The Wooster Blade, Volume XVIII, Issue 2

THE WOOSTER BLADE

WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER • 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH • SEPT. 29, 2017 • VOLUME XVIII, ISSUE 2

Free Speech: examining the

First Amendment’s role in contemporary society

Graphic by Matthew Lorentz

ON CAMPUS

Students discuss their views on:

HOMECOMING MELINA MERA & CORINNE WILES

Wooster High School’s Homecoming dance will be held by the Speech and Debate team for students in grades 9 through 12 on Oct. 7, 2017.

The dance will be held in the high school’s Commons,

Out of the students who said they would not go, one senior said the dance is, “Too much money and too boring in past years.”

At the dance, many varieties of music are played by the DJ, and although most of them are upbeat songs, there are a few slow songs.

Of the students polled, 35 percent said there should be more slow songs, while the other 65 percent prefer less.

Out of the genres, classical, country, pop, rap, R&B, EDM, jazz and rock, students selected which they would like to hear

Phantom of The Opera/ Masquerade for the dance.

Upon interviewing 146 students grades 9-12 on Oct. 21, 72 percent of students polled said they were going to attend, mainly to have fun, and the chose rap with country music other 28 percent replied they being the least desired genre with were not going to attend. eight votes.

According to one sophomore, she is going because, “My girlfriend really enjoys dances; and it means a lot to her.”

Another senior responded,“It’s always fun to go and dance with your friends.”

Spirit week themes for the week of Oct. 2 MONDAY: Disney TUESDAY:

Jerseys

WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY:

Superheroes

Twin Day

FRIDAY: Blue and Gold

What’s Inside?

a closer look at the On Campus section

What do students want to hear at Homecoming?

2 3 4 5 6

“Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

“Unforgettable”

by French Montana & Swae Lee “Rake It Up”

by Yo Gotti & Nicki Minaj “Mi Gente”

by J. Balvin & Willy William

“Bodak Yellow”

by Cardi B

“Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift

THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 3

WHS organizations collect hurricane relief donations ESTELLE SHAYA co-editor in chief

In the past month, the world has witnessed a plethora of hurricanes battering the United States.

In late August, Hurricane Harvey swept through Texas, hitting Houston. In early September, Hurricane Irma hit islands in the Caribbean and Florida. Hurricane Jose hit some of the same islands in the Caribbean before moving to the Northeastern United States. Most recently, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto These natural disasters have come at a steep cost. As reported by Reuters on Sept. 3, Hurricane Harvey Graphic by alone could cost Spencer $180 billion Dilyard to repair damages.

In addition, t h e s e hurricanes have taken a direct toll on citizens’ lives, with the same a r t i c l e estimating that Hurricane H a r v e y killed around 50 people and displaced over 1 million.

The federal government has taken hurricanes. On Sept. 7, 2017, The New York Times reported in the article “Senate Votes to Raise Debt Limit and Approves $15 Billion in Hurricane Relief,” by Thomas Kaplan, that the Senate acted to provide FEMA with funding to support hurricane recovery in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Since the original approval of funds, more money has been passed through Congress for areas hit by hurricanes following Harvey.

Puerto Rico has most recently received assistance from FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

According to a NBC article entitled “Hurricane Maria: Puerto Ricans Plead for More Federal Aid to Devastated Island” by Daniella Silva, Suzanne Gamboa and Sandra

on-the-ground aiding Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. However, the article also notes that Puerto Rico currently has little to no access to running water, power or fuel, and thus, many believe far more humanitarian aid will be necessary.

However, in addition to large scale governmental programs, aid to hurricane victims has come from local communities across the United States.

In WHS, several extracurriculars Hurricane Harvey victims.

The WHS cheerleading team fundraised to donate to the Red Cross by collecting money from their team, according to cheer coach Duper Pallotta. In total, the team was able to raise $ 9 0 0 to go toward Hurricane H a r v e y victims. Pallotta said the team responded wonderfully to the fundraiser, as everyone wanted to help.

On another front, History Club collected money from Sept. 6 Sept. 15 to donate to Northside High School in Houston, Texas.

Misty Bisesi, supervisor of History Club and WHS History Dept. member, said the club chose Northside High School to donate to because one of the members of The principal. Bisesi added, “We wanted to actually make it more personal History Club collected money during game to raise a total of $1,173 for Northside High School. Bisesi said the money will go directly to the school’s administration for use in whatever the school decides it most needs.

Although there have been several student fundraisers at WHS for Hurricane Harvey relief, there are currently none to aid Hurricane Maria victims.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | SEPT. 8, 2017 | PAGE 4

Impact Teen Driving promotes safety RHEANNA VELASQUEZ This past week, WCSD hosted Impact Teen Driving, an educational program about reckless and distracted driving, for WHS students, parents and community members.

“Really, it was about how can we help keep our students safe, and not only give them information about how not to become distracted, but also equip parents with the ability to help guide and teach their young drivers this practice,” Heidi Haas, administrative intern, said of the district holding the presentation.

Impact Teen Driving looks to promote safe driving habits and reduce motor vehicle accidents, the leading cause of preventable death for teens across the country.

teen driver behavior prior to motor vehicle crashes revealed, “Between 2007 and 2015, an average of 58.5 percent of crashes contained some type of potentially distracting behavior during the six seconds leading up to a crash.”

Common activities, which

talking to friends, Science Dept. member Shelly Silvaggi listed additional risky driving habits as eating, drinking and anything distractive.

Silvaggi said Impact Teen Driving is worthwhile if the program persuades teen drivers against commonly distracting driving habits.

Haas agreed with the sentiment, saying,“If we can save one student from being injured or killed, then to me it is beyond worth the time it takes to put something like this. One kid certainly we want to help many children - but even just to prevent one accident from happening,

dangerous for young drivers, include attending to passengers and using cell phones to text or engage in social media.

In addition to texting and

presentations and taking the time to educate students.”

Impact Teen Driving has reached out to schools and communities across 27 states.

“It’s something as quick as changing the radio station, how fast things can happen. [The school] just thought we could be part of the solution; to help curate the conversations for our kids and families,” superintendent Michael Tefs explained.

A June 2016 AAA Foundation

CORPORATE SPONSORS Corporate $250

Gioninos WMW Logistics Critchfield, Critchfield, and Johnston LTD. Swigart- Braunscheidel Insurance Wooster Motor Ways Bogner Construction Company

Blue Dyer, Roche $500 and Company

Teen Driving Statistics

Fundraising begins for pool renovation project SPENCER DILYARD

possibilities than just simply These things include energy

The 2018 Natatorium Renovation Project is currently raising funds for the renovation of the Ellen Shapiro Natatorium at WHS. According to the WCS website, donations will be collected from now until January 5, 2018. The current timeline for the update has construction beginning April 2018 and concluding August 2018.

The Renovation Project hopes to raise $1 million, following a previous football stadium renovation fundraiser.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs stated the renovation is important because, “The health department is going to close it down if we don’t.”

Since the pool is going to be drained completely of water anyway, there are more

locker room update and a new sound system. Tefs also indicated the main priority of the project can be hard to see people, which is a safety risk. Any extra money raised will go toward the sound system, locker room, or lighting.

Chris Matthew, swim coach and Foreign Language Dept. member said, “Anyone who uses the pool lessons, swim teams, YMCA teams, Medina rents the pool in the summer and the College of Wooster.”

Matthew said she has high hopes for the renovation. “We have had two extremely successful fundraising campaigns, most recently Follis Field.

Our community is extremely generous and we’re hoping the pool has the same success.”

THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 5

Diversity Task Force aims to promote inclusion within WCSD HANNAH KNAPIC sports editor

On July 25, the Wooster City Board of Education approved the implementation of a district Diversity Task Force to analyze the diversity inclusion policies in the Wooster City School District.

Although the task force was approved in July, the proposal came at the May 15 Board of Education meeting, by the Wooster-Orrville NAACP president John Clay, according to the article, “Wooster City Schools forming a diversity task force,” by Linda Hall at The Daily Record.

The specific reasons for the establishment of the task force are enumerated in the Scope of Responsibility given to Superintendent, Michael Tefs, and well as the board of education. Expansion of diversity of written curriculum, sensitivity to diversity and implicit bias and advancement of strategies to improve equity, diversity and inclusion are detailed in the legislation.

Task force membership was finished on Aug. 22, when the first meeting took place, with the second on Sept.

14, according to task force facilitator, Cameron Maneese.

Maneese discussed the details of the Sept. 14 meeting, where small changes to the goals of the force were made and committees were formed.

In order to organize and focus the work of the task force, Maneese stated that three committees, which are school climate, core curriculum development and hiring or retention of underrepresented employees, were created.

At the board meeting on Sept. 26, the slightly revised goals for the task force were proposed and approved.

These goals are to review research regarding successful strategies of other school districts, recommend an effective diversity and inclusion policy and provide the board of education with advice for possible program implementation.

Although the task force is working diligently on researching information to revise and improve the diversity of the school district, Maneese stated that there is no deadline or due date and believes that “... a timeline would limit the creativity of the group.”

Board of education member, Sue Herman, said the timing of the implementation of the task force is ideal concerning the

current climate of the country.

Ideally, Herman hopes that the task force will better equip both students and teachers with sensitivity and knowledge of the strength that comes from diversity in a community.

Both Maneese and Herman spoke to the broad range of experience and insight of the task force members, co-chaired

by Yvonne Williams and Steve Shapiro, and including students, teachers, parents and prominent community members, such as John Clay.

Chloe Boucher (12), is one of two student representatives working on the task force.

After participating in the All In Student Academy, Boucher was approached by Wooster superintendent, Dr. Michael Tefs, to be a member of the Diversity Task Force.

Boucher stated that the group was still, “...in the early stages of the task force and are still working on an implementation piece,” in regard to how the findings of the task force will be presented and implemented in the school system.

One way in which the task force may interact with students is by collaborating with the Wooster Way, according to Maneese, in order to bring about discussion in school buildings.

Primary Functions of Diversity Task Force Advance strategies to improve employment diversity, equity and inclusion in the school system, with particular attention to areas of deficiency as determined by the analysis of data.

Expand diversity of the written and taught curricula throughout the school system.

Offer sensitivity to diversity and implicit bias training for employees and students.

Principle Goals of Diversity Task Force Review research on successful strategies utilized in other school districts.

Review and recommend an effective diversity and inclusion policy.

Provide the Board of Education with advice and recommendations for possible program implementation.

Functions and Goals, according to Diversity Task Force Scope of Responsibility.

