The Wooster Blade, Volume MMXXI, Issue 7

THE WOOSTER BLADE

Dealing with perfectionism

NORA LEVY sports editor

DISCUSSING MENTAL HEALTH

Perfectionism is a common feeling from students all around the world. According to an article published by the National Association of School Psychologists, titled “Perfectionism: Helping Handout for School and Home,” “Perfectionism means that students set high, rigid standards and often feel upset when those standards are not met. Sometimes, this trait can be healthy and help students achieve their goals and perform well in school and other activities. Other times, perfectionism can be unhealthy and cause students to become too critical of themselves and others and to have meltdowns over small mistakes.”

Oregon Consulting recommends that focusing on the positives and allowing yourself to make mistakes is an important part of overcoming perfectionism in your daily life.

Handling rejection in all apsects of life

BRITTANY WACHTEL co-editor-in-chief

As the new year begins, college admissions decisions are either already released or about to be released to applicants.

With this release of decisions comes a wave of both acceptance and rejection for the students who have applied to these institutions. However, fear of rejection is not exclusive to college admissions, as many experience rejection in the workforce and in relationships.

Krista Overmire, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at One Heart Stables, says that how someone reacts to rejection is based mostly on trauma responses. “To understand rejection, you must frst understand how triggers work… A true trauma trigger is a stimulus that prompts involuntary recall of a previous traumatic experience… For rejection to be ‘triggering,’ it must cause this type of psychological reaction in the brain, based on previous exposure

to trauma. So, rejection can be triggering, but it is not triggering for everybody,” Overmire said.

Overmire says that the most important step in handling rejection is learning how to cope with the emotions one is feeling. Overmire says, “Learning how to cope with emotions related to experiencing rejection starts with gaining insight about the root source of these emotions. Why is this rejection so hard for me?”

According to an article published in Psychology Today by Sharon Martin on June 14, 2021, there are four key methods used to properly cope with rejection. These include grieving what was lost, not blaming oneself, strengthening one’s resiliency, and continuing to open oneself up to new opportunities.

Even though rejection is difcult to experience, Overmire said that to a certain extent, rejection is essential in terms of human development. Overmire explains, “I would say that learning how to cope with rejection is an essential part of human development and growth,

so a ‘healthy dose’ of rejection can be a good thing. People cannot learn how to overcome adversity without experiencing adversity.”

BetterHelp is an online therapy tool that connects those in need of a therapist with an online licensed health professional. In an article published by the BetterHelp editorial team on Nov. 25, 2022, it is explained that the brain instantly reacts to adversity with anxiety driven responses, such as, becoming defensive or lashing out. The BetterHelp team emphasizes the point that rejection is a tool to better oneself in difcult situations.

For some, handling rejection is not an easy task. “If you are struggling to cope with any difcult life experiences, including rejection, I strongly encourage you to fnd a mental health counselor that you feel like you connect with to process these feelings,” Overmire said.

If the emotional efects of rejection are long-term, one may want to consider reaching out to a trusted peer or a mental health professional.

Recognizing that mistakes are a part of life is important to a healthy daily life.

In school, perfectionism can look like needing perfect grades or expecting to get perfect test scores.

In an Oct.12, 2016, article by The Guardian, it is emphasized that a growth mindset and supportive relationships are key to building in a school setting. By building a growth mindset, students can focus on improving and learning, rather than memorizing facts in order to get a good grade.

Some specifc ways to manage perfectionism are outlined in an April 29, 2019, article from the Harvard Business Review, titled “How to Manage Your Perfectionism.” The HBR recommends that perfectionists create a checklist so that they follow, “a process with discrete and measurable goals.” The article also ofers a list of Dos and Don’ts that may help perfectionists remember principles to help them redirect their tendencies.

Academic validation pressures

MATTIE DUNLAP cover editor

When examining the common stressors among youth in the United States, grades and school come out on top as the most anxiety inducing.

In fact, according to Joe Feldman of ascd.org, “76 percent of students reported that they always or often worry about the possibility of not doing well in school…”

So why, with all of its negative efects, does academic validation rule students’ minds and lives? How can students not feel the relentless pressure to succeed?

A student at Carleton University in Canada shares her ideas on why grades are not the only deciding factor in students’ success by stating, “Your grades do not take into account your community involvement, your athletic achievements, your social life or any other aspect of life which is important to you as a person. As always, balance is key,” students. carleton.ca said.

Anne Ober, a licensed professional counselor at the College of Wooster, states that students should not let

grades dictate the way they see themselves and notes that they need to learn how to manage these personal grade expectations.

“I think it can be helpful to cultivate your own curiosity about something. When you approach a topic/reading assignment/project – what do you want to know about it?... this can help students engage with the content without it being tied to a grade/evaluation,” Ober said.

Ober additionally explains that while academic validation provides students with a sense of pride and accomplishment, striving for a “perfect score” takes away from actual enjoyment of the learning process making students unable to learn, grow, develop and change in their own understanding, knowledge and skills.

Ober says students can often base accomplishments and external [academic] validation on selfcompassion and self-esteem. To help these students, Ober suggests checking out the site “selfcompassion.org/videos/”. This site gives tips and tricks on how to be compassionate and kind to oneself.

Dealing with athletic expectations as a high school student

High schools ofer many activities in which students can be involved, with one of the most popular involving sports program participation.

According to OHSAA.org, over 350,000 students in Ohio play a sport.

Being on a team, however, can cause stress and anxiety in student athletes, particularly when immense pressure is put on them by their coaches, parents and other students.

This pressure can cause anxiety,

depression and other physical and mental health issues. An article by Embark Behavior Health titled “6 Ways to Help Your Student Athlete Balance High School Sports and Mental Health” looks at potential causes of anxiety in student athletes, “For the athletes whose identity is wrapped up in the sport they play, their self-worth can become linked to their performance. Or, they may feel pressured to keep playing long past the time they stop enjoying their sport because of the sacrifces and investments they and their parents have made.”

When a student’s identity and self worth are connected to how well that student performs, any

decrease from a normal level of success can cause immense stress and anxiety. A 2019 NFHS article written by Cari Wood et all looks at

how the culture of a program can afect athletes, “In an Participation in athletics can lend to a culture that emphasizes the need to ‘just play through it’ ‘ when injured, stressed or in pain. ‘No pain, no gain.’

Student-athletes can quickly allow their athletic accomplishments (or failures) to become their identity and source of self worth. High school athletes, particularly those who play at a varsity level, are expected to perform at the top of their game constantly, because their coaches and teammates are counting on them.”

Within recent years, there has been an increase in advocacy for the mental health of athletes,

particularly after Katie Meyer, a Stanford senior and soccer player who died by suicide in 2020.

