The Wooster Blade, Volume MMXXIII, Issue #5

Recent events at WHS prompt review of WCS cell phone policy

BRITTANY WACHTEL co-editor-in-chief

At WHS, students abide by Board of Education policy po5136, which states: “Except as authorized by a teacher, administrator or IEP team, students are prohibited from using PCDs during the school day, including while off-campus on a field trip, to capture, record and/ or transmit the words or sounds (i.e., audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person.”

In the classroom and within extracurricular activities, this policy addresses students’ behavior in terms of usage of their cell phones.

Last school year, signs went up in bathrooms across the WHS campus, stating that bathrooms are a private space and there are to be no photos or videos taken

within that space. This postage was in response to the devious licks trend that spread throughout the WHS campus.

Since then, there has been no review of cell phone policies aside from policies implemented by individual staff members within their classrooms.

Gabe Tudor, WCSD superintendent, says, “In regards to policy changes, we receive recommendations from legal counsel (NEOLA) twice a year that are considered by the policy committee. If the committee decides to move forward with the recommendations they are approved by the board after two readings at our regular monthly meetings.”

The current board policy concerning personal communication devices (PCDs) does not reference any form of social media posting or sharing. Instead, the use of inappropriate

WHS gets chromebooks

websites and the sharing of child pornography or inappropriate pictures via email or text is addressed. This policy was last revised on April 27, 2010.

Board policy code po5517.01 addresses bullying and other forms of aggressive behavior. This policy references any intentional, “electronic act” that causes either physical or mental harm to another student, with an electronic act being defined as, “an act committed through the use of a cellular telephone, computer, pager, personal communication device, or other electronic communication device.” This policy was last updated Dec. 18, 2012.

Tudor says of the future of PCDs at WHS, “Cell phones and other digital communications are important topics that we continue to work with our legal counsel and staff to properly address through administrative enforcement and policy.”

Alumna works for The New York Times

OLIVIA HINER co-editor-in-chief

Rebecca Foley was a three year member of The Wooster Blade staff.

After graduating from WHS in 2016, Foley attended Kenyon College and majored in Spanish and Italian. Despite these majors, Foley has been working as a page designer for The New York Times over the past two years. On Nov. 21, she came in to talk to the BLADE staff about her journey.

Foley graduated from Kenyon in 2020 and recalled watching her name pass across the screen in a live stream during a COVID year.

MacBooks are currently available for students to use, like the one pictured above. Audrey Miller (12) was posed working on one of the available MacBooks.

JACKSON STANSIFER staff writer

Beginning in January 2023, all students at WHS, grades 8 through 12, will receive a personal Chromebook that will remain with them until graduation.

According to Rebecca Furlong, WCSD Director of Technology and Communications, this decision was made by the District Technology Committee, which is composed of teachers, administrators and members of the WCSD Tech Team.

“The committee decided that the high school students were most ready to begin taking the devices home. We also used data that shows there are a lot of students who do not have a device at home, other than their cell phone, to use for homework,” Furlong said.

Following winter break, these Chromebooks will be the only devices students may use in school; personal laptops or other devices cannot not be used for classwork during school hours, according to Furlong.

According to WHS principal Scott Musser, this requirement will allow for easier access to classes and create a degree of equity across students.

“The Chromebooks will be preloaded with software that students will need for specific

classes, testing, and other safety features. Additionally, it is important that all students are using the same platform and devices for equity in student learning,” Musser said.

Sue Herman, president of the WCSD Board of Education, built on Musser’s point, stating that the Chromebooks will provide more equal learning opportunities for all students.

“As we become more and more dependent upon connectivity in the world of education, we realize that it is incumbent upon us to provide the means to support all of our students. The accessibility of Chromebooks allows us this opportunity,” Herman said.

Upon receiving a Chromebook, students and their families may pay an optional device fee of $30 per year, which for this year, will be $15 for the second semester of this school year. This cost covers an insurance policy, which will cover the cost of repairs for up to three damages, according to Furlong.

“Students who do not have the device fee paid, will be responsible for the cost of repair when accidental damage occurs,” Furlong said.

Moving forward, the district’s current plan would implement this same Chromebook program at Edgewood Middle School next school year.

During her time at Kenyon, Foley was a member of The Kenyon Collegian. Her senior year, she was the editor-in-chief.

Throughout her time on The

Wooster Blade and The Collegian staff, Foley was hooked on journalism and said she realized that the design aspect of a publication is what she wanted to pursue.