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330 201-0665

We Have Bubble Tea Milk Tea

Fruit Tea

Matcha

Boba

THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 6

Here Comes the Bus implementation undergoes changes AMBER SWIGART & RACHAEL SCHMIDT According to the March 11, 2016, issue of The Wooster Blade, it was reported that a student was left on a WCSD bus after the completion of the regular bus route. In response, the WCSD implemented Sylvania Solution’s Here Comes the Bus program for students in Pre-K through sixth grade in the 2016-2017 school year.

This year, the WCSD is changing its implementation of the Here Comes the Bus program begun in the 20162017 school year, opting out of the student-ridership program and instead using the GPS tracking system.

According to the Here Comes the Bus website, the program consists of two parts: the Here Comes the Bus app technology and student-ridership technology.

As enumerated on the website, the Here Comes the Bus app allows parents to enter their child’s information, giving them access to the GPS location of the bus and where it is in

its route at any given time.

The student-ridership program gives students cards, which they swipe when they board or leave the bus, preventing a driver from finishing their route until all logged children have exited.

According to Superintendent Michael Tefs, the district is no longer following the studentridership aspect of the program because of complications with the technology and student use.

Specifically, he mentions that the cards proved difficult for younger students, citing that students chewed on the cards and, in many cases, could not reach the swipe register.

Moreso, Tefs said the studentridership technology needs to become more easy to use before it is implemented again, the GPS feature remains useful.

“That technology doesn’t work… We’re still engaged with the company, so one of the things that we have maintained

MADDY MCCULLY

WCSD students to and from school each day. Not pictured are the repair garages and the district Transportation is not currently being used, the Transportation Dept. is taking measures to monitor student departures have gotten

“THAT TECHNOLOGY DOESN’T WORK. WE’RE STILL ENGAGED WITH THE COMPANY, SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE MAINTAINED IS GPS AND ALL OF THE MECHANICS,” TEFS SAID. is GPS and all of the mechanical analytics,” Tefs said.

Although student-ridership

off the at the end of the route.

According to Transportation Supervisor Vic Cole, bus

Thank you, Gionino’s Pizzeria and Bowman Beverage, for donating a work night meal to our Sept. 25 work night.

THE WOOSTER BLADE Staff

drivers are following a few new procedures in place of the student-ridership program.

Bus drivers receive training and attend in-services every year to learn how to keep students safe.

“Our bus drivers are trained...

Some of our buses have an alarm after two minutes the bus is off; if the driver has not walked to the back of the bus and opened the back door, a loud alarm will start. We do bus training and in-services each year for the safety of our students,” Cole said.

The district is not discounting

the possibility that the studentridership program could be reintroduced in the future.

“Some day we hope to get back to [the program],” Tefs said.

While he says the WCSD plans to participate in the studentridership program again, the change will not happen until the technology advances.

Cole said work is still being done on the Here Comes The Bus contract, though it has been officially purchased, and said that Sylvania Solutions has sent emails to parents who use the program to update them on the change.

FEATURE

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 7

Rotary widens exchange offeringsfe Exchange cultivates cultural understanding

RHEANNA VELASQUEZ

What’s Inside?

a closer look at the Feature section

The Wooster Rotary Club has sponsored an international, long-term youth exchange program for decades; however, in recent years, Wooster Rotary has introduced an alternative, short-term exchange program (STEP).

STEP, designed as an

introduction to life in another country, takes place over the course of July and August.

“The STEP program requires a student from here staying with a family abroad, then bringing a teen from that family home with them. It takes a lot of collaboration,” Deana Worth, Outbound Education Chairman, said.

Worth described the brief exchange program as a good

7

Exploring Rotary’s Short Term Exchange Program

8

Remembering Wayne County’s role during World War I

9

Examining effects of the Vietnam War

option for students unsure about committing to an entire year abroad or who feel they will be too homesick.

Meriwether Harmon, a current Cloverleaf senior, became Wooster Rotary’s first STEP student during the summer of 2016. Harmon said she wanted to travel and learn about other people and cultures without the experience interfering with school.

Harmon described living in a very small town in the northernmost part of Germany.

“Every day was an adventure because even though we might not have gone anywhere adventurous, it was just amazing to learn about the culture and try to speak the language,” Harmon said.

This past summer, Reina Mori from Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan, exchanged with Wooster’s Catherine Strong through STEP. “I didn’t have the courage to do the long-term exchange program,” Mori said of her participation in STEP but concluded, “It was a very good experience to me. I want to go to America again.”

Comparing Rotary’s two programs, Worth described the traditional year-long youth exchange as more life-altering.

“The bonds will be stronger, and the student will meet many others from all over the world at weekend trips. Students most always come home being fluent in the new language and more capable of facing responsibilities as a young adult,” Worth said.

Either way, both programs provide the opportunity to immerse in another culture, mature and connect with students from around the world.

Interested students can visit www.woosterrotary.org for more information or contact Wooster Rotary to begin the application and interview process. Deadlines for 20182019 year abroad applications have been established in October of this year.

CATHERINE STRONG Everyone has their niche.

Something they are known for, something they connect with.

For me, all it took was watching an episode of anime as a wide-eyed seventh grader and I discovered mine.

When I was younger, I loved Japanese animation and it became a window, albeit an extremely narrow one, into Japanese culture.

When I began high school, I decided to take my affinity for Japanese culture a step further. I traded in my manga and hit the textbooks to begin studying Japanese language and etiquette.

In the summer of 2017, I was given the opportunity to live in Japan for a month, through the STEP Rotary Youth Exchange.

In return, my host sister from Japan would live with me for a month in America.

On the last day of June, I

packed my bags and hopped on a plane from Detroit to Japan’s Mie prefecture, where I would live in my host town of Yokkaichi. A country I dreamed of visiting was finally a reality, and at first I was fascinated by everything I saw.

Japan is a culture of collectivism, much different than our individualist American society.

At first, everything seemed backwards. I saw talking toilets and wacky vending machines on television before, but never in real life.

After attending school for about a week with kids my own age, my perception of Japanese society began to change. School was in session during the summer months and their school days were longer, but I realized my host sister still experienced the same emotions I did, especially before a big test: lethargy after a night of studying and nervousness waiting for the exam results.

Japan is an enigma to most Americans, a foreign and alien culture we think we might understand. Like any culture outside our own, we might have warped perceptions of Japan and its people.

By living with a family in Japan and sharing American culture with my host sister, we were able to exchange ideas.

Historical Society displays WWI

Exhibit

THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 8 EMILY JEWELL The Wayne County Historical Society’s current exhibit showcases Wayne County’s contributions to World War I. In March, the Wayne County in World War I exhibit was opened due to the upcoming 100th anniversary of WWI. by the Historical Society, it is, “An exhibit honoring the of Wayne Countians during a pivotal moment in history.”

The exhibit is full of equipment, uniforms, personal documents and tells the stories of individuals from Wayne County who served in the war. docent at the historical society, described the most interesting things in the exhibit as the items used in the war including uniforms worn by the soldiers.

While there are many items to see from the war within the exhibit, there are also lessons to be learned, especially for students from Wayne County.

Director of the exhibit, Charles Lepold, said it is important for

students from Wayne County to experience the exhibit because, “It’s a part of their heritage, just as the county fair is a part of their heritage... it’s all a part of our history.”

The exhibit emphasizes the individual stories and experiences of people from Wayne County.

Nell Reardon, a current member of the Wayne County Historical Society Board, as well as director of visitor services and educational outreach, touched on the importance of the individuals from Wayne County within the exhibit.

“This exhibit strikes me as being much more focused on individuals, individual experiences, individual contributions... it’s just about the people,” Reardon said.

The Wayne County in World War I exhibit will be open until Oct. 31 on Fridays and Saturdays, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. for tours.

The Historical Society has extended the exhibit through the holidays for students and teachers, by appointment only.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 9

These photos encapsulate scenes from the Vietnam War, as well as protests regarding the United States involvement in the war.

Citizens from the United States were drafted in 1969 and soldiers were stationed in Vietnam from 1968 to 1973. Many citizens in

Vietnam War remains impactful, decades later EVAN DOAN & JOHN GORMAN

a&e editor & views editor In 1969, the anti-war movement protesting American involvement in Vietnam was at its peak.

Bryan Ehrlinspiel, Social Studies Dept. member whose father was conscripted to serve in Vietnam, described his father’s return to the United States from Vietnam during this time.

“When he came home, his commanding officer told him he couldn’t walk in his full military dress because it wasn’t safe for him to wear,” Ehrlinspiel said.

Continuing, he described how difficult the transition was for his father to return from war.

“My father went straight from the jungles of Vietnam back into a country where they were not supportive of what these men had to do, to the point of inciting violence,” Ehrlinspiel said.

The public perception of those who have served in the military has improved somewhat since then, according to Ehrlinspiel.

“Fortunately, the majority of

the American public realizes soldiers don’t have a choice.

There has been a lot of support, but it still is not enough,” he said.

Looking toward health impacts, Ehrlinspiel said the physical impacts of Vietnam, particularly relating to the use of Agent Orange, had a profound impact on his father’s life, as well as his own.

“After the late ‘70s, we started seeing birth defects in children of veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, with a high occurrence of cancer within Vietnam Veterans. My dad was in and out of the hospital my entire life, all because of Agent Orange. I’m at risk as well,” Ehrlinspiel said.

According to Ehrlinspiel, his father did not see any government acknowledgment of his ailments until the late 1990s, when President Clinton said that the U.S. government was responsible. Even then, however, it took even longer to receive any aid in treatments for illnesses related to Agent Orange.

“For three years, he fought for any sort of financial settlement.

It was the day he passed away that he received his first

check from the government,” Ehrlinspiel said.

The effects of the Vietnam War, however, were not only felt by veterans and their families. Ferenc Relle, Vietnam Veteran and former executive director of the Wayne County Community Foundation, explains the social ramifications that followed the war. “[The biggest impact of the Vietnam War] was a groundswell of people asking questions and not believing everything the government told them,” explains Relle.

According to the Selective Service System’s Website, if a draft was held today, it would guarantee registrants a personal appearance before his board if he were to request exemption.

Men drafted before 1971, such as Ehrlinspiel’s father, were not guaranteed this right.

In the early stages of the Vietnam War, there was no system in place to determine when they may be drafted other than being within the age parameters of 18.5 through 25 years.

A draft held today would use a lottery system under which a man would spend only one year in first priority for the

draft, rather than waiting in uncertainty to be drafted for potentially six to seven years.

One key flaw in the draft, according to Relle, is the fact that drafted soldiers, in the case of Vietnam, would spend about a year overseas. The soldier would not only have little to no combat experience, but would rotate out of a combat role. While this is a benefit to the soldier, this hurt unit cohesiveness and military preparedness. By having new soldiers and leaders in Vietnam each year, it was even more difficult to make meaningful gains. Relle stresses the need for us to learn from the past.

