alexander Thompson Graphics Managers Spencer Dilyard, Matthew Lorentz Business Managers Grant Peabody, Estelle Shaya On Campus Editors Drosos Kardulias, Tatumn McGrew Focus Editors Austin McCully, Ryan Miller Sports Editors A & E Editors Kayla Barnet, Nick Cosmo Trends Editors Olivia Sleek Cover Editors Erin O’Donnell, Amber Swigart, Valerie Anderson, Hannah Knapic Views Editors Evan Doan, Maureen McKeown Feature Editors Hanna Morgan, Emma Strong Staff Writers Madison Culver-Lee, Jacob Gooch, John Gorman, Glara Lee, Holly Miller, Christopher Roche, Samuel Schonfeld, Leah Sim, Rachel Dugan Wood Head Photographer Grant Peabody Photographers Madison Culver-Lee, Hannah Knapic, Tracy Morgan, Chelsea Patterson Cartoonists Jess Lyons, 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 | SEPT. 23, 2016 | PAGE 16

OUR VIEW

Editors outline their intentions for year

SARAH HOPKINS & NATE KING-SMITH co-editors-in-chief

At the arrival of the 20162017 school year, we are

thrilled to be stepping into our new roles on staff as co-editors-in-chief of The Wooster Blade, as well as bringing captivating stories and informing our readers.

As a staff, we hope to share news in a timely manner that benefits both the readers, as well as the people and events being covered.

We strive to present information in a way that is both appealing to the eye and covers topics of importance within the

Wooster community.

We encourage members of the school and the community alike to make their voices heard by contacting The Wooster Blade directly at the high school or writing a letter to the editor on matters about which they are passionate.

Written word is one of the most powerful tools we hold as a society, and we intend to utilize our freedoms of speech and press in the most professional and ethical

way as possible.

As in year’s past, we will continue to voice the overall opinions of our editorial board on pressing issues within our editorials, shedding light on problems both locally and beyond that we and our student body feel strongly about.

We are excited for the opportunity to build upon an already highly esteemed publication, maintaining a fair viewpoint and learning while doing it.

Laws need revisions Disney characters evolve Heroin use is an issue that is taking the nation by storm.

Heroin has become more and more popular as prescription painkiller addicts turn to heroin as a cheaper and more readily available SARAH HOPKINS & pill, according to article entitled ISABELLE CANNON an “Ohio Heroin co-editor-in-chief & design manager Overdose Deaths”

by Andrew WelshHuggins for the Associated Press on April 18, 2014, on Ohio.com.

Rapper Jay-Z even took to publication to discuss the epidemic in the form of a four minute opinion piece for The New York Times entitled “The War On Drugs Is An Epic Fail.”

He voiced that the war on drugs is only affecting certain factions.

“Even though white people used and sold crack more than black people, somehow it was black people who went to prison,” Jay-Z said.

Jay-Z also called for reformed policies and laws concerning drugs.

We believe that to bring a more effective halt to the use of heroin, punishment must be equal.

Certain groups and races should not be taking all the blame when they are not the only ones using.

America needs a wake-up call.

Drug overdoses are on the rise and changes need to be made soon in order to save lives.

feature more independent female leads, straying away from traditional love interest based plots

HANNAH KNAPIC & MAUREEN McKEOWN cover editor & views editor From Merida in Brave, to Pocahontas in Pocahontas, to Elsa and Anna in Frozen, the female lead characters in Disney movies have begun to overcome their difficulties

without the help of male counterparts or love interests.

Although the classic example of a Disney movie is the damsel in distress saved by the handsome prince, we believe this new, feministic portrayal of the princesses is beneficial in showing girls that they can do whatever they set their minds to, without the help of a man.

On Nov. 23, another empowering Disney movie, Moana, will debut in theaters.

This latest film tells of a 16-year-old girl, who, in order to save her island, follows ancient legends to find the demigod, Maui, according to movies.disney.org. Together Moana and Maui overcome obstacles while travelling the ocean to save the island.

By continuing this empowerment of women in more movies, Disney is creating a stronger culture that should be implemented more in Hollywood.

We applaud Disney on their work in modernizing the view of women’s roles, and helping to encourage girls to be strong and independent, rather than keeping the traditional prince saving a helpless princess.