Earlier in January 2020, she was in New York City and ended up getting a tour of The New York Times Foley got in touch with the head of design, who just so happened to be a Kenyon alum. However, their communication ended.

Fast forward, while living at home after graduating, she began reaching out to people she admired in the journalism world in search of a job, noting that she was, “trying to find any job possible.” The head of design ended up getting back in touch with her and said that The New York Times was searching for a news assistant.

Without hesitation, Foley applied

and got the job.

Foley said her job began with, “answering phones and tracking down reporters.”

After some time, she mentioned her interest and background in design and was able to start assisting art directors. Foley’s job was pagination, which essentially meant that she was handed a drawing for page one and had to put it together.

Now, Foley says her job consists mostly of, “working behind the scenes.” Foley works on complex layouts and coding for pages and also writes stories on the side.

While there are late nights spent in front of a computer staring at a screen, Foley said she is very happy where she is.

She especially notes that she is thankful for The Wooster Blade and it sparking her interest in journalism.

Club encourages students to try pickleball

ETHAN KEATING staff writer

Under the direction of adviser and second year guidance counselor, Cordell Smith, and presidents Deah Bresson (12), Jayden Christopher (12), and Anna Yoder (12), Pickleball Club has come to WHS.

The club was approved last spring, but did not have any events. This year, they plan on scheduling tournaments, as well as casual sessions.

Bresson, who has been playing pickleball for three years, describes pickleball as, “kind of a mix of tennis and ping pong…I like that it’s free and I can just go and play whenever I want.”

Pickleball is a sport which is conducive for new players as they can quickly learn the required skills.

“It’s an easy sport to learn and you can meet new people,” Yoder said.

Members of the pickleball leadership team encourages anyone who is interested to come

to the meetings and learn how to play the sport.

“The nice thing about pickleball is that you don’t need a lot of experience, so the learning curve is pretty small. So even if you’ve never played pickleball, anyone can come and join,” Smith said.

People of all skill levels are welcome and equipment will be provided to anyone who does not have it, says Bresson.

The Pickleball Club last met on Dec. 14 and has not yet determined the date for the next meeting.

Following the devious licks trend last school year, papers like the one above were posted in school restrooms. They have remained in the bathrooms throughout this year as well.

Brittany Wachtel

Ben Stavnezer

Nora Levy

Rebekah Lay becomes the first female Eagle Scout in Killbuck District

Rhys Florence-Smith staff writer

The Scouts of America has begun a trend of the past two decades in which they have been opening their organization to the inclusion of new members.

One of these inclusions has been the addition of women into the Scouts BSA program.

Rebekah Lay (12) became the first female Eagle Scout in the Killbuck District on Nov. 9.

Having joined the Scouts two years ago, Lay has been working hard to earn the rank of Eagle Scout since the start of her journey in the Scouts BSA.

The scouts organization has made an impact on many individual’s lives and for Lay, she has seen it as something that has helped her grow specific skills.

“Scouts has made me more confident in myself and it has allowed me to learn skills that I would otherwise not have been able to,” Lay said.

Given the amount of time that Lay had to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout , she noted that quick learning and the development of skills was very important for her journey. According to Scout

Smart, a website created by an Eagle Scout to give advice to new scouts, “On average, it’ll take

most scouts four to six years to go from the newly-joined ‘Scout’ rank to becoming an Eagle Scout.”

Lay, on the other hand, had two years to gain her rank. Rebekah’s project, which she

dubbed “the Phoenix project,” entailed making 12 individual benches, two with backrests, that also included drilling 37 holes into the ground, 36 deep, for an outdoor chapel for Church of the Cross, United Methodist in Wooster.

In additional to the benches, Lay built a 40-foot pathway and also made a cross at the front of the chapel.

Throughout the history of the BSA, the rank of Eagle Scout has only been awarded to between two and six percent of eligible scouts, according to Mike LoVecchio, a member of the BSA’s content management team.

Lay went on to express that the, “Scouts has been a great experience, from getting to meet new people, to being able to learn about being a better leader.”

One such person that Lay was able to meet through Scouts was Chloe Kerns, a sophomore at WHS.

As a member of Lay’s scouting troop Kerns has been able to see Lay’s progress first hand.

Kerns describes Lay as saying that she, “I couldn’t be where I am without her, and I support her and love her endlessly. And I’m so proud of how far she’s come.”

The ceremony for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be held on Jan. 7.