In an interview with NBC’s Today show, Meyer’s mother, Gina Meyer, looked at the stress her daughter was experiencing, saying, “There’s so much pressure I think on athletes, right, especially at that high level, balancing academics and a highly competitive environment. There is anxiety and there is stress to be perfect, to be the best, to be number one.”

The anxiety that athletes face at any level of play can have disastrous efects on their mental health if not properly monitored and cared for.

HANNAH

The Wooster Blade Staff identifes some mental health stressors and how to combat them.

“THERE IS ANXIETY AND THERE IS STRESS TO BE PERFECT, TO BE THE BEST, TO BE NUMBER ONE” SAYS MEYER

WCS students compete in county bee

JACKSON STANSIFER staff writer

On Jan. 24, WHS student Nick Kakanuru (8) and Edgewood student Noah Greene (6), will both compete in the Wayne County Spelling Bee.

Greene (6), who placed second in the Wooster spelling bee, said he is preparing for the county bee by studying words in a booklet that was provided to competing students prior to the school spelling bee, and while Greene’s preparation proved to be successful

in the school bee, he explained how his preparation will difer leading up to the county spelling bee.

“I feel [that] I will practice more leading up to the competition, and that I will take this more seriously than our Wooster spelling bee,” Greene said.

Kakanuru (8), who placed frst in the Wooster spelling bee, also won the Wayne County Spelling Bee in 2022, according to an article from The Daily Record that was published on Jan. 27, 2022.

Going into the Wayne County Spelling Bee, Kakanuru said he hopes to place frst, as he did last

year, but also expressed his high aspirations for future competitions.

“This year, I wanted to [compete] because I am hoping to win the regional spelling bee, allowing myself to D.C., which unfortunately, didn’t happen last year,” Kakanuru said.

On the other hand, this year will be Greene’s frst time competing at the county spelling bee, where he said that he hopes to place higher than others at his grade level.

As mentioned previously, the Wayne County Spelling Bee will be held on Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Orrville High School.

Parker pursues career as taxidermist

LILY CAMPBELL-LEHTINEN staff writer

Iva Parker, an eighth grade student at WHS has a strong interest in practicing taxidermy.

Parker has taken a class on taxidermy and was featured recently in an article by The New York Times about the work she has done outside of the class.

Parker emphasized how she became interested in taxidermy in 2018, but was not able to do anything with it until 2020, due to her family not being able to fnd a reliable class that teaches taxidermy.

According to Parker, the process of taxidermy is very elaborate.

“So frst, you have your dead

animal.” Parker stated. “Then you’re going to have to thaw it if it was in a freezer. Next, you make an incision on the stomach or the back and separate the skin from the fat on the inside of the animal. After this, you put clay and glass beads in the eye sockets, stitch up the animal, and shape it onto the mannequin.”

As far as the pieces she has worked on, Parker said she has mainly worked with small animals.

“I’ve done a squirrel and two rats. That’s it. For the squirrel we put pins in his ears (essentially piercing them) and I found some earrings for him to wear. He also has a top hat. I love it.”

Parker’s goals for the future involve taxidermy.

“I’d like to start a taxidermy business since I have some

family friends that are willing to buy some of my work. I’m not selling right now, but I like to think that maybe someday I’ll acquire the materials I need to make that possible,” Parker said.

If her aspirations of opening a business come true, Parker said she is thinking of charging around $100 to $200 for taxidermy pieces of smaller animals.

“Taxidermy can get pretty expensive. Most of the pieces I’ve seen have been a few hundred dollars, small animal-wise. So, I’d probably charge about $100 or $200, but it depends on how many side pieces or props there are and how elaborate their construction is.”

Parker said she plans on continuing to pursue taxidermy as her future career.

School board seeks student insight

ETHAN KEATING staff writer

This fall, the Wooster City School District introduced the position of Student Liaison as a student representative to the school board.

Initially, the position was flled by Jacob Hannan (12).

Gabe Tudor said the position is selected by the school principal, based on leadership and character.

“As the Student Representative to the Board of Education, I attended all regular sessions of the WCSD school board, in addition to their work session on course scheduling. I notifed the board of the Student Council’s actions and asked questions during discussions of Board policies on issues with a high impact to students, such as Chromebooks and course selection/scheduling. I also made comments on issues to represent my concerns and those common among the student body, such as

suggesting that prerequisites for AP Biology and AP Chemistry be removed,” Hannan said.

Tudor said the position was created this fall because, “The position is recommended by the Ohio School Board Association for both the student experience and perspective for the board.”

President of the school board Sue Herman was also invited

to be the local representative on the Ohio School Board Association in 2016 and said, “The role focuses on student success in individual districts.”

Herman said she loves to serve the role that she does on the board because of her career as an educator.

“I see this as an extension of my teaching role for many years,” Herman said.

WHS Principal Scott Musser said the Student Liaison position is important because it gives the student body a voice on the body that governs it.

“This position was created to give students a voice on the board. It is extremely important to the board that our students are heard and that the school is moving in a direction that best fts the needs of all students,” Musser said.

Hannan served as the Student Liaison for the frst semester, and the position is being flled by Alexia Kakanuru(11) for the second semester.

WHS launches Best Buddies Program

RHYS FLORENCE-SMITH staff writer

The WHS National Honor Society and Student Leadership Team is partnering with the Best Buddies Program to create friendships between students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and students without, according to NHS adviser Lauren Stover, a Speech-Language Pathologist at Melrose Elementary and WHS. According to the Best Buddies Programs website, their mission is to create, “a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for oneto-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”

The program will allow volunteers to create meaningful

friendships with other students in their community.

Students who volunteer will be partnered with students who have, “Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities,” according to the Best Buddies Website.

Stover, the adviser for the program, elaborates on the goal of the program to the volunteers saying, “The goal is one-to-one friendship matches over time.”

Throughout the course of the program, volunteers will form deep friendships with the students they are paired with.

The program had their frst meeting on Dec. 16 and began training today. Club members also have selected ofcers: president Trent Kuzma, vice president Gabby Rice, secretary Deah Bresson and treasurer Elizabeth Altland.

CORPORATE SPONSORS

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The Wooster City Schools Spelling Bee was held on Dec. 9, 2022 and featured 13 participants, ranging from sixth to eighth grade. Nick Kakanuru, an eighth grader at Edgewood Middle School, was the overall winner.

Eighth grade student, Iva Parker, has only worked with small animals so far, but intends to start a taxidermy business in the future.

Photo courtesy of WSCD

Photo by Laynee Eslich

ON CAMPUS

Local and national scholarships make college more affordable for all students

Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities

Eighth Grade: Scheduling options change

BEN STAVNEZER feature editor

Wayne County Foundation

Noble Foundation Scholarship:

Deadline April 1

Paul Ladd Memorial Scholarship:

Deadline March 17

Larry and Cindy Acker Scholarship:

Deadline March 15

MOLLY BYRNE cover editor

For many high school seniors, after receiving their acceptance letter from the school of their choice, the next big step is the process of applying and receiving scholarships.