“I hope we learned some lessons. Long term lessons, not short term. A lot we’re learning right now are short term lessons and political lessons,” emphasizes Relle.

Ehrlinspiel implores the need to treat our veterans with care and respect.

“I think if you are willing to wager the ultimate sacrifice and serve, you shouldn’t have to pay for college or healthcare.

I don’t think there’s a price too high for the men and women who have served,” Ehrlinspiel said.

Fair-use photos courtesy of The National Archives www.docsteach.org; (from left to right) “Home is Where You Dig It,” “Draft Resistance March at Yale University,” Marines on an M-48 Tank in Vietnam,” “Draft Resistance Rally at Yale University,” “Operation “Oregon” Search and Destroy Mission,” “Public Reactions: Signs of support.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 10

Working musical opens Nov. 11 RHEANNA VELASQUEZ The WHS Drama Club is bringing Wooster residents the concerns, hopes and dreams of a variety of American workers through its fall musical selection, Working: A Musical.

“After the full scale production of Shrek The Musical this past summer, we were looking for something a little smaller. Something not as traditional,” director Todd Patterson said.

Working draws from the stories of real people, collected in a book

by Studs Terkel.

“The actors have a great responsibility to these characters to

director Emily Patterson said.

WHS DRAMA CLUB

Wooster Jazz Fest Reviews of recent media Tri-County honors choir members from WHS

new club leadership

10 11 12 13

Changes in the WHS Drama Club

Spotlight on:

a closer look at the A&E section

What’s Inside?

Working in 1998.

Since then, a revised 2012 version has added both new characters and musical contributions from Stephen Schwartz and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Assistant director Brett Hiner said audiences will be pleasantly surprised and praised Working as cleverly done.

Hiner added he looks forward to getting immersed in the life of theater with the students, who he called, “uber talented.”

German exchange student Marcelo Mirassol (12) said he is excited about playing a part in Working.

“I’m ready for it. I just want a challenge, and that’s what I got,” said Mirassol, who will act the role of stonemason Anthony Coelho.

Five-year Drama Club member Hope Kennedy (12) plays a nanny who sings a duet with an elder care worker.

“I’m excited - I always am. Usually rehearsals are the highlight of my day, so I’m glad to be starting another show,” Kennedy said.

Performances will be in the PAC on Nov. 12 and Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 11, Nov. 17, and Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Todd Patterson (left) and Brett Hiner (right) will lead the Drama Club this year.

Photo taken by Jacob Gooch.

AMBER SWIGART co- editor-in-chief

The WHS Drama Club will undergo a change in leadership this year, as Emily Patterson undertakes the position of vocal director in Working: A Musical and transitions away from co-directing.

The club defines positions on a show-to-show basis, but the fatherdaughter duo of Todd and Emily Patterson has generally co-directed student productions since 2010.

Beginning with the upcoming production of Working: A Musical, WHS English Dept. member Brett Hiner, with the help of English Dept. member Kristi Hiner, will play the role of assistant director.

According to Patterson, eager students will still play a major role in club leadership and will also play a vital role in show production.

“I am excited to pass some of my former responsibilities on to students that would like to learn those. Both of us are trying to bring the Hiners into the places where they are the most comfortable,” she said.

In addition to juggling availability, providing learning opportunities for students, solving problems and having fun along the way, the role of a director ultimately boils down to one thing, according to Todd Patterson: producing a good show.

“It’s a three ring circus. You’ve got a story to tell, you’ve got music to sing, which is a part of the story-telling, and you’ve got dance,” Patterson said.

Members of the cast are enthusiastic to welcome the Hiners into their team, and expect the change to be productive.

“I’m excited to see what the Hiners will add to the Drama Club this year, and I hope the transition will go smoothly,” Lexi Snoddy, Drama Club co-president, said.

Snoddy added that the focus of the Drama Club this year will be producing high quality shows and extending them to an even wider audience.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | A&E | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 11

WCSD contributes to festival JOHN GORMAN views editor

Mainstreet Wooster hosted its 14th annual Wooster Arts Jazz Fest on September 7.

Sandra Hull, Rotarian and founding member of the Wooster Arts Jazz Fest, explains that the event originated as a partnership between Mainstreet Wooster and the Wayne Center for the Arts in m e m o r y of Julia Fishelson, a lifelong Wo o s t e r resident and lover of jazz.

According to Hull, one thing

GRAPHIC BY MATT LORENTZ

that sets this event apart from others, such as Woosterfest, is the devotion to music.

“Woosterfest is a two day event with many food vendors and entertainment, [while the Wooster Arts Jazz Fest] is devoted to the arts and to jazz/blues/ big band sounds,” Hull said.

The inaugural Wooster Arts Jazz Fest had three bands and about 20 vendors, according to Hull.

“This year we showcased 20 artists from throughout the region, and four music venues with music from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Hull said.

The event is now presented via a partnership of Main Street Wooster, Rotary, Wayne Center for the Arts, the Boys & Girls Club of Wooster and the Wooster City School District according to the Wooster Arts Jazz Fest Website.

Superintendent Michael Tefs explains the district’s involvement in the Wooster Arts Jazz Fest can be seen in two ways.

First, all tables and chairs at the event are provided courtesy of the WCSD and set up by Rotary volunteers.

Second, the Kids Creation Station, a longtime centerpiece of the Arts Jazz Fest, was originally run by the WCSD art department, though the Wayne Center for the Arts is likely to take over in the future.

Another hallmark of the event is the New Orleans style parade. Each year, the Kids Creation Center focuses on designing umbrellas with children at the event with which to march in the parade.

Featured this year were jugglers and stilt walkers, both of which we expect to see again next Wooster Arts Jazz Fest.

Hull is currently involved in discussions of how to grow and improve the event with Main Street Wooster’s partners.

Band brings style Standard Time Jazz plays downtown

Wooster Jazz Festival JACOB GOOCH webmaster

Standard Time Jazz is based in Wooster.

The group boasts a membership of Eric Fairhurst, playing woodwind instruments such as saxophone, flute and clarinet; Andy Cary playing guitar; Ed Rindfleisch playing the upright bass and Dennis Bartelheim on the drum kit.

In regard to the group’s beginnings, band member Bartelheim, said “I have been playing with the band for 10 years, but Andy Cary and Eric Fairhurst had been playing together for years.”

Later on, Cary and Fairhurst added Ed Rindfleisch to the group and 10 years ago, the band added Bartelheim.

Standard Time performs locally, at the Wooster Inn, weddings, City Square Steakhouse and other local venues.

On the group’s website standardtime-jazz.net you can listen to records of a variety of their repertoire. A few examples are: “Satin Doll,” “Time after time” or “Wave.”

Standard Time’s next scheduled performace is Dec. 5 at Wooster United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. For more information visit their website.

JOHN GORMAN

Standard Time Jazz, a band including Eric Fairhurst, Andy Cary, Ed

JOHN GORMAN views editor

One focal point of the 2017 Wooster Arts Jazz Fest was the return of the Savoy Big Band.

Based primarily in Canton, the Savoy Big Band returned for the second consecutive year to bring a smaller big band style of music to those in downtown Wooster.

On playing at an outdoor festival like the Arts Jazz Fest, Bryan Harris, Alto Saxophonist

for the band, admitted it was unusual.

“It’s a lot different from our usual venues. We’re normally inside playing on a dance floor, [but] we all enjoyed it thoroughly,” Harris said.

Jazz enthusiast and attendee of the Arts Jazz Fest Matthew Brunn (12) greatly appreciated the style of the band.

“I really enjoyed the older jazz style,” Brunn said.

Harris says he and the rest of the Savoy Big Band hope to be invited back for years to come.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | A&E | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 12

Writers review new releases in music and movies

CHRIS ROCHE focus editor

The air was electric and filled with music.

On Sept. 9, I had the pleasure of seeing a one of my favorite

Mary and The Witch’s Flower enchants moviegoer

bands, The Mavericks, live in concert, and they were outstanding.

The Mavericks are, in a way, a genre bending band. Their music combines many different styles of music, including rock, Latin, jazz, blues and country.

They were originally founded in 1989 in Miami, Fla. Their members include Raul Malo, the lead singer, Jerry Dale McFadden on the piano, Eddie Perez on guitar, Paul Deakin on drums, Ed Friedlander on upright bass and Michael Guerra on the accordion.

The concert was held in the Taft theater in downtown Cincinnati, and the theater’s

CATHERINE STRONG Studio Ponoc, founded by animators that previously worked with the renowned Japanese film company Studio Ghibli, released its first feature film to Japan in July.

17 showcases XXXTentacion’s vulnerability

American rapper XXXTentacion released his debut studio album, 17, on Aug. 25.

This album is different from his usual hype style of music.

I appreciated the change. The way he sings, the lyrics make

him seem like he is speaking directly to you.

In 17, XXXTentacion expresses his deepest feelings through somber instrumentals on all 11 beautiful tracks.

In the first song, “The Explanation,” he conveys the purpose of his album: “I put my all into this, in the hopes that it will help cure or at least numb your depression.”

XXXTentacion speaks about his depression in almost all of his songs, in order to make his listeners feel like they are not alone.

Most of the songs show that despite his success in the music industry, he has experienced many heartbreaking struggles in his personal life.

XXXTentacion shares his own

suicidal thoughts and the stories of the important people in his life who have committed suicide. In the song, “Jocelyn Flores,” he shares a personal story about a woman he was very close to who committed suicide. In this song he also references his post traumatic stress disorder from his uncle’s suicide just a few years prior.

Personally, my favorites are, “Everybody Dies in Their Nightmares” and “Orlando” in addition to the aforementioned “Jocelyn Flores.”

I loved how XXXTentacion experiments with this new sound by using prominent piano and guitar undertones.

Pairing the instrumentals with his deep, soulful lyrics created a meaningful collection of songs.

large open structure made for excellent sound quality and a great show.

The band kept a high energy level throughout the crowd by keeping them involved.

Each song they played had everyone up on their feet.

Everyone around me was either swinging to the electric Latin rhythm, clapping their hands to the intense rock beat or swaying to the smooth jazz melodies.

Every song featured multiple solos from each band member, including amazing solos by the piano, accordion, guitar, saxophone and trumpet.

Some of the most memorable

songs were “Dance the Night Away,” which featured all of the instruments playing up front in a line, The other would be “ Dammed (if you do),” which is a new song from their latest album that is probably my favorite.

The concert was a dazzling experience. If you have not heard the Maverick’s music, I highly recommend listening to it sometime. They are still on tour, but unfortunately, will not be visiting Ohio again on this tour. So, the next time they are on tour, if you get the chance, I would absolutely recommend seeing them live because they put on an amazing show.

Old school band entertains the youth with new music

Yoshiaki Nishimura, Oscar nominee for the films The Tale of Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There, founded the company on April 15, 2015, along with several other former Studio Ghibli animators.