The aftermath of Twitter’s Aquisation by Elon Musk Pro equipment tips for safe winter driving

TRISTAN MILLER staff writer

In late October, business magnate Elon Musk completed his $44 billion acquisition of the Twitter social media platform and has been making changes to the company. Musk is now in complete control of the platform. Since he purchased Twitter, he has fired more than 3,700 twitter employees, accounting for well over half of the company’s staff.

With Twitter being one of the largest social media platforms in the world, this sudden loss of workforce has caused enormous internal issues at the company.

Without experienced engineers and employees to run vital operations like cybersecurity, several major risks have been created, and all the while employees continue to be fired or quit. CNBC in an article, titled “New wave of resignations hits Twitter after Musk ultimatum,” from Nov. 17 stated. “resignations had hit important parts of the company’s engineering operation.”

With internal components of the company being affected by the loss of workforce, Twitter’s future operational success under Musk is unclear at this time.

Musk has also made massive policy changes to the platform itself, the largest of which is the new Twitter Blue subscription service. This new service allows users of Twitter to pay a monthly fee of $8 to receive a Twitter verification. In the past, verification would be reserved for public figures or companies, but now anyone can become verified on the platform according to Twitter’s official website. This change has caused many issues, as some users have begun to impersonate verified companies or celebrities and tweet false statements about them. USA Today in an article titled “Twitter blue parody accounts flood the platform after new subscription service rollout,” from Nov. 14 states, “A verified account posing as the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly tweeted a spoof message saying insulin was now free.” Incidents like these have caused much controversy and have led some users and companies to leave Twitter altogether, including Eli Lilly.

Overall, Musk has made more than a few changes to the Twitter platform, but with him leading the company for less than two months at this point, its fate under his new leadership is unclear.

LILY CAMPBELL-LEHTINEN staff writer

One of the most difficult seasons to drive in is winter mainly due to the snow, ice and other weather-related conditions.

AAA Auto Repair, SureFire CPR and Wooster Police Officer April Teichmer, offer some insight on certain items drivers should keep in their cars during the colder seasons.

Item 1: Cell Phone and Car Charger According to AAA, this is a basic requirement for driving safely, especially if you have an electric vehicle that needs to be charged. The cell phone can be used to alert authorities of your presence when your vehicle has broken down, as well as call anyone you might otherwise want to reach.

Item 2: Ice scraper/Snow Brush An ice scraper can be very useful, especially after a large snowfall. AAA recommends using an ice scraper due to it being able to remove most forms of ice and snow from windshields, which can be dangerous and affect visibility if left unchecked. In fact, some ice scrapers also have a snow brush attached, which

could save both time and money.

Item 3: Car Emergency Warning Devices/Tow Strap

Car warning devices can be used as a call for help in case of an emergency. AAA lists some such devices as road flares or reflectors. Another useful device is the tow strap. “If you slide off a road and into a ditch, you can use the strap to allow someone else to pull you back onto the roadway,” Teichmer said. These devices are commonly used to attract help and keep others away from any area that might be dangerous.

dangerous. AAA recommends using sand, salt or even cat litter as something that can be scattered across the road in order to make driving safer and ice less slippery.

Item 5: First Aid Kit

A first aid kit can be used to treat injuries while away from home. SureFire CPR suggests that people include items like bandages, hand sanitizer and a digital thermometer, as well as any other medications specific to you or the people around you. Officer Teichmer also recommends that a first aid kit, “should have any first aid supplies that may be needed to tend to small injuries from a crash. Depending on your kit, it may have small tools that could be useful for minor vehicle repairs.”

Item 6: Extra Clothes and Water

A bottled water and a blanket can be beneficial to drivers in the event of being trapped in their car. Teichmer says that “The blanket and bottled water are in case you are trapped in your car. Keeping warm and hydrated will be important.” The extra clothes can be used in the case of needing to get outside of the car, or attaching something like a tow strap.

Item 4: Traction Aid

A traction aid can be used in helping a car keep a grip on the road when it is icy or otherwise

Officer Teichmer recommends that a first aid kit, “should have any first aid supplies that may be needed to tend to small injuries.”

Rebekah stands with her parents Sherry and Robert Lay and her scoutmasters Darrel Moser and Jim Parris. In completing her work and project for her Eagle Scout application, Lay had two years in which to gain her rank.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KILLBUCK DISTRICT BSA FACEBOOK

Dead to Me has viewers feeling sorrowful

Dead to Me follows the friendship of characters Jen Harding (Christina Applegate) and Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini) as they go through difficult stages of their lives together, dealing with issues relating to grief and relationships, also tying in storylines regarding illness, cover-ups, death and even murder.

season whatsoever.