Many schools have diferent policies in place for how they hand out specifc merit scholarships as well as their specifc fnancial aid programs, proven by the assortment of policies between academic institutions.

During an interview with WHS senior, Nora Levy, she stated, “As a student applying to all these schools, it is nice to know exactly where the money is going. For example, schools that meet one hundred percent of need, the outside scholarships you would receive do not impact your families fnancial contribution, they impact your student contribution.”

Additionally, Wayne County

Naviance

Elks State Grants-Legacy Scholarship: Deadline February 6

Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award: Deadline March 14

Dream..Innovate...Grow Scholarships: Deadline March 1

Community Foundations sends out a scholarship packet to all Wayne County students graduating that spring in order to prepare them for applying to scholarships.

Inside of this packet is a large list of scholarships for students in the communities based on grades, activities, sports and community interactions. According to the WCCF website, “The Wayne County Community Foundation manages over 150 scholarship funds, each with their own criteria. Scholarships through WCCF may be used for tuition and fees (not including room and board) required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution. Fees, books, supplies and equipment directly required for courses of instruction are eligible if they can be purchased directly from the school.”

Unfortunately, tuition is not the only fee for incoming college students, as room and board for students living on campus, as well as book fees and materials are all included in the money needed to

go to college.

A national resource for students looking for scholarships is the College Board’s Big Future section. According to the College Board webpage, once a student signs in, they are able to match with diferent scholarships based on their situations, afliations, interests, citizenship and many other facets of the students life. In these cases as well, scholarships are very useful in having funds to provide such items and fees for students that qualify.

As mentioned above by Levy, diferent schools have diferent ways in which they choose to place their funding for students. “Afording Your MIT Education” found on the MIT website discusses that, need based schools will only put outside scholarships toward the students contribution and not the parents. Implying that in some cases, scholarships may not be the best course of action for students as they might not help with funding due from their family.

Students’ mental health: daily coping mechanisms provide relief

JAMIE OGLE staff writer

Daily stress in school can be devastating for one’s mental health if dealt with for long periods of time.

While completing homework assignments and studying for tests is important, it can be stressful when these assignments and tests build up. When one’s body is mentally stressed, it releases a hormone called cortisol. According to clevelandclinic.org, “Cortisol is a steroid hormone that your adrenal glands, the endocrine glands on top of your kidneys, produce and release.”

When cortisol levels are high, it can be bad for one’s health, according to clevelandclinic.org: “Cortisol raises blood sugar by releasing stored glucose… Having chronical-

ly high cortisol levels can lead to persistent high blood sugar…” Persistent high blood sugar leads one to develop type 2 diabetes.

The real question, for those who are looking to lower their stress levels, is how does one manage their cortisol and stress? According to Elizabeth Swenor, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, May 12, 2020, henryfordhealth.com, “An unhealthy diet flled with added sugars and processed foods will raise cortisol levels and put you at a greater risk for high blood pressure and diabetes. Make sure you’re getting enough fber (fruits and vegetables are great sources) because fber helps to regulate gut bacteria, which in turn helps to regulate hormones. Diet is really important— it’s 80% of the battle.”

There are a few simple things that can help one manage stress, includ-

ing taking deep breaths for three to fve minutes a day. According to upmc.com “Deep Breathing to Relieve Acute Stress,” “...Deep breathing is a technique that allows you to calm your mind and reduce the concentration of stress hormones in your blood.”

Breathing techniques can also help to beneft sleep at night. Sleeping well at night is important for managing stress. According to webmd. com “Tips to Reduce Stress and Sleep Better,” “A good night's sleep makes you able to tackle the day's stress more easily.”

As WHS students begin the second semester of the school year, it must be acknowledged that it is one of the most stressful times for students. The techniques above can be helpful during this time, but they are helpful around any other time of year.

WHS is changing its scheduling for the 2023-2024 school year with a focus on overhauling the eighth grade’s classes to a separate experience, in order to better prepare students for the 9-12 curriculum, as well as helping to ofer more diverse course oferings to high school students.

Presenting at a Wooster Board of Education meeting, WHS Principal Scott Musser stated that “Eighth grade was intended to be a separate experience from WHS. Over time, with eighth grade being at the high school, we have seen a larger integration of the eighth grade into the 9-12 curriculum.” Musser adds that “These changes, although made with the best intentions, have had some drawbacks. There had been a loss of the teaming model in the eighth grade, including team support interventions and some eighth grade learning standards being skipped.”

In a large step toward this goal, the eighth grade intends to move to a team based education in which students will be taught standards that are outlined by the Ohio Dept. of Education and designated for eighth graders, instead of jumping to a higher grade level curriculum.

As presented, the eighth grade classes available will be focused on a core curriculum with their teams of students, while the proposed schedule changes adds a circuit rotation frst and sixth period, allowing students to take electives of their choice.

Speaking on the benefts these changes ofer, Assistant Principal Joe Rubino stated, “I believe the greatest beneft of this scheduling change is that it ofers eighth graders developmentally appropriate timing for courses. The objectives of the scheduling allows for best practices of teaming to teach, meets the needs of all learners, creates new opportunities for students, and also increases accessibility to advanced courses for all students.”

WHS offers new courses

JAELYN FREDERICK staff writer

New classes have been added at Wooster High School and some have been removed or edited.

According to the Course Selection Guide for the English Dept. the classes Mystery & Thriller Literature, Leadership in Literature, Professional Writing, and Film Studies have been added. Literature, British Literature and Intro to Media have been removed.

No classes were added in the Math Dept., but Honors Algebra I and AP Statistics were removed and Statistics and Transitions to College Math was changed to Statistic and Probability.

The courses Physics and Environmental Science were added in the Science Dept. and AP Physics I & II, Zoology, PLTW Biomedical Science, and PLTW Medical Interventions were removed. Environmen-

tal Science is dedicated to learning about the Earth's natural resources and how much the human population uses those resources. Physics will focus on the interactions between matter and energy.

The only change in the Social Studies Dept. was the addition of the class American Pop Culture. The Course Selection Guide says, “This class will examine popular culture during each decade of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will answer the following question; what were the popular forms of mass media and entertainment and how were they shaped by the events of their times?” This class is worth a half credit.

The electives Exploratory Spanish, Theatre Foundations, Intro to 3D Art, 2D Art I, II, III, & IV, IT Troubleshooting, Personal Wellness, and Child Development were added and Adventures in the Arts, Drawing, Painting, and Interior Design & Textiles were removed.