Ghibli’s founder Hayao Miyazaki is still animating, but the existence of the studio after his retirement is unsure. Studio Ponoc, whose name borrows the Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian word for “midnight,” more specifically “the beginning of a new day,” will usher in a new day for Japanese animation.

Ponoc’s first feature film, Mary and the Witch’s Flower, is based on the book The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart.

The film hit Japanese theaters

July 8.

Advertisements for the movie flooded television channels and train station advertisements in Japan. The film follows a young girl named Mary, who finds a mysterious blue flower that gives her the powers of a witch, such as controlling a magic broomstick, but only for one night.

With her friend Hugo and his cat as her companions, Mary’s newly discovered powers lead them on adventures full of excitement and danger.

The visuals are breathtaking, featuring sweeping landscapes, bursting colors, and dynamic character designs.

Along with featuring Ghibli’s classic affinity for broomsticks

and black cats, Mary also borrows a common Ghibli formula. Traditionally, Ghibli films involve a young girl, often accompanied by a boy or animal sidekick, going on adventures that teach them to be true to themselves.

Studio Ponoc may be criticized for using a plot formula from Ghibli, as many aspects of the story are reminiscent of Castle In The Sky or Kiki’s Delivery Service.

However, this storyline is one that puts young girls in a position of heroism, a welcome contrast from the plethora of movies featuring heroic males.

The film company GKids has acquired the distribution rights for the film in North America.

CORINNE WILES

THE WOOSTER BLADE | A&E | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 13

Tri-County Honors Choir:

Fine arts dept. offers new opportunity to WHS choral students MADDY NACCI feature editor

The Tri-County Fine Arts Dept. decided to create a Tri-County

schools from Ashland, Holmes and Wayne counties nominated students to rehearse and perform at a challenging level.

The Tri-County Honors Choir will be directed by Lisa Wong from the College of Wooster and Lynda Hasseler from Capital University.

Emily Patterson, WHS Music Dept. member, nominated 12 students from the WHS choir and seven were selected by the directors.

“We have a lot of talented singfrom this experience, but relish in being a part of this once a year event. I am very proud of the students we have in the choir

program and I am truly grateful to have so many singers that are so qualiRyan Mount (12) is one WHS student selected for the choir. She said she is ready for the challenge that being a part of this choir will bring.

“This choir celebrates the people who have put a lot of work in, and it shows what Mount says the choir will be performing six challenging pieces that each evoke different emotions and really showcase their vocal range.

Wong, director of the Honors Choir and College of Wooster Music Dept. member, said she is excited to be a year and to work with guest conductor, Lynda Hasseler.

“The purpose of this event is to give our Tri-County high school

ALEESHA VAUGHN

Above are the WHS members of the Tri-County Honors Choir, with their names listed left to right, top to bottom: Holden Jackson (11), Joseph Macetta (12), Simeon Witten (11), Charles Roper (10), Taylor Williams (12), Ryan Mount (12) and Hope Kennedy (12). students an immersive choral experience singing music of the highest level with an extraor-

The choir will perform Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at McGaw Cha-

pel at the College of Wooster and one of their pieces will include the COW choir as well.

Graphics by Matthew Lorentz

Taylor Swift’s brand-new persona indicates style change

MELINA MERA On Aug. 24, Taylor Swift released her new song, “Look nearly three years since her last successful album, 1989.

This song came as a surprise to many of her loyal supporters who have been awaiting her comeback to music and social media.

Swift began her career as a country artist.

However, on her journey of self discovery, she realized that her true calling was becoming a pop artist.

After her 1989 tour, she basiAug. 24 when she came out with her new song.

Throughout the song, Swift seems to be accusing her listeners that they made her into an

evil person, hence the name and the repeating chorus where she chants, “Look what you An especially disturbing part of the song comes toward the end where she claims, “the old phone. When she is asked why she responds, “Oh, ‘cause she’s If you are also uninterested in giving the new Taylor a chance after “Look What You Made Me to music by Sia, Rihanna or Alessia Cara, who produce better music than Taylor Swift.

“Look What You Made Me Do” is a taste of Swift’s new album, Reputation, which will be released on Nov. 10. Fair use: photo courtesy of @taylorswift13.

TRENDS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 14 2016-2017 district revenue: $49,376,566

Understanding the Wooster City School District:

Total district enrollment: 3,883 students Percent of students in 2017 in poverty: 48.5% Number of AP classes offered: 21 Percent of special needs students: 16% K-4 student to teacher ratio: 23:1 5-12 student to teacher ratio: 25:1 Number of district teachers/professionals: 283 Average 2016-2017 teacher salary: $58,067 Number of district support staff: 172

BLADE INDEX: A compilation of data describing the Wooster City School District and its student body

Average 2016-2017 operative staff salary: $26,430 Average 2016-2017 service worker salary: $23,029 Number of school buses: 32 Number of school bus routes driven in a day: 158 Number of school bus stops made in a day: 2,290 Number of administrators: 18 Average 2016-2017 administrative salary: $80,828 2015-2016 graduation rate: 93.9%

Percent of students in the district less than a full year: 11.4%

Number of out of school suspensions for fighting/violence in 2016-2017: 102 students

Data found on the ODE webpage, 2017 WCS District Profile and WCS official website. Data compiled

by Estelle Shaya.

Change in number of out of school suspensions for fighting/violence since 2010-2011: +31 students Number of out of school suspensions for use/possession of drugs 2016-2017: 11 students

What’s Inside?

a closer look at the Trends section

Number of out of school suspensions for disobedient/disruptive behavior 2016-2017: 98 students

14

Facts and statistics about the index in WCSD.

student 15 Evaluating understanding of WHS student policies

Change in number of out of school suspensions for disobedient/disruptive behavior since 2010-2011: +28 students Number of out of school suspensions for harassment/intimidation 2016-2017: 11 students Change in number of out of school suspensions for harassment/intimidation since 20102011: -10 students Average 2016 composite ACT score: 22.7 2017 student body ethnicity: American Indian: 0.1% Asian: 1.7% Black: 3.4% White: 85.7% Hispanic: 2.8% Multiracial: 6.2% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.1%

YES THE WOOSTER BLADE | TRENDS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 15

N/A

Polls were randomly distributed to 142 students by Skyy Khounborin, Sept. 27 in study halls.

l Po

13%

ic 87%

: am r. Poli HS ex Mille e r ly o W e Hol t t lad ed by en er B ompil tin st bs c er oo Blur sp eW

ie

Attendance (BOE Policy 5200)

Have you read the policies NO located in the 2017-2018 Handbook?

Th

In BOE Policy 5200 regarding attendance.

A parent/guardian of the student who is absent must notify the school before 9 a.m.

Excused absences can be approved for personal illness, death of relative, emergencies and other circumstances.

Letters will be sent to the household after five days of unexcused absences. Truancy will be issued for unexcused absences after seven consecutive absences, 10 or more in a month or 15 or more in a year. Vacation requests can be approved if the student has good grades, approved the vacation two weeks in advance, completes all missing work and a parent/guardian is accompanying the student.

Dress Code (BOE Policy 5511)

65%

Prior to signing the Acceptable Use N/A and Internet Safety N/A agreement, did you read the electric device policy?

32% 68%

If you drive, do you have a parking pass?

Students are expected to meet high academic standard at all times. All work is expected to be the student’s own work and work should meet the course requirements. Academic Dishonesty includes: intentional or intentional plagiarism, cheating and homework copying.

Academic Recognition (BOE Policy 5451A)

N/A

12%

8%

s er. cie een oli ler K l p l Ty oo cipa ch Prin y s ed by rth elect wo is s te phas no em

or sf

Students at WHS are provided with computers to use throughout the year. To use computers, students and staff must sign the Acceptable Use Policy or AUP. Guidelines and rules for the use of technology are reviewed in the AUP, and if people sign the form, they are personally responsible for following these rules. The policy states that computers should be used for educational purposes only, and there is software on school computers to prevent students access to sites that are not school related.

The AUP states that the district has reserved all rights to, “monitor, inspect, copy, review, and store at anytime without prior notice; and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage.” Users must agree to the rules of the network etiquette, which includes: being polite, avoid using language that may be offensive to others, be considerate, and make sure permission is given if you are forwarding messages to a third party. Users who violate the AUP will have their access to computers taken, and the school has the right to decide other punishments.

Academic Integrity

YES

Should school policies be better communicated?

cie

Technology Authorized Use Policy (BOE Policy 5900)

35%

YES

NO

es in

BOE Policy 5511 on dress code states, “The Wooster City Schools Board of Education recognizes the rights of a student with regard to expression and to regulate his or her appearance within the bounds and standards of common decency and modesty.” Students are not permitted to wear clothing related to alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Also, clothing cannot be gangrelated or have inappropriate language. Student are also not permitted to wear hats, have visible undergarments, bare shoulders, backs and midriffs. Rule of thumb should be implied, which means if students feel unsure about the clothes they are wearing, then they should not wear those clothes.

YES

NO

To be on honor or merit rolls, students must take a minimum of three WHS courses. There are three rolls that can be received, including: Distinguished Honor Roll, in which students must have a 4.0 grade point average; Honor roll, in which students must have a 3.5-3.9 grade point average; and Merit Honor Roll, in which students must have a 3.0-3.4 grade point average.

Eighth graders have the opportunity to receive an academic certificate. Grades 9 to 12 will have the opportunity to receive an academic letter.

80%

THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 18

WCS social media policies assessed ESTELLE SHAYA & NICK COSMO

co-editor-in-chief & a&e editor As social media and its influences expand, students are increasingly forced to consider the limits of speech on these platforms.

According to a 2015 Pew Research Study, 65 percent of adults used social media, compared to 11 percent in 2006. This number is higher among younger generations.

When deciding what to place upon social media, students should keep in mind the broad school policies that affect them during the school day.

According to Dr. Michael Tefs, WCS superintendent, the school can take action against students if their speech on social media can be considered threatening or discriminatory.

Tefs said when the school chooses to take action, it is always on a caseby-case basis, during which other organizations like Children’s Services or the police can be contacted depending on a student’s speech.

Although bigger instances in which the administration must deal with inappropriate student speech outside of school are uncommon, Tyler Keener, WHS principal, said the high school

Illustration created by Catherine Strong.

deals with smaller instances on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis.

There are some stipulations in the student handbook that apply to all students, but more limits apply to students who participate in extracurriculars. When students join extracurriculars, they are asked to agree to an additional code of conduct.

In WHS’s Speech and Debate program, students must agree to a student code of conduct, stating, “The use of communication to defame, insult, and/or harm another person, group, or organization is unacceptable, and a penalty commensurate with the infraction committed will be levied against any member who takes part in or is a perpetrator of such acts.”