While many modifications were necessary off-screen, the beauty of the show and the powerful dynamic between Applegate and Cardellini were as apparent as ever, if not more so.

STELLA POWERS trends editor

The third and final installment of the hit series Dead to Me recently dropped on Netflix, following a hiatus of over two years.

Surrounding a friendship formed in the aftermath of a hit-and-run, the show began with a focus on grief, with the end of the series tying up that subject in a perfect bow.

Starring many notable actors,

Season three of the series was delayed in production following the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for lead actress Christina Applegate.

Applegate was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, making the ceremony her first public appearance since the diagnosis. Joined by co-star Linda Cardellini, Applegate touched briefly on the hardships she has faced in recent years, both with her disease and how dealing with that impacted her ability to film the final season of Dead to Me.

However, these obstacles did not impact the on-screen quality of the

The new season picks up right where the previous one left off: with the aftermath of a second hitand-run, this time with the main characters being the victims.

Following the accident, the main characters learn new, shocking and life-changing information about themselves in the hospital, all of which only adds onto the murder they are still working to cover up from previous seasons.

The series ends the same way it begins: with grief. Ending with a devastating, yet equally as beautiful, loss, the series goes full circle back to where it all started.

Dead to Me has always done a wonderful job of telling difficult and emotional stories, and the final installment is no different.

A Christmas Carol captures holiday spirit

LAURA RAPPORT a&e editor

A Christmas Carol was published by Charles Dickens in 1843 and was well received by critics and quickly became a holiday classic.

The story follows Ebeneezer Scrooge, a greedy businessman in Victorian England. Scrooge hates Christmas. Throughout the story, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who show him the meaning of Christmas, and by the end, he is a changed man.

Although A Christmas Carol is over 150 years old, it has remained a holiday classic, with many theaters performing the show every year.

Great Lakes Theater, located in Cleveland, will be putting on its interpretation of A Christmas Carol for the 34 year in a row.

David Hansen, education outreach

associate GLT, said about Christmas Carol’s popularity, “One of the best things about A Christmas Carol is that it’s a ghost story. It features a variety of indelible characters, like Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, but also the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, each with their own unique and thrilling personalities.”

John Resenhouse, who plays Jacob Marley, Mr. Fezziwig, and Old Joe in Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of Christmas Carol, spoke about his experience playing Marley, Scrooge’s deceased business partner and the first ghost that visits Scrooge, saying: “This is only the second year that I’ve played Marley. And, I have found that playing Marley, he arranges the visitations from the other ghosts because he did not get that chance at redemption …getting to put myself in the position as someone who didn’t change and is

now having to suffer. It’s taught me a lot.”

Shanna Jones, who plays the Ghost of Christmas Past in KCRep’s production, credited A Christmas Carol’s success to its central themes. “It’s a story full of magic, love, hope, and most of all second chances. I think watching a character like Scrooge change so completely for the better gives us all hope that good will win outthat change is possible for anyone, for ourselves,” Jones said.

A Christmas Carol is, undoubtedly, a holiday essential and will continue to be a classic for years to come. “Love is the ultimate power, the ultimate magic. Christmas time, above all times, is when we should be kind, generous, and full of love. Perhaps we can make that last all year long if we try,” Jones said GLT’s production of A Christmas Carol will run from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23.

Wednesday makes a splash on Netflix

exploring the Addams family’s past and ancestry.

It also explores the theme of family relationships especially between mother and daughter, as Wednesday feels the pressure of always being in her mother’s shadow, and her werewolf roommate, Enid Sinclair (played by Emma Myers), is pressured by her mother to turn into a wolf, although she is unable to do so.

JAELYN FREDERICK staff writer

The Wednesday Netflix series is a murder mystery about 15-yearold Wednesday Addams, played brilliantly by Jenna Ortega, who also starred in Stuck in the Middle as Harley Diaz.

In the first episodes, viewers learn that Wednesday is forced to go to her parents’ old school, Nevermore Academy, after being expelled from her old one. In the woods outside Nevermore, many people are being brutally murdered, and the townspeople put the blame on the Nevermore students, so Wednesday decides to investigate these murders, just like the characters about whom she writes in her own novels.

Jenna Ortega does an amazing job as Wednesday and is enjoyable to watch. They also brought back the actress who played the role of Wednesday Addams in the ‘90s Addams family movies, Christina Ricci, who now plays Wednesday’s teacher Professor Thornhill.