Feature on programs: Wayne County Schools Career Center

The Wayne County Schools Career Center is home to both high school and adult education trades. High school students from 13 diferent school districts surrounding Wayne County come to the career center to explore 25 diferent career preparation opportunities. High schoolers traditionally transfer to the career center at the start of their junior year, although there are options to transfer at the start of senior year and stay for an additional year after graduation. Upon completion of their chosen trade, students receive diferent certifcations such as their OSHA certifcation from The Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Depending on the trade the student is in, their licensure will vary. The six trades chosen were based on student interest and the unique certifcations ofered.

Exercise Science and Sports Medicine

The exercise science and sports medicine trade prepares students for further education. Students work directly with healthcare professionals, learn how to prevent and treat injuries, and implement rehabilitation plans. According to the Career Center website, students in this trade can go into work as an athletic trainer or can use the program to jumpstart their college career.

Dental

Assisting

Dental assisting aims to prepare students for immediate employment and additional certifcations in the dental feld. According to the career center website, students get the opportunity to aid professionals in laboratory procedures and chairside assisting. Students also learn how to properly interact with patients and practice ethical standards in the medical industry. Students in this trade can go into careers as orthodontists, dental hygienists and more.

Powerline Technologies

The powerline technologies trade prepares students for immediate employment, apprenticeships and further education opportunities. According to the Career Center website, students in the powerline technologies trade learn how to install and maintain electrical wires both above and below ground, climb utility poles, construct pole lines, and operate high-reach equipment. Students in this trade are interested in either residential electrical work or being a lineman.

Automotive Technologies

The automotive technologies trade teaches students how to maintain and prepare vehicles, used advanced diagnostic equipment and work on high-tech vehicle comupters and mechanical systems. According to the Career Center website, students in this trade are prepared for further education in a specialized automotive program as well as immediate employment working in an autobody shop or as an auto-mechanic.

Early Childhood Education and Care

Early childhood education and care provides students with the skills needed to either immediately enter the workforce as a teacher assistant or further their education in college with a teaching degree. According to the Career Center website, students operate a preschool and guide a multitude of infant and toddler aged children with developmentally appropriate activities.

Interactive Media

Interactive media students are prepared for both immediate employment and advanced certifcations. Students design unique web pages, graphics, and video productions for clients. Students use the same design software meant for professionals in the industry. According to the Career Center website, students in this trade can go into careers in

marketing, flm production and more.

The sports medicine trade features an indoor gym as well as a treatment room and front desk setup for students.

Students in the automotive technologes trade work on customer vehicles as well as vehicles owned by the Career Center.

Students in Dental Assisting have the oppurtunity to become certifed in radiology.

Students in Early Childhood run a state certifed preschool in which they write lesson plans and teach children

Students in Powerline Technologies are able to work in residential electrial work as well as being a lineman.

Interactive Media students have a functioning studio that includes multiple professional grade soundboards.

All photos and information collected by Brittany Wachtel

Writer recommends: Spinelli’s Milkweed

during this time.

Senior artist feature: Kaylee Buzzard thrives in art

REBEKAH LAY staff writer

There are certain books that should be read by everyone because of the lessons and overall story they tell; one such book is Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli.

Written in 2003, the book covers the topic of the Holocaust and more specifcally follows a little young fellow who is around 8-years-old. He faces trying to understand what exactly is going on while being homeless and having no parental fgure to help, guide and protect him.

He also faces lost friends and, ultimately, the difculties that arise

In this book, unlike many others, the whole situation is being shown through a very young character’s eyes. This perspective helps provide a very detailed view on what was going on because the main character himself does not understand and is trying to fgure out the situation as a whole. This book gives many ups and downs in terms of emotions and tears may be a factor by the end of the book. There were many friendships that were shown throughout this book and the diferent dynamics of each relationship.

This book also shows the brutality of World War II and how it afected everyone, it gives good insight into the lives of many diferent people during this time. It shows how diferent walks of life were handling this situation.

I highly recommend this book to a beginning reader because it is really easy to understand and follow along…I also recommend this book to young adults who are trying to fnd a book that is historical fction.

Universal Studios’M3gan : provides terror and laughter

In October, the frst trailer for the new movie M3gan came out and, almost immediately, took the internet by storm.

During the frst trailer of the movie, it showed the titular character M3gan (voiced by Jenna Davis and portrayed by Amie Donald) chasing after another character, while dancing, attempting to kill that person.

Many people on the app TikTok began to talk about the movie and many people attempted to recreate the dance done by M3gan in the trailers. The movie was released Jan. 6, with immediate success, scoring a current 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The plot follows the character of Gemma (Allison Williams) after her sister and brother-in-law pass away in a car accident, which leads to Gemma watching over their daughter, Cady (Violet McGraw). Gemma helps create new toys

at the company Funki, and one project she creates is the robot M3gan. M3gan is paired with Cady to be her best friend and to help raise her, as Gemma is very busy.

Cady gets very attached to M3gan and, eventually, becomes so attached that she cannot go anywhere without her. M3gan also becomes very protective of Cady, which eventually leads to the horror genre element of the movie.

Throughout the flm, M3gan kills people who she views as threatening to Cady. Gemma, over time, notices the attachment between the two, leading to tension between the characters. Gemma becomes more cautious with their relationship and tries to separate the two.

The flm is extremely suspenseful and constantly causes an unsettling feeling and fear of what will happen next. The flm also adds some comedic elements to the plot, as well as scenes that do not add much to the plot but are just funny to watch. I often found myself laughing, then almost immediately turning away from horror that seemed like it came out of nowhere.

I would highly recommend seeing this movie, as it is very thrilling and terrifying as well as comedic. However, there is some gore, as well as swearing, which some people may not be comfortable with.

GRACE KOSTORHYZ

focus editor

WHS ofers many diferent classes in the arts, including: band, choir, orchestra and a variety of diferent art classes. Some of the art classes ofered include: crafts, ceramics, drawing and painting. There are many talented students that participate in these classes. One senior who has taken advantage of these opportunities is Kaylee Buzzard who said “I am currently in Advanced 2D Studio Art where I have grown so much.”

People take or complete artwork for many reasons. Some want to express themselves and others do it for a hobby in their free time. Buzzard said, “I wanted to start pursuing art because I grew up always having a talent for drawing. Whether I was in an art class in elementary school, or even just drawing on my own, I always received great feedback. I enjoyed looking at pictures and trying to sketch them out exactly.” This feedback was one of the main reasons she chose to pursue art in high school.

There are many diferent styles of art. According to Kaylee, “My favorite style of art is realism because I am a perfectionist and

I love to see how 3D I can make a 2D canvas look. I try to make my art look as close to a picture as I can while also adding symbolism to it. I like to have every piece that I create have a deeper meaning to it.” Some of the benefts of art include alleviating stress and encouraging creativity.