William Franck, Speech and Debate coach WHS English Dept. member, said, “When it comes to a breach of the code, as a head coach, I never take action solely by myself.”

Franck said when a situation arises with inappropriate speech, he works with other coaches and the administration to resolve it.

McKenzie Doup, girls cross country coach and WHS Science Dept. member, says that if one of her athletes broke the law on social media or bullied another student, she would ultimately

refer to the athletic handbook and also communicate with athletic director Andy Kellar as to how to proceed on the matter.

Section 5 subsection E of the 2017-2018 athletic handbook outlines the disciplinary actions taken against students who break the code of conduct. Upon first and second violations, or in the case of a self-referral, students will be denied participation in their extracurricular, must complete an education and prevention program and must partake in community service.

Upon a third violation, students will be denied participation in all co-curricular activities for the remainder of their time in high school.

Although extracurriculars provide another route for the administration to take action against students, Tefs stressed that the school does not try to take advantage of these additional codes of conduct.

Franck added that all students should be aware of and regulate what they post online, regardless of participation in an activity they might be removed from.

As a final piece of advice for students, Tefs said, “If you wouldn’t say it out loud from the gazebo downtown in Wooster or put it on a billboard, you probably shouldn’t put it on social media.”

Just like speech within the school day, student speech online is subject to review by the school.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 19

pt m o r p s h t c n e e e v p e s t n e e e r c ff Re o e s u r e p ro p f o n o i s s discu ALEXIS FLORENCE cover editor Recent events in the United States have prompted the discussion of what speech is protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The discussion has been hurled in front of the United States as a result of the recent “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville.

The rally, which celebrated the ideas of the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists groups, was met with a force of counter protesters, many of whom denounced the ralliers rhetoric

as unwelcome hate speech, as Joshua Varajas stated in the article “Charlottesville violence prompts ACLU to change policy on hate groups protesting with guns” from PBS on Aug. 18, 2017.

Legally, concerning hate speech, Martin Belsky, a professor of Constitutional law at The University of Akron, explained there are no laws restricting unpopular or hate speech. “... Balancing free speech and hate speech in our society, we basically say someone can say whatever they want, unless there’s a compelling government interest to stop them from saying it,” Belsky said.

In Wooster, Chief of Police Matthew Fisher said when it comes to hate speech, the Wooster Police Department has to have a clear legal basis to get involved.

“We [the Wooster Police Department] would get involved at the point in which things become criminal,” Fisher said.

Fisher also added the police department currently has no solid evidence to assume that the Ku Klux Klan is operating in Wooster.

As with anything in society,

public has about how the law should handle hateful speech.

John Clay, the current president of the Wooster/Orrville

would consider the discourse, used by the Unite the Right ralliers, as hate speech. is a speech that puts one group of people above another, and continues with the practice of segregation, instead of using that opportunity to bring

human b e i n g s together… these forms of hate should be illegal,” Clay said.

Peter Cvjetanovic, a University of Nevada, Reno, student, who attended and was pictured at the Unite the Right rally, made a comment to the Reno Gazette-Journal that implied he

did not think the rally and the rhetoric used was unlawful or unscrupulous.

“I was there legally and committed no acts of violence…

I will defend tooth and nail my views as a white nationalist. I for it,” Cvjetanovic said to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Professor Belsky said that in order for the United States to move forward we, as a country, need to listen to people on the other side of the political divide and value nonpartisan facts.

Graphic by Spencer Dilyard

DEBATES ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: ERIN O’DONNELL

Universities debate prefacing sensitive material with trigger warnings

cover editor

Trigger warnings have permeated from the realm of Tumblr blogs into college curriculum, and with them has come controversy.

At the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, The University of Chicago became a hotbed for the trigger warning debate when the university sent a letter to all incoming freshmen, warning that the university does not condone “trigger warnings.”

In the letter, published in The New York Times, Dean of Students, Dr. John Ellison explains his disapproval of trigger warnings as follows: “Members of our community are encouraged to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, without fear of censorship…

at times this may challenge you and even cause you discomfort.”

The dean cites that a negative aspect of trigger warnings is that it creates a type of echo chamber-- people surround themselves with opinions only similar to their own.

Reactions to the dean’s assertions were mixed.

Twitter users reacted by calling those in support of trigger warnings, “snowflakes,” while others replied with their disappointment in the university.

Within the university, over 150 professors opposed Dean Ellison and urged students to, “speak out loudly” against the Dean’s remarks representative of the college, according to an Inside Higher Ed article titled, “Chicago Professors Fire Back.”

In their dissenting letter, the

faculty members argued that “safe space” and “trigger warning” are not synonyms for “echo chamber,” and rather, they contribute to a learning atmosphere.

“We may also disagree as to whether free speech is ever legitimately interrupted by concrete pressures of the political. That is as it should be. But, let there be no mistake: such requests often touch on substantive, ongoing issues of bias, intolerance and trauma that affect our intellectual exchanges,” the letter reads.

Though it has become to epicenter of the trigger warning debate, the idea of trigger warnings is not exclusive to The University of Chicago.

On a local level, at the COW, associate professor of anthropology, women’s gender and sexuality studies, Christa Craven, Ph.D., utilizes the

concept of a trigger warning in her classes.

“I encourage students to work through discomfort in the classroom as best they can, and recognize that sometimes we can learn the most from things that really challenge us.

However, I also want students to feel free to leave a conversation if they feel unsafe, or acknowledge their discomfort with the class,” Craven said.

Craven stresses that uncomfortable discussions must take place as students engage with the world around them.

Students and professors work collaboratively on education, Craven shares, and engaging the students in conversation is the best way to think about the possible impacts of a given subject on a student’s education.

People appraise the importance of free speech in the U.S.A.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 20

Illustration created by Madison Helms.

ALEXIS FLORENCE, DAVID CHENG & JOHN GORMAN In light of recent protests in Charlottesville and across the nation, the United States is left to evaluate the importance of free speech in society.

Protestors this summer in Charlottesville, Va., gathered for the “Unite the Right” rally that promoted the ideology of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups.

A Brookings Institution article entitled “Views among college students regarding

Germany

the First Amendment: Results from a new survey” featured a poll examining the views of college students regarding hate speech, in retrospect of this protest. The poll showed that 44 percent of the students believed the First Amendment does not protect hate speech.

However, Juanita Greene, member and former president of the Wooster/Orrville NAACP, explained that society should work to protect hate speech. “... As a member and former president of the NAACP, we Ku Klux Klan to say whatever they want to say, even if it is not

Germany holds laws banning Holocaust denial and symbols associated with white supremacy.

Holocaust denial became an offense after the passage of a general anti-incitement law in 1994. The law states that the denial, trivialization or approval of Nazism, in public or in an assembly, is a criminal offense, according to the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Offenders can face five years in prison.

In 1998, the German government also banned symbols of white supremacist organizations, according to the German Law Archive at germanlawarchive.org.

These include the white nationalist Celtic cross, the Ku Klux Klan’s cross and the Nazi Swastika. Those who distribute or publicly use the symbols are subject of up to three years in prison.

favorable to people of color or gays or Jews, they have a right to say that…” Greene said.

Furthermore, Sarah Ingles, of ACLU of Ohio, advocates for protecting the rights of people to say things, even if they are hateful, and encourages others to add to the conversation.

“Ultimately, the answer to speech we detest is not to limit that speech or the speaker, but instead to create more speech. Speak out against the hatred you see, the policies you detest and the speakers you disagree with. Dialogue is important..,” Ingles said.

Désirée Weber, an assistant

professor of political science at the College of Wooster, explains that outlawing hateful speech could lead the United States down a precarious path of who decides what is a legal precedent that does not protect and thus makes it open for sanction, certain speech, I think that precedent is quite dangerous,” said Weber.

Weber, like Ingles and Greene, upheld the notion of continuing the United States’ vast interpreting of free speech and letting all ideas compete in society.

defined by the Israeli government, according to Israel asa Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

Israel’s censorship laws include banning hate speech

report from 2006 located on the U.S. Department of State website.

Israeli laws ban hate speech, along with expressing support of terrorist organizations, according to the same report. In 2009, Israel banned the use of the word “nakba” in textbooks, which refers to the 1948 creation of the Jewish state as a “catastrophe,” according to an article on reuters.com published in 2006.

Other laws also ban the publication of any material that could be deemed offensive to a religious group.

Originally, The Abuse and Vilification Order No. 43 of 1929, under British command in Israel, banned offensive speech in regard to a religion.

Japan

Racial tensions in Brazil are combated by anti-racism laws.

Article 20 of the Brazilian Constitution bans the, “practice, induce or incite discrimination or prejudice based on race, color, ethnicity, religion or national origin,” according to the Civil House Legal Sub-Office of Brazil published on Brazilian Presidency of the Republic’s website.

The diverse ethnic makeup of the Brazilian population includes Brazilians of native, European, and African descent, along with Japanese and Arab immigrants, according to World Atlas’s website.

Because of the dense numbers of varying ethnicities, racial tensions run high, according to an article titled “Watch your tongue: Prejudiced comments illegal in Brazil,” from The Christian Science Monitor.

Brazil

Examining free speech in other countries

The Hate Speech Act of 2016 was passed in Japan in the wake of antiKorean outbursts.

Anti-Korean activist groups such as Zaitokukai, meaning anti-Japanese-Koreans, held 347 rallies in 2013, 378 in 2014, and 190 in 2015, according to Japan’s Ministry of Justice website.

On May 25, 2016, Japan’s government passed the Hate Speech Act of 2016.

The act does not officially ban or penalize hate speech.

The law condemns and defines hate speech as threats to the physical well-being, lives and freedom of non-Japanese individuals living in Japan. The law also condemns any other incendiary language aimed toward excluding specific non-Japanese groups.

FOCUS

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 21

cover editor

The Ohio Department of Education’s annual report cards give Wooster City Schools a C (75.9 percent) in the overall performance index for the 20162017 school year.

Wooster received an ‘F’ in gap closing, a ‘D’ in the K-3 literacy standard, a ‘B’ in progress, an ‘A’ in graduation and a ‘C’ in the prepared for success metric, according to the Ohio Department of Education website.

In response to the report cards results, Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs said he was skeptical about the standards used by the ODE. “I question the instrument truly measure teaching and learning or does it measure zip codes?” Tefs said.

Tefs went on to explain that he is on the state report card committee and has frequently voiced concerns about how the state measures schools. Tefs said he belives the tide of the Ohio legislature is changing to more accurately represent a school district’s performance.

One particular area in which WSC struggled to meet ODE standards, as reported in the report card, is the K-3 literacy standard that aims to develop reading by third grade.