The series shows Wednesday without her family, while still

Wednesday is a very flawed character who will do anything to get what she wants, even if it means hurting the people close to her. These flaws make her interactions and relationships with other characters interesting, especially with Enid.

Wednesday and Enid are shown as complete opposites: one hates bright colors and loves true crime, while the other loves bright colors and is very squeamish. Their interactions are fun to watch, even when they are arguing.

The acting does a great job as every character is convincing and it keeps the viewer guessing who the murderer really is up till the end.

Though the monster does look very cartoonish it makes the show more accessible to people who are not fans of horror.

The show is enjoyable for a wide audience even for people who have never watched the Addams family before. The show is most appropriate for teenagers since the show includes jump scares, violence, scary imagery and foul language. All eight episodes of Wednesday are available now on Netflix.

Fair use courtesy of media.netflix

The Wooster Blade Holiday Gift Guide

Gifts for bakers and cooks

How to gift repetitive gifts

Gifts ideas by category Specific gift ideas

JAMIE OGLE staff writer

White Elephant

During the holiday season, one may get invited to a White Elephant gift exchange. At a White Elephant party, novelty gifts are exchanged. Novelty gifts can be hard to pick from since there are so many out there. However, the “Pooch Selfie” ($11.10 on chewy. com) is a great gift for this type of party. It is a phone attachment that has a ball so someone’s dog will look at the camera when taking a photo.

Gifts for men

There are some gifts that men enjoy getting. For the dad who loves the outdoors, a sherpalined plaid jacket is a great gift idea ($129.99 on Carhartt). Some people’s fathers might prefer the indoors. A good gift for a father who likes to stay inside is an Amazon Fire Stick ($40). However, any car-loving person in your life may love a car detailing kit ($29.63 on Amazon).

Many people in a student’s life at WHS may include people who love to cook. Likewise, there are many cooking utensils out there that would make great gifts, including items like cottage fruit bowls ($14 on Anthropologie.com).

Cottage fruit bowls keep the fruit contained in it fresher for longer, limiting food waste and keeping the food fresh for meals. Another great gift would be new pot holders and oven mitts ($17.50 on Vera Bradley). Most of these items can be found on Anthropologie. com, but they can also be found at local stores like Blue Spruce Boutique.

Gifts for parents and grandparents

Parents or grandparents will always love a book filled with pictures of their children or grandchildren. There are many options on Shutterfly where users can insert their own photos.

Grandparents always want photos of their grandchildren to put on the fridge. Level up this gift idea by going on shutterfly.com and putting photos of your family in a small photo book ($11.99).

Grandparents who love to read would also appreciate a Kindle Paperwhite ($75). Though it is on the pricier end, it is a gift that grandparents will appreciate for years.

Winter increases skincare need

REBEKAH LAY staff writer

Sunscreen products

The main target groups for skin, during winter, include how to combat dryness, how to maintain hydration and how to protect against UV rays. According to skincancer.org, a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher is required for winter, they also suggest sunscreen in moisturizer form. There are moisturizers with SPF built in, from Cerave which contains SPF 30, while still being a moisturizer, it is around $14 for 3 ounces. There are also moisturizers from Cerave that do not contain SPF, one of which is around $17 but is 16 ounces.

, with sunscreen in it, is a very effective and cheap way to protect against the winter season. This product is sold in Walmart for around $5.

Gift cards can be a gift that people will appreciate, but they have been used time and time again and can get a little repetitive. Gift cards can be gifted with a personal touch by giving someone a wallet with gift cards to their favorite places in them. Some good gift cards for teens include Dick’s Sporting Goods, American Eagle, Lululemon, and any restaurant that the person you are looking for enjoys. It is a great way to add a personal touch to something that has been gifted time and time again. Adding a candle or a ribbon adds a sleek look to a gift basket for someone.

Miscellaneous gifts

If none of these gifts above seem appealing to the people for whom you are shopping there are still lots of gifts out there. People would appreciate these gifts. “The Comfy’’ hoodie ($31.99) is similar to a snuggie, and people will wear it around the house all the time. It is something that people do not think they would want until they get one. Another thing people might not want until they get one is a Stanley Cup ($40). Stanley cups keep your drink “...cold for 11 hours, keeps drinks hot for 7 hours…” and “Stays iced for 2 days.” (Stanley1913.com). It’s a great gift for someone who likes to stay hydrated.