Art provides people a creative medium in which to express themselves. “I am passionate about art because it is something that I can do to take my mind of

of anything I may be worried about…I love creating because it is a way to express my thoughts when I sometimes cannot put them into words.” Art has the ability to be a distraction for people when they are going through hard times.

Creating art has many positive benefts and allows people to express themselves when they may not always be able to. The classes ofered at WHS help enhance the creativity of students and give them an outlet for their emotions.

CALEB SINGER-HOLDEN

staff writer

Fair Use courtesy of M3gan Universal Pictures

Courtesy of Tricia Nussbaum

Buzzard, who is pictured above working on a current piece, takes Advanced 2D Studio Art. Buzzard said she loves to create art as a way to express her thoughts.

Financial Literacy 101

Financial status has impact on college choices for students

OLIVIA HINER co-editor in chief

When planning for college, it is important for students to recognize the fnancial aspects of attending school and the options that are available to them in regard to paying for their education.

Planning for the cost of college may become stressful, but there are many things that can be done to prepare.

Filling out the Federal Application for Free Student Aid is a great way to start. Tyler Egli, Guidance Dept. member, noted that “Every year, the school counselors and the local colleges team up to put together a Financial Aid Night. The Financial Aid Night provides resources and opportunities available for students and their families.” Taking advantage of this is a way to learn more about the options available.

Another form that can be flled out is the College Scholarship Service Profle. According to a withfrank. org article titled “CSS Profle vs FAFSA: Know the Diferences,” “The major diference is that the FAFSA® provides federal grants, loans, and other types of government assistance, and the CSS Profle is an application that universities use to gauge how

much non-federal fnancial aid you need.”

After flling out the available forms, there are a couple types of fnancial aid available. There are universities that ofer 100% of needs met without loans, with loans, and with no loans for some incomes. “The Ultimate List of the Nation’s Most Generous Colleges” was published by Lynn O’ Shaughnessy. The article lists that there are 75 colleges in the United States that ofer 100% need. Denison, Kenyon, and Oberlin are among the list.

When asked for advice in making college more afordable, Egli said “Taking AP, IB, or CCP classes is an outstanding opportunity to help make college more afordable. We have had multiple students who are able to graduate from college in two or three years because of the amount of college credits earned during high school. That alone could cut your cost in half. I also encourage families to start saving money early by using options such as a College 529 Savings Plan…” There are resources available to being preparing for the cost of college early on.

Another recommendation by Egli is to work while in college at places like a local restaurant to make some extra money.

Graduates refect on college preparation

OLIVIA HINER co-editor in chief

With the last semester starting for Wooster’s seniors, looking ahead at future plans is becoming more and more prevalent. For some, it is a very stressful time.

Turning to previous graduates to ask questions on what they wish they knew before graduating may help provide some clarity. WHS graduates in diferent stages of post college experiences share things they wish they knew pertaining to academics, day to day life, what pursuing their career would be like, and balance and fnances.

When looking at academics, Izzy Signorino (2020), who is currently a junior at Miami University, said, “I defnitely wish I knew how difcult it would be to time manage when you’re left to do so much work on your own outside of class for the frst time.” To navigate time management, fnding a routine in day to day life was a common response of WHS alum.

Luke Pomfret (2022 alum) is in his freshman year at Pace University. He discussed that when going to college, “Your life changes drastically.” Because of this change, establishing a daily routine has great importance. Pomfret encourages students to take time for themselves.

Julia Hootman, a sophomore

Building a good credit score helps in the future

REBEKAH LAY

staff writer

A good score is truly important for many things in life from buying a new house, to a new car.

Credit scores can be improved in many ways. Kister, the fnancial literacy teacher, stated that to build a good credit score, “Paying your bills and loans back on time is very important in maintaining and improving your credit score as that accounts for 35% of your credit score.” Given that it is important to improve credit score a good goal for a credit score is from 670 to 739.

It is important to look at the credit cards that you are getting before getting them. Some information to look into while considering is the interest rate and fees of that credit card. If you are unsure, then a good place to start in terms of credit cards, is secured credit cards, according to Kister. Secured credit cards have an initial payment, and that payment is the limit for spending, and it helps build habits

that are desirable for other credit cards and how they are used.

There are a few tips on specifc credit card websites that point out the steps to a good credit score.

The site Experian provides a list of fve steps for a good credit score, which includes: building a credit fle by creating accounts; don’t miss a payment, so pay bills on time; if there are past due payments then pay them of; do not gather a high balance on a revolving credit card; and limit amount of accounts and how frequently new ones are opened.

The reason why a good credit score is important, according to a Nov. 30, 2021 article by Erin El Issa, located on NerdWallet, is because you get a better interest rate, which means that there is less money that you would have to pay for borrowing money, it improves ability to rent housing, you get better car and home insurance, a utility company may not require a deposit, and your odds of getting a job may improve, depending on state and company.

Bad credit scores will afect you negatively and that is why having a good credit score is vital. Kister stated: “If you have a bad credit score, you are considered more of a risk to lenders. As a result, it might be more challenging to get a loan and you will have to pay higher interest rates on loans which will cost you more money over time.”

attending Xavier University, said there will be gaps between classes. Her advice: “establish a daily routine. Set pockets of time in the day where you do homework, workout, or do something else for yourself… having parts of your routine that do not change will help you stay grounded when life feels chaotic.”

Going into college, unsure of what to pursue, can seem a little overwhelming. Signorino said “... I wish I would have known how okay it is to not know exactly who you want to be right when you walk through the door… Changing your major and what you want to do is so normal, even though it might not feel that way.”

Hootman said she has found the importance of slowing down and taking a look at the bigger picture. When entering college, so many life skills are being developed. Independence and exploring new things are a large part of graduating. Hootman said, “If you ever feel overwhelmed, take a step back and look at how far you have come.”

Navigating balance and fnances can be difcult upon being independent for the frst time. To prepare, Pomfret recommends working as much as possible in high school, and to build up savings.

Hootman suggests applying for “as many scholarships as

you can.” Signorino says fnding an on campus job has helped tremendously.

Grifn Murphy is a senior at Ohio State, sharing his thoughts on fnances. “These are the years you have to enjoy and while you need to be smart with the money you spend, it doesn’t mean you need to stop yourself from enjoying life because you may need to spend a little bit.”

From someone who graduated from WHS and now teaches here, Eric Heller, Science Dept. member, ofered his thoughts on what he wished he knew before graduating.

When asked what he thinks graduating seniors should know, he said: “Graduating seniors should know that they don’t have to pick a career path that will last them forever. They only need to get a degree that will help them get a start. With the gig economy, and now remote work being so accessible, most people will end up with two or three jobs minimum throughout their lifetime. Graduating seniors should also know that they do not have to go to college to be successful! There are plenty of great jobs out there for people who want to get a job straight out of high school.”