Karen Linch, a Title I reading teacher at Cornerstone Elementary, explained that the district allocates mass resources and money into programs to help students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, who are more likely to enter school behind, compared to their peers, in reading. They have implemented programs in

which students read to College of Wooster students, retired teachers and therapy dogs.

Teachers and aides lead before and after school programs to further help students.

Additionally, in the classroom struggling students are put on a personalized reading improvement plan.

Linch, who said she is politically active in this matter and visits legislators to discuss this issue, believes the state should put a larger emphasis on the growth of a school district especially in lower income areas.

“Why do we have to put a deadline on when a kid is going prove they are making growth every year?,” Linch said.

The ODE, in their report, gives each school district and school in the state of Ohio letter grades in the aforementioned categories for the school year.

Special education report card uncovers trend AMBER SWIGART co-editor-in-chief

As the WCSD begins to consider the 2015-2016 ODE Report Card, the ‘F’ grade received in Gap Closing continues a decade-long trend wherein students with disabilities are the farthest from reaching the Annual Measurable Objective, or AMO, set by the state.

According to Karen Arbogast, Director of Elementary Education, the district has reacted to the trend of low Gap Closing scores in recent years by decreasing the amount of self-contained classrooms.

“We’re really trying to work toward an inclusive environment where our classrooms are inclusive of all students with varying levels term LRE, the least restrictive

always the general education classroom,” Arbogast said.

Furthermore, the role of Intervention Specialists evolved in recent years to focus on co-teaching, and the ramifications of the change may be difficult to measure.

“At the high school, three or four years ago, they made some changes where they tried to get away from self-contained classrooms and to have more co-teaching models.

Some of that takes time to grow and to get better at,” Richard Leone, Director of Secondary Education, said.

Leone also recognized that discussions about how to best incorporate students with special needs must take place at each school, first, as the buildings do not necessarily incorporate students with disabilities in the same way or have similar demographics.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs furthermore said the makeup of the WCS has an effect on test scores that is not reflected by the report card grades, specifically considering that many students in the district are off-track before kindergarten, requiring a larger improvement to meet state objectives.

“Our kindergartners show up anywhere between 3 to 15 months behind a typically developed kindergartner, or kindergarten standards that say what a kindergartener should report card does not take into consideration,” Tefs said.

In the end, the WCSD administration hopes that a continued focus on inclusivity will benefit every student and that the ODE report cards will eventually become more reflective of the district’s unique composition.

75.9%

22.9%

District Report Card: At a glance

Gap Closing - Students With Disabilities 92.3%

M e a s u r e d

76.3%

Students With Disabilities Average of Other Students

58.3%

56.6%

29.0%

22.1%

Language Arts

Math

Graduation

Information compiled from the Ohio Dept. Education

a closer look at the Focus section

ALEXIS FLORENCE

K-3 Literacy Performance Testing Achievement

What’s Inside?

Administrators respond to ODE grade

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Graphics by Jacob Gooch

District Report Card breakdown College of Wooster updates Woosterfest and UDL investigation Central American Medical Outreach feature

THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 22

Abdul-Jabbar discusses equal rights at the College of Wooster ALEXIS FLORENCE cover editor

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, renowned basketball player and author, visited the College of Wooster campus Sept. 19 to participate in a question and answer style discussion.

The discussion included a range of topics from LGBTQ and women’s rights, to journalism and education in the United States. These topics are the main themes of Abdul-Jabbar’s most recent book Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White.

The facilitators of the conversation were Denise Bostdorff, a Professor of Communication and Associate Dean at the COW, and Aubri Mckoy, a COW sophomore and varsity basketball player.

According to Bostdorff, the questions asked were a combination of student submitted questions and question the moderators crafted that dealt with important themes in AbdulJabbar’s most recent book.

Abdul-Jabbar delved into topics affecting every American in 2017, but when prompted to give advice specifically to

Photo Courtesy of Matt Dilyard

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks recently to College of Wooster students and faculty at Scot Center’s Timken Gymnasium about his book Writings on the Wall: Searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White. high school students on what actions they can take in the current political climate, his advice was to stay informed by reading newspapers

and maintaining a healthy level of curiosity. “... Just a curiosity of what was going on in the world lead me to be an author… maintain your

curiosity,” Abdul-Jabbar said.

Bostdorff explained that she was honored to participate in the event and hoped that people, especially athletes,

walked away from the discussion with an appreciation of how sports can drive political and social change.

“I hope that some came away with a greater appreciation of the way in which politics and sport can intersect.

In addition, I hope that Mr. AbdulJabbar can be an inspiration as someone who always remains interested in issues beyond athletic competition and did not simply play sports and then go off into ‘retirement,’” Bostdorff said.

First year students at the COW were required to read Writings on the Wall and many were required by their professors to attend the event.

COW freshman and WHS alumnus, Asvin Gireesh was in attendance and commented on the importance of having more talks on politics and social issues.

“It is just great for the general public and a way to share knowledge within the community…

More events would be fantastic,” Gireesh said.

The event is apart of The Wooster Forum 2017.

The next speaker in the series is Kirt H. Wilson on Oct. 24, at McGaw Chapel on the COW campus.

Williams Hall Construction: Progress continues on COW new science building

SPENCER DILYARD

exterior brick and stonework is laid and windows are being placed. The metal framework

The College of Wooster is in the process of constructing the Ruth W. Williams Hall of Life Science building.

According to Associate Vice President of College Relations and Marketing John Hopkins, the construction is, “on schedule and on budget and will be ready to welcome students in late August 2018.”

Currently, two-thirds of the

also shaping up, Hopkins said.

The COW website shows that the Severance Chemistry Building will be used in conjunction with the new Williams Hall. The two buildings will be physically connected with a corridor, making the connection concrete.

Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 marks the next window of the construction schedule, with the steel framework being the main focus. Although the primary

on campus editor

Photo Courtesy of Matt Dilyard.

Ruth W. Williams Hall of Life Science is approximately halfway done with construction and will be completed by August of 2018. purpose for the building is there will also be a two-story

commons area including a café open to all students according to the COW website.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS I SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 23

Wooster district implements new teaching technique CLARA LEE Universal Design for Learning is a fundamental educational blueprint focused toward providing learning opportunities for students.

UDL is currently being implemented in WCSD classrooms.

According to WCSD Superintendent Michael Tefs, the concept was first introduced by a committee of teachers who saw Dr. Katie Novak, a UDL consultant, speaking at a conference and wanted her to come speak to WCS staff.

Rebekah Bell, English Dept. member, and Nate Steiner, intervention specialist, are both teachers on the committee and have implemented UDL guidelines in their classes.

There are three guidelines for UDL: representation, action and expression and engagement, according to Bell.

Bell explained that UDL is also directed toward offering choices and eliminating distractions, including learning barriers such as learning disabilities and visual impairment, that can hold

MOLLY SCHNEIDER

students back from success.

“It’s almost like setting the students up in a way to not experience failure that they have to bounce back from,” Bell said.

One way Bell has changed her teaching style, to overcome the crux of learning barriers, is a

decrease in verbal teaching and providing a myriad of activities instead.

Bell said students can choose the learning method that best suits their needs.

“I try to limit myself now. I used to be able to talk for like 46 minutes… I try to tap out at

like five to ten minutes,” Bell said.

Bell explained that leaving choices to students’ discretion instigates responsibility.

Steiner said UDL is working to acquaint students with other valuable skills they need for their future and careers as well.

“21st Century skills are going to be a lot more of the critical thinking, different types of problem-solving skills, and by doing UDL in this way, it gives a lot of students the options to do this,” Steiner said.

Casey Malone (10) and Marina Savage (10), both students of Bell, explained how they learn with the UDL framework.

“She reads for one of them; you can go where there’s more of like a design, draw your own thing, or there’s read with partners and answer questions we do most of the time. So, you can go do whatever you want like that and get stuff done and be productive,” Malone said.

Malone and Savage agree that having options keeps them more engaged.

“I think with that, since people get to choose which one they do best, they tend to like, you know, like work harder,” Savage said.

Tefs said there are not any specific results that will be measured from UDL, and the committee will figure out where to go next after getting feedback from the staff.

Edgewood and WHS staff received training on the in-service day Sept. 12.

2017 Woosterfest attracts bands, food and dachshunds SPENCER DILYARD

The 34 annual Woosterfest will be held Sept. 29 and Sept.

30 in downtown Wooster and features a multitude of activities, bands and food.

With such a wide variety of activities, it is no small feat to organize.

Samira Zimmerly of the Wooster Chamber of Commerce explained, “it really takes all year, by the time one Woosterfest wraps up, we’re already starting on next year.”

The Chamber of Commerce

is the organizing force behind the Woosterfest, so the crew orchestrating the festivities is made up of Woosterfest Committee members and volunteers.

play at the event is done one of two ways. A band can contact the Woosterfest Committee with interest in playing, or, “committee members recruit concerts,” Zimmerly said.

With all of the time and preparation, the event is planned for the weekend with much to see and experience.

said there will be food vendors, drinks, arts and crafts along with a Farmer’s Market.

Friday’s activities include a cruise-in, a cornhole tournament and live bands starting at 3 p.m.

Saturday holds kid friendly activities in the morning, a wiener dog race, a beer stein race and four more bands in the afternoon to the evening.

The bands playing Friday include the Polka Pirates, Venyx, Faction and John King. Saturday shows Dan Pyne, Adam Calvert, The “T” and Rich Dueling Piano Show and Electric

Photos courtesy of Wooster Chamber of Commerce

CHRISTOPHER ROCHE

focus editor Central American Medical Outreach is one of the many not for profits that provide a service to the Wooster community and other communities, but what makes CAMO different is the driving passion of its founder Kathy Tschiegg.

According to CAMO’s Facebook page, CAMO’s goal is to, “improve the lives of people by strengthening health care systems and promoting sustainable community development in impoverished parts of central America.”

According to the CAMO website, Tschiegg first founded CAMO in 1993.

Tschiegg said CAMO is a foundation based on bringing medical services, as well as

education, to less developed Central American countries.

CAMO has two main headquarters that mirror each other, one in the United States and one in Honduras.

In an interview with Tschiegg, she said her most inspiring moment since starting the

“SEEING THE TRANSFORMATION OF A PERSON WHO WAS HOPELESS, HAVE HOPE AGAIN” TSCHIEGG SAID.

CAMO organization was, “Seeing the transformation of a person who was hopeless, have

hope again after helping them.”

Tschiegg said she designed many of the aspects of the program while still in business school. Two of the most important aspects she notes are what she calls, “the pantry model” and “mirroring.”

The pantry model refers to the design of CAMO’s warehouses and the way they are organized.

Everything is labeled and stored according to a preset plan.

The “mirroring” aspect refers to the mirrored structure of every level of the organization from the warehouses, to the committees, to the boards.