Casual socks

Ugg

Water filter

Lifestraw

Exploding Kittens

Sheet masks

Coffee mug warmer

Hair begins to get brittle during winter and can cause massive hair loss and dandruff. Factors to keep in mind are hydration and a formation of a protective layer on the scalp because the scalp already secretes oils that help with hydration. A product like Dove Winter Therapy Conditioner can help with these problems, and its product prices from $4 to $12 per bottle. According to Dove, the Winter Therapy Conditioner and Shampoo is made to combat static and is infused with Omega 3 oil to provide deeper hydration.

Lip products

Lips, during winter, get cracked and get wind burn. Like skin care, the primary focus for good lip care is to keep hydration, while also still protecting from external factors. Lip care products such as

GRACE KOSTOHRYZ focus editor

Cozy Chenille Casual Socks ($20), can be found on Amazon or UGG.com- When it comes to comfort, one of the first things people look for is socks. These socks are perfect for keeping your feet warm and staying cozy.

VOGABA Electric Coffee Mug Warmer ($25), can be found on Amazon- This self-heating mug is perfect for the hot drink lover in your family. It keeps your drinks hot while also allowing you to control the temperature.

Exploding Kittens A Game of Cat and Mouth ($20), can be found on Amazon- Perfect for people that enjoy healthy competition and fun board games.

Personal Water Filter ($15), can be found on Amazon or Lifestraw.com- When spending lots of time outdoors, it is important to stay hydrated. This self-filtering straw allows you to drink from any source of water. I chose these selections because I was trying to provide a variety of different ideas and the ratings for all of the items are very high.

Glam Up Facial Sheet Masks ($12), can be found on AmazonThis pack of 22 facemasks provides a variety of different options each with their own benefits.

Graphic by Hannah LoGiudice

Graphics by Benjamin Stavnezer

The year 2022 was one full of influential events in world news, entertainment, trends and much more. This page reflects on influential moments in 2022 through national news, fashion trends, entertainment and what has happened so far this school year. The top events from each of these categories is shown below.

National news headlines by the month

All blurbs by Hannah LoGuidice, Caleb Kostohryz, and Caleb Singer- Holden

The best in entertainment this year

2022 Fashion through the seasons

Spring

According to Glamour, spring 2022 saw the rise of platform shoes from boots to clogs to sneakers. Patterned sets were popular, both formal and casual and feathers appeared on everything from shoes to prom dresses.

2022 at Wooster High School

Summer

According to Glamour, summer 2022 was full of colorful flats, cropped vests and linen pants and shirts. Accessories such as beaded bags and sunglasses in fun shapes such as flowers and geometric designs became popular. Fall

According to Cosmopolitan, with the weather turning colder, fashion turned to faux fur coats in varying patterns and lengths, cargo pants and corsets which began to appear layered over sweaters.

Winter

According to Vogue, winter 2022 will bring the emergence of faux leather everything from pants to shirts to jackets. Long hemlines for dresses and coats will be popular, bright colored sweaters and color blocking on dresses, shirts or pants will come into style.

April UN suspends Russia from Human Rights Council

May Finland and Sweden want to join NATO

June Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to the Supreme Court

July FDA unbans JUUL

January Colorado Wildfire (destroyed more than 1,000 homes)

February Russia invaded Ukraine, Vladimir Putin

March U.S.began banning Russian flights August Mistrial in Flint Michigan water crisis

September Queen Elizabeth’s death October Thailand Mass Shooting November Russian missile strikes Poland

December Trump calls for termination of constitution

Photos by Hannah LoGiudice, Brittany Wachtel

Proper nutrition helps physical and mental health in student athletes

NORA LEVY & HANNAH LOGIUDICE sports editor & on-campus editor

As the winter sports season kicks into high gear, nutrition is an important part of staying healthy and performing during an athlete’s sporting events.

Registered dietitian Susan Anderson notes, “Nutrition in high school can be a problem depending on who you are and what you know.”

Anderson also shares that how people care for their bodies as a high schooler can have impacts on potential health issues later in life.

WHS athletic director Alex Mallue, emphasizes that “Proper nutrition is vital for student-athletes to perform at their best.” Mallue went on to mention that

proper nutrition is key in, ”injury prevention, immune system strengthening, decreased muscle soreness, recovery, and so much more.”

There is also a large impact of diet on mental health. According to a Sept. 18 article published in Harvard Health Publishing, “Like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress”

Additionally the article also states sugars have been detrimental to brain function.

Different diets have also been shown to lower the risk of depression. Harvard Health Publishing emphasizes a traditional mediterranean or Japanese diet

lowers the risk of depression 25% to 35% when compared to a western diet.

In a March/April 2015 study by the National Library of Medicine, “Helping patients to eat a diet that is rich in brain food – fish, seafood, beans & legumes, leafy greens and other vegetables, olive oil (monounsaturated fat), yogurt, nuts – can be an effective and relatively simple way to promote mental health and recovery from mental illness that can easily be integrated into healthcare.”

Not only can healthy eating improve mental health, but it can also be an easy way to supplement treatment for mental health crises that may arise.

Not having adequate nutrition can have a negative effect on athletes’ physical health and performance.

Carbohydrates are the body’s

main source of energy. If an athlete does not consume an adequate amount, it can leave them feeling tired and lacking energy, which is vital for performance. Anderson recommends that athletes, “eat a snack or meal within 15 to 60 minutes following exercise.”

Additionally, protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle, not consuming enough protein can cause a loss of muscle mass, which can affect an athlete’s strength. According to a Dec. 4, 2019, article written by Bridget Lee: “ Young athletes have different nutritional needs, but the three main basics to start with are proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Proper hydration throughout your day also plays an important role in nutrition.”

Consuming nutritious meals including protein carbohydrates,

Senior Athletes Through the Years

and healthy fats are incredibly important for all student athletes because it allows them to be prepared and energized for practice or competitions. Anderson also recognizes the importance of replenishing the sodium and potassium lost in sweat. She recommends smoothies, yogurt and fruit, rice bowls and beans, veggie stir fry, whole wheat sandwiches or sports drinks after practice. Ultimately, “It [proper nutrition] comes down to variety and hydration,” Anderson concludes.

Additionally, the WHS athletic department is, “currently exploring options to bring in speakers throughout the year to cover topics such as sports nutrition and the importance of positive mental health with our student-athletes and coaches.”

As seniors enter their last winter sports season, we take a look back at the time they have spent playing, praticing and learning their respective sports. A few seniors were asked to submit a photo of them as a young athlete in their sport and then select a photo from their last first game, match or meet.

Blake Bowen

Gretchen Chelf

Dawson Gaynor

Nora Levy

Photo Courtesy of Dawson Gaynor

Paul Dawson

Photo Courtesy of Blake Bowen

Nora Levy

Photo Courtesy of Gretchen Chelf

Deanna Walenciak

Photo Courtesy of Nora Levy

Phil Raber

Editors-in-Chief

Brittany Wachtel, Olivia Hiner • Graphics

Editor Nora Levy, Ben Stavnezer • Feature

Editors Ben Stavnezer

• Cover Editors Mattie Dunlap, Molly Byrne• On Campus Editor Hannah LoGiudice • Focus Editor Grace Kostohryz • Sports Editor Nora Levy

• Trends Editor Stella Powers • A & E Editor

Laura Rapport • Views

Editors Brittany Wachtel, Olivia Hiner • Staff Writers Lily Campbell-Lehtinen, Laynee Eslich, Rhys Florence-Smith, Jaelyn Frederick, Ethan Keating, Caleb Kostohryz, Rebekah Lay, Tristan Miller, Jamie Ogle, Caleb Singer-Holden, Jackson Stansifer • Head Photographers Nora Levy, Ben Stavnezer • Photographers

Brittany Wachtel, Ben Stavnezer, Nora Levy, Lily CampbellLehtinen, Hannah LoGuidice, Ethan Keating, Molly Byrne, Caleb Kostohryz, Rebekah Lay, Laynee Eslich, Caleb Singer-Holden • 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. Letters and inquiries should be addressed to The Wooster Blade, 515 Oldman Road Wooster, Ohio 44691. Blade can be contacted at 330-3454000 ext. 3210.

OUR VIEW

WHS cell phone policy needs updated

In recent weeks, WHS experienced two separate instances of cell phone misuse within the school, one involving a social media post and one involving Airdropping.

These incidents show a need to look at and update the WHS acceptable use and cell phone policies.

The current policy, according to the 2020-2021 WHS student handbook, states that “PCD’S are to be used in the commons, hallways, classroom (w/ teacher permission), study hall (w/ teacher permission), and library (w/ teacher permission).

These devices are to be used for educational purposes only.

Misuse of these devices may result in disciplinary consequences, including confiscation of the device.”