Heading of to college can be a stressful time, but taking advice from those who have gone through it can make it seem a little less daunting.

Keep in mind that if you have a bad credit score now,

age does not matter; you can improve your credit, no matter your state of life.

“IF YOU HAVE A BAD CREDIT SCORE, YOU ARE CONSIDERED MORE OF A RISK TO LENDERS,” SAYS KISTER.

it does not mean that it cannot improve in the future. Also, your

Game Features

Rummy

Two to six players are recommended, and the goal of the game is to score the most points. The only way to score is to have at least three of a kind or a straight, you may play of other people’s hand. Each person is dealt at least fve cards, more if there are less players. At the beginning of a turn, the player has an option to either pick up a card from the deck or from the discard pile, in which case they may select more than one card as long as they play the card that was farthest down the discard pile immediately. They must discard one card to prove that their turn is over. The round ends when someone plays all their cards. Players then subtract whatever cards they have in their hand to the cards that they have set down.

Monopoly

Monopoly is a classic that most everyone can look back on with fond memories. Whether you are with friends at a party or surrounded by family, this game always seems to appear. Monopoly is a game in which two to six players attempt to buy property around the game board and to develop housing to bankrupt their players. To win, you must bankrupt all the other players or own the entire board. With an age range of eight and up the game is fun no matter what group of people you are in.

5 Second Rule

To play 5 Second Rule, players must draw a card with random topics. Then, they have fve seconds to name three things that ft into that topic if they do they keep the card. The person with the most cards by the end of game wins. Any number of players can play, and with alternate versions, including Disney 5 Second Rule, it is fun for all ages.

Scattergories

Players have a list of random topics– for example a boy’s name– and then they must roll the dice to get a letter. Once players have the letter, they must name things that start with the letter they rolled and ft the categories–for example boys’ names that start with “J” and answer would be Jake. This game is fun for older audiences and can have as many players as you would like.

Golf

Two to seven players are recommended, and the goal of this game is to have the least amount of points. Each player is dealt four cards and sets them up in front of you on the table, face down, in a two by two rectangle. The only time you are allowed to look at these cards is at the beginning of the game, each person may pick up two of the four cards and look at them, then put them back and remember them for the rest of the game. Players must either pick up a card from the deck or the discard pile, then switch that card with one of the cards in front of them. Once a player has the least amount of points in their cards, they will knock on the table after their turn to tell everyone they have one play left. After the last player goes, everyone fips their cards upwards to show their score.

Clue

With murder mystery tales taking the public opinion by storm in media and movies, it may be time to break out another classic from your childhood: Clue. A game full of intrigue and high stakes detective work, Clue is a game in which two to six players, eight years or older, compete to solve the murder mystery of the man who owns the mansion in which the game takes place. Each player must travel around the board and suss out the true killer through the process of elimination. To win the game, you must declare your fnal guess, if you are correct, you win, but if you are wrong, there will be dire consequences…

Exploding Kittens

Becoming a more mainstream game lately, exploding kittens is a relatively simple game to learn and play. To play the game, the group goes around the circle drawing cards from the center stack. Cards can all have specifc uses, such as viewing further cards into the deck or stopping the action of another player's card. A player will lose if they draw the Exploding Kitten card. There are some cards that can stop the card though. The game is recommended for ages seven-plus and between two to fve players.

Wavelength

Popping up on Tiktok and Youtube lately, the game wavelength focuses on trying to see how well you and your team think alike. The way to score points in the game starts by the active team having one person take a card with two opposing concepts on each side (ex: hot vs. cold or normal vs. weird). Then, everyone closes their eyes as the chosen person spins the wheel of the game and will have to say an example that would fall in the categories. The team must then attempt to fgure out where the wheel landed. The game is recommended for ages 14-plus and between 2-12 players.

Bounce Off

Bounce Of is a fun flled game for ages eight-plus. To play the game, two players must draw a card that gives them a pattern to make. They must bounce diferently colored plastic balls into the pattern. The frst player to do so wins the card and the frst player to fve cards wins the game. Bounce of can be played by two players or in teams of up to four.

Chess

Chess is one of the oldest and most beloved one-on-one war gaming simulations. Two players duel in an intense game of positional power and Kingly gambits that will leave only one player victorious. To win the game, you must attack your opponent's King and leave them without a means of escape. Whether you are young or old, a pro or an amateur, chess is always fun to play and with limitless possibilities to how the game may go it never gets old.

This game feature includes selections from popular games in diferent categories including board games, card games, new and trending and alternative games selected by BLADE staf members. Blurbs by Rys Florence-Smith, Hannah LoGiudice, Caleb Singer-Holden, Laynee Eslich. Graphics by Hannah LoGiudice.

Senior point guard Nora Levy scores thousandth point in win

LAURA RAPPORT a & e editor

Nora Levy, WHS senior and point guard for the girls’ varsity basketball team, recently reached the milestone of scoring 1,000 points on Dec. 10.

Nora emphasized her thankfulness for the opportunities she has been given and said: “I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to score my thousandth point. A lot of people don’t see the long hours in the gym behind the success and I’m very thankful to see all the hard work pay of. I also wouldn’t be here without my coaches who put me in the best place to achieve my goals. As a point guard, I’m especially proud of being top fve

all time in assists as well as scoring my thousandth point and couldn’t be more thankful for the amazing teammates I have around me.”

Levy has played for the girls’ basketball team since her freshman year, plays travel basketball during the spring and has played basketball since she was three.

Levy is a three year captain for the girls’ basketball team, as well as being ffth all-time in points and assists at WHS. Levy has also received the honors of All-Ohioan and Ohio Cardinal Conference Player of the Year.

Levy’s teammate, Tori Pettorini (11) also spoke of Levy’s dedication and talent saying: “Nora is an extremely great teammate because no matter the person or circumstance she is always willing to help you out

Hockey thrives in Wooster

MATTIE DUNLAP cover editor

The Wooster Youth Hockey Association is a Wooster based organization that began to play in the CSHL in 2005-2006 after its formation.

The WYHA has been around for 15 years and includes players from many counties around Wooster According to the WYHA website, “Our [The WYHA] mission is to introduce the youth of our area to the great game of ice hockey, such that every child, through their participation in the program, can enjoy a positive, character building sports experience while creating a passion for the game.”

Board President of the WYHA, Jay Robinson, adds that the organization also believes, above all else, that “ it’s always about the kids.”

Robinson shares that he would like to see some additions to the program for the future. “I’d love to see us in fve years as a program that’s grown in terms of participant numbers, a program that’s grown competitively, a program that’s grown into a larger presence in our community, and a program that

continues to grow in its support of the Alice Noble Ice Arena and Noble Foundation,” Robinson said.

Robinson says Wooster has always prided itself on being a program that has advanced players to play for great teams at high levels.

Additionally, a WYHA team has gone on to win the 14U AA league championship, which, according to Robinson, is a “crowning event” playof at the highest competitive level in the league.

Lily Robinson, a PeeWee team captain and ffth year player, explains what she would want people to know about the WYHA.

“It [the WYHA] is an open and accepting organization. I have also met a lot of cool people through hockey,” Robinson said.

Additional players, Joel Twedt and Nick Rader (Bantam Minor ) say their favorite thing about being a part of the organization is that the WYHA is like a family.

Not only has the WYHA created a safe and friendly environment, it has also taught its players important lessons. Mite 1 player Arwen Bartrum and Squirt 1 player Skylee Lamp explain that the WYHA has taught them about the importance of being a good leader and a good teammate.

and make you better. Nora is a natural leader who always talks, encourages, and pushes players to their greatest advantage. She is defnitely the team’s hardest worker who has always stayed overtime and extra to get better. Nora will always be there for you whether it’s after a bad game or if you want a rebounder after

Kacere also spoke about his experience coaching Levy. “As a coach I think that my role was to guide her to having a more well rounded outlook on games while at the same time releasing her to attack. She took the coaching in stride and has done a tremendous job of helping our team succeed while fnding personal success.”

He also praised Levy’s work ethic, saying, “Nora is an extremely hard worker. She has put in years of work behind the scenes to become the player that she is today. Everyone wants to be great, but not many want to put in the time that it takes to be great. She has put in the time.”

Kacere recommends that any athlete who wants to achieve a similar goal practice a lot. “ If you want to score 1000 points, you need to put in the amount of time in the ofseason that you want to put in and multiply that number by 10. If you can push through the mental toll it takes to work THAT hard, then it is possible,” Kacere said.

Levy plans to continue her basketball career in college.

At the time of writing, Levy has scored 1,156 points.

Programs fnd ways to recognize individual accomplishments in various WHS sports

LAYNEE ESLICH staf writer

According to The Daily Record, “The Wooster High School Athletic Hall of Fame is inducting a new class after several years without a new member. The hall of fame committee selected 11 alumni for their outstanding contributions while at Wooster High School, ranging from the 1950s to 2010s.”

The hall of fame committee chose 11 deserving alumni to honor for their athletic achievements, and added them to the WHS Hall of Fame in 2022.

The hall of fame is just one of the ways WHS honors their student athletes.

A varsity student athlete, Jaymin Walker (12), said he has had very positive experiences in terms of recognition for his success in sports.

“I think I’ve been showcased a good amount for my skill, but not only for skill, but as a senior on my teams,” Walker said.

Students can also be recognized through the morning

announcements, as coaches may submit team and individual accomplishments which then can be shared with the student body.

To honor the achievements of the WHS cross country team, Holly Pope, WHS girls cross country and lacrosse coach, found a way to celebrate individual performances.

Pope proposed a plaque in which any girl runner who has run sub20 minute 5K and one for any boy who ran sub-16:30 minute 5K.

Pope said she originally thought of this idea to honor the women who have ran and broken records this year. “Only seven girls had broken 20:00 prior to this season, so it’s a big accomplishment in terms of our program’s successes,” Pope said.

Kevin White, cross country race record holder and volunteer coach with the cross country team, focuses the attention on four diferent runners.

“This past year, we had to make a lot of room as Ethan Keating ascended to third all-time (15:51) and Audrey Miller, Mattie Dunlap and Gabi Signorino posted the

second, third, and fourth fastest times in school history (19:35, 19:36, 1936).”

This plaque can also be updated for every season.

“The plaque is more inclusive than highlighting one name on the record board… While the school already honors All-Ohio athletes, as a coach I can’t help but feel for the talented athletes who got sick, injured, or simply had an of day in the state tournament which kept them from achieving such status. In that sense, I think the plaque is another way to recognize talented Wooster runners,” White said.

For Ethan Keating (12), who was added to the plaque this year, “It’s cool to be recognized for the work that I put in, even without the record. Getting recognized for the hard work that I did, and to be on the plaque with all of these great Wooster runners, is truly a special honor.”

Showcasing talents in WHS will educate people on not only the sports, but also it helps students appreciate the diferent athletes within the school.

Photo by Phil Raber

First Semester Sports Signings

Blake Bowen - Baseball College: University of Kentucky Why Kentucky?

The University of Kentucky was a perfect ft for me. When I frst was recruited, the coaching staf made it feel like my second home. They just put in a $50 million baseball facility a few years ago, and it’s one of the top facilities in the nation. Playing in the SEC was also a big part in my decision. The SEC is known as the best baseball conference in the world. Playing professional baseball has always been a dream of mine and playing in the SEC is the best way to make it there. In terms of academics, it has the major that I want and it’s a perfect campus for a student athlete.

Marin Dixon - Women’s Volleyball College: University of Indianapolis Why Indianapolis?

UIndy is a good ft for me. Some of the most attractive aspects are the health science programs and the closeness to downtown Indianapolis, which makes internships with the hospital and medical systems highly accessible. Athletics-wise, UIndy’s sports programs have been historically successful. The volleyball program has great structure, and the coaching is phenomenal. I will better myself, and the program at UIndy, and am so excited for my future there.

Abbi Jones - Women’s Golf College: Malone University Why Malone?

I choose Malone University because of their girl’s golf program and nursing program. When frst meeting the team and the coach, I loved the atmosphere and how nice everyone was. They all worked hard and acted like family to each other, which was something I was looking for when picking a college. The nursing program is amazing; when doing my college visit, it sealed the deal for me going there. I know I made the right choice and can’t wait to go next year.

Audrey Miller - Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field College: Vassar College Why Vassar?

After meeting the cross country team at Vassar, I knew that this school was the right ft for me. It was clear that the girl’s team functions as a family and has a lot of fun while training hard. I have been consistently in touch with the coach, who is incredibly devoted to the team and helping his runners reach their full potential. Academically, I am excited to study environmental science at Vassar, where they have an ecological preserve, as well as many other unique opportunities for my education.

Gretchen Chelf - Women’s Swimming and Diving College: Cleveland State University Why Cleveland State?

I wanted to continue swimming and CSU ofers the physical therapy major that I wanted to pursue. The dorms are amazing. And, my sister goes there. Also, the head coach, coach Hannah, is very understanding and fun to be around.

Christie Fransen - Women’s Soccer College: Bowling Green State University Why Bowling Green?