For example, the warehouse, where medical supplies are stored in the Honduras location is an exact reflection of the warehouse in Orrville.

Every nurse doctor in the

United states has a counterpart in Honduras, every committee has a counterpart in Honduras and so on.

According to Tschiegg, CAMO relies on donations of medical supplies from American doctors, dentists and hospitals.

According to Tschiegg, the volunteers working in the Orville facility restore, repair and refurbish equipment that will be sent to the CAMO warehouses in Central America.

This enables CAMO to provide a refurbished prosthetic leg for as little as $500.

The doctors and nurses who volunteer at CAMO take eight trips a month into the countryside where they will see as many as 100 patients.

Photos by Christopher Roche

Helping to save lives around the world

Central American Medical Outreach:

THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 24

Medical supplies stored in of CAMO warehouse located in Orville, OH. CAMO ships these supplies to their headquaters in Honduras.

Some of the medical equipment to be repaired and shipped to the other CAMO headquarters located in Honduras.

There is a story behind everything we eat.

LocalRootsWooster.com/Harmony Learn about the plants, animals, and people living together on Autumn Harvest Farm.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | AD | PAGE 25

3860 Cleveland Rd. · Wooster, Ohio 330-601-1100

17

SPORTS

Se p t.

The Department of Health, Education and Welfare splits.

Control of Title IX is given to the Office of Civil Rights.

What’s Inside?

a closer look at the Sports section

CHANGES TO SEXUAL ASSAULT LEGISLATION FEATURES ON FALL COACHES AND THEIR BACKGROUNDS

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sports editor

HISTORY OF TITLE IX

The Additional Clarification policy effectively weakens Title IX, allowing female students to answer surveys regarding athletics to determine if there is enough interest or ability for equal opportunity to be obeyed.

New policy guideline makes clear that Title IX’s protections against sexual harassment or Facts courtesy of the violence apply to Living Law section all students, not of titleix.info. Blurbs only athletes. collected by Hannah Knapic.

History of anti-discrimination legislation in schools explained HANNAH KNAPIC

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High schools and colleges are given three years, and elementary schools one, to put Title IX regulations in place.

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Congress signs Title IX of the Education Amendments into law.

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The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires colleges and high schools to report specific information of intercollegiate athletics if inquired.

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Legislative history of Title IX from 1972 to present

Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, announces proposed changes to Title IX at George Mason University.

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Title IX

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 26

June 23, 2017 marked the 40 year anniversary of the passage of Title IX, an imperative education amendment that altered the way discrimination was addressed in all areas of schooling.

Passed in 1972, Title IX is an act that prohibits the discrimination or mistreatment of persons based on their gender in institutional programs which receive federal finances This amendment, enforced by the Office for Civil Rights, includes, “...approximately 16,500 local school districts,

7,000 institutions, as well as charter schools, forprofit schools, libraries, and museums,” according to the section titled, “Title IX and Sex Discrimination” on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Title IX plays a part in many different areas regarding schools systems, including athletics, sex-based harassment or assault and admissions, according to the USDE. On July 21, 1978, Title IX became mandatory for high schools and colleges to comply to, according to the article, “Title IX Legislative Chronology,” published by the Women’s Sports Foundation on

Sept. 13, 2011.

Since discrimination on the basis of sex has been prohibited, the amount of women with high school educations and college degrees has tripled since the 1970s, according to the report “Equal Access to Education: Forty Years of Title IX,” by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Updates continue to be made to the Title IX legislation, according to the DOJ, including making the science, technology, education and math fields more equal, as well as ensuring equal athletic opportunities and protecting students from sexual harassment in education systems.

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 27

STATISTICS display U.S. sexual assault occurrences As of 1998, an estimated 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape.

Likelihood of sexual assault based on age range, displayed in percentages 18-34

35-64

12-17

15%

65+

54%

28%

3%

Graphic by Matt Lorentz

About three percent of American men—or 1 in 33—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes.

Women ages 18-24 enrolled as college students are three times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence.

Females of the same age who are not enrolled in college are four times more likely.

Each year, an average of 321,500 victims ages 12 and older are raped or sexually Statistics courtesy of the assaulted in the United States.

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. Data gathered by Hannah Knapic.

Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, proposes changes to Obama-era sexual harassment policies HANNAH KNAPIC sports editor

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos proposed the repeal of Obama-era Title IX legislation on Sept. 7 at George Mason University.

According to an article by the Associated Press titled, “The Latest: DeVos to seek public input on Title IX rules,” DeVos is planning on revising policies concerning sexual assault and the enforcement of Title IX on campuses around the nation.

Specifically, the article

describes DeVos’ plan to repeal the guidelines put in place by the Obama administration, which DeVos said have failed students and is a failed system overall.

DeVos was quoted saying, “Instead of working with schools on behalf of students, the prior administration weaponized the Office for Civil Rights to work against schools and against students,” in Daniella Silva of NBC News’ article titled “Betsy DeVos to Overhaul Obama-Era Title IX Guidance on Campus Sex Assault.”

DeVos’ plan for the new approach to sexual assault issues under Title IX is outlined in the Associated Press’ article.

With input of the public, as well as groups with whom DeVos worked over the summer, a new, strongly enforced policy will be put into place to investigate sexual assault reports on campuses.

Obama’s 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter” called on institutions to increase investigation efforts and judge allegations of sexual assault by following Title IX and threatened a removal of federal funds if colleges did

not comply, according to Silva’s article.

College of Wooster Title IX Coordinator, Lori Makin-Byrd, addressed a statement to the community the day following DeVos’ announcement at George Mason.

Makin-Byrd states that although the two primary guidelines which are the “Dear Colleague Letter,” and the “Questions and Answers on Sexual Violence,” DeVos plans to rescind are important, they are simultaneously just guidelines that “...did not change the fundamental

obligations that all institutions of higher education have…”

The Clery Act, which will still be in place despite DeVos’ changes, is a large enough piece of legislation to protect the rights of individuals under Title IX concerning sexual harassment, according to Makin-Byrd.

Both student and staff sexual harassment policies for the Wooster City School District can be found on boarddocs. com, under the policies section and outlined in both the 3000 Professional Staff, as well as the 5000 Students, section.

Stanley Burris

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 28

Getting to know the coaches of

NICK COSMO Stanley Burris is the girls tennis coach at WHS. He attended Centerville HS, where he participated in basketball, football and track. He later graduated as a part of Ashland College’s class of 1983.

Burris has held multiple coaching positions during his 34 year teaching career at Wooster. He coached eight grade basketball for 14 years, seventh and eighth grade track for 11 years, and has now coached both boys and girls tennis for 19 years.

MADDY McCULLY

Douglas Bennett attended Perry High School, located in Massillon.

Bennett ran track and field at the beginning of his high school career. The high school that Bennett attended made it difficult to participate in both sports and music at the same time, and due to this conflict, Bennett chose to pursue music for the rest of his high school career.

After graduating college in the mid ‘90s, Bennett began coaching youth track and field.

Bennett started coaching at WHS in the fall of 1999 as the boys cross country coach.

In 2001, Bennett became the assistant coach for track and field, and two years later, he became the head coach for track and field.

It has been 19 years since Bennett began coaching for Wooster as the head XC and track coach.

WHS:

Doug Bennett

SKYY KHOUNBORIN

JACOB GOOCH

Jennifer Snowbarger, volleyball head coach, is a WHS Class of 1994 alumna. During her high school career, she earned 10 athletic varsity letters playing volleyball, basketball and softball.

Snowbarger continued her volleyball career at Kent State University with a full-ride scholarship.

She held the position of assistant coach at the College of Wooster before coming to the high school, where she is currently in her 16th year of coaching.

“Snow is one of the greatest coaches I’ve had throughout my volleyball career. She comes to practice with her full plan everyday and she encourages us to work hard,” team captain Marisa Zerrer (12) said.

CHELSEA PATTERSON

Girls Sport

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9/30 Cross Country @ Perry 2nd- Green 8th- Ashland Tri Invite 9/30 @ Golf OCC Tourney

2nd- Wooster 20th- Boardman 3rd- Malone

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10/7 @ Wayne/Holmes Invite

10/2 @ Sectionals inBarberton

Mark Snowbarger

but also noted her approachability, encouragement and sincerity, saying, “I have always looked up to Coach Snowbarger as a role model as a person and a player.”

Volleyball’s next home game is against Lexington on Oct. 3.

Jen Snowbarger

RHEANNA VELASQUEZ

NICK COSMO Mark Snowbarger is the coach of the WHS golf team.

He attended WHS during his time as a student, playing both baseball and football. Snowbarger attended The Ohio State University where he played intramural sports because he was busy with his studies.

He has also been the assistant basketball coach at WHS, and has been part of the REECE MITCHELL

Charles Cerniglia

THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 29

Brian Hansen

ANNA NACCI The 2017 season marks Charles Cerniglia’s second year coaching the WHS girls’ soccer team.

Though near the beginning of his coaching career at Wooster, Cerniglia said this is his 16 year as a high school varsity soccer head or assistant coach.

Cerniglia was previously the assistant coach for his alma mater, the Waynedale boys’ soccer team.

After high school, Cerniglia continued his soccer experience, as he said he played soccer at Mount Union University for four years.

Cerniglia’s team currently has a 6-4-2 record and their next game will be away against New Philadelphia Quakers on Oct. 10.

JACOBGOOCH GOOCH JACOB

JACOB GOOCH

AMBREA DELLAFAVE

Doug Haas

SPENCER DILYARD Football Coach Doug Haas has been coaching football at WHS He played high school football and ran track for Fairview High School in Boulder, Colo. Haas continued on to Ohio Wesleyan for college and played football.

After college, he began his coaching career at Saint Lawrence for one year, and the College of Wooster from 1995 to 2002. After coaching college football, he coached Rittman from 2003-2005, Triway from 2006-2008, Cloverleaf from 2009-2011 and 2012 until now with WHS. Wooster’s record this year under Haas is 2-3, with an away game against West Holmes Sept 29.

JACOB GOOCH

McKenzie Doup

SKYY KHOUNBORIN

McKenzie Doup is entering her third season as WHS girls cross country coach.

While attending Clear Fork High School, and cross country.

Doup ended up focusing on track and cross country later on in her high school career. After high school, Doup continued following her passion for track and cross country at Ashland University.

Prior to serving as the girls cross country coach, she coached track at Edgewood for one year.

Doup says she enjoys coaching not solely because of her love of the sport, but because she

JACOB GOOCH

and becoming the best runner they can be.

She said that mental toughness is as equal to physical toughness, which is a lesson she tries to instill in her athletes.

Brian Hansen, head coach for the boys soccer team at WHS, started out as an assistant at both Triway (1999-2000) and Wooster (2001-2002).