Nate Steiner, associate principal at WHS, shares that “Teachers have significant control over cell phones in their classroom. If they do not wish to have cell phones used in class, they have complete control and support to do so. Many teachers have systems in place to help enforce this expectation”. Steiner also shares that any increase in phone restrictions would need feedback from all the stakeholders at WHS. However, individual teachers are left to issue their own punishments for students breaking the policies

surrounding phones. Cell phone policy guidelines and punishments should be standardized by the district, instead of leaving it up to the teacher, limiting unnecessary confusion as to if cell phones are allowed in one class and not the other.

The current policies do not account for the extent devices are used and their exponential involvement in student’s lives. Students will continue to face greater consequences for what they choose to post with the ability for others to share easily. The WCSD cell phone policy should be reviewed and updated to prevent more instances occurring again.

The dangers of another Trump presidency

was the face of hatred, bigotry and ignorance.

Trump continuously targeted people of color, members of the LGBTQIA community and women.

Trump was a consistent attendee of March For Life antiabortion rallies and often spread misinformation surrounding Democrats, saying that Democrats, “supported infanticide.”

resemble Trump, white, cis-gender, men.

BRITTANY WACHTEL co-editor-in-chief

On Nov. 15, former President Donald Trump announced his presidential run for 2024.

Trump held a press conference in his Mar-a-Lago resort in which he said, “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States.”

Trump held office from 2016 to 2020, and was impeached twice within that time period, a first in American history.

During his presidency, Trump

Most notably, Trump morphed the public view of the media. Through his online presence on Twitter and his various press releases, Trump propelled a partisan media distrust. Trump coined the phrase “fake news” and would specifically target leftleaning news sources.

According to The Washington Post Fact Checker, Trump made nearly 30,375 false or misleading claims during his presidency.

As a woman in America, another Trump presidency is nothing short of terrifying. A Trump presidency only benefits those American’s that

I struggle to understand how anyone can defend Trump after his tumultuous presidency. He pinned opposing political parties against each other through false statements, targeted minorities and used his presidency to his advantage, whether that was through politics or taking advantage of women.

Trump used his power to get away with crimes, the most recent and notable being the official government records that he took from the White House to Mar-aLago. Lest we forget that at least 18 women have accused Trump of sexual harassment.

America does not need another presidency fueled by hatred and misinformation. Now more than ever, America needs unity and peace. If Americans truly want to “Make America Great Again,” a Trump presidency is not the way to do it.

The importance of focusing on Jewish joy

a link to an antisemitic film entitled Hebrew to Negroes: Wake Up Black America! Chappelle faced backlash for comments he made during a 15-minute SNL monologue about West’s and Irving’s comments.

take power from them. In the words of Jewish director Mel Brooks: “Comedy is protest.”

RAPPORT arts editor

Recently, antisemitism has been at forefront of pop culture discussions following antisemitic comments made by Kanye West, Kyrie Irving and comedian Dave Chapelle.

The recent conversation about antisemitism was started in October when West tweeted that he was going to go “death-con 3” on the Jewish people. This comment was then followed by Irving, who plays for the Brooklyn Nets, who was suspended for at least five games after he tweeted

All three of these celebrities faced backlash from the Jewish community and allies, with Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, saying, “There it goes again, the age-old canard that Jews are all-powerful. As a celebrity with a wide following, Kanye West should know better. We hope that he will take responsibility for his words, understand why they are offensive, and apologize to those he’s offended.”

As disheartening and offensive as West, Irving, and Chappelle’s comments are, as a Jewish woman, I think it is important to focus on Jewish joy and resistance to hatred and antisemitism.

In my opinion, making fun of bigots is one of the best ways to

In Brooks’ movie The Producers, two theater producers put on a nazi musical in hopes that it will close instantly and they will get to keep all the money raised to put on the show. Any actual nazis (there is one) in the movie are portrayed as idiots. No neo-nazi will ever look up to the nazi in The Producers, a problem that movies that feature nazis as serious often face.

Antisemitism is a dark thing that unfortunately, most Jews will continue to face in the future.

But, there is power in survival. The Jewish people have faced oppression since biblical times, but there has always been resistance. As horrible as the words and sentiment that West, Irving, and Chappelle have expressed, I am confident that someday, a Mel Brooks type will make a movie making fun of them.

And, as weird as that sounds, I find a lot of comfort in that.

For this issue, the staff decided on taking the headline package from the Sept. 27, 2013 issue. The headline includes a snowflake as this is our winter issue. We wanted to make the front totally different from the last issue, as you will notice by the drop down on the side. As a staff, we were excited to bring you something new and challenge ourselves by working with a new page layout.

LAURA