Athletically, my university created a competitive culture that wanted to achieve high goals such as winning the MAC Championship and performing well in the NCAA tournament. My teammates at BG provide me with a great support system as well, and they are all there for me whenever I need anything at all. My coach not only pushes all of the players, but he cares for each player and values their education and dedication to their life beyond college. Academically, I have all of the resources I need to be successful at BG. There’s many opportunities to receive help, and there’s also many internship and job opportunities that will prepare me for my future career.

Ethan Keating - Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field College: Daemen University Why Daemen?

As soon as I walked on campus at Daemen, I knew that it was the right place for me. I love the small campus feel and the relationships the students form with the professors. I also met the coach and the guys on the team; it was a great ft. Overall, each of the individual aspects of Damen make it a place that I am happy to spend the next six years

Madi Sommer - Women’s Lacrosse College: Ashland University Why Ashland?

When choosing Ashland, I knew I needed a place that would give me the best academic opportunities in the nursing feld. Ashland has one of the best nursing campuses around and defnitely ofers the best opportunities for me as a student. The athletic portion, to me, was truly based on the environment and the coach. I met the coach and immediately knew that it was the right place. I have also gotten to know the other recruits in my class and overall Ashland was overall the best possible choice for me.

Photo by Cass Dixon

Photo courtesy of Gretchen Chelf

Photo by Kristin Keating

Photo by Kristin Keating

Photo courtesy of Abbi Jones

Photo courtesy of Madi Sommer

Photo courtesy of Christie Fransen

Photo courtesy of Blake Bowen

The need for students to have a break

Most schools give students three breaks per year, including winter, spring, and summer break. Time of from school gives students a chance to take a break from the stress of academics and focus on spending time with friends and family and relaxing.

Students in the Wooster City School District get two weeks of for winter break, fve days of for spring break and about three months of for summer break.

Although all students have scheduled breaks, most athletic teams at WHS schedule practices during students’ time of.

Breaks are important at all levels of athletic competition. NCAA Division II athletics has a required winter break.

According to a Dec. 12, 2018, article by Informed Athlete, during the break, “Division II coaches are not permitted to require that their student-athletes participate in any countable athleticallyrelated activities (games, practices, conditioning workouts, team meetings, etc.). ” A winter break

for collegiate athletes allows them to go home, spend time with family and mentally recharge.

Additionally, the Informed Athlete article emphasizes that “Furthermore, student-athletes who may be staying on campus during this period of Dec. 20-26 (such as international studentathletes) or those who live near

their campus are not allowed to participate in any voluntary athletic activities in a campus facility unless that facility is open to the general student population during this period.”

Limiting athletic activities gives all athletes a true winter break.

The argument that students should practice over break is supported in a of couple diferent ways.

One can say that going a couple of weeks without practice or competition can harm athletes’ performance upon returning. Practicing over break can allow coaches to schedule longer practices to work on areas that need improvement. A lot of coaches will schedule practices over break as “optional,” but more often than not, athletes will still be penalized for missing a practice or competition.

Although it is important for student athletes to regularly practice, it is also important that students receive breaks in order to focus on themselves.

The dangers with interference of criminal investigations by civilians

viewers to step into the world of the investigation.

People like to play investigators trying to pick up on clues and leads trying to discover who the killer is.

Problems begin to occur when viewers start to blur the lines between entertainment in fctional TV shows and true crime cases that have occurred a long time ago and recent cases that still have active investigations and grieving family members.

The four individuals were killed in the middle of the night, while two other roommates slept downstairs, not noticing anything until morning. This case has drawn a large audience on TikTok, with nearly 815.2 million people viewing the hashtag #idahomurders. Many of these users are making posts that receive thousands, or even millions,of views, harassing who they believe the killer is, with no regard for the person or families involved.

Editorial staff members thank WCSD for increase of resources due to Chromebook access

For the second semester of the school year, WHS made the decision to move to one-to-one, providing each student with a Chromebook that they can take to and from school to assist with their classes.

This new accessibility is very benefcial to the students as it makes learning at WHS more equitable, especially for the students who would not be able to aford a laptop otherwise.

The WCSD is very fortunate to be able to provide these Chromebooks as resources to help students learn more efciently. As students at WHS, we acknowledge the economic privilege of the WCSD to be able to provide personal devices for each student. For many students, having this opportunity may provide them with a device that they would not have access to otherwise.

Anti-drug campaigns prove to be counterintuitive

approach may make drugs seem more attractive to youth as a sign of rebellion against those who seek to control their behavior.

Campaigns against drugs can also create a false sense that drug use is a lot more common than it is, making those who do not use drugs feel out of the loop.

So, when the WHS drug free program, STAND, started, I cannot say I was excited after hearing these ads for years already. I joined for the promised benefts, including special privileges, free food and weekly events.

Since the D.A.R.E. campaign started in 1983, various organizations have utilized a variety of tactics to stop children from using drugs.

True crime is one of the most popular genres of media, with documentaries, books, podcasts and a whole side of TikTok, aptly named #crimetok, with which people are more obsessed than ever.

TV shows, like Only Murders in the Building , Criminal Minds and true crime documentaries that tell the story of real people, allow

The majority of these people have no connection to the story or to the people it involves. Random strangers on the internet will call out innocent people as suspects, with no proof to back it, leading to mass amounts of hate and attention being directed at grieving friends and family members.

The public’s involvement in crime investigations has become particularly apparent with the recent murder of four University of Idaho students.

These TikToks can be incredibly dangerous, as they spread false information and can jeopardize police investigations, making them take more time than necessary, especially if the police force is distracted with controlling the rumors.

TikTok investigators, with no knowledge of how investigations truly work, will not solve the case before real trained detectives and, instead, only harm the people involved.

In the modern age, online advertisements are the newest way to convince kids to not use drugs. However, these ads have failed to convince me and other students. The messages of the ads is something the target audience of teens is tired of hearing and has ultimately turned into meaningless background noise and something to make fun of.

While ads that attempt to scare people about drugs might seem compelling to members of Congress, they do not necessarily scare kids away from drugs. In some cases, this kind of

Even though I remain a member, STAND’s infuence on the school remains in the background mostly spread through word of mouth and a few announcements every school year.

I know others who have reached the same conclusion. Like me, a WHS student was a member of STAND, but who had not been tested for two years and did not see a point in remaining in the organization despite stating that STAND is widespread knowledge in the high school.

STAND can serve as a great program to join and a strong cornerstone for the school district’s stance against drugs, but could be much better if it received more attention from the administration and students.

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BENJAMIN STAVNEZER trends editor

HANNAH LOGIUDICE on campus editor

ALTHOUGH ALL STUDENTS HAVE SCHEDULED BREAKS, MOST ATHLETIC TEAMS AT WHS SCHEDULE PRACTICES DURING STUDENTS’ TIME OFF.