Hansen, a 1994 alum of WHS, dove for the swim team and played soccer as a forward during his high school career, where he was ranked third in all time scoring.

After high school, he continued his academic and soccer career at the College of Wooster, majoring in political science.

In college he continued to play as a forward, and in his junior and senior year, he was the lead scorer.

Hansen has coached at WHS since 2003.

MOLLY SCHNEIDER

Duper Pallotta

Duper Pallotta is the Wooster Generals Cheerleading coach.

Pallotta has been involved in cheer since she began in high school.

Pallotta has been the cheerleading coach for 20 years at WHS. Throughout her seasons as a coach, she has been able to connect with the students who participate in cheer. “...It’s a wonderful feeling, to be able to teach a child the importance of working as a team, dedication, discipline… it can mean the difference between ordinary and extraordinary,” Pallotta said.

This year, the cheerleading squad is preparing for the OCC cheerleading competition on Nov. 5.

This competition takes place at WHS, as the varsity cheer team is looking to win for a third consecutive year, Pallotta said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DUPER PALLOTTA

VIEWS Delving in to DACA: The issues facing childhood arrivals What is DACA status?

ERIN O’DONNELL

What’s Inside?

a closer look at the Views section

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, is a program put in place during the Obama administration that would allow child immigrants, called “dreamers,” to apply for a two-year protection from deportation, granted that the immigrant meet a certain set of requirements, according to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.

These requirements, according to the National Immigration Forum website, include: the dreamer entered the United States prior to his or her 16th birthday; is under age 31; demonstrates a continued residence in the United States since 2007; is either in school currently, has graduated high school or obtained a GED, or

was honorably discharged from the US Armed Forces; passes a criminal background check; is not a threat to public safety and pays a $495 fee.

If people can meet these requirements, DACA may protect them from deportation for two years, and, previously, dreamers could apply for renewal every two years for as long as they met the requirements, according to immigration attorney Adan Vega, as stated in a published online question and answer session.

President Obama enacted DACA on June 15, 2012, through an Executive Branch memorandum, meaning the program is not authorized by Congress, and, in fact, a bill similar to DACA was rejected on the floor prior to DACA’s issuing, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security reports on their website.

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The Wooster Blade

Photo Courtesy of Jahqwahn Watson

ANNA NACCI On Sept. 12, a demonstration was held at the College of Wooster to protest the repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

DACA was put in place by the Obama administration and provides the legal status that enables educational and occupational opportunities for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States by their parents, while still under the age of 16, according to the website for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Capitalizing on a campaign

promise, President Trump’s administration announced his intent to end DACA on Sept. 5.

Upon attending the COW demonstration, I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

In a small community that consistently votes Republican, I did not expect such a large crowd of college students, faculty and community members to oppose our Republican president’s decision.

While the demonstration was extremely positive, its purpose concerns me of the direction our country is heading. The fact that those in charge of making our national policy decisions hold grudges against someone based on their parents relocating their family for a better life for their family contradicts the idea that the United States is a pinnacle of freedom and opportunity.

A common misconception by those who support the repeal of DACA is that it is a handout for undocumented immigrants.

This idea is incorrect, as its

recipients pay taxes.

In addition, in order to be eligible for DACA, one must have a clean criminal record and be in, or graduated from, high school. One can also receive DACA from being in, or a veteran for, the United States military.

Another incorrect view that people have about DACA is that the its recipients harm the community. This view is wrong, as the Center for American Progress’ website concludes that immigrants increase the standard of living, as well as strengthening the economy.

As DACA recipients help the economy, increase the standard of living and provide more educated people to enter the professional world, there is no reason to repeal DACA. immigrants in the United States shows the College of Wooster demonstration should act as a precursor to demonstrations following it, bringing forth the change that is crucial to keeping the United States great.

Hurricanes sweep through Caribbean Islands

VIEWS

| VIEWS

Irma devastates Turks and Caicos

MOLLY SCHNEIDER Known for its remarkable resorts and beautiful landscapes, Turks and Caicos was one of many islands destroyed by Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean on Sept. 8.

Hurricane Irma was a Category 5 storm, but had decreased to a Category 4 by the time it struck Turks and Caicos, according to ABC News.

The island lives in poverty and its population is solely dependent on tourism and fishing for profit. Since the hurricane hit, the economy will suffer due to the destruction of popular attractions on the island, wiping out tourism among people currently looking to travel there.

Weekly News.

The price to travel to Turks But many of these people and Caicos and buying decided to remain on the necessities while vacationing island through the extremely there is also very expensive, dangerous hurricane, athough which is dissuasive to tourists. they were unable to obtain Due to the damage caused by the hurricane, these prices will resources needed to get through the storm. increase significantly, resulting Thankfully, many of the in the inability for islanders and buildings only sustained visitors to obtain goods. superficial damag, according According to NBC News to an article on Travel Agent and BBC News, the hurricane Central published on Sept. 13. created massive waves up to However, according to an 20 feet high, with wind speeds article on The Washington of 185 mph. All of the 35,000 Post, many of the islanders residents in Turks and Caicos experienced the destruction were told to evacuate the of their homes across the area and relocate to a shelter, inhabited area. abandoning their homes, according to Turks and Caicos Photo courtesy of Molly Schneider

Hurricane Maria hits Martinique

HENRY GAMBLE

Today Insider

USA Buisness

So far, in 2017, there have been seven hurricanes in the Atlantic.

The last time this happened was 13 years ago.

With up to a third of the hurricane season left, this number could increase

significantly.

As Hurricane Irma ravaged the upper Caribbean islands of Barbuda and St. Martin, some southern islands remained relatively unscathed, including the French island of Martinique.

This past summer, I vacationed to Martinique for several weeks and lived in a small coastal town Anse -á -l’Ane which is only a 20 minute ferry ride from the capital Fort-de-France.

While Hurricane Irma only caused superficial damages on the island, a more recent storm, Hurricane Maria, hit the island harder and flooded the capital.

Most of the island is barely above sea level and the town in which I stayed was only about 20 to 50 feet of elevation, which creates ideal situations for

flooding.

Only 6 to 7 percent of Martinique’s economy is based on agriculture, and the majority of the island’s economy is based on tourism, which will remain intact. The neighboring island of Guadeloupe was hit more directly by the hurricane, leaving most of the island without power for more than a day.

According to an article titled “The Impact of Climate Change on Natural Disasters” written

by NASA’s Earth Observatory website, extreme storms and weather will become stronger and more dangerous throughout the next century mainly due to an increase of global temperatures by 0.3 ºF every decade since the 1970s.

THE

WOOSTER

BLADE

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 Christopher 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, Catherine 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 thewoosterblade.com

THE VOICE OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL

THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | SEPT. 29, 2017 | PAGE 32

OUR VIEW

Democracy hinges on freedom of speech

In light of recent controversies, such as the Charlottesville incident, freedom of speech and protest have been brought to the forefront of discussion in American society.

Recent statements made by President Trump regarding peaceful protests by NFL athletes during the National Anthem have given these discussions new life.

An article titled “NFL player protests increase after Trump’s attacks,” published by Politico on Sept. 24 and written by David Cohen, discusses how Trump has encouraged NFL owners to, “fire or suspend” leaders.

This encouragement to silence the leaders of peaceful protests cannot be tolerated, especially from a government official.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board implores individuals to stand up for their rights of freedom of protest and speech. Protests play an essential role in a democratic society, and any attack on these freedoms must be met with the utmost concern.

As journalists, we believe freedom of speech is paramount. The ability to voice opinions without censorship is crucial to maintaining an environment in which political discourse can occur and change can be made. A world without freedom of speech is one in which multiple opinions cannot coexist.

In past years, protests have been a vehicle to meaningful societal change.

However, as stated in The Washington Post, in an article titled “The civil rights and Vietnam protests changed America. Today, they might be illegal,” by Margaret Sullivan on Sept. 24, many past avenues of change would be criminalized.

Sullivan points out that in some new pieces of legislation, lunch-counter sit-ins, as used in Civil Rights protests, would no longer be legal as they disrupt commerce, or that demonstrations against the Vietnam War that had thousands marching in streets would be criminal due to blocking traffic.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board stresses the importance of protests

and demonstrations, believing that a great way for societal norms to evolve is through peaceful protest.

Trump has continually tried to rally support to silence demonstrations that athletes have been taking during national anthems, a highly worrying course of action for someone with such a visible and nuanced position in global politics.

As stated above by Cohen, Trump is making increasingly common remarks condemning protests of athletes, including, “Roger Goodell of NFL just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country.

Tell [sic] them to stand!” and “NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.,” according to Cohen.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board reminds you that while you may not agree with what is being said, the right to speak out must be respected.

After these comments, nearly every team from around the NFL had players lock arms, sit or kneel during the National Anthem in protest.

Additionally, three NFL teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks, chose not to stand on the field during the anthem, instead staying in their locker rooms.

Pittsburgh Steelers Lineman and former U.S. Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva chose instead to stand near the field and away from his team, as reported by a CNN publication titled “These are the NFL players protesting today amid Trump criticism,” by Eliott McLaughlin on Sept. 25.

According to a Post-Gazette article titled “Alejandro Villanueva: ‘I feel embarrassed’ by anthem foul-up” on Sept. 25 by Sean Gentille, one key reason Villanueva stood for the anthem was due to texts he received from wounded veterans requesting for him to do so. Villanueva, however, later said he regretted his actions, as it “butchered” his team’s plan of a show of unity.

“I take no offense. I don’t think veterans at the end of the day take any offense. They actually signed up

and fought so that somebody could take a knee and protest peacefully whatever it is that their hearts desire,” Villanueva said.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board urges individuals to realize that this is not an issue of respect for the troops. This is an issue about freedom of speech, protest and social change. Freedom of speech and protest have always been at the center of American ideology and cannot be undermined.

Recently, protests have not been limited to the national scope.

Locally, we have seen multiple demonstrations in the past month.

First, taking place on Aug. 29, a Community Rally was held in Downtown Wooster in response

“THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF RESPECT FOR THE TROOPS. THIS IS AN ISSUE ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH, PROTEST AND SOCIAL CHANGE.” to the increased visibility of white nationalist groups in Wooster.

The second rally was held at the College of Wooster in support of DACA immigrants on Sept. 12 due to changes in DACA immigration policy.

These recent demonstrations exemplify the kind of unity that The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes is critical to democracy. By coming together for these events, the Wooster community is able to better make their collective voice heard and have a chance to make meaningful change.

The Wooster Blade Editorial Board strongly urges citizens to be aware of the rights of speech and protest and voice their concerns to state legislatures and those who have the power to stop pieces of legislation that would impede the exercising of those rights in a peaceful